Freshman Magazine: Finding Your Way

PASSAGE Aug. 12, 2015 | Vol. 47

T THE NORTHWES E FRESHMAN'S GUID EIR TO NAVIGATING TH IGH WAY THROUGH H SCHO OL

+ PHOTO BY SHELBY BEAUMONT/ ILLUSTRATION BY PADEN CHESNEY

NW

CONTENT

FRESHMAN MAGAZINE

04 Northwest Administration Get to know some of NW's administrators

08 Rumor V. Reality Not everything heard about high school is true, so here are some rumors faced against reality

10 47 Things ...to do before you graduate

12 M.A.P. Need to find a teacher or your sport’s meeting place after school? Here’s your guide to the most important locations at Northwest

16 Where do you belong?

Joining a club is the surest way to find your home in high school, so here are some of the most active clubs at Northwest to start your search | Photo by Nick Kahtava

18 Unspoken Rules What you need to know about Northwest that is not written down

22 Northwest Sports A look ahead at upcoming fall sports | Photo by Nate Compton

NEWSPAPER STAFF: CO-PRINT MANAGING EDITORS: GRACE GORENFLO SOPHIE FLORES WEB MANAGING EDITOR: JACK LYNCH DESIGN EDITOR: PADEN CHESNEY

COPY EDITOR: PAIGE EICHKORN SPORTS EDITOR: MATT OWENS FEATURES EDITOR: CADIE ELDER SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS : REBECCA CARROLL JOSH SHERFY

The purpose of the Northwest Passage is to relay important and interesting information to the community, administration and students of the Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. As a newsmagazine, the Northwest Passage will cater to the interests and concerns of the student body. Outside concerns and activities will only be covered if they somehow affect the school or students. The Northwest Passage is a 32-page newsmagazine. The paper will be distributed every four weeks during fifth hour.

Subscriptions will be available to the community for $25. The Northwest Passage firmly supports the First Amendment and opposes

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: KEEGAN DOLINAR: STAFF WRITERS: BEN BECKER MIA MCDONALD STAFF DESIGNERS: MAKAILA WILLIAMS SHELBY BEAUMONT RACHEL BATEMAN

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: ADDISON SHERMAN TARYN SMITH SMNW.COM

censorship. The content of the newspaper will be determined and created by the entire staff. When questions concerning word choice, legal problems or ethics arise the editorial board and adviser will discuss the problem to find the solution. In these cases, the editor-in-chief and editorial board will have the say in all decisions. Letters to the editor will be accepted and encouraged.

The staff reserves the right to edit for grammatical mistakes, length and good taste. Letters may attack policy but not people.

In no way will ideas or viewpoints be changed. The editor-in-chief and editorial board reserve the right to refuse any letter.

08 04 10

16

12 18

22

NW

NORTHWEST

Administration +BY CADIE ELDER & BEN BECKER | PHOTOS BY LUCAS SILVA

ASSOCIATE PRINCIPALS:

PRINCIPAL:

Eddie LyDay

A

s he begins his 19th year at Northwest, associate principal Eddie LyDay keeps discovering more and more that this is the job he is meant for.

“The best part [of the job] is being able to work with kids and helping them to realize their potential and grow,” LyDay said.

LyDay always tries to have a schedule for the day, but knows that anything can happen, and

that is part of the reason he loves working at Northwest.

“There is no set routine, there really isn’t,” LyDay said.

“You come in and you have a list of things to do for the day.

Sometimes you finish that list and other days there’s so much going on you don’t accomplish one thing on that list."

However the real reason LyDay stays at Northwest is the kids.

A

and maintenance for the building.

After being a band director for 14 years, he still finds time to play his trumpet with the band students.

“The hard thing about being an administrator is getting to know [students]," Moss said. “We like seeing them learn, we like seeing them become successful, and as an administrator it’s hard to do that. So that’s why I think it’s really important to get out in the building before school, at lunch, after school and to go to the events we have.”

Tom Moss

ssociate principal Tom Moss is about to begin his 30th year at Northwest and each one is a new adventure.

“My favorite part of my job is seeing students, the ones that maybe have some troubles, be successful,” Moss said. “Seeing [students] who come in when they are freshman and through those years watching them grow, and get a little better and a little better.”

Moss oversees the Fine Arts Department, graduation, security

Nancy Tynon

A

ssociate principal Nancy Tynon is nothing but smiles after her first year at Northwest.

“My favorite part about being an associate principal is the students of course,” Tynon said.

“You go out into the mall, and you just feel uplifted with positive energy.”

Tynon supervises the Language Arts and Social Studies department, testing for the building, Student Support Team and Link Crew. Link Crew is a club where juniors and seniors help transition the 8th graders into 9th grade.

“Our students grow and learn

to have their own power and leadership skills [in Link Crew], Tynon said. “It will help not change but enhance the culture here, so the students are actually supporting each other.”

Her advice to freshman is get involved, meet new people and trust in yourself.

“When you start something new it’s always scary,” Tynon said. “You just have to believe in yourself and take it one day at a time and then all of a sudden something that seemed so big has just become small.”

O

COUNSELORS:

Dr. Lynn Leonard (students with the last names A-E)

Brenda Tretbar (students with the last names F-Mad)

04 AUG. 12, 2015 | Vol. 47

Dr. Mary Beth Green (students with last names Mae-Rob)

Erin Barnett (students with the last names Roc-Z)

ften you will find principal Lisa Gruman in the hallway greeting students during passing period or roaming the lunchroom with an inviting smile on her face.

