Issue 7: Wait, let me post this

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Volume 46 — Issue 7 ­­— April 3, 2015 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NATE THOMPSON & ADDISON SHERMAN

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issue 7 table of contents

15 WAIT, LET ME POST THIS Social media is always present, changing the way we receive our news and express ourselves photo illustration by Nate Thompson

ON SMNW.COM SMNW.COM @SMNWDOTCOM

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

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13 NORMAL

THIS MONTH IN HASHTAGS

FACES OF NORTHWEST

These are some of the trending hashtags in news, politics, entertainment and sports across major social media platforms

Everyone has a story to tell

Northwest’s six National Merit Finalists have interests beyond the trophies and merits

Psychology students use what they learn in their daily lives

photo by Lucas Silva

photo by Carleigh Whitman

graphics by Paden Chesney

NOT JUST A SCORE

ALL IN YOUR HEAD

graphics by Grace Amundson

COLLEG

E?

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KEEP CALM AND SLAM ON

SPRING FASHION

MELTDOWN SEASON

NOTHING BUT TREBLE

Poetry Slam continues to provide a safe environment for students to express themselves

Spring fashion trends are proving to have something for every style

Rejection from colleges stinks, but we may have to start getting used to it

The music wing is alive with dozens of students, instruments in hand

photo illustration by Addison Sherman

photo by Nate Compton

ALL IN YOUR HEAD AP, IB, and Psychology 2 students visit Glore Psychiatric Museum

by Cadie Elder

photo illustration by Lucas Silva

graphics by Paden Chesney

SLAM POETRY IN KANSAS CITY There are opportunities to write and perform poetry all over the city

by Grace Gorenflo

HONOR AND GLORY From the court to the pool, athletes took their best to the state competition

by Matthew Owens

NEW MAN ON CAMPUS Freshman forward Brady Skeens is starting some games this year at Washburn University

by Matthew Owens

d Subscriptions will be available to the community for $25. The Northwest Passage firmly supports arise the editorial board and adviser will discuss the problem to find the solution. In these cases, and good taste. Letters may attack policy but not people. In no way will ideas or viewpoints e the First Amendment and opposes censorship. The content of the newspaper will be determined the editor-in-chief and editorial board will have the say in all decisions. Letters to the editor will be changed. The editor-in-chief and editorial board reserve the right to refuse any letter. . and created by the entire staff. When questions concerning word choice, legal problems or ethics be accepted and encouraged. The staff reserves the right to edit for grammatical mistakes, length

bright lights, fake smiles

court phenom

PORNOGRAPHY’S PORTRAYAL OF SEX ADDS TO IGNORANCE ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE, ESPECIALLY AMONG TEENAGERS

IS COURT RUSHING TOO DANGEROUS?

W

ith the increase of smartphones and internet accessibility, pornography is more available than ever before. But what people do not realize is that most of the time they are watching porn, they are also watching abuse.

A study done by AJ Bridges through the University of Arkansas shows that 268 of 304 pornographic scenes watched by the researchers contained physical violence. But this violence does not just affect the actor. According to the Report of the Attorney General’s Commission on Pornography, exposure to sexually violent materials resulted in an increase in the likelihood of aggression in the viewer.

The actors — the victims — either do not react to this abuse or respond with pleasure: an unrealistic and staged reaction. Those reactions create an association of pleasure with what people do not realize is violence.

That association can lead viewers not only to believe that abuse is okay, but that people enjoy it, adding to the desensitization toward sexual abuse in the real world.

But how do we get that information to teens? Someone needs to teach teens that pornography is nothing but a performance. That information should come from parents, teachers or trusted adults. But studies show that 81 percent of teens are uncomfortable talking to their parents about sex, and the sexual education permitted in schools tends to leave students with questions that they aren’t willing to ask. At some point, the curiosity of many young adults may cause them turn to the internet for guidance,

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percent

where they could use pornography as a form of extra curricular sexual education.

At some point, the curiosity of many young adults may cause them turn to the internet for guidance. Google leaves no questions unanswered. If an adult has not talked to a teenager about sex, that teenager can easily search and find pornography on the web.

Even without specifically searching for sexual content, the Internet’s lack of filtering makes it easy to stumble across it unintentionally.

Pornography is extremely hard to regulate and a ban on all pornography is unreasonable. But we all need to realize that pornography is fiction.

People need to understand that the vast majority of the time, pornography is abuse. It depicts a fictionalized image of what a healthy sexual relationship looks like. Frequent viewing makes it difficult for abuse to be recognized, both in one’s own relationship and in those around them. To combat this issue, raising awareness of the industry and encouraging teenagers to ask questions is something everyone can do.

If people are informed about the misconceptions and abuse involved in the making of pornography, they will be able to make an educated decision on whether they should view it and how it should play into their personal relationships. Pornography and its connection to sexual abuse are controversial but relevant issues in today’s society, and it is time we start talking about them.

+ BY GRACE GORENFLO

of teens admit to intentionally viewing pornographic content online according to research done by mcafee. of teens ages 15-17 have accidentally come across pornography online according to a study done by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

04

Opinion | April 3, 2015

800 regular porn users started viewing porn between the ages of 11 and 13, according to a study done by the University of Sydney.

A

s the Sunflower Showdown ended, the talk wasn’t about how K-State had upset KU, it was about the court storming that followed.

K-State fans rushed onto the court after beating their in-state rival and pushed KU players into a corner. Reports claimed that a fan hit KU forward Jamari Traylor and in another incident KU assistant coach Kurtis Townsend put a KSU student into a headlock.

This was not a normal court storming, but it begs the question: is court storming safe or not? Most court storms are not even discussed the next day, but instead the game is. Court storming has been a tradition at colleges for decades.

It shows a major upset for the home team and pride for the fans.

It is a win and the reward for both players and fans. Also it could be a jumpstart to what could be a bad season or just the fun of beating your closest rival.

Enhanced security protects visiting players and coaches in court stormings. Most of the time visiting players and coaches can get off the field with only their pride affected, not their body. There are rarely any injuries that occur as a result of a court rush and most of the time there are no problems.

The Southeastern Conference wants to end court and field storming by imposing fines on the schools. Schools can be fined $5,000 for a first offense and $25,000 and $50,000 for additional incidents. The conference is trying to end the tradition by imposing

what is nothing for big schools to end the tradition. Yet, in the SEC the numbers of court storming or field rushes have not stopped. For instance Mizzou, Kentucky and Ole Miss fans all rushed the field last year. The schools were fined and moved on. No big deal for them.

No matter what the fines, schools want to see their fans engaged in the sports.

The coaches who want to end court rushing usually say it after their team has lost. For instance Bill Self said he would end court storming after his team lost. Bill Self was just mad losing to his instate rival, which is understood saying that KSU finished the year under with a losing record.

People think if you hire enough security you could keep people off the court. This is not true. When you have 10,000 fans rushing the court how realistic is it to hire 100200 security personnel to keep people off the court? Even with the security it still is most likely not enough to keep people off the court. Instead security should just be focused on just protecting visiting players.

Court storming is fun for fans and players of all ages. As long as it is done safely, which most of the time that happens, it should be allowed for big upset or rival games. It is a great way for fans to show their allegiance to their school.

+ BY matthew owens

would you storm the court?

ANGELO Giacalone, athletic director: “I don’t think so. I know what the safety of it all is, and another thing you have to think about: what about the people storming the court? What if they get trampled? Who has the liability?”

TYLER Stewart, girls’ varsity basketball coach: “If I was a college kid, yes, I would court rush. I actually did when I was in college and KU beat KSU in football.” mike Rose, boys’ basketball head coach: “Probably so. I think it is the nature of it. I could see if you beat your instate rival something like that. I could see where I would be out on the floor.”

The Commotion over

Curriculum

censored

T

eachers in Kansas are currently protected in the court system from prosecution regarding material used in a classroom setting.

After a Hocker Grove student showed her father a picture of a bluntly worded public poster listing ways “people express their sexual feelings,” a group of enraged parents asked how this adult material could have been approved to be in the curriculum and began to point fingers.

This incident has resulted in a major debate: should teachers be allowed to use sensitive content to teach their courses?

Under Kansas Senate Bill 56, K-12 teachers could be prosecuted for classroom materials deemed inappropriate or obscene by parents.

If found guilty, teachers could receive a sentence of up to six months in jail.

Currently, teachers are given the right to affirmative defense, meaning that they can justify teaching “sensitive” material if they find the material to have educational merit.

Kansas Senate Bill 56 was passed through the Senate without debate and will now continue to the House where, if approved, it would become law.

Those who agree with this bill argue against the position that many educational courses and their corresponding material are codependant. They hold that teachers should be held accountable for showing students obscene material that they

A Professional’s Perspective Mark Desetti, Legislative and Political Advocacy Director for the Kansas National Education Association:

may not otherwise be exposed to. They also claim that parents should be able to determine what their children can and cannot view in a school setting and should have the right to take any cases where they feel their child has been shown inappropriate material to court, blaming the teacher.

This would mean that teachers of the arts, sciences, languages, history, etc. would be forced to censor classroom materials that may contain sensitive content or face possible prosecution.

This idea is fundamentally flawed.

No English teacher uses “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” with the intent of turning students into racists. No health teacher uses pictures of the reproductive system with any intent other than to educate students on integral natural occurrences.

Most content and materials utilized by teachers have been vetted by the district curriculum committees. Teachers use materials approved for their curriculum as well as bring their own more current resources into the classroom. This is just one of the characteristics of a great teacher — they keep the curriculum current and relevant.

So why prosecute teachers for using materials that may contain arguably sensitive content?

The answer is simple: we shouldn’t.

As much as parents want, they cannot protect their children from everything that they do not wish them to be exposed

Teachers deserve to facilitate the kdj fczm,nx educational material they want to without fear of being legally prosecuted staff editorial: 21 agree / 0 disagree

to. Technology provides easy access to all sorts of content. There is no reason to blame only educators for their child’s inevitable exposure.

Many schools, including Northwest, give parents the option to shield their children from sensitive content they do not wish them to see by allowing them alternative content options in place of the content they feel uncomfortable seeing.

TEACHERS OF THE ARTS, SCIENCES, LANGUAGES, HISTORY, ETC., WOULD BE FORCED TO CENSOR CLASSROOM MATERIALS THAT MAY CONTAIN SENSITIVE CONTENT OR FACE POSSIBLE PROSECUTION.

So why is censorship in schools demanded by enraged parents who believe their children’s minds are tainted by sensitive content?

It is a battle without boundaries that seeks to hold accountable those who teach for content that raises any sort of commotion.

Teachers should not be prosecuted in cases where children or their parents find material too obscene to appear in an educational setting. Rather, parents should come up with alternative material options or refer to the curriculum and its approved content before pointing fingers. This bill is unnecessary. It should be defeated.

“[Kansas Senate Bill 56] just sends a chill down the spine of the teaching profession.

Here is what happens in this case: An English teacher might look at “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, which deals with adultery, and say, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t teach that book, even though it is a classic work of American literature.’

Or the art teacher might think twice about what works of art they show to students for fear that some parent is going to be upset by it. It only takes one parent to drag a teacher before a grand jury under [Kansas Senate Bill 56.] If I’m teaching something and I’ve got a parent who likes to lodge complaints, I might rethink everything I am teaching. Part of schooling, to me, is having your ideas challenged, being able to learn from others, and defend your ideas. If we take that away, we are just memorizing facts and that is not a good education. The biggest problem is that it puts teachers in jeopardy, it’s embarrassing for them, and it’s unnecessary. It’s possible that it could become law. I am hopeful that it will not.”

NW passage | opinion

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PHOTOS BY GRACE ROEDER

Forensics Qualifies for State Tournament

W

ith several Forensics tournaments coming up, including a national tournament, students are working harder than ever before.

On the first week of March, Lily Ottinger placed first in Dramatic Interpretation and Lincoln-Douglas Debate and fourth in Duo Interpretation with Braden Pomerantz.

Ashton Hess placed fifth in Impromptu Speaking. Shania Yusuf placed in Poetry.

Ottinger and Jake Thomas both qualified for the nationals in LincolnDouglas debate.

Rozlyn Wohler did not get into nationals, but still greatly enjoys Forensics.

“On the squad it really is a family dynamic,” said Wohler. “We help each other out and if we need help we can go ahead and ask anyone.”

The forensics team will be entering a qualifying tournament for a state tournament on April 17-18.

Forensics is divided into three categories, each attracting students from different areas. One area of Forensics is more debate-oriented and draws in Debate students.

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“A lot of our kids come from the debate squad because there’s a lot of debate-related events and they’ve found that they really like the debate activity–or they like being here with the kids,” debate and forensics coach Kenneth King said.

Public speaking is the second type.

Students prepare a speech for an event that are compared to speeches from the same category.

Finally, interpretation draws a lot of drama students. Students give a performance a work of fiction; a play, or poem.”

Northwest competed at the Olathe Northwest Forensics Tournament on March 7-8. Drew Winter and Mary Hayford went to the Semifinals in Extemporaneous Speaking.

Elise Dorsey placed sixth in Dramatic Interpretations while Kenzi Parsons placed 6th in Prose Interpretation. “[Forensics] is really easygoing and you can express yourself a lot,” Wohler said. “You get to meet a lot of cool people and see how other people express themselves.”

+ by Sam Athey

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NW passage | news

07

This Month in

#hashtags

These are some of the trending hashtags in news, politics, entertainment and sports across major social media platforms + by deena essa / graphics by grace amundson

#BlackOutDay

A social media campaign launched this past month to celebrate African American black beauty. This hashtag accompanies pictures of people of color from all around the world.

#thedress It was nearly impossible to miss this one on social media. The actual dress was blue and black, but because of the way the dress was captured in the picture circulated on social media, people saw the dress differently depending on their sensitivity to the blue background lighting in the photo.

In response to the ban on beef introduced in India, this hashtag trended worldwide on social media as citizens of India called for the reversal of the law. This may seem surprising in a country where cows are revered by a whopping 1.2 billion Hindus, but the law stemmed from calls to separate religion from government.

Social media roared with outrage at Senate Republicans in response to a letter sent to Iran in which Republicans warned Iranian leaders that after President Obama’s term ends, they would remain in office. The 47 Republicans who signed this letter warned that they could effectively reverse any U.S.–Iran agreements that do not meet their expectations.

# 4 7 TR A I TOR S 08

news | April 3, 2015

#WorstDateIn5Words Although this was a random hashtag that trended for no apparent reason, the tweets it prompted were hilarious.

Almost everything that could go wrong with a date was put into five-word descriptions of the worst possible scenarios.

faces of We went out to get to know the student body. Here is a brief look into the lives of seven students, as they talk about their passions, their backgrounds and the people who mean the most to them. + by sophie flores

Jailen Love sophomore

Anu Ittychezi senior

Jun Langdon junior

I started playing [basketball] a long time ago.

It’s kept me out of trouble.

I move a lot. I do like it though. Each place, I make it my home.

She mocks me all the time.

Makes me feel great about myself. Just kidding.

PHOTO BY JADA PEOPLES

PHOTO BY HAENA LEE

PHOTO BY HAENA LEE

Nick Senior junior

We both were in the same Algebra 2 class and, at that point, we didn’t know what a polynomial was. That was the time that we really got to know each other.

Mikayla Washington sophomore

Emma Smith senior

Track will start March 2.

I’ve done it for a while. I did it last year because of my mom, but I’m going to do it this year for me.

I live by the philosophy that you shouldn’t make someone else your priority if they’re going to treat you like an opinion.

PHOTO BY HAENA LEE

PHOTO BY HAENA LEE

Alexis Ridley senior

You have your whole life ahead of you; just do you.

To see more quotes from students check out smnw.com and follow @smnwdotcom on instagram

PHOTO BY HAENA LEE

nw passage | news

09

— Isaac Coleman — Spencer Dang

— Luke Hansen — Gabriela Basel

— Duncan Walters — Alex Bohlken

PHOTOS BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

Northwest’s six National Merit Finalists have interests beyond the trophies and merits

10

+ by deena essa

In a sea of muted maroon, gray and black, senior Gabriela Basel walks the halls in bright pink combat boots, a multicolored — Gabriela Basel shirt and a pair of yellow shorts. “[The trend right now] is very dreary,” Basel said. “It’s just kind of sad to look out and see everyone in dark colors. [I want] to bring a little bit of sunshine into people’s lives so I just go on to Amazon and find the brightest colored things.”

And colorful she is: Basel was in

the Sophomore Top 100, is in the International Baccalaureate program and is a National Merit Finalist.

“I had done a lot of studying [for the PSAT],” Basel said. “Right after I took it, I didn’t feel that great about it, especially on the vocabulary section, because I am terrible at vocabulary. Coming out of it, the first thing I thought was, ‘I could’ve done better.’”

Yet academics never stopped Basel from being involved outside the classroom; she has played the trombone for eight years, led the band as a senior drum major, stepped up as captain of the varsity girls’ cross country team, made it onto the Homecoming Court and

volunteers with various organizations. “[As a leader] the one thing I’ve wanted to do more than anything is, not to improve those programs, but to make sure everyone there is enjoying themselves,” Basel said. “If you’re not enjoying yourself, what’s even the point?”

Basel found a passion for trombone as a fifth grader after playing the violin during fourth grade and disliking it.

“I was a pretty small fifth grader and there was this really big instrument called the trombone,” Basel said. “[My parents] were like, ‘I don’t think that’s the right instrument for you.’ So of course I said, ‘Okay, I think I’m going to play this one.’”

The National Merit Semifinalists were announced Sep. 8: six students were sent down to the office from their classes only to be told that they had scored in the top one-half percent on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test.

After meeting all necessary requirements, seniors Gabriela Basel, Alex Bohlken, Isaac Coleman, Spencer Dang, Luke Hansen and Duncan Walters were declared Finalists in March.

A 20” monitor lights up senior Alex Bohlken’s face as he scrolls through lines of code, his school computer still in his backpack.

— Alex Bohlken “My interest in computers probably started freshman year because that was when I started getting into video games,” Bohlken said. “I got an Xbox that year and that re-sparked my interest.”

Bohlken hopes to major in computer

sciences, pursuing his passion for computers and video games. He is not as interested in the design aspect as he is in the coding aspect and aspires to learn a programming language in addition to Java.

“I think video games are really cool and I think computers are really cool,” Bohlken said. “Making software would be nice, but I hope that I don’t hit a wall with computer science because that can happen pretty easily.”

Bohlken doesn’t find studying for just a few weeks before the PSAT helpful.

Instead, hopeful candidates should try doing math in their head, think critically

and practice constantly.

“I didn’t prepare for the PSAT,” Bohlken said. “That’s sort of my mentality with tests. I just sort of wing it. I just go and take a test and that’s all it is.”

Although he keeps a cool head during tests, Bohlken is just a tad unnerved by the future. Even as a National Merit Finalist, he hasn’t figured it all out yet.

“I’m really stressed out about finding a college,” Bohlken said. “I want to go to KU just so I don’t have to think about it. For me, thinking about anything that’s five years in the future is just intimidating.”

features | april 3, 2015

— Isaac Coleman Pictures of the semifinalists were taken the same day students were

— Duncan Walters When senior Duncan Walter found out he was a semifinalist, he did not go out to celebrate.

— Spencer Dang “I felt happy about [being a semifinalist], but it doesn’t really mean too much to me.

I mean, it’s just like one test. It doesn’t really do much except give you money and not all places even really accept it. It’s just a cool thing.”

— Luke Hansen When semifinalists were announced,

notified, so when senior Isaac Coleman was asked if he would like to take off his head-totoe Cougar Crazie costume, he said no.

“It’s a unique picture,” Coleman said.

“I like the picture because I feel like it’s important not to take ourselves seriously and not to think that we’re better than everyone else. I don’t think I’m smart. I just worked hard. ” In addition to academics, Coleman has been playing the French horn since middle school. He aimed to learn to play the Star Wars Imperial March and since he now can, he considers his French horn career “done”.

“I started playing because I was told that I couldn’t,” Coleman said. “I was told that if you want to play the French horn, you had to start on the trumpet because it was too difficult. I proved to them all that it could be done.”

In between it all, Coleman has found the time to work at McDonalds the past two years and has recently been promoted to manager. “[When I go to college,] I’ll probably get a regional transfer, which is nice because I can get the same job at the same pay,” Coleman said. “If only I could find a McDonalds somewhere else.”

Coleman has wrote and created games for more than two years now. He is currently working on a text-based adventure game with many branches called “Steelarm.”

“The challenge there is to make each player feel like they played a complete story,” Coleman said. “Each has to have a beginning, middle and end, no matter what direction the player takes. That’s what’s interesting about video games to me: the level of immersion they afford.”

“When we celebrate, there’s also this stress factor of, ‘I’ve lost there hours of homework,’” Walter said. “The other thing is, everyone’s like, ‘Wow,’ and you don’t really want to celebrate suddenly being different from everybody else. You still want to be like, ‘Hi. I’m still me. I got an award.’”

But this recognition is just another feather in Walter’s cap. He is an International Baccalaureate diploma student. For the past four years, he has thrown shot-put, javelin and discus for track and field, and yet Walter finds the time to design games as well. Two years ago, Walter started 3-D modeling and studying game theory.

“My past time has actually been this super-geeky thing,” Walter said. “I study how to make people want to play a game obsessively. I don’t think it’s a noble cause, but it is a cause.”

Walter worked on developing his game theory knowledge over the summer, spending an average of three hours a day experimenting with Excel. He spends less time now that he is back at school, but hopes to pursue computer sciences in college.

“My experience with coding is making games on game-making software which is super basic,” Walter said. “I want to learn what would be considered more

industrial coding like Java-oriented coding – something that I could actually get hired to do work with.”

Walter enjoys playing video games as well as creating them and hopes to intern at video game companies such as Blizzard Entertainment to be able to do what he loves best and get paid for it.

“I don’t purely enjoy games because of that aspect,” Walter said. “When playing games, I’m very much a standard player.

I make the move that looks fun and not because I have an actual strategy.”

The PSAT may not have been a big deal for senior Spencer Dang, but reading sure is. The first book Dang remembers enjoying is one he read during his kindergarten years: The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss.

“When I was younger, my parents took [my siblings and I] to the library a lot,” Dang said.

“As soon as the books were due, we would go check out more.”

From a 26-page-long children’s book, Dang has become an avid reader of the works of science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov.

“He was really impactful in my life,” Dang said. “He taught me to really think and enjoy books more than I already did.”

He also enjoys the works of Kurt Vonnegut and Gabriel García Márquez. Dang spends a minimum of a half-hour reading a day, more when he can.

“Sometimes I wish I could push all [my school work] to the side and just read,” Dang

said. “Sometimes I do which doesn’t turn out well.”

Dang has also played the piano – on-andoff in elementary school, but more seriously starting sophomore year. Even though he has played for over 10 years, Dang cannot cite one favorite piece to play.

“The act of just sitting down and touching the piano in general is just really relaxing for me,” Dang said. “I just like being at the piano.

Sometimes I just sit there and that’s relaxing in itself.”

He found another passion in his sophomore year: slam poetry. Dang had to do something adventurous or extracurricular for a school project and decided to participate in the annual Poetry Slam.

“Since I’m usually a quieter guy, it was really nerve-racking for me the first time,” Dang said. “I think a lot of people, including myself, were really surprised I could do it.”

Dang participated again in his junior year and will be a part of the Poetry Slam for the last time his senior year (turn to page 14 for more information about the Poetry Slam.)

“I really like story-telling,” Dang said. “I really like hearing people’s stories and writing about them. Often times writing is a way for me to escape thinking about school. I can go off and think about whatever I’m trying to write.”

Dang is undecided on his future plans, but is considering majoring in chemistry at the University of Kansas – a choice inspired by his older sister’s career. He is also really close to his dad.

“A lot of people think that – you know, Asian stereotypes – my parents are really strict parents, but my parents are really chill,” Dang said. “They just made me and all my siblings read a lot. We all think that we’re pursing graduate degrees, so we joke around that there’d be three Dr. Dangs out there.”

senior Luke Hansen was relieved.

“My first thought was, ‘I’m going to college,” Hansen said. “I was doubting it because there’s not a lot of money. I guess it’s just a way to show you’re high up there and colleges want to put money into people they think will leave with a degree from there and go on to do good stuff.”

Hansen hopes to study aeronautical or mechanical engineering with a minor in physics at Wichita State University. For four years, Hansen has spent countless hours

building robots with the Robotics team. This year, he led the team as co-captain.

“It’s fun,” Hansen said. “I enjoy making robots.

Hansen has been in band all four years at Northwest. He has played the trombone for eight years and the euphonium for four. His favorite piece to play is “The Time Warp.”

“It’s the piece we play after all the basketball games,” Hansen said. “That’s everybody’s favorite.”

When things get too stressful, Hansen goes

fishing. Once every week or two, Hansen can be found at the Ottawa or Shawnee county lakes. His biggest catch so far is a 14-pound Channel Catfish.

Hansen is a thrower for track and field.

Although not competitively, Hansen also boxes.

“When I’m having a bad day, I go to the punching bag,” Hansen said.

Special education teacher Cathie Morrison has done over 30 American College Testing tests. Why? To help students in the Special Education for Exceptional Kids program score better on standardized tests.

“My biggest desire is to help them explore how they think, what to think about and to express that in written and verbal form,” Morrison said. “If it’s in your head and you can’t share it, it’s not useful to society.”

NW passage | features

11

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all in your PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS USE WHAT THEY LEARN IN THEIR DAILY LIVES In th e c l as s r oom : G

DEPRESSED BRAIN

lore Psychiatric Museum was previously an asylum, located in St. Joseph, Mo., where mentally ill patients would be immersed in dunking baths or fastened in confinement beds. One patient swallowed a total of 453 nails.

On March 3, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Psychology 2 students visited the allegedly haunted grounds.

“It gives [the students] an opportunity to see what some of the treatments have been previously and the history of psychiatry and mental health,” psychology teacher Amy Walker said.

Methods such as hydrotherapy were used to treat mentally ill patients. These treatments would include immersing patients into cold water until they went unconscious.

“Even today some types of therapy will tell people to go take a cold shower to shock your body back into homeostasis,” Walker said. “That has not changed considerably, the approach to how we do it has changed.”

Patients also created artwork as a form of therapy. IB Psychology student Tacia Burgin said there were three underground tunnels in the museum, but students only saw one: the art tunnel.

“They gave the [patients] paint and paintbrushes and told them to paint their feelings on the wall,” Burgin said.

“It was happier than I expected.

AP Psychology students have been learning about abnormal psychology, or the study of unusual patterns of behaviors, thoughts and emotions.

“We talk about people and why they do the things that they do,” Walker said.

IB Psychology classes cover similar topics through the use of research studies. Walker said students learn how to conduct experiments and interpret research. Burgin conducted an experiment at a Price Chopper to prove that social norms are different, depending on where you are.

“I started doing cheers,” Burgin said. “We even stunted, put up preps and almost got kicked out because it wasn’t normal to the store.”

IB Psychology student Jacob Steinle also did an experiment based on the hypothesis that a human memorizes words that are related to one another.

“There were two lists of words,” Steinle said.

“The first list, which was the experimental, had words that were grouped together in a category.

The other [list] was of random words that had no association with each other. Our results refuted the hypothesis. There was no significance.”

Burgin loves psychology and said she loves to watch people. She has learned the preferences people have and how unexpected they are.

“I want to be a child psychologist,” Burgin said.

“It would be more of counseling a child, teaching them how to deal with certain issues or people around them. It is basically like a therapy session for children. I love kids and I love psychology.”

+ BY CADIE ELDER / GRAPHICS BY PADEN CHESNEY

FACTS The presence of mental health issues among teenagers across the United States is an ongoing issue. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 50 percent of mental illnesses show signs before the age of 14.

1 of 10 teenagers have experienced depression 9 of 10 who committed suicide had a mental illness 50 percent of teenagers who drop out of high school do so because of a mental illness

AVERAGE BRAIN

Fewer than 20 percent of teenagers who are diagnosed with mental disorders receive the proper treatment 2 of 10 teenagers, ranging from ages 13 to 18, live with a mental illness nw passage | Features

13

S

ophomore Alex Kendrick “I also wanted to do it because POETRY SLAM CONTINUES TO walks on stage, her mouth dry the people attending the slam are PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT and movement shaky. Trying not generally cool and fun people and I FOR STUDENTS TO EXPRESS to fall over, she takes a deep breath. want more people like that in my life.”

THEMSELVES The audience is silent as she takes a few While the Poetry Slam’s friendly moments to gather her thoughts. She makes atmosphere can help students meet new a quick, nervous joke to break the ice and then her people, it also provides a space where students do not persona changes. With her heart on her sleeve and a have to be afraid to show who they really are. thoughtful look in her eyes, she begins: “I’m amazed that kids can stand up in front of their peers and be so personal,” LaFever said. “[They] often “For those in first world countries, depression became bear their soul.” invalid because we are too lucky.”

For some, “bearing their soul” can be a fun, carefree For the past 10 years, the Poetry Slam has allowed experience. For others, it can be nerve-racking, and it students to perform original works before an audience. takes preparation to calm the nerves.

Former video production teacher Lindsay Kincaid, with “It’s always hard to make sure that the poem is under the help of librarian Carolyn LaFever, held the first three minutes long,” sophomore Claire Hutchinson said.

Poetry Slam in 2005. Together they gathered a group of “I usually get nervous right before going up, but once I about 15 students to start what they did not know would get on stage the excitement beats out the nervousness.” become a tradition here. Today, English teacher Jami While some people sign up for the Poetry Slam at the Paugh runs the Slam with the help of LaFever. request of a friend or for extra credit in English, others “I think that the SMNW Poetry Slam is one of the have made participating a significant part of their high best outlets for kids around,” Paugh said. “Although school experience. For senior Spencer Dang this will be many other schools offer a Poetry Slam or another his third year in the slam, and his last one. writing contest, NW has been able to provide a platform “[I’m] sad that it’s almost over, but I’m really grateful that continues to be safe and nonjudgmental…I am for the opportunity that Northwest gives everyone,” not sure that other schools have yet established that Dang said. “For some people [the slam is] the only place comfortability and openness.” they can voice their stories or emotions. It makes me In the past couple of years, the Poetry Slam has grown happy to be a part of it.” to include nearly 100 participants. Each year, more The Poetry Slam will be held April 9 and 10 in the students are inspired to sign up and then gather the library. Teachers should watch their email for the confidence to tell their stories. opportunity to bring their classes to watch. “[I decided to do the slam this year] because my friend told me it would be fun,” sophomore Docker Clark said. + by grace gorenflo / photos by nate compton

14

features | april 3, 2015

Sprint LTE

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10:41 AM

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Northwest Passage via Shelby Beaumont, Paige Eichkorn, Grace Gorenflo, Josh Sherfy and Makaila Williams

Social media is changing the way we receive our news and express ourselves

Social media is changing the way we receive our news and express ourselves

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Northwest Passage via Shelby Beaumont, Paige Eichkorn, Grace Gorenflo, Josh Sherfy and Makaila Williams

Social media has taken over. Complaints about homework, prom-posals, selfies and announcements of college decisions are all welcome on the world’s forum.

Students’ activity is visible to all of their peers. What we listen to, “like” and say keeps us connected. As trends change and we adapt, social media follows suit.

School clubs run Twitter accounts to empower or inform. #WhiteboardWednesday and #nwmedia light up feeds with upcoming events and sports scores.

Breaking news is in feeds within seconds, unleashing the inner politician or activist in the average high school student. Gun control and gay rights fill in the space between tweets about #TheDress. Vine users can become idols while ISIS commands the attention of the western world.

But Twitter accounts aren’t limited to just individuals and organizations. Some school-related Twitter accounts: principal Lisa Gruman (@smnw_office), the counseling department (@smnwcounseling) and athletic director Angelo Giacalone (@smnwathletics). Even the school district has its own Twitter feed (@theSMSD).

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ADDISON SHERMAN

nw passage | Features

15

Wait, let me Social media is always present, changing the way we receive our news and express ourselves

this

No subtweets allowed Social media can hurt students individually and the student body as a whole

rEVOLUTION

Social media has always changed and adapted to allow for better communication + by josh sherfy

16

Feature | nw passage

A flurry of text messages pinged on sophomore Klara Stevermer’s phone Feb. 12.

Hey girl friendly reminder that you’re perfect and I love you!

Whoever made that account is stupid and I wouldn’t worry about it.

Each was in response to the discovery of an Instagram account targeting Stevermer.

“I felt hurt the day it happened,” she said.

“But a lot of people texted me super nice things, so I didn’t even have time to focus on the negative aspects of the situation.”

Seventeen percent of teenagers nationwide have been bullied electronically, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Kansas statistics mirror this finding with 16 percent of teens being bullied through email, chat

1994: Geocities was created, shortly followed

by TheGlobe.com. Although on a smaller scale than modern day social media giants, the premise behind these sites was to connect those who share similar interests, and to allow users to express their opinions.

rooms, instant messaging, websites or texting.

Twenty-five percent were female and nine percent were male.

According to a Passage survey of 262 students, 1.5 percent of students who answered the survey admitted to targeting someone on social media, while 11.1 percent said they had been victims.

Northwest-specific Twitter accounts such as SMNW CONFESSIONS (@smnwconfessions) allow NW students to anonymously admit to embarrassing or illegal activities. Students submit their confessions to Ask.fm (ask.fm/smnwconfessions).

The submissions are then posted to Twitter.

In some of the SMNW CONFESSIONS posts, students were identified by name. A 2009 survey conducted by Microsoft showed that 70 percent of U.S. job recruiters rejected candidates because of information they found online and on social

networking. These students could a or harassment by their peers.

But most social media sites are school district, so how are students Students download proxies like Bro to navigate around district restrict MacBooks were distributed, stude were required to sign the Accept agreeing to not download proxies o NW Journalism (@smnwdotcom) tw your favorite blocked website on the Students replied with sites such as P and YouTube.

“I downloaded Browsec to g Pinterest, Facebook and watch school,” a freshman girl said.

+ BY MAKAILA WILLIAMS

1995:

1997:

1999:

Classmates.com

SixDegrees, along with AOL, worked towards creating their own media platform. The sites were the first to implement instant messaging with individuals . Users could create profiles, with biographies and information about the owner.

Cyworld.com

2002

Friendster and, later MySpa SixDegrees. Both originally be online dating, but quickly beg who were not interested in re years, Friendster had significan MySpace amassed more than 1 success didn’t l

Promoting

#PositiveVibes Not all social media is negative Although social media can be seen as negative or pessimistic, not all of it is bad. Student-run clubs use it to promote their positive messages. SADD, NHS, Lemon Club and CCC are just a few clubs that use Twitter, Instagram and other forms of social media to keep their members up to date on upcoming events, promote their cause and give shoutouts.

SADD: @smnwsadd

Students Against Destructive Decisions uses Twitter, GroupMe and Google classroom to alert members of meeting dates and retweet other clubs’ events for the student body to see.

President Amelia Hoelting and vice president Shelby Smith have let social media take over the way their club communicates its news to members and students.

“A big thing that we use [Twitter] for is reminders: to stay safe over the breaks and over dance weekends and special holidays that could possibly put students in positions to make safe or unsafe decisions,” Smith said.

also face bullying

Lemon Club: @SMNWLemonClub

e blocked by the s gaining access? owsec or Zenmate tions. Before the ents and parents table Use Policy, or illegal content. weeted, “What’s e SMSD laptops?”

Pinterest, Netflix

The newly formed Lemon Club partnered with Alex’s Lemonade Stand with a common goal in mind: to raise money to fund research for childhood cancer.

Publicist Katie Scott makes sure students and club members know when meetings and upcoming events are scheduled through social media, particularly Twitter.

“I think that social media is really helpful,” co-president Megan Dunn said. “Especially for our first meeting, we all tweeted

get on Twitter, Netflix during

2:

ace, built on the ideas of egan as the earliest form of gan to accommodate those elationships. Within two ntly decreased in popularity.

100 million users, but their last forever.

a lot the night before and then we had a lot of people there for the first meeting.”

The organization works to spread awareness of childhood cancer and raise funds for research.

CCC: @smnw_ccc

President Audrey Gleason and publicist Savannah Taylor take advantage of Instagram and Twitter to promote events or to show their appreciation for Cougar Community Commitment sponsor Ron Poplau.

In April, CCC’s goal is to have a whole Saturday dedicated to collecting food outside Hy-Vee for the Shawnee Community Center. The community center gives access to free groceries to those who qualify.

“We want as many people to know about it as possible in order to get the most participation,” Gleason said. “People pay more attention to what’s on their feeds than to the announcements in the mornings.”

CCC’s overarching message is seen in their Twitter posts: “The Doer of Good Becomes Good”. “[Our goal is] to reach not only the people we help, but also instill a genuine goodness in the helper,” Gleason said.

NHS: @ndub_nhs

President Clara Davison oversees all social media for National Honor Society. Twitter, GroupMe and email are the main forms of communication used to alert NHS members.

“Having the computers to communicate information and then following up in the GroupMe has helped us get a larger and more diverse group of volunteers,” Davison said.

“It’s definitely easier [to spread information].”

Journalism: @smnwdotcom

The publications constantly use social media to deliver news to the student body. From basketball games to assemblies to dances and Cappuccino Days; everything is covered.

“We try to keep students updated on what’s going on through our Twitter,” Lair coeditor-in-chief Savannah Kelly said. “It’s a slow process, but the student body is slowly relying more on us for news, and that’s perfect. We are the news source for Northwest.”

The staffs have recently began using Snapchat (@ smnwdotcom). When the girls’ varsity basketball team competed in the state tournament this year, a reporter was there to keep track of the score and take videos for those who couldn’t watch in person. The goal of the journalism publications is to tweet, snap or post news to students as rapidly as possible.

Interact: @InteractSMNW

Twitter and Facebook are the primary social media used

by Interact Club to remind members of meetings and service projects. Students can also access information about fundraisers, primarily in regard to the service trips Interact takes to Guatemala.

“It is much easier to get the word out using social media versus word of mouth or other methods, especially during breaks when we don’t see each other every day,” secretary Carolyn Osborn said.

Interact used social media to promote their most recent

2005:

2006:

2010:

Bebo.com

With over 1.23 billion active users, Facebook is the king of social media. Users can share pictures, speak their mind, or wish a friend a happy birthday. It has incorporated games, instant messaging and event planning. Twitter limits its users to 140 characters, only allowing for short posts, as well as a linked photo or video.

When users were tired of words, they became photographers. Instagram lets users post pictures with a description that followers can “like”.

event, a pancake breakfast fundraiser for their Guatemala trip this summer, which raised $600 from students and parents.

“I’m excited to just be with the people on the trip because we all come together as we work and travel [...] and enjoy each other’s company,” co-leader of fundraising for Guatemala Colleen Freeman said.

+ by paige eichkorn

Here are some of the slogans each of the clubs have adopted:

CCC: The Doer of Good

Lemon Club: Curing childhood cancer

one cup at a time

Interact: service

above self NHS:

sign up, show up, IMPROVE the world

2011:

2013:

Snapchat.com

Vine.com

Attention spans are shrinking, so social media adapts.

Vine allows users to share six-second videos while Snapchat allows for brief pictures and videos from friends as well as several news agencies.

nw passage | Feature

17

Home

The good, the bad, The use of social media comes with pros and cons for people individually and society as a whole + by Grace Gorenflo & Shelby Beaumont An episode of “The Office” blares from the TV as senior Natalie Zimmerman’s iPhone dings from under a pillow. The entire couch vibrates with an incoming text. She shuffles around searching for the device and the phone clicks as it is unlocked.

Immediately, a banner pops up and then another and another as GroupMe messages flood the Notification Center: When is our soccer game?

Do you have time to go running?

Is that fundraiser still this weekend?

Enticing red bubbles dominate the home screen, and possibly the life of the person receiving all the notifications as well. 1 “When so much information floods one device, all the important information blurs together with the unimportant,” Zimmerman said. “Even if you get on [your phone] with a purpose, it’s super easy to get sucked into Twitter or Instagram and mindlessly scroll through things.”

Teens often joke about being addicted to technology, but a study by the National Center for Biotechnology indicates that the use of social media may be linked to the activation of the appetitive system, which is related to developing addiction. 2i According to Edison Research, more than 75 million Americans use social networking accounts everyday.3 In a survey conducted by the Northwest Passage, 31 percent of student said they check their various social medias 5-15 times a day.

While the Internet continues to boom, so does online news consumption, including news consumption from social media sites. 4 Fifty percent of all social network users have shared stories, pictures or videos about a news event, according to Pew Research. Most young adults receive their news from a social media site instead of a printed form. 5 Social media is not limited to just Facebook and Twitter. Google Plus, YouTube and Club Penguin are all examples of social media. The Apple

application iMessage is a form of social media that has become popular at NW this year. Since the introduction of the laptops earlier this year, cat GIFs, the latest gossip and the “I’m bored” texts regularly, but silently, flash onto screens in the middle of class. “iMessage is a drug they can’t say no to,” physics teacher Justin Stigge said.

“Kids cannot disconnect from people long enough to pay attention to what’s going on in their classes.”

Society’s preoccupation with social media and the connection it enables people to have can be problematic. Not only is social media distracting, but it can also negatively impact confidence and self-esteem. “[Social media is] taking over how people judge themselves,” Zimmerman said. “You immediately reevaluate yourself based on how many retweets or likes or followers you have. Even though I’m really involved in social media, I try really hard for it not to take over my life and dictate how I view myself.”

Although social media allows people stay in touch and be aware of what is happening around them, sometimes it is nice to step away and enjoy life outside the screen.

“I think once I got past the fact that my life shouldn’t depend on how many likes, comments or retweets I get, I could definitely be happier,” sophomore Svetlana Holliday said. “That’s the thing with social media, there will always be someone better looking or funnier or whatever...Life without social media is both positive and negative.”

Grace Gorenflo 8:47 PM Mar 11

Resolve

1: Teens spend an average of seven and a half hours looking at media -Kasier Family Foundation

Shelby Beau...

8:47 PM Mar 11

Resolve

2: Addictive behaviors include the inability to control the amount of time spent on social media and withdrawal symptoms when not using it -National Center for Biotechnology Information

Grace Gorenflo 8:47 PM Mar 11

Resolve

3: The Android application, Locket, found their 150,000 users unlocked their phone an average of 110 times a day.

Shelby Beau...

8:47 PM Mar 11

Resolve

4: 50 percent of all social network users have shared stories, pictures or videos about a news event -Pew Research

Grace Gorenflo 8:47 PM Mar 11

Resolve

5: 33 percent of adults under 30 saw news on a social media site in the past day, while only 13 percent saw news in a printed paper -Pew Research

In brief ( but not in under 140 characters ) + by paige eichkorn The use of social media reflects an individual’s identity as well as that of a society’s. As a prevalent force in today’s world, it can spark everything from petty high school drama to mass revolutions.

And social media isn’t disappearing any time soon. It’s up to social media users to decide what is said and how it is communicated. Considering that little to no virtual anonymity exists, what is posted in the virtual world can backfire easily. Although not all negativity can be eliminated, reposting constructive posts and sharing relevant information effectively spreads positive messages through social media.

Your secrets are [not] safe with Twitter

Accounts ask people to submit funny confessions to post on Twitter

Accounts on twitter like SM Confessions (@smconfessions1), SMNW CONFESSIONS (@smnwconfessions) and Blair Waldorf(; (@smnwGossipGurl) have posted some things about people, whether that person confessed or someone else had told. Some tweets are too inappropriate for The Passage. + BY MAKAILA WILLIAMS ‘“I was so sick that I puked in a strangers bathroom” - SME’ @smconfessions1

18

features | april 3, 2015

“I think I like the freshmen better than the sophomores” @smnwconfessions

“Yeah the sophomores have their flaws but seniors juniors and freshmen have no room to talk” @smnwconfessions

“Gossip girl here(; just letting everyone know to dm me the dirt and gossip(; p.s. Nobody is safe. Xoxo, -GG” @smnwGossipGurl

Spring Fashion

SP R I NG FA S H I ON T RE N DS ARE PROVIN G TO HAV E S O M E THI NG FOR EVER Y S TYL E + by rebecca carroll/ photo illustration by addison sherman

Tennis shoes take the spotlight this spring with the arrival of sporty fashion trends. Quarterzip long sleeves with vests as well as t-shirt like dresses are very popular.

Pair solid color leggings with a colorful dri-fit top and comfortable tennis shoes for the cute athletic look.

The usual cardigan and jean combination is taking a turn for the chic. Uniform-esque plaid dresses and basic skirts paired with sleek blazers give off the scholarly look without indicating that too much time is spent bent over books. Try playing with different types of necklines, like Peter Pan collars, to change up the look.

Cuffed jeans and solid color t-shirts will always be in style.

Try adding a fun belt or a stack of bracelets and a watch to turn a super casual outfit into something more interesting.

Dressed Up

Flowy shorts are a musthave this spring. Easy to wear, easy to pair and so very in. Flowy dresses are also a classic wardrobe piece for spring. Add a cardigan and some flats and you have a put-together outfit that takes only five minutes to throw together.

NW passage | features

19

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PHOTO BY SAMANTHA MACAULEY

background of Doug Talley

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA MACAULEY

Whether he’s at Northwest, at Trailridge or down at 18th & Vine, Doug Talley is all about the music + by Sam Athey

D

Jazz band teacher Doug Talley conducts the band during class on March 2 in room 39. Talley travels between Northwest and Trailridge, teaching middle school band as well.

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA MACAULEY

espite the loud chatter in the band room, jazz band teacher Doug Talley never raises his voice. He remains soft-spoken and casual as he speaks to his band, cracking a joke here and there. Then he starts the count, “one, two, three, four!” and the jazz band launches into an upbeat tune. A few of the players tap their toes with the beat.

“I feel proud to be here, I feel honored,” Talley said with a smile.

“I feel like I’ve got the best job in the world.”

Talley teaches jazz band and music theory, helps marching band director Penny Snead out with Marching Cougar Pride and symphonic band, and teaches three band classes at Trailridge. “[Talley] always [makes] sure we get back to business,” senior trombonist Gabi Basel said. “He makes sure that things get done. He doesn’t talk down to us in any way. He treats us like professionals.”

Outside of school, Talley plays in the Doug Talley Quartet, a local jazz group, that performs at a variety of venues in the Kansas City area including the Blue Room at 18th and Vine.

He plays in the KC Jazz Orchestra, is a freelance musician and teaches at

a jazz camp at Kansas City Community College during the summer.

“I like the freedom of [jazz music] and I like the melodies,” Talley said.

“I like the fact that there’s freedom within the music to improvise.”

Talley has won many awards for his work in jazz including the 2010

“SMSD feels like home,” Talley said. “I feel like I totally understand the students here.”

Governor’s Arts Award and the 2009 Johnson County Library Pinnacle Award for arts in education.

But Talley is quick to point out that plenty of music teachers were just as good if not better than him and deserved it as well.

“It’s going to sound really bad if I say they don’t mean anything, but they don’t really affect me,” Talley said mildly. “I’m appreciative, but they don’t really affect what I do.”

Despite all his achievements, Talley chooses to live and teach in the Shawnee Mission School District.

“SMSD feels like home,” Talley said. “I feel like I totally understand the students here.”

Doug Talley has been in the Shawnee Mission School District almost his entire life. Talley went to Dorothy Moody Elementary School, then Hillcrest Junior High School, now known as Westridge. He graduated from SM South.

“I thought maybe I wanted to be a music teacher sometime in high school. About the same time I wanted to be a good player,” said Talley. “I didn’t know that I wanted to necessarily do it professionally, but I wanted to pursue being a better player.”

Upon entering high school at Shawnee Mission South, Talley wanted to be a part of the school’s Jazz Band. However, in order to participate he would have to learn how to play saxophone, so he did so. This decision would cement his career in music.

However, his work in the music industry professionally did not begin until college.

Talley was recommended by a professional guitarist to an aspiring jazz quartet who was looking for a sax player. He played with the group for a while, but was then recommended to another group that toured throughout the Midwest and even in Florida.

He then chose to return to the Kansas City area and has lived here, performing ever since.

NW passage | features

21

SMNW After Prom April 18th-19th Theme

11:30 11:30 PM PM to to 3:00 3:00 AM AM

Fantasy Island

TicketS April 13th - 17th $10 during all lunch periods April 18th $15 at the door Come and See The Surfboard Simulator Bubble Soccer and Toilet Racers Who Can Attend After Prom is open to juniors, seniors, and their guests, regardless of whether you attend Prom

meltdown COLLEG

E?

+ BY DEENA ESSA/ GRAPHICS BY PADEN CHESNEY

REJECTION STINKS, BUT WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO START GETTING USED TO IT

It’s that time of the year again: college rejection letters are arriving every day in thin, too-light envelopes. Congratulations to those who have been accepted to their choice college, but don’t move on yet. This is not just an article for those rejected this time, this is an article for coping with rejection overall.

Breathe first, talk later

You are still alive and the sun’s going to rise tomorrow. Take a deep breath and clear your mind – it’s tough, but not impossible. Although you might not get over the rejection right away, don’t let it put you in a never-ending spiral of doubt and despair. With a clear mind, turn to your parents, teachers and counselor. Talk to them honestly and listen to what they have to say. At the same time, make sure you’re not ignoring your preferences to please them.

They didn’t reject you

No, that wasn’t a typo. Your choice college really didn’t reject you; they rejected your transcript. They didn’t reject your character, your personality or your qualities. Don’t let this first rejection bring you down or demotivate you to continue achieving at school and to pursue your dreams.

So…what are you actually looking for?

Maybe this rejection is a wake-up call. Take the time to think about what you want and not what your parents, friends or teachers expect.

Expand your search and prioritize by what you are looking for.

Consider graduation rates rather than acceptance rates, what you can afford rather than what would put you into debt and look for the program that best suits you rather than what you would settle for.

Put yourself before the college’s ranking.

Go with plan B

Don’t be afraid to apply to the next school on your list. After rejection, there can be reluctance and self-doubt, but don’t let that stop you.

Make that application as best as can be and turn it in confidently. You may end up going to your dream school, but aim to make the best out of that second or third or even fourth-choice college.

If worse comes to worst

If your heart is set on that one school, remember you still have options. With significantly better standardized scores, new merits and awards or an error in the material submitted to the college, some colleges may consider an appeal. Although not ideal, you can always transfer your second year.

BY THE NUMBERS

There are over 2,800 colleges in the U.S., and more than 21 million students were enrolled in U.S. colleges in the fall of 2011 — National association for College Admission Counseling

29 percent of students applied to seven or more colleges in 2011.

Online applications and general applications like the Common Application are increasing the pool of applicants at each college.

— National Center for Education Statistics

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In the morning, during the school day and even after school, the music wing is vibrating with dozens of students, instruments in hand. Some 375 students’ lives revolve around their development in the NW music programs. In the various branches of choir, band and orchestra, students and their teachers bring music into Northwest’s sporting events, evening concerts and musicals. PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY LUCAS SILVA

Andy Chapel + by shelby beaumont

C

oronet in hand, sophomore Andy Chapel sits on stage at the Fountain City Brass Academy at St. James, ready to perform. The adrenaline rushes through his veins, but he feels strangely calm. He is in his element. The music begins and on cue, Chapel begins to play.

As a fifth grader without any musical experience, Chapel joined band when he transferred to Trailridge from Hocker Grove.

“My brother wanted me to join orchestra, so I joined [band] to spite him,” Chapel said.

“I don’t have any particular memories of when I knew I wanted to play music. I don’t

+ by shelby beaumont

O

n a Saturday morning, young Jacob Stratton sat mesmerized by the sound effects of a “The Tom and Jerry Show.” Unlike most children, he paid close attention to the music playing in the background.

This is what made Stratton decide that he wanted to be a musician, and that he wanted to make sounds like the ones he heard on that cartoon.

And his parents encouraged that.

S

features | april 3, 2015

coronet, including the ukulele, guitar and piano. Chapel plays the ukulele as one of his more relaxed and fun instruments.

Chapel is in jazz band, symphonic band, symphony orchestra, pep band, district band, Fountain City Youth brass band and is also an alternate for the state band. As an extremely involved band student, Chapel has to balance school work with band. Even then, no matter how hard it gets to balance the two, Chapel doesn’t plan on giving up music.

Jacob Stratton

“My parents would play Baby Mozart videos for me and I would listen to all of that,” Stratton said.

Music has become a major part of Stratton’s life. He is very involved in band and plays trombone and piano as his main instruments.

“Music is art and, like art, it’s a representation of life and emotion and people,” Stratton said. “It helps me find the power to deal with everything

ophomore Greta Christianson was raised around music. Her mother is the director of music at Overland Park Lutheran Church, where her family attended. She grew up listening to her mother play the piano and when she was five years old, she asked for lessons.

Christianson now plays six instruments and sings.

“I like to mess around with a few other instruments as well, when people let me” Christianson said.

Christianson is involved in solo and

24

come from a musical family, so I was never really exposed to it early on.”

Despite his reasons for joining band, it has become one of the most important things in Chapel’s life.

“Music is a freedom that invites you to challenge it,” Chapel said.

“There are always boundaries to push, whether it’s making up your own ideas or learning rules so you can follow them before learning how to tastefully break them.”

Chapel enjoys experimenting with instruments other than the

that needs to be dealt with.”

Band has helped Stratton form relationships through all the time he spends with other students. Music has helped him find his place and through the years it has become a part of his life.

For Stratton, band is more than just making music. “[But it] also means riding in a smelly bus with a whole bunch of sweaty friends, while I’m just as sweaty,” Stratton said.

Greta Christianson + by shelby beaumont ensemble work at her church, but school and band take up a lot of her time. She practices her instruments daily, playing at home where she is most comfortable.

Music is more than a hobby for Christianson. Through band and orchestra, Christianson has made some of her closest friends.

“Most of my friends are either in band or orchestra,” Christianson said.“They’re the kind of people I can have fun with and be myself around.”

Christianson has bonded with her mother over their mutual love for music, and she has also found herself in it as well. It’s a way for her to find peace.

“Music means everything to me.

It’s the joys and the sorrows and the strife and the reason to get up in the mornings.” Christianson said. “It’s the grief and the pain and the love and happiness and the laughter and everything that’s unexplainable is expressed and life just makes sense.”

top three apps used to listen to music: 1. SPOTIFY 2. PANDORA 3. SOUNDCLOUD + compiled by josh sherfy

of students surveryed listen to ALTERNATIVE/INDIE music

of students surveyed listen to POP MUSIC

226

out of 254 students surveyed listen to music while they do their homework

The majority of students listen to music

2-4 hours per day

21% of students surveyed write their own music

Julia Davis + by Cadie elder

S

enior Julia Davis walked to the center of the stage, resting her violin comfortably under her chin to lead the Symphony Orchestra’s first song, “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. The fourth annual rock concert, Rockin’ the Movies, was held at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 in the auditorium.

“This concert is our release,” Davis said.

“The band has the Light Show, choir has Final Forte at the end of the year. As string players, as orchestra kids, we have this where we just get to play the music we want to play instead of the music that is good for us.”

Although Davis has had two other solos this year, Rockin’ the Movies was the first time she played the electric violin with the Symphony Orchestra.

“She is concertmaster, which means she is the leader of the violin section,” orchestra teacher Jeffrey Bishop said. “It is her responsibility to play solos. Since it was a rock concert it would be best to do it on her electric [violin].”

Davis’ love for this instrument is attributed to camp director Mark Wood and his rock orchestra camp, a week-long camp designed to teach musicians about the electric violin.

“Most violinists are like, ‘I play classical music, that’s what I do,’ but I’ve never been the kind of person to stick with one kind,” Davis said. “I love classical music, but then I get

out my electric [violin] and I get to play all the other music I’ve wanted to dabble in, like rock, pop, dubstep.

Classical is what I play the most, but with my electric violin, I can really do anything.”

Davis has attended Wood’s rock orchestra camp at MidAmerica Nazarene University for the past five years.

“She is awesome,” Bishop said.

“She is one of the best violin players I have ever had. She is [one of] the only student[s] in the history of the program that has been concertmaster for more than one year.”

concert where [Bishop] puts the class into small ensembles,” Davis said. “We just kind of stuck together.”

They debuted around Christmas during a dinner at the Broadmoor Bistro.

Even though they were not the main performance, many people applauded.

“When you are playing in the corner of a restaurant, you are there to add ambiance to the event,” cellist Clara Davison said. “You play differently,

with a lot softer and a lot prettier of a tone, instead of trying to play as loudly as possible.”

Davis said they do not have guidance from adults and that is what they enjoy.

“That is the wonderful thing about it,” Bishop said. “Once they get started playing chamber music, my hope and goal is that they continue to do it regardless, not only as a class assignment.”

The Babethovens are looking forward to participating in an upcoming contest of solo musicians and small ensembles.

“There is definitely something about being in a practice room for long periods of time rehearsing music,” Davison said.

“You just naturally become friends.”

Violinists Natalie Martens and Julia Davis could not stop laughing as they tried to explain the name of their quartet.

“We were all trying to come up with names, and I just said it,” Martens said.

Although the Babethovens work together well, they were brought together by coincidence.

“Every year there is a chamber

+ by Cadie elder

There are a lot of differences and variation in band, choir and orchestra + BY MAKAlia williams

Band

Jazz band: Jazz band is a small band that performs in fall and spring. Their performances include Jazz and Concert Band Concert and Jazz Cabaret, in the spring.

Marching band: Marching band meets only in the first semester and performs at home football games. The Marching Cougar Pride competes against other bands and marches in the homecoming parade.

Pep band: Pep band is a subset of marching band and plays at away football games during the fall.

Concert band: Concert band performs in concerts during the first and second semester. There are no tryouts for this organization.

Symphonic band: This advanced band practices a wide variety of classical and show tunes during second semester and performs in festivals and concerts.

Basketball band: Basketball band is like marching band, except they play at home basketball games during winter.

Performances: Band has concerts, festivals, competitions, events and games it performs at each season. In fall season there were 17 performances including Bonfire and the Light Show.

In the spring season they have 13 performances ranging from Jazz Cabaret to Senior Banquet, depending on which band is performing.

Instruments: Band instruments include flutes, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone, tuba, clarinet, trumpets, bassoon, baritones, french horns, oboe and percussion.

Instructors: Ann Snead, Doug Talley and Mary Watson

Orchestra

Freshmen: Freshmen orchestra is the beginning orchestra.

String Ensemble: String ensemble requires an audition and is the next level after freshmen.

Camerata: Camerata is the second to first level of orchestra and is a bit more challenging than the first two. This requires an audition.

Chambers: Chambers is the most advanced of all four and the last orchestra. This requires an audition.

Performances: Orchestra members perform roughly every two months in a wide variety of 10 festivals, concerts and contests as well as at each spirit assembly.

Seasons: Fall and spring Instruments: Violin, viola, cello and bass.

Instructor: Jeffrey Bishop

Choir

A cappella choir: Approximately 4560 sophomores and upperclassmen perform in concerts and compete in contests throughout the year.

Chambers choir: This group of 17 people sings with the a cappella choir, but also does small, more advanced pieces of their own. Chambers choir sings complex songs designed for smaller groups.

Voice types: Bass is the lowest male voice in a choir and tenor is the highest.

The baritone voice is between bass and tenor. The lowest female voice is alto.

Mezzo soprano is a midrange voice and soprano is the highest female voice.

Seasons: Fall and spring Instructor: Scot Schwartz and accompanist Nancy Hulett

NW passage | features

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MItch Feyerherm | Words & Ink

Isaac coleman | Spirit of Northwest

SUDOKU | hard

Do you want to have Contact our graphics editor at your comic mitchfeyerherm@gmail.com featured to see your comic in print! in the newspaper?

26

entertainment | april 3, 2015

Sushi mido PHOTO BY ALEXA STYERS

sushi mido If you are looking for satisfying and affordable sushi, Sushi Mido is the place to go + by haena lee

sakura Sakura is well-known for its sushi bar that has an operating train that transports the food + by ben lucier

k

D O W N

Sushi can be expensive with a bill that could easily top $45 per person. Sushi Mido offers the best quality for the price in the Kansas City area. Their best deal is the daily special which offers either edamame or two crab rangoons plus a soup or salad with all the sushi you can eat for $23.95.

My favorite type of fish is tuna. When I go to Sushi Mido, I order the same rolls: Spicy Tuna Crunch, Ahi Tuna Crunch and the Las Vegas Roll. The kick of the Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll makes it my favorite.

The Ahi Tuna Crunch roll is a spin off of the Spicy Tuna Crunch, only differing by the addition of spicy mayo drizzled over the masago and the type of tuna used. The Las Vegas Roll is unlike any other sushi I have eaten. It is a fried roll with salmon, cream cheese and crab meat drizzled with various sauces and topped with masago. It is a sweet and savory dish that I know will always satisfy me.

Sushi Mido offers sushi ranging from $4-11. Those who plan on eating more than two rolls should go with the all-you-

can-eat option. The restaurant also offers a lunch special that is a real bargain. My bill never totals more than $30. With good sushi and great prices, I can’t help but like Sushi Mido more than Sakura.

Traditional Japanese salads, noodles and kitchen entrées are also offered, all for affordable prices. My favorite non-sushi meal would have to be their Tempura Udon: a bowl of noodles in house-made broth and a side plate of tempura fried shrimp and vegetables, all for less than $10. It’s both delicious and well-priced.

Sushi Mido’s reputation isn’t just based on the price of their tasty food. The wait staff provides great customer service. I’ve made friends with my favorite waiter, a witty guy who always wears a batman belt.

He makes my friends and I laugh. I have never had a bad waiter at Sushi Mido.

Sushi Mido is my go-to sushi place because of their well-priced meals, great food and excellent customer service. I know when I go there I definitely don’t leave hungry.

Sakura on Nieman Road is the perfect place for those who are famished. The sushi is ready as soon as once you walk in.

An Amtrack model train circles the nearly famous oval bar with 30 flat bed cars loaded with sushi.

It’s non-stop sushi. The train moves slowly enough to allow diners to pick a dish directly from the train. This fun and entertaining concept makes Sakura enjoyable for adults and appealing to children.

I’ve been going to Sakura with my parents since I was a child. The train sealed the deal on making me want to eat sushi.

I used to think that getting food off the model train was the coolest way to eat at a restaurant. But patrons can order from the menu as well.

The only dishes I eat are those delivered by the train. Every nigiri dish is delightful.

The smoked salmon rolls were delicious with a sauce that made it slightly sweet. The avocado rolls feature a great combination of vegetables while the tempura shrimp

rolls had a satisfying crunch.

But the real reason to come to Sakura is for one of its most iconic dishes: the spicy octopus. This is one of the best sushi dishes I’ve ever had. The spice is punchy and will kick in quickly, but the mild heat lingers, unless you dip it into wasabi.

Eating from the bar can add up. Although the price per dish seems inexpensive, averaging $3.25 per dish, the bill for our family of four totaled a whopping $164.49, but not one dish was anything less than exquisite. Green and blue dishes indicate the price range of the plates on the train.

Blue dishes range from $2-5, while green dishes are $5-7. Once you’re finished, a waitress will count empty dishes to tally the bill.

The only downside to this restaurant is the atmosphere. Sakura has the fast, expensive lunch vibe. If you are looking for something more formal, Sushi Mido maybe more appropriate, but you’ll find me at Sakura at least once or twice every month.

sakura PHOTO BY BRYCE REX

TUNA: Dark pink almost red in color, soft white lines along the grain

SALMON: bright orange/ light pink in color, hard white lines along the grain.

EEL: flaky texture, dark caramel or golden brown color.

MASAGO: salty bright orange Capelin roe with a crunchy texture.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ON A MUSIC BENDER

awolnation

ALBUM: RUN

+ by josh sherfy

AWOLNATION released their first album since their 2011 hit Megalithic Symphony. An album that included one of the most downloaded songs in history, “Sail”, is hard to follow up.

AWOLNATION took a chance with “Run”, and comes up a little bit short.

The album follows a trend throughout, but it is not intended to be listened to in any particular order. The songs all seem to reflect a transition from self pity and uncertainty, to a care free and mindless mentality. AWOLNATION’s steady beat and almost hypnotic

rhythm carry the listener through the song, but tend to drag on and leave the listener asking for more.

In songs like “Hollow Moon” and “Headrest For my Soul”, the fastspitting and witty lyrics provide a

Run may not have any charttopping hits; the Grammys may not feature AWOLNATION on stage; but “Run” is an ideal album for background music for any social event. Megalithic Symphony was

AWOLNATION TOOK A CHANCE WITH “RUN”, AND COMES UP A LITTLE BIT SHORT. much-needed depth lacking from the rest of the album. If you are listening to Run in the background you will not be disappointed. However, this album is not one to listen to for content and knock-your-socks-off vocals.

a smash hit, and “Run” left some questions for the listener. Though as a whole, the album is not up to the lofty standards for AWOLNATION, there are a few tracks that the listeners will enjoy.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LH3

milk radio SAMSUNG

+ by ben lucier

Got Milk? If not, you should. Milk Radio is the future of internet radio and is sure to put Pandora to shame — well, for Samsung users that is.

Milk Radio is exactly like Pandora, but more enjoyable.

Milk Radio is the only internet radio to offer fine tuning depending on how fresh you like your milk, allowing the listener to adjust music selections to his/her liking. Fine tuning is impressively accurate. To pick a music genre, a dial appears in the center of the screen showing all

categories for music. I can use the dial when I’m not sure of what specific station I want to listen to. I can set it to a specific genre and get any songs from that category at random.

down the audio quality to save on mobile data.

If you are a Samsung user, you are in luck. Milk Radio is only for Samsung users. It’s a terrific music

MILK RADIO IS EXACTLY LIKE PANDORA, BUT MORE ENJOYABLE. Currently, no ads pop up on Milk Radio. Its display is colorful and sleek.

I can skip as many songs as I want and can choose the audio quality.

In case I’m not connected to a WiFi network and using Milk, I can turn

app that’s Samsung’s answer to iTunes Radio.

The app is available on multiple Samsung devices including the Galaxy, Note and Tab. PHOTO COURTESY OF BLACK FILM

focus

WILL SMITH

+ by cadie elder

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entertainment | april 3, 2015

Nicky Spurgeon (Will Smith) has been a con man all his life. While out at dinner, he runs into the beautiful Jess Barnett (Margot Robbie) an amateur con artist. Anyone could have seen this coming, but the rest of Focus is far from expected. A charming Spurgeon decides to show Barnett a few tricks about pickpocketing, insisting she never lose focus.

Barnett’s beauty lets her steal wallets, purses and watches easily.

Barnett is not a common star on the big screen, but her acting stood out.

At the beginning of the movie she seems helpless, but through multiple dilemmas she proves to be a versatile character.

The fast-paced plot kept my

attention. Of all actors to play criminals, Smith and Robbie were a pleasant surprise. The relatable duo makes stealing a watch off a stranger’s arm seem innocent. They also add a Bonnie and Clyde flair to a modern movie, and the soundtrack complemented it perfectly and gave it a retro vibe.

marks a transition to more serious productions.

But for a movie that is supposed to have “focus,” it starts off bumpy and vague. In addition to a cliché beginning, the plot line fades as the movie continues. Although the movie was entertaining, there are sharp cuts from event to event, leaving

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A COMPELLING DRAMA, THEN FOCUS IS WORTH A LOOK. Screenwriters Glenn Ficarra and John Requa have co-directed and coproduced several movies including Crazy, Stupid, Love and Cats & Dogs. Both have worked together on several other comedies and have proved to be one dynamic duo. Focus

many question left unanswered. I was impressed with the full-circle ending; most of the character’s lives intertwine in unexpected ways.

If you’re looking for a compelling drama, then Focus is worth a look.

From the court to the pool, winter athletes took their best to the state competition +by Matthew owens PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA

The varsity girls’ basketball team placed fourth overall at the Kansas class 6A state tournament in Wichita, March 11-14.

The Lady Cougars advanced to semi-finals after a convincing 39-26 win against Manhattan High School on March 12 in front of many Northwest Students.

“We knew from the beginning of the season we were going to have a good chance to get back to state,”

shooting guard Brenni Rose said. “We took it one game at a time and got there and played well. Fourth is not exactly how we wanted to go, but being one of the best girls’ basketball teams in the state is a good feeling.”

Students took a spirit bus to Wichita to support the girls’ basketball team in the state semi-finals. The Lady Cougars lost 37-27 against the undefeated Maize High School and lost a tough third

place game to Washburn Rural 50-47 to finish fourth overall.

“Out of my four years playing for Northwest, this year we were the best,” senior Brooklyn Wagler said. “I have been to state three out of my four years at Northwest and this was my first [time] winning a game at Koch arena. That was awesome. I was incredibly proud of them this year and the hard work that was put into our season.”

The wrestling team faced challenging first round matches, placing 26th at the state tournament Feb. 27.

“We had a really tough time at state,” head wrestling coach Howard Newcomb said.

“We had guys who didn’t get a good draw. Five of our guys had to wrestle the state champion first. That usually doesn’t bode well for your

point totals. They wrestled tough and we didn’t have very many winnable matches.

[Those] guys were better than us.”

However, the team enjoyed the experience of competing against the best in the state.

Team members said they enjoyed competing at the state competition.

“The experience was

great,” junior Trevor Rine said. “It’s not like any of the other tournaments throughout the year and it is a much bigger challenge than any other tournament.

The biggest moment was probably after I beat my first [opponent] and he threw a little temper tantrum to himself.”

The medley relay team of seniors Daniel Wood, Sam Adams, Mark Hanneman and sophomore Brandon Harrell plus the team’s only varsity diver Nathan Henderson qualified for the Feb. 20-21 state tournament .

“I swam at state last year,

but this was the first time I felt like I played a real part in earning our spot at state,” Adams said. “The race seemed to fly by, but one of the biggest moments was Mark Hanneman’s leg of the race because he dropped about a second off of his best

time.”

The relay team placed 19th overall and Henderson placed 12th.

“I felt very proud and relieved I made it to state,” Henderson said. “I knew this was my only chance, so I was determined to make it.”

The girls’ bowling team qualified for the state tournament along with sophomore Colton Kinsella, who competed as an individual for the boys’ team.

“To go to state again with my team during my senior

year was an awesome way to end my bowling career,” senior bowler Abbie Munson said.

The girls finished ninth and Kinsella finished in the top 70.

“I think all of us were

having a rough time that day,” freshman Alaina Burris said. ”We were nervous. We took ninth and, even though that was a rough finish, it was still an experience to be able to go to state as a team.”

PHOTO BY TARYN SMITH

PHOTO BY BRYCE REX

PHOTO BY KATY TERRY

Pregame Rituals “I went down to the ground level and did a few sprints, then I just really jumped around and tried my best to get focused.” junior Trevor Rine “I just really thought through all my dives.” senior Nathan Henderson “Mrs. Brewer gave us all hugs and we did our Cougars thing, like we usually do before every meet.”

Alaina Burris

to hear how the individual teams did at state from the coaches’ perspectives, check out http://smnw.com/ 2015/03/25/ state-boundvideo/

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29

follow @smnwdotcom for instant score updates of all varsity sports

boys’ golf

girls’ swim & dive

baseball

Boys’ golf head coach of nine years Jim Bamburg is excited. Bamburg sees his varsity roster shaping up well, “even with eight hardworking new players and five returning.”

“I feel good about our season because we have a good mix of very solid older players and some outstanding new freshmen to support them this season,” Bamburg said, “They all work very hard, love the game and are overall athletes.”

Bamburg has high expectations for varsity’s top golfer, junior Blake Allen. Allen placed sixth at the state tournament last year and his goal is to place higher this year.

“My plan is to practice well every day and work hard on my game,” Allen said.

The boys will play in tournaments a few times a week. The varsity team’s first major tournament will be will be 1 p.m. Monday at the Quivira Golf Course. The season will end at the state tournament on May 15.

The girls’ JV swim team had their first meet March 25 at SM North High School. Both the 400-yard free relay team and the 200-yard free relay team took fifth place and the 200-yard medley relay team placed 10th. Sophomore Carlee Dubbert placed fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke, and junior Mckenzie Johnson placed fifth in the 100-yard backstroke.

“I felt like it went really well for my first meet of the season, and I want to keep improving and dropping time,” junior Elizabeth Gibson, who swims the 50-yard freestyle, said. “I’ve been swimming for six years, but this is my first year at Northwest, so I hope the season will continue to be successful and fun.”

Both the varsity and JV teams will compete at 3:30 p.m. Monday at Olathe South.

The varsity baseball team beat SM East 7-1 in their first game March 27.

The Cougars scored two home runs in the second and sixth innings, and three more in the seventh inning.

Junior Brandon Gomer pitched four innings, throwing eight strike outs and allowing only two hits. Head varsity baseball coach Domenic Mussat sees Gomer as a key player in the team’s success.

“Our pitcher [Gomer] is going to have to be our horse this year,” Mussat said. “He’s going to have run it.”

Gomer is one of eight lettermen to return to the varsity team. The other returning lettermen include seniors Brett Ferencz, Casey Kelley and Nathan Reeder, and junior Garrett Stephens.

“With that many returning letterman,” Mussat said, “I’m expecting to do well.”

Last year, the baseball team did not make it to the state tournament, finishing their season with an 8-8 overall record.

“I’d like to at least go to state,” Mussat said.

“With the talent we’ve got, we should be pretty good.”

Although it is Mussat’s first season as head coach after 18 years as junior varsity baseball coach, the team has adjusted to former coach Rich Kuzydym’s retirement. “[Mussat] is trying to be more actively involved in the workouts which could easily transfer over to a new dynamic in the season,” Kelley said.

The Cougars’ will play Rockhurst at 4:30 p.m.

Monday at 3&2 stadium near Shawnee Mission Park.

+ by mills vick

+ by nathan henderson

+ by deena essa

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

PHOTO BY KATIE DEWITT

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sports | april 3, 2015

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

PHOTO BY KRISTI SENG

SPORTS track & field

girls’ soccer

Boys’ tennis

The season is up and running for the track and field team and already the coach is anxious for the state tournament. “[My goals] are the same every year and that is to win state,” head track and field coach Mike Cooper said. “You take the schedule and put state at the top of it. Taking the best possible team to state is my main goal and the secondary goal is to do well at regionals.”

The athletes are looking forward to the season as they try to make it to the state tournament.

“Every meet, the only goal you have is to do a little better than the last meet,” javelin thrower Neil Stimach said. “Whether it’s throwing a foot further, jumping six inches higher, or running a few seconds faster, you must keep your head in the meet you are in and just get better.”

The team, which has many returning seniors, will have strong leadership.

“Last year our track team was mostly made of juniors who are now seniors,” pole vaulter and sprinter Sam Sullivan said. “We have a lot of experience... and put a lot of time into getting better. I expect us to have a lot of people go to state this year.”

The team’s next meet will be at 9 a.m., April 4, at the SM South Relays.

The varsity girls’ soccer season kicked off on a rainy Wednesday night as the Lady Cougars took on Blue Valley High.

The young team, with just three seniors, was put to the test. Just 20 minutes in, Blue Valley was awarded a penalty kick, and converted to make the score 1-0.

The Cougars battled through the rest of the half, but the score remained the same. With opportunities to tie the game throughout the second half, missed chances haunted the Cougars. Through the chilly temperatures and on and off rain, the score remained 1-0.

The final horn sounded, marking the end of the match. Though they were on the wrong end of the result, the solid performance will be something to build on as they move on in the season.

The team will face SM East on March 31 at home. The JV and C-teams will play at 5 p.m. and the varsity game will begin at 7 p.m.

The boys’ varsity tennis team is off to a rough start, but coach Ken Clow sees no need to be concerned.

“We... lost 16-2 but last year we lost 18-0 to this team and this team is going to finish either first or second in state,” Clow said.

“They probably have some players from their team that are good enough to go to state but won’t have a chance to because they can’t make top six.”

Despite this setback Clow is confident in his team and says practices are going well. Senior Kyler Akagi agrees.

“I’d say [the season] is going pretty well,” Akagi said. “Last year our varsity team got destroyed. We got a couple more matches than last time which is good.”

Practices have consisted of many challenge matches. Players are ranked one through twelve and play challenge matches to attempt to improve their rankings through an eight game series. When competing against another school, they play their ranked equivalent.

“We’re ranked one through 12, so we have rivalries there,” Akagi said. “We try to see who is the best and it makes us try to be the best.”

The team is led by co-captains Nill Patel and Jack Wells, who are trying to improve themselves as well as the team. “[Practices] are going great,” Patel said.

“Coach Clow is getting people in their correct [rankings]. I think we did well and didn’t give up too many matches. We have a strong varsity this year and a fairly strong [JV].”

The next meet will be April 6 at 3:30 p.m. at Olathe East

+ By matthew owens

+ by josh sherfy

+ jack lynch

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

PHOTO BY HAENA LEE

PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA

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IT’S A GREAT WAY TO EXPRESS MYSELF. IF I STRUGGLE WITH SOMETHING, FINDING THE RIGHT WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE SITUATION IS RELIEVING. PLUS, IT’S COOL TO HEAR HOW OTHERS DESCRIBE THEIR LIVES. POETRY IS KIND OF LIKE OBSERVING SOMETHING AND WRITING IT DOWN IN A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE, MAYBE THAT NO ONE EXPECTS. — senior Spencer Dang PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA