An inside look at how coaches influence players both on and off the field.
18 Playing with Fire
The Fire Science program provides hands-on training for firefighting and emergency response.
24 Wombmates
Having a twin creates an opportunity for shared interests and life events.
Through the Lens
Yearbook photo editor junior Sophie Hartley dreams of taking photos on the sidelines of an NFL game in the future. Hartley said she has worked with yearbook advisor Kim White to become a better photographer. She gave White credit for the growth and development of her photo and editing skills as well as the passion she feels for this hobby. “I do not think I would be where I am without her advice because it really motivates me to keep going,” Hartley said.
WE THE PEOPLE
The day after arguably the most divisive election in recent United States history, Blue Valley Northwest was silent. Students sat in somber acceptance or muted celebration. The world felt like it was on pause, and a heaviness weighed on everyone
This undeniable feeling was the result of the rampant polarization that burdens our nation. People avoid face-to-face discussions but publicize their political views online without hesitation. The day after the election, social media feeds were filled with raging influencers, Instagram stories were used to express commemoration or discontent and online conversation permanently damaged relationships.
We have lost our humanity. On online platforms, we no longer treat each other like the valued individuals we all are. In the eyes of liberals, conservatives are fascist racists, and in the eyes of conservatives, liberals are evil communists. This divisiveness is a trick played on us by our algorithms and rage. Ultimately, political affiliation is a spectrum. In order to recover, we must stop feeding into the delusion that politics exist in binary. We must stop treating each other as the enemy.
We can disagree about how to solve problems, but it becomes dangerous when we deny problems exist or ignore them entirely. Rather than spend our time discussing policies
and how they can be improved, it has been a trend to hyper-fixate on the people running our government and their personal histories. Our elected leaders are OUR elected leaders.
We have every right to protest, argue and question our government when it fails to serve us. The problem starts when we condemn members of our community for the state of the world rather than our elected officials. At the end of the day, each and every American wants what’s best for themselves, their families, friends, communities and country.
Right now, many people are fearful. The hatred that exists among neighbors for each other breeds a culture of polarization, and it strips the humanity of anyone different from their political party. Americans should not be worried for their lives and question if they have a place in the country.
The best way to navigate our feelings is through honest conversation and genuine consideration. The best way to resolve issues is together. We need to encourage difficult discussions and handle them with respect. We need to double down on caring for ourselves, our neighbors and our communities. We need to learn how to become the United States once again.
Most of all, we need to remember we are all human. Our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness should mean something. We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, need to do better.
OUTDATED AND OVERDUE
Written by Madison Kraft, Designed by Inaya Zaman
Ilooked at my mom, stunned. She just told me her periods were more painful than labor. We were discussing women’s healthcare—or lack thereof—and I expressed my worry for my future as a woman. My mom said that she was prescribed birth control for a short amount of time but it did nothing to help. She eventually got a hysterectomy to stop her periods altogether.
Many, if not all, women have at some point thought about, taken or been prescribed hormonal birth control. The popular pill has been used since the Food and Drug Administration approved it in 1960. More than 300 million women have at some point used it, not only for its primary purpose but to help with other difficulties women face, including but not limited to dysmenorrhea, which is the medical term for painful periods. With its convenient over-the-counter access and widespread use, it is easy to believe birth control is great.
However, with negative side effects drug commercials fear to say at normal speed and an increased risk of certain cancers, it makes me wonder if women should continue to suffer from our current health issues or if we should suck it up and take the pill.
This should not be the case. Women should not have to pick their battles. This is not “The Matrix.” Why are we choosing between the red pill and the blue pill, when both of their realities are frankly dismal?
To improve your understanding,
let me walk you through how the pill works. The modern pill includes two variants: the more common “combination” pill and the “minipill.” The combination pill works by releasing estrogen and progestin to mimic the naturally occurring estrogen and progesterone hormones and prevent the sperm from reaching an egg, thinning the lining of the womb so the egg doesn’t stick and preventing ovulation. The minipill releases only progestin and is used by women with a history of blood clots, which increased levels of estrogen can cause.
years on the market, it astounds me there is a risk for cancer at all.
In today’s world, the issues birth control pills pose are not the main focus of scientists’ and doctors’ minds. Healthcare has proven to be reactive rather than proactive, a sad reality far too many of us experienced during the COVID-19 crisis. In a society where people can purchase it over the counter even though negative side effects are probable, how is the pill not considered a serious problem worthy of attention?
Why are we choosing between the red and blue pill, when both of their realities are frankly dismal?
There is a multitude of side effects birth control can give a person, including acne, nausea, and headaches. Studies show it can also cause depression and worsen stress responses. However, for me, the increased risk for cancer hits close to home, as my aunt fought and won against hormone-induced breast cancer from birth control.
According to the National Cancer Institute, the longer you use the pill, the higher risk you have for breast or cervical cancer. Although the study also says the pill decreases the risk for some other cancers, after 65
I am not saying we should eliminate the pill or everyone should switch to other contraceptive methods—although there is a version of the pill for men. I am saying we need to improve the pill women are so often prescribed so they don’t have to choose between risking cancer or continuing to deal with their debilitating dysmenorrhea.
I am asking for advancements in the healthcare community recognizing this is a problem deserving a proper reaction now. Help make this issue a priority and until then, girls, do your research before you pop the pill.
LDECAYED BUT NOT DEAD
Written by Nafsiya Hafiz, Designed by Inaya Zaman
iteracy is not dead, but it might be dying. According to Oxford Languages, Literacy is the ability to read and write or competence or knowledge in a specified area. In recent years, there has been a growing unease among online communities over low literacy rates