“I love the energy that every student brings to the building," Gruman said. “I just try to find ways to help students feel connected to Northwest and find a home here.”

Gruman was an associate principal for nine years and was promoted just two years ago to the principal position.

“I’ve always tried to, whatever my role was within a school, do it to the best of

Lisa Gruman my ability,” Gruman said. “If opportunities opened, great.

If not I was happy where I was, but I love doing what I’m doing."

Gruman was fortunate to go into a career that she enjoys, and the main reason she enjoys being an administrator is getting to work with students.

“The best thing is when we see students after they’ve left and they tell us how they’re doing," Gruman said. “Or we see parents of students and they tell us how well Northwest has prepared their child. That is the biggest reward.”

head to head HOW NORTHWEST COMPARES TO OUR NEIGHBORS +COMPILED BY JACK LYNCH / GRAPHICS BY PADEN CHESNEY

Shawnee Mission North - 1581 students

GENDER RATIO:

MATHEMATICS PROFICIENCY

90%

TOTAL ENROLLMENT:

1802 15.8

53% female 47% male

E

93%

IC S P R O FI AT

51% female 49% male

Y

92%

18.8

TWO OR MORE RACES-5%

36.1

MINORITY ENROLLMENT- 29%

93%

51% female 49% male

MINORITY ENROLLMENT-15%

COLLEGE READINESS:

WHITE ENROLLMENT-31%

95%

MINORITY ENROLLMENT-69% READING PROFICIENCY

35.6

COLLEGE READINESS:

Shawnee Mission West - 1846 students HAWAIIAN NATIVE/ PACIFIC ISLANDER-0.1%

AMERICAN INDIAN/ ALASKAN NATIVE-1%

MATHEMATICS PROFICIENCY

93% HISPANIC-11%

WHITE ENROLLMENT-85%

95%

Shawnee Mission South - 1343 students

WHITE ENROLLMENT: 71%

female

COLLEGE READINESS:

READING PROFICIENCY

MATHEMATICS PROFICIENCY

51% 49% male

MINORITY ENROLLMENT-38%

ENC

MATH

D

M

READING PROFICIENCY

MATHEMATICS PROFICIENCY

CI

Y

94%

IE

NC

REA

P R O FI C

84%

Shawnee Mission East - 1781 students

COLLEGE READINESS:

G IN

WHITE ENROLLMENT-62%

BLACK-8%

ASIAN-4%

51% female 49% male

WHITE ENROLLMENT-61%

95%

READING PROFICIENCY

17.5

MINORITY ENROLLMENT-39%

COLLEGE READINESS: NW PASSAGE | statistic 05

NW

Midnight WILL BE THERE

Head ALL IN YOUR

FRESHMEN, LEARN TO STOP CARING ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF YOU +BY SOPHIE FLORES

YOU’LL LOSE YOUR MIND FRESHMAN YEAR, AND IN THE END, MIDNIGHT MIGHT BECOME YOUR BEST FRIEND +BY JOSH SHERFY

T

he number one piece of advice you will be given as a freshman is to get involved. Extra-curricular and cocurricular activities are the first steps in finding your home in high school.

Many of you will be great at putting yourself out there. But as soon as you audition, try out or sign up, you will start to face new challenges. The pressure to belong is extreme when you begin high school. After knowing freshmen for three years, the best advice I can give you to overcome this is to work to stop caring about what other people think of you.

This is easier said than done.

We all battle with self image, which is tested intensely in our freshman year

of high school. If you are anything like I was as a freshman, you will be afraid of the judgments that come with your actions. But it is tiring to be constantly analyzing other people's reactions and constantly trying to win other people's praise.

How much of your day are you spending trying to win approval or avoid disapproval? An addiction to validation from others is what is allowing you to be torn down so easily. Do not let your self-worth depend on other people's opinions. It is real freedom to be able do whatever you want without caring about being in other people's favor.

An article written by Thibaut Meurisse for whatispersonaldevelopment.org made me rethink how I process criticism and praise. Three statements resonated with me: 1. Your self-image is a constructed image you have of yourself; there is no reality in it.

2. You can build up your self image all you want, but you will still be reliant on it. You have to detach yourself and observe how other people's opinions affect you.

3. The reason we take criticism too personally is because we seek praise too much. Meurisse points out. "If you feel good when praised, how can you not feel bad when criticized?"

06 AUG. 12, 2015 | Vol. 47

S

ometime this year you just will not have time. Sometime this year your wifi will not work.

Sometime this year you will scream a few times, and probably wish you savored second grade a little more than you actually did.

It is okay. We all go through it.

Midnight will listen to you curse the structure of a eukaryotic cell, and send that text to your classmate, pleading for help on number 17, because you just can not think anymore.

The atomic number of aluminum will mean nothing when you are coming home from a football game.

At midnight everything ends, even if your homework is still waiting to be started.

Midnight will be there for that Taco Bell run, or the Sonic shake

we have been craving. When the bell rings on Friday afternoon, midnight will be waiting. And everything, everything, is funnier after midnight.

You will make a best friend or two, and lose friends too. You will be surprised when midnight comes and goes while you sleep. You will come to appreciate an 8 o’clock bedtime.

You will scream a few times. Maybe more than a few.

But you will dance too. There will be reasons to dance.

You will dance in the halls before class, and when you finish that project a week before it is due.

You will dance when you turn in your essay just minutes before 11:59 p.m. You will dance past midnight.

It’s high school. It’s okay. We all go through it.

HIGH SCHOOL WON’T BE WHAT YOU EXPECTED.

Choosing

THE RIGHT PATH

Coaster

ENJOY THE COUGAR

THIS YEAR WILL BE NOTHING LIKE YOU EXPECT IT TO BE; EMBRACE IT +BY MAKAILA WILLIAMS

YOU WILL BE ASKED TO MAKE A LOT OF CHOICES IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND SOME WILL DETERMINE YOUR EXPERIENCE +BY REBECCA CARROLL

O

n the first day of my freshman year, I sat in the front row of the bleachers, my cheer uniform on, my face full of makeup and my hair pulled back so tight, there was no need to fake a smile.

I was filled with anxiety and excitement, feelings that would never completely leave my head that year.

Your heart will never race so much as it does with each new obstacle you conquer in your first year of high school. It may be because you have one hour to submit an essay you haven’t written to turnitin.com or because the upperclassman you keep hearing about makes eye contact with you. I'm not here to give you an overblown, emotional rant about my freshmen year, but I want to relay what it was like as realistically as possible.

Academics: The first couple of weeks at school was easy. But with honors classes, Spanish 3 and sports, it all caught up to me. Fast. I slacked, got behind and my grades dropped grade letter by grade letter. I recommend you pay attention, have your computer shut more than it is open and know that there is no such thing as "too many" notes. Don't let the madness of being a teenager affect your learning. If there's one thing I regret about my freshman year, it's not realizing how important

my grades are. Treat your first year's GPA like a newborn infant.

Friends and Relationships: Not a lot changed for me. I hung out with the same crowd, but also met new people. I gained more than I lost. Looking back, I didn't lose anything but negative energy. You will meet new people, some in a different class. Talking to an upperclassman should not be scary. They are welcoming and accepting, so just be you. Lunch won't be awkward, you will have plenty of space and people to talk to.

Social Status: I had a fear of being picked on and excluded, particularly by older students. Little did I know, it was the complete opposite. I joined clubs, I made new friends and realized the whole scene of "no one likes freshmen, you guys are annoying" was truly just a facade.

Popularity isn't a word that should be used to define your high school years. But if you feel as if you aren't welcome, I strongly recommend you join a club and try reaching out to new people.

You may think you know how the year will go, but your freshman year will be far from what you expect. My best advice is to be open to new changes.

I was the typical scared freshman. to in clubs I enjoyed, and soon I would consider myself nerdy, enough I was filling my time with nervous and nestled in a constant people like me. However, I made state of panic. I just wanted to another choice that spun me in the make my high school experience right direction. Getting involved unforgettable. But I had no idea in the International Baccalaureate how to accomplish this. If this Diploma Program shaped the last sounds anything like you, listen up. two years of my high school career.

First of all, don't worry. But I do As far as higher level classes have some tips for you. If I had one go, you will be asked to make the golden tip of advice to give you to choice between AP or Advanced make your high school experience Placement classes and International a good one, it Baccalaureate would be get classes. This sounds involved. intimidating now I was too but don't worry, BIG RISKS CAN scared to do this you will be supplied BRING YOU MORE the first semester ample information of my freshman regarding both HAPPINESS IN year. I auditioned types of classes.

SCHOOL THAN for the musical I chose IB. Now, which was one I'm not vouching ANTICIPATED. of the best ways for one side or the to get involved, other, but taking but other than the leap into that I joined no the IB diploma clubs. My excuse was that I was program was one choice that got me too busy with all of my out of extremely involved and helped me school activities. Soon I found out: get interested in so many things. everyone is busy with out of school Making choices like this one can activities. No matter what you be a major part of the high school tell yourself, you have time to get fun. But you have nothing to worry involved. about. Take a deep breath. Make Since freshman year I have your choices wisely and everything involved the heck out of myself. will be fine.

Some may say I do too much in school. I found people I related

NW PASSAGE | opinion 07

NW

umors

v. reality

NOT EVERYTHING YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL IS TRUE, SO HERE ARE SOME RUMORS FACED AGAINST REALITY +BY MATT OWENS & MIA MCDONALD

“You can skip doing schoolwork to do other activities.”

“You must do drugs or alcohol to hang out with the cool kids.”

reality:

reality:

Classes first other activities second. Not graduating high makes it harder to get a good paying job. Get all school work done before doing extracurricular activities and hanging out with friends.

"No movie stars around here." reality: High school in movies shows everyone more mature and perfect for a reason; because it's a movie and not played by actual high schoolers. Most high schoolers don't spend hours getting ready or try to impress everyone the see in the halls. As you continue through high school and meet new people, you'll realize how similar we all are.

08 AUG. 12, 2015 | Vol. 47

Think before you do. Getting in trouble with the law makes it harder to get in college and hurts you in the future. Make sure you think twice before doing drugs or alcohol. You will still have many friends even if you don’t do those.

"You'll get detention for everything you do wrong." reality: Detentions are served depending on the severity of the situation. Not turning in assignments isn't a common way to get detention, but back talking a teacher or being late many times to a specific class might.

"Popularity is the key to having a successful high school experience."

reality:

”You will have 8 hours of homework each night. reality:

In high school there are no popular and unpopular groups. Everybody is into their own thing and they have there own friends groups. You can get through high school perfectly fine on your own with your small group of friends.

You will not have 8 hours a night but you will have some homework each night. Make sure you plan well, don’t wait till the end on long projects and use your weekends wisely. Some nights you might have 8 hours but most nights you will have between 1-2 hours a night. This depends on the amount of AP, IB and honors courses you take.

“It is better to stay on the sidelines than to get involved.”

”You can stay up on energy drinks and starbucks.”

reality:

reality:

Getting involved makes high school better.There are many different clubs and sports teams that can help make you high school experience better. These clubs encompass sports, politics, art, music, business, journalism, English, ect.

Get Sleep. Staying up late every night can dramatically affect your grades. Make sure you get about 7 hours a sleep a night in order to do the best in school. You don’t need tons of caffeinated drinks if you just get a good sleep each night.

"Everyone bullies and picks on freshmen."

"Freshman aren't as welcomed into clubs/events as other classes."

reality:

reality:

Being concerned about your grade should not be an issue. Upperclassmen were once in the ninth grade and come to school for the same reason freshmen do; to learn and graduate.

Anyone can join clubs and attend games; we're all apart of Northwest. Most clubs look for freshmen because they want new fresh ideas to improve the attendance and participation within the club and school. School spirit is definitely something accepted, especially at games and other events.

NW PASSAGE | feature 09

NW

21 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 15 16 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 31 32 33 34 39 40 41 42 43 Perform an original spoken word poem in front of the school and the annual Northwest Poetry Slam. If not, be a part of the audience and support your peers.

Respond to an article or bring up a topic for the school paper, The Northwest Passage, to cover by tweeting us @ smnwdotcom.

Buy the yearbook, The Lair, all four years of high school.

Get a photo booth picture of you and your friends in the yearbook by taking a picture at the booth that will be set up in the spring.

Attend an orchestra, band or choir concert.

Watch a forensics competition.

Attend the College Clinic at Shawnee Mission East in October to learn about local colleges.

Volunteer to help with Student Council’s Halloween Carnival.

Persuade a teacher to teach class outside.

Dance along with the drumline when they march through the halls before school.

Buy as much spirit wear as you can to show your Cougar pride.

Junior or senior year, take Cougar Community Commitment (CCC) and spend class periods helping out elementary schools or nursing homes.

Take a college now class. You can receive college credit by passing with a B or better.

Attend Spring Special, the showcase the Drill Team puts on in May.

Go to every school dance.

Help your class win the spirit stick at an assembly.

Buy a photo from SMNW Photos.

10 AUG. 12, 2015 | Vol. 47

Buy a rose for your crush from Prom Committee and have it delivered on Valentine’s Day.

Attend at least one event for every sport.

Lead an elementary school class on tour of the environmental lab during Environmental Education.

Watch the school plays and musicals, and be sure to hang around to congratulate the cast afterwards.

47

Opt out of a final in a senior class by maintaining an A.

Comment on a story on smnw.com to let us know what you think and make your voice heard.

Find the 49 Waldos hidden throughout the hall murals.

Read every issue of the Northwest Passage

Go to a state game on the spirit bus.

5 6 7 12 13 14 18 things 17 21 22 28 29 30 35 36 37 38 44 45 46 47 Submit artwork, poetry or other writing to the school’s literary magazine, Penpoint.

Dress up every day for each spirit week.

Attend the annual bonfire to kick off the year.

Join one of the numerous clubs at Northwest to get involved.

Walk through the art hall and gallery to see the works of students.

Participate in the Adopt-a-Tot event with your fourth hour class during the winter and throw a party to give Christmas presents to a local child in need.

Audition to be in the cast or sign up to be on a technical crew for a play or musical.

to do before you graduate + COMPILED BY GRACE GORNEFLO / GRAPHICS BY PADEN CHESNEY

Sleep in a box for one night at StuCo's event to raise money for a local homeless shelter.

Become friends with a foreign exchange student.

Try-out to be a Northwest cougar mascot.

Help make a homecoming float to outdo all the others.

Go to Muckfest at Theater in the Park.

Participate in The Walk sponsored by coalition or any other walk put on to raise awareness.

Junior or senior year, sign up to participate in Powder Puff football (for the girls), or volleyball (for the guys).

Perform in a class skit at an assembly.

Be recognized by an NW media publication.

Be re-tweeted by @ NWmedia or featured in a picture on smnwphotos.com

Perform in the annual talent show.

Submit a story idea to The Northwest Passage or The Lair.

Go to the last home game of the football season to see the Marching Cougar Pride Light Show performance.

Try out for a sport; you could surprise yourself by your hidden abilities.

Find your home within Northwest.

Send us a tweet @smnwdotcom or instagram using #nwmedia on our photos every time you complete one of thee forty six things for a chance to be featured in a later issue

NW PASSAGE | feature 11

NW social studies english Foreign language

(making. alternating classes a. piece of cake)

ELL Science Special education Fine Arts physical education math facs business restrooms elevator

12 AUG. 12, 2015 | Vol. 47

NEED TO FIND A TEACHER OR YOUR SPORT’S MEETING PLACE AFTER SCHOOL? HERE’S YOUR GUIDE TO THE MOST IMPORTANT LOCATIONS AT NORTHWEST + BY PAIGE EICHKORN

Important LOCATIONS

)

THE MALL: This is the “lobby” of the school, it is between the main front entrance and back entrance in front of the cafeteria. It is where many students gather before and after school to socialize; it is also used during lunch periods as a seating area.

BASEMENT LOCKER ROOMS: The boys’ and girls’ locker rooms are used for gym classes and are located on the lower level on the right hand side. The team locker rooms are also located on the basement level and are used for extracurriculars after school.

SHORTCUTS: - Bathrooms: Instead of walking around the corner to class in the next hall, use the bathrooms to simply avoid hallway traffic and get to the next hall faster.

- Basement: Using the stairs in the art wing to go to the basement instead of using the stairs in the hall can be easier to get to rooms A, C and D. - Elevators: These are typically used for student with a disability to make it to class. The elevator found in the first hallway goes to only the second floor. To go to the basement, use the elevator next to room 37.

TEACHER OFFICES: This is where teachers can be found if not in their rooms. The Social Studies offices are rooms 123 and 125. The World Languages offices are rooms 110 and 112. The English offices are rooms 118 and 136. The Math offices are rooms 220 and 222. The Science office is room 240.

ROOMS I, K, AND L: All these rooms are located on the lower level on the left side. They are referred to by what they are used for; room I is the weights room, room K is the ISS room and room L is the copy room.

NW PASSAGE | feature 13

NW

Ben and Matt's Declassified

high school

Survival Guide

w g

THESE ARE THE TOP 10 WAYS YOU CAN MAKE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE BETTER + BY BEN BECKER & MATT OWENS

ltiple : ive mu stinate t Procra ve to g re you don’ lo s r e Don’t ke su teach lan a P l, .

M o e . o s r h e a h sc orking a ye art th In hig u are w less rojects before to st o p y t m a r e h cause long t il the night dvance so t is will t h a n T u . in t t it h u tter wa ach nig oject o u a be the pr a little bit e kely get yo ost li on it and m stress grade.

Meet New People:

When you get to high school you have the opportunity to get to know many new people at once. Rather than always hanging out with your best friends from the beginning, try making new ones. You will be surprised to find how many strangers at Northwest are interesting to talk to. Making lifelong friends in highschool can even help you later in life through networking.

e th are y r t ou y d ul if est o y h l s hw ge e l u cia ort len iv t yo spe . N hal ress en ar. c p e m e e l, n oo on, lleg will im lace re y ear h s i co t c P o n t k s u : i lf ca to tha loo ced om yo ill h et t rse igh edu n s e s u p a t g Yo n h le oin rse ca Adv r so es l ile l. i ib g o h sh s ou ifi u Pu ile oss on d c ert P or yo our it w cho C A c ed h s e h g p g c r . n W st n an o e w cr ig ti h be nni adv ma sum star No ge e lle a s o re d l l g p er p e re lle co i f g D of IB olle offe Co c re nd n r A o a a u. ob es IB yo a j urs P, A on co

14 AUG. 12, 2015 | Vol. 47

Get Involved : ack on the ing quarterb Even if play thing, there ur is not yo ed football team to get involv other ways ub that cl a are plenty of d fin ill t. You w at Northwes er it's in art, terest, wheth in ur yo its su food, politics uage, sports, will make business, lang ed lv vo g. Getting in rin ee nt lu vo nc or rie e school expe your high better.

ben

I'm i H

Get to Lunch Early:

e sure you get down to the When the lunch bell rings, mak you wait too long, the If can. you as fast cafeteria as cafeteria. The wait the of out line will have extended have to eat and talk. If you time the ces redu ntly significa a hut express lunch option this happens, choose the pizz than the main cafeteria. which usually has a shorter line

zl Get Involved : playing if Even quarterback on the football e team is not your thing, ther get are plenty of other ways to will involved at Northwest. You rest, inte r you s suit find a club that , language, whether it's in art, business nteering. sports, food, politics or volu r high you e mak Getting involved will school experience better.

matt

L . Your o for it arsity g d n a want g a v als: makin early. No at you Set Go GPA, ing th h ct t .0 e je 4 o m r g a a p ut so happy Pick o ld be gettin ishing d you’ll be n fi ’t ly u n p a o it, don goal c eam or sim is, go for it make l t a e o s it t g u r spo your e. n’t q r what d if you do et a new on matte s n s A y a . id you d . You can alw worry

Get 8+ th Not Hou hou rough hing rs o is imp rs o f Sl a w eep “ju ossib f sleep seven orse : stl , off one e to r so tr hour than y h e d s lon omew more- turn t to be choo raggi ng ger in b l d o a ork epi ay . s e yo reg un od d bec Do aus you til yo e” Ne ular by 10 on on urself uc slee p.m es t r ly fl h i an x p . o fo dur leep is m mewo ’t kee sessio sched It’s al ur ing mo n u sch ore rk e p yo o l e ool afte st ur r afte imp arly . eye r ort s o putti r a ant and pen ng tha get a na t nyt o bed ny hin g

is . u er ay yo ach aw and g in If te k e as rn, try a e. m t th nd lea st ing o t a k t a a us h ir to le s e tr d w e a nt at le a tim ol; , a e id tan th w er tab a cho r w : up rs in u le s st de nd yo ou mfo du er ns t e y k un ha at tio o co ch af s es r s r lo ’t th a l o Qu ’t an you te ng fee s, k s e o n c As wo nd ow ecia s l n’t cla for r a o r d u u s a th pr d, be Yo las ut, ap ma ou yo er y f ch c o rs t o a . in ab e e If h c g e t g . nt te lp ar in tea n’ ion fro ur he t o lk o ta he y w ten in yo d t T h la e at n th ay tio wit e g p es t l b qu ee y’l m he t to

Hi I'm

t

NW PASSAGE | feature 15

+ PHOTO BY EMILIE AMUNATIGUI

NW

W W H H EE R R EE D D O O Y Y O O U U BB EE LL OO N N GG ??

16 AUG. 12, 2015 | Vol. 47

Joining a club is the surest way to find your home in high school, so here are some of the most active clubs at Northwest to start your search + BY PAIGE EICHKORN & SOPHIE FLORES

TWEET YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR CLUB PICS TO @SMNWDOTCOM FOR A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED IN AN UPCOMING ISSUE OF THE NW PASSAGE

Spirit Club Spirit Club Spirit club organizes banner making meetings, assemblies and spirit weeks. All students are welcome to attend morning meetings which will be held in the main gym every tuesday at 7 a.m. Freshman cannot try out for the executive board, but

a representative for each class will be something offered for anyone this year. Talk to sponsors Morgan Johnson or Kiera O’Boyle for more information.

Girl Effect This organization is concerned with stopping the cycle of poverty in third-world countries by empowering adolescent girls around the world and working to ensure their education, health, safety, economic security and citizenship. Attend a meeting — held Thursdays after school in room 204 — to learn about upcoming projects. Contact sponsor Debra Brewer or membership coordinator Kelsie Crable with questions.

+ PHOTO BY LUCAS SILVA

Interact Club Interact is a youth organization founded

by Rotary International that aims to help members find service opportunities and ways to interact with the local community. The club meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:10 p.m. in room 202. For more information, contact sponsor Jan Berg

CCC Cougars Community Commitment meets as a class, more than 200 students participate in CCC each semester. During the school day students in this class have the opportunity to assist teachers in local elementary schools, help in nursing homes and coordinate community service projects. Membership is limited to those enrolled in one of the five CCC classes. Talk to sponsor Tara Maske for more information.

+ PHOTO BYLUCAS SILVA

STILL NOT WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR? Northwest has plenty more clubs to offer. Come to room 151 and we can provide further information on any club.

Thespian Troupe #888 Students interested in acting, singing, dancing, playwriting or technical theatre should consider participating in the thespian troupe, which stages five productions a year. Up to 100 students participate each year. The officer board holds open meetings at after school Mondays in the Little Theatre. Attend the upcoming freshman workshop to learn more.

Contact sponsor Keli Rodgers or president Olyvia Anothayanotha with questions.

Band, Marching Band, Symphonic Cadet Teaching Choir, A Capella Choir, Boys’ Concert Choir, Chambers Singers Choir, Girls’ Concert Choir, Girls’ Select Debate/forensics Fashion Careers Club International Baccalaureate Jazz Ensemble Journalism, Lair Northwest Passage, Journalism, smnw.com KUGR Broadcasting Orchestra, Camerata

Orchestra, Chambers Orchestra, Freshman Orchestra, Strings National Art Honor Society Mural Club Math Club French NHS French Club SADD Committee Spanish NHS Science Olympiad Skills USA Student Voice Ramen Club Ukulele Club Poetry Club Categories

Animal Alliance Robotics Club Guitar Club Penpoint Future Teachers of America Academic Decathalon Amnesty International Yoga Club Knitting & Crocheting Club Prom Committee SLAB Latin Club Woodworking Club HELPERS Club Club 121 Key Club Quill and Scroll

National Honor Society NHS is an organization of high-achieving students based on scholarship, leadership, service and character.

The NW chapter contributes about 4,000 hours of service to the community every year. Its meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:10 p.m. in the Greg Parker Auditorium. Applicants who meet the club’s requirements will receive a membership invitation.

Contact sponsor Debbie Boren with any questions.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes FCA is an organization that allows Christian students involved in school sports to grow in their faith together.

Last year over 50 students were involved. The club meets every other Monday at 8 p.m at the Community Covenant Church. Listen to the announcements for their events to kick off the school year, or contact sponsor Van Rose or Mike Cooper with any questions.

RebEL RebEL is a club based on empowering students to have a positive image of themselves and encouraging others to do the same. Whiteboard Wednesdays, compliment cookies and the Walk to RebEL are just a few things this club does to bring positivity to others. Meetings are held every Friday at 2:40 p.m. in room FL, sponsored by Ben Pabst.

+ PHOTO BY BRYCE REX NW PASSAGE | feature 17

NW

Unspoken

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NORTHWEST THAT IS NOT WRITTEN DOWN

RULES

+BY CADIE ELDER / GRAPHICS BY PADEN CHESNEY

CHARGE YOUR COMPUTER EVERY NIGHT.

SINGLE FILE ON THE STAIRS.

DO NOT CUT IN THE LUNCH LINE.

WALK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HALLWAY.

NO PDA IN THE HALLWAYS.

DO NOT LOOK AT SOMEONE ELSE'S PAPER DURING A TEST. DO NOT LOSE YOUR ID CARD.

WRITE DOWN ALL IMPORTANT PASSWORDS. 18 AUG. 12, 2015 | Vol. 47

DO NOT STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HALLWAY TO TALK.

DO NOT PACK UP YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES BEFORE THE BELL RINGS.

advice

Upperclassmen

UPPERCLASSMEN SHARE THEIR ADVICE FOR INCOMING STUDENTS IN 140 CHARACTERS OR LESS +BY JOSH SHERFY & REBECCA CARROLL

Hasan Forrakmanesh

@hasfarr

@smnwdotcom please do not walk around with your laptop while blasting your mixtape in the hall

Molly Sasenick

@mollysascrick

@smnwdotcomyou only have 11 excused abscences per semester, use them wisely

Carson Wapp

@carsonwapp

@smnwdotcomthe ladies at the snack window are your best friends

in

to re p ly

@smn

w d o tc

om

S abmer_bro

those n e o f , it 's o e 'r l" ou m if y s c h o o ig h h d o t c o t e s y o u 'r e w g n in m @s e do t "ha 'r a u h o t y e . l p e o p y o u r f a u l t y it . jo ly l it e r a l w r o n g . e n l o o sch

@o

natalia kidder

@natkidding_

@smnwdotcom do the thing u are afraid to do because you literally have 0 to lose

Savannah Kelly

@yagurlsav

@smnwdotcom join journalism :-)

Jordyn Burke

@jordyn_burke

@smnwdotcom try out for sports or/and join clubs bc NW has some pretty freakin great people that you might miss out on meeting

NW PASSAGE | feature 19

NW

ON SMNW.COM

MORE UPCOMING EVENTS See what events are happening in your near future

Colleen Winter Owner

13222 West 62nd Terrace Shawnee, KS 66216 Phone: (913) 962-0077 Fax: (913) 962-5577 Email: wbushawnee@gmail.com www.shawnee.wbu.com Twitter: @wbushawnee Facebook: Wild Birds Unlimited of Shawnee, KS

F O RG E T YOUR C A M E R A?

WE DIDN’T.

CHECK OUT ANY EVENTS T H AT YO U M I G H T H AV E M I S S E D BY G O I N G T O

20 AUG. 12, 2015 | Vol. 47

GO COUGARS!

Looking Ahead Aug. 12

1

MARK UP YOUR CALENDAR WI TH THESE UPCOMING EVEN TS +BY KEEGAN DOLINAR

Aug. 20

5

First day of school – freshmen you'll go to your classes get the general gist of high school but you probably won't know your way around the school for a week or two.

This is the day for you to learn your way around the school and learn where your classes are before everyone else gets there.

Aug. 13

2

Back to School Night Parents go through and meet the students teachers, this is the time for your parents to meet your teachers students do not have to accompany the parents./ contracts will be available for students that first week as well and will be due on the 20th, also the same day as Back to school.

Aug. 24

6

First day of school – grades 10-12 Everyone else starts the year today and the hallways will be busy and it will be a little more difficult to figure out where your classes are today.

Fall Sports Parent Meeting.

Aug. 27

7

Aug. 14

3

Freshman elections Campaign week will be that following week leading up to the 27th.

Freshmen Mixer- The freshmen mixer is a school dance, the freshmen class is the only class to attend and it is a good way to meet new people.

Wear semi-casual clothes.

Sept. 3

8

Bonfire an event mostly held by Spirit Club but stuco tends to participate in the assembly or planning if needed.

Aug. 17

4

Orange army event will continue for a little over a month/ First day of fall sports practice/tryouts, dress for the sport you want.

Oct. 10

9

Homecoming

1 6 8 3

4

9 7

2 5

NW PASSAGE | feature 21

NW

Fall Sports

Volleyball & Boy's Soccer Tryout Dates: August 17-21 Coach: Sarah Sliva Contact Info: orca1@email.com Last Year’s Records: 16-22 (16 wins and 22 losses) Coach Sliva’s highpoint from last year: “The high point from last year was taking third in the Tonganoxie tournament. Best memory was making up a dance at team camp in the summer."

Tryout Dates: August 17-21 Coach: Todd Boren Contact Info: nwboren@smsd.org Last Year’s Records: 9-6-1 Coach Boren’s highpoint from last year: “I would have to say winning the regional plaque after starting the season very poorly. We lost our first four games. By the end, the boys were playing really good soccer – but it took a lot of hard work to get to that point.”

+ PHOTO BY SARAH DEAN

+ PHOTO BY JENNY BOHLING

Girls’ Tennis Tryout Dates: August 17-21 Coach: Ken Clow Contact Info: nwclow@smsd.org Last Year’s Records: Highlight: "I'd say when varsity swept the Gardner tournament and we all came home with 1st place medals," Brooke Bennett said.

Advice: "The beauty of tennis is that it's enjoyable no matter

what your skill level is. Whether you've played since you could walk or if it's your first time with a racquet in your hand, you're going to have a good time and you'll have a place on the team.

It's the best group of girls at NW, in my opinion! So if you're unsure of yourself, just go for it."

+ PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA

Football & Girls’ Golf Tryout Dates: Contact Coach Black about playing football Coach: Bo Black Contact Info: bo.black2519@gmail. com Last Year’s Records: 3-6 Advice: “There are few sports that emulate life like football does. [It teaches you] to be accountable and to do your very best and that things have a way of working themselves out in the end. I feel like we've brought in a great coaching staff who isn't just interested in the students as football players but as students and as young men. [Football teaches] them how to be good students and eventually be good husbands and fathers.”

22 AUG. 12, 2015 | Vol. 47

Tryout Dates: August 17-21 (Tryouts will take place at Tomahawk Hills at 3:00 p.m.)

Coach: John Reiff Contact Info: johnreiff@ smsd.org Last Year’s Records: 5th in The Sunflower League "Players who wish to tryout will hopefully + PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON have some prior golf experience," Coach John Reiff said. "If [they have] no experience then [we are] looking for girls who demonstrate athleticism and good hand eye coordination. Golf is a sport where improvements can be made rapidly. [We are] hoping to be able to take more golfers to State in 2015."

Last Year's Highlight: Abby Radmanesh qualified for state and finished in the top 25 out of 130 golfers.

+ PHOTO BY SYDNEY BIERY

Preview:

A look ahead at upcoming fall sports + BY JACK LYNCH AND JACKIE SAYERS

Cross Country & Gymnastics Practice Begins: Monday, August 10 at 3:00 p.m. in the wrestling room Coach: Van Rose Contact Info: vanrose@smsd.org Last Year’s Best Meet: When the girls placed 5th in the Class 6A state meet.

Coach Rose’s highpoint from last year: “When freshman Molly Born place fifth in the State Meet out of 102 runners.”

Junior Camille Henderson’s highpoint from last year: "When we found out the whole team qualified, there was just a huge rush of emotions because we knew that each one of us had contributed in that race and we were all going to be able to run at state together which had been our goal from day one.”

Tryout Dates: August 17-21 Coach: Susie Munoz Contact Info: sresley@hotmail.com Coach Munoz to students trying out: “Tryouts are for those students who have at least a couple years experience in gymnastics.

Gymnastics is a fun sport but it can also be dangerous to try new things without the proper training.

Tryouts are for the coach and assistant coach to determine the level of ability of each gymnast and to see if they will be competing for Varsity or JV and to also determine what events they will be competing; vault, bars, beam, floor, or all around. Good luck Cougar gymnasts!”

+ PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA + PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

CHANGES TO DAMAGED DEVICE FEE STRUCTURE: This coming school year, the Shawnee Mission School District is changing the damaged device fee structure for district-owned devices and moving away from the partnership with Worth insurance. The intent is to make the fee structure more economical for students and parents as well as allow the district to maintain better control over how devices are evaluated and repaired.

A new repair process and structure is being implemented to improve the quality and turnaround time for repairs. District-owned Apple computers will be repaired almost exclusively by district staff.

District-owned Apple iOS devices will be diagnosed by district personnel and then repaired in conjunction with Apple services to maintain the use of authentic parts and retain the full functionality of the devices.

When devices are repaired by unauthorized third parties, the functionality of the devices cannot be guaranteed and the warranty on the devices is voided.

This change in the fee structure and nonuse of Worth insurance is being combined with other

measures intended to reduce damage to districtowned devices. First, additional emphasis will be placed on students taking proper care of districtissued devices. Second, the district is putting all Digital Learning Initiative student devices in more protective cases for improved protection. Finally, the district will be taking advantage of repair programs with Apple to reduce the overall cost of performing repairs on district-owned devices.

The new fee structure for damaged devices is as follows: * iPad Fee Scale * 1st Damaged Device: $75.00 * 2nd Damaged Device: $125.00 * 3rd and Subsequent Device Damage: Actual cost of repair/replacement or $250.00, whichever is greater. * Accessories and parts that do not carry a warranty are charged at actual replacement cost. * Stolen Device: Proof of being stolen, such as

a filed police report, must be provided to prevent being charged the replacement cost of the device. A damaged device fee may still be incurred. If proof of theft cannot be supplied, the student will incur the full replacement cost of the device. * Lost Device: A lost device will incur the replacement cost of the device. * MacBook Air Fee Scale * 1st Damaged Device: $100.00 * 2nd Damaged Device: $150.00 * 3rd and Subsequent Device Damage: Actual cost of repair/replacement or $300.00 whichever is greater. * Accessories and parts that do not carry a warranty are charged at actual replacement cost. * Stolen Device: Proof of being stolen, such as a filed police report, must be provided to prevent being charged the replacement cost of the device. A damaged device fee may still be incurred. If proof of theft cannot be supplied the student will incur the full replacement cost of the device. * Lost Device: A lost device will incur the replacement cost of the device.

NW PASSAGE | sports 23

SENIOR NATE JONES JUMPS IN REACTION TO HIS SCORE IN A VARSITY GAME AGAINST SM NORTH ON SEPT. 16 AT SMAC. JONES’ PASSION FOR SOCCER REPRESENTS HIS PASSION FOR SM NORTHWEST, AND THE TEAM IS ONE OF THE PLACES WITHIN THE SCHOOL THAT HE HAS FOUND A HOME. “[IT’S IMPORTANT TO FIND A HOME AT NORTHWEST BECAUSE] IT CREATES A REAL SENSE OF UNITY IN YOUR CLASS, AND IN THE SCHOOL AS A WHOLE,” JONES SAID. “DON’T FORCE FINDING YOUR HOME, AS LONG AS YOU BE YOURSELF AND BE TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE, YOUR HOME WILL FIND YOU.

"

Where will you find your home?

+ PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA