The Northwest Passage: Volume 56, Issue 1

NW PASSAGE Shawnee Mission Northwest Highschool, Shawnee, KS, 66216

ISSUE 1

AUGUST 14, 2024

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Table of Contents Issue 1

August 14th, 2024

Volume 56

Are Tampons Toxic?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04

By Grace Rau

Seminar Swap | Curriculum Changes . . . 05

By Grace Rau

Letter From The Editors. . . . . . . . 07 Welcome to the Northwest Passage | By Grace Rau

Map of the School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04 Soundtrack of my Life . . . . . . . . . . 10 Lonely Hour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Spoiler Filled Review of “The Boys” Season Four. . . . 15 A Latin Adventure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

By Sage McCarthy

Sitting bored and alone at an assembly | By Quentin Brown

Rising tension between the superheroes and anti-heroes made this show binge-worthy | By Kara Simpson

A trip across the ocean | By Jesus Lara Rivera

Somewhere In France. . . . . . . . . . . 17 Senior Abby Livingston is inspired to study abroad after taking the french trip | By Jesus Lara Rivera

Falling Into Fall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 My predictions of fashion trends this fall | By Hope Hunt

My Mom’s Dip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 The story and recipe behind my mom’s famous dip | By Emma Wyckoff

A Fresh Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Freshman Grace Bengfort begins to feel at home during summer volleyball weights and conditioning | By Sophia Reagan

OUR PASSAGE 16

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he Northwest Passage is a news magazine that aims to provide information to the student body of Shawnee Mission Northwest and amplify their voices. We strive to be a reflection of our reader’s interests and relay relevant news about our world and community.

We firmly support the First Amendment and oppose censorship. The content of our paper is determined and created by our staff. When questions concerning word choice, ethics or legality may arise, the Editor in Chief, editor board and advisor

will discuss the problem and come to a conclusion.

In these cases, the Editor in Chief and editor board will have the final say.

Letters to the editor are encouraged. The Northwest Passage reserves the right to edit for grammatical mistakes, length, clarity and good taste. Letters may attack policy but not people.

The Editor in Chief and the editor board maintain the right to refuse any letter.

The Passage publishes nine issues a school year.

Subscriptions are available to the community for $20.

PUBLICATION OVERSIGHT Editor-In-Chief Managing Editor

Grace Rau Bella Alvarado

CONTENT MANAGEMENT Copy Editor Copy Editor Design Editor Photo Editor Photo Editor

Sofia Ball Jesus Lara Rivera Greta Grist Addison Griswold Kara Simpson

ADVISER Chris Heady

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Photo courtesy of Abby Livingston

WRITERS

Grace Rau Emma Wyckoff Jesus Lara Rivera Hope Hunt Sage McCarthy Quentin Brown Sofia Ball

DESIGNERS Bella Alvarado Kennedy Woolf Greta Grist

Photo courtesy of Alan Guzman

A Latin Adventure A trip across the ocean

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Somewhere in France Cover by Kara Simpson Senior Abby Livingston is inspired to study abroad after taking the French Trip

Are Tampons Toxic?

04 | News - NW Passage

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Designs by Greta Grist

recent study, “Tampons as a source of exposure to metal(loid)s,” has gone viral for finding several toxic materials in tampons.

Here’s what you need to know: What did they find?

The study tested 30 tampons from 14 different brands and looked for a variety of 16 metals, notably including arsenic, chromium and lead. All 16 metals were detected. No brand was completely free of the metals, though organic tampons tended to have more arsenic and non-organic ones tended to have more lead.

How did it get there?

Some chemicals such as calcium, nickel and zinc are added to tampons as antimicrobial agents. Other metals may have been absorbed into the cotton as plants take up materials from the soil. Soil can be contaminated through atmospheric deposition, wastewater, chemical runoff, pesticides and fertilizers.

Is it dangerous?

Maybe.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic exposure to toxic materials like arsenic, chromium and lead can lead to dullness, muscle and abdominal pain, digestive issues, vomiting, convulsions and more.

The metals detected by the study were in extremely small

quantities. The amount of lead in one tampon is little more than 2% of the “safe” amount of lead set by the Food and Drug Administration for a bottle of water.

However, tampons are used for several hours at a time, for days in a row, for years of a woman’s life. Metals do not leave the human body quickly, and long term cumulative exposure can lead to health complications.

But, as the study notes, there is no research whether metals can leech from tampons and be absorbed into the body. Though metals are present, it cannot be determined whether they are affecting women’s health.

What brands are safe?

We can’t say. The study did not release the names of the tampon brands it tested. Though lists of “safe” tampon brands have sprung up on the internet, none have been scientifically backed.

What next?

There’s no definitive proof that you should toss all your tampons in the trash, but do what makes you feel safe.

“Regulations around tampons are not extensive and do not require regular product testing,” the study says. “Our findings point towards the need for regulations requiring the testing of metals in tampons by manufacturers.”

Story by Grace Rau

Photo by Kara Simpson

Freshman Face New Curriculum This Year

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his year the state of Kansas is implementing a new set of graduation requirements for all incoming freshmen. Several new changes have been made by Shawnee Mission Northwest: Students will complete 3.5 credits of ELA. Previously, it was four full credits.

A new communications class is required for incoming freshmen. It is semester-long and aims to teach students interpersonal skills. Northwest principal Dr. Gruman said existing staff will be utilized for the teaching of this class.

One full credit of STEM courses are required by the new curriculum. Seventy one classes qualify for the STEM credit, including newspaper, calculus, physics,

animation and game design, aerospace and robotics.

In addition, a half PE credit is now required for incoming freshmen, as opposed to the previous full credit.

“We still have a lot of students that enjoy taking PE,” Dr. Gruman said. “So we’re encouraging them to do that because it will fill the elective bucket.”

Some PE teachers do not approve of the new curriculum.

“We are doing a disservice to our students,” PE teacher and department chair Brian Vesta said. “I fear that by only requiring a half of a credit, out of the 56 [credits] they take in high school, we are telling them that their health and fitness is not important.”

Students adhering to the new curriculum

August - News | 05

will also need seven full elective credits, not 7.5.

On top of that, freshmen will also need to earn two “Post Secondary Assets” to graduate. Post Secondary Assets are not a course, but achievements outside of the classroom for students to complete. Post Secondary Assets may include things like 40+ community service hours, the Seal of Biliteracy, workplace experience, SAT scores of 1200 or higher, participating in at least two high school sports/activities, having a 90% attendance rate and more.

The class of 2028 and all following grades will adhere to the new graduation requirements.

Story by Grace Rau

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Seminar Changes for Sophomores and Juniors in Effect This Year

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eginning this school year, sophomores and juniors will have seminar teachers whose expertise aligns with student career interests.

They are gathered through the college and career readiness website Xello. When students complete Xello questionnaires, it gives them “career options based on their personality, skills and knowledge,” according to the Xello website.

Story by Grace Rau

“Let’s say you’re interested in a career that might be in business or communications,” Northwest principal Dr. Gruman said. “We would put you with a teacher that also said that’s an area of interest for them.”

The change was made in hopes that students could gain interest tailored advice from seminar teachers.

“It’s hard for teachers to answer questions about everything from engineering to medicine to communications to art,” Dr.

Gruman said.

By grouping students together who share common interests, Dr. Gruman also hopes they can make connections with their peers.

Northwest also wants to host more guest speakers on careers during seminar hours.

The talks would be focused towards and more advertised to students who have chosen that career as a potential interest.

“It’s a pretty small change,” Dr. Guman said. “But it’s hopefully impactful.”

Letter From The Editor

August - Opinion | 07

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Welcome To The Northwest Passage

ince the Northwest Passage’s very first issue in 1969, our paper has seen tremendous change. From broadsheet to news magazine to a website and Instagram, the paper has evolved over the years, keeping up with our student body’s evolving interests and changes of the time.

As you likely noticed as you picked up this issue, the Northwest Passage is redefining its image once again. Did you notice the larger pages and the new, timeless fonts? If you flip through the magazine, you’ll see the consistency between each page. These are some of the improvements we’ve made, among others. We wanted to give you the best Northwest Passage reading experience by elevating to our clean new look.

Even though the Passage may visually appear different, we’re still committed to the mission we had 55 years ago: to provide our student body with real, quality reporting and amplify your voices.

Thank you for reading the Northwest Passage.

Grace Rau, Editor in Chief

NW PASS ISSUE 5

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The new Northwest Passage will feature six distinctive sections in our magazine: News, Opinions, Reviews, Features, Arts and Sports.

These sections will be placed in the same spot each new issue, making it easy for readers to find their favorites and ensuring we’ll cover each aspect of our school.

Staffing issues and students poor treatment of restrooms at Northwest cause issues to arise p. 9

AUGUST 14, 2024

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What We’ve Changed New story sections

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A lot of people think they know senior Kristina Keys, but they don’t p. 19

Sleek sans serif typefaces

Letting the cover story shine You’ll notice that our biggest stories of the issue will be featured on the covers. We’re trying to let our cover stories have their moment in the spotlight, making each one unique. In these cover stories you’ll find our commentary on student life at Northwest and big issues affecting our community.

Leaning into the classic, elegant style of sans serif fonts, we’ve chosen headline fonts like Ivy Ora Display, and body copy fonts like this one, Ratio Modern. Our designers aimed to balance timelessness and modernity, elevating our publication to a more professional feel.

Hey NW! SMNWDOTCOM POLLS What’s the best summer job?

Chick-fil-A Employee Lifeguard Family Tree Employee

Babysitter

Illustration by Grace Rau

*50 responses

. . . . . . . . . . .

What’s the song of the summer?

Apple – Charli XCX Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter

HOT TO GO! – Chappell Roan Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar *60 responses

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Soundtrack of My Life 10 | Opinion – NW Passage

Story and design by Sage McCarthy Illustration and design by Grace Rau

I

Spring. Fourteen years old.

t’s a regular afternoon for me — homeschooling for less than an hour, doctor and therapy appointments, rotting on my bed listening to Radiohead — and hiding almost everything from my mom. I’m 14 and sneaking out at night, getting blackout drunk, and sneaking social media — all after recovering from an eating disorder. Mom has no idea.

When I walk upstairs to the kitchen, my mom is looking at me.

“Pack your things,” she says. ”You’re going to Emaw and Papa’s house.”

She found out. I trusted my little sister, but she was 12 and tattled.

My mom drags me into her black SUV. She can’t handle me anymore. She has to focus on her other three kids, in hopes that her parents can take care of me.

Humiliating.

We listen to 99.7 FM in silence on our way. We arrive at the retirement home 30 minutes from our house. My grandparents are

playing “The Chosen” on their living room TV, a Christian series.

I’m not allowed to be alone, so I sleep on their stiff, pillowless couch in the living room with a thin blanket.

Every day is a blur to me, I can hardly remember the details. The fourth day passed.

And I tell my grandma — I want to end my life.

Again.

Spring. Seven years old.

I stand outside the Oaklawn Montessori School basement when I hear IT. The “make my heart drop” IT. “Hey Sage, wanna help me with the speakers downstairs?” IT says to me.

IT, The Principal, Denis Creason.

God, I hate that name.

Help with the speakers… I know what that means.

Six buildings, and the one IT leads all the elementary school girls to is a logged cabin, with a music basement, where we would “help with the speakers.”

The basement trips happened up until the end of 3rd grade — when another girl told her mom. And her mom told all the other moms — about the wrong IT did to US. I never went back to Oaklawn.

Fall. Eight years old.

I wear a black and red floral dress, rainbow glasses, and a short bob I walk into the courtroom and see IT. His greasy, gray, long, curly hair, and his grayish black musty mustache.

They didn’t tell me he’d be here.

My chest, my heart, all sink.

Standing next to the judge, they show me a picture of the building “What building is it called?” IT’s lawyer said.

“Um um um.”

My lawyer told me not to say um, but I was eight and I did.

“Wooden building.”

“Incorrect. It’s the logged cabin,” IT’s lawyer said.

Walking out of the courtroom, I see my mom and dad with a proud look on their face. Afterward, my grandparents, my parents, my siblings and I go to Applebee’s. I eat a hamburger with ketchup only.

A few years later, he was found not guilty.

Spring. Thirteen years old.

Photos courtesy of Sage McCarthy

We’re about to go on stage when I tell my friends — “I feel dizzy.”

Shoot. Here we go. The blurry lights, the small church crowd cheering, another ballet performance, except this time, my body is

running out of energy.

My life is full-time ballet and homeschool, and when I’m not doing that I’m going to high school parties and drinking orange juice mixed with vodka. I’m on my second week of only eating lettuce and ice, sometimes carrots. I have no energy to do anything — let alone dance.

My gut doesn’t feel right about this.

Clack-clack-tap-clack-tap.

We begin. My slick back bun and the bobby pins hurt my scalp.

Ouch.

The lights are getting fuzzier. Am I okay?

As I run off stage, my sight begins to fade.

“I don’t feel too good,” I tell my choreographer.

I pass out in her arms. *** A few weeks later, my girlfriend, the first girl I was serious with, the first girl I kissed, the first girl who knows me, texts me at midnight, “We’re over.”

Shit shit shit. Can I go on without her?

Can I? I decide I can’t.

I grab my gray bed sheets and toss them over the bare, unfinished basement beam. I’m going to tie it around my neck. I grab a chair and stand on it.

I stop myself.

I walk upstairs and cry to my mom.

“Mom, I want to end my life.”

“Oh my God,” she says. “Get in the car.” *** Mirallac. A mental hospital for suicidal kids.

Wow. Fitting? I guess? I don’t know.

Me and my mom, at midnight, walk into this freezing building and I give them all my stuff: My jewelry, my phone, my makeup, my socks and shoes.

I take an hour-long survey.

“You typically stay in here for three to seven days.” The lady keeps speaking gibberish.

Eventually, I had to give them my clothes so I can wear the gray sweats with a blue tee-shirt assigned to me.

I had to talk to a psychiatrist while there.

“We believe you have Anorexia.”

4 days later, I arrive home. Nothing changes.

Spring. Fourteen years old.

At the retirement home, after I tell my grandma, we call my mom.

My dad picks me up around dinner time and takes me back to Mirallac. It’s cloudy and dark out. On our way, we listen to Weezer.

I get accepted — for the third time.

My first six days, all I remember are the dry eggs with too much

pepper every morning.

On the seventh day, they suggest long-term help. My mom and therapist agree.

I don’t hesitate.

This isn’t who I want to be known for. Who I want to be. I’ve lost friends, my phone, my room and now, my family. This’ll be rough, but this is what I want to do. What I need to do. I need to get better.

Off I go, another mental hospital.

Except this time, for months, 10 hours away from my home, my mom.

August – Opinion | 11

Photos courtesy of Sage McCarthy

Summer. Fourteen years old.

Riiiinggg riiinggg My mom’s here, oh my gosh, my mom’s here.

It’s been two months since I’ve seen her. I feel more relieved than excited. To hug someone, my mom especially.

Instead of flying out to pick me up, she drove.

I’m standing in the exit I haven’t seen since I walked in. I’m holding a pink soft, weighted bunny stuffed animal my friend gave me before I was admitted – a reminder that just like I walked in with the bunny, I’ll walk out with it. My mom helps me carry my suitcase and we head to her car, the same car I got dragged into. I can smell the lavender lotion she still has in her car. “Can I play music?” I asked. I made a 10-hour playlist for the car ride home, mainly filled with TV girl, The Smiths, and some Nirvana.

In Colorado, I learned how to manage my anxiety. I never thought I’d be comfortable with being alone, no close friends, no relationship—just thriving independently. Of course, I had people to talk to, but in Colorado, I found safety in myself. And not once had I felt that until then. I did experience the worst known to man cheese sticks. They were soggy and they didn’t peel. Awful.

I don’t know who I want to be yet, but I know who I don’t want to be, and that’s a start. I will never be who I was again; I’m not ashamed to say that.

We pull into the driveway and I turn off the music.

My mom turns to me.

“I see light in your eyes,” she says. “And I haven’t seen that in a while.”

I smile. I needed to hear that, especially from her.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideations, you can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States.

You can also contact school social workers Tina Clark (brclark@smsd.org) and Melissa Osborn (nwosborn@smsd.org) at the front office.

PUB - KITCHEN

Lonely Hour

August - Opinion | 13

Sitting alone in a crowd

Story by Quentin Brown | Design by Greta Grist

I

’m pushed through the sluggish crowd on the way to the main gym.

An ensemble of instruments can be heard from outside the doors while chatter from the crowd tries to drown it out.

I’m pushed into the main gym and up the stairs until ending up three rows below the top, sitting down on the edge of the fifth seat in the row.

I see my sophomore friends sitting at the edge of their section.

Maybe I should go over?

I’ve already sat down in a different section and the rest of the crowd has nearly cleared away. Somebody else will probably come talk to me. I’ll stay here.

I check the clock.

9:30 a.m. Eighty minutes until it’s over.

I feel waves of cold pull over me, the gym is frigid even though it’s filled with people.

Maybe someone will see me and come over later?

My back hurts trying to keep it straight. I want to lean forward to be more comfortable

Photo by Addison Griswold

but I know I shouldn’t. That will just hurt more later.

I look around and see people talking to each other, some laughing, some are playing on their phones and others are barely awake trying their best to keep their head up straight.

Three rows below the top, five seats in, the seats around me are empty yet I am surrounded by people. The school forms its own culture, its own vibrant environment. I want to fit in yet I am still sitting here, alone.

Everyone I know here has someone they like better than me that they’re talking to.

I’m not the person people want to talk to.

Do people only talk to me to burn time?

Am I bad at talking to people?

Is that why I’ve been left behind?

9:40 a.m. Still 70 minutes until we leave.

Another wave of cold passes over me. The gym is just cold now. I check my posture and face to make sure I look normal. I have to make sure not to look sad. My phone’s at 4% so I can’t just play a game to look less

lonely.

My back hurts. I have to keep my posture right. I have to look normal. I place my fist on one of my cheeks and slouch to the left. I look around. Nobody else is doing that.

Maybe I look pretentious?

I put my back straight and unfold my legs.

I notice my friends talking to each other in their own group. I should have just sat by them. I should have known nobody was going to come talk to me. I check the time on my phone.

One hour to 10:50 a.m.

One hour of my back hurting, of silence and of boredom.

I’m starting to slouch forward. It’s only been 20 minutes and it’s felt like an hour.

It’s only been 20 minutes and I can’t keep my back straight anymore.

At least when this is over I’ll have algebra.

I’ll be in a quiet room solving problems for an hour and a half, it’ll only feel like 20 minutes.

August – Review | 15

Spoiler Filled Review of

“The Boys” Season Four

Story by Kara Simpson Design by Grace Rau Photo courtesy of Amazon Prime

Rising tension between the superheroes and anti-heroes made this show binge-worthy

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eason four of “The Boys” on Amazon Prime concluded July 18 in an epic one-hour finale episode. It depicted a rise of political tension in its superhero universe by continuing satirical and raunchy humor. This laid a foundation in preparation for its fifth and final season.

A lot of the strengths consisted of main character developments for A-Train and Starlight.In season one, A-Train was one of my least favorite characters. However, seeing his redemption arc as the show continued felt very well-paced. His reflection on what it’s like to truly be a hero and not what is presented to the public was satisfactory.

And he ended up turning out to be very likable.

Starlight’s journey of self-discovery while tackling her powers was really well fleshed out. She’s always been limited due to needing electricity. However, learns that she can use other sources of energy such as the sunlight to elevate her abilities. I’m excited to see how her powers advance even more in season five.

Homelander was so well written and performed to near perfection by Antony Starr.

His deteriorating mental state has been reaching a climax as the series progressed.

In this season he went on multiple killing

sprees that actually made me partially sympathetic. That’s what I think is so good about this character. His villainous outbursts always have a reason but as a viewer, I still got scared every time he came on screen.

My favorite part of this season was the finale. It had my jaw dropping and I felt so sad when the episode ended because it left off on a phenomenal cliffhanger.

As much as I loved this season there were

“ “

It had my jaw dropping... it left on a phenomenal cliffhanger.

some notable weaknesses. I understand needing to treat this as a build-up for the finale, but there were so many plot points I felt they could’ve been expanded on instead they relied too much on unnecessary

shock-humor that could’ve been frankly cut from the show entirely.

“The Boys” has always had raunchy or gross scenes depicted as humorous throughout the show. Most of the time it’s funny and works well within the plot. However, this season felt overboard.

The best example was in episode six.

Hughie gets sexually assaulted and it’s played for laughs. In the scene, he’s going undercover as a superhero and is forced to do explicit acts against his will. It wasn’t funny to watch, just disappointing how the writers made the male victims out to be a joke. All I could think about is if this had been a female in Hughie’s position, would the writers still have played it for laughs?

A smaller problem I had was how Frenchie’s entire character felt so weak. They knew the direction they wanted to take him in but executed it poorly. I didn’t care about him and he felt kinda forgettable.

Overall, I’d rate this season of “The Boys” an 8/10. It still had incredible episodes and characters that were extremely well executed. I’m excited to see new episodes that come out.

A Latin Adventure 16 | Feature - NW Passage

A trip across the ocean

Story by Jesus Lara Rivera Design by Bella Alvarado

I

taly was a dream come true for junior Alan Guzmán.

A dream that was formed over years of hearing it from someone else; a big brother who, years before, had been on the same trip. Adrian Guzmán Franco had told stories of beautiful views and experiences that only came from a once in a lifetime trip across Italy and Greece. His big brother had taken Latin for three years straight, and had gone on the trip twice,each time forming Guzmán’s dream even more than the last.

Guzmán chose to take Latin for that one reason: for the chance to take the trip of a lifetime. It took two years of hard work inside the Latin classroom for him to finally see Athens, their first stop on the trip, from 30,000 feet in the air.

The sight was so small yet so big all at once; the deep blue sea crashing against the shore in a clash between light and dark stretching across the land.

After an 11 hour plane ride from Chicago to Athens, Guzmán and the rest of the Latin class touched Greek soil.

Before Covid, the Latin class took the trip every two years, but this trip was the first trip since 2020. Led by Latin teacher Joe Gehrer, seven Latin students went to Greece and Italy from June 20 to June 27.

The suburbs of Athens were filled with wonders to see, like Greek architecture, shops and restaurants only found in the streets, displays of amazing workmanship in something as small as a single fountain or something as grand as a mosaic hidden inside a church.

Everything, though, did not compare to what finally stuck with Guzmán: An Orthodox Church with beautiful mosaics scattered across the ceiling, shows of masterful wood work, a beautiful chandelier in the Photo courtesy of Alan Guzmán forefront of the church.

The whole trip was filled with beautiful sights just like this one.

Churches too grand to describe, beautiful street views, memories shared between friends, and photos to capture the moment forever.

“It was so amazing seeing it in person,” Guzmán said. “Actually walking where the ancients did.”

Athens had much more hiding amongst its many streets, like the Panathenaic Stadium and the Acropolis. Two sites which are filled to the brim with history. The stadium, which was originally built back in 400 BC as a simple racecourse, has been rebuilt time and time again. The Acropolis, an ancient city that now only contains the remains of what once was, is located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city of Athens.

“I feel like I’ve grown closer to all of my friends that went on this trip,” Guzmán said. “I feel like I’ve also learned so much on this trip, about history, about Latin and Italian, and about the cultures of Italy and Greece.”

On a ferry headed to Brindisi, Italy, Guzmán and five others including Gehrer, played Scopa, an Italian card game that Gehrer had bought in Naples. There on a glass table, their cards scattered between all five of them, the ferry slowly drifting through the water, Guzmán was finally living his dream.

Photo courtesy of Alan Guzmán

Somewhere In France

August - Feature | 17

Senior Abby Livingston is inspired to study abroad after taking the French trip Story by Sofia Ball

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n her favorite pair of jeans, and a babydoll sweater from Hollister, senior Abby Livingston and her friends huddled together. It was chilly, and around 11:00 pm. They waited as French teacher William Espeset began the countdown.

10…9…8…

Everyone whipped out their phones ready to record. Livingston’s was dead. Two days ago they were in Kansas. And after an eight hour flight, which she spent reading “Pride and Prejudice,” listening to Gracie Abrams and trying to sleep, they were finally in Paris.

Paris. The City of Love. Known for its fashion, culture, diplomacy and pickpocketers.

To Livingston, this was still a dream.

3…2…1…

The Eiffel Tower adorned itself in 20,000 flashing lights, a beacon of pure gold against the dull sky.

“I can’t believe I’m here,” Livingston remembers thinking.

Nothing would compare to that moment.

Students enrolled in French were able to take a trip to France this summer, chaperoned by Espeset. This opportunity strikes every two years, and typically around five to 20 students end up attending.

Seven students and one parent went for nine days touring Paris, Normandy, Amboise, Loire Valley, and more.

But Livingston had been saving up long before then. She started working at a local bakery called Kate’s Soiree to pay for the trip.

With the $10 an hour, plus tips she made baking brownies and wiping down heart shaped tables, Livingston started putting away over $300 each month. She was determined to reach that $4,000 goal.

Once Livingston had enough money set aside and her parents were on board, not going was out of the question.

In Paris, she was living her dream come true.

“It was exactly what I expected,” Livingston said. “People are actually nicer than they’re perceived as in movies and stuff. It also wasn’t as clean, similar to New York City. There were moments that were very picturesque, then we turn around, and two Parisians are screaming at each other.”

They saw historic neighborhoods, cafes, flower markets and chateaus. Their tour guide even let them stray off the itinerary and hike through quicksand around Mont Saint Michel. Livingston vividly remembers visiting D-Day memorials, and a specific beach, Pointe Du Hoc, where soldiers had to scale up the side of a cliff. There were huge craters now overgrown with clover and tall grasses.

“It’s crazy how a beautiful place could have such horrible history,” Livingston said.

The city of Saint Malo was what she looked forward to most.

Walking along city walls, seeing the ocean, connecting real moments with scenes from a novel Livingston read for sophomore English and loved, “All The Light We Cannot See.” She was thrilled to document everything and share it with her mom, Tracy Livingston, who had worked as an au pair in Switzerland and Paris.

“I’ve spoken French in our home since she was itty-bitty,” Tracy said. “We’ve talked about her traveling to Europe/France for years.”

Livingston loved chatting with locals, and giving her best shot at ordering in restaurants. She claimed the waiters did laugh, but were always eager to help.

“I was super proud of how willing my students were to speak French right away,” Espeset said. “It can be intimidating but they were all

Photo courtesy of Abby Livingston brave and got a lot of compliments from locals.”

On the final day, they toured Chateau de Chambord, and drove back to Paris. They had dinner, ended with a cruise down La Seine river and got to see a lot of famous sights one last time.

Livingston will miss the gooey dessert crepes.

She will miss the $630 spent on food and souvenirs.

She will miss the art and history on every streetcorner.

Most of all she will miss the people.

“It’s weird that I spent a whole nine days in France doing exactly what I’ve always wanted to,” Livingston said.

At home in Kansas, Livingston airplayed all her 947 photos on the living room TV while mom and Willow, the family tabby cat, watched.

“Being able to practice speaking a foreign language in that environment is different from anything else I’ve experienced before,” Livingston said. “It’s always been an idea in the back of my head to become fluent in French, but now that’s something I should really do.”

Falling Into 18 | Arts - NW Passage

My predictions of fashion trends this fall

Story by Hope Hunt | Design by Greta Grist

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all is right around the corner, which means sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes and the color orange.

Last summer fashion was vibrant. But as we transition into fall, neutrals and earthy tones become the norm. Sambas will appear in the halls this fall. The famous Adidas that were trending last school year are still thriving — as well as New Balances and Pumas.

What goes perfectly with Adidas are baggy jeans. Low-rise, baggy jeans never seem to go out of style. This fall I’ll be pairing my jeans with graphic long sleeves.

Edikted, PacSun and American Eagle graphic tees made a huge appearance over the summer, and are here to stay.

Denim jean skirts with oversized sweaters and leather jackets are all over Pinterest.

Mini skirts are also making a comeback. I believe that skirts are so cute and help elevate your outfit by adding contrast.

Over the fall, expect to see Rory Gilmores everywhere. I imagine layering over tight-fitting tops, and corduroy trending. The next time you see her needing a coffee in “Gilmore Girls,” take notice of the chunky cream sweaters.

Whatever you wear this fall, make sure to be comfortable.

Clothing and style are objective, and it’s important to love what you wear.

photos by Kara Simpson

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August - Arts | 19

My Mom’s Dip

August – Arts | 21

The story and recipe behind my mom’s famous dip

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Story by Emma Wyckoff Design by Kennedy Woolf

n Oct 2009, a group of women who were labor and delivery nurses at Overland Park Regional Medical Center made a cookbook, “Bon Appetit Baby,” for their friend Anita, who was fighting breast cancer. All the profit from this cookbook, a collection of their recipes, went to Anita’s treatment.

Almost 15 years later, my family still enjoys many of these recipes. My mom’s dip, formally known as Kerry’s Black Bean Dip, is a summer staple. I eat it after getting home from the pool, at Chiefs game parties at my grandma’s house and at my kitchen table at 1:00 a.m.

It’s cold and refreshing after sitting in the fridge overnight, and has just enough flavor from the cilantro and red onion to not overpower your tastebuds. I think it’s best eaten with Tostitos scoop chips. We always double the recipe for our family of six, and I usually pick around the tomatoes. Tomatoes are nasty.

It was almost like a right of passage, when my mom asked me to make the dip for the first time at the beginning of this summer. She’s always so busy, and making the dip was just another thing I could take off her plate, so now it’s my job, along with cutting the watermelon. I was honored, even though the first time I made it, it wasn’t quite right. Technically, it wasn’t my fault because the cilantro just didn’t hold the same flavor it normally does, but that’s on Hen House’s. But I was determined to make it right because this dip is like tradition for my family every summer. And I did. Then I ate almost all of it in, like, three days.

Ingredients 1 can of black beans, drained 1 can of mexicorn, drained 2 cloves of garlic ¼ c. of red onion 2 tbsp. of cilantro 1 c. cherry tomatoes; quartered 1 c. Ken’s Ranch Salad Dressing

Photos by Kara Simpson

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August – Sports | 23

Freshman Grace Bengfort begins to feel at home during summer volleyball weights and conStory by Sophia Ragan ditioning

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reshman Grace Bengfort enters the hot, sweaty gym giddy.

But mostly ready to show everyone what she could do.

Bengfort walks through the athletic entrance with her sister, Claire Bengfort, in tow. When they get to the gym doors Claire immediately dashes to her group.

Bengfort can’t help but to “sort of stand there” awkwardly. She went to sit down close to Claire’s group, talking about how excited they were to be there together again.

Bengfort tried to let her fear subside. She had to focus on volleyball.

Her outlet.

Her sport.

“It’s just a great way for me to relax and play [what] I obviously love,” Bengfort said.

They were running hitting lines.

It was Bengfort’s turn to hit outside. She went up and slammed the ball down — an “amazing kill.”

Claire and her whole friend group erupted in cheers, all screaming and yelling in celebration. She was “overjoyed” to know that these girls had all that excitement from just one of her hits.

Bengfort gets onto the court, and goes straight to outside, for Hitter v.s. Hitter.

It is a drill you run with a full court on each side, and the only way to score is to get a hit or a block. But the only people that it counts for the position picked. So if the middle gets a kill but you’re running right-side, it doesn’t count.

Bengfort is getting ball after ball. Hit after hit. Block after block.

Her swings looked great, her form immaculate. And even though she makes some mistakes, so does everyone else, so there’s no pressure. Bengfort goes up and up and up. And as she contacts the ball, she falls with it.

Only her hit went out.

Coach Jonathan Scott jokes to Bengfort, “Maybe keep it in next time!”

She laughs with everyone else — not one person laughing at her.

Bengfort knew tryouts would be tough, they determined everything.

What team you’re on. What girls you will be with every day after school for the next two and a half months. They could even create your friend group.

They’re stressful for everyone, even girls who know they’ll be on a team.

Girls like Bengfort.

Bengfort would have weeks to worry about tryouts, though. In these moments all she’s thinking about are the girls she’s met and gotten close with.

Bengfort knew that going into high school, and tryouts, she’ll have these girls with her. No matter what happens, they’ll be there for her whether it was a drive to Starbucks after weights, blasting country music on the way, or simply spilling the drama for the day.

Bengfort knew she would make friends with girls in her class. But until school started, she had only Daisy Jenkins, a sweet girl, from St. Joseph grade school, and the volleyball girls.

She could only hope Claire would be ok with that. That volleyball and her friends wouldn’t come between them. After all, they weren’t

Design by Kennedy Woolf

just sisters, they were best friends, right?

No. If they got on the same team they would figure it out. She was sure of it.

“The subject would just be a little touchy,” Bengfort said.

She had met all these people, and after the Starbucks trips, the small hangouts, even the chit-chat, they became more than just her sister’s friends.

They were her friends now, too.

And Bengfort was ready. Not only for tryouts but to start high school.

Freshman Grace Bengfort poses for a photo Aug. 6 in Room 151. Bengfort has been playing volleyball for five years. “[Volleyball] is a good way to release stress and just get my mind off things,” Bengfort said.

Photo by Addison Griswold

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Only 3% of the population donate blood while every two seconds platelets or blood are needed. I wanted to know I’m helping people by donating blood. - Junior Amber Quint

Looking down at her arm, junior Amber Quint gets her blood drawn July 1 in the Cafeteria. Photo by Kara Simpson

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