Issue 2: Nothing to Fear

Nothing to fear tPUMPKIN PATCHES, COSTUMES, AND HALLOWEEN MOVIES WILL HELP YOU CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN WITHOUT GOING TRICKOR-TREATING PHOTO BY KAHTAVA

NICK

IN THE RUNNING............................... 06 NOTHING TO FEAR .......................... 11 FALLING INTO FASHION ............... 16

NW

CHOOSING A STANCE: An Editor’s Note:

B

y the time the 2016 Presidential Election rolls around, 34 percent of the current student body will be eligible to vote. To some students that may mean nothing, but to others it means having the power to make another decision that will brand them a “young adult.” Part of our responsibility as young adults is to become involved in our communities, and to embrace the responsibility we have as active members of this country.

For many of us, the first opportunity to take hold of this call is by voting. It’s an important milestone in our lives, one deserving of serious consideration.

Growing up, we’ve mostly adopted the values of our parents. At some point, we’ve got to start making our own choices, and that point can start with this election.

PASSAGE STAFF PUBLICATION OVERSIGHT:

Co-Print Managing Editor

Grace Gorenflo

Co-Print Managing Editor

Sophie Flores

Web Managing Editor

Jack Lynch

CONTENT MANAGEMENT:

Design Editor

Paden Chesney

Copy Editor Photo Editors

Paige Eichkorn Addison Sherman Taryn Smith

SECTION EDITORS:

News Editors Opinion Editor Sports Editor Features Editor

Jack Lynch Grace Gorenflo Sophie Flores Matt Owens Cadie Elder

Entertainment Editor

Keegan Dolinar

Social Media Editors

Rebecca Carroll Josh Sherfy

STAFF:

Staff Writers

Ads manager Staff Designers

Ben Becker Carter Adam Kasey Gardner Jackie Sayers Jenny Silva Olivia Sloan Maddison Jarman Makaila Williams Shelby Beaumont Rachel Bateman Mia McDonald

NW WEBSITES:

smnwphotos.com A smnw.com z 02 OCT. 22, 2015 | Vol. 47

While there’s nothing wrong with having the same political views as one’s parents, the world is changing and each generation is changing with it. Staying informed on what’s happening in the world of politics will help teens not only to make an educated decision next fall, but will also help them in the long run by teaching them to start making decisions for themselves.

Even though one vote doesn’t seem like enough to make a difference, too many people carrying around that attitude will make a difference, for the worse. For their own sake, as well as future generations, it’s time that all young adults start having a voice in their community.

To help with that, a 2016 election quiz has been put together and included in this issue of the

Passage. The quiz covers several topics that are relevant to the 2016 election. On the same page are profiles of the top presidential candidates and where they stand on those topics. This page will show students which candidate matches their stance on the issues being debated in the election.

The Passage editors hope that these resources, along with others, will make voting more comfortable for the 615 students that will be able to vote next year.

Northwest

PASSAGE ISSUE 02 TABLE OF CONTENTS

05 07

COLLEGE READY OR NOT

How well does Northwest prepare its students for college?

THE RUNDOWN

Get to know the top canidates and their standpoints

08

Rules for the road

14

Environmental Education 2 students catch, tag and assess Monarch butterflies

16

Leather fringe, cozy fashions and traditional colors highlight this fall’s trends

21

Volunteering at Special Olympics gave the NW boys’ soccer team a new perspective on the game

RULES AND ROUTES

WETLAND ROYALTY

FALLING INTO FASHION

KICKING FOR A CAUSE

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 second hour.

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

staff editorial

STUDENTS ARE NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

F

or as many years as the Pledge of Allegiance has been recited, public schools have been struggling with the question of whether requiring students to say the pledge goes against their rights. This question became especially prominent in 1954 when President Dwight Eisenhower had the phrase “under God” added to the pledge.

To this day, issues arise when teachers or administrators pressure students to say the pledge. In September, a student at Lakewood High School in the Long Beach Unified School District was confronted when she refused to participate based on her belief that the United States “isn’t a Nation under God.” Many lawsuits filed against school districts regarding the pledge claim that the students’

First Amendment rights are being ignored, specifically the freedom of religion.

Teachers and administrators seem to be unaware that in the case of the West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette of 1943, the Supreme Court ruled that students cannot be required to stand and say the pledge under the 14th Amendment.

Although no one can be required to say the pledge, it is still not a fair representation of the country. With 70.6 percent of the United States identifying as Christians, according to Pew Research, it’s hard for most to see the error in the phrase “under God.” However, those two words do not protect the minority, as was intended by the Constitution.

To rid the pledge of the phrase would mean

to bring up the question of whether or not references to God should be removed from all federal laws, state constitutions and U.S. currency, which becomes a separate issue.

Until references to God are not included in the Pledge of Allegiance, students should not be pressured or forced to say the pledge during school as it violates their First and 14th Amendment rights.

staff vote

19 3

agree

disagree

11

NOTHING TO FEAR Pumpkin patches, costumes, and Halloween movies will help you celebrate Halloween without going trick-or-treating

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.

NW PASSAGE | TOC

03

NW

What School Could

never teach me

What a girl wants:

apparently not me

PHOTO BY ADDISON SHERMAN

PHOTO BY ADDISON SHERMAN

THIS SHORT GUIDE WILL SHOW WHAT GUYS TO GO FOR

WORKING ONSTAGE AND BACKSTAGE HAS TAUGHT ME THE MOST UNIQUE AND VALUABLE LESSONS

+BY CARTER ADAM

+BY SOPHIE FLORES

L

ast winter, I endured the task of being props mistress of the production “You Can’t Take It With You.” Seven months later, I still flinch at the sight of any object that was on that list of over 200 props (including live kittens, fake fire and a printing press). But part of the reason it was so scarring was because it was such a learning experience. I was taught that if there is a problem, I can, and should, fix it myself. It was in this theater that I learned perhaps the most important lessons.

Gumption

My teachers tell me exactly what to do and how and when, so I have become accustomed to waiting to be told what to do. In the theater, no one tells me what to do, but I am expected to get things done. The first lesson theater teaches is initiative or, as all NW Thespians know it, gumption.

I know, at this point, if our director Sunshine (Keli Rodgers) is reading this column, she is very smug. Teachers love it when their students come back and say, “You were right.”

We are all too comfortable with letting teachers and other people have the ideas for us. We spend too much time waiting. We spend too much time being fine with letting problems go unsolved. You won’t get far waiting for someone else.

Confidence

I grew up a walking oxymoron, a shy girl who lived for applause. Then Sunshine told me, “You need to be bold in this world.” This meant having confidence in my abilities, and being forthright and unapologetic. Getting the job done, making something better or learning a lesson can be more important than being nice or being liked. I stopped caring about what other people thought of me. When I do something wrong, I no longer waste time feeling bad or making excuses. I just fix the problem and move on.

04 OCT . 22, 2015 | Vol. 47

Problem-Solving

In the theater, problems are always fixed and mistakes are never repeated. Instead of “I’m sorry,” I learned to say, “It won’t happen again.” Instead of explaining excuses, I learned to explain how to solve the problem. I learned to stop wasting time feeling bad about a problem and focus my energy on a solution. I learned not to be deterred by failure.

Failure is a step toward success

I developed the mindset to take advantage of opportunities and, if they’re not there, to create opportunities for myself. I’m disappointed when anyone laments, “I’m not going to audition because I’m not going to get the part.” Even when I was positive I would not be cast, I auditioned because it was fun, because each audition made me a better

“

THEN SUNSHINE TOLD ME, YOU NEED TO BE BOLDINTHISWORLD.” performer.

