Issue 4

the

NW PASSAGE Dec. 14, 2017 Vol. 49

HANGING ON BY A THREAD

Despite the joy of the season, students continue to cope with depression and anxiety

+PHOTO BY MADELINE MANNING

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

TA BL E OF

Is s u e 0 5 V o l . 49 Dec. 14

CONTENTS

Hanging by a Thread

Northwest students struggle with anxiety and depression

13-15

Just Next Door

20

Year in Photos

22-23

A pair of step-sisters enjoy Adopt-A-Tot in classrooms right next to each other

Relive the best moments of the fall semester

STAFF: PUBLICATION OVERSIGHT:

OUR PASSAGE: 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 news magazine, 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 20-page news magazine. The paper will be distributed every four weeks during fourth hour. Subscriptions will be available to the community for $25. The Northwest Passage firmly supports the First Amendment and opposes 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.

02 DEC 14, 2017 | Vol. 49

Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief

STAFF WRITERS: Cadence Elder Jack Lynch

CONTENT MANAGEMENT: Design Editor Photo Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Ads Manager Online Copy Editor

Rachel Albers Madeline Manning Erin Henton Asher Norberg Samantha Joslin Will Gross Annalissa Houser

Erin Albers Yessina Ahumada Jocelyn Davis Mya Deneke Jake Ditto Anastasia Kling Damario Doyal Rory Dungan Leah Grotegut Kate Lawrence Austin Lewis Nicholas Lorino Sonni Meyers Matthew Owens Sam Rice Kaili Sitz David Shelley Emilia Sixbury Catherine Taggart Cole Wright

STAFF DESIGNER: ADVISERS: Adviser Assistant Adviser

Susan Massy Wes Mikel

Kennady Bustamante Kasi Maniktala Alden Norberg

THE INTERNET IS UNDER

ATTACK

(1 abstained ) P

for

ay attention to the news today. The Internet as we know it could change forever.

The head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Ajit Pai, has announced his plans to roll back Obama-era Net Neutrality regulations.

Everyone should not only care about this, but should already be doing something about it.

But wait — what is Net Neutrality?

Net Neutrality guarantees free access to all internet content. This prevents internet services providers (ISPs) like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from choosing what gets put on the internet. Without net neutrality, ISPs can block websites or content that compete with their own offerings.

Which brings us to the next point. If Net Neutrality goes away, you could eventually be expected to pay more for your favorite content. Want to watch Netflix?

You might have to pay an extra fee to access the site, on top of your normal internet fee and your Netflix account. Want to watch the content in HD? You might have to pay another fee on top of that. The same ideas could apply to Google, Snapchat, Twitter or Instagram — you’ll have to pay to see certain accounts, pay to visit certain sites and pay to see certain tweets. Your ISP could charge extra amounts for your favorite sites and services. This is the case in Portugal, a country without net neutrality, according to The Guardian.

The demise of Net Neutrality means that the cost of using the internet could skyrocket. Maybe not tomorrow, but within one to two years.

against It also means that ISPs can slow down certain websites. For example, Netflix could pay a premium to Comcast to have their content load at full speed while a competitor may not be able to pay that premium. The competitor’s speeds get throttled.

The internet without Net Neutrality isn’t really the internet. It wouldn’t be an equal playing field. It has given the ability to protect innovation and given a platform to people who otherwise would not have had a chance to make it.

The internet would become a closed-down network where cable and phone companies call the shots and decide which websites, content or applications succeed.

You, the consumer, would have no control over which apps, content or websites are available to you. It would be based on which is willing to pay the ISPs the most.

Cable and phone companies would be able to censor content, keeping ideologies they disagree with from being heard.

Blogs, services, businesses and any website that can operate legally is currently able to do so because of net neutrality. Content can’t be censored providing it meets legal obligations.

Maintaining Net Neutrality allows illegal activities to be prevented, including illegal file sharing, because each ISP would be treated as a regulated common carrier.

The worst part about it? Your internet and the future of it lies completely in the hands of the FCC, so contact them.

“You, the consumer, would have no control over which apps, content or websites are available to you.”

NW PASSAGE | STAFF ED 03

Breaking Bad Habits

It’s important to break away from bad habits and adapt to healthy ones Habits are tendencies that are hard to give up. Since I was three-years-old I have had the worst tendency; I am a serious nail bitter. My mom noticed me biting my nails when I was younger and took me to my pediatrician, asking what to do to stop the habit. The doctor told my mom to leave it alone and not bring attention to it. One day, she promised, I would grow out of it.

She was wrong.

I still bite my nails whenever I get even the slightest bit anxious or nervous. It has gotten so bad that I have drawn blood. I have tried everything from “No Bite” nail polish, acrylic nails and even hypnotherapy, but nothing has been effective.

Anxiety, like biting my nails, is just a habit I am trying to break.

Nail biting is a symptom of my anxiety. I have gotten so used to the idea of being anxious, insecure and unimportant that I have adapted to the idea that I will always feel that way. It is terrifying to think that I will always have nightmares and be over-emotional. These kind of thoughts lead to the “I give up” attitude — something I fight every day. I try to remind myself that tomorrow is a new day and that anxiety is only what I make it.

Anxiety works a little differently than biting my nails though. Unlike physical habits such as nail biting, chewing on straws or twisting hair, anxiety is an emotional habit. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorder during the beginning of eighth grade. GAD is a disorder that causes chronic and exaggerated worry and tension and is much more than your typical anxiety that almost everyone experiences in their daily lives. Panic Disorder is a disorder that leads to panic attacks whenever you are stressed or anxious and strikes suddenly and repeatedly.

The Closet

Both of these disorders transform my attitude and thoughts into a familiar negative and anxious pattern.

There are symptoms of anxiety just like any other illness, and according to a study at the University of Michigan, symptoms of anxiety include irregular breathing, panic attacks and unrealistic or excessive worry. I am aware that not everyone feels the same when dealing with anxiety, but for me, my symptoms manifest as sleeping problems, nausea and nail biting.

I become even more anxious when I to try stop or avoid it. I have learned that the best way to handle it is to not fight it. I live every day like I would if I did not struggle with anxiety. I do not let it change my way of life. It is easiest to just sit back and allow it to happen while focusing on what I can do differently next time. I work to put my efforts into creating new healthy habits and replacing my old ones.

I want to recognize everyone who has ever had anxiety or felt like they do not matter. You do. Every single thing you do matters. Regardless of what your brain is telling you at the time. Do not ignore the pain or swallow down the tears, it will only make it hurt more. Talk to people around you and let them know how you are doing. Let them help you. I have learned that the best way for me to feel better is to talk about how I feel with people who care about me and want me to feel better. Just remember that

Anxiety, like biting my nails, is just a habit I am trying to break.

+ BY RACHEL ALBERS you cannot expect all your problems to go away instantly, but it is extremely healthy to talk about your problems.

Talking about your problems allows you to let the thoughts inside your head be heard. It is totally normal to break down here and there. I am trying my hardest to change my old habits and replace them with the ones I want. Habits are hard to break, but not impossible. Even the shortest, ugliest nails can grow back eventually.

Nobody should have to come out of the closet The concept of the closet is a nasty one. Unfortunately, every “out” gay person has had to come out of one at some point. It is a rite of passage in the community.

Every LGBTQ+ person has a closet to come out of, and whether they decide to come out is their choice.

The closet is not built by those trapped in it, but rather by the society in which the closeted are raised. It is something every gay person must perpetually come out of every time they meet someone new.

Nobody should have to come out of the closet. The closet shouldn’t exist. My personal closet, like many others, was constructed from schoolyard immaturity and familial expectations.

Being born at the beginning of the new millennium, I grew up in an era of major advancements in LGBTQ+ rights. Realizing I was gay in the sixth grade, and being obviously gay since I uttered my first words, I never experienced old-school, physical homophobia. I am privileged in that aspect. Nobody ever slammed me against a locker or took my lunch money because I walked funny or dressed well. Sure, people made comments about what I wore or how I talked, but it was mostly behind my back and never physically violent. Yet there was still a negative connotation attached to homosexuality that made me, and many others, afraid to come out. It was the expectation of heterosexuality. That I play sports and act tough and not be a faggot. The option to like boys was never presented.

Homosexuality was not shown in a positive light. Quickly after coming to terms with being gay, I came to terms with being closeted.

I learned to deal with extended family and friends of

my parents telling me they bet I was a real hit with the ladies, and to let them think they won those bets.

Prior to coming out, I often fantasized about what my life might be like. Maybe I would live alone for the rest of my life. Maybe I would come out in high school and everything would be fine. Maybe it would not be. Maybe I would find a nice girl who did not mind not having sex with me and marry her. Maybe I would become a senator.

Life seemed hopeless. Letting everyone know how I felt did not seem like a feasible option. What would my family think? How could I be gay and keep all of my friends?

Were they really even my friends if they would not accept me? These questions burned constantly in the back of my mind. I became frustrated that I was pushed into this so-called “closet”; that I was expected to be straight.

Coming out at the age of 14, I have had more than a couple of years to reflect on my time spent in the closet. I have come to the conclusion that while people today realize when something is homophobic, they do not always realize when something is heteronormative.

Heteronormativity is a worldview that promotes heterosexuality as the normal or preferred sexual orientation. It is the shy cousin of homophobia. Everyone, including me, is guilty of it. We allow it to creep into our speech, our thinking and our worldviews. If closeted people felt safe coming out of the closet, they would not be in the closet in the first place.

Ending heteronormativity is the only way to deconstruct the closet. By showing children it is okay to be gay, or anything other than what people perceive them to be, we can create a society that ends the concept of the closet.

Quickly after coming to terms with being gay, I came to terms with being closeted.

4 Dec. 14, 2017 | Vol. 49

+ BY ASHER NORBERG

Time is passing, Are You?

Due to bad studying habits, students have an unmanageable amount of homework The soft, soothing sound of the alarm clock goes off as I turn over and pick up my phone.

6 a.m. ... Then it hits me.

It’s not yet the weekend — and it is time to get up for school.

For five days a week and 180 days a year, we sit in desks, listen to lectures and dread going home just to do more work. For some, when the bell rings at 2:40 p.m., it seems that the easiest part of the day is done.

A common theme plays out in most high schools. Students brag about what time they went to bed or blame the stack of homework crammed into their backpacks for their lack of sleep.

Students tend to blame teachers for most of their homework struggles. Some complain that assignments are too hard, while others protest the time it takes from their day.

What most students do not realize is that the cause of the late nights, pounding headaches and bad grades is not the work, or even the teacher who assigns it. We like to tell

ourselves that and it makes us feel better about not doing our best as students. But the real culprit is us.

One issue is the time students spend on their devices instead of actually doing work. It is so easy to tell yourself that you just need a couple of minutes to take a break from all of the stressful work. The next thing you know, hours have gone by without anything getting done. Students snap pictures and send each other the work that they are too lazy to do. Some even search for the answers on Google in hopes of getting out of doing the assignment themselves. Most of the time, this ends with failed tests and hopeless, discouraging grades.

Studying in chunks of 25-30 minutes may help retain more information, Dr. Marty Lobdell, a psychology professor at Pierce College, said. Students should do something fun between study sessions.

Make sure your phone is off and your playlist is set for the entire half-hour so you don’t waste time

searching for songs. Take a 5-minute break after the first session ends. Set a timer. Text friends, get something to eat, go to the restroom, get up and move. Set the timer for 30 minutes after your break and repeat.

For those who find themselves struggling to stay focused on even the simplest of assignments, an Academic Enrichment session is held in the library every Monday and Wednesday after school. Here, you can ask teachers questions and get work done with minimal distractions. It is necessary to sign up to be a part of a session, and there are snacks provided.

Students also forget that they can get help from teachers in seconds by emailing them. Teachers generally at responding quickly.

Finals are upon us, which means long nights of preparation and cramming. In these times, it’s not only important to study hard and be focused, but to take a second to relax every now and then. Remember that you are only human… and the semester is almost over.

BY RORY DUNGAN

You Have Options

Teens struggling with depression have more options than they think

I suffered from depression for four years without therapy or medication.

I didn’t know my options.

I wish I had.

It wasn’t until halfway through freshman year that I actually admitted to myself that I had depression. By then, the future seemed like this impenetrable grey fog that I couldn’t quite focus or quantify. Life was a relentless conversation of no significance, with no replies; it was a pointless, frustrating slew of repetition and struggle. Emotions that should’ve been shouts were mere whispers.

After four years of depression, I started telling the people around me. I started asking people for help.

Slowly, slowly, I started to feel the clouds unravelling. I was healing. But it did get worse before it got better.

My mind opened itself back up to emotion, and that was painful. It was like I’d been living in the dark for so long that, when the lights came on, the brightness stung my eyes.

There were reasons I hadn’t reached out before. The stigma surrounding it was a factor, sure; I didn’t want to be thought of as weak or needy. But there was something else: I didn’t know I had options.

I knew without ever having to hear it that paying for therapy was out of the question. I wouldn’t be able to afford medication or consistent visits,

and I truly didn’t want to put that burden on my family. But I didn’t know about, for instance, Johnson County Mental Health Center, where anyone suffering from addiction or mental illness can get help with billing based on their income. I didn’t know how useful suicide hotlines and text-lines could be — according to Dr. Madelyn Gould at Columbia University, 80 percent of people who called into the National Suicide Prevention Hotline said that the hotline “had something to do with keeping them alive.”

Ever tried to will a broken leg to go away? If you don’t get it wrapped up safely in a cast, it will keep hurting and hurting until it heals in a jagged, improper way. And isn’t it so much easier to be guided through physical therapy and learn how to use your healed limb again?

Things still hurt, and some days I am transported back to the feelings of a year or two years ago as if no

progress has been made, back to the base of the mountain to climb back up it again. But instead of retreating further into myself and using sadness as a blanket, I force myself through the emotional exhaustion and fake a smile until it becomes real.

I’m not perfectly happy — I’m normal. And to me, normalcy is absolutely wonderful. Now, when I look up at the consistently blue summer sky that most people ignore, or breathe in the crisp, smoky autumn air, or see the splashes of color along familiar neighborhood streets as trees bloom in the spring, or experience those quiet moments of joy singing along to Christmas songs with my best friends in the winter, I feel a vague sense of confusion at the way I used to look at the world and a glittering happiness that I am still alive.

The only thing I regret is learning about my options too late for me to need them.

Ever tried to will a broken leg to go away? If you don’t get it wrapped up safely in a cast, it will keep hurting and hurting until it heals in a jagged, improper way.

BY SAMANTHA JOSLIN NW PASSAGE | opinion 5

The Winter Blues

As the amount of sunshine slowly decreases, my mood changes dramatically for the worse I was always afraid of the dark.

I was afraid of my own bedroom, so I slept with a night light until middle school.

I was afraid of walking home from my next-door-neighbor’s house at night. I would sprint from my car to my garage, my bathroom to my bedroom, from downstairs to upstairs to this day. But when the season changes, something changes in me.

I’m not so much afraid of the dark, but afraid of the dark that grows in me.

As I am writing this, the forecast for Shawnee has been a solid 30-50 degrees with an overcast sky from sun-up to sundown. You might not have noticed it, but it’s the first thing I notice when I wake up. Do not get me wrong. With Winter Break approaching, I can not help but get excited to see family and everything the holidays entail but every year around this time, a haze begins to form around the excitement. This is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time annually and affects more than 3 million people in the United States each year.

My depression grows around this

time of year — every year. No matter how high or low I am in life, the gray area becomes increasingly hard to ignore. I find myself in different stages of life each year, but each time the depression finds its way in.

Freshman year, I was on a high with a boyfriend and great new friends, still swallowed by the gray haze from the season. Sophomore year, I lost that boyfriend and the friends I had made.

I put myself into therapy, but after a while, the depression sort of just went away. I had figured that I had just found myself and that the heartbreak was over. Junior year, I had found amazing friends and a new job, with my year set out for me.

Still, the cycle began again.

Right now, I have a brand new job, great friends, the editor position I’ve always wanted, the best boyfriend I could ever ask for, and still some days

how I feel now is not the real me and winter blues don’t last forever.

feel like the worst days.

I love cold weather. I love everything it brings, like sweaters, fireplaces and snow. Contradictory, I know. But the gray is what I don’t love — the gray clouds, the gray of the trees and the dormant grass, my mind tends to go blank.

During the winter months, we lose an average of two minutes of sunlight each day. At this rate, our sunlight exposure is limited, giving us an inadequate amount of Vitamin D. Treatments have been developed like psychotherapy, medication and light therapy to help with SAD. According to the Mayo Clinic, in light therapy, you sit a few feet from a special light box so that you’re exposed to certain wavelengths of light each day.

Light therapy mimics natural outdoor light and appears to cause a change in chemicals linked to mood. When exposed to greater amounts of light, the amount of Vitamin D in the body increases and is thought to create a better mental state.

The dark is my biggest fear but during these dull months, the fear almost goes away. I have not tried light therapy but I know soon that the

+ BY MADELINE MANNING sun will come back and I will become my old self again.

When I keep that in mind, it helps me get through each day knowing that how I feel now is not the real me and that winter blues don’t last forever. The gray skies will go away, the sun will start to shine again, and the seasons will change. Just like I will.

Trickle Down Fakenomics

H.R. 1 is a sham—marketed to help the middle class when it does nothing but benefit the wealthy

+ BY JACK LYNCH 6 Dec. 14, 2017 | Vol. 49

The United States Senate passed a tax reform bill Dec. 2 and, in doing so, abandoned the people who elected them. This travesty of a bill dispels the last remaining shreds of dignity that the Republican Party was clinging to.

Senate Bill H.R. 1 (The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) is a hypocritical and embarrassing bill.

This bill does far more than reform the U.S. tax code. The bill authorizes oil and gas leases on the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. It removes the individual mandate for health insurance, which will lead to an estimated 13 million Americans dropping their` health insurance plans. It repeals the 1954 Johnson Amendment barring religious institutions from donating to political causes. No matter your stance on these issues, they don’t fit in a tax reform bill.

Even those sections that relate directly to taxes seem counterintuitive to anyone trying to help the American people.

The bill disproportionately hurts middle and lower class constituents.

By 2026, 61.8 percent of all money saved by the tax reform bill will be

in the hands of the top 1 percent, according to the Tax Policy Center.

These tax cuts will do nothing for the American workforce, but they will help CEOs pad their wallets when corporate profits are reaching record highs. According to the Tax Policy Center, 87 million families making less than $200,000 per year will see a tax increase by 2027. With the corporate tax rate decreased from 35 percent to 20 percent, the Congressional Budget Office reported that this tax bill will add $1.41 trillion to the deficit in the next decade.

“What’s coming next is all too predictable: the deficit hawks will come flying back after this bill becomes law,” senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) said. “Republicans are already saying ‘entitlement reform’ and ‘welfare reform’ are next up on the docket. That’s just code for attacks on Medicaid, on Medicare, on Social Security, on anti-hunger programs.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was one of the loudest opponents of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2009. Among his many quotes berating the ACA was the following, now ironically applicable to his own process:

“This massive piece of legislation that seeks to restructure one-sixth of our economy is being written behind closed doors without input from anyone in an effort to jam it past not just the Senate but the American people before Christmas.”

Unlike H.R. 1, 47 public hearings were held and 160 Republican amendments were made to the ACA. A full eight months passed between the introduction and being signed into law. Beyond that, the Senate health and finance committees spent 21 days marking up the bill, the longest markup in two decades.

Compare that to H.R. 1: subjected to zero public hearings and passed at 3 a.m. within one month of being introduced. For a party that has spent eight years screaming about the Obama administration’s perceived disregard for normal legislative procedure, passing this bill is an open admission of hypocrisy.

What better way to pay for tax cuts that benefit the wealthy at the cost of the poor than to then attack the services that help the poor? There has to be a better answer. Just don’t look to this Congress to find it.

120

Same Seat, Different Hour These three students are the perfect examples of dedication — in debate, in band or in something in between

Editor’s Note: Each issue, we select one seat in one classroom and talk to the students who occupy that desk throughout the day. +BY SAMANTHA JOSLIN AND JACK LYNCH

A

s Todd Boren discusses the rise of dictators prior to World War II, some students’ tired eyes travel from their notes to the decorative Captain America poster on the wall or the fairy lights dangling above the whiteboard. But, as the conversation veers offtrack and students begin discussing current events like Colin Kaepernick, political correctness and gun control, senior Emmanuel Osei excels. He sits in the front row, fourth seat from Boren’s desk in his second hour IB European History HL2 class, and anyone who knows him knows that he’s an expert at debating.

“

[The discussions in Boren’s class] give me an avenue that’s not just debating, but a chance to talk about things that are occurring in politics,” Osei said. “I think it’s fun to pick people’s brains and also have my brain picked during them.”

Osei started debating during his freshman year when he had an open spot on his schedule and has been doing it ever since. Although he didn’t feel connected to or all that skilled at the activity at first, debate has grown to be something that Osei can easily dedicate all of his time to.

“It’s kind of funny because there are several points where I probably shouldn’t have continued debating,” Osei said. “That would have drastically changed who I am as a person. There used to be other people in the activity who were jerks, but they were much better than me. I gave an ultimatum to one of them: ‘I will strive to become the best debater on our team.’ That person then laughed at me. Since then, I have been rigorously trying to do as well as I can at debate tournaments and trying to get into the hardest tournament in the country.”

Like all seniors, Osei has his gaze turned toward

the future. After his sister told him to use college to answer an important question, he decided that his question would be, “how do I make things better for other people?”

“I suppose the best way to do that is to accrue power in some fashion,” Osei said. “The best way would be politics, but politics have become corrupt and hard to navigate, and then the alternatives, like being an activist, are not very luxurious or stable, although that’s not much of a problem if I enjoy myself. I want to figure out how to make a world in which [closed doors] are not, compared to today, much of a problem. I don’t know if I can fix things or what job I’m going to take, but I am an idealist and I am going to stick to that until I die.”

During third hour, junior Kelley Dungan takes Osei’s place, this time for Boren’s IB European History HL 1 class. As they discuss German unification under Prussia’s influence and Boren airplays an image of a map in varying shades of purple and grey, Dungan is paying attention. She is an IB diploma candidate, a soccer player, vice president for Young Democrats Club, treasurer for Spirit Club and a waitress at Renee Kelly’s Harvest. She knows how to use her time.

“This is a busy season,” Dungan said. “It is really difficult, but a part of IB is learning how to balance your time and manage all of the things you have going on. I’m still learning, and it’s challenging at times, but I feel like it’s getting easier.”

After coordinating with Student Council to plan for Cougar Cookout and the Homecoming assembly, parade and dance, Dungan finds a free moment from her responsibilities in Spirit Club. Perhaps this gives her more time to play soccer — a sport she’s been doing for 13 years. Her Saturdays are usually dedicated

to playing club soccer, and, during the week, she practices with Northwest, with Boren as one of her coaches.

“I love soccer, but the part I love most is the social aspect and building all of those bonds with my teammates and my coaches,” Dungan said. “I like to win, too. I am very competitive and soccer is a competitive sport, so it is a good fit. Plus, Boren is someone I really respect. It’s interesting to see him on the field and then in the classroom.”

In sixth hour AP European History, sophomore Naeley Torline copies notes from the projector with the rest of her classmates. Torline is also balancing a long list of clubs and sports, including Business Professionals of America (BPA), tennis, ping pong club and marching band, the latter of which is her favorite.

“My favorite thing ever is putting all of the music together,” Torline said. “You realize how much time and effort I put in and it feels great.”

Band takes up most of her time: she practices her clarinet at least six days a week, practices at school every morning at 7 a.m., and devotes at least 20 minutes to extra practice a day. Torline, who’s been playing tennis since she was six and now plays with the NW team, knows what it is to be busy.

High school is a constant struggle to juggle responsibilities. Free time is typically hard to come by between homework, clubs, sports and personal lives. These three students are perfect examples of involved, busy teens and who all just happen to share the same seat.

+ PHOTOS BY ERIN HENTON

Junior Kelly Dungan

Senior Emmanuel Osei

Sophomore Naeley Torline NW PASSAGE| feature 07

Tradition Triumphs

+BY SONNI MEYERS

Crown Center Ice Terrace has earned its title as the most popular ice skating rink in the city The Crown Center Ice Terrace is the perfect place to go ice skating during the holidays. 2017 marks the 45th year that the Ice Terrace has been open for business. Crown Center is located off Grand Boulevard in the heart of Kansas City.

A walkway through the trees covered in holiday lights and fountains sets the mood for skaters headed to the rink. Christmas music plays faintly in the background and the open terrace allows skaters to enjoy the giant tree in the middle of the Crown Center Square.

The tree is nearly 100 feet tall and holds over 7,200 lights. If you are looking for that awesome holiday picture to post on your timeline, this is the perfect spot.

Admission is $6 and skate rental is $3, compared to KCIC which is $8 plus $4 for skate rental. The skates provided were in good condition, although they were a little worn. The ice was smooth —

especially when you consider all the people that were on it.. The rink is small for the crowds it hosts, so it was hard to skate rapdily without bumping into someone. If you are looking for a place for a relaxed skate, Crown Center is perfect. However, if this is your first time ice skating, I would recommend a less popular rink. The environment is friendly for all age groups. Most of the people I saw there seemed to be on a date or with friends or family.

One flaw is that the Crown Center Ice Terrace only has one ice rink compared to KCIC’s two rinks.

The Crown Center Ice Terrace is the venue for winter skate dates. It is an ultimately fun place to skate. Once you add the Crown Center shops and restaurants, the Mayor’s Christmas tree and the holiday village that surrounds it, the Crown Center Ice Terrace is the perfect holiday skating destination.

Close But Not Quite

+BY NICK LORINO

The Kansas City Ice Center and Pavilion offers good skating but customer service needs improvement The Kansas City Ice Center and Pavilion (KCIC) is the place to go for a family-friendly ice skating experience in Shawnee. KCIC can be found near the 3&2 Baseball Club.

The staff did not seem to be very enthused with their jobs as none of them smiled at the customers.

The workers spoke quietly and were not very helpful, however, all of them seemed young and inexperienced. That may have contributed to the lackluster service.

Drinks were overpriced, at $2.75 for a 16-ounce cup without refills. Typical concession stand food like hot dogs and pretzels was more reasonable at $2-3.

An indoor rink and an outdoor rink gave skaters a choice of environments. Outside, the temperature was a balmy 60 degrees. In spite of this, most of the rink remained frozen. Where the sun hit the ice, it was melting and wet, making it easy to slip on the uneven surface. The rink management closes the

8 Dec. 14 | Vol. 49

rink when it is too warm to skate, but on this day it was still a problem.

Inexperienced or young skaters would most likely feel comfortable here. Skating aids, which allow them to support themselves by pushing a metal frame across the ice, were particularly helpful.

Parents will find it easy to observe their children from the area outside of the rink.

A particularly positive aspect of KCIC was their support of the Have a Skate with Bob Foundation, a volunteer organization fighting pancreatic cancer.

Bob Hamilton, a figure skater, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and started the organization to raise money to find a cure for the disease.

The skating experience at KCIC is good. If that is all you want from it, you’ll be in good shape.

However, if you need help from staff or want to purchase a soda here, you might consider a different venue.

TOUCHPOINT

Integrative Wellness Center 5363 Roberts Street Shawnee (913)422-8929

Eat FIT GO 13223 Shawnee Mission Parkway

NORTHWEST PASSAGE | Ads 9

For ks

Dump Cake Hershey’s Pie

Dump Cake

I

magine it: it’s Christmas Day. The smells coming from the kitchen are magical and the table is filled with steaming dishes of crab legs, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, dressing and wilted spinach with bacon.

The 16 of us (my cousins, aunts, uncle, mom, my sister and I) sit elbow-toelbow around the table at my grandma’s house.

This is Christmas with my family.

We’ll laugh and joke, poke fun at each other and make the same snarky comments as every year. And then dessert — my favorite part of the meal.

My sister started bringing Dump Cake to Christmas dinner when I was 12. Dump Cake is yummy and easy to make. You can put whatever fruit you like into it: pineapple, strawberry, banana or cherry. Then you add whatever cake mix you have on hand — chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, any kind is great. At my house, we always use vanilla cake mix, then put melted butter on top without mixing it in. It usually takes about a hour in the oven to make

+BY JOCELYN DAVIS sure that the top of the cake is nice and golden. After this, it’s best to put the dessert in the refrigerator and eat it cool because of the fruit, although it tastes pretty good hot or cold. I look forward to it every year. It’s called a Dump Cake because you dump whatever your heart desires into it without mixing in a ton of ingredients.

When Austin and I tried each other’s favorite Christmas dessert, I wasn’t very excited. I don’t like chocolate cake or pie and a chocolate Hershey pie just didn’t seem appealing.

Then I tasted it. Austin’s grandma’s pie was actually good. I really didn’t expect to like it all. The pie has a pudding texture and tasted like Hershey’s chocolate, which is a different chocolate taste than I was expecting. I would definitely eat it again.

While I’m open to chocolate Hershey pie, don’t expect to see it at our Christmas dinner. It’s good, but it just can’t replace my sister’s delicious Dump Cake.

Hershey’s Pie

+BY AUSTON LEWIS

M

y grandma makes chocolate pie every Christmas. It’s always served beside the fire with hot chocolate, while we talk about what we want to do when we grow up.

This year I asked my grandma what her dream job was when she was my age.

She answered “I’m too old to remember.”

But she never forgets how to make chocolate pie.

She makes the pudding herself with Hershey’s cocoa. It has a flaky crust on the bottom and a just perfectly golden layer of fluffy, slightly sweet meringue on top. For Christmas, Grandma makes three chocolate pies. My dad and uncle basically split one pie, leaving only a piece or two each for the rest of us. I always eat one-and-a-half pieces and my brother — well, he will eat as much as he can fit into his mouth and stomach. My dad loves that pie, and my youngest sister doesn’t like it at all. She

10 Dec. 14, 2017 | Vol. 49

+PHOTO BY DYLAN MITCHELL

+PHOTO BY DYLAN MITCHELL

is more of a candy person than a dessert person. It has always been my favorite holiday tradition.

Then I tried the Dump Cake. It was beautiful. To my surprise, it was better than my grandma’s chocolate pie. The Dump Cake is amazing. It had pineapple in it and I love pineapple. Jocelyn says that any fruit can be put in it — cherries, apples, pineapples, strawberries, any fruit you want.

To me, this cake would be perfect for a summer day. The fruit in it just seems to go with my idea of what summer tastes like. It is a piece of pure goodness — better than donuts, in my opinion.

I’ll never miss out on Grandma’s chocolate pie at Christmas, but I think I’m going to have to ask Jocelyn for the recipe for Dump Cake. It might become a new family tradition at my house.

HANGING ON BY A THREAD NW PASSAGE | opinion 15

Despite the happy feelings associated with the holiday months, the struggle with anxiety and depression during this time is real. The vast majority of Seasonal Affective Disorder cases (also referred to as seasonal depression) emerge in the winter, causing depression symptoms to come to the surface or become more intense. So, while crackling fires and festive lights make holidays the most wonderful time of the year for some, it’s the bleakest time for others. ollin Eichkorn’s panic attacks come C in stages. First, his stomach starts to hurt as a feeling of uneasiness comes

over him. Then, his hair stands up. He gets a feeling he describes as similar to the one some people get before a big test or a flu shot. As his breath becomes slower and shallower, he begins to stutter and can feel his heart pounding.

This feeling, although subjective, isn’t unique.

Statistics from the National Institute Of Mental Health (NIMH) show that out of every 100 teens, one of them has a diagnosed anxiety disorder, while many more remain undiagnosed. Eichkorn was diagnosed when he was 11 during family therapy after his parents’ divorce. He has been seeing a psychiatrist regularly since.

“Some of my panic attacks are worse than others,” Eichkorn said. “I️ might start considering the worst possible outcomes of any situation, thinking, at the time, that they are the most logical outcomes. I️ start stressing over how it might play out and it consumes my mind space, enough to completely distract me until I️ can make peace with it. It can take 10 minutes or a few hours until I️ can do that.”

For Eichkorn, anxiety has a tendency to come to the surface in highstress situations, such as test taking.

Although this makes school a struggle in particular, Eichkorn also worried that his behavior was abnormal.

“Initially, my anxiety seemed normal to me as a 9- or 10-year-old,” Eichkorn said. “It was just the way I processed things. When I realized my behavior wasn’t normal, I felt this restrictive and confined feeling. It makes it hard to feel wanted or welcomed, even if people insist I am. It was only in confronting these issues and finding support that I could make peace with them. I’ve learned to never belittle or invalidate someone’s feelings or reactions. Someone should never be told to ignore or replace their feelings. For instance, I say that test anxiety is a prominent aspect of my experience — if I don’t know how to do one problem, or even think I don’t, the rest of the test is up in the air until I can calm down. Test anxiety is extremely

20% 12 Dec. 14 | Vol. 49

prominence of anxiety in students, the panic or anxiety attacks vary. They can be brought on by an event causing extreme stress or come out of nowhere; they can be solely physically painful or solely mentally worrisome; they can vary in degree and level of danger. For junior Alieu Jagne, panic attacks last around five minutes, during which he excuses himself and tries to get to a place where he won’t be surrounded by people.

“My biggest struggle is carrying myself a certain way,” Jagne said.

“When I have panic attacks, I tell myself to keep it together. My biggest trigger is crowds, and the feeling of being enclosed and being around a lot of people makes it worse. One thing I can do [to calm myself down] is name five things I can see, four

RESTRICTIVE CONFINED ANXIETY STRESS PANIC

Only 30 percent of depressed teens are being treated for it.

UP TO

of all teens experience depression before they reach adulthood.

Information from the American Academy of Family Physicians (aafp.org)

common, but that doesn’t mean it should be normalized. Anxiety attacks over tests are just as serious and valid as any other attacks.”

Professional marriage and family therapist Anthony Puryear agrees.

Puryear has noticed an increase in teens with anxiety and thinks these numbers could continue to rise.

“What I have noticed is a normalization of anxiety within teenagers,” Puryear said. “What I mean by that is it seems that if a teen is not completely stressed out with school, family, sports, music or extra curricular activities, then our society seems to think they aren’t doing enough. So, yes, I see anxiety on the rise in teenagers and, in a way, I fear it’s being encouraged.”

Despite the

percent of teens suffer from symptoms at any given time.

+BY KAILI SITZ, NICK LORINO, JACK LYNCH, ANASTASIA KLING, SAMANTHA JOSLIN things I can smell, three things I can touch, two things I can taste and one thing I can hear. It takes about five minutes, but it is the longest five minutes of my life.”

Eichkorn also suffers from depression.

Eichkorn’s depression manifests itself in a lack of interest and overwhelming chains of thought, which is also a symptom of anxiety. In fact, many symptoms of anxiety lead to depression, hopelessness and unease.

“When I start feeling down, whatever is bothering me consumes all of my thoughts,” Eichkorn said. “I lose interest in things I used to care about and it takes more to excite me. It makes enjoying any positives hard.”

Depression is more common than anxiety. According to the NIMH, 12 percent of teens (ages 13-18) are diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder in America, while one percent has anxiety. Senior Abigayle Redeker suffers from depression. It’s a struggle much of her family has experienced. Both of her parents and her two sisters have also struggled with depression. Redeker is diagnosed with a subcategory of depression called Dysthymia, commonly known as Chronic Depression. It is known for being long-term and lasts more than two years.

“I always feel lethargic,” Redeker said. “I don’t have a lot of energy to do anything, whether it be getting out of bed or doing homework. When I get really down, I surround myself with my mom. She is my support system and she is always there.”

The combination of high test anxiety and the lack of motivation can make school extremely difficult; however, Eichkorn is currently enrolled in six IB classes. It may seem counterintuitive to be so involved, but, to Eichkorn, it is not out of the ordinary.

“Thinking about it now, I wouldn’t do anything different [about taking all honors classes throughout high school],” Eichkorn said. “I don’t want to limit myself if I don’t have to. For me, being in honors classes makes me feel fulfilled in school and learning, which helps. If it means stress and anxiety, then I can handle that trade-off.”

16.1

million adults aged 18 or older in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the past year.

Anxiety A feeling of nervousness that affects a person emotionally and behaviorally

Panic

Coping Mechanisms from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (adaa.org) Take a minute. Count to 10. Take deep breaths.

Sudden and uncontrollable anxiety or fear that can cause a hysterical reaction

In the moment, sit down, close your eyes, take deep breaths and slowly count backward from 10.

Taking a few moments to do this can make problems seem more manageable.

Eat and Sleep Enough

Taking physical and mental care of oneself is vital to being healthy. Sleeping eight to ten hours (as recommended by the National Sleep Foundation) , and eating healthy foods can mitigate the impact of a panic attack.

Identify Triggers

Take note of what causes an anxiety attack. By identifying triggers, the sufferer can learn how to avoid or prepare for them.

Panic Attack Sudden and acute anxiety; a feeling of dread and oncoming catastrophe

Accept You Cannot Control Everything

A big step for those living with depression or anxiety can be to accept that things are out of their control. It can be difficult to conquer this need for control and order in a chaotic world. Focus on what can be accomplished and try to not worry about what is out of control.

Find Someone To Talk To

Going through depression or anxiety alone compounds the problems. Having a friend or family member to talk to can help those affected dramatically.

Exercise

Regular exercise has been shown to help those with depression. It can give people reasonable goals that they can achieve and that feeling of accomplishment can be helpful.

Stress

A strain on a person’s emotions or mental faculties in response to a negative circumstance

Diagnosed Anxiety vs. Teen Stress Everyone experiences “anxiety” in high school. However there is a big difference between I-just-realized-there-is-a-test-andI-have-not-studied anxiety and a diagnosed anxiety disorder.

The blanket term for diagnosed anxiety is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). For some with this disorder, those butterflies do not leave when the presentation is done or after the test has been turned in. The knot in their stomach may force them to stay home from school.

Fear and nervousness permeate those with anxiety disorders and negatively affect them

emotionally and behaviorally. They fixate on the uncontrollable to a degree that it becomes impossible to function.

Another distinction is that GAD must last at least six months before it is considered a diagnosed disorder. No specific cause for anxiety has been identified; multiple genetic and environmental factors play a role, and the stress of everyday life is typically not a cause.

Up to 9 percent of people will develop it, with women being twice as likely, according to TeenMentalHealth.org.

Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is caused by the change of the seasons. Usually occurring in winter, it causes typical depression symptoms that diminish in late spring. Less sunshine causes a drop in both serotonin and melatonin, brain chemicals that affect mood and sleep patterns. The drops cause a confusion of brain chemicals that can

result in depression. While regular talk therapy can work for SAD, light therapy (also called phototherapy) is also an option. Psychologists using phototherapy shine specific wavelengths of light on patients at certain times of the day to regulate circadian rhythms and melatonin levels.

Depression A chemical imbalance in the brain that causes severe and long-lasting dejection

Seasonal Depression Depression that usually manifests during fall and stays throughout winter

Grief

Deep sorrow, commonly associated with mourning.

This is not considered clinical depression, but the symptoms can be similar NW PASSAGE | feature 13

What We Don’t See

Freshman Isabell Moffett has coped with tragedies since preschool +BY KATE LAWRENCE

W

hen your first memory is a police officer escorting your mom to a hospital, you stop expecting a simple childhood.

“When I was younger and living with my parents in Lawrence, I was outside playing on my playground,” freshman Isabell Moffett said. “My dad told me he was going to the store. When it got too cold, I tried going inside, but the door was locked. I began banging on the door. My neighbors heard me, came outside and called the police to open the door.

They found my mom [blacked out] inside and they took her to the hospital.”

Moffett’s mother, Kelly Moffett, struggles with bipolar disorder and other mental health problems. Both of her parents have dealt with drug addiction and alcoholism. After her parents’ multiple visits to the police station and hospitals, social services decided that Moffett was neglected and should not remain in the care of her parents. At age five, she was put into the foster care system and, months later, adopted by her grandparents. After her adoption, Moffett began competitive dance to cope with being taken from her parents.

“Isabell was always worrying where her mom was,” her grandmother Debbie Moffett said. “Sometimes we would try to call her mom and she wouldn’t pick up. Sometimes she would just disappear. For the first year, I had to lay in bed with her and sing songs ’til she would fall asleep. It was hard for her because she didn’t understand why her parents were in and out of her life.”

Each year, 6.3 million teens deal with an anxiety disorder. More than two million teens ages 12-17 reported severe depression that has an impact on their daily lives, according to National Institute of Mental Health. As a result of Moffett’s childhood, she suffers from chronic depression as well as PTSD, anxiety and ADHD. Steven Henry, Moffett’s father, abused drugs and alcohol while trying to deal with the separation from his daughter. He began showing up at Moffett’s school and house, forcing her to transfer schools several times.

“One time, my dad tried to pull me out of the house and put me in his car,” Moffett said. “I began screaming and my grandpa

rushed outside to pull me away from him.

This happened on multiple occasions and the police were involved every time.”

During middle school, Moffett’s grades suddenly dropped and anxiety attacks became a common occurrence. She began therapy and started visiting a psychiatrist each week. Near the end of seventh grade, Moffett got a text during her seventh hour foods class telling her that her father had overdosed and died.

“I knew he wasn’t doing well, but it was still shocking,” Moffett said. “It was weird to say that I didn’t feel bad that he passed away. I didn’t know how to feel. I was just upset that I didn’t get a chance to really know him because he wasn’t ever sober enough to take care of me.”

As Moffett started preparing herself for the overwhelming responsibility of high school, more news was brought to her attention: her mother was pregnant. This seemed like great news, the arrival of someone she could confide in, take care of and live for. Her new brother was a blessing but also a life-changing experience. Simon was brought into the world and immediately diagnosed with dwarfism.

“He makes me realize who is really there for me in my life and to stay close to the ones you love,” Moffett said. “Simon has also made me lose a lot of respect for my mom ’cause she takes care of him but couldn’t ever take care of me. He makes me more brave and tough because he goes through so much even though he is so little.”

When Moffett began high school, the community welcomed her and gave her a home. Moffett’s depression and anxiety attacks are now more controlled and she has begun outpatient therapy. Moffett continues to improve her grades and is working hard to impress her one true role model: her grandma.

“It’s one of the things that’s easy to say and hard to do,” Moffett said. “Just don’t give up. It’s helpful to have a good cry, but don’t let it get you down. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and you will make it through.

Put energy into the things you love.

Your days on Earth are limited and you want to do all that you can in the short life you have.”

“It was hard for her because she didn’t understand why her parents were in and out of her life.”

— Debbie Moffett Isabell’s Grandmother

14 Dec. 11 | Vol. 49

Freshman Isabell Moffett has struggled with a variety of personal issues for most of her life, but has found a place to call home with her grandmother. + PHOTO BY SEBASTIAN EMERSON

They See Me Rollin’ Freshman Hark Singh received a new electric wheelchair in October which is giving him new-found independence

D

espite living with Cerebral Palsy, freshman Hark Singh has a happy heart.

When Singh was born in India, he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, a condition that weakens bones and limits strength. Currently there is no cure. Two years later, he and his family moved to America; then, back to India when he was five. Three years ago Singh returned to the states. Cerebral Palsy has rendered both of his legs and one of his hands unuseable.

Mobility has been a struggle for Singh all his life but in October, Singh was given a new red electric wheelchair which gives him the opportunity to go wherever he wants when he wants. “[Growing up], my parents would lift me up and help me with other stuff,” Singh said. “I don’t want them to pick me up now because I’m a big kid. I still can’t do everything I want to, [but] I don’t want them to pick me up because I feel ashamed.”

With Singh’s new chair, a whole world of opportunities were opened up to him. Now he does not have to be pushed everywhere he wants or needs to go. This was an improvement from his original wheelchair, which was not electric. He says that he was mad that he could not move around by himself.

“I can’t live without my chair,” Singh said.

The next day at school, Singh told everyone how excited he was to have his new chair. In seminar, he showed off how fast his chair was and how he could move on his own.

Many of the students told Singh how cool his wheelchair was and how happy they were for

+BY ERIN ALBERS

“When [Singh’s case worker Stacie] Anderson saw him, she was crying.”

him. No one was as happy for him as Singh’s paraprofessional Brandie Hoelting.

“The bus driver was like, ‘guess what Hark got,’” Hoelting said. “I asked Hark what he got, and he told me he had gotten a new chair.

He was so happy. When [Singh’s case worker Stacie] Anderson saw him, she was crying.”

Hoelting has been working alongside Singh for five months now. Prior to getting his wheelchair, Singh spend most of his day with Hoelting, who helped him get off the bus, to and from first hour, to second hour and so on.

Since the arrival of his new wheelchair, Singh is able to be more independent.

His new chair eliminates the need for his parents to do so much for him. Singh, like many children with his condition, just wants to be like every other person his age. His favorite part of the school day is his first hour math class. Singh hopes to become to be a civil engineer after he graduates from college. He wants to design and maintain infrastructure.

In addition to math, Singh loves to play sports in team games. He helps block and catch balls in kickball and will compete on the Northwest Special Olympics team.

Singh might always need to have somebody with him, but there are cases where Cerebral Palsy patients are able to live on their own.

Although Singh has this condition, he thinks the same as any other 15-year-old, but without the teenage attitude.

“Hark has the sweetest heart,” Hoelting said. “He is so kind and positive. He’s just one of the best kids.”

—STACIE ANDERSON +PHOTO BY RYLEE GARRETT

What are the symptoms?

• Impaired muscle tone

and growth Poor fine motor functions, balance, control and coordination Speech impairment

70%

• •

20% 10% injuries after birth

prenatal injuries during birth malformations

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

NW PASSAGE | feature 15

tArguably the Best

+ BY CADENCE ELDER

Seniors Julian Kuffour and Emmanuel Osei prepare to compete in the Catholic Forensics League National tournament in Washington, D.C. As both debate partners and cousins, Julian Kuffour and Emmanuel Osei are unstoppable.

“Our dynamic is so different than other teams,” Osei said. “We are just sitting there ‘memeing.’ We have gotten a lot of comments that we’re not intimidating.”

The pair knows each other well enough that finding arguments for debates is a breeze. This year, the debate topic revolves around education. Osei’s main passion within debate this year is further desegregating schools, while Kuffour works on building his argument against the other team.

“There are a lot of arguments that Emmanuel will know that I want to make,” Kuffour said. “It saves us a lot of prep time because we already know what we have to help the other with.”

Being cousins is not the only thing that separates them from the rest of the competition. While most are strictly serious during tournaments, Kuffour and Osei often joke around during competition and say that is part of their strategy.

“I’m just very expressive,” Osei said.

“Normally, people aren’t making any expressions. I’ll look to Julian and say something very ‘memey.’ Julian will just like turn to me and be like ‘Should I say this?’”

Debate teacher Ken King sees the relationship Osei and Kuffour have, not only as debaters but as cousins, and says that is what makes them strong as a team.

“They work very well together,” King said. “They can be very critical of each other but not destructive of each other

Dec. 14,2017 2017|| Vol. vol. 49 2216 Dec. 14, 49

2017-18 Varsity Debate Season Won the Washburn Rural Tournament • Kuffour was ranked top speaker Finished 17th at St. Marks Tournament • Kuffour was ranked 15th speaker Finished second in the Iowa Caucus • Kuffour was ranked 4th speaker • Osei was ranked 5th speaker Finished third at the KCKCC • Kuffour was ranked 2nd speaker • Osei was ranked 8th speaker Won the Topeka High Tournament Qualified for nationals at CFL Tournament District champions for east Kansas National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) because they are related. If most of my teams interacted with each other the way they do, it would be very destructive.”

After winning the Catholic Forensics League tournament on Dec. 3, they are headed to the National tournament in Washington, D.C., that will take place on May 26 and 27. They will continue centering their debates around the issue

of education. Past topics have ranged from oceanography to surveillance.

“I think that their case is philosophically correct,” King said. “I think that students thrive more in a diverse community. I think right now we have a lot of natural segregation. That is one of the things I really like about Northwest, because we have a really

diverse community.”

Debate tournaments are split up into five or six preliminary timed rounds where one side is arguing for the affirmative and the other the negative. Each side makes their statements and allows the other to make rebuttals after they have finished arguing their case. After that top teams advance to the elimination rounds, which function on a typical tournament bracket set up.

“In certain debates, you can [talk] super fast and make a ton of arguments which are a combination of speed and reading,” Kuffour said. “There are some people who speak 360 words in a minute. On my good days, I’m around 330. That technique is very useful.”

At first, debate was just another a class both Kuffour and Osei were a part of. After his freshman year, Kuffour joined varsity, followed by Osei shortly after.

“He was kind of a jerk sophomore year, in the context of debate,” Osei said. “Our coach was like ‘I’m thinking about putting you on varsity next year’ and I was just like ‘You know what, I just want to become better than Julian.’”

Both plan on continuing debate at the collegiate level, but are still undecided on where they will go.

“Even though it is stressful at the upper level, it makes you a much more efficient public speaker, you learn structure,” Kuffour said. “I love the couches in the debate room. And sometimes you’ll get a good partner, like my cousin Emmanuel, and they make you like debate even more.”

“I did not feel as if the best interests for student and teachers were acknowledged.

It was tough to watch colleagues feel fear for their jobs.”

— Barbara Novak, retired teacher

The SM school board looks for a new superintendent for the 2018-19 year The mansion on the hill with its grand staircase, exquisite furniture and numerous assistants sits secluded from the city. This building is the Center for Academic Achievement, and from the outside all looks normal: the children have the newest equipment and the house is built for the future. On the inside, however, it’s far from the Brady Bunch.

Now SMSD is stuck with a flat tire on a railroad waiting for help, but will help or the train arrive first? To understand the pressure to select the right candidate for the new superintendent we have to go back in time.

Back in 2013, a Kansas City Star article said the “school board wanted someone who had successfully dealt with change” in regard to the hiring of Dr. Jim Hinson. The district looked for someone to move them into the 21st century. While the district experienced massive upgrades, the culture changed instantly.

“I did not feel as if the best interests for student and teachers were acknowledged,” retired teacher Barbara Novak said. “It was tough to watch your colleagues fear for their jobs.”

While the culture changed to a more authoritarian style of leadership throughout the district, Hinson helped modernize the district’s technology.

In 2014, the Digital Learning Initiative gave laptops to high schoolers and iPads for middle schoolers and select elementary schools. Hinson helped promote a $223 million bond that passed

in 2015 with room to spare. This would be used to rebuild schools and construct the new natatorium near the Lenexa City Center for swimming events.

These accomplishments marked the pinnacle of his tenure, but the rest was downhill. It was not just a gradual decline. This was a novice skier who decided to go down the double black diamond on his first run. A rumor of nepotism spread when Deb Zila’s daughter was hired at CBIZ to manage insurance and benefits for the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD). Then Hinson supported the very unpopular block grant school funding formula and, as schools were scraping for money, he received a 10 percent pay increase. And who could forget when SMSD staff were barred from wearing safety pins? Hinson had veered into a snowbank.

“The administration had a lot of top-down communication,” founding chairwoman of Education First SMSD Jennifer Howerton said. “They would set the tone on how things would be done and they did not respond well to feedback from teachers or building administrators.”

During the last two years, teachers retired from the district in droves for a myriad of reasons, and new administration positions were created. In April, Hinson suddenly announced his resignation from the district effective June 30, 2017.

“Support was not there from above,” Novak said regarding the reason for her own retirement.

“There was low morale. It was them and it was us. We did not have the

support that we needed.”

Administrative overreach, lack of transparency and allegations of illegal behavior within the administration reverberated throughout the community, who began to take matters into their hands.

In January 2017, the political action committee Education First SMSD was created with the mission of influencing the election of SMSD board members who would support the positive changes the community demands.

Beginning in January of 2018, Laura Guy, Mary Sinclair and Heather Ousley will join the board.

Each of the seats that were up for grabs in the recent election will have someone new serving in them.

“I think voters were ready for board members who were willing to act as a check, if necessary, and who were willing to prioritize the needs of educators and students,” Ousley said.

One of Ousley’s main reasons for running was to “put [her] opinion in front of Hinson,” but instead she will help select the new superintendent.

“The superintendent sets the vision for the district,” Ousley said.

“The superintendent can set the culture for the district, and I want the next superintendent to follow the vision that the board lays out.”

The process has begun for selecting the new superintendent.

A survey was sent to community members to determine the qualities they sought in the new superintendent and these results will be given to Ray and Associates, a search firm.

+BY MATTHEW OWENS “The number one thing that came out of the survey was [a need for] more communication and better dialogue with parent groups and outside groups,” NW school board representative Patty Mach said. “I think the number one thing in the advertisement should be that the district is about the students.”

On January 20, Ray and Associates will give a list of candidates to the board. The board will narrow down the list and begin interviews with the goal of announcing the new superintendent before spring break.

The new superintendent will have to be able to think on his or her feet and handle a multitude of challenges. Just last month, an allegation of racism was brought to light at SM South, and SM East head football coach Dustin Delay resigned due to disagreements with administration. “[The new superintendent needs to] engage in conversation and build stronger relationships,” communications director Erin Little said. “Those will lead to greater understanding, greater respect and, most importantly, trust.”

The new superintendent will have to rebuild relationships before he or she rebuilds schools. Hinson will be remembered not for how he modernized the district but for the leadership strategy which cast a shadow over the community.

“Sadly, Mr. Hinson’s legacy in our district is one of disappointment,” Novak said.

---------------------------------------------------Ray and Associates did not return our request for an interview.

A New Direction

NW PASSAGE | feature 17

©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

Smoothies With A Purpose.® W 62nd Terrace

Quivira Rd

Meal Replacement Smoothies • High Protein Smoothies Fruit Smoothies • Veggie Blends • Vegan Smoothies • Vitamins Greek Yogurt Smoothies • Supplements • Healthy Snacks

Locally Owned and Operated!

$1

OFF

Smoothie King

ANY SIZE SMOOTHIE

12106-B Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee • 913-268-5464

Naomi’s 12128 Shawnee Mission Pkwy and Quivira (913) 268- 3940

18 Dec. 14, 2017 | Vol. 49

Shawnee Mission Pkwy Halsey St

12 Offer expires 10-31-2017.

Cannot be combined with any other offers. Valid only at 12106-B Shawnee Mission Parkway location. Must surrender original coupon to receive offer. Limit one per person. No cash value.

Smoothie King # 12106-B Shawne Shawnee, KS 66 Phone: 913-268-K

W 63rd St

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

4

T

THE FUTURE

wo days ago, Youth and Government participants sat in the same seats as senators and representatives in the state capitol. They proposed bills that could end up on the desk of Governor Sam Brownback.

“The first year they did it, [they] only got six kids to participate,” Youth and Government sponsor Christin LaMourie said. “I took the six kids and it was amazing.

The experience was so awesome, being in the state capitol, getting to use those rooms, getting to see the legislators in the hallway and meeting the governor.

The students came back and told so many people about it that the next year we had 30 kids go, so it kind of grew from there.”

Senior Julian Kuffour holds a unique position this year as Lieutenant Governor. Although he joined just last year, he was elected to one of the four highest statewide positions in the program. As Lieutenant Governor, he runs the election for the leadership positions and works closely with the Youth and Government governor to review bills that have been passed through the two chambers of Congress.

“It’s a pretty big deal because there is only one for the state, so I’m one of 50 across the United States,” Kuffour said. “It’s unusual [to get this position in my second year] since the other people in other positions have been doing it for three years.”

“I think that politics have such a huge impact on us as American citizens and on our everyday life.”

—senior Hadley Sayers People like Kuffour played a significant role this year in the state-wide organization. Bills passed through the student legislature and signed by the Youth Governor are put on Sam Brownback’s desk for him to consider.

“No Youth and Government bills have been passed

by Governor Sam Brownback,” Kuffour said. “A lot of them have wording issues and are rather liberal, so he doesn’t like a lot of them.”

Senior Trenade Brotherton and Youth and Government Vice President Hadley Sayers, along with

Top Row: Sofia Fairchild, Spencer Modiri, Julian Kuffour, Alden Norberg, Asher Norberg, Lauren Spear, Spencer Pruter, Josh Marvine, Abigail Terrell, Aidan Quinn, Natalie Jones, Jenna Steinle, Hadley Sayers Front Row: Kelsey Volk, Sophia Mehnert, Ashley Ellis, Jessica Sunds, Trenade Brotherton, Emma Irvin

+BY SONNI MEYERS AND JAKE DITTO

20 other students, proposed a bill to be processed through the committee. Each student who writes a bill has to present it. The topics of the bills range from tampon taxes to body cameras.

“I think that politics have such a huge impact on us as American citizens and on our everyday life,” Sayers said. “If we don’t form our own opinions and engage with politics from the local level to the federal level, then we aren’t really fulfilling our role as citizens. I feel like it’s my obligation to [be involved].”

Bills proposed by students are debated in the appropriate House and Senate committees. Senior Trenade Brotherton, along with 20 other NW students, each proposed a bill. The student who wrote the bill must present it to the appropriate committee. Once a bill passes through the committee, they are put in order of importance and the most important bills are presented first to the House or the Senate. As soon as a bill passes out of one chamber, they are sent to the other chamber for approval. “[My bill deals with] stealthing, which is essentially when two people consent to have protected sex and either the condom is intentionally removed without the other partner knowing or a woman lies about using birth control,” Brotherton said. “This is important to me because there is currently no legal framework for people to address when stealthing happens. If someone is under the false impression that protection is involved, they can’t do anything about it. There is nowhere for them to turn. I want to create a legal structure for people to be able to come forward if stealthing happens to them.”

LaMourie says that the experience is an important one for her students who are able to go through the processes of a legislative body with other students from around the state.

“You get that governing experience but you also get that leadership and presentation experience of having to work with and convince other people,” LaMourie said. “It’s more than just a debate because you have to talk to people and work out deals, so it’s more than ‘Oh, I’m going to argue with you and then we’re done.’

We still have to work together.’”

The students left for Topeka for the three-day event on Dec. 10.

HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW

Anyone can present an idea for a bill to her state representative or senator. If he agrees with the stance, he can write and sponsor the bill.

The proposed law is introduced as a bill by a senator or representative. This is the first step in becoming a law.

Representatives and senators discuss the bill and either pass it or reject it, sending it back to committee for further debate or research.

The House or Senate then debates the bill. If the majority approves the bill, it is sent to the other chamber and the process is repeated. Both chambers (House and Senate) must approve the language of the final bill before it can be sent to the governor for a signature.

The governor can choose to veto, pocket veto, take no action or sign the bill into law.

NW PASSAGE | feature 19

+PHOTO BY MADELINE MANNING

OH WHAT

FUN Just Next Door

A pair of step-sisters enjoy Adopt-A-Tot in classrooms right next to each other

+PHOTOS BY MAYA LEE, SKYLAR BROGAN, ABBIE ROBERTS

Adopt-A-Tot Photos 20 Dec. 11 | Vol. 49

With the memory of a picture with Santa and choir Christmas songs dancing through their heads, four-year-old step-sisters Al’Layah Coby and Mydiyonna Williams embark on a trip through the big-kid sized halls and frighteningly tall lockers on their way to classrooms where Christmas decorations, gifts and snacks prepared specially for them wait.

Student Council, as well as 46 classrooms, have been preparing to welcome children like Coby and Williams for Adopt-A-Tot. “It takes months of planning,” Student Council publicist Claudia Shamet said. “We’ve been working on this since the beginning of October. It’s a lot of work, but it’s really beneficial to see how everything turns out. It’s worth it in the end.”

This year, 46 classrooms raised money to buy toys as well as necessities like toilet paper and laundry detergent for families with children who attend the Growing Futures Early Education Center (GFEEC) in Overland Park. Participation in Adopt-A-Tot has been on a steady increase since the program began, since Northwest partnered with GFEEC in 2003, according to Student Council sponsor Sarah Dent.

GFEEC is a non-profit organization that provides early education for children of lowincome families. If a family’s annual income falls below a certain level, they become eligible for Adopt-A-Tot. After that, it’s a matter of students committing to raise money for gifts.

Student Council reaches out to parents to see if they’d like to claim the opportunity.

Coby and Williams go to school at GFEEC and couldn’t wait to participate in the event — although they had a different idea of what it would be like.

“The school told me that it was just a celebration that you guys do for them,” Coby

+BY SAMANTHA JOSLIN AND KAILI SITZ

and Williams’ mother, Aiesha Coby, said. “We thought they’d just do arts and crafts and play — we never thought they would have presents and Santa.”

Coby, Williams and Aiesha were further surprised by the size and excitement of the event. The girls were led to their rooms and were very pleased they were in classrooms right next to each other. This allowed Aeisha to be able to check up on both daughters and for the girls (who, despite not being related, are very close) to be near each other. “[Coby] calls [Williams] ‘her bestest sister,’” Aeisha said. “They sleep and eat and do everything together and are absolutely best friends. When either one is away, they miss each other so much.”

Coby and Williams have four brothers ranging from ages seven to age two. While the older boys were not in the Shawnee Mission School District when they were eligible, the younger two are looking forward to participating in Adopt-A-Tot when they enroll at GFEEC next year.

After tearing open reindeer-plastered wrapping paper and eating high schoolerendorsed snacks, Coby and Williams went home to their brothers to play with their new Candy Land board game and tea party set (which Coby adamantly insisted she wouldn’t share). Aeisha believes that her daughters, in addition to their gifts, received “love and happiness.”

“That’s why I love Adopt-A-Tot,” Dent said.

"You raise money, you buy gifts, you give them to the family and you see where your donations go. You get to see what giving looks like, and that feels good. We’re talking about teaching empathy.”

‘Tis the Season: A SET OF HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

In most local households, families prepare for the winter holidays by stringing up vibrant lights and wrapping garland around sparkling trees. Some households, however, will not be participating in these traditions — they’ll light menorahs instead of Advent wreaths or will not celebrate at all, as their big celebrations occur during the summer. +BY CATE TAGGART & SAM RICE +PHOTO BY KELLY VANDENBOS

A Different Celebration For sophomore Areej Saifan, Dec. 25 is just another day for her and her family — no tree, no lights, no presents. Saifan’s real celebration starts in May and ends in June.

“I celebrate Eid, and before that I have Ramadan,” Saifan said. “We fast for three days during Ramadan and after that we have Eid. This usually goes on for a week. It’s a celebration where we have a morning prayer and after that we have a family breakfast. Then we give presents to each other. Later on, we have a feast with other families. It's a week of being together with family and giving.”

Eid ul-Adha honors “the feast of sacrifice.” It celebrates the Prophet Ibrahim, who was ordered

by God to sacrifice his only son. In honor of Prophet Ibrahim, they sacrifice many types of mammals including goats, lambs and cows.

Eid Mubarak means “blessed Eid” and is used as a greeting, similar to “Merry Christmas.” "Kul 'am wantum bikhair" means "I hope for you to stay safe in the passing year" and is also a kind word phrase used in the Muslim community. The lunar calendar varies year by year, and that is why the holiday is celebrated in the summer months.

The Muslim religion is not celebrated widely across America. It sets Saifan apart from

+PHOTO BY SYDNEY HENKENSIEFKEN

others. Muslims fast during Ramadan to purify themselves, to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind themselves that they should be grateful for everything they have.

“Most people don’t think that they can fast for three days, but we manage to do it for our faith,” Saifan said.

Saifan does not think her religion is forced upon her, but thinks of it a choice. Celebrating in a different manner than many other people helps Saifan share her religion and traditions.

“In America there is not really a holiday for me,” Saifan said. “I do not get my holidays off, so being able to miss school and spend time with my family is special to me. I am going to continue to be Muslim because my religion makes me who I am.”

According to Saifan, during Eid she receives presents while Ramadan is just for fasting. Almost every day after Ramadan, families gather and eat a big meal to break the fast together, then they go to the mosque for night prayer and can also stay until sunrise at the mosque to have breakfast and morning service together with everyone.

Eight Days of Giving Senior Benny Alpert won’t be putting up a Christmas tree again this year. Instead of decking the halls in red and green, Alpert’s family is getting out the dreidel and setting up the menorah among the silver and blue decorations as they prepare for Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.

“I put up a Menorah,” Alpert said. “We put up neutral blue lights, spin a dreidel, play gambling games and give presents: one per day.”

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday commemorating the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

This year, Hanukkah will be celebrated from Dec. 12-20. Jews celebrate this holiday by lighting a candle on a Menorah each evening and reciting a blessing. This continues for eight evenings. They do this because of the legend that, after Romans came and destroyed the first capital the Jews found enough oil to last one night, and instead it lasted eight days.

“The point of the holidays, to me, is to push through your goal and keep pushing until you make it to the other side,” Alpert said. “The constant effort eventually is going to look up.”

Alpert has been celebrating Hanukkah since he

was born.

“When I was growing up, I used to go to Sunday school and to Hebrew school,” Alpert said. “I learned Hebrew every Wednesday night for two hours, and the whole point of it was to learn Hebrew for your Bar Mitzvah.”

Alpert now knows how to speak fluent Hebrew.

He said that growing up he noticed differences in the ideals that he had in contrast to others, the main difference being that he did not look to Jesus Christ as his God. “My dad was born Jewish and my mother was born Christian,” Alpert said. “She converted after she met my dad.”

Through the eight days of Hanukkah, each day’s present is more valuable than the last.

“On the first day, we start off with something like a candy bar,” Alpert said. “Then from there it is usually exponentially bigger.”

Alpert plans on continuing this tradition with generations to come because it is important for him to stay connected with himself, family, friends and faith.

NW PASSAGE | feature 21

1

.

At lake J a c o m o , the solar eclipse reaches totality Aug. 21. Students were given the opportunity to watch the eclipse at school but many went to different places in order to be in line of totality. +PHOTO BY MAYA LEE

2.

Laughing, senior Cameron Sharp watches the basketball shootout at Not-So-Late Night in the main gym Nov. 29.

The shootout consisted of a couple senior and junior boys and girls from the varsity drill team. +PHOTO BY PIPER SCHUERMAN

3. Performing at Cougar Cookout with marching band, junior Zack McCone plays

1.

the show “Imagine”. McCone played the xylophone with the band. +PHOTO BY MADELINE MANNING

4.

With hand up in praise, sophomore Tre’ Mutava sings Sep. 27 under the flag poll.

Mutava, Austin Bachart, and Zhenarden Vil led a group of Northwest students in song and prayer called “See You at the Poll” that is anually held at NW. +PHOTO BY MADELINE MANNING

5.

Senior Piper Schuerman screams with her Heavy Metal group Aug. 25 at Tall Oaks. The Heavy Metal group placed second in the lip synch battle and first overall. +PHOTO BY PIPER SCHEURMAN

2.

3.

4..

5.

Shawnee Mission Northwest

YEAR IN PHOTOS 7.

6.

6.

Ye l l i n g , s e n i o r Benjamin Alpert stands amongst the muck Sept. 13 in the Theater in the Park’s field. Students threw flour, gallons of water, shaving cream, and mud provided by Young Life. +PHOTO BY ABBIE ROBERTS

7.

Dressed as Moana, junior Gabrielle Herrera cheers with her class during the homecoming assembly Oct. 20 in the main gym.

Herrera represented the character on the junior float during the parade. +PHOTO BY ABBIE ROBERTS

8.

With his non-dominant hand, junior Spencer Kaleko pulls tissues out of a box during the team relay races Aug. 30 at the Tall Oaks Conference Center. In order to move on to the next task. Each teammate had to take turns pulling tissues from the tissue box using their non dominant hand until it was empty. +PHOTO BY ABBIE ROBERTS

9. Leaping into the air, senior Will Gross yells to his classmates at Not-So-Late Night, in the main gym Nov. 29. Gross lead the seniors in a call and response chant to raise their spirits. +PHOTO BY PIPER SCHEURMAN

10.

Smiling at fellow teammates, sophomore Reilly Forbes sits and waits for the results of the NW competition cheer team Nov. 18 at Topeka Expo Center. The NW competition cheer team placed 11th at state. +PHOTO BY ERIN HENTON

22 Dec. 14, 2017 | Vol. 49

8.

9.

10.

1.

With hands in the air, junior Alieu Jagne claps while on the junior float Oct. 20 during the Homecoming parade. The junior’s theme was Moana, with a hand built boat and replicating the film “Moana”. +PHOTO BY ABBIE ROBERTS

2.

Before his game, senior Josh Sherfy gets his teammates hyped up for their game Sept. 21 at SMAC. The cougars won against SM North 2-0. +PHOTO BY DYLAN MITCHELL

3.

Senior Cameron Akagi plays trombone in the Greg Parker Auditorium at SMNW Oct. 10. Akagi has been playing for seven years and got a trombone from his uncle and father who played in both college and highschool. +PHOTO BY PAIGE MORGAN

1.

2.

4. In the hallway, senior Althea Flores paints a rose onto the new mural. Althea has been wokring with mural club all four years in high school. +PHOTO BY MAYA LEE

5.

4.

2017 5.

6.

5.

On top of sophomore Jon Lara, sophomore Cole Slack waves a white sheet back and forth during the Cougar Cookout.

The sophomores wore white for their spirit wear. +PHOTO BY SEBASTIAN EMERSON

6.

Senior John Hanneman screams after winning against the opposing senior team during boys powderpuff volleyball. The team beat the opposing team 25-18 in the second set. +PHOTO BY RYLEE GARRETT

7.

During the homecoming parade, the cougar mascot high-fives Benninghoven children with the football team. +PHOTO BY SIDNEY HENKENSIEFKEN

8.

Sophomore Josh Holloway points into the crowd during the fall play, “Fools” that was held in the Greg Parker Auditorium. The play was about a town cursed with utter stupidity. +PHOTO

BY ABBY RYAN

7.

9.

8.

9. Cutting out paper to wrap presents for Adopt-A-Tot, senior Cassie Gomer sits in the mall Dec. 8. Gomer wore a hat along with all of STUCO, who walked around with a tot and showed them to their classrooms. +PHOTO BY ABBIE ROBERTS

NW PASSAGE | feature 23

“It was really fun to see all the behindthe-scenes work put into the drill team dance.

When you start moving your hips, it’s like no one is watching.”

+ PHOTO BY PIPER SCHUERMAN

­— senior Porter Volk

the

NW PASSAGE