Issue 8: Babies, Bottles, Back to Work

passage

Volume 46 — Issue 8 ­­— May 1, 2015

BABIES, BOTTLES, to

Teachers search for a sense of normalcy when big changes arise story on pg. 15 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LUCAS SILVA

issue 8 table of contents

15 BABIES, BOTTLES, BACK TO WORK Teachers search for a sense of normalcy when big changes arise Photo Illustration by Lucas Silva

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.

06 09 DEAR 151 You replied and we listened; here are some of your opinions addressed Graphic by Grace Amundson

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THIS MONTH IN HASHTAGS

SPRING CLEANING CHECKLIST

STARS, STRIPES AND SCANTRONS

In news, politics, entertainment and sports, these hashtags are trending across major social media platforms

Spring has sprung, and with that comes spring cleaning

Two states have passed laws requiring high school seniors to pass the U.S. citizenship test in order to receive a diploma

Graphics by Mitch Feyerherm

Graphics by Nathan Henderson

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19 BEST OF NORTHWEST A compilation of our favorite photos from the past month Photo by Addison Sherman

I’LL MAKE A POET OUT OF YOU For two days, from lunchtime until the end of the day, students filled the library for the tenth annual poetry slam

Photo Illustration by Nick Kahtava

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PROM ASSEMBLY

SPRING INTO SPORTS

Students gather in the main gym on April 17 to kick off prom weekend Photo by Shelby Beaumont

Profiles of senior and freshmen athletes in spring sports Photo by Reagan Key

Photo by Jordan Absher

STARS, STRIPES AND SCANTRONS Take a portion of the U.S. citizenship test and check your answers

by Josh Sherfy

#POSITIVITYPROJECT Senior Christina Hayford hosts a letter-exchange between Northwest and neighboring schools as part of her Tom Karlin Scholarship project

by Grace Gorenflo

FROM THE HEART A love of art has drawn these six artists to develop a life-long passion

by Grace Gorenflo, Paige Eichkorn and Shelby Beaumont

THE KINGS OF TABLETS Amazon, Apple and Samsung dominate the market when it comes to top of the line tablets

by Ben Lucier

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

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CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF RAPE RAPE HAS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM ON SOME CAMPUSES WHERE SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT ALWAYS EFFECTIVE

ast fall Columbia University student Emma Sulkowicz began a project she called Carry that Weight as her senior project. She began carrying around her dorm mattress with her everywhere she went in protest of how her administration had handled her rape case.

Sulkowicz is just one example of the many students whose stories are not being heard by their administration.

As of January, 94 post-secondary schools in the United States were under investigation for mishandling sexual assault cases according to research done by Tyler Kingkade on Scribd. com. With this number having risen rapidly over the past few years, college activists all over the country have taken to protesting their schools in hope of better school policies.

This fosters the question of whether or not policies are effective, on college campuses or on high school ones.

Given that the environment of a high school campus is much different than that of a university, situations such as sexual assault would be handled quite differently, but are they too different? In the Shawnee Mission School District the school does not have a right to get involved in a case such as this unless it happened on school grounds. Outside of school, it is purely a legal matter and only the police department can decide on the consequences.

As far as disciplining the student, Northwest can either suspend or expel the student, depending on the severity of the situation. Universities can take the same action, but college campuses are different in that, in some situations, they can discipline students for off campus activity.

Universities may have more say in the discipline side, but that does not mean they have an effective support system. The University of Kansas has a detailed policy on sexual assault cases on any of their campuses. According to their policy, they can prohibit contact between the compliant and the accused, and they offer many resources to get help. Their extensive policy makes them seem very reliable, but every school claims to be working toward a safe and supportive environment.

Even if colleges are supportive, it is harder to get that message across on a university campus than it is within the halls of a high school. At Northwest, students have a much closer relationship with the administration, one that involves daily interaction.

“I think the main thing is trying to have a good relationship with the students in terms of letting them know that we’re concerned about them and that we care about them,” Gruman said. “We look at trying to make sure [students] have that avenue of communication with someone and feel comfortable coming and telling people…I think it really just goes back to students feeling like we’re approachable. It’s being out in the halls, talking to people and being around.”

AGREE ---- DISAGREE

In May 2013, 55 sc ools in the U.S. were under investigation for their treatment of rape allegations

STAFF EDITORIAL

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In one year 3

college women are raped.

This does not include other forms of sexual assault (Kilpatrick, et al.)

In terms of discipline, college administration can be more helpful than high school administration in that they can get more involved in the case. Since administration on college campuses has a more difficult time building close connections with students, and they have a larger group of students to protect, colleges are not always as effective as high school ones in terms of support. While both types of campuses have strengths and weaknesses, both should still be supportive.

If university administration were to have a better system of communication with students in making sure they know where

AS OF JANUARY, 94 POSTSECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR MISHANDLING SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES ACCORDING TO RESEARCH DONE BY TYLER KINGKADE ON SCRIBD.COM. their resources are, students would be more likely to come to them. If students knew that their administration would handle their case appropriately, they would be more likely to give them the weight of their abusive experience.

Policies differ from school to school, but every staff can enforce a positive and welcoming environment for their students.

RAPE IS THE LEAST REPORTED OF ALL VIOLENT CRIMES (RAND, 2009.)

11%

Only 11 percent of college women who are victims of rape report it to the police (Kilpatrick, et al., 2007).

>10%

Less than 10 percent of rape cases reported to the police result in criminal charges against the accused

(Alderden & Ullman, 2012).

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YOU REPLIED AND WE LISTENED; HERE ARE SOME OF YOUR OPINIONS ADDRESSED The newspaper staff is introducing a new section called “Dear 151.” This will provide an open forum for students to express their opinions on topics pertaining to our coverage and on breaking news and events that matter to the student body. Some student opinions will be selected for publication, and a newspaper staff writer will respond to any questions you may have. Students are able to submit their opinions at smnw.com/dear-151/, and prompts for discussion will be updated weekly.

+ by Sam Athey & Cadie Elder & Deena Essa Sprint LTE

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To: Asher, Brendan, Ali, Rana, Sarah, Cody What are your opinions of some of the potential 2016 presidents?

Hillary Clinton declared her presidency last Sunday. What are your thoughts on her candidacy?

She has been against [same-sex marriage] until very recently. [She] supported the unnecessary Iraq war. But I think she is the best option so far (which says a lot about the Republican party).

While having a strong female figure in the White House would be great, is she any different from her male counterparts?

Freshman Asher Norberg Liberals and conservatives think that Hillary is a hyper liberal candidate. The reality though is that Hillary is a warmongering corporatist. I will not support Hillary Clinton in 2016, and I encourage everyone to support either Green Party Candidate Jill Stein, or Senator Bernie Sanders, if he chooses to run.

Junior Brendan Davison God help us all if she wins.

Sophomore Ali Rosebaugh I think it’s about time we had a woman president, but I am disappointed that there aren’t more women running. How do presidents truly represent the American people if they’ve all been men so far and about half the people in America are women?

Sophomore Rana Schenke Dear Rana, Since 1789, nine women have ran for president, while in that same time from, 104 men also ran for president. In fact, the only time a woman ‘held’

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Opinion | May 1, 2015

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To: Asher, Brendan, Ali, Rana, Sarah, Cody, Walker

president. In fact, the only time a woman ‘held’ office was when President Woodrow Wilson was incapacitated by a stroke in 1919. His wife, Edith Wilson, took charge while maintaining her husband’s healthy image, writing his notes and receiving all correspondence for him.

Ted Cruz was the first Republican candidate to announce his running. Thoughts?

He’s not very respectful towards Obama, and that, in my opinion, makes him a bad candidate.

Even if he doesn’t like Obama, he is a public figure and should show some respect. I would not be voting for him.

Sophomore Rana Schenke If he is Republican, then I will be voting for him. Also I would vote for anyone just to get the [current] president gone.

Freshmen Sarah Verschelden I haven’t read much about him, but [his] 21-hour filibuster on the Affordable Care Act makes me angry. The act has helped many people receive healthcare [despite] things that are outside their control. I even know one little girl who would have been left without a wheelchair for something she was born with. It is not right to be selfish when the act helps so many people.

Senior Cody Plante What about Jeb Bush? He has announced he will “actively explore” a 2016 campaign. Is another Bush in the White House the way to go?

Well, clearly, even just from this question, he is dealing with a lot of bias and skepticism. He will definitely have to overcome that if he is to have a chance.

Junior Walker Smith

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To: Walker, Cody, Natalie, Cati, ZhanArden chance.

Junior Walker Smith

It won’t be much of a difference. “Bush” is a good name and has good family and values. I have no problem with a third Bush president, as long as he does what is right.

Senior Cody Plante ... haven’t we had enough Bushes in Office?

Senior Natalie Martens Dear Natalie, If Bush wins the 2016 election, he would be the third Bush to hold office, after his brother George W. Bush and father George H.W. Bush. In regards to Bush’s potential campaign, former First Lady Barbara Bush, Bush’s mother, said, “We’ve had enough Bushes,” on NBC’s “Today” show. If Bush were to run in 2016, he will have to overcome the legacies of former Bushes, especially that of this brother. According to a Pew Research survey conducted at the end of George W. Bush’s term in December 2008, only 11 percent of Americans said Bush would be favorably remembered, especially for involving the U.S. in wars with Iraq and Afghanistan and for the Financial Bailout of 2008.

We don’t beat around the Bush, 151 How do you think the U.S. is handling the issue with ISIS? If the government is as against ISIS as they say, then they need to be taking more severe steps to end the tyrants...Honestly, grounding troops overseas is the worst option at this point. No one wants to see them have to go back over there.

Obama also needs to put aside his favoritism towards Muslim religions and quit defending them because he is only angering Americans and leading us to question what his motives truly are.

Senior Cati Keach They are terrorists. Of course the US should handle them. I think the US should do more to contain and eliminate them.

Freshman ZhanArden Vil

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To: Chandler, Caroline, Austin What is your opinion on global warming and environmental change?

We can either focus on saving our own planet or moving to others. We’ve done so much damage to Earth already, I think we should focus on colonizing other planets.

Senior Chandler Finstad Dear 151, I think that the polar bears are going to die and I love the polar bears.

Freshman Caroline Taggart Dear Caroline, We love the polar bears too! Here is a cute polar bear cartoon from our graphics editor Mitch Feyerherm.

Global warming does exist. I believe it would be best for the environment if we assume we are harming the environment. I support all efforts to reduce human-created greenhouse gases. The real question is: are [humans] indeed responsible for climate change, and what can we do to protect our planet and reverse any damage?

Senior Austin Kelly Dear Austin, Greenhouse gases warm the earth, preventing heat from leaving the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas released through human activity. In 2013, 82 percent of gases emitted were carbon dioxide, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Carbon Capture and Storage is a technology that is trying to prevent 90 percent of fossil fuels from reentering the atmosphere, but at the same time, allows other pollutants to toxify our air. According to the EPA, students can decrease their carbon footprint with small things like recycling, carpooling and biking.

Keep a cool head, 151

iMessage NW passage | opinion

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briefly a

PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

StuCo Elections were held on April 16 throughout NW + by shelby beaumont

PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

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uring seminar on April 16, students gathered in various parts of NW to watch student council candidates give their speeches. The juniors met in the auxiliary gym, sophomores in the main gym and freshmen in the auditorium.

Next year’s senior president will be Emiel Winkelmolen with vice president Madison Jarman. The junior class president will be Drew Vander Leest with Courtney Jones as his vice president. Freshmen Porter Volk and Will Gross will be the sophomore president and vice president, respectively.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH CLASS ARE AS FOLLOWS: Sophomores:: Austin Andersen Michael Filsinger Ava Graves Will Gross, Vice President Julian Kuffour Jack Lammers Rachel Perez Mihir Shroff Gia Vargas Porter Volk, President Seniors: Andrew Andersen Jessica Broll Erica Esch Maddison Jarman, Vice President Nick Johnson Kelsey Nagel Braden Pomerantz Alexa Styers Emiel Winkelmolen, President Reagan Walsh

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA MACAULEY

Juniors: Ty Ball Tavin Cook Will Hauser Courtney Jones, Vice President Hope Medis Alex Oleson Katie Springer Anna Taylor Drew Vander Leest, President Reed Williams

Clockwise from top left: Junior Jessica Broll gives her speech to her classmates on April 16 in the Auxiliary Gym. Junior Maddison Jarman paces the floor of the Auxiliary Gym as she speaks to the junior class on StuCo election day.

Freshman Spencer Modiri speaks to his class in the Greg Parker Auditorium on April 16.

Freshman Will Gross gives his speech in the Greg Parker Auditorium. Gross phrased his speech by claiming that a Russian cosmonaut named Sergei told him to run for StuCo. Junior Andrew Anderson breaks away from the podium as he speaks to his class for StuCo elections.

executive board: Hallie Ingraham, President Nate Jones, Vice President Amelia Hoelting, Secretary Sam Oberbroeckling, Treasurer Bailey Jarrett, Parliamentarian Katy Terry, Publicist

Orchestra performs concert in preparation for KSHSAA State Festival Students played April 13 for parents before their concert April 15

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s the pre-concert began, Bishop waved his baton as the symphony and chambers orchestra started to play Sebastian Bach’s “Chorale Prelude (Wachet auf).” After a brief pause for applause, they continued with “Danse Bacchanale” by SaintSaens.

String ensemble and camerata followed with the first part of “Passacaglia Death of Falstaff” and the second part of “Touch Her Soft Lips.” They also played “Baltic Dance” by Kirt N. Mosier.

Symphony orchestra and string ensemble competed April

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news | May 1, 2015

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA MACAULEY

15 at the KSHSAA State Festival competing against other schools at Blue Valley West, earning scores of 1 and 2, respectively.

“The students played very well,” instructor Jeffrey Bishop said. “I am very proud of how well they played and how well they represented our school and community at contest. They are some of the best people I’ve ever taught.”

“It was one of our best performances,” cellist Jessica Broll said. “I really thought we had a lot of emotion and as a group we played well together.”

+ by makaila williams

A LIST OF THE LAST PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR:

April 25 - KSHSAA State Festival: Students can decide to independently work on a solo or a quartet, while receiving on a scale of 1 - 5, one being the best advancing to state.

April 28 - NW Area Orchestra at 7:00 p.m.: All elementary and middle schools in the NW area perform at a concert with all string bands.

May 7 - Spring Orchestra Concert at 7:00 p.m.: Orchestra students play a song that the seniors request, usually more recent or pop pieces.

this month in

# Hashtags

The following hashtags are some of the trending hashtags in news, politics, entertainment and sports across social media platforms + by deena essa / graphics by nathan henderson

#AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMalik Zayn Malik announced he was leaving One Direction after departing the band mid-tour in Asia. His departure was followed by rumors on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook that One Direction was

#iHeartRadio RadioAwards

#RIP TopGear Jeremy Clarkson was fired from the hit TV show Top Gear March 11, after punching producer Oisin Tymon. Social media buzzed with reaction “mourning” the “death” of the show.

Since 2002, Clarkson has cohosted this British show about cars with Richard Hammond and James May. The show will not be canceled, but social media users believe the show will not be the same without Clarkson.

Clarkson allegedly punched the producer after learning he wouldn’t be served a hot steak meal.

about to break up. Fans’ reactions ranged from tears and crying to asking for time off work to overwhelming love and support. The hashtag was mentioned over 5 million times. According to an interview with Malik conducted by The Sun, he quit the band because the happiness of his loved ones was being jeopardized.

The second annual iHeart Awards were held March 29 in Los Angeles. Taylor Swift winning Artist of the Year for her hit single “Shake It Off,” was not the only incident that trended during the awards. In his opening lines, host Jamie Foxx said, “We got some groundbreaking performances, here too, tonight. We got Bruce Jenner, who will be doing some musical performances. He’s doing a his-and-her duet all by himself.”

Backlash on social media was harsh and immediate; Foxx was slammed for poking fun at Bruce Jenner’s alleged plans to undergo a sex change operation.

#BoycottEltonJohn #BoycottDulceandGabbana Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz called on baristas March 16 to write #RaceTogether on all Starbucks cups. This controversial campaign encouraged baristas to talk about race relations with customers has been scaled back. The following Sunday,

Schultz announced that baristas will no longer be asked to write the slogan #RaceTogether to engage customers on the topic of racism in the U.S. The campaign suffered a public backlash from the start, with critics accusing the company of using racial tension to sell coffee. The vitriol was so strong that it caused a senior Starbucks executive to temporarily suspend his Twitter account.

#RaceTogether Elton John called for a boycott of Italian designers Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce over their comments in a magazine interview on children conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), calling them “synthetic.” In the magazine, designers Dolce & Gabbana also condemned gay adoption, stressing the importance of a “traditional” family structure. Dolce & Gabbana hit back with a boycott campaign of their own, urging their fans to hop onto a #BoycottEltonJohn campaign. Their comments also angered straight couple whose children were conceived using IVF. Many called out the fashion designers for their allegedly hypocritical stance; the two had been romantically involved until 2005.

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SPRING CLEANING CHECKLIST SPRING HAS SPRUNG, AND WITH THAT COMES SPRING CLEANING. You pull out your storage bins and cleaning supplies, but where do you start? Here are a few step-by-step tips to make your spring cleaning easy, affordable and effective. + by Rebecca Carroll & Cadie Elder

+ graphics by Rachel Bateman

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Bathroom

o clean your bathroom, start by removing all items that do not belong there, like clothing. After this, thoroughly clean the toilet, counters and bathtub or shower. Scrubbing Bubbles® Foaming Bleach Bathroom Cleaner and a sponge (or rag) is an inexpensive way to remove mildew and other stains that linger in your shower. Take down the shower curtains and wash them along with bath mats or rugs. Clean and organize your drawers and cabinets using drawer dividers and bins.

Maximize space by getting rid of products you have not used in over six months. Check expiration dates on old containers and discard anything that’s almost empty. Lastly, mop the floors and put the curtain back up.

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+ graphics by mitch Feyerherm

SAY WHAT These household items are versatile and provide a cheap answer to your everyday household problems.

COAT HANGERS are versatile items that can also hang sunglasses, scarves or ties. They provide an easy and organized way to choose the perfect pair of shades you want to wear for the day.

Closet

ake everything out of your closet and decide what is necessary and what you can live without. Tip: hang all your clothes on your closet rack facing the same way. When you wear an item of clothing and put it back up, turn the hanger the opposite direction. If, by the end of two or three months, you have any hangers that haven’t been turned, get rid of those items. This way, you only keep items you use frequently. Once this is done, store out-of-season clothing in bins and shelving.

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Fans

o not forget to dust the top side of your fans you need to start using them. Otherwise, dust will fly around your bedroom and create a new mess. Try using an old pillowcase to dust these contraptions. First, place your pillowcase over a fin of the fan. You can use products like Pledge® or Endust® to help clean. Then, gently pull the pillowcase toward you, wiping the surface of the fin. All the dust will go into your pillowcase, so make sure to wash it afterward, but this makes for quick and easy cleanup.

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Walls

tart with any windows that are in your room. Wash the curtains and dust the blinds. Take a look at what has been hanging on your wall for a year and decide if it is time for it to hit the trash. When placing new items on your wall, do not use any kind of tape as, over time, it will peel away paint. Baking soda can also remove stains on your walls, including anything from crayon marks to candle wax.

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feature | May 1, 2015

Spring is a good time to clean your car inside and out.

A simple SMEAR OF TOOTHPASTE can remove the haze that covers your headlights.

YOUR PILLOWS can be fluffy again.

Place your pillows in the dryer on medium heat with two tennis balls.

Warning: the tennis balls can make loud noises in your dryer.

A twisted reality JUNIOR ARIANNA MICHAELSON, WHO HAS BEEN PAINTING SINCE SHE WAS FIVE YEARS OLD, HOPES TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF HER ART

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s a young girl, junior Arianna Michaelson showed interest in art.

“I think I’ve wanted to do art since I was five years old,” Michaelson said.

“My mom tells me that when I was in kindergarten I drew something and I told her, ‘Mom, I just have to draw every day. I just have to.’ Ever since she told me that, I’ve realized art is my calling, and I can’t see myself doing anything else.”

Michaelson first got involved in art in fifth grade when she took art classes from Julie Birkmeyer, a family friend.

“I still remember my first class with her,” Michaelson said. “From there, my artwork and my love for it just grew exponentially.”

Her passion grew, and new forms of art caught Michaelson’s eye.

“I do mostly acrylic paintings,” Michaelson said. “And my favorite style aesthetically is art deco.”

Another form is surrealism, a style of art which mixes reality with imagination.

“I was very into that last semester, the whole randomness and symbolism that comes along with it is very interesting to me,” Michaelson said.

Michaelson considers art teacher David Hunt a mentor and influence.

“Arianna is one of the most extraordinary and hard working artists I know,” Hunt said. “She is already working independently as of this semester, so she has already in the sense graduated past high school. I’ve seen her develop a stronger work ethic, and an artists’ work ethic is the critical part of being an artist.”

Although Michaelson’s career in art has not yet begun, she fully intends on pursuing this hobby after graduation.

“I know that wherever I go in life it will always involve art,” Michaelson said. “I don’t know who I’d be without it. The dream right now is to go to Kansas City Art Institute or the School of the Art Institute of Chicago…If not college, I’m going to California to live with my uncle and get a crap job so I can buy art supplies and work out there.”

+ by shelby beaumont / photos by shelby beaumont

FOR SENIOR SARAH KOMER, PHOTOGRAPHY IS AN OUTLET FOR HER TO EXPRESS HERSELF

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enior Sarah Komer’s passion for photography started in middle school, when she received her first digital camera, but it wasn’t until her sophomore year in Mrs. Heaton’s photo 1 class that she began focusing on photography.

“That year I got a Canon Rebel T3i for my birthday,” Komer said. “I was exposed (pun intended) to both film and digital photography, and I honestly have no preference for one over the other.”

Komer not only takes photography class, she also restarted a photography club at Northwest, which meets every Thursday after school in room 7.

“I started photography club because I love seeing the world through other people’s eyes,” Komer said. “It gives us a good opportunity to share our work and give each other feedback.”

Komer also developed an interest for surrealism.

“There are actually some really cool, young photographers that I discovered this year. I researched them and could relate to them because they are introverted surrealists,” Komer said. “[Surrealist photographers] Kyle Thompson and Alex Stoddard are my main inspirations right now.”

Komer uses different styles of photography as a chance to translate her emotions into something tangible.

“I often use [photography] to express how I’m feeling,” Komer said. “If it’s a nice day outside and I’m feeling happy, I’ll shoot in color somewhere at Shawnee Mission Park.

If I’m stressed and need a break, I’ll grab my Holga [camera] or film camera and shoot in black and white.”

Komer often photographs the people who are most important to her, such as her family and her friends, including senior Lauren Paccapaniccia.

“I’ve known Sarah since sixth grade and she has always been very artistic,” Paccapaniccia said. “She played piano and loved drawing, and next thing

you knew she was playing guitar in a band. Then she began piano again and started painting, but she really found her niche in photography. Her style and photos are very artsy and she sees things in a different way than most people. She always finds a deeper meaning.”

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TWO STATES HAVE PASSED LAWS REQUIRING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS TO PASS THE U.S. CITIZENSHIP TEST IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A DIPLOMA

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n January, Arizona and North Dakota passed legislation requiring students to score a 60% on a portion of the test administered in order to gain US citizenship, in order to receive their high school diploma. Seventeen other states are also debating implementing the testing as well.

In Northwest, seniors are required to take American Government prior to graduation. A similar system is used across the nation that requires a civics or economics credit to be taken. In 2013, the US Department of Education suspended civics exams due to budget cuts.

1. THE FEDERALIST PAPERS SUPPORTED THE PASSAGE OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. NAME ONE OF THE WRITERS. James Madison Thomas Jefferson George Washington John Adams 2. WHO VETOES BILLS? the President the Speaker of the House the Vice President the President Pro Tempore 3. HOW MANY JUSTICES ARE ON THE SUPREME COURT? nine (9) eleven (11) ten (10) twelve (12) 4. WHAT DO WE CALL THE FIRST TEN AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION? the Declaration of Independence the Bill of Rights the inalienable rights the Articles of Confederation 5. HOW OLD DO CITIZENS HAVE TO BE TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT? sixteen (16) and older eighteen (18) and older thirty-five (35) and older twenty-one (21) and older 6. WHAT ARE TWO CABINET-LEVEL POSITIONS?

Secretary of Health and Human Services and Secretary of the Navy Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of History Secretary of Weather and Secretary of Energy Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of the Treasury 7. WHAT ARE THE TWO MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE U.S.?

Democratic-Republican and Whigs Reform and Green American and Bull-Moose Democratic and Republican 8. NAME ONE STATE THE BORDERS MEXICO? California Alabama Arkansas Florida 9. WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH? the Chief Justice the President the Prime Minister the Speaker of the House

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feature | May 1, 2015

Though 90% of High School Students take a civics class, only 27% tested in or above the “proficient” category.

If citizenship tests are implemented, there will be no repercussions in school funding because the test is already developed. In the technology era, students are steered towards math and science careers, leaving civics as an after thought. The purpose of the test is not to humiliate students, but to insure that we have a better understanding for whom the US is, and what they stand for.

10. WHAT OCEAN IS ON THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES? Indian Ocean Atlantic Ocean Arctic Ocean Pacific Ocean 11. WHO WAS THE PRESIDENT DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND WORLD WAR II? Calvin Coolidge Harry Truman Herbert Hoover Franklin Roosevelt 12. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION? The Emancipation Proclamation was written.

The Virginia Declaration of Rights was written.

The Constitution was written.

The Declaration of Independence was written.

13. IF THE PRESIDENT CAN NO LONGER SERVE, WHO BECOMES PRESIDENT? the Vice President the Secretary of State the Speaker of the House the President Pro Tempore 14. WHAT IS THE CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES? New York, NY Philadelphia, PA Boston, MA Washington, D.C. 15. WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM? God Bless the U.S.A. America the Beautiful The Star-Spangled Banner My Country Tis of Thee 16. WHAT DID SUSAN B. ANTHONY DO? the first woman elected to the House of Representatives fought for women's rights founded the Red Cross made the first flag of the United States 17. WHAT ARE TWO RIGHTS OF EVERYONE LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES? freedom of speech and freedom to run for president freedom of speech and freedom of worship freedom of worship and freedom to make treaties with other countries freedom to petition the government and freedom to disobey traffic laws

+ by josh sherfy

18. WHO LIVED IN AMERICA BEFORE THE EUROPEANS ARRIVED? American Indians Floridians Canadians no one 19. UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION, SOME POWERS BELONG TO THE STATES. WHAT IS ONE POWER OF THE STATES? make treaties provide schooling and education coin or print money create an army 20. WHAT IS FREEDOM OF RELIGION? No one can practice a religion.

You must choose a religion.

You can't choose the time you practice your religion.

You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

21. NAME ONE AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBE IN THE UNITED STATES. Slavs Zawi Chemi Celts Cherokee 22. UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION, SOME POWERS BELONG TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WHAT IS ONE POWER OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT? to issue driver's licenses to make treaties to provide police departments to provide schooling 23. WHO DOES A U.S. SENATOR REPRESENT? all people of the state only the people in the state who voted for the Senator the state legislatures all people of the state who belong to the Senator's political party 24. NAME THE U.S. WAS BETWEEN THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH. the Revolutionary War the Civil War World War I the War of 1812 25. NAME ONE BRANCH OR PART OF THE GOVERNMENT. United Nations state government parliament legislative

to check your answers, visit http://smnw.com/2015/04/15/u-scitizenship-test/

FOUR CANDIDATES HAVE ANNOUNCED SO FAR, ARE ANY OF THEM YOUR CANDIDATE?

+ by calvin lacerte

marco rubio TED CRUZ

HILLARY CLINTON MARCO RUBIO

RAND PAUL

background

background

background

background

Ted Cruz was born in Dec. 1970 in Alberta, Canada. Cruz graduated cum laude from Princeton and magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. In the Bush administration, Cruz served as Associate Deputy Attorney General for the US Justice Department. He was elected a Texas Senator in 2012.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was born in Oct. 1947 in Chicago. After graduating from Wellesley College, Clinton attended Yale Law School. This is where she met her husband, former president Bill Clinton. She married Bill in 1975, 18 years before his first term as president. She served as First Lady from 1993 to 2000. In 2000, Clinton became the first First Lady to become a senator, representing New York from 2001 to 2009.

Republican senator from Florida Marco Rubio is the fourth son of two Cuban defectors. Born in Miami, Rubio returned to his home state in the 1980s to attend the University of Florida where he earned a bachelor’s and law degree. In 1999, Rubio was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. Four years later he became house majority leader, then Speaker of the Florida House in 2007.

In 2010, he was elected to the Senate after defeating two opponents.

A Republican senator from Kentucky, Rand Paul was born in Jan. 1963 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the third child of Ron Paul the two-time Republican presidential nominee.

Paul attended Baylor University for three years before being accepted into Duke University School of Medicine.

In 1988 he completed his M.D. and in 1993 completed his ophthalmology residency. Paul’s entry into politics began with Kentucky Taxpayers United, an organization he formed, that traced taxation and spending in Kentucky’s legislature. His 2010 election to the Senate was the first substantial win for Tea Party members.

What do they want to do?

On the spectrum of partisanship, if you turn your head totally to the right you’ll see Senator Ted Cruz. Evangelicalism, gained from his Southern Baptist upbringing, contributes greatly to his overall political identity. His opposition to gay marriage, and disapproval of the reinstitution of the Violence Against Women Act (a bill that gave $1.6 billion to assist prosecutions and investigations regarding cases in which a woman was violently assaulted) all reflect his strong conservative views.

The most substantial changes Cruz has said he would implement include terminating the Affordable Care Act and expunging the IRS (Internal Revenue Service).

Both of these changes give ode to the “less government” approach adopted by many conservatives.

What do they want to do?

Clinton’s early entry into the race solidifies her as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. Even when more nominees announce their candidacy she will most likely remain a favorite in the race because of the woman vote, especially liberal women, not to mention being a household name in Democratic politics for the past three decades.

Her newly hired 35-year-old campaign manager, Robby Mook, is notorious for using technology and analytics to win. There are some controversies surrounding Clinton’s nomination like her ethical integrity being questioned by Republicans after accepting donations to the Clinton Foundation via foreign countries and her use of a private e-mail address as Secretary of State under Obama.

Higher minimum wage, low-cost child care and paid family and medical leave are within Clinton’s platform.

What do they want to do?

As the youngest candidate in the race at age 43, Rubio’s campaign is based on being the face of generational change. He is striving to appeal to the younger demographic as well as blacks and hispanics to redirect some of their votes to the right. He is also aiming to reassemble all the splintering sects of conservatives to make the Republican party stronger. Rubio will rely heavily on the “American Dream” ideal, that he has witnessed first hand from his two immigrant parents. Relating to foreign policy, he has made it known that he is not opposed to military intervention. Rubio believes securing the border is paramount in solving the immigration issue.

What do they want to do?

Two ideals central to Paul’s political identity are his moderate isolationism and small government approaches. At his announcement speech, Paul spoke of strengthening the nation’s internal defense instead of overseas nation building. Paul will be trying to cater to all Republicans while other candidates have just tried to focus on receiving votes from one faction of it. He will attempt to pull votes out of every facet of the party. Paul can also count on inheriting any voters that supported his father in his last two unsuccessful bids for the Republican nominee. He will absorb most Tea Party votes as well.

Paul’s wide range of voters makes him a threatening candidate, though the risk of trying to appeal to so many different demographics creates the possibility of spreading himself too thin, which could be Paul’s downfall.

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We didn’t start the fire, or did we?

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION STUDENTS CONDUCT A PRAIRIE BURN ON NORTHWEST SOIL - TWICE + BY GRACE GORENFLO

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tudents from the second-year Environmental Education class set up a prairie burn March 30. Soon after starting the fire, they had to put it out and postpone the burn.

“The wind was blowing to the north and [the smoke] was staying flat, so it was going across 67th Street…right into the townhomes,” environmental education teacher Mike Pisani said. “We didn’t want to upset the neighbors.”

The Prairie Burn was rescheduled for April 1 during seminar, and the students conducted three different fires to experiment with burning different areas. Supervised by Pisani, they set fire to the field of tall grass adjacent to the soccer field.

“We have a few different techniques of how we burn, but today we are going to do a ring fire,” senior Riley Winter said. “We start a backfire, which is when the wind is going one way and then we set the fire against the wind.

We start it [on the perimeter] and then it kinda burns itself inward until it’s all burned out.”

After the backfire, the students burned another field with a head fire - a fire that goes with the wind - and then burned the marsh area next to the track.

“The main reason that we burn is to get rid of fuel which is all the small weeds and all the dead grass,” senior Reagan Key said. “Another reason is when we burn it puts nutrients back into the prairie.”

Before burning, the classes learned about prairie burning and were required to pass a test with at least an 80 percent in order to participate. In other preparations, Pisani got a permit from the city and the students passed around fliers in surrounding neighborhoods to alert people to the fire. On the day of the event, three firefighters attended the burn to make sure things ran smoothly. “[We’re here to] make sure it’s a safe operation,” firefighter Brett Jensen said. “[We check for] proper strategies, tactics, equipment and a plan.”

For safety, each student carried around a backpack of soapy water. The students had a specific dress code that included wearing three layers on top and baggy pants. In addition, each student also wore a bandanna over their face and a pair of gloves to protect them from the smoke and fire. Before burning they also cut firebreaks: pieces of empty ground that serve as barriers to slow or stop the progress of the fire.

As well as its environmental purposes, the prairie burn also serves as an educational experience. “[Pisani] is all about hands-on activities for learning, instead of just sitting in a classroom and taking notes,” Key said. "Also…the fire burn is to help us see if it interests us and could be a potential career.”

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Environmental education teacher Mike Pisani sprays his surroundings with soapy water on April 1 in the prairie. The burn was rescheduled to this date after the direction of the smoke of the original fire proved to be hazardous to the surrounding neighborhoods. “If it was my house I wouldn’t want the smoke to come in so that’s why we quit,” Pisani said. “When we realized [the smoke was going towards the townhomes], we just put it out.” PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

BABIES, BOTTLES, to

Teachers search for a sense of normalcy when big changes arise + by josh sherfy & jack Lynch | continued on next page PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LUCAS SILVA

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THE DENTS PHOTO BY LAUREN EDWARDS

RANDI PLATKO PHOTO BY TARYN SMITH

KEN KING PHOTO BY LUCAS SILVA

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RENEE CHAMBERS PHOTO BY LAUREN EDWARDS

JESSICA BARGER PHOTO BY LAUREN EDWARDS

AMY WALKER PHOTO BY JORDAN ABSHER

BABIES, BOTTLES, BACK TO WORK Teachers search for a sense of normalcy when big changes arise RANDI PLATKO After just one semester of school, some teachers already had their sights set on a break, especially math teacher Randi Platko.

“I was exhausted when I was eight months pregnant and trying to teach,” Platko said.

Early in the morning of Dec. 4, the wait was over: Keaton Platko was brought into the world.

“He is the greatest gift,” Platko said. “He has brought us so much joy and happiness and keeps me very busy, but in a rewarding way.

He is my first priority and his needs come before mine.”

Platko took 15 weeks of maternity leave to care for Keaton, but taking time off to be at home for three quarters of a semester meant hours of preparation work leading up to Keaton’s birth.

“Preparing for a longterm substitute was very time consuming,” Platko said. “But life is about making adjustments and accepting reality.”

Returning after maternity leave left Platko with mixed emotions.

“I was excited to come back to work and see my colleagues and friends. I also missed my students,” Platko said. “However, I do miss [Keaton] during the day.”

After such a lengthy break, Platko returned to logarithms and laptops.

Though she may make her living teaching, Platko believes being a mom is the best job in the world.

JESSICA BARGER Summer came early for math teacher Jessica Barger who welcomed her first child, Samuel Thomas, March 24.

“Sam has affected all parts of my life,” Barger said. “The amount of sleep I get, my diet, my free time, [and my] ability to leave the house.”

Samuel is just over a month old, a world of difference from the age of Bargers’ students.

“Being home with an infant is difficult, and it is a lot of work,” Barger said. “Working at school was second nature to me. I had a routine to stick to. Now, I am navigating a whole new world…[it is] daunting.”

Samuel does not follow a schedule. Babies do as they please.

There is not a lunch hour or vending machine they can stop at when they are hungry. Bargers schedule

“With our first, I had to be has now been flipped upside back six weeks after she down, to accommodate “I was excited to was born,” Walker said.

Samuel’s needs. come back to work and see “I’m excited to have Although Samuel’s my colleagues and friends... the summer with the arrival allows Barger However, I do miss [Keaton] new baby.” to finish the semester during the day.”

Despite three at home, she will be — Randi Platko months off, Walker isn’t ready to return next fall. sure that she will be ready to Barger misses her students, but would not miss out on this time return next August.

“In my experience, you get with Samuel for the world. to the end of the summer, and KEN KING especially when there’s “Sam has affected Most parents dread something new, like all parts of my life.

The leaving their children a [child], it is never amount of sleep I get, my and returning to work, enough,” Walker said. diet, my free time, [and my] but not debate and “It is always hard to ability to leave the house.” forensics coach Ken leave them the first — Jessica Barger King. few days.”

“I loved being home with Walker’s first daughter, family, but it’s extremely tiring Matney, will have a new sibling, and stressful to have a newborn but her parents have yet to choose baby,” King said. a name.

Avelynn King was born “We don’t have a name Feb. 2 shortly after noon. yet,” Walker said. “We “I love being a father.

“Getting procedures know we are going to Even while it is hugely set up so [the subuse family names.” stressful at times, I would stitute] Dr. Hetlinger Walker, despite not trade it for anything.” could continue what the challenges that — Ken King I’d already started [was come with raising the most difficult part beboth a young child and an fore leaving].” infant, is looking forward to the In January, King worked to get all experience. of the finances ready for his brief “I am really excited,”Walker time off, which he says was said. “It’ll be fun. It’ll be also difficult. King took an adventure.” only 10 days off, and “I’m really excited. It’ll be fun. THE DENTS he thinks that was It’ll be an adventure.” enough.

Video production — Amy Walker “My wife does not teacher Billy Dent and think I did,” King said. his wife, social studies “My wife took 12 weeks teacher Sarah Dent, off.” welcomed their third child just Despite the hassle of setting up before Christmas. lesson plans a month in advance

“[Levi] was born Dec. and estimating the toll his 1,” Mr. Dent said. “We absence would take on had two kids before. the forensics squad, We, as parents, are “We, as parents, are now King thinks it was well now outnumbered outnumbered by children in by children in our worth it. our family.” — Billy Dent “I love being a family.” father,” King said.

“It’s crazy!” Mrs. “Even while it is hugely Dent said. stressful at times, I would not Levi joined his siblings trade it for anything.”

Luke and Lilyanne in the Dent family home.

AMY WALKER “It’s a game changer,” Psychology and Mr. Dent said. “It’s not “The most difficult part English teacher Amy like adding one. It feels [of getting ready to leave Walker is expecting like you’re adding 10.” is] is planning for the her second child May Mr. Dent is glad he unexpected” — Renee 10, and is looking didn’t take off more Chambers forward to summer than four days when break.

Levi was born.

“Since we both work the same job, in the same district, any time I took off beyond a week off would have taken time from her [time off],” Mr. Dent said. “I was glad to come back so she could have the full time off.”

Mrs. Dent, on the other hand, was hesitant to return from maternity leave.

“It was really hard coming back to work,” she said. “[I] am feeling a bit crazy. You almost feel like you’re abandoning your child.”

The stress of a new baby multiplied as the Dents moved to a new home just three months after Levi was born. The Dents were scrambling, but have adjusted.

RENEE CHAMBERS Algebra teacher and head cheerleading coach Renee Chambers is pregnant with her second child.

“We have not yet decided the name of this baby, but he is due June 6,” Chambers said.

When the child is born, he will be a brother to three-year-old Kolton Chambers, and with two young children in the house, Chambers is preparing herself for any chaos that could arise. With another son on the way, Chambers’ summer will be spent resting, away from the classroom.

“I will enjoy my time this summer,” Chambers said, “I am not sure if I will need to take any extra time off; however, with a newborn, you are never 100 percent ready to go back to work.”

Chambers is trying to arrange her lesson plans in case the baby comes early and she misses the end of the school year.

“The most difficult part [of getting ready to leave is] is planning for the unexpected,” Chambers said. “You never know if the baby will come early, so you have to stay super organized.”

Since arriving at Northwest, Chambers has sponsored the Math and Spirit Clubs, coached Track and Field along with cheerleading. She also sponsored the 2011 graduating class.

It’s not just a ‘break’: visit smnw.com to read more about how the U.S. is the only developed country to not mandate paid maternal leave for employees.

+ by josh sherfy & Jack lynch

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What do seniors think about student loans?

“The system is corrupt and needs change.”

GROANS AS STUDENTS MAKE THEIR COLLEGE DECISIONS, HERE’S A GUIDE TO EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HECTIC WORLD OF COLLEGE LOANS + By Jack Lynch

- senior Donte Column

what are student loans “Student loans can hold us back from our education.”

- senior Rachael Carney

“Yes, a good education is important, but if you borrow so much money that you can’t pay it back with what you’ve learned, the experience becomes worthless from a financial standpoint.”

- senior Nick Leyden

Student loans are taken out by a student or parent to help pay for post-secondary education. to be paid back after the completion of that education.

why are student loans necessary?

According to The College Board’s website bigfuture, the total average cost of in-state tuition to a public four-year college is $36,556. For a four-year, public, out-of-state school it is $91,832. With costs nearing $100,000 for a bachelor’s degree, loans can help pay for secondary education when scholarships and family funding are not enough.

How do i apply for student loans?

Not every school works with every bank, so check with the college, but here is an example from Wells Fargo: 1.

”It’s unfortunate that students have to live with the burden of loans just to get their education.”

2.

- senior Jillian Borel 3.

4.

“It’s a trap and there is need for serious reform.”

5.

- senior Hyunje Kim 6.

Some people have a hard time trying to decide where to go to college. Using this website, students will determine how important certain aspects of college are, then the website will pick the top colleges for them: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ college-search

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7.

8.

Students can apply over the phone or online. Wells Fargo offers direct student loan representatives who will work with the student throughout their college and student loan career.

An application is submitted to see if students qualify. Requirements include: a good credit history, minimum income of $12,000 per year, and a positive income-to-debt ratio.

Any student can apply for loans.

If all qualifications are not met, Wells Fargo requires a co-signer. This can be anyone who meets the qualifications and is willing to cosign.

Any further documentation will need to be provided now, as will all additional necessary information.

Proof of residency will need to be provided for non-U.S. citizens.

After the application is processed, students sign loan documents and then wait for the school’s approval.

Wells Fargo will then send the money to the school, who will then distribute it to the student.

what are the different kinds of student loans?

Two types of student loans exist: private and federal student loans. Federal student loans are loans that can be taken out by both parents and students and are the most common type of student loans. There are three subcategories of student loans.

Perkins Loans have a flat interest rate of 5 percent.

Payments do not start until roughly nine months after graduation.

Stafford Loans are similar, except that they are currently set at a 6.8 percent interest, which begins six months after graduation. Stafford Loans can be used as long as the loan does not exceed the total cost of attendance.

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students Loans are taken out by parents that require a credit check.

Private Loans are primarily for those who need financial aid beyond scholarships and federal loans, and for those who do not apply for PLUS loans. These loans can come from various banks or a Stafford Loan provider, and come with differing interest rates and payment plans.

How to pay off student loans?

Paying off student loans is as simple as living within means and being smart. Never pay the minimum payments, because that is how banks make the most money. By only making minimum payments, students spend more time paying off the money, and as they do so, the interest continues to grow. By making larger payments, students can save money. Making sacrifices while young will lead to economic freedom later in life.

Students should aim to live within their means and remain conscious of their expenses so that they may save money down the road.

how long do student loans take to pay off?

It takes an average of 15 to 18 years to pay off student loans, but it can take up to 25 years, according to Best Value Schools. This means that if an eight year degree is pursued, people could end up paying college off into their fifties.

Junior Sam Mosberg pole vaults during the SM South Invitational on April 4 at SM District Stadium.

Mosberg set his PR of 13�6 during his meet.

PHOTO BY ADDISON SHERMAN

PHOTO BY JORDAN ABSHER Senior Zane Andress returns the volley on Mar.25.

Andress goes on to winning this set 30 game.

PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA Battling for possession, sophomore Alix Willming charges the net in an attempt to answer SM East's goal a few minutes earlier. The Lady Cougars lost 3-1.

PHOTO BY TARYN SMITH Senior Jack Wells helps put out the fire on April 1 in the Outdoor Lab. The prairie burn was rescheduled because of smoke laying flat.

PHOTO BY BRYCE REX

Kicking up sand, senior Donte Colum lands his long jump on April 4 at SM South District Stadium.

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PHOTO BY JORDAN ABSHER Sophomore Alex Kendricks passionately interprets her poem for the poetry slam on April 10. Kendricks goes on to be one of the two winners at the end of The Poetry Slam.

THE POETRY SLAM WAS HELD IN THE LIBRARY APRIL 9 AND 10 FROM LUNCHTIME UNTIL THE END OF THE DAY. POETS PERFORMED IN 10 ROUNDS AND WERE SCORED BY RANDOMLY SELECTED STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN THE CROWD. THESE SCORES DETERMINED THE TWO FINALISTS WHO WOULD COMPETE AT THE PROM ASSEMBLY APRIL 17. +By Cadie Elder & Josh Sherfy

The Finalists:

PHOTO BY HAENA LEE

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ophomore Alex Kendrick and senior Spencer Dang spent the days leading up to the Poetry Slam in the bathroom.

“I actually laminated a poem so it wouldn’t get wet, because I wanted to practice it in the shower,” Kendrick said.

This may seem odd, but Dang also practices in his bathroom. “I’m just a guy who writes poetry in his bathroom,” Dang said. “I feel some people have this weird perception of me like I meditate, I absorb creativity from the air, but I just write how I am feeling, speak it out and then perform on stage.”

Kendrick’s poem explained students should not blame their frustrations on teachers but the American Education System.

“I guess I just really like to put myself out there,” Kendrick said. “I enjoy saying what I have written because I feel like if no one heard it, then it wouldn’t mean anything.”

Dang’s poem was inspired by a mom punishing her daughter for using the word “hate” and to instead replace it with “strongly dislike.”

“I don’t think hate necessarily has to be towards a person,” Dang said. “If you hate feeling sad or you hate being lonely or you hate something and you feel really strongly about it, it doesn’t always have to be so negative.”

Dang was crowned this year’s “slampion” after the crowd’s applause was measured at 109 decimals.

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Danny Louvau and Kyler Akagi :

Payton Bennett:

PHOTO BY MAYA LEE

F

reshman Payton Bennett was ready. This is her first year at Northwest, and her first chance to speak her mind at the Poetry Slam.

“If you want to say something at the Poetry Slam, everyone will listen,” Bennett said.

Though Bennett considers herself more of a writer than a poet, April 9, she took the stage.

“I don’t really enjoy ‘writing’ poetry, but I enjoy the venting,” Bennett said. “Poetry is just the aftermath.”

Bennett uses poetry as an outlet to express emotions, both her own and the emotions come from those around her.

Stepping into an environment like the Poetry Slam was intimidating, but Bennett’s nerves receded as she began to read. Her fear of presenting in front of audiences subsided, and poetry spilled from her lips.

“Everyone there is supporting you,” Bennett said, “If you’re going to do it, you might as well just do it there. Everyone’s in the same boat.”

Poetry has power. Bennett, an avid writer, understands this, calling poetry, “a story, just with more line breaks.” She’s sees poetry as an opportunity on and off stage, filling pages upon pages with the thoughts that fill her mind.

PHOTO BY JORDAN ABSHER

T

he deep emotion, inspiration and heart warming of traditional slam poetry did not appeal to seniors Danny Louvau and Kyler Akagi.

This, their last year at Northwest, presented the duo with the perfect opportunity to be different.

If the Poetry Slam is about making a statement, Louvau and Akagi certainly made theirs. They presented a two-person satirical comedy, “The Best of Northwest.” The poem had the crowd snapping and laughing.

“I liked that they brought some humor and light heartedness to the slam, but they still talked about issues facing the school. It really helped lighten the mood,” Junior Reid Thornburg said about the duo’s poem.

“It makes a different dynamic in the performance,” Louvau said, “When you’re alone, you don’t have the opportunity to interact with the crowd as well.”

The lighthearted poem was based on a web series, “Jake and Amir.” In the series, Jake, portrayed

by Akagi, is a more sophisticated and intelligent character, while Louvau mimicked the “lovable loser,” Amir.

Louvau and Akagi brought laughs to the stage, and sent a message, with poetry.

“

I think the best performances are when the audience and the performer are having a conversation - Spencer Dang in terms of the energy. They are giving and feeding off of one another.

”

PHOTO BY HAENA LEE

PHOTO BY JORDAN ABSHER

PHOTO BY HAENA LEE

Junior Jai Haskell looks up into the air as if she is speaking to God during her poem on April 10 on the second day of the poetry slam. Haskell’s poem is titled “Reflection.”

Junior Nate Jones delivers His poem on April 10. Jones went on to compete in the finals of the Poetry Slam.

Slampion Spencer Dang performs his first poem during the last round on April 9 in the library. He received all 10s for his poem.

Daniela Silva:

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

What is poetry?

Well, it’s pretty much the expression of all of my emotions and thoughts from over the years, combined and smashed into about three minutes.” - senior Daniel Messick, first year in the poetry Slam

PHOTO BY NATE THOMPSON

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ophomore Daniela Silva is constantly thinking.

She is thinking about the world around her and the people in it. Slam poetry allows her words to be brought to life.

“Sometimes it feels like poetry doesn’t exist until someone is listening to it,” Silva said.

Silva was introduced to poetry in her seventh grade creative writing class, but it was not always easy for her to articulate emotions. “[Poetry] gives me an outlet to be heard,” Silva said. “That goes against my general nature as a person because I’m not someone who is prone to speaking up.”

Silva participated in the 2014 Poetry Slam in a duet, but this year she took the stage alone.

“People get on stage and they have three minutes to be absolutely fearless,” Silva said. “What always really sticks with me, is when you are looking around and you realize how many people from the school are in there, especially people you wouldn’t expect.”

Her poem, “The Hand That is Dealt,” challenged fate versus free will.

“People are really preoccupied with the ending,” Silva said. “I’ve decided to stick to the philosophy that the middle is more important.”

Poetry to me means everything. I would never have thought that the 26 letters of the alphabet would have saved me quite literally.” - freshman Madelyn St. Clair, first year in Poetry Slam Poetry is… you. It’s yourself. It’s who you are and how you feel and what you believe in. I can look back on poetry I wrote a while ago, or even last year and I can see how much I’ve grown and changed and learned to look at the good things in life. It’s kind of a time capsule of the past years of your life.” - sophomore Tess Holcom, second year in Poetry Slam To me, poetry is a way to sort through all of my emotions and feelings and get it all on paper.

It’s more for me than anyone else… it’s a way for me to understand myself.” - junior Zachary Ziegenhorn, third year in Poetry Slam It’s a way to tell people about your inspirations or aspirations.” - sophomore Alex Oleson, first year in Poetry Slam Poetry is… making something not pretty, into something beautiful.” - sophomore Natalia Kidder, second year in Poetry Slam

I use to poetry to try to make people as happy as they can be.” - junior Jake Honer, first year in Poetry Slam NW passage | feature

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Prom Assembly i

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STUDENTS GATHER IN THE MAIN GYM ON APRIL 17 TO KICK OFF PROM WEEKEND

1. Walking arm in arm, seniors Tom Green and Rachel Carder look toward the parent section. Carder was crowned Prom Queen the following night at the Shawnee Civic Center. PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN 2. Senior Spencer Dang performs his poem “Number One Asian” in front of the student body. Dang was named the Slampion of 2015 after his poem garnered the most applause. PHOTO BY SHELBY BEAUMONT 3. Seniors Sam Ryan and Jana Kotzman smile to the end of the gym where parents of prom court members are taking pictures. Kotzman was one of two drill team members that were on prom court. PHOTO

BY SHELBY BEAUMONT 4. With the rest of the seniors, senior Carrie Mulder cheers after winning the spirit stick as a class. The was the first time that the seniors were awarded the spirit stick at an assembly all year. PHOTO

BY SHELBY BEAUMONT

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5. Seniors Anthony Abarca and Tacia Burgin begin to walk down the aisle of drill team members. Abarca was crowned as Prom King first runner-up the following night. PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN 6. While sitting on the ground, a member of the senior class raises their iPhone to record seniors Kota Gottfried and Ben Johnson perform the senior song. It is a tradition for the seniors to sit on the gym floor at the end of the prom assembly to listen to the senior song be performed.

PHOTO BY SHELBY BEAUMONT 7. Seniors Casey Kelley and Emma Rutherford talk to each other while walking down the gym floor. Rutherford

was nominated for the two previous courts before being placed on prom court. PHOTO

BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN 8. Jumping in the air, sophomore Alex Oleson celebrates winning the Rock Paper Scissors Tournament. The tournament was sponsored by StuCo. PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN 9. Juniors Nate Jones and Sam Oberbroeckling react to the junior class skit. Only the sophomore and junior classes planned and performed skits, but all of the classes were incorporated in the Class Competition organized by Spirit Club.

PHOTO BY SHELBY BEAUMONT 10. Senior Kota Gottfried plays the

11.

guitar as senior Ben Johnson sings and accompanies on the piano. Gottfried and Johnson were chosen to perform the senior song after auditioning weeks prior to the assembly. PHOTO BY SHELBY BEAUMONT 11. Juniors Rachel Barnes and Reagan Walsh wave their phones in the air during the senior song. Students from the different grades started waving their phones to add to the mood created by the song. “Usually, when an emotional or slow song comes on, people just start to do that,” Barnes said.

“I think that the little phone lights made it a little more special.” PHOTO BY SHELBY BEAUMONT 12. Seniors Mitchell Slocum and Clara

Davison walk down the aisle of drill team members. Slocum and Davison were both involved in the music programs. “[Clara] was very nice during the whole court ordeal and was a good walking partner,” Slocum said. “[When she was crowned first runner-up for Prom Queen] I was happy for her.” PHOTO BY SHELBY BEAUMONT 13. During the junior class skit, junior Deon Richmond is lifted into the air in a re-enactment of a scene from “The Lion King.” This was Richmond’s first time performing in a class skit. PHOTO BY SHELBY BEAUMONT

12.

13.

NW passage | feature

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own Panda express right red menus, sizzling Orange chicken and a long line of people caught my eye as I entered Panda Express. Beyond the bowls of rice, Beef and broccoli, Chicken potstickers and Crab rangoons you can see the food being prepared.

I ordered my favorite: the kids meal with chow mein noodles and orange chicken which is a great deal for those with a smaller appetite at $4.90. If you’re looking for a bigger portion, there are bowls or plates, I usually get a bowl for $5.80 and add an order of Crab rangoons, the total coming to $7.70.

White or brown rices and chow mein are available as sides in a bowl or plate, with an entree — anything from their popular orange chicken to honey walnut shrimp. I’m never disappointed with the crunchy orange chicken. My second favorite is the beef and broccoli, marinated in a ginger soy sauce.

I love the Crab rangoons. I can easily tear into the crisp wonton wrapper to enjoy the cream cheese and green onions. I will eat a whole order of these (three in total) by myself.

To compare my Chinese restaurant experience, I visited

B

Chen’s Kitchen

FOR FAST, DELICIOUS CHINESE FOOD, GO TO PANDA EXPRESS

Chen’s Kitchen. Chen’s is more of a carry-out place and there isn’t much seating. Panda offers many booths and tables and even has outside seating areas where customers can enjoy their meals.

I like the variety of fountain drinks and teas, the option to create your own bowl or plate and the many comfortable seating areas Panda has. I would rather not spend up to $10 for an entree and a drink at Chen’s. I also found that I could not combine an entree like sweet and sour chicken with a side like chow mein, but I can at Panda.

I did, however, like that my meal at Chen’s came with a spring roll and two crab rangoons, which are addons at Panda.

Overall, I prefer the selection at Panda Express. I can easily find what I want because it’s all right in front of me in the steam table.

The order-to-receiving-food time is much shorter and allowing me more time to sit and enjoy my food.

If you’re in a rush but need good food, Panda Express is your go-to place.

+by Paige eichkorn /photo by Atalie Black

hen’s is the one of the best Americanized Chinese restaurants in the area. The food is hot and fresh. My typical purchase is a dinner special: Orange Chicken with White Rice, Crab Rangoon and an Egg Roll and costs only $7.95 without tax.

The chicken is wrapped in a light coating and has a delicate crunch. The sauce compliments the dish well. Want to add some vegetables? Just ask. You can decide whether you want 50 cents worth or the more generous $1 worth of vegetables (or mushrooms or cashews). The crab rangoon has the perfect crunch on the corners with a warm creamy cheese filling. The rice is packed into each carton, for the most food for your money.

The orange chicken at Panda Express doesn’t really compare.

The coating is far too thick which makes it so crunchy I can hardly eat it. When I do break through the coating, the chicken inside is tasteless and slightly overcooked. It’s kind of like eating cardboard. By the time the crab rangoon reaches your mouth, the taste has faded.

C

Chens

24

entertainment | May 1, 2015

Chen’s is more of a carry-out place than a place to sit down and eat, with an emphasis on giving you a great deal of food for a reasonable price. The dining area is small, so it is much better to take the food home to eat. Panda Express, on the other hand, has a bright, large dining area and also provides bowls designed to transport food. In my opinion, the food doesn’t compare to what you get a Chen’s whether you eat at the restaurant or at home.

Chen’s is still hot to eat once you get home, just make sure you call ahead. The wait can take 15 to 20 minutes after the call is placed.

Panda does allow customers to create their own bowl, which is a nice feature, but I think Chen’s takes care of that by allowing customers to customize their dish for a small fee. Panda is the McDonalds of Americanized Chinese, fast and cheap, but if you are willing to spend the little bit of extra time at Chen’s Kitchen, it will be well worth the wait.

+by keegan dolinar / photo by Haena lee

Panda Express W. 67th St.

NW to Panda on Shawnee Mission Pkwy: 4 minutes

Midland Dr.

CHEN’S KITCHEN OFFERS FAST, EASY ON THE WALLET, FRESH HOT FOOD

SHawnee Mission Northwest

Quivira

THIS IS A MAP TO CHEN’S KITCHEN AND THE CLOSEST PANDA EXPRESS RELATIVE TO NW.

NW to Chen’s off of Renner Rd: 8 minutes

WE PICKED TWO OF THE MOST WELL-KNOWN CHINESE RESTAURANTS IN THE KC AREA TO COMPARE THEIR FOOD AND RATE OUR EXPERIENCE

the final

Do you want to have your comic featured in the newspaper?

you can’t anymore, it’s the end!

Isaac coleman | Spirit of Northwest

MItch Feyerherm | Words & Ink

NW passage | entertainment

25

a new page NORTHWEST STUDENTS SUGGEST IDEAS FOR READING Students told us about the best books they had read when no one else told them to. Here are some of the books to consider that other high schoolers have read for fun.

+ by Sam Athey & Benjamin Becker

THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY BY DOUGLAS ADAMS — JUNIOR PETER CAMPBELL

W

arning: if you read this book you will likely never look at potted plants, mankind’s relationship with the heavens, or the number 42 the same ever again. When the Earth is scheduled for demolition by an alien race known as the Vorgons, everyman Arthur Dent gets dragged

along on a random and spontaneous journey into space with the idiosyncratic alien Ford Prefect, the self-obsessed former President of the Galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox, his acquaintance Trillian, and Marvin the Paranoid Android. If you are looking for a zany, fun sci-fi novel, this is a

book for you.

“It combines an amazing adventure full of twists and turns with the dry, smarmy, sarcastic humor we high schoolers embody,” Campbell said.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy can be purchased at Barnes and Noble for $13.61

ALEX RIDER BY ANTHONY HOROWITZ — SOPHOMORE TYLER TUMMONS

W

hen 14-year-old Alex Rider’s uncle unexpectedly dies, Alex investigates his death.

Alex discovers he was a spy for Britain’s MI6 and that his death was not an accident. Now the MI6 wants Alex. He is forced into recruitment and undergoes rigorous SAS training courses, but soon finds out his uncle had been training

him to spy his entire life.

Alex sets out on his first mission with a set of his own special gadgets to stop multibillionaire Herod Sayles from distributing suspicious state-ofthe-art computers to all schools in England.

Since they question his computers, the MI6 send Alex out to find

out what is happening behind the locked doors of Sayles enterprises.

“It’s crazy to think that this teenager can do things most adults couldn’t do, especially with all he’s been through,” Tummons said.

Alex Rider can be purchased at Barnes and Noble and on Amazon for $8.99.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE

BY J.K. ROWLING — SENIOR MAE KINKADE

A

s Harry enters his sixth year at Hogwarts, hormones and homework take over the start of his year. In the beginning he and best friend Ron get to class late and Harry ends up with the older potions book.

However the older book is full of helpful tips that allow him to breeze

26

through most of his class and gain favor with the teacher, Professor Slughorn. While Harry is in school, Lord Voldemort is building up his army to attack Hogwarts, while Harry searches for the truth about Voldemort.

“Even though it – and the whole Harry Potter series – is about

entertainment | May 1, 2015

magic and is considered a children’s book. I can relate to the characters and the situations they go through as much as any other book I’ve read,” Kinkade said.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince can be purchased at Barnes and Noble for $9.07

the king of tablets Amazon, Apple and Samsung have been the three best selling tablets.

Their secret to success is the HD display that all of these tablets produce.

I’m figuring out which tablet is the crown jewel of display specifications.

+ by ben lucier

AMAZON FIRE HDX 8.9 Tablet Price: $379.00 Screen size: 8.9 inches Display resolution: 2560 x 1600 ppi (pixels per inch): 339 Current Software: Fire OS 4

Overview: Amazon has released its new flagship tablet the Fire HDX 8.9. High Definition Extreme is what the initials stand for. The name already lets you know it’s good for one thing, and that is the display.

The resolution is amazing to look at, at nearly twice the normal pixel resolution. Images are sharp, eye popping and impressive. Now there’s two reasons to enjoy Kindles: reading and watching.

APPLE IPAD AIR 2 Tablet Price: $439.00 Screen size: 9.7 inches Display resolution: 2048 x 1536 ppi (pixels per inch): 326 Current Software: Apple iOS 8

Overview: Thin as a pencil, as light as… air. The iPad Air 2 is a terrific tablet where productivity is concerned. With a jumbo 9.7 inch screen, it does not produce 4K HD like the Fire. The display resolution is rather small even for its big screen size. Images are good, flashing vibrant colors, but the display doesn’t blow my mind. It isn’t bad, but not worth your money if you only plan on watching TV on it all the time.

SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S 8.4 Tablet Price: $397.99 Screen size: 8.4 inches Display resolution: 2560 x 1600 ppi (pixels per inch): 359 Current Software: Android 4.4 (KitKat)

Overview: Samsung tries to make everything about their devices seem awesome. But one spec that really impresses its’ consumers is the display. The Super AMOLED makes pictures gorgeous to look at.

Everything comes to life when watching movies on the Tab. The organic LED is what makes the picture so dense and attractive to see. Because I enjoy tablets with good display, that is why I chose this device. The picture on the tablet puts TVs to shame. Even though it’s the smallest out of the group, it still packs in the best display.

PHOTO COURTESY OF REPORTER

M

ortal Kombat is many things; a gaming industry icon, the game that single handedly created the ESRB rating system, and really, really bloody.

A lot of decapitations and possibly a few organs here and there. But underneath all the gore is a decent fighting game, one that balances mechanical depth with crowd-pleasing presentation. Though it doesn’t always do the best job of preparing you for battle, Mortal Kombat X is enough outrageously violent fun to justify a little self-education, provided you’ve got enough patience.

If you have played Mortal Kombat 9 or Injustice, MKX will feel familiar to the latest few fighting games: 3D fighters brawl on a 2D plane with plenty

of special moves, flashy combos, and bone-splintering X-Ray attacks being traded back and forth. The somewhat stiff lateral movement and blocking via “a” button (instead of backing away from your opponent) can initially feel strange if you’re typically a Street Fighter person, but any discomfort will fade away after a few matches and some trips to the pause screen, which smartly displays both players’ special move inputs right up front.

It is kind of an annoyance to have to go to the pause screen every time you want to see how to do a certain move or a fatality. Most of the past characters are returning and with a roster of new faces, some making more sense than others.

Like why did Johnny Cage and Sonya have a daughter and how is she Sonya’s age in ten years?

Thankfully, we do not play this game because of the logic or the story, we play it for the action and the over the top blood and gore. The fatalities in this game are the most brutal in the series and if you have a weak stomach I would steer clear of this game.

Overall, this installment brings nothing new to the table, it has the same combat as the last game with a few new characters and a mediocre story.

But what it does right is the mindless violence and gore. If you are looking for a solid story with meaningful characters, this is not the game for you.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLOG.CRON

F

rom their first self-titled album in 2006, Matt and Kim have made a small changes to their music, while keeping their original sound. With their newest album “New Glow”, I liked the heavier, more intense beats, but I was slightly disappointed with their lyrics.

Songs like “Hoodie On” and “Stirred Up” have great intros, drawing listeners into the song, but the lyrics are practically juvenile. “Hoodie On” is all about an article of clothing, with simple lyrics like “I wrote this song with a hoodie on,” it seems childish and unsophisticated. But, the fresh, addictive rhythm draws in the

listener from the beginning of the song, and the lyrics do not seem important when paired with such a good beat.

Despite the simplistic lyrics, Matt and Kim have produced an album of songs to get the crowd hyped. The themes of the songs are centered around partying and making memories. This pair has consistently delivered catchy beats with each song that make listeners want to get up and dance on each of their five albums.

This dynamic duo has been climbing the charts since their single “Get It” released in mid-January 2015, landed at

27 on the U.S. Alternative charts. “Get It” is now their most popular song on iTunes, followed by “Daylight” (2009) and “Let’s Go” (2012).

Matt and Kim have managed to keep their Indie pop style throughout their 11 active years of music. Regardless, with the trend they have set, it does not seem as if their music is either improving or getting worse. Overall, I would recommend “New Glow” as an enjoyable album for fans looking for a good party song with no deep meaning.

mortal kombat x + by keegan dolinar

matt and kim: new glow + by shelby beaumont

get hard + by ben lucier

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLOG.CRON

B

efore you jump to any conclusions, this movie is not about sex. Get Hard is about preparing for tough times in prison. James King (Will Ferrell) is a lucrative investment banker. Darnell Lewis (Kevin Hart), on the other hand, owns a car wash business and the company’s garage and washes James’ car everyday.

At the beginning of the movie, King is mistakenly convicted for investment fraud and has 30 days to prepare before

going to prison. King does not think he can survive prison and decides to seeks help, but Lewis is in a bit of a pickle as well. He needs 30 thousand dollars to buy a house in order to move his family into a safer neighborhood.

The first person King thinks of is Lewis, predicting he’s been to prison before, who happens to be black; a typical rich white guy assumption. Lewis however has never committed any crimes and has no clue about prison. James offers

him the money that he needs, so Darnell decides to play to the stereotype.

Get Hard was extremely funny. I found myself laughing out loud through most of the movie. There was plenty of action and huge amounts of humor. This was no surprise. It is rated R for language, nudity and crude humor. In spite of all this, it deserves a perfect score in my book. Overall, it made my day. Get Hard is a movie worth seeing in theaters with friends.

NW passage | entertainment

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Family Friendly Taco Tuesday and Thursdays Gameday spot 13410 W. 62nd Ter. Shawnee KS 66212 913-549-4156

®

Serving Smoothies, Supplements, Vitamins, and Healthy Snacks

FREE Buy One Get One

Buy One Get One

2nd Smoothie must be of equal or lesser value

TerryLangton

copyright 2014 Smoothie King Franchises, Inc. Valid only at participating locations. Must surrender original coupon to receive offer. Limit one per person. Not valid with any other offers. No cash value. Sales tax extra. Offer expires May 30, 2015

(2nd Smoothie must be of equal or lesser value.)

Owner/Operator

©2014 Smoothie King Franchises, Inc. Valid only at participating Smoothie King#12244 - Shawnee, KS 66216 locations. Must surrender original coupon to receive offer . Limit one per

person. Not valid other offers. No cash value. Sales tax extra.

913-268-5464 //with any Mobile: 913-660-6600 09/14/2014.

T e r r y L@ SOffermexpires o oOctober t h 15,i e2014K i n g S h a w n e e . c o m Inspire people to live a healthy & active lifestyle

W 62nd Terrace

Quivira Rd

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

Smoothie King#1244-Shawnee

Shawnee Mission Pkwy

W 63rd St

Halsey St

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

BUY ONE SANDWICH GET ONE SANDWICH FREE EXPIRES July 10, 2015

Come Celebrate Mill Creek’s Retirees Tuesday May 19 2015 3:30pm to 5:00 pm Mill Creek School Library 13951 W 79th Street Lenexa KS

Rich Kuzydym Kathy Fardon Joe Potter Linda Talb Jody Hammond Rosemary Klepaczyk Susan Gann Linda Murphy

spring

into

sports

PROFILES OF SENIOR AND FRESHMEN ATHLETES IN SPRING SPORTS + BY Benjamin Becker & Makaila Williams

The SENIO

R

ENN

MEGAN GL

Senior Megan Glenn started playing softball in second grade.

In addition to playing for the varsity softball team, Glenn plays for the Kansas Outlaws.

“The girls [are my favorite part],” Glenn said. “They are always there to lift you up “SOFTBALL if something IS ALWAYS happens. I also THERE.” really like how we can stay focused and have fun.”

Her goal this season is to give her all at every play and bat, but mostly to not have any regrets.

“Softball is always there,” Glenn said. “If I have a bad day, I know I can go to practice and talk to someone about it. It’s a way to relieve stress and have fun.”

After competing with the C-team his freshman year, senior Tom Green quickly progressed to varsity his sophomore year.

He normally runs both the 4x400-meter and 4x800 meter relays and the individual 800-meter.

Last year, Green along with senior Zach St. Clair and juniors Hunter Heindel and Chandler Bado, placed in the state meet in the 4x800 “WE KNEW relay,.

“We knew we had a chance for WE HAD it, but we also knew it wouldn’t be A CHANCE easy,” Green said. “Without this FOR IT, BUT group of guys and our coaches, it WE ALSO wouldn’t have been possible to do KNEW IT this.

WOULDN’T He hopes to make it qualify for BE EASY.” the state meet in the individual 800-meter run. He wants to help the team add a new plaque to NW’s collection.

“I’m going to miss everyone that I see at practice and at the meets,” Green said. “It’s a great group of individuals working for a common coal.”

SENIO

R

N TOM GREE

The FRE

N SHMA

HELL JOSH MITC

Freshman Josh Mitchell plays center field for C-team baseball. He has played for 11 years and has been on four teams, including the Outlaws, Stixs, Red Legs and BTL 17U. “My biggest achievement is “MY BIGGEST probably grow- ACHIEVEMENT ing up playing IS PROBABLY the game I love,” GROWING UP Mitchell said. “[Also], I like PLAYING THE playing with all GAME I LOVE.” my friends on C-team.”

Mitchell’s strength is his throws from outfield. He wants to hit a homerun in his first year of high school baseball.

“I feel happy and excited our team has good chemistry and a lot of good things going for us,” Mitchell said.

Freshman Maggie Congrove has been swimming since she was five years old.

Competing for the Lake Quivira Catfish, Shawnee Sharks, Turner, the Blazers and Swim Academy, Congrove is far from being new to swimming.

“I’m not sure what my “I HAVE REALLY biggest accomplishment is,” ENJOYED Congrove said. “I think I’m just proud that I have stuck SWIM with the sport after all these TEAM SO years.”

FAR.” She primarily swims the butterfly and backstroke and does particularly well in the 100-meter butterfly and 100-meter back. Swimming in both JV and varsity meets, her goal is to keep cutting down time.

“I have really enjoyed swim team so far,” Congrove said. “Everyone on the team gets along well.”

FRES

HMA

N

ROVE

NG MAGGIE CO

NW passage | sports

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PHOTO BY SHELBY BEAUMONT

SPORTS

PHOTO BY GRACE BUZZARD

30

sports | May 1, 2015

PHOTO BY BRYCE REX

PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA

PHOTO BY JORDAN ABSHER

track & field

girls’ soccer

Boys’ tennis

The track and field team continued its march toward the state tournament, with the girls finishing 5th and the boys finishing 2nd at the Gardner MidSeason Invitational on April 4.

Twelve athletes from the boys’ team placed in the meet, including thrower Neil Stimach.

“Most meets I am throwing against guys whose are incredible throwers. I have only been throwing for two years, so 4th place in a varsity meet is huge,” Stimach said. “When a lot of people are doing well, it makes the meet a lot more fun.”

Seven NW athletes from the girls’ team also placed in the meet.

“I matched my personal record and almost broke the school record,” high jumper Abbi Bird said. “The girls are slowly gaining as the season goes on.”

The team has been strong this season, capturing top five team honors with consistent performances by hurdler Mitchell Hodson, Bird and pole valuter Olivia Williams.

“So far, the team has performed well and has been improving each meet,” Hodson said. “We have plenty of room to improve before the end of the season.”

Now 10 games into the season, the Lady Cougars varsity soccer team is beginning to connect. After a dismal start to the year, the young team sits with a record of 2 and 8. But, it isn’t all bad.

“Yeah, our record isn’t very good, but, as a team, we have improved a lot,” midfielder Jade Daly-Roentved said. “We have figured out how we all work and where we work best.”

After a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime defeat in their last match against Olathe East, the Lady Cougars are prepared to bounce back. The upcoming week is packed with three games that are sure to test the teams endurance. Recording wins is the top priority,as the team works to improve their seeding for the post season tournament.

With just four games remaining, Coach Todd Boren hopes the team will have the opportunity to get valuable sub state experience for the young team. Goals have been hard to come by, leaving the Lady Cougars to rely on strong defensive play if they hope to end the season with positive momentum.

The boys’ varsity tennis team has had a solid season so far, and cocaptain Nill Patel thinks things will be even better.

“I think [we are] 6-5-1… We’ve had some tough competition but we’re hanging in there,” Patel said.

The team has already had success in their last big tournament. In the JV league tournament, three of the four entries from Northwest placed.

Upcoming events include the regional varsity tournament May 9 and the state tournament May 15. “[The seasons has gone] pretty great. [It is] winding down,” senior Kyler Akagi said. “[The] competition is stiffer than in previous years which is more challenging, but more rewarding.”

Although multiple underclassmen placed in the JV league tournament, there isn’t as much depth as there has been previously.

“We’ve been a fairly deep team [in] past seasons, although this season wasn’t as deep as others,” Patel said, “but we have some potentially aspiring players so the outlook look is good.”

+ By matthew owens

+ by josh sherfy

+ jack lynch

PHOTO BY EMILIE AMUNATIGUI

PHOTO BY HAENA LEE

PHOTO BY BRYCE REX

PHOTO BY EMILIE AMUNATIGUI

PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

PHOTO BY ALEXA STYERS

PHOTO BY HAENA LEE

PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

boys’ golf

baseball

softball

girls’ swim & dive

Boys’ golf sits in second place after the first of three rounds in the league tournament.

“The boys have really worked hard and it shows in their play,” coach Jim Bamburg said.

Currently, in individual competition, junior Blake Allen is in second place and freshman Christian Ghilardi is in fourth.

The team finished third in tournaments at Deer Creek Golf Course and Milburn Country Club. More recently, the team took second place at the SM South Invitational and third at the SM East Invitational.

The team will be busy the next two weeks with three important tournaments coming up. They played Topeka-West High School on April 27 at Topeka Country Club and are at Hutchinson’s Carey Park today to play Hutchinson High School. On May 4, the team will complete the second round of the league tournament at Falcon Ridge.

“I think we will play well,” said Bamburg, “[we] just need to work on our short games and get some more putts to fall.

Along with 35 other teams from Nebraska, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri, last week, the varsity baseball team competed in the 14th-annual River City Festival held in Lawrence, bringing home two wins, as well as one loss that broke their seven-game win streak.

“The River Festival is always an awesome time,” head coach Domenic Mussat said. “[We are] able to play teams that we would not regularly put on our schedule.”

The Cougars’ first game of the Festival was played Thursday April 23 against St. James Academy, winning 13-4. Within the first three innings, the Cougars led 11-3 after scoring four runs in the first inning and seven in the third.

Their landslide victory was followed by another two games the next day, ending the first with a 5-1 win versus Warrensburg High School and the second with a 10-2 loss versus Rogers High School (Ark.).

“During the Rogers game, we went away from our approach at the plate,” Mussat said. “We did not see many pitches and were not able to get our timing down offensively.”

With a 10-2 record, they will be visiting to play Blue Valley Northwest tonight at 7 p.m.

Varsity softball’s last game on April 25 was a struggle against Blue Valley North, but the Cougars persevered.

“We had an amazing comeback with great hitting and we held our ground in the field,” pitcher Katie Born said.

Their record for the season so far is 3-10 but it is not all about winning to the players.

“As a team, we have worked really well together,” Born said. “This season we have fought a lot of hard battles that haven’t gone our way, but I think we continue to improve as the season continues.”

The Cougars will play a doubleheader Apr. 28 against SM East at the Shawnee Mission School District Softball Complex. The first game will begin at 4:15 p.m. and the second is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The varsity Softball players have seven more games before the regional competition begins later in May.

The girl’s swim and dive team competed at the SM East Invitational Meet meet April 24.

The girls placed third out of eight teams, making the meet a motivating and exciting win for the team.

“Getting third out of eight was very good for us, several of the teams we competed against will be at our state.

It’s encouraging that we are doing so well in these big meets,” coach Sarah Moles said with a confident tone.

The girls also placed in their individual events. Claire Williams snagged 2nd in the 500-free stroke and junior Hailey Brull won both the 200-individual medley and the 100butterfly stroke. Girls’ swim and \dive state tournament is just a few weeks away, and the team is definitely on track to have a successful and exciting end to the season.

+ by mills vick

+ by deena essa

+ by cadie elder

+ by nathan henderson

NW passage | sports

31

“IT’S A TRADITION FOR THE OFFICERS TO DANCE IN THE PROM ASSEMBLY SO THAT THEY CAN BE RECOGNIZED FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK. IT’S ALWAYS A LITTLE SCARY TO PERFORM WHEN IT’S JUST THE FOUR OF US, AND, KNOWING THAT THIS WAS THE LAST TIME WE WOULD EVER PERFORM TOGETHER, I GOT A LITTLE SENTIMENTAL AS WELL.” — senior Emma Rutherford photo by carleigh whitman