Self-Awareness

At some point, being torn down by a director in the rehearsal process made me stand up for what I knew I was doing right. But I’ve also learned to recognize when the problem is me.

I’ve learned when to accept blame and, after I blame myself, to make changes. I can now question my own actions and criticize my own work, objectively.

These lessons are crucial in the working world. I now know how to deal with criticism, failure and work crises. To live trusting my own judgement and to not be afraid to take action has been freeing.

I

am alone… by my choice. I am a nice guy who doesn’t have a girlfriend, because I’m not the type of guy a girl wants.

What girls want is something different. Something mysterious.

I, to this day, still do not understand why girls are attracted to these guys.

The reason girls get into relationships that don’t last: they go after the wrong guys. They chase the guy who is never faithful, the one who hurts them repeatedly. But the guy who will treat them like he has never loved anyone else can’t get a second look. For some reason, girls seem to prefer pain over happiness.

Want my opinion? Girls are looking for a guy like this: 1. He treats you like a peasant, not some princess. Guys who treat you like a princess are so gross. Stop talking to them immediately. Never pick a guy who makes you feel like a million bucks. The worse he treats you, the more he shows he cares for you. Guys who treat you like they truly care are likely to be nice to you. Who wants that?

2. He has to know where you are all the time. If a guy texts you and then freaks out if you don’t text back immediately, he truly cares about you, right? When he texts again 30 seconds later demanding to know whether you are safe or if you are perhaps mad at him, that’s just a sign of true love.

3. He’s too busy living in “the now” to worry about the future.

This guy has a plan for the future; he knows what career he wants for himself. What a buzzkill. He probably does his homework and everything. If you and the guy you’re with are going to last, you don’t want him to get a college degree and a good job with a good salary. That’s the worst idea someone could come up with. Girls want a guy who isn’t going anywhere in life.

4. He knows how to have a good time, all the time. And while we are talking about the future, never date a guy who’s intelligent and makes good decisions. What you really want is a Justin-Bieberkind-of guy who gets in trouble with the law and is disrespectful.

Maybe he’ll pick you up while he’s high or drunk… that will impress your parents.

5. He can keep you in the right place. Don’t even consider dating a guy who is faithful to you. The bigger the player he is, the better he is for you. Who knows, he might even date your best friend at the same time. What could be better than that?

6. He dresses for comfort, not style. Never get caught with a guy who dresses well. Always look for a guy who can be counted on to wear his cargo shorts and logo t-shirt when he takes you to dinner on the Plaza. Even better, find a guy who looks like he never showers and doesn’t know what a haircut is; that’s what is the most attractive to girls.

Apparently this is what girls want, and apparently it’s not me.

COLLEGEREADY OR NOT?

H

HOW WELL DOES NORTHWEST PREPARE ITS STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE? +BY JACK LYNCH & SOPHIE FLORES

“

DO YOU FEEL LIKE NW PREPARED YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID AFTER?

“Yes, they helped prepare me for college as they encouraged open class discussions and emphasized student independence.”

— Roan McAnerney-Class of 2015

“Yes. The most important thing I learned was how to write a thesis well. Also, they helped me have a broader mindset of the world. Examples would be Mr. Wolfe’s teaching of the Arab Israeli conflict. Also, the foreign books we read in Mrs. Dienes’ class.” — Cody Krehbiel-Class of 2014

undreds of students walk past reminders of Northwest’s excellence on a daily basis and rarely notice. Hanging above the athletic office are three banners commemorating Northwest’s Standard of Excellence in one or more of the following: reading, mathematics or science, between the years of 2003-2012. The US News & World Report gives Northwest a college readiness index of 15.8, the lowest score in the district. But does this statistic give the full picture?

“Do I put credibility into the report from [US News & World Report]?” superintendent Jim Hinson said. “The answer would be no.”

The report in question was published three years ago, using the scores of only the senior class, people who are long gone from Northwest. This figure is also based on Northwest’s AP participation rate and how well the students did on AP tests. The statistic does not consider IB or College Now participation.

“Northwest students do a fabulous job of taking advantage of opportunities to earn college credit, or at least participating in courses that equate to college level work,” director of assessment and research Dan Gruman said. “Northwest has a healthy population of students who take AP exams, IB participation at Northwest has grown very quickly [compared to previous years], and College Now continues to be extremely popular.”

High schools across the country approach preparing students for college differently. Some are centered around AP curriculum and testing. For example, SM South focuses on AP while Northwest combines AP, IB and College Now curriculums.

“What makes us look different is our kids who are testing really well are split between AP and IB,” principal Lisa Gruman said. “With our school and our student body you can’t just look at AP because IB and College Now are such big parts of who we are. So [we have to] weigh all three of those to determine how well our students are prepared for college.”

Hinson says that what really predicts success in college is the diligent qualities students develop in high school.

“Perseverance, your work ethic, self-discipline, the ability to build relationships [and] connect with other people,” Hinson said. “Those are the really crucial factors for success in college.”

“

“They certainly gave me knowledge and experience in harder topics, and I credit them with helping me get through my first semester. After the adjustment though, college has been a different experience altogether. The way I learn things now has developed almost entirely over the last year. I haven’t thought about any of those classes in at least eight months. Overall though, I think that advanced courses can definitely help you but contrary to popular belief, their main benefit depends on how you apply yourself; not the grades you get. Grades, however high, don’t matter if you never learn how to learn.” - Abby Zimmerman- Class of 2014

“IB taught me to pace myself: complete work as I go, as we had long term assignments. It also taught me how to study more independently (there were so many that we had to sort of teach ourselves). These skills come in handy in college because professors expect their students to study and learn on their own time. — Mathilde Guglielmi-Class of 2014

ACT RESULTS 2015 24.1

23.4

ENGLISH

MATH

24.8

23.5

READING

SCIENCE

24.1 COMPOSITE

SEE HOW NORTHWEST STACKS UP AGAINST THE DISTRICT, STATE AND NATION, ACCORDING TO DIRECTOR OF ASSESSMENT AND RESEARCH DAN GRUMAN. College Readiness Activities - 2014

AP TESTS

IB TESTS

COLLEGE NOW ENROLLMENTS

CLASS OF 2014 G R A D U AT E S (APPROX.)

DISTRICT

1,940

479

1,818

SM EAST

532

195

317

SM NORTH

239

55

192

SM NORTHWEST

391

229

577

411

SM SOUTH

397

317

317

SM WEST

381

415

395

1,906 444

339

NW PASSAGE | feature 05

In the Running NW

06 OCT . 22, 2015 | Vol. 47

MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ABOUT WHERE YOU WOULD CAST YOUR VOTE +BY SOPHIE FLORES

WHERE DO YOU STAND? ANSWER THE FOLLOWING YES-OR-NO QUESTIONS ON SOCIAL ISSUES, THE ECONOMY AND DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN POLICY TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU STAND ON THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM: +BY SOPHIE FLORES 1. Should health insurance companies give free birth control?

A yes B no

2. Should laws make it difficult to get abortions?

A yes B no

6.Do you support American companies that operate in Asian and South American countries A yes B no

7.Should the government raise taxes on stocks, bonds and real estate profits?

A yes

3.Should same-sex marriage be legal?

A yes B no

4.Should businesses be allowed to refuse to serve customers because of religious beliefs?

A yes B no

5.Should people with terminal illnesses have the option of assisted suicide?

A yes B no

11.Should marijuana be legalized and regulated?

16.Should suspect terrorists be refused constitutional rights?

A yes

A yes

B no

B no

12.Is it important to you that foreign affairs should be strictly monitored to prevent terrorist attacks?

17.Should the U.S. continue to contribute to the United Nations?

A yes

B no

A yes

B no

B no

8.Should the government prioritize decreasing national debt and spend less on public affairs?

13.Should the government enforce affirmative action to encourage minority representation and employment?

A yes

A yes

B no

B no

14.Should internet providers be allowed to favor websites that pay more money?

A yes

A yes

B no

B no

10.Are labor unions detrimental to the economy?

15.Should the government make it more difficult for citizens to obtain guns?

B no

A yes B no

9.Should the government raise the current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour?

A yes

18.Should the U.S. administer airstrikes on nuclear weapon facilities in Iran?

19.Should the government cut back on military spending?

A yes B no

20.Should the U.S. declare war on ISIS? A yes B no

A yes B no

Count one point for each time you answered “yes” to a question. If you counted more points for the odd-numbered questions, you agree more with the democratic party. If you counted more points for the even-numbered questions, your opinions are more consistent with the republican party. If you want to better understand your own political ideology, you can find more quizzes at youthleadership.net, people-press.org and isidewith.com.

POINT IN QUESTION Environment Democrats want the federal government to give financial support to wind power and other alternative energy industries and to take preventative measures against global warming.

Republicans want to expand the oil industry, conserve land through private property ownership and develop new technology with market-based incentives.

Health Care Democrats want to increase government funding of health care for low income individuals and support recent health care reforms.

Republicans are critical of President Obama’s health care policy, with the idea the government should not be in control over such

a big portion of the economy and citizens should be allowed to choose to pay for their own health care.

Immigration

Democrats believe that illegal immigrants should be given access to health care, equal in-state college tuition rates and the opportunity to work towards citizenship.

Republicans believe that border security should be more strongly enforced and law enforcement should help immigration authorities take custody of illegal immigrants.

theRundown

Get to know the top candidates (according to Huffington Post’s collective poll) and their standpoints +BY SOPHIE FLORES

Republican “Make America Great Again” — Donald Trump (27.8%)

M

ulti-billionaire business investor Donald Trump is the owner of world-class hotels and resorts and several famous skyscrapers in New York City. He went to the Wharton School of Finance and has published over 15 best-selling books including the classic in business, “The Art of the Deal.”

Trump wants to give the middle class some relief from taxes by make the tax system easier to navigate. By discouraging business from

working with foreign corporations to avoid federal taxes, he hopes to create new jobs and make America globally competitive again.

He considers the protection of second amendment rights important. Rather than making guns more difficult to obtain, punishment for violence should be strongly enforced and mental health of those trying to obtain guns should be monitored.

He also aims to reform the immigration

system to put the needs of the nation first. This includes building a wall along the southern border and restricting foreign relations with Mexico until they pay for its construction. He believes that the number of border patrol officers should be increased; immigration laws should be less tolerant; and jobs, wages and security for American citizens be given priority.

“Heal + Inspire + Revive” — Ben Carson (16.2%)

C

elebrated neurosurgeon Ben Carson has had an accomplished career in medicine, specializing in neurology, oncology and pediatrics as the director of pediatric neurosurgery at John Hopkins Hospital. He has published six books, referencing his personal experiences, about what it takes to succeed in life.

His political view are self-described as favoring non-traditional methods for traditional, commonsense-based ideas. He believes that political correctness is detrimental and the country should be proud that its society was built on JudeoChristian principles.

Carson spoke bluntly against Obamacare while

proposing a government-sponsored savings account to pay for health care. He also puts importance on balancing the federal budget and repaying national debt, maintaining that appropriate action will only be taken if a new constitutional amendment requires it.

Democratic “Ready for Hillary” — Hillary Clinton (43.9%)

H

illary Clinton began her career in law as the first female partner at the Rose Law Firm and professor at the University of Arkansas. Her career includes service as Secretary of State, New York senator and first lady. She has been an activist for health care, gender equality and foreign policy in response to the 9/11 terror attacks. After President Obama nominated her to be Secretary of State, she visited a record 100 countries. She also is the

author of two memoirs.

Her ideas are centered around equal representation and opportunity for everyone.

She is giving attention to LGBT individuals, rural communities, disabled Americans, subjects of addiction and victims of campus sexual assault. Her standard of equality includes all-encompassing accessibility to voting, education and campaign finances.

Clinton is concerned with the economic challenge of raising working families’ incomes.

She hopes to do this by raising the minimum wage, giving free tuition to college students, supporting small businesses and investing in infrastructure and scientific research to create jobs. She believes gender equality in the workplace will help competitiveness and growth.

“Feel the Bern” — Bernie Sanders (24.8%)

V

ermont’s junior senator Bernie Sanders attended Brooklyn College and the University of Chicago before moving to Vermont to work as a carpenter and documentary filmmaker. As mayor of Burlington, Vermont, he made reforms on housing costs, taxation, environmental conservation, child care, women’s rights, youth programs and the arts.

He is known in the House of Representatives as the “amendment king” for passing more amendments

than any other member of Congress.

Sanders is also focusing on working families in the shrinking middle class income and wealth inequality. He plans to ensure no full-time workers live in poverty by requiring corporations to pay their share of taxes and raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour by 2020.

He addresses climate change and environmental

issues by proposing a tax on carbon and methane emissions and granting economic incentives for building upgrades and solar energy systems.

He believes that racial injustice and police brutality to be a big problem in America. He urges police forces to train to diffuse confrontations and drop a militaristic appearance. Officers would also be held accountable by requiring body cameras and rigid investigation and prosecution.

NW PASSAGE | feature 07

NW

Rules and Routes RULES FOR THE ROAD + BY KEEGAN DOLINAR

DRIVERS: TAKE TURNS WHEN LEAVING AND ENTERING THE PARKING LOT. WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS CROSSING THE STREET. THE PEDESTRIAN ALWAYS HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY.

How How would would you you change change the the parking parking lot? lot?

08 OCT . 22, 2015 | Vol. 47

ALTHOUGH NO SPEED LIMIT IS POSTED, SPEEDS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO UNDER 20 MPH. VEHICLES MUST REMAIN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD/ EXIT FOR SAFE AND EFFICIENT TRAFFIC FLOW.

I’ve thought about that a lot and haven’t been able to come up with a good answer. I guess having one of the school SROs direct traffic would help. They did that last year when it snowed at the end of the day. It probably would prevent a lot of wrecks in the parking lot and surrounding streets.”

ALL VEHICLES SHOULD REMAIN ON A PAVED SURFACE (PARKING LOT OR ROAD).

DRIVING ACROSS GRASSY AREAS TO GET TO THE STREET IS DANGEROUS FOR BOTH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIANS.

“

THE BUS LANE CLEARS OUT AT 2:50 P.M., ONLY BUSSES CAN USE THIS LANE UNTIL THEN.

PEDESTRIANS: LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING THE STREET.

A street light would be nice (the type of one that works for like 2:40-3 p.m.) I know it would never happen but that would make it seem safer and get people out a lot quicker.”

DO NOT STAND IN GROUPS ON THE SIDEWALK FORCING PEOPLE TO WALK IN THE STREET. DO NOT JAYWALK; USE MARKED CROSSWALKS. NEVER RUN IN FRONT OF A CAR EVEN IF IT IS YOUR FRIEND DRIVING.

I was younger, I was terrified of STOP STOP FOR storage When the dark. The depths of my basement room were the perfect location a monster to lurk, and the crash of THE TRAFFIC COP for thunder was locked in a constant battle THE ADDITION OF A TRAFFIC DIRECTOR IN THE NW PARKING LOT WOULD BE A WELCOMED IMPROVEMENT

+ BY JOSH SHERFY

to match the volume of my frightened screams. That was then.

Now, I am 16 years old, tough as nails, or at least I pretend to be. But no matter how tough I think I am, the NW parking lot will always creep into my worst nightmares.

When the 2:40 p.m. bell rings, signaling the beginning of the madness, Students squirm between cars and bolt through the rows of impatient drivers. The lone exit onto 67th street explodes into a cacophony of horns, squealing tires and basses that rattle cars down to the axle.

Drivers parked on the street search for

an opening between oncoming cars, as passerby parents cringe at the idea that their students could someday be a part of this madness.

While all of this transpires outside, the SROs are in the mall, urging students to leave the building. Surely there is some alternative.

Installing a traffic signal at the parking lot’s entrance would be futile. It would quickly be overwhelmed with the sheer volume of cars leaving the lot, and far too expensive to serve as a legitimate alternative. But what is preventing an officer from serving as a traffic director instead of a hall monitor?

Positioning a traffic director at the exit of the lot would provide much needed order to a previously chaotic situation.

Although the “no parking” signs were

moved further back from the entrance last year, the driver’s view of the road from the exit is still obscured, and advancing cars continue to pose an unseen threat.

An officer would be capable of overseeing the intersection and conducting drivers approaching from all directions, creating a safer driving environment.

The introduction of an officer to the chaotic rush of cars will potentially slow down the process, but will also provide much needed order.

For the times when I must swallow my pride, face my fears and brave the 2:40 p.m. charge, an officer in position would be a welcome security blanket to ease the Insidious-esque horrors that students face as they make their way home.

KEY TREES DRIVE IN DRIVE OUT

NORTHWEST

MEDIANS WALKWAYS/ SIDWALKS TEACHER PARKING LOT STUDENT PARKING LOT FRONT PARKING LOT/ SENIOR LOT

NW PASSAGE | feature 09

NW

Serving Smoothies, Supplements, Vitamins, and Healthy Snacks

®

Buy One Get One

(2nd Smoothie must be of equal or lesser value.) ©2014 Smoothie King Franchises, Inc. Valid only at participating locations. Must surrender original coupon to receive offer . Limit one per person. Not valid with any other offers. No cash value. Sales tax extra.

Offer expires October 09/14/2014.

15, 2014

W 62nd Terrace

Quivira Rd

Smoothie King #1244 12106-B Shawnee Mission Pkwy Shawnee, KS 66216 Phone: 913-268-KING (5464)

Smoothie King#1244-Shawnee

Shawnee Mission Pkwy

W 63rd St

Halsey St

Monday - Friday 7:00am - 9:00pm Saturdays 9:00am - 9:00pm Sundays 11:00am - 7:00pm

Shawnee Village shopping center, 6453 Quivira Rd, Shawnee, KS 66216

AZTECA IMPORTS

11226 W 75th ST Shawnee, KS (66214) (913) 962-0474 Products from Mexico & Central America

10 OCT . 22, 2015 | Vol. 47

PHOTO BY SHELBY BEAUMONT

Nothing to fear PUMPKIN PATCHES, COSTUMES, AND HALLOWEEN MOVIES WILL HELP YOU CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN WITHOUT GOING TRICK-OR-TREATING +COMPILED BY KEEGAN DOLINAR, JOSH SHERFY, PAIGE EICHKORN, GRACE GORENFLO, JACKIE SAYERS, BEN BECKER

NW PASSAGE | feature 11

NW

NOTHING TO FEAR CONTINUED:

It’s the great pumpkin, Northwest THERE ARE KANSAS CITY PUMPKIN PATCHES WHERE YOU CAN FIND YOUR GREAT PUMPKIN +BY PAIGE EICHKORN & GRACE GORENFLO

KERBY FARM PUMPKIN PATCH KERBY FARM IS BASED ON FAMILY-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES. PRIVATE PARTIES, A CORN MAZE AND A SPOOK HOUSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES THIS LOCATION HAS TO OFFER. THEY ARE OPEN FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M. AND SUNDAYS 12 P.M. TO 6 P.M., NOW THROUGH HALLOWEEN. ADMISSION: $7 PER PERSON, AGES 3 AND UP ADDRESS: 15943 158TH BONNER SPRINGS, KAN. CONTACT INFO: (913) 441-1766, WWW.KERBYPUMPKINPATCH.COM/CONTACT.PHP

LOUISBURG CIDER MILL AND COUNTRY STORE THE LOUISBURG CIDER MILL IS LOCALLY FAMOUS FOR THEIR PURE APPLE CIDER, MADE IN THEIR MILL SINCE 1977. INSIDE THE MILL, APPLES ARE VISIBLE TO ALL WHO WANT TO SEE FRESH CIDER BEING MADE. A 10-ACRE PUMPKIN PATCH, CORN MAZE, COUNTRY STORE AND LIVE MUSIC ARE AMONG THE MANY ATTRACTIONS AT THIS LOCATION. THEY ARE OPEN YEAR-ROUND, MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. AND SUNDAY FROM 9 A.M. TO 6 P.M. ADMISSION: FREE ADDRESS: 14730 K68 HWY, LOUISBURG, KAN. 66053 CONTACT INFO: (913) 837-5202, HTTP://TINYURL.COM/OYX5LYL (33 MILES FROM SCHOOL)

FUN FARM PUMPKIN PATCH AT THE FUN FARM PUMPKIN PATCH TEENS AND ADULTS CAN ENJOY A CORN MAZE, PUMPKIN PATCH, PUMPKIN SLINGSHOT AND HAYRIDES SEPTEMBER 18 THROUGH NOVEMBER 1.

ADMISSION: PUMPKIN PATCH: $12, CORN MAZE: $12, COMBO TICKET: PUMPKIN PATCH AND CORN MAZE $18, ADMISSION IS FREE FOR ALL SERVICE WORKERS INCLUDING FIREFIGHTERS, TEACHERS, POLICE OFFICERS, HIGHWAY PATROL, SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES, EMTS AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND VETERANS WITH OFFICIAL SERVICE ID. ADDRESS: 650 N. JEFFERSON ST. KEARNEY, MO 64060 CONTACT INFO: (816) 628-0028, FUNFARMPUMPKINPATCH.COM (37 MILES FROM SCHOOL)

CAROLYN’S COUNTRY COUSINS PUMPKIN PATCH CAROLYN’S COUNTRY COUSINS OFFERS A HAYRIDE, A MAZE, A PETTING ZOO AND A PUMPKIN PATCH AS WELL AS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ON WEEKENDS. THROUGH OCT. 31 THEY WILL BE OPEN DAILY FROM 10 A.M. TO 7 P.M. ADMISSION: MONDAY-THURSDAY ADMISSION IS $10/PERSON, FRIDAY-SUNDAY ADMISSION IS $12/PERSON. ADDRESS: 17607 NE 52ND ST. LIBERTY, MO CONTACT INFO: (816) 781-9196, CAROLYNSCOUNTRYCOUSINS.COM (28 MILES FROM SCHOOL)

WESTON RED BARN FARM THROUGH THE FIRST WEEK OF NOV., WESTON RED BARN FARM HAS THEIR FALL FARM OPEN. THE PUMPKIN PATCH IS AVAILABLE ON WEEKENDS AS WELL AS HAYRIDES, FARM ANIMALS AND A COUNTRY STORE. THE COUNTRY STORE IS OPEN MON-SAT, 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. AND SUNDAYS, 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. THE FALL FARM IS OPEN UNTIL THE FIRST WEEKEND IN NOV. FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. DAILY. ADMISSION: FREE ADDRESS: 16300 WILKERSON RD WESTON, MISSOURI 64098 CONTACT INFO: (816) 386-5437, WWW.WESTONREDBARNFARM.COM (36 MILES FROM SCHOOL)

12 OCT . 22, 2015 | Vol.| 47 12 OCT . 22, 2015 Vol. 47

Halloween Movies IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN

HALLOWEENTOWN

t’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a Halloween classic, no t’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a Halloween classic, no INov. matter your age. Before the Peanuts gang releases their new movie I matter your age. Before the Peanuts gang releases their new movie 6, reacquaint yourself with Charlie, Lucy and Snoopy to celebrate Nov. 6, reacquaint yourself with Charlie, Lucy and Snoopy to celebrate the fall season.

This adventure mixes the best of mystery and light-hearted fun.

Linus van Pelt, voiced by Christopher Shea, writes a letter to the The Great Pumpkin, a giant jack-o’-lantern that he believes visits pumpkin patches every Halloween, similar to Santa. While the rest of the Peanuts gang spends Halloween filling their bags with candy, Linus cannot be persuaded to leave the pumpkin patch, hoping the Great Pumpkin will finally arrive.

The light-hearted jokes and nostalgia induced by the Peanuts theme song will leave a smile on your face for many fall days to come.

the fall season.

This adventure mixes the best of mystery and light-hearted fun.

Linus van Pelt, voiced by Christopher Shea, writes a letter to the The Great Pumpkin, a giant jack-o’-lantern that he believes visits pumpkin patches every Halloween, similar to Santa. While the rest of the Peanuts gang spends Halloween filling their bags with candy, Linus cannot be persuaded to leave the pumpkin patch, hoping the Great Pumpkin will finally arrive.

The light-hearted jokes and nostalgia induced by the Peanuts theme song will leave a smile on your face for many fall days to come.

+BY JOSH SHERFY

+BY KEEGAN DOLINAR

KILLER COSTUMES WHETHER PURCHASED OR A GHOUL-IT-YOURSELF PROJECT, THE PERFECT HALLOWEEN DISGUISE IS EASILY AVAILABLE. +BY JACKIE SAYERS AND BENJAMIN BECKER With only eight days until the 31st, you’d better figure out what you are wearing next Saturday. Your choices seem to primarily range from traditional children’s costumes, punny costumes or costumes that will make your mother blush.

Zombies A zombie costume can be purchased at Party City for $34.99.

It comes with a white jacket attached to a blood-smeared shirt front, and bloody latex ribs sticking out of the chest, and a black neck tie.

Ghoul-it-yourself: Cut up a t-shirt (surely you have a shirt you can cut up) to create the classic decaying zombie look.

Add scars using face paint for $4.00 and use fake blood (recipe below) to get the full Walking-Dead-look.

shirt with a sleeveless black jacket on top and black pants can be the main pieces to build from for a scallywag and all for $8.00.

Animals A variety of animals have been classic Halloween costumes throughout the years, and one of the popular looks is to dress up as a cheetah. A cheetah costume, complete with a cheetah jumpsuit, attached hood and attached cheetah tail, can be found at Party City for $29.99.

Ghoul-it-yourself: Make your own animal costume at Savers by pairing a pair of cat or bunny ears, $4.00, to a black long sleeved t-shirt and leggings. To add some flair, draw whiskers with face paint and add a tail made out of old black tights. Simply run a piece of wire through the old tights for the tail structure, sew the tail up, and then tie it around the waist with some thread.

Pirates The pirate costume is always a popular look, and can be purchased at Party City for $19.99. The costume includes a white pirate shirt with jagged sleeves, an attached red and black vest, cropped black pants, a skull-and-crossbones printed neckscarf and a black belt.

Ghoul-it-yourself: Use a plastic sword or bandana from Savers for accessories to any pirate costume. A white and grey striped

Witch A witch costume can be purchased at Party City for $29.99.

Featuring a sparkly purple dress with a stand up collar, a black skirt, black witch hat and a purple and gold star printed hatband, this is a classic witch costume.

Ghoul-it-yourself: From Savers one can purchase a pointed hat for $6.00, and use a broom and simple black dress from around the house for a quick, easy to make witch.

NW PASSAGE | feature 09

NW NW

Wetland Royalty ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 2 STUDENTS CATCH, TAG AND ASSESS MONARCH BUTTERFLIES + BY GRACE GORENFLO

T

rekking through knee-high swamp water of the Haskell-Baker Wetlands, the Environmental Education 2 seniors had a mission: find and capture Monarch butterflies.

“Our goal was to go out there and see some Monarch butterflies and then capture, mark and assess the health of them,” senior Ethan Nelson said. “We took them back to the classroom and put a sticker on them.”

The class caught 23 Monarchs, which migrate from Canada to South America where they can spend the winter in a warmer climate. Since 2000, Environmental Ed 2 has taken this field trip almost every year to stay updated on how the species is holding up.

“The Monarchs are important to North America as a whole,” Nelson said. “They help pollinate plants and are a major food source for a lot of bigger animals. Over the past decade or so, Monarch populations have been doing a little rollercoaster, so we’re trying to see if there’re any causes that we can pinpoint and what we can do to help them out.”

To determine the state of the Monarch

population, the students took note of the Monarch’s’ body and wing measurements as well as the condition of their wings. The class’ assessment of the butterflies was different from other years: this year they could see a common parasite in Monarchs called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha. OE creates spores on the Monarch’s abdomen, and can cause Monarchs to have difficulty emerging from

“IT’S JUST TAKING IT THAT EXTRA STEP TO A REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE.” -Mike Pisani their pupal cases.

“We had a sticker that we would put on the abdomen of the butterfly,” senior Colin Anthony said. “It was then taken off and put on a clear plastic sheet. The sheet was then placed under a

stereoscope where the infection would be visible.”

After the class takes all the measurements, they release the butterflies and send all the information to the Monarch Watch foundation. The information is compiled in a database where other people who catch the Monarchs can access it.

“We’ve [collected data] off and on but we found a thing where we can see the parasites,” Pisani said. “This is an extension instead of just going and catching the Monarchs and putting a sticker on them. [It’s] what a field biologist would do…so it’s just taking it that extra step to a real world experience.”

For students like Nelson who want to go into the field of biology, Environmental Ed is an important learning experience.

“Pisani helps a great deal with teaching us a broad range of skills that can likely be used in just about any field of study,” Nelson said. “It gives us a feel of what a career in environmental science/ protection/conservation would actually be like. The class as a whole has really helped me find my path, and it’s something I’m really passionate about.”

Five Steps in Catching Monarch Butterflies found in the area, or around another type of 1 flower 3 field of flowers. brightly colored flower.

Once you have captured a butterfly, remove it from the net by its 4 carefully wings.

With a net, carefully walk through the field, sure not to draw too much attention.

2 making Look for the monarchs on branches or flying Put the monarch in the wax envelope, around.

5 feet first.

Start out in a field of biden flowers, a bright yellow

*

Tip: If they are on a branch, they will resemble a dead leaf.

14 OCT . 23, 22, 2015 | Vol. 47

Continue chasing butterflies through a

Senior Daniel Freeman races to catch a butterfly on Sept. 23 at Baker Wetlands. Freeman didn’t catch the butterfly, but continued to try after that. PHOTO BY TARYN SMITH

1. Walking through a pond, senior Phil Shriver carries a bucket and net on Sept. 23 at Baker Wetlands. Shriver was catching different types of animals in the pond to bring back to school for the native fish aquarium in the Environmental Ed room. PHOTO BY BRYCE REX 2. Swinging the butterfly net, senior Cole Young tries to catch a monarch butterfly on Sept. 23 at Baker Wetlands.

Young caught the butterfly. PHOTO BY BRYCE REX 3.

Senior Marissa Abarca tags a butterfly in the Advanced Environmental Ed class on Sept. 23. The advanced class went to Baker Wetlands to catch the butterflies and examine them. PHOTO BY GRACE GROEDER 4. Senior Trevor Preston puts a monarch butterfly in an envelope on Sept. 23 at Baker Wetlands. After catching the butterflies they are transported back to the school in the envelopes.

PHOTO BY TARYN SMITH 5. Senior Ethan Nelson sifts through the pond looking for crawfish on Sept. 23 at Baker Wetlands. The Environmental Ed 2 class goes every year to catch monarch butterflies. PHOTO BY TARYN SMITH 6.

Senior Daniel Freeman searches for a monarch butterfly at baker wetlands.

PHOTO BY TARYN SMITH

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NW PASSAGE | feature 15

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FALLING INTO FASHION +By Paige Eichkorn & Cadie Elder / Photos by Taryn Smith

Leather fringe, cozy fashions and traditional colors highlight this fall’s trends

LEATHER

SUEDE In fall, suede boots can be worn with jeans, leggings or skirts; they are a great go-to when you do not want to wear knee-high boots.

Suede jackets and fringe-trimmed suede tops are also great to wear in the fall weather over a floral dress.

Tip: Pair a suede button-down skirt with a solid long-sleeved shirt in olive, black or any deep fall color.

Cadie Elder with c&p

Invite Friends+

STRIPES

Stripes can be seen horizontal or vertical with a variety of colors.

They are also popular on buttondown blouses or denim shirts.

Tip: Pair a striped shirt with a jean jacket and black jeans for a minimalist look.

23

This season leather can be found in a stripe down the side of leggings, as a decorative piece on the neckline of a dress or t-shirt or as an accent on a skirt. Leather knee-high boots are a go-to with leggings, jeans or with a skirt over tights.

Tip: Only wear one piece of leather clothing with each outfit.

Cadie Elder with c&p

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Cadie Elder with c&p

DENIM

It is hard to go wrong with a chambray shirt and t-shirt, but high-waisted, bell bottom jeans and ’70s midi skirts are coming back. But denim doesn’t hit the fashion mark unless it looks wellused and the hems are frayed.

Tip: Pair a popover shirt dress with ankle boots.

Paige Eichkorn with c&p

FLAN

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PRINTED T-SHIRTS

Graphic T-shirt are always in style, whether it is your mom’s favorite 80s band, a treasure found at Savers or a personal design.

Tip: Pair it with jeans for a casual look or add some style with a kimono cardigan or denim jacket and skirt.

Picked for you T-shirts

BELL BOTTOMS

DRESSES

It is simple to layer different sweaters, cardigans and tops over fall dresses. Add a pair of tights and a scarf with ankle or knee-high boots.

Tip: Pair a floor-length maxi slit dress with sweater tied loosely in a knot to the side.

Paige Eichkorn with c&p

Another throwback look from the early ‘70s are bell bottoms. Look for them in bohemian prints as well as the ever-popular denim.

Tip: Pair them with a solid color or off-the-shoulder shirt and ankle boots to the complete look.

Picked for you Fashion

Cad

FRINGE This essential piece to any bohemian look is showing up on jackets, skirts and purses. Fringe was popular this summer, but is even more popular this fall as suede becomes the go-to fabric of the season.

Tip: Pair a floral shirt with jeans and fringe boots.

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16 OCT . 22, 2015 | Vol. 47

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Paige Eichkorn with c&p

This big city diner has a small town vibe

die

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he cracked asphalt parking lot behind the building provided access to the back entrance to the restaurant. I was greeted just steps after walking through the door by the waitress, who had been engaged in conversation with a regular customer.

I strolled to the counter, the bottoms of my shoes sticking to the white and black tiled floor. The menu, a sheet of laminated pink paper with grease stains on the corners, consisted of just four options: a single, double or triple patty burger, and a cheeseburger.

The woman behind the counter asked if I would care to try the peach pie they had prepared at the beginning of the day; an offer I gladly

Grandstand Burgers has average prices for above average food

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+BY JOSH SHERFY accepted. I ordered a double patty – standard dress – and grabbed a mint from the counter before taking my seat. When I unraveled the mint, the familiar red letters on the packaging forced me to suppress a laugh. I placed the mint in my mouth, and delighted in the taste of a Sonic peppermint.

The food arrived within the next few minutes. The patties were so thin they appeared as though they had been passed through a deli slicer. The edges were charred, but their crispy texture added to the flavor.

Standard dress consists of pickles, onions and nothing else. The prominence of these two flavors overpowered the thin patties. It wasn’t a bad meal, it just wasn’t a good

Grandstand Burgers

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et off the side of the road, surrounded by parking spaces and picnic tables, Grandstand Burgers sits with a line of customers flowing out its door. The atmosphere was that of a trucker’s pit stop. It was loud, not all that clean and, well, full of truckers who stopped to grab a bite to eat.

This nightmare of a building has about two feet within which to order, get a drink and wait for the faint cry of your order number.

After you collect your food, there is the option to eat at either one of the four cramped bar stools inside, or outside at the umbrellacovered tables.

one either.

I handed my now pieless plate to the woman who was washing dishes behind the counter, and sat my red basket on the end of the table. I walked across the parking lot back to my car, questioning whether I would come again. The service was excellent, and the welcoming atmosphere begged me to come again.

Unfortunately, the food fell short of expectation.

I felt like a regular when I walked through the door, and was relieved to be able to take a seat inside the restaurant. The food was just okay, but it edged ahead of Grand Stand because of the ambiance and small town feel.

Double Patty ­— Standard Dressing PHOTO BY MADDY MANNING

+BY BEN BECKER

My mouth watered as I stared in awe at my double bacon cheeseburger, no tomato or pickle, with fries on the side. Each bite was seemingly better than the last, I could not set it down in fear that I would lose its taste too quickly. Devouring the burger left me yearning for more. The burgers at Town Topic did not leave me with the same feeling of wanting more.

If you are planning on eating your burger there and not taking it to-go, look up the forecast first.

Where I sat the sun couldn’t touch me, but I can’t say the same about other customers trying to enjoy their food.

The service mostly makes up for the unattractive atmosphere.

Right after exiting my car I was greeted by two employees taking a break outside who asked how I was doing. I got the same greeting from the folksy woman behind the counter.

She seemed genuinely happy to be there taking my order, which I don’t see too often.

Unlike Town Topic, whose burger was unsubstantial, the burger at Grandstand was extraordinary along with the service. However, the building itself could use renovation or expansion.

If nothing else, I will soon return to Grandstand, purely for their food.

PHOTO BY MIO MEUKI

Double Bacon Cheesburger — No tomato or pickle

NW PASSAGE | entertainment 17

NW

Come join us to cheer on the

$14 Haircuts

D+S SALON SOON KIM

COSMETOLOGIST

at

6471 QUIVIRA RD SHAWNEE, KANSAS 66216

PHONE: 913.428.7827

Lenexa, KS | 12843 W 87th St Pkway 66215 | (913) 894-1717

Don’t be left out.

Purchase a senior ad in the 2016 yearbook Remind your parents to dust off those scrapbooks and old photo albums. You may want to help them find those toocute pictures of yourself (and avoid those naked-baby-on-a-rug shots).

Make sure you will have a senior ad in the 2015 yearbook.

Prices will increase after Nov. 2. Get your best deal now.

Questions? Contact Hadley Sayers at smnwbabyads@gmail.com or call Susan Massy at 913.993.7286.

18 OCT . 22, 2015 | Vol. 47

WESTGLEN E Y E C A R E

Andrea Beatty, O.D. Eric Beatty, O.D. drbeatty@wgeyecare.com 16202 Midland Dr. Shawnee, KS 66217

A E

1 S

p: 913.962.2010 f: 913.962.2013

p f e

www.westgleneyecare.com

w

HOTEL TRANSLYVANIA 2 +BY CADIE ELDER

W

ith Halloween around the corner, Hotel Transylvania 2 (PG) is a must-see. Dracula (Adam Sandler), could not be more excited to introduce his infant, half-human grandson, Dennis (Asher Blinkoff) to Transylvania and wants him to love all the scary quirks of his world. When Dennis’ mother (Selena Gomez) and father (Andy Samberg) take a trip to California and leave the child with Dracula, he seizes the chance to test his grandson to determine if he is human or vampire.

The mother and father are not believable as a couple or as parents. The mother is worried about Dennis being comfortable, while the father was oblivious to most of what was going on. He never seemed interested in Dennis’ safety.

“

PHOTO COURTESY OF RAIWEB.EPS PHOTO COURTESY OFBIRTHMOVIESDEATH.EPS

The movie’s clunky emphasis on social media seemed more like an advertisement for Facebook, Apple and Facetime.”

CRIMSON PEAK I

f Crimson Peak offered nothing more than the creepiest bathtub specter since The Shining, it would still qualify as a monstrously entertaining film. But this is Guillermo del Toro directing and co-writing, and so the lushness of subtext mirrors the classically Gothic esque style of a love story.

The paranormal is the least disturbing of the elements here, played with a gleefully operatic excess, being minimal with the most terrifying thing being a woman down a hallway or children’s laughter. These horrors are scattered but they are often enough to have an atmospheric thrill ride through this crumbling mansion.

An American heiress, Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska), is wooed and won by Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom HIddleston) an

impoverished, but ambitious, minor member of the British aristocracy. His dream is to revive his family’s clay mining business with a machine of his own invention, which requires funding from the american Heiress.

Edith is not typical, dreaming of a finding a husband and starting a family, instead she has set her heart on a career writing ghost stories, or, rather, stories with ghosts in them as metaphor. This signifies a haunting she experienced in her childhood.

Overall, the horror is minimal with really well done CGI, a good love story with a gripping narrative. The movie is dull in color which adds depth to the mood and an overall dark theme. I loved this movie and it is definitely the ‘Peak’ of the horror movies I have seen this year.

The movie’s clunky emphasis on social media seemed more like an advertisement for Facebook, Apple and Facetime. Dracula struggles to text and take selfies throughout the movie. The song “Worth It” by Fifth Harmony featuring Kid Ink was used as a comedic device that fell flat. It would have been just as good without these “commercials.”

Although I did not like the use of social media, the character animation was remarkable.

Animator and director Genndy Tartakovsky brought to life characters we all know but added a new twist. Puns were also incorporated throughout the movie about vampires and other creatures, making it worth a laugh.

Overall, the animation was entertaining, but the plot and timeline were confusing.

Apparently it takes place over four years, but that was never clear until the end. I would recommend this movie for younger children because the music and humor seems aimed toward them.

+BY KEEGAN DOLINAR

NW PASSAGE | entertainment 19

NW

SMNW Students and Staff $6 Meal Deal Special Weekdays until 5 PM. Meal Deal includes a 1/2 sub, regular size drink, and either a chip or cookie.

ALL FOR $6. Present Student or Staff ID. 2015-2016 school year. Not valid with other offers Good at: 7409 Quivira or 6915 Johnson Dr 913-248-9955 913-232-7424 Order online at planetsub.com

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

It’s good to have your head in the clouds.

Chalk it up to the Allegheny Mountain air, grand Old Main, Bison Field, 1,300 acres of history and heritage, and rich Greek tradition. Bethany won’t just take your breath away, we’ll inspire you to reach great heights. Plant yourself on one of the most beautiful campuses in America. You’ll like the view.

20% OFF SHIRTS, BELTS, DRESSES, & BLOUSES 30% OFF JEWELRY 10%OFF JEWELRY WITH STUDENT ID 800.922.7611 • BethanyWV.edu

20 OCT . 22, 2015 | Vol. 47

sports PHOTO BY CHANDLER BADO

PHOTO BY CHANDLER BADO

PHOTO BY CHANDLER BADO

KICKING FOR A CAUSE

Volunteering at Special Olympics gave the NW boys’ soccer team a new perspective on the game he varsity and JV boys’ soccer teams were reminded at the T Special Olympics soccer tournament that some things are more important than winning.

The boys volunteered all day at the tournament Oct. 4, where disabled athletes of many ages had the opportunity to play the game they love.

“A lot of good things come out of volunteering at the Special Olympics,” varsity coach Todd Boren said. “First of all, it’s our soccer community giving back to another soccer community. And, from my perspective, it’s important for players to give back.”

Varsity players arrived at Lone Elm Park at 8 a.m. and volunteered until noon, when the JV players arrived. They worked until the end of the event at 3 p.m.

“We referee, keep score, and along with that goes timekeeping,” Boren said. “And then the kids will just root on the athletes.”

The team has been volunteering at the Special Olympics every fall for about 15 years. They first became involved when a booster club parent suggested the Special Olympics as a good community service opportunity that would also help the team bond.

“Every year our experience gets better and better,” senior Bailey Jarrett said.

“It’s nice coming out here and volunteering.

It definitely gives you a better appreciation for all the coaches and volunteers and what they do.”

Watching the Special Olympians play gave senior Andrew Andersen a new kind of respect for the impact soccer can have on some people.

“I think, as a whole, the team kind of realizes how good we have it, just being able to play soccer every day,” Andersen said.

“Everybody sees how happy these kids are just because they get to play once a year.”

Although the Special Olympians were competing to win, they congratulated and high-fived each other at the end of every game. Boren admires how the Special Olympians were able to just have fun playing

+BY JACKIE SAYERS

soccer without worrying about who the clear winner was.

“I think sometimes my players and I need to step back and look at the fact that we’re just playing a game,” Boren said. “We need to constantly keep that in perspective: we’re playing to compete, but we’re also playing to have fun.”

Aside from volunteering, the soccer boys are also enjoying success on the soccer field. Varsity is 7-2-1, and Boren has noticed obvious improvement from the first game of their season.

“We’re scoring more goals, so that’s always good,” Boren said. “I don’t know if we’re creating more opportunities, but we’re capitalizing and, in the end, that’s the important thing — capitalize on the opportunities that we get.”

BUMP, SET, HOST

The JV volleyball team hosts one of the largest tournaments in the area

T

PHOTO BY SIDNEY HENKENSIEFKEN

+BY MATT OWENS

welve teams from around the area competed for the tournament title, and bragging rights in the Cougar Classic volleyball tournament on Sept 26.

After three rounds of pool play (teams play each other in order to determine seeds in bracket play), the teams were split up into two single elimination brackets, gold and silver.

“We played some tough games in pool play that knocked us out of gold,” outside hitter Ava Graves said. “But we worked hard to finish strong in the tournament.”

With three wins and three losses in pool play, splitting against Blue Valley, losing two to Mill Valley and winning both against SM North, the Cougars earned a first round bye in

the silver bracket. They faced Lansing in the semifinals needing to correct their mistakes from pool play, in order to stay alive in the tournament. After beating Lansing in the semifinals, the finals were set. Two rivals — Northwest and SM East — competed for the silver championship. The last ball hit the floor out of bounds and the game-winning point was earned with the Cougars leading on the scoreboard. ”We love beating other Shawnee Mission schools whenever we play them, so we were very happy to beat East,” Specht said.

“Anytime we win, it proves to the girls that their hard work they put in during practice is paying off.”

NW PASSAGE | sports 21

NW

sports

GOING FOR THE GOLD Hailey Brull breaks two NW swimming records and becomes a state champion +BY JACKIE SAYERS

J

ust a few hours before junior Hailey Brull won the state championship in the 100 meter breaststroke on May 23 in Topeka, she was on the team bus laughing with her teammates.

“Riding down to the meet, the mood was really lighthearted,” Brull said. “There were a few people who were serious and getting in the zone, but I was just messing around and talking.”

The mood became more serious as the swimmers began to focus on winning a state title.

“The races are so intense because just one second or one simple mistake can lead to a difference of a few placements,” Brull said.

Brull’s training was especially intense during the months leading up to the meet.

“Besides training in the pool for about an hour every day,” Brull said. “I did pacework, which is basically a ton of sprints.”

At the state championship, seconds before the gun went off for her race, Brull was envisioning the months of training paying off.

“I was focused, and I just kept thinking about how I’ve practiced really hard for this moment,” Brull said. “I just kept looking at the water and picturing my perfect race.”

Racing alongside Brull were two of her biggest competitors, both swimmers from SM East. Despite the tough competition, Brull took the state title with a time of 1:07:88 in the 100 meter breaststroke.

She also placed third in the 100-meter butterfly. With her times in both of these places, Brull broke the previous NW swimming record for both strokes in 100 meters. The moment Brull realized she was a state champion, as she came up from the water, was pure happiness.

“I just looked at the big crowd around me and smiled,” Brull said.

“I couldn’t stop smiling.”

Along with breaking two NW swimming records, Brull improved her times by one second in each of her races.

“It felt really good to improve from last year,” Brull said. “I was glad because that is always my main goal, to become faster.”

Winning the state title is an achievement that Brull takes great pride in. In fact, she said it may just be her greatest accomplishment yet.

“I feel really proud that I got to represent Northwest in a positive way,” Brull said. “It’s awesome to know I helped make Northwest look good.”

22 OCT . 22, 2015 | Vol. 47

PHOTO BY SHELBY BEAUMONT

2015 STATE 100M BRESTSTROKE TOP 10 FINAL RESULTS: SWIMMER

SCHOOL

TIME

1st Hailey Brull

SMNW

1: 07.88

2nd Aiden Chan

WICEA

1: 08.21

3rd Mary Booton

SMEAS

1: 09.05

4th Cherilyn Camichel

OPBVN

1: 09.15

5th Mary Reed Weston

LAWRE

1: 09.94

6th Lauren Nordell

OPBVNW

1: 10.10

7th Ava Cormaney

LAWFS

1: 10.22

8th Caroline Wilkus

SMNWES

1: 10.40

9th Morgan Clausen

SMEAS

1: 10.66

10th Mae Lavacek

WICEA

1: 11.33

sports PHOTO BY TARYN SMITH

PHOTO BY ADDISON SHERMAN

THE FINAL SERVE

Two Northwest Girls finish 9th at the Kansas StateState Championships Championships at BVNW at BVNW on Oct. on 17th.

Saturday +BY REEDOctober WILLIAMS17th.

PHOTO BY CHANDLER BADO

WILLIAMS s Colleen Freeman tossed+BY up REED the serve, she knew it would be the last point of their highthrew schoolup career.

As the ballknew landed in and be thethe point earned, shehigh and s Colleen the serve, they it would lastwas point of their senior Lexycareer.

Drummond won theirinfinal school As thehad ball landed andmatch. the point was earned, Seniors Colleen “The last today we played with confidence at the top of our game,” Freeman andmatch Lexy Drummond had won their their lastand match..

Freeman said.match “We knew would be our lastconfidence high school match ever and Iofthink “The last todayitwe played with and at the game our we really embraced and knew went it forwould everything We match won 9-3 [inand theI game,”Freeman said.it “We be our 100 last percent. high school ever tournament] to embraced place ninth think we really it overall.” and went for everything 100%. We won 9-3 to get 9th Walking onto the court as freshmen four years ago, the girls never imagined what place overall.” their friendship be when they walked off the court seniors.

Walking onto would the court as freshman four years ago, theas girls never imagine what “I friendship went into freshman year thinking we were going to be rivals in tryouts,” their would be walking off the court as seniors.

Drummond said.

“Wefreshman ended upyear being doubles partners andtomy “I went into season thinking we were going be biggest rivals insupporter tryouts,” on court.” saidthe Drummond.

“We ended up being doubles partners and my biggest supporter last three years have brought them together and their hard work has onThe the court so yes.” rewarded them in their season.

The last three yearsfinal have brought them together and their hard work has “Overall, we in had an amazing season,” Freeman said. “In the regular season we rewarded them their final season. had“Overall a strongwe record ofamazing 26-6. We beat several teams that we we hadhad losta to in the past had an season.

In the regular season strong record season. beat SM East 9-8said. in a “We tiebreak.” of 26-6 IWe believe,” Freeman beat several teams that we lost to in the past Watching from right court, head coach Ken Clow has been cheering season.

For example, weoutside beat SMthe East 9-8 in a tiebreak.” them on andfrom giving them the advice they need win their matches.

Watching right outside the court, Headto Coach Ken Clow has been cheering “Aton theand endgiving of thethem day, all wanted was to see us succeed,” them theClow advice they needed to win the match.Drummond said.

“It“At wasthe nice having passionate coach.” end of thesuch day,aall Clow wanted was to see us succeed,” Drummond said.

“It was nice having such a passionate coach.”

A A

NW GIRLS GOLF STATE QUALIFIERS GOLFERS

FIRST ROUND

SECOND ROUND

TOTAL

NW GIRLS GOLF Abby Radmanesh 46 STATE QUALIFIERS 49 95 GOLFERS FIRST45ROUND SECOND Cassie Gomer 54ROUND TOTAL 99 Maddison Jarman 58 51 109 Abby Radmanesh 46 49 95 Cassie 45 54 99 Gabby Gomer Cortez 123 62 61 Maddison Jarman 58 51 109 109 53 56 Emma Sanders Gabby Cortez 123 62 61 Maggie Congrove 125 64 61 109 53 56 Emma Sanders Maggie Congrove 125 64 61 PHOTO BY CHANDLER BADO

“

NW

I was shocked and speechless and I didn’t know what to do. I was really excited my sister was there with me. I got to talk to her the whole way down and she kept making me laugh so it made me less nervous.

She told me she’d catch me if I fell.”

Senior Megan Dunn hugs her younger sister, Ginny after she was anoounced the 2015 Homecoming Queen at the SM North district stadium. After life changing events during the sisters’ past year Dunn was unable to walk with her parents so she was proudly escorted by her sister.

PHOTO BY EMILIE AMUNATIGUI

senior Megan Dunn