FAITH FEAR
OV E R OVER
Local child battles heart condition
COX Asst. Sports Editor | @byleahcox
Just days before their lives changed, the symptoms seemed routine. Jacob Walter visited the Mosaic Walk-In Clinic in Maryville, with fatigue and loss of appetite.
What initially appeared to be flu-like symptoms quickly escalated into a life-threatening heart condition, sending Jacob Walter and his parents, Dan and Jenny Walter, into an unfamiliar world of emergency care, surgeries and long nights inside Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City — a place his parents have called home for nearly a month.
“We went from the clinic to the ER (emergency room), then they sent a helicopter, then we got here — that was four weeks ago,” Dan Walter said. “We had no idea. There were no signs.”
Doctors later discovered Jacob Walter had an enlarged heart, a condition his parents said had never slowed him down or revealed itself.
A once active 10-year-old, involved in basketball, soccer, baseball, flag football and the swim team, has now found himself measuring progress in hospital procedures, lab results and recovery milestones instead of on the court.
While the physical battle began inside hospital walls, Dan and Jenny Walter said another journey was unfolding alongside it — one rooted deeply in faith.
For the Walter family, faith has always been an aspect of their life, but Jacob Walter’s journey has only strengthened these beliefs. Jenny Walter said her family loves the Lord, and faith has allowed her family to get
through this tough time.
“We have our really, really scared and crying times, but God gives you peace,” Jenny Walter said. “You just know that you can trust him…we don’t always know how things will turn out, but we know that he loves us, and ultimately, he’s got a plan for Jacob — we just sometimes have to remind ourselves every second of that.”
Jacob Walter’s faith, his parents said, has not only guided his own outlook but has also strengthened the family’s faith.
After being baptized just months before his diagnosis, Jacob Walter received a cross and began holding closely to a Bible verse that has since taken on a deeper meaning throughout his recovery.
SEE JACOB | A4
Maryville community rallies around Jacob Walter, family
ANNA BAILEY News Editor | @AmBailey16
The Maryville community has shown that the phrase “stronger together” is not only a positive outlook, but a reality proven when one cause leads to region-wide unification.
Maryville resident Jacob Walter, 10, was found to have an enlarged heart, according to a Facebook post made by Dan Walter, Jacob Walter’s father, who has since continued to post updates on the platform. The first post by Dan Walter began with the phrase “Jacob’s Journey.” Now, if an individual searches this
phrase on Facebook, they will see much more than the family’s updates.
The Red Rival is a local T-Shirt company. In the past, the company has provided shirts for fundraisers. Owner Nicole Estes said her son is a good friend of Jacob Walter. When she heard the news, she said she wanted to find a way to show her support. Estes said she reached out to Jenny Walter, Jacob Walter’s mother, asking for permission to sell a shirt that can be worn in support of his journey. Estes soon found out that she was not the only company to reach out.
Jacob Walter sits after playing baseball. Before his diagnosis, Walter was an active 10-year-old involved in basketball, soccer, baseball, flag football and swim.
Northwest freshman Kiah Bennett sells “Faith over Fear: Jacob’s Journey” T-shirts during the “Red Out” doubleheader against the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos Feb. 5.
NATHAN NODA PHOTO EDITOR
LEAH
Bill to change teacher certification
A bill circulating through the Missouri House of Representatives could allow prospective educators to earn a temporary teaching certification after two years of schooling, rather than requiring a four-year program.
Missouri House Bill 2776 was introduced and read in the Missouri House of Representatives for the first time Jan. 7. It has since been read in the House for a second time and had two public hearings Jan. 21 and Feb. 4 with the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee. Following this most recent hearing, the committee voted to pass this bill with a 12 to 5 vote.
The bill is sponsored by Missouri Rep. Willard Haley, R. During the Jan. 21 hearing, Haley introduced the bill to the committee. He said he was not sure if he was in favor of the bill when he was first approached with it.
“I mentioned it to my wife, and she saw that’s something we ought to stay away from,” Haley said. “As two retired teachers, we really didn’t want to water down the teaching profession at all, and we both had four-year college degrees to teach, but after looking into this, there’s a lot more to this than just what your
first impression is.”
Missouri House Bill 2776 proposes the creation of a two-year degree called the Associate of Applied Science in Teaching Education. This degree will require 60 college credit hours, 45 of which will be concentrated in the general discipline of education. The degree’s remaining 15 credit hours focus on the specific teaching track.
The two-year degree will qualify individuals to take on a temporary teaching authorization certification that will be functional for two years.
Haley said this proposed degree can help Missouri’s teacher shortage. He said nearly 10% of Missouri classrooms have shortterm individuals or substitutes teaching in them.
Haley proposed this degree should have a minimum age of 20 years old. He said the AAS would not be targeted toward individuals who have just graduated high school; while they are welcome, this degree is meant for those who have already had a career or are looking for a new one.
Northwest Dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services Tim Wall gave testimony against the bill at the Jan. 21 hearing. Wall said he spoke on behalf of Northwest. He said he believes if the policy is changed and incom-
plete preparation is rewarded, individuals will take this route if they want to get their first job quicker.
He said he is worried about what this bill will do to public education in Missouri if passed.
“
That’s what I’ve dedicated my life to: the preparation of future leaders and teachers and counselors, administrators.”
TIM WALL
NORTHWEST DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
“If House Bill 2776 is passed, many individuals will choose the path of a two-year degree — taking funds away from higher (education) institutions such as Northwest that are accredited nationally and meet the gold standard — in favor of a shorter-term approach, which de-professionalizes education,” Wall said.
If passed, Wall said he can foresee a dip in enrollment of students planning to become educators at Northwest.
Wall said he recognized this bill was created to find a solution for the teacher shortage in Missouri; however, he does not believe this is the way to correct that problem.
“I see what they call as a ‘teacher shortage’ differently,” Wall said. “We lack revenue in the state to support education. It was just last year, (or) two years ago, that educators moved from a minimum salary of $25,000 to $40,000; and if districts couldn’t afford that from their local tax base revenue, the state was to
support moving them to a minimum standard. When our graduates finish — and Northwest has had roughly 850 teacher ed (education) program completers in the last four years — we want them to go to Missouri public schools, but only 51% do.”
Wall said during his testimony that the largest reason graduates do not stay in Missouri is because they can make as much as $18,000 more per year by going to Iowa, Kansas or Nebraska. He said graduates are savvy enough to recognize that by completing their degree at Northwest, they will be able to field multiple job offers.
“The plan is poorly thought out as it was originally conceived and presented it would put underqualified people in a position to teach our greatest resource in the state: young people,” Wall said “Without the training, the classroom management, the content knowledge, the practical experience and the mentoring, coaching and teaching that Northwest and other four-year programs offer.”
Wall said the way to fix the teacher shortage is not through this bill, but by finding a way to properly fund education.
Haley said individuals who earn the temporary certification will have a minimum salary of $37,000. He said while he would like for there to be equal pay among teachers, it is not something he thinks should be applicable for this degree.
Haley said he believes this bill will provide an opportunity to individuals who did not choose to become a teacher early in life to enroll in a two-year program, while a four-year degree may not be feasible at their particular stage of life.
“If you say you’re opposed to this, and you believe that all teachers have to have four-year degrees, my response is that there are currently 4,451 (educators in classrooms) who don’t have that,” Haley said. “What are you wanting to offer that is going to better this?”
Betting revenue totals low after first month
The legalization of sports betting in Missouri promised a large sum of revenue to aid public education, but the first-month numbers look low in comparison, according to News Press Now. Missouri voters approved Amendment Two, a Sports Betting Initiative, with a near 50% approval November, 2024, according to Ballotpedia. This amendment legalized professional retail and online sports betting. The launch date for the amendment was Dec. 1, 2025, and over $543 million in bets were wagered, but only around $521,00 was left for the state, according to the Missouri Independent.
The amendment requires a 10% wagering tax on revenues received by the state to be allocated toward funding public education and the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund.
Northwest junior Merrick Lettington has been sports betting for three years. He said people most likely voted for the amendment in order to participate, and not for its promises toward public education.
“I don’t know if it has anything to do with the education part,” Lettington said. “I mean, that could maybe motivate people, but I think it was just because it’s such a new thing, and now people don’t have to leave the state to do it. (They) might as well try, and it’s addicting.”
Lettington said he has personally known many people who bet on everything if they have the chance. He said not enough money from sports betting initiatives funds gambling recovery or education as promised.
Lettington said sports betting will hurt people in the long run.
“Honestly, the only positive I can think of is winning the money,” Lettington said. “Everything else is practically negative. You’re going to get addicted to it, and you always have a chance to lose. So, there’s not really a whole lot of positives.” The lack of funding to the state is equated to the high amount of promotional items, such as sign-up rewards, apps like FanDuel and DraftKings use to bring in gamblers, according to the Missouri Independent. These items received tax deductions; however, more money is thought to be given to the state over time as bonuses and promotional items decrease.
Kelley Baldwin, a board member for the Maryville R-II School District Board of Education, said the estimated amount of money to fund public education does not hold up. She said her opinion does not reflect the rest of the Maryville R-II School District Board of Education. She said the promotions for Amendment Two approximated $105 million to be allocated toward public education over the course of five years. Baldwin said there are more than 554 school districts across Missouri, and that $105 million would amount to around $37,900 per school district over those five years. She said that amount is less than the average salary for a firstyear teacher in Missouri, which is $38,871, according to the National Education Association. She said the promise to fund public education through various initiatives is not new to Missouri. “Missouri voters have heard similar promises before with the lottery,” Baldwin said. “Those initiatives were sold as major solutions for education funding, yet Missouri continues to rank near the bottom nationally. That history made me skeptical, and the current data reinforces that skepticism.”
INFOGRAPHIC BY ANNA CASE DESIGNER
SOURCE: MISSOURI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ANNA BAILEY News Editor | @AmBailey16
NW conducts analysis for strategic plan
ANNA BAILEY News Editor | @AmBailey16
As Northwest proceeds through the planning stage of its next strategic plan, Excellence: The Northwest Way, it is hosting SWOT analysis sessions.
A SWOT analysis is the process of determining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of a scenario, according to the U.S. Economic Development Administration. There are 20 sessions scheduled, each planned for a specific group on campus. The first sessions were Feb. 9, and they will continue each day until Feb. 13. The members of Northwest’s strategic planning insight group are facilitating each session.
All students were invited to the Feb. 10 session. Student Senate Executive President Anna Tucker and Northwest Wellness Services Assistant Vice President of Health and Wellbeing Christy Tapps facilitated this session. Tucker said the purpose of these sessions is to hear the voices of students and any other individuals who participate.
“The strategic plan of our school matters a lot because it’s what the life of a student is going to look like, and so I think it’s amazing that our school is giving the opportunity for students to have a voice,” Tucker said.
Chief of Staff Jacob Wood also attended. He said the job of the attendees of these ses-
sions is to identify and give feedback based on what they see as the most important topics to be discussed in the making of the strategic plan.
Four strategic pillars will be focused on in the creation of Excellence: The Northwest Way — enrollment growth and sustainability, the collegiate
experience, people and operations. In these sessions, attendees have the opportunity to share their opinions and ideas regarding these four pillars through the process of creating a SWOT analysis.
In Northwest’s case, participants are doing this process for each of the four pillars.
Tapps said conducting a SWOT analysis will help Northwest leadership evaluate all aspects of the institution.
“(It will look at) what could be improved on, opportunities, and just to get different groups’ voices heard on how to help leadership make those decisions on how to develop the
strategic plan and what should be focused on for the next four years,” Tapps said.
Through this analytical process, the students in attendance chose a few of the ideas brought up that they felt were important to emphasize.
An opportunity the attendees liked within the people pillar was the idea for the University to open a drugstore on campus. The attendees agreed this would help those students who do not have a car on campus.
Northwest freshman Jaycee Fangmeyer said another opportunity she thinks the University should implement is a nursing degree.
“We have a lot of amazing students that come here for two years and want to stay, but then we lose them because obviously they can’t finish their degree here,” Fangmeyer said.
On a positive side, freshman Micaela Frankum said there are a lot of different organizations available to students and it is easy to get involved.
Tapps said after the sessions are over, all of the feedback will be brought to the Northwest leadership team.
“Where it kind of goes from here is…each one of these is going to be kept and tallied by Jacob (Wood) and the insight group, and then that will be given to the Northwest leadership team to help guide them as they create that strategic plan,” Tapps said.
KNIM announces new TV station, owner talks adapting
RYAN KING
Missourian Reporter | @TheMissourian
For three-quarters of a century, parts of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri have all been provided radio entertainment from a 2,400 square foot office.
From country music to alternative, to sports to classic rock, KNIM Talk has covered everything. The station has adapted to the ever-changing media business and persevered, making itself the longest-standing radio station in Maryville.
The station hinted at some big news in an Instagram post from the Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce.
This change is a TV station that covers a wide spectrum of different forms of entertainment. CEO and owner of KNIM Robert Maggio said the station’s ability to change with the times is why they are so successful.
“Diversifying: that’s the bottom line,” Maggio said. “We aren’t a one-trick pony. When this radio station started, it was a one-trick pony; it was an AM and then converted to a FM — now we have digital services.”
Plans for the TV station were originally scheduled to go live in January of last year, but due to Maggio undergoing medical complications, the idea had to be delayed. Maggio said he is excited and the health compli-
cations he experienced made him want to work harder to get the new station off the ground.
“I had a heart attack and a bypass surgery, and I just got out, literally,” Maggio said. “That set us back, but we are completely on top of it now. The apps and all the technical work is done, now we are just gathering content; so you’ll see us out and about filming over the next 30 days.”
Throughout the past 75 years, KNIM has provided the area with coverage of local news and sports, music and entertaining content, and sponsorship and support of countless community events.”
BECKY
ALBRECHT
MARYVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Maggio also said the TV station is set to be divided into three different sections: a live 24/7 broad-
cast, a sports show highlighting teams like eight-man football, which don’t necessarily receive the same coverage as others, and a program based around the station’s Best of Midwest publication.
The Best of Midwest was created to showcase businesses in the area.
The Chamber of Commerce works together with KNIM Talk and other local businesses to promote their companies. Becky Albrecht, Maryville Chamber of Commerce executive director, said the Chamber fully supports the station and respects its time and all its hard work for Maryville.
“The greater Maryville area is fortunate to have a community partner like KNIM serving the area,” Albrecht said.
Covering a wide spectrum of media has helped the station with its long tenure in Maryville, but Maggio said he believes it takes the entire community coming together to succeed as one.
The Chamber of Commerce is the biggest supporter of the businesses in Maryville. Albrecht said she and the rest of the Chamber are grateful to have been able to work with KNIM for so long.
“Throughout the past 75 years, KNIM has provided the area with coverage of local news and sports, music and entertaining content, and sponsorship and support of countless community events,” Albrecht said.
Northwest Wellness Center Assistant Vice President of Health & Wellbeing Christy Tapps discusses responses from Student Senate members to specific scenarios during a SWOT analysis session Feb. 10.
NATHAN NODA PHOTO EDITOR
CEO and owner of KNIM (Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri) radio station Robert Maggio discusses the plans for a TV station Feb. 9.
ALLY JEFFRIES PHOTOGRAPHER
CRIME LOG
for the week of Feb. 12
Maryville Department of Public Safety
Feb. 10
There was an accident involving Venkata N. Sadineni, 22, at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park.
There was a summons issued to Catherine E. Meyer, 42, for a peace disturbance on the 1200 block of West 16th Street.
Feb. 9
There was an accident between Norma I. Spire, 94, and Jetta R. Nash, 39, on US Highway 71 and East South Avenue. Spire was charged with failure to yield.
There was an accident between Jonathan D. Morrison-Keller, 19, and Adam J. Patton, 21, on the 1600 block of East First Street. MorrisonKeller was charged with careless and imprudent driving.
Feb. 7
There was a summons issued to Lainie L. Vogan, 21, for driving while intoxicated and equipment violation on the 600 block of North Vine Street.
Feb. 5
There is a warrant out for the arrest of Joshua W. Schroder 41, for failure to appear in court on the 100 block of North Vine Street.
There was a firearm recovered on the 1600 block of South Main Street.
There was an accident between Annistyn R. Gwinn 16, and Landon E. Pierce, 19, on the 200 block of South Main Street. Pierce was charged with careless and imprudent driving.
There is an ongoing investigation for identity theft on the 100 block of West Ninth Street.
JACOB CONTINUED FROM A1
Annual gala to fundraise for women’s health clinic
DAKOTA OSWALT Managing Editor | @doswalt_NWMSRN
Mosaic Medical Center-Maryville is expected to open its comprehensive women’s health clinic by April.
St. Francis Foundation Director of Development Megan Jennings came to the Maryville City Council meeting Feb. 9 to provide updates on the project. She said she has never seen construction go so smoothly, and she’s excited for what this facility can bring to the area.
“We have been very fortunate to really take on some key initiatives that have affected patients regionally and across the state with both maternal health deserts and maternal mortality rates, and we kind of looked at both of those issues and said we’ve got to do something to kind of protect what is ours, to make sure we have the longevity for our community and the women in our community,” Jennings said.
This year’s annual St. Francis Foundation Gala will be held 5 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Mozingo Lake Recreation Park Event Center. The gala has raised money for the clinic during the past few years.
This year’s ambassadors are members of the Henry family, who were recently honored during Northwest’s Feb. 7 basketball doubleheader against Rogers State University.
“This family has battled more than any family ever should have to, and they are faithful, they are courageous, they have been bravely telling their story of their cancer journey and how much care close to home has meant to them,” Jennings said at the doubleheader.
Jennings said this year’s gala will embrace the general concept of womanhood.
“Every woman — every stage, every age — and it’s about really (taking) care of all the women across our community, no matter what life brings them,” Jennings said.
Funds will be raised to bring new 3D
The verse, Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” — has evolved for the family throughout his recovery. His sister Claire Walter, a sophomore Spoofhound basketball player, can be seen on the court with the verse on her sleeve — playing in honor of her younger brother.
“A lot of people use Philippians 4:13 for strength to overcome a positive outlook of a situation, like a game or something — but Jacob’s really understood that it’s more for when you’re in the valleys, and you’re trying to get up and overcome tough situations,” Dan Walter said. “That’s always been his verse for the last three to five months, and it fits perfectly to his situation.”
Inside the hospital room, the Walters said their days revolve around medical
mammography technology to the area, and awareness will be brought to overall women’s health programming. Jennings said programming can come in the form of doula care, nutritional guidance and mental health support, to name a few examples.
checkups, recovery and finding moments for family time. Jenny Walter said Jacob Walter’s current treatment includes a left ventricular assist device, which helps his heart pump blood while he awaits a transplant. She said the device serves as what the doctors call “a bridge,” allowing him to regain strength until he is eligible to return to the transplant list.
“Pretty much we get up, and he brushes his teeth and eats, doctors make rounds and they tweak things if they have to,” Jenny Walter said. “He has lots of family that comes to visit. We play cards sometimes, we watch some movies and in the evenings we stream the kids’ games.”
Despite the structured hospital routine, Jacob Walter’s parents said his emotional resilience has stood out the most. Dan Walter described his son as aggressively positive, saying he has shown remarkable strength when faced with news most
adults would struggle to process.
When doctors explained Jacob Walter would need a new heart, Dan Walter said the moment was difficult for the entire family. However, he said Jacob Walter’s response surprised him.
“He’s only shed a few tears in this whole four weeks,” Dan Walter said. “When we told him about the surgery, he just said, ‘Well, that’s what God’s new plan is, and that’s what we need to do.’”
Despite the sudden change in his life, his parents said Jacob Walter’s personality — outgoing, courageous and considerate — has remained steady.
The Walters said, following Jacob Walters’ surgery Feb. 3, they will remain focused on trusting God’s plan while celebrating the small milestones along the way.
The future is unknown, but Dan Walter said the family hopes to make it back to Maryville in the next few weeks and
Helping young, single or struggling mothers is another way Jennings said women can be supported.
“That’s what this year’s gala is going to be about,” Jennings said. “That’s what our initiatives are with the rest of this women’s health campaign.”
continue to wait for Jacob Walter’s heart transplant. Once the family arrives home, they said the goal is for Jacob Walter to return to school, spend time with friends and live as normally as possible.
The Walters said their son’s outlook continues to shape how they approach each day. Whether they are celebrating improved lab results, visits from siblings or sharing a laugh with his siblings, they said Jacob Walter consistently points their focus to faith.
“He always looks at me and says, ‘Mom, don’t worry; God’s got this,’” Jenny Walter said.
“This community has…ever since we moved here, they’ve been welcoming (to) my family and our kids, and Jacob has just been such a good kid and a good friend to my son that we just wanted to be able to help out in any way that we could,” Estes said.
We live in a pretty special place where the community tends to support one another and hold for one another, and if you’re able to help someone else, then most people are more than happy to do so.”
MICHAEL GARD
REIGN PHYSICAL THERAPY OWNER
Kaylee Messner, owner of In the Clover Boutique, contacted Dan Walter around the same time Estes messaged Jenny Walter. The Walters let the two business owners know of this coincidence, and the pair decided to team up.
“We’ve been really good friends for probably two to three years, and she had actually reached out to the family as well, unbeknownst to me... and were like, ‘Hey, we’re on the same page with wanting to offer some shirts,’” Messner said.
Messner said the two each designed their own version of a T-shirt, but worked together to offer the same price point and the same type of items
simultaneously. She said this was important because they wanted to make sure they could donate the same amount to the Walter family.
Estes’ T-shirt design depicts a heart with muscular arms coming out of it. Under the design is the phrase “Jacob’s Journey.” Messner’s design features the word “Faith” stacked on top of the word “Fear” — to illustrate the concept “Faith over fear” — with the words “Jacob’s Journey” in highlighted text between them.
All profits that come from the sale of these designs are being donated directly to the Walter family.
Support for Jacob Walter has been everywhere, from these designs being worn by the Mosaic Medical Center-Maryville staff to other groups and businesses simply wearing red in Jacob Walter’s support, as done by Haven Coffee and Goods, the Maryville R-II School District, Reign Physical Therapy and more.
Reign Physical Therapy owner Michael Gard said he has known the Walter family for some time. His company has donated red shirts across Maryville with the Reign Physical Therapy logo on them to support Jacob Walter’s Journey.
“First and foremost, this is 100% about Jacob,” Gard said. “Whenever we did the shirt donation, I wanted it to totally be reflective of Jacob and our support of him, and sort of just being good stewards of God and helping play a part in this.”
Gard said the community’s ability to come together has been a positive reflection of Northwest Missouri.
“We live in a pretty special place where the community tends to support one another and hold for one another, and if you’re able to help someone else, then most people are more than happy to do so,” Gard said.
St. Francis Foundation Director of Development Megan Jennings gives an update on the Mosaic Medical Center-Maryville’s new women’s health clinic during the Maryville City Council meeting Feb. 9.
MITCHELL HARVEY CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Hollywood award shows are designed to distract us, cause drama
With the Grammy Awards and Golden Globes taking place recently, it’s become evidently clear that celebrity award shows have devolved to bottom of the barrel TV mush that keeps everyday people distracted from real-world issues.
Award shows are meant to highlight excellence in one’s craft, whether that be music, movies and television, or just about anything at this point. The market has become so oversaturated that it’s hard to tell which awards have meaning and which awards are simply paperweights.
With 44 entertainment award shows booked from February to September, it’s hard to reason that these shows are meant to be anything else but bread and circuses.
These shows are the epitome of boring, but the celebrities in attendance for some reason also think they’ve found the perfect opportunity to propagandize viewers on their beliefs.
At this year’s Grammy Awards, Billie Eilish, an American pop singer, chose to use her acceptance speech time to say “no one is illegal on stolen land,” which is a ridiculous statement to make, as if it were the country of the United States itself that came to North America in the first place.
Not only was her statement wrong, but is hypocritical. Eilish owns a $3 million house that is on Native American land.
This statement from Eilish gained tons of traction due to its controversial aspects, but political statements at award shows are no new thing. Origins date back to 1972 when Marlon Brando, an American actor, sent Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather up on stage to accept his award at that year’s Academy Awards show.
Since then, it has sparked bravery for hundreds of artists to speak their minds freely. While I can respect using that sort of platform to speak your mind, I think Ricky Gervais said it best.
Gervais, an English comedian who hosted the 2020 Golden Globes, made a claim that would be reusable ever since he said it.
“If you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech,” Gervais said.
This comment Gervais made flew way over the audience’s head, as these award shows are usually hosted by comedians who use the opportunity to ruthlessly roast the celebrities in the crowd with no fear of consequences.
The effects of these comments have continued since. After Eilish’s Grammys statement, Gervais quickly shared his old quote in a tweet, stating, “They’re still not listening.”
People might not have taken Gervais’ words seriously, but his words have left a haunting shadow on these ceremonies.
Now, every time I see a clip of an artist who I’ve never even heard of spewing about some political issue in front of a room full of people who couldn’t care less, I can’t help but feel helpless about any of these issues being resolved.
It is
vital
to
rally
together, support our communities
Maryville is typically a sea of green, but recently red has been this town’s color.
A local child, Jacob Walter, 10, was diagnosed with a heart condition recently, and Maryville has come together to show support for him and his family. This has come in the form of “Red Out” themed sporting events at both Northwest and Maryville High School, small businesses making merchandise for Jacob and donating the proceeds to the Walter family and hundreds of Facebook posts.
It is amazing to be a part of a community that can come together to support someone like this. Seeing the encouragement pour in from every corner of the town has been astounding. It’s times like these we can see how special this town is and how important it is to have a support system. You can’t get an experience like this in a large city.
During this time, it’s important that all of us do what we can to support the Walter family. That might just be wearing red or offering your support on social media, or it can
YOUR VIEW:
What do you think is the importance of community support?
be donating or buying merchandise from the small businesses that are donating to the family. It’s OK if it can’t be a monetary contribution, but even sharing the links for other people to support can help.
It is so important that communities come together like this and rally in support of someone who needs it. Support systems can make such a huge, positive difference in someone’s life. It’s not just the monetary support that’s helping this family — the mental support is probably making it easier to work through this tough time.
The Editorial Board hopes we can give this support to anyone in our town who is in need. This experience has shown we can do it — we can come together and help people in need. The momentous amount of assistance we’ve seen in the last couple of weeks shows what a true community is.
We’ve already seen it again with the Henry family, who have been outspoken about their experiences with breast cancer. Several community events have been held to help raise money for cancer-detection
ISAAC HESTERMANN
“I think community support is great because it gives you something to fall back on. Whatever you’re trying to accomplish, your community is always there to support you and bring you closer to your goals. It brings almost like a sense of a family unit that no matter what you are going through, they got your back.”
THE STROLLER:
technology in our town.
Doing this can change someone’s life. It can help someone get the monetary, medical or mental support they need, or really anything else.
It is easier for us to do this in Maryville because most of the community already knows each other. It would be much harder somewhere with a larger population to see this amount of solidarity, but the number of people in a town shouldn’t make it impossible to do the same thing elsewhere. We hope this inspires other towns to do the same.
Jacob’s story is important, and Maryville is making sure he gets the support he needs. Everyone who is supporting the Walter family should be proud. This community should be proud of how we came together for them.
It’s special to be witnessing this town unify for another member of our community. We should all remember this and bring this mentality with us throughout our lives — no matter where we live or the size of our community.
“It helps people feel connected and not alone, and it just makes the community as a whole a better place to be you.”
BAILEY THIMMES
“Community support in college helps students feel connected and less overwhelmed during a major transition...A strong community helps provide encouragement and resources that us students use to grow overall.”
Your Bearcat is never without Sprite
There is nothing in this world I love more than Sprite. The clear, refreshing and bubbly drink can solve any of my problems. If you know me, you don’t know me without a Sprite by my side. I think I have three at all times. I sleep with a Sprite pillow. No one in the world likes Sprite as much as I do. I know I’m legitimate because I didn’t jump on a bandwagon, like all of the Dr Pepper “lovers.” Nothing can come between
Sprite and me. Every flavor goes with it. They’ve never made anything bad, and if they did, I could forgive them because they have already given me the perfect soda. There’s nothing better than Sprite. Not even passing a really hard exam. We always hear the jingle, “What would you do for a Klondike bar?” but the real question is, what would I do for a Sprite? Honestly, I would do more than I should admit.
I mean, you drink Sprite when you’re sick — that’s a perfect soda. I can even call it my sweet treat of the day. There’s not even any caffeine, and I am mostly caffeine-free, so that’s just another plus.
I know I will have a Sprite in my hand when I take my last breath of this life — heck, I might even be reincarnated as a Sprite. In a can, of course — it tastes better. I know you probably don’t care to read 300 words about
NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN
Sprite, but here you are. I am passionate, and I have to share that passion with the world. One day, everyone will be just as enthusiastic about Sprite as I am. Well, maybe I don’t want that. I don’t need the prices to rise. For now, it will just be my Sprite and me against the world, and I couldn’t ask for anything better.
ISAIAH FRANCO Senior Music Education
The Stroller has been a tradition since 1918 and does not reflect the views of the Northwest Missourian.
RYAN KING Missourian Columnist @TheMissourian
OUR VIEW:
ANNA CASE CARTOONIST
@
7:30 p.m. Feb. 12
Joplin, Missouri
@ Pittsburg State
3:30 p.m. Feb. 14
Pittsburg, Kansas
7:30 p.m. Feb. 19
Northwest honors Henry family
The Henry family announced a donation-match challenge. NW
Bearcat
@ Missouri Southern
5:30 p.m. Feb. 12
Joplin, Missouri
@ No. 20 Pittsburg State
1:30 p.m. Feb. 14
Pittsburg, Kansas vs. Northeastern State
5:30 p.m. Feb. 19
Bearcat Arena
@ Ichabod Invitational Feb. 13-14
Topeka, Kansas
@ Indoor Gorilla Classic Feb. 13-14
Pittsburg, Kansas
As pink rally towels waved in the air and the final buzzer echoed across Bearcat Arena, fans rose to their feet; not just to celebrate a 65-55 win, but also to honor a family whose story spans far beyond the court.
For the Henry family, the doubleheader Feb. 7 between Northwest (13-10, 6-7 MIAA) and the Rogers State University Hillcats (9-13, 6-7 MIAA) was more than a basketball game.
Bearcat women’s basketball player redshirt freshman Maggie Collins stepped onto the court, carrying the story of dozens of her family members sitting in the stands, many of whom have faced cancer diagnoses.
“Every game is a fun one to win — but when you’re playing outside of yourself, when your team’s all just clicked like we were tonight for a cause this big, it’s more personal to me,” Maggie Collins said. “With everything my family’s been through, it was just a great feeling for everybody.”
This year’s Pink Out event honored the Henry family — Maggie Collins, Mary Collins, Kate Henry, Tiffany McGinnis and Theresa Schmitz — whose shared experience with cancer has turned them into advocates for early cancer detection and accessible local care.
The family is serving as an ambassador for the 2026 St. Francis Foundation Women’s Health Gala, helping raise
the broader community has reshaped his views on youth sports and the lessons they teach.
Dan Walter said his son’s personality has always reflected his desire to include others and build friendships.
“In basketball, he’s my point guard, but he doesn’t like to shoot because he doesn’t want to be a ball hog,” Dan Walter said.
This mindset is something Dan Walter said his son carries across all of the five sports — basketball, soccer, baseball, flag football and the swim team — he participates in.
This attitude, his parents said, helped form the strong bonds he now has with his teammates — that the community has seen through their support.
“Same thing with baseball — he always wanted to share positions,” Dan Walter said. “He loves just playing with his friends and having fun out there.”
Support for Jacob Walter has extended beyond his teammates, with youth leagues, opposing teams, high school and collegiate athletic programs organizing fundraisers and recognition events. Stanley said those gestures have helped young players understand how communities can rally around one another during difficult times.
Stanley said watching the response from both players and
“Everything we do — wins, losses — none of that matters,” Stanley said. “They just say, ‘Can we send this to Jacob? Can we wear this for Jacob?’”
This experience has shown not only Stanley, but the entire Maryville community, how deeply young athletes can care for one another. The team has shown empathy and support in ways that exceed expectations for its young age.
Practices have become not only opportunities to develop basketball skills, but also moments for players to process emotions and remain connected to their teammate.
“It’s been incredibly inspirational to see the resiliency of kids,” Stanley said. “To watch them know and understand what’s happening and then bond together — that’s probably been my favorite part of this whole thing.”
As the season continues, Stanley said he and the team remain focused on something greater than wins — maintaining friendship, support and hope for Jacob Walter’s recovery.
“I just want to see the kid again,” Stanley said. “It doesn’t matter about basketball. We just want him to sit there and watch us or hang out with us.”
The Spoofhound girls and boys basketball teams wore red shirts, donated by Reign Physical Therapy, in support of Jacob Walter Jan. 27, when they hosted and defeated the Nodaway Valley High School Rockets.
The same day, the Northwest Slammers — a local youth club volleyball team — wore red to represent heart disease awareness and bring attention to Jacob Walter’s battle.
Following the eighth conference-win in the last two years for his team, Ratigan said stories like Jacob Walter’s have been some of his biggest motivators throughout his time as a Bearcat.
“We’re (the team) keeping him in our prayers; it’s all love,” Ratigan said. “We’re thinking about you (Jacob Walter) and we’re praying for you every day. We’re playing this season for the people; for you. We love to hear stories like yours, we love to hear your updates; it’s great, it keeps us going just as much as anything.”
money for a new 3D mammography machine at Mosaic Medical Center-Maryville. This year, the gala will take place 5 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Mozingo Lake Recreation Park Event Center.
The family’s journey began more than two decades ago, when traveling for treatment was simply part of the reality that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
“My sister was first to (travel),” Mary Collins said. “It was over 20 years ago, and she had to go to Kansas City to get her care. Then I came along over 15 years ago, and I had to go to Omaha to get my care.”
While Mary Collins was able to return to Maryville for chemotherapy treatments, she said distance still defined much of the family’s early cancer experiences.
“Within two months of a diagnosis and testing, she was able to get a double mastectomy
$5,000
right here in Maryville, Missouri,” Mary Collins said. “We just truly appreciate the people before us that have invested in the care, the equipment, resources and facilities here.”
Mary Collins played for the Bearcat basketball team from 1991-95. She was an honorary coach for the team during Mary’s Fight Night, Feb. 27, 2010, where the proceeds of the game went to the family’s medical expenses.
Years later, watching her daughter play basketball on the
same court where she once competed has become a full-circle moment, one she said is filled with gratitude and pride. “It makes me so proud,” Mary Collins said. “It’s a cool experience; I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. It’s also bigger than basketball. You saw the local support today, the Pink Out — it’s just a really proud feeling.”
After discovering a genetic mutation linked to cancer risk within the family, they chose to speak publicly about their experiences, hoping it encourages others to pursue preventative care. During the game, the Henry family announced a $5,000 donation-match challenge to encourage community contributions toward improved local cancer screening resources. The donation reflects the same support system that helped carry them through years of treatments.
Athlete talks heart condition
Athletes are expected to play at their full potential — but when troubles begin to arise with their health, it can put a pause on seeing playing time. For former Bearcat linebacker Nile Schuett, it meant that he had to dial back on the field.
Schuett sat out the first two weeks of his senior season after collapsing on the sidelines during the game against Minnesota State University-Mankato Aug. 28. An unprecedented event, he had no answers on what happened or why.
“The athletic trainers, coaches and myself found a system that allowed me to maximize the reps I was getting in games,” Schuett said. “There’s a lot of things that go into checking how a heart is functioning. Allow them (doctors, trainers) to test whatever they feel they need to; they’re only trying to help you succeed.”
Schuett still has no definitive answer on his heart condition, but with tests during the football season and talking to his family, he did find out his condition is hereditary. During the season, Schuett had to sit down with the athletic trainers and have the complicated conversation of coming back to the field for his senior season — they decided to limit him to 30 snaps per game.
“I wanted to finish out my career with my brothers who I began the journey with,” Schuett said. “I miss football greatly, but I miss my teammates more than
anything. All I wanted to do was be able to help out the team in any way I could.”
Though football is one of the main sports where cardiovascular problems can be seen, all athletes are at risk. Athletes aged 35 or younger are at risk of more immediate heart and vascular problems compared to those aged 35 and older, where heart problems happen over time, according to MedStar Health.
The American Heart Association has done multiple studies
on the heart and how athletes can avoid the risk — testing their blood pressure frequently.
With the recent events in the Maryville community — rallying around Jacob Walter and his family in a time of need — Schuett said to take it one day at a time with any health problem.
“Take it one day at a time,” Schuett said. “There will be a lot of questions and testing from professionals. Try and focus on the present and let things sort themselves out as time goes on.”
Maryville boys and girls basketball and local Little League teams meet at halfcourt, wearing red in honor of Jacob Walter in between games of the doubleheader against Nodaway Valley Jan. 27. Walter has two older brothers and an older sister who have attended Maryville Middle School and Maryville High School.
NATHAN NODA PHOTO EDITOR
Northwest junior forward Jack Ratigan wins the tipoff of the “Red Out” game in the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos Feb. 7.
NATHAN NODA PHOTO EDITOR
Northwest junior guard Mikhail Abdul-Hamid goes for a dunk during pregame warmups Feb. 7.
FLETCHER PROCTOR MISSOURIAN PHOTOGRAPHER
Maryville sophomore guard Nathan Walter points out a play during the ’Hounds’ win over Nodaway Valley Jan. 27.
NATHAN NODA PHOTO EDITOR
OLIVIA WALLACE Sports Editor | @_oliviawallace_
A former Northwest football player shares his experience with a
Bearcats win in ‘Red Out’ for local child
KEATON SMITH Sports Reporter | @keatonsmedia
Red is not often a color that fills the bleachers of Bearcat Arena, but when Northwest hosted the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos Feb. 5, Bearcat faithful came out in support of a local family in unusual colors.
Jacob Walter — younger brother of Maryville High School junior Claire Walter, sophomore Nathan Walter, former Spoofhound Matthew Walter and Maryville Middle School eighth grader Lucas Walter — is battling a heart condition. The Maryville community has chosen to rally behind him during this time.
To show support for the Walter family, Northwest hosted
a “Red Out For Jacob” night. During the match, attendees and both Bearcat basketball teams wore T-shirts inscribed with “Faith Over Fear: Jacob’s Journey.” An online-run shop named In the Clover Boutique began selling these original-design shirts with permission of and all profits going back to the Walter family. “Faith Over Fear” is a phrase that is often repeated by the Walter family on social media in posts speaking about Jacob Walter and his battle.
Matt Keeley, Northwest men’s basketball team head coach, said Jacob Walter’s battle has supplied him and his team with perspective on everyday challenges and given the team some added incentive to perform.
Maryville Wolves youth basketball team honors player
Recently, the Maryville Wolves’ basketball practices have not ended in the usual break of “team” or “wolves.”
Instead, nine third and fourth grade boys circle up and count down to shout a different name — one that reminds them why they lace up their sneakers to get on the court.
“One. Two. Three. Jacob.”
For the Wolves, basketball has become about more than drills, tournaments and wins. Since teammate Jacob Walter was hospitalized with a heart condition just a week after the team’s first tournament, the team has turned its focus toward supporting their friend while learning lessons adults struggle to accept.
Head coach Brandon Stanley said the team has worked to balance maintaining normalcy while helping young players process a difficult and unfamiliar situation.
“It’s a little third and fourth
grade basketball team that now has sort of been put through this, trying to sort through how to take care of each other,” Stanley said.
Stanley has coached alongside Jacob Walter’s father, Dan Walter, for several seasons, building a close family friendship.
With the families living close to one another and their children growing up playing sports together, Stanley said the shift in coaching responsibilities came naturally, but the emotional adjustment for his players has been difficult.
“One side is you sort of make it normal,” Stanley said.
“Do you just use basketball as a distraction and run a normal practice? Or do you acknowledge that it’s not normal and just be there for the kids and talk to them and make sure they’re OK?”
The Wolves roster is built from players across Horace Mann Laboratory School, St. Gregory Barbarigo School and Maryville Middle School.
Many of the boys first met through soccer before form-
“We are trying to carry that banner and that hat and understand that they’re (the Walter family) fans of the Bearcats and all those things and give them something to look forward to,” Keeley said. “We understand that life is hard and some of the battles we’ve had this year (are) nothing compared to what Jacob’s been going through; and watching the way he has done that with his faith and with his community and all that has been inspiring to us.”
Northwest took its newfound inspiration and applied it to the way it competed, as both Bearcat teams secured wins over the Bronchos.
Northwest women’s basketball (13-10, 6-7 MIAA) dominated in a
57-40 victory over the (8-15, 3-11 MIAA) Broncho women, with help from junior guard Andrea Lopreato’s 14 points, three rebounds and two assists — the team earned its 10th home win of the season.
The Bearcat men’s team (11-13, 4-9 MIAA) tallied its fourth conference-victory of the season in a back-and-forth 72-65 win. Senior guards Aiden Gair and Royce Williams combined for 32 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals against the Broncho men (15-11, 8-6 MIAA) — propelling Northwest to its second win in three games.
Following the game, junior forward Jack Ratigan — one of the longest-tenured athletes on the men’s side — said keeping
up with the Walter family has given the team inspiration aside from the win-loss record.
“Before this week, I was getting texted, getting updates about how he’s doing at the hospital; what’s going on there,” Ratigan said. “Especially this week, every day it’s like, ‘Hey, it’s Red Night…this is a big one — this is the time. It sounds corny, but do it for him. Do it for the people that are behind us,’ it’s been the theme.” Bearcat basketball hasn’t been the only program to honor the Walter family. The Maryville community has shown its support through a variety of efforts.
ing their basketball team, strengthening friendships that have now carried them through unexpected adversity.
Stanley said he quickly realized the players themselves would guide how the team honored their absent teammate, often choosing to incorporate Jacob Walter into daily routines and practice traditions.
“The kids have led it back to him every time,” Stanley said.
“They’ll say, ‘Can we do this drill because we know Jacob
likes it? Can we send Jacob a video after practice?’”
The team now regularly records moments from practice, sharing drills and team huddles with Jacob Walter and his family. Stanley said those small connections allow Jacob Walter to remain part of the team’s routine while recovering.
Players have also created tributes by naming plays after Jacob Walter and ending practices or games by breaking down the huddle with his name.
“We’ve continued practice, and we just make sure he’s involved,” Stanley said. “We ran a play and named it after him. Our play, number 10, that’s his number.” Jacob’s parents said his team-first mentality has always shaped how he approaches sports. His father said Jacob Walter naturally prioritizes teammates over personal recognition.
Northwest men’s basketball junior forward Jack Ratigan slams down a dunk in the Bearcats’ 72-65 win against the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos Feb. 5.
NATHAN NODA PHOTO EDITOR
LEAH COX Asst. Sports Editor | @byleahcox
Jacob Walter (bottom right) and his basketball team, the Maryville Wolves, brought home the gold in their first tournament Jan. 4. Players have created tributes by naming plays after Jacob Walter. SUBMITTED