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CON V ERGING CA MPUS & COMMU NIT Y

NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

MARYVILLE, MISSOURI

NWMISSOURINEWS.COM

VOL. 115, NO. 3

@THEMISSOURIAN

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NATHAN NODA AND LILLY HALLMON

NW nears completion of 3-year infrastructure modernization plan C

MICAH STOLLEY Contributing Writer | @TheMissourian

onstruction workers gathered around to watch a 140-foot-tall boiler stack tower — one of the oldest structures on campus — come down the morning of Sept. 10. With the wire strung tight, the excavator pulls the tower. However, the boiler stack tower stood tall, and the wires rang through the campus with a loud “snap.” Workers got the tower down after a second attempt. The tower coming down is only one of the changes coming to campus. Northwest has had an assortment of construction work completed recently, ranging from the newly replaced windows at Wells Hall to the refinished crosswalk outside of Martindale Hall. However, more projects are still in progress. Scott Kuhlemeyer, the Facility Services capital program director, said improvement projects have been a common occurrence at the University for decades. “We’re hopeful that the strategies we’ve employed through the last three years of infrastructure improvements will benefit the campus and

the community,” Kuhlemeyer said. “We had some infrastructure in place dating back to the 1950s, and so bringing things into more state-ofthe-art modern technologies, we expect that everyone will benefit for decades to come.” Campus Facility Services manages all of the construction at Northwest, and one of its main focuses is modernizing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Northwest. The Energy Infrastructure Modernization Project is a project spanning more than three years. It’s aimed at decentralizing the heating system at Northwest by installing mini boiler plants in buildings across campus. These mini boiler plants will heat Northwest buildings with hot water instead of the previously used centralized steam plant that sent steam through buildings across campus. Along with the improvements, the chilled water system pipes are also undergoing construction, which are expected to be finished at the end of the month. One building heavily affected by this construction is the Administration Building, which had to move its employees to temporary offices outside of Garrett-Strong. The Administration Building closed last December for work throughout the

spring and summer. University President Lance Tatum said he is thankful for students’ and faculty members’ patience with construction. “A project of this magnitude does not go without disrupting the daily routines of the people that are here, so I just want to say thank you for your patience,” Tatum said. “I think that at the end of the day, you’re going to see the benefits of what we’ve invested in.” Along with the modernization plan, Facility Services has completed an expansion project to Martindale Hall, including new classrooms, renovated locker rooms and new labs. These new additions added over 15,000 square feet to the halls. With the new renovations, many health and wellness programs are now centered under one roof. One of the programs housed in the newly renovated Martindale Hall is dietetics; those classes were previously held in the Administration Building. The new classrooms and food lab allow dietetics students to work alongside professors on recipes and food techniques as well as collaborate with other departments. Kelli Wilmes, the dietetics program director, says the space for hands-on experience is crucial for students.

SEE TOWER | A4

Maryville resource officers spread stop sign awareness ANNA BAILEY Managing Editor | @AMBailey16

“One person can make a difference,” is a common phrase some may say is repeated more than shown. However, the Maryville R-II School District is reaping the benefits of two individuals who saw a problem that needed to be fixed. Across Maryville, roughly 30 yard signs have been placed that read “Stop and stay for school buses. It’s the law.” School Resource Officers Ian Myers and Jeremy Staples noticed too many drivers continuing to drive instead of stopping when a school bus is dropping students off. Myers said the yard sign initiative is an attempt to educate drivers about this problem, especially as the new school year begins. “In the past, we’ve battled some issues with school bus stop signs, as far as some complaints of people running

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1914.

those, that’s a pretty consistent thing,” Myers said. “Our community is no different than anywhere else in that regard, but we felt that this was just a good way to get it on people’s radar that, ‘Hey, ’tis the (back-to-school) season again.’” Myers said people get confused by or forget that drivers should stop for a bus with flashing lights. He hopes people will see the yard signs and be more likely to pay attention when they are driving near a school bus. Jarnik Buses Inc. provides school bus services to Maryville R-II School District. Meyers said he has heard positive feedback from the bus drivers and the community. This is the first year this initiative is in place, but Myers said he and Staples hope to continue it into future school years. “The whole thing…was started just so that we could help support our bus drivers and their job,” Myers said. “It’s unbelievably difficult, and we just wanted

NATHAN NODA CO-PHOTO EDITOR

Maryville R-II School District bus driver Allen David holds the door open as students load the bus after attending the town’s 9/11 memorial. Local drivers are not stopping as students are dropped off.

to do what we could to help make it a little bit easier. Our bus drivers are kind of our front-line reporters. When we have somebody that runs a school bus stop sign, they’re usually really good about giving us the hot spots, so to speak, in town, and so we will hammer those areas pretty heavily on patrol.”

Myers said the areas that typically have more cases of failing to stop for bus stop signs are 16th Street and College Drive, and the South Main Corridor. Another area is next too the Maryville Country Club and near the University.

SEE BUS | A4

PLEASE

RECYCLE

Sept. p 24, 2026 @TheMissourian

NEWS

NW grants writer hired as city official DAKOTA OSWALT Editor-in-Chief | @doswalt_NWMSRN

After nearly 13 years as grants coordinator at Northwest, Tye Parsons begins a new role as Maryville’s assistant city manager starting Sept. 29. Though the job is new, Parsons is rejoining a familiar team; he served on the Maryville City Council from 2019-2025, before stepping down last summer to spend more time at home. “My family’s in a good place right now, so both of my kids are in college, and so they are out of the house, so we are empty nesters, and so it was a really good time to do a career change,” Parsons said. Before joining the University, he worked in local government for 13 years, serving on state regional planning commissions and holding the role of executive director of the Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments. He said these groups work closely with small cities and local governments. “I really spent the first third of my career in helping small towns and counties really work with state and federal government and help them just really be the best types of entities that they can be, and so it’s something that I’ve always had a deep interest in,” Parsons said. “It’s where I started my career.” With a bachelor’s degree in geography from Northwest and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia, he said he is well equipped to handle the assistant city manager position. At Northwest, Parsons coordinated multiple funding initiatives that secured the University nearly $34 million for around 260 projects. He will do the same work as assistant city manager, just on a larger scale. “I’ve always felt that it was my calling to serve in whatever capacity that I’m in, and being offered the opportunity to work for the city of Maryville gives me a chance to serve at an even greater level than I am right now…and that includes the University, you know, of course Northwest is a part of the city of Maryville, and

FILE

Then-Maryville City Councilman Tye Parsons speaks during a council meeting Jan. 13, 2025. Parsons was recently hired as the assistant city manager of Maryville, and this is his last week as grants coordinator at Northwest.

that partnership is really critical to be strong,” Parsons said. He said he has mixed feelings about leaving his job, but he is proud of the work he accomplished and is excited to mix it up a bit. Parsons has worked closely with his supervisor, Associate Provost Greg Haddock, to ensure the transition period is smooth as Parsons steps away. “Tye’s (Parsons’) departure will be a great loss to the university,” Haddock said in an email

to the Missourian. “Since 2013 he has assisted with grant submissions and formalized pre-award and post-award procedures that has kept the university on track with grants. In the past two weeks I have received a lot of feedback from university colleagues across the campus with their appreciation for his work and contribution to grants culture at Northwest Missouri State University.” He said the procedure for finding a new grants coordinator looks similar to hiring for

any University position. The first step is to initiate a search process, which would take a few months as candidates are evaluated and interviewed. During the transition period, while there is no grants coordinator, Haddock said Northwest leadership will handle managing new grant applications and filing reports for ongoing projects. He said the University hopes to hire someone who has experience in overseeing diverse projects with multiple groups.

“Although I am sorry for the loss to our university, I am very excited for Tye’s (Parsons’) next role and also pleased that he will be working for our Maryville community,” Haddock said. “I have known Tye Parsons for over 30 years and as a friend and Northwest alumnus, I am proud of this next step in his career.” Since Parsons only left the council just over a year ago, he knows most of the council and city staff already. He said they are some of the most hardworking and passionate people he knows, and he is excited to work with them again. “Their team works great right now, and so I see myself as just coming in and supporting what they’re already doing, and hopefully adding my background, my education, my experience to the team, to the city and just helping us go even further,” Parsons said. The new Water Treatment Plant project is one main initiative he wants to see come to fruition, since it’s the single largest infrastructure project in the city’s history. Maryville residents approved funding for the plant early last year, and it is set to be complete by the end of 2028. Additionally, Parsons said he aims to help elevate the city as a whole. “Maryville is really unique based on where we are,” Parsons said. “We’re a good distance from any large city, and so because of that, a lot of people look to Maryville as kind of that regional center of business and where people work and where they shop, and so we have a responsibility, I think, to help our town be the best that it can be to serve — not just the people that live here — but really the entire region.” Overall, he said he is appreciative of his time at Northwest. “It was really special to be a part of that for as long as I was, and by the same token, I’m excited to take that experience, the experience that I’ve learned here, and apply it to the next thing, and go on, and hopefully have the same level of success with the city of Maryville,” Parsons said.

Independent living center opens branch in Maryville RYAN KING News Reporter | @RyanKing111031

Access II Independent Living Center has added another branch to its repertoire, and this time, it’s as local as it can get. The center began operations in Maryville this summer in hopes to aid anyone it can. For community members going through their days with disabilities, it can be difficult to manage tasks of daily living. However, the staff at Access II want locals to rest assured that they are here to bear the weight for them. Humans have an innate need to help others, and Heather Swymeler, chief executive officer for Access II, said this center will do so much more than provide the crux services of an independent living center. “Through our Maryville location, we plan to provide the five core services of Centers for Independent Living: information and referral, independent living skills training, peer support, individual and systems advocacy, and transition services,” Swymeler said. “We will also offer the TAP (Telecommunications Access Program) telephone program, which helps Missourians with disabilities access adaptive telecommunications equipment.” That’s not all; she also said the program is in the midst of developing independent living skills and programming courses. This intends to give these individuals a variety of practical topics which support greater independence for themselves. Access II also has branches in St. Joseph and Gallatin, Missouri; however, it still looks to reach more people. Independent Living Specialist Beth Shehan said there are many towns in the surrounding area that need these services, so it was imperative that they branched into Maryville. “Worth, Sheridan, Grant City, Hopkins — all the little small towns (in northwest Missouri) — there is a big, big number of seniors and disabled that are not getting services, because they’re remote and they’re out in rural areas,” Shehan said. “We are hoping by moving here to Maryville in a central point, we could get those people services.” She said being from the area made the transition back into the community easier. She also said while the people in St. Joseph and Gallatin, Missouri, are great, the community in Maryville is different — the people here want to help each other. The fellowship that comes with being a

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I can see this business sticking around for a long time here in Maryville, and I can see it really growing and hopefully we can be a top thought in somebody’s mind here around this area.”

HEATHER SWYMELER ACCESS II CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

part of Maryville is a top reason behind many of the new businesses in town. Swymeler said since Access II has its feet on the ground, it is ready to foster beautiful friendships with the people in and around town. “We are genuinely excited to be part of the Maryville community and look forward to building relationships with individuals, families, businesses and community partners throughout the area.” Swymeler said. Additionally, Swymeler said Access II is pleased to provide locals with the opportunity to partake in meaningful employment. As well as this, she said the program will work closely with the Missouri Department of Mental Health and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to provide more support and allow these individuals to remain safe and independent while still being a part of their communities. With the program’s baby steps out of the way, the work is just beginning. While she is excited about getting to work with the people in town right now, Shehan said she can’t help but think about what the future may hold. “I think it looks really good, I’m excited for it, I really am,” Shehan said. “I can see this business sticking around for a long time here in Maryville, and I can see it really growing and hopefully we can be a top thought in somebody’s mind here around this area. Whenever they think, ‘Oh I need help with A, B or C,’ they’ll think, oh, Access II, go to Access II.”

24, 2026 NEWS Sept. @TheMissourian

NW alumna dies in car crash, remembered for joyous spirit

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LEAH COX News Editor | @byleahcox

A birthday surprise of strawberry muffins and a handmade card. Christmas decorations covering nearly every corner of their home. An afternoon at an apple festival, complete with apple cider donuts and plenty of photos. For Northwest graduate student Carol Grace Riner, some of the memories of Caitlyn Colter that stand out the most are the little ones. Colter and her brother died Sept. 12 in a Nebraska car crash. They are ordinary moments, but together, they capture the person Riner remembers — someone who noticed people, welcomed them in and found ways to make them feel special. “She had so much love and joy, just to give everyone, and she was so happy, and, like, willing and wanting to spread her happiness around,” Riner said. She first met Colter when she was a freshman. The two connected through Lighthouse, a campus ministry. Eventually, they ended up as roommates. She said she looked up to Colter and the people she surrounded herself with. “I looked at them, and I thought that they were just the coolest people ever. just so joyous…you could tell that they loved each other and had such a good connection with each other,” Riner said. Their first interaction became a friendship that lasted beyond their time as roommates and years as Bearcats. Colter got her master’s degree at Northwest this spring,

“She had so much love and joy, just to give everyone, and she was so happy.”

CAROL GRACE RINER

NORTHWEST GRADUATE STUDENT

and she made an impact as a mentor in the Academic Success Coaching Program, which provides additional support to students who need it. “Her graduate position was working in academic success, and so she was really truly a resource for some of our most vulnerable students on campus in that way,” Riner said. Colter’s ability to make people feel welcome extended past her work with students. Senior Cassie Ford met Colter through Tower Yearbook on campus. Ford was a freshman photographer when Colter was a senior copywriter, and the two frequently paired up to take on assignments. “She was so encouraging and uplifting to everybody,” Ford said. “She would always compliment everybody’s work. She enjoyed working with everyone and never made anybody feel like she didn’t like them.” Colter carried that same thoughtfulness into daily life, ensuring all her friends felt special. For Riner’s birthday during

their first year as roommates, Colter decorated her door, remembered that Riner’s mother made her strawberry cake for past birthdays, and surprised her with strawberry muffins and a homemade card. “I woke up the next day with tears in my eyes, because it was just so incredibly kind,” Riner said. After earning her master’s degree, Colter began her career as a school counselor with Blair Community Schools in Blair, Nebraska. Riner said working with children is something Colter was excited to pursue. “She’s just a special, special human who was so excited to go off and counsel kiddos — like, that was her dream,” Riner said. For the Northwest community, her legacy is remembered through the people she supported, the friendships she nurtured and the enthusiasm she had for the University she once called home. “Caitlyn (Colter) was the epitome of what it meant to be a Bearcat,” Riner said. “She cared about the people at Northwest...and just was so ready to, like, give her all to be the best student, to be the best friend, to be the best person that she could be.” The impact has continued to be felt beyond the campus community as friends, classmates and colleagues come together to support the Colter family. A GoFundMe has been created for the Colter family for funeral funds and other expenses — almost $15,000 has been raised.

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Northwest alumna Caitlyn Colter and graduate student Carol Grace Riner pose in matching shirts. Colter and her brother died in a crash Sept. 12.

Local nonprofit supplies products for students in need JASON NEUBAUER Missourian Reporter | @TheMissourian

Shampoo. Body wash. Conditioner. What can seem like mundane items on one’s shopping list may be tricky to obtain for others. Finding help can be tricky among some people — applying for government assistance can be seen as especially taboo. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is a national initiative designed to help low-income citizens purchase necessary food products, from fruits and vegetables to the seeds that grow them. In Missouri, 92% of eligible households receive SNAP benefits. Meanwhile, in Nodaway County, only 8% of households receive SNAP benefits. However, SNAP does not cover personal hygiene products. This can make it especially tricky for those who do not have a stable income to purchase items like hygiene or feminine products, diapers and wipes. In 2016, Samantha Raasch and Megan Stidham founded the nonprofit organization One Act to help fix the problem many children in Nodaway County face: inadequate access to personal hygiene products. Raasch was involved in Eugene Field Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization, where she first noticed students struggling. “Being involved in PTO, I started spending more time at the school, more than a normal parent does,” Raasch said. “I started seeing kids that were coming in either in clothes that weren’t really great for school, or maybe you could tell they hadn’t had a bath in a few days.” Since the start, One Act has expanded to numerous schools in the northwest Missouri area, helping students gain access to products not provided by SNAP or other programs. While the program was initially only for those in Maryville, Stidham said it has expanded beyond the city.

SNAP LIMITATIONS

SOURCE: USDA

INFOGRAPHIC BY ANNA CASE DESIGNER

“We started out with just the Maryville local schools and quickly realized that the county had other needs within other schools,” Stidham said. “We also included Stanberry, which is in Gentry County, because we both had people that we knew that either had kids there or worked with kids there.” As One Act grows, so are its services. While it initially supplied personal hygiene products, they have expanded to donating items like coats and blankets around the holiday season.

Because of the stigma surrounding asking for help, Stidham said it is vital to create a safe space, not only among school staff, but with students as well. “We wanted to make sure that the kids felt like they were in a safe space,” Stidham said. “We have gotten together with not just the nurses, but also the principals, and they’ve made it a point to let the teachers know that if the teachers see that there’s a kid in need, that they can pass it along to the nurse, and then the people that they’re relaying it to can get it back to us.” Not only have changes been made among staff and students, but also between individuals involved with One Act and the schools themselves. Raasch said the relationship between her and the schools has changed, with many schools reaching out to her for help. “My schools are way more involved now; they reach out to me now, whereas they didn’t before,” Raasch said. “I only had one school when I first started that had an actual closet established with supplies for kids where the kids could just go get stuff if they needed it — all my schools have it now.” Since help has been introduced, Stidham said there has been a noticeable difference in the way students act. “There’s been a few times where the nurses have said that you can tell that the children walk a little bit lighter,” Stidham said. “They’re easier going, laid back a little bit more knowing that if there is a need, it’s gonna be met.” While One Act services all of Nodaway County and Stanberry, due to its size, it may not be able to expand. Raasch said while she would help other One Act programs set up in different areas, Nodaway County is a big commitment already. “I wouldn’t mind helping out other places get something going, I just don’t know that I could take on more than what I’m already doing,” Raasch said. “I’d have a problem saying no. If a school called me enough, I’d probably say, ‘OK, fine, I’m coming.’”

Sept. p 24, 2026 @TheMissourian

NEWS

CRIME LOG UNIVERSITY CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE for the week of Sept. 24 Northwest Missouri State University Police Department Sept. 19 There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in Roberta Hall. There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in Tower Suites West. There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in Forest Village ApartmentsWillow. There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in Franken Hall. Sept. 18 There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in the J.W. Jones Student Union.

Maryville Department of Public Safety

Sept. 20 A summons was issued to Kane M. Cogan, 19, for driving while impaired, minor in possession and failure to maintain right of way; Hayden J. Schultz, 19, for minor in possession and possession of a fake ID; Rachael M. Rigg, 19, for minor in possession and possession of a fake ID; and Blakely L. Warner, 19, for minor in possession on the 100 block of West Thompson Street.

Sept. 19 There is an ongoing investigation for assault on the 300 block of East South Hills Drive. A summons was issued to Macallen R. Warner, 19, for minor in possession and disorderly conduct on the 200 block of East Fourth Street. Sept. 18 A summons was issued to Robert G. Osborn, 20, for no valid drivers license, failure to register a motor vehicle and failure to maintain financial responsibility on the 1400 block of North Main Street. Sept. 15 There was an accident between Kristen J. Stough, 21, and Joshua J.L. Allen, 32, on the 1200 block of South Main Street. Stough was issued a citation for failure to yield the right of way. There is an ongoing investigation for a domestic disturbance on the 200 block of South Main Street. Sept. 14 There is an ongoing investigation for assault on the 500 block of North Laura Street. There is an ongoing investigation for leaving the scene on the 200 block of North Depot.

INFOGRAPHIC BY ANNA CASE DESIGNER

SOURCE: NORTHWEST INFRASTRUCTURE WEBPAGE

TOWER

CONTINUED FROM A1 “Our Student Dietetic Association is very active, and so they’re always in there doing things,” Wilmes said. “I can tell them all kinds of things about a food demo, but until you really have to put it together, it brings to light a lot of things that they can’t necessarily learn in a textbook.” The sidewalk between Martindale Hall and the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts building has also been renovated. The Missouri Department of Transportation partnered with Maryville to increase pedestrian safety in this area. Kuhlemeyer said that the newly renovated classrooms will allow for more opportunities in the health and wellness department. “The feedback that I’ve received from the community has been positive, because the last time this building was significantly renovated was back in the 1970s,” Kuhlemeyer said. “We had a lot of spaces that really needed refreshing, and the additive spaces really helped create classroom space that was needed to expand the program.” The John C. Redden Jr. Power Plant was one of the original buildings built at Northwest in 1910, but it was demolished Sept. 10 as part of the upgrades.

BUS

CONTINUED FROM A1 Maryville R-II School District Assistant Superintendent Jeremy Ingraham said there have always been challenges with new drivers knowing they need to stop for buses. He said some people don’t know they need to stop, even when the stop sign arm is not out. Staples said the busy roads are where they see more issues. “A lot of those streets where cars aren’t parked on one side of the road or both sides of the road, usually where traffic’s just steady flowing, that’s usually where we have the issue,” Staples said. On local social media accounts, Maryville residents have shared multiple videos of drivers running bus stop signs. These have been posted on personal accounts as well as the Maryville R-II SROs’ Facebook page. Ingraham said some information on social media about these instances are not completely accurate.

The boiler tower at the site of the power plant was also taken down — cleaning the area is still underway. Kuhlemeyer said there are no plans for the newly renovated area yet. “At this time, we’re just going to do the demolition and then clean up the site,” Kuhlemeyer said. “There’s not another project planned in the near term, so we’ll work with the University administration on what improvements may come.” Along with the two main construction projects, Wells Hall received major renovations to follow American Disability Association guidelines, as well as receiving new windows. Tatum said the windows help add a more modernized look to the building. Facility Services has a list of various construction projects either completed or still in progress on its website. Tatum said the University will likely go on a break period before any other major construction projects begin. “We are in the final stages of the Energy Modernization Project,” Tatum said. “We’ll have probably a couple more months of activity, but it won’t be quite as visible as what we’ve been experiencing for the last three years. What probably is going to happen is there’ll be a quiet period now for the next probably 12 to 18 months before we begin any new projects.”

“There were some things put out on social media, and quite honestly, there’s usually some truth to things, but some of the negative things that you may or may not have heard, after I looked into it, just because I had heard about it…it’s not what was put on there,” Ingraham said. While the yard signs are new, both SROs administer school bus stop sign compliance checks as part of their regular job duties. Myers said these checks involve either him or Staples following a school bus while it is on its route to ensure drivers stop appropriately. He said the purpose of this is similar to the yard signs. “The goal with that is not to catch people in a ‘Gotcha’ moment; it’s essentially to serve as an extra presence, an extra visible presence, so that people see us, they see the school bus, and maybe they’ll be more likely to perk up attention-wise,” Myers said. “We all get distracted. We’re just trying to help out with that a little bit.” In 2024, 843 traffic crashes in Missouri involved school buses, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. These result-

ed in 345 deaths. Last year, multiple crashes involving school buses occurred within Nodaway County. Ingraham said the school district is lucky there have not been any serious injuries due to these crashes. He said education on this topic is important to ensure the district has a safe year. Staples said he has noticed reactions from the students when he does school bus stop sign compliance checks. He said the students enjoy seeing the SROs following the school buses. “I think the kids love it, I mean, I’m sure they do, but I noticed yesterday — because I followed a school bus yesterday — and just the kids that I see all day, every day, they get off the bus, they get to their side of the road, and they won’t even walk to their house or to the car that they’re supposed to be going to until I’m out of the way,” Myers said. “They will stop and stand on the corner. They’ll wave at me, say ‘Hi’ to me, so the kids love it. I think it helps just showing them, you know, that we’re out there and watching over them.”

NW president discusses student retention goals RYAN KING News Reporter | @RyanKing111031

FLETCHER PROCTOR CO-PHOTO EDITOR

Northwest President Lance Tatum speaks about a new strategic plan to retain and keep students engaged during the Sept. 22 Student Senate meeting.

Northwest’s new strategic plan is complete and University President Lance Tatum is ready to get the ball rolling. The main focus of Excellence: The Northwest Way is on keeping students around and engaged. Tatum said getting students to Northwest is only a small part of their time in college. He said retention throughout the entirety of a student’s degree is highly based on the student’s academic advancement. “If you are not progressing towards graduation, then your ability to stay here becomes significantly impacted… part of the retention effort is to determine what are we not doing that would be helpful to retain students?” Tatum said. He said the most important element of Northwest Provost Rose Marie Ward’s job is academic activity, while the non-academic factors fall on newly appointed Vice President of Student Affairs Bruce Skinner. Student affairs play an equally vital role in student retention in the new strategic plan. Skinner was hired this summer to bring a vibrant atmosphere to the University. Tatum said a climate where students can come in and immediately feel involved will significantly increase the odds of them completing their college experience at Northwest. Tatum said the University’s income is dependent on student enrollment and retention, which in turn impacts the experience for the students. “The University has to generate revenue through tuition dollars in order to operate at a level that we think is appropriate,” Tatum said. “We

only get a small amount of our operating budget from the state. Our contribution that comes from the state is about $36 million, compared to $60 million for the University of Central Missouri, compared to almost $100 million for the University of Missouri, so we have to be very judicious with the money that we give.” This point became especially prominent after Ward gave her thoughts about the school’s new program and how important student retention is. Ward said the most imperative time to make sure students are going to be retained is during their first year on campus. She said even if the school can retain a margin of the students who on average would drop out, Northwest would see changes that students want at a much more expedited rate. “We roughly retain, of our first time full time freshmen, 74.5% of students,” Ward said. “If there’s roughly 900 students to start with, how many students do not stay — about 250-260. Roughly, for each one of those students, after scholarships and everything, that’s about $8,000 that the University does not get. I can tell you if we retained 100 more students, that’s about $800,000. If they stay all three of those years, that’s $2.4 million — this is not a small change.” Other Student Senate Business: • Karly Claire Bonsasa, Laura Campos Rodrigues De Silva and Andrea Granados were appointed to roles on Student Senate. The positions they filled included inclusion representative, international representative and associate member. • Senate’s fall blood drive takes place Oct. 2728 in the J.W. Jones Student Union ballroom this year.

Sept. 24, 2026 OPINION @TheMissourian

Women in THE STROLLER: sports are Your Bearcat is a world-class larper deserving of respect LEAH COX News Editor @byleahcox

Apparently, women can finally have a seat at the table in sports — as long as their bodies are still on the menu. That is the uncomfortable reality shown in actress Sydney Sweeney’s new Novig advertisement. The ad uses sexualized imagery where Sweeney appears nude, using sports equipment to cover herself to promote a sports prediction platform. While it has attracted plenty of attention, it also reflects a bigger issue in the sports marketing world: women are still often treated as a way to sell a product rather than as people who belong. This is not about blaming Sweeney for being attractive or criticizing her for participating in a sexualized campaign. Women should be able to express themselves however they want. Being sexy does not make someone less intelligent, talented or deserving of respect. The issue is Novig’s decision to make her body the centerpiece of its marketing. Women have spent decades fighting for opportunities in sports. They have pushed for equal funding, better media coverage and more professional opportunities. Historically, female athletes have had to work harder to prove they belong in spaces where men have traditionally been the default. This is what makes the Novig campaign so frustrating. Instead of highlighting a woman’s talent, knowledge or role in sports, the ad makes their bodies the main attraction. When her appearance is treated as the main selling point, it reinforces the same stereotypes that have made it harder for women to be taken seriously in the first place. Athletes have more value than the way they look; they have talent and have trained for years to become good at what they do. Women have not spent all this time fighting for a seat at the table just to be treated like decorations when they get there. Some people argue the ad is effective marketing. It has sparked conversation, gained attention and likely accomplished what the company wanted. Getting people to look at an advertisement is not the same as making a meaningful impact on sports culture. Women are also a major part of the sports audience. Treating women primarily as something to look at ignores the many ways they contribute to the business world. I am not saying every woman in a sports campaign needs to be portrayed as a serious athlete or symbol of empowerment. Women can be funny, glamorous, confident, sensual and competitive. They should not have to fit one image to earn respect. However, brands have a responsibility to think critically about the messages they send. Novig could have used Sweeney’s popularity to create a campaign that connected with audiences without relying on sexualization. Sweeney has been seen showing off her soccer skills and training for movie rolls — that should have been the highlight in a sports advertisement. Women deserve to be part of sports because of what they bring to the table — not because of how well their bodies look while sitting at it. A woman’s body can be part of her identity, but it should not have to be the price of admission.

EDITORIAL BOARD Dakota Oswalt Anna Bailey Leah Cox Olivia Wallace Nathan Noda Fletcher Proctor Madysen Thompson Lilly Hallmon

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To my fellow Bearcats, I have a confession to make. I am not the person you think I am. You may have seen me walking around campus or posting on social media, acting like I live a prestigious lifestyle, but if I’m being real with you, I’m a larp. The high-end clothes I wear — bought from the thrift store. That Peter Millar polo — half price at TJ Maxx. The photos of me out on the golf course —

saved photos from the round I played a month ago. To be honest, larping started off as just a little joke between me and my friends. We saw a couple of videos on TikTok and thought it would be fun to do. We started acting like completely different people to see who we could know and how far we could get. The problem was that people thought we were being honest, that we were living the SEC fraternity stereo-

type. We posted pictures of us out on boats and flexing fake watches that we bought off of Shein. This may sound like a lot just to be accepted on social media and around campus, but to some of us, larping is a lifestyle we can’t give up. I’m in too deep. I have made multiple friends from larping who think I actually live my life like this. These are friends that I just can’t stand to lose. So, I’ll continue to larp.

Who knows how long I’ll do it for? It could be until I graduate college, it could continue into my career 15 years down the road. Maybe it will take me to places I’ve never imagined, or people could just label me as a phony. I mean, the saying “fake it till you make it” has got to have some sort of meaning behind it. The Stroller has been a tradition since 1918 and does not reflect the views of The Northwest Missourian.

CADEN WILLMANN CARTOONIST

Medical crises must be taken seriously; get out of the way OUR VIEW:

While hot sun shines down, there is no wind and not a cloud in the sky — thousands rally to support the Northwest Bearcat football team each time it plays at home. During the first two home games of this season, there have been multiple medical emergencies due to heat and other complications. An active medical emergency is no time to be standing around and gawking at the event — move and seek help if necessary for the people involved. Lately in the news and during this football season there have been many deaths around the country. In nationally covered news, a 13-year-old boy named Caden Sorrell died after going into cardiac arrest during football practice due to the heat. Locally and more recently, a junior band member named Derek Phillips suffered a heat-related cardiac arrest before the band’s halftime performance at the University of Iowa. He died a few days later after being taken off of life support. A few weeks prior to Phillip’s death, a William Jewell College football player died during a game. Junior running back MicahJo Barnett collapsed on the

sidelines after scoring a touchdown. When these things happen, it’s human nature to want to see what is going on and be the first person in-theknow. However, not everyone needs to see what is happening — unless you are a medical professional, get out of the way. Huddling around the person having a medical emergency causes more traffic for medical personnel, and it infringes on the person’s privacy. Their incident is not entertainment, and they aren’t doing it for their five seconds of fame — someone’s life is at risk, and everyone needs to respect their privacy. You wouldn’t want people doing it to you, so don’t do it to someone else. Not only does stopping and staring waste time, it ushers in groups of people to watch something that doesn’t concern them. Also, don’t pull out your phones to post about it on social media — someone’s life could be on the line, no matter how insignificant you think the emergency might be. Be a decent human and stay out of the way. When the people at the Northwest football game were carried out

on stretchers, many fans stood closely nearby. Members of the Editorial Board saw groups huddling together and watching what was happening instead of getting out of the way and listening to the EMTs. Medical personnel are there to help — if you don’t plan to administer CPR or be an aid in any way, please mind your business. This isn’t just in sports. Anyone can experience medical episodes — at work, in traffic or even getting out of bed. Please be mindful of these incidents wherever you are in life. If you want to be an asset, taking free CPR and AED classes online can help you out in your community and your personal life. Just remember, even if you pass the training, it doesn’t necessarily make you a trained professional in all situations. During a medical emergency, you still need to listen to those who are more qualified than you. Helping and being in the way are two different acts — one saves lives, the other hurts. The next time you are near someone who is experiencing an active medical emergency, remember they are human — respect their boundaries and get out of the way.

YOUR VIEW:

How would you react if you saw someone having a medical emergency?

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“I would ask them what they need from me, so, if it’s somebody physically in front of me having a medical emergency, if they need me to call somebody or grab something for them, or if it’s one of my family members, see if they need me to come to them or contact somebody.”

“After I call 911 — that would be the first move — I would try to find a staff member that knows what to do or help me find someone who knows what to do.”

“First, I would kind of be in a shock if someone is having a medical emergency…then call 911 and then tell them the situation and see if there’s anyone in the current area that can actually help. I don’t know anything medically, but if I did, I would try to help as much as possible.”

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Sept. p 24, 2026 @NWMSports

SPORTS

Bearcat junior golfer shows improvement since joining program

UPCOMING GAMES NW FB @ Central Oklahoma 7 p.m. Sept. 26 Edmond, Oklahoma

RUSS ARNDT Missourian Reporter | @_NWMSports

vs. Central Missouri 1:30 p.m. Oct. 10 Bearcat Arena

NW VB @ Missouri Western 6 p.m. Sept. 25 St. Joseph, Missouri @ Central Missouri 6 p.m. Sept. 29 Warrensburg, Missouri

NW GOLF @ Grace Shin Invitational Oct. 5-6 Edmond, Oklahoma @ Central Region Fall Preview Oct. 11-13 Kearney, Nebraska

MHS FB @ Cameron 7 p.m. Sept. 25 Cameron High School vs. St. Joseph Benton 7 p.m. Oct. 2 Hound Pound PAUL SMITH MISSOURIAN PHOTOGRAPHER

Northwest golf junior Lauren Briggs works on her long-distance putts during practice Sept. 3. In Briggs’ last three tournaments, she placed in the top four.

The Northwest golf team has lit up scorecards so far this season, placing in the top six and top three in their first three tournaments. A name that has stuck out like a bright pink ball in the ruff on scorecards within the past two seasons is junior Lauren Briggs. She has been on a run these past three tournaments, posting three top four finishes. She holed out her tournament best at the Newman Women’s Invite with an overall score of 141 across 36 holes — her efforts over the two-day match helped the ’Cats shoot their second-best 36-hole score in team history. Briggs comes from a family of four collegiate golfers. Both of her parents played, her brother played and her uncle played before becoming her home-course professional. The decision for her to become the next was decided as soon as she bore her last name. “My dad played Division 1 somewhere in Illinois,” Briggs said. “My mom played at her community college, and it kind of just runs in the family.” She got the start most golfers wish they had, and she has taken full advantage of it. Finishing in the top five in the past two tournaments showing how her skills have developed and taken her to where she is now.

“

“She’s (Briggs’) so steady. She’s just so consistent, such a big time performer for us and a scorer we can constantly count on; this has been coming for a long time. I mean, she was really good as a freshman.”

LATHAN CROY NW GOLF HEAD COACH

“Ever since I was young, you know, that was just the sport they put me into, just hitting balls with clubs, putting around in my grandma’s house,” Briggs said. “Just always tagging along trying to learn piece-by-piece. My dad taught me most of everything I know with golf.” Briggs grew up in the moderately sized town of Burlington, Iowa; a community of around 23,000 people and the place she learned everything she need-

ed to on the Burlington High School girls golf team. Flint Hill Golf Club is Briggs’ home course — a small, country club-style, 18-hole course with no driving range. It’s a place many golfers would probably turn away from to start out their golf journey, but it didn’t deter Briggs from her dream of becoming a collegiate golfer. Briggs has been praised for consistency in the main golf phases since being thrust into the first five her freshman year. She finished her freshman year playing 27 rounds of golf with an average score of 78 strokes per round. She finished her best round one-over on a par 70 course. Then-graduate assistant now-head coach Lathan Croy is someone who’s been stoked for Briggs’ and her development as a golfer. “She’s (Briggs’) so steady,” Croy said. “She’s just so consistent, such a big time performer for us and a scorer we can constantly count on; this has been coming for a long time. I mean, she was really good as a freshman. When she got here, we asked her to step up quick, and she did that.” The team gave the junior an opportunity and ran with it. Croy said Briggs is constantly one of the strongest contributors to the squad and continues to be an anchor for the ’Cats every tournament. It’s almost an anomaly to see a player as consistent as Briggs. Not many players — professionals included — play with this level of consistency. There’s bound to be a blow up sometimes, but that never seems to cross her mind. Professional golf coach Butch Harmon believes having the right green approach strategy to reduce bigger numbers on the scorecard. She also attests her consistency to a change of scenery in her bag. Briggs believes that equipment is a big reason why her average scores dropped so much after her freshman season — so she shifted to a more forgiving set of clubs. “I switched out my irons,” Briggs said. “Right now, I have TaylorMade Qis, which have a bigger and more forgiving face. My wedges are my old ones; they had old men’s stiff shafts in them, and they were too heavy, so I switched to a lighter shaft, but they’re still men’s.” She wasn’t the flashiest recruit who hits bombs down the fairway — she’s consistent, and that’s what her coaches saw in her when she made her decision to come to Northwest. Briggs didn’t just choose to come to Northwest to become an athlete, though. The agriculture program is what truly drew her into becoming a Bearcat. “Northwest was kind of my top pick for schools because of academics,” Briggs said “Knowing that I could work on the farm and work with animals was something I really wanted to do.”

24, 2026 SPORTS Sept. @NWMSports

Bearcats honor late coach during game OLIVIA WALLACE Sports Editor | @_oliviawallace_

Family Weekend comes around once every season — usually during the third week of the fall semester, but for this year’s Bearcat football team it meant much more. A week before the match against the Missouri Southern State University Lions (1-2, 0-1 MIAA) Sept. 19, the Bearcat Former Players Association revealed to the team all-black jerseys in honor of former head coach Scott Bostwick. Scott Bostwick was the Bearcat’s defensive coordinator from 1994-2010, and then he was promoted to head coach after former head coach Mel Tjeerdsma’s retirement. Scott Bostwick was the Bearcats’ 18th head coach, but he died six months into the role from a heart attack — leaving a legacy before he got to slip the coaching headset on. Scott Bostwick wanted an all-black jersey look for the team, but he died before seeing his idea come to life. Many of the players who are a part of BFPA had Scott Bostwick as a coach and wanted to honor him in a meaningful way. Head coach John McMenamin helped create BFPA when he stepped into his role two years ago. BFPA helped fund MIAA championship rings and other necessities for the team. “Family’s like a noun, an adjective, a verb,” McMenamin said. “It means so much more here and he (Scott Bostwick) embodied that. Coach Bostwick, you know, recruited me out of high school. Defensive coordinator a long time and became the head coach and then, you know, passed away before he coached a game. It’s Coach Bostwick — Chad Bostwick’s brother. I was like, ‘This is family and what it means.’” For Saturday’s game, the Bearcats switched out their usual green and white colors for black and red — red for the color of Scott Bostwick’s hat he always wore on the sidelines so the defensive line could spot him while making plays. The 99-man roster for the 202627 Bearcats knew how big the impact Scott Bostwick left, and honoring him in any capacity meant something bigger than football. Within the 60-minute game, the Bearcats kept the Lions at bay to only a field goal. The ’Cats held down the line — it was as if Scott Bostwick was coaching them from above. Redshirt freshman linebacker

FLETCHER PROCTOR CO-PHOTO EDITOR

Northwest football celebrates after an interception by junior safety Holden Zigmant in the Bearcats’ 65-3 win over Missouri Southern State University Sept. 19.

Eli Bertz took the game more personally. “Coach Bostwick told us the story behind the black jerseys before the game,” Bertz said. “How Scott (Bostwick) ordered them right before, unfortunately, he passed away, and it just means more. I feel like whenever my coach, especially is his brother, I feel like I’m playing for him today.” Bertz notched seven unassisted tackles for the Bearcats and saw the

Midland Empire set to add 4 new schools to circuit OLIVIA WALLACE Sports Editor | @_oliviawallace_

In the next two years, the Midland Empire Conference will see four new schools join the conference spanning over the state of Missouri. Marshall High School, Moberly High School, Mexico High School and Kirksville High School will join the list in 2028. The conference also had an addition to the list for the 2026-27 school year with Excelsior Springs High School — located near Kansas City, Missouri. The decision to add the four schools came after Maryville Assistant Superintendent Jeremy Ingraham saw Marshall’s conference dwindling down to only four schools. Then-president of the MEC conference and Superintendent of Maryville Public Schools Philip Pohren said with the expansion it will make two divisions — East division will have: Chillicothe, Kirksville, Marshall, Mexico and Moberly and in the West division: Benton, Bishop LeBlond, Cameron, Excelsior Springs, Maryville and Savannah. “We felt really good about all four of those schools joining a conference,” Pohren said. “From there, we had to make sure that the existing conference members agreed that it was a good idea to add those four schools. Then we also had to all go back to our own boards of education and make sure that we had their support in pushing this.” Not every school in the East division will face Maryville during a season. Pohren said for some sports, like football, volleyball or basketball. Those teams will likely face each other in the playoffs or postseason play. The MEC Board of Controls

met to discuss why adding the four schools would not only help the conference but to build more student opportunities to grow — the addition will also bring more rivalries for teams. Maryville head football coach Matt Webb sees the addition as a big step in the right direction for not only Maryville but for the entire conference. “I think it’s a great thing,” Webb said. “I mean, all four of those communities are public schools and they’re all similar to the schools that are already in the conference whether it’d be Maryville, Chillicothe, Savannah, Excelsior Springs, Cameron. I mean, all those. When you look at Marshall, Kirksville, Moberly and Mexico, I think they’re all very comparable schools to what’s already in the MEC, so I think they’ll fit great.” Some schools in the expansion are almost four hours away from Maryville. Pohren said the board took the long drive into consideration when looking at the bigger picture. “We did put a lot of thought to travel within the conference,” Pohren said. “So, yes we anticipate that a freshman, at some point will in his or her four year career, they may have to make a trip to play Mexico in whatever sport they are playing in. But that will maybe happen one time in their four year career. And if it does, we’re gonna make every effort for that to be on a Thursday or a Friday. Or like in baseball or softball — we’ve already seen it, where we do Saturday triangulars.” There may be some time in between playing each other in the addition — making more of a rivalry among teams because they don’t know when the next time they will match up again.

field the whole game. Both sides of the ball for the ’Cats defended the paw — McMenamin emptied the bench going into the second half of the game, where Northwest led 51-3. Another key player for Northwest on the other side of the ball was sophomore wide receiver Cooper Warren, who chalked up 60 receiving yards, the longest of which being 35 yards.

During the second half of the game, Northwest put up 12 points to Missouri Southern’s three. For the remainder of the game, McMenamin took off his headset, not only to be in the moment with the team, but to give other coaches a chance to shine. “I really trust our whole staff,” McMenamin said. “It’s good to just, like, you know, to shut in. I just wanted to enjoy the game and enjoy the guys and players and the coaches — and see them coach and just be a cheerleader a little bit.” The Bearcats moved to 2-0 in conference play after taking down the Lions 65-3. Northwest is on the road next weekend, facing the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos (1-2, 0-1 MIAA) 7 p.m. Sept. 26 in Edmond, Oklahoma. Looking ahead to the matchup, the ’Cats lead the series against the Bronchos 12-5 all-time with its most recent win being in 2025 — 38-16 at Bearcat Stadium. McMenamin said he has high expectations going into the game. “They play hard, you know, they’ve turned their roster over, you know, a little bit just like every school does when you lose a few guys to the portal or injury,” McMenamin said. “You look for a lot of weaknesses you don’t see ’em. They’re playing good football. They just haven’t taken care of the ball in a couple of their losses, and if I think they do, those are two different games.” The pack of ’Cats must keep improving despite holding the Lions to three points — junior defensive lineman Jacob Stockard said the improvements should come from each position being ready to make plays and not being told from coaches what to do. “We see things that, like, the fans may not,” Stockard said. “You know…we didn’t play our best games the first…two games — especially at the defensive end position. Just technique wise. Yes, we were impactful, but we weren’t making the plays we should be making.” With it also being so early in the season, many of the Bearcats are seeing the field to show McMenamin what works. One player who proved himself against the Lions was Warren. “We just gotta believe that we’re, I mean, we are a good team,” Warren said. “We gotta believe we can go far in the playoffs. I believe we can win national championships, we just have to have that belief.”

SCHOOLS ADDED TO MIDLAND EMPIRE CONFERENCE

SOURCE: MARYVILLE R-II SUPERINTENDENT PHILIP POHREN

Before making the addition, the board did think about adding schools before the new edition but Pohren said the schools they were looking at were too big for the conference. Pohren also said with the addition there was some urgency, and making sure the schools are ready for the years to come. “For Maryville, in particular, we felt like this was not necessarily a push any kind of panic button but we knew there had to be urgency…” Pohren said. “So for us, we felt like, if we didn’t act and get this conference buffered and strengthened with the addition of these teams that we may be in a position where we, in Maryville and Northwest Missouri — where there’s not a lot of options.” The addition will take place in the fall of 2028 and some teams have their calendar slated to take on the new opponents.

INFOGRAPHIC BY ANNA CASE DESIGNER

Briggs leads golf team Junior golfer makes her mark on the greens following in her parents’ footsteps. see A6

SPORTS Sept. 24, 2026

Family stays together Northwest football honors late head coach in new all-black jerseys. see A7

@NWMSports

PAUL SMITH MISSOURIAN PHOTOGRAPHER

Maryville volleyball senior Grace Stiens works on her serve during practice Sept 16. Maryville takes on Benton High School and Chillicothe High School Oct. 8 for Senior Night.

PAUL SMITH MISSOURIAN PHOTOGRAPHER

Maryville volleyball senior Claire Walters attempts a spike during practice Sept. 16. Walters is one of the three seniors on the team.

Maryville volleyball senior Addison Bowe serves during the Pony Express State Volleyball Preview Classic Aug. 28-29.

HANNAH TATE Sports Reporter | @ht_playbook

because she is so smart.…I would say power for her (Bowe)...she had to end her season a little bit early last year, but she still came in this year with as much power as she can give.” While coaches can change in a matter of a season, the friendship between players stays strong between new rosters. The seniors and younger players see each other every day at school and at practice, creating friendships that last on and off the court. Walter said faith and family is a huge part of her life, and she enjoys the close-nit culture at MHS. “They’re all just like my sisters here,” Walter said. “That family aspect of it, again, I just really enjoy that, and I put my faith above, like, everything else, so just having that mentality while playing and just, like, praying before games with the team and all that just really helps, like, boost the family culture that we have here.” Along with seeing each other at school, the trio sees Sandfort every weekday for math class. Having a coach as a teacher then go into practice to see them in a different element, it creates a different dynamic between player and coach. As a teacher, Sandfort sees lots of students daily, but she said seeing the seniors is refreshing throughout the day.

Trio embarks on final season A

trio of seniors, Grace Stiens, Claire Walter and Addison Bowe, are stepping into leadership roles as they embark on their final season of Maryville volleyball. As home-grown athletes, the trio has played sports together in Maryville their whole lives. Hitter Walter is part of a family of six, including her one older and two younger brothers. As the only daughter, her mother took the chance to put her in the sports she didn’t have the chance to put her brothers in. Walter is a part of the volleyball, girls basketball and girls soccer teams at Maryville. Walter said her mother loved playing volleyball during high school and threw Walter into volleyball at a young age to find she shared the passion for the sport. “When I was little, I didn’t really want to play because…I just didn’t really find it enjoyable,” Walter said. “I played (at) MPR (Maryville Parks & Recreation)...and I just fell in love with it, and then I played club, and then I just continued that on here, and I just really enjoyed the aspect of the team aspect of it and just the quick rallies that get played and the high intensity it has.” Hitter Stiens said her mom was her coach while she was in the MPR league, and she loved how many friends she made while playing volleyball. Stiens is a part of a family of five, and is also the only girl with two younger brothers. Her mom and aunt played volleyball when they were younger and wanted to see if Stiens shared their love for the game. Stiens also played and learned to grow with the game alongside Walter. “If I do it, my friend’s going to do it,” Stiens said. “My friendships along the way have really just pushed me that way, but I also…just like the aspect of it, like, the family aspect, making a lot of friends, just having fun with my team — that’s the most important part.” For hitter Bowe, sports — especially volleyball — has always been a huge part of her life. She learned to love the game of volleyball from her older sister, whom she admired after seeing the fun she had on the court and how good she was. Bowe started her volleyball journey at Maryville Middle School, where she started playing with Stiens and Walter. Bowe said the three of them have grown as better players and into leaders throughout their years of playing together. “Through school and club ball, we’ve played a lot together throughout the years, which has definitely helped grow our bond and helped push each other to be better players,” Bowe said. The trio of seniors have seen three head coaches during the career at MHS. Alyssa Rezac coached during their freshman and sophomore years, Meghan Hermelink led the team their junior year, and now Hailey Sandfort is the coach for their senior year. Walter said transitioning between different head coaches hasn’t been difficult since each coach has gone from assistant coach to head coach. “They’ve, like, been under the other one, so they have similar playing styles,” Walter said. “It’s definitely just been a bit of a challenge, just adapting to the new coaches, but they’ve all three have been really good, and I’m really glad Hailey’s (Sandfort’s) our head coach this year. She’s really good, and she knows a lot (about) what she’s talking about, so that helps a lot during practices and games.” Sandfort was brought on as an assistant coach for the 2025 season, and she became a math teacher and head coach at MHS at the beginning of this school year. While she hasn’t known the girls for long, Sandfort said each senior has distinctive qualities that allow them to succeed in their own way. For Walter, it is her dominant nature on the court; for Stiens, it’s her knowledge of the game; and for Bowe, it’s the power behind all of her swings. “She (Walter) gets in there and…whether that is, she is going up for a hit or she’s going up for a block…she always makes sure that she does that skill with her dominance,” Sandfort said.“When she’s (Stiens) hitting, when she’s blocking, she’s very smart with the ball… she’s not the tallest girl on the court, but we have her on the court

“

They’re all just like my sisters here. That family aspect of it, again, I just really enjoy that, and I put my faith above, like, everything else, so just having that mentality while playing and just, like, praying before games with the team and all that just really helps, like, boost the family culture that we have here.”

CLAIRE WALTER MARYVILLE VOLLEYBALL SENIOR

“(Walter) is really one that just brings the joy to anything that she does; she’s always cracking jokes, she’s always happy about anything that she’s doing,” Sandfort said. “(Stiens’) just always is so wise and knowledgeable about everything…she is one of those kids that is, like, wow, like, you are so mature, you know so much… (Bowe’s) just such a calm presence, and it’s really refreshing sometimes…there’s such a calm presence about her, and so it’s really nice to be able to just sit down and be able to chat with her about anything and everything, all the time.” The ’Hounds are coming off of their best season since 2019, ending the year with a 26-10 record. A group of four seniors controlled the offensive stat sheet last year; leading with 222 kills and 50 total blocks on the season. Stiens said she wants to continue the fun but also concentrate on the leadership that the seniors before them left behind. “We were always dancing in the locker room,” Stiens said. “We always had a speaker on the bus…we’ve also done that this year, so I feel like that’s just also, like, having fun on the court just makes it a whole much better…everyone plays better when you’re having fun, but also being able to stick through those hard times and keep pushing, that also is what a lot of the seniors pushed us to, is just, like, keep pushing and…even though you’re having fun, don’t give up.” The seniors have three more home games before the season ends. Maryville takes on the Savannah High School Savages Oct. 1, the Benton High School Cardinals and the Chillicothe High School Hornets Oct. 8 for senior night, and the South Harrison High School Bulldogs Oct. 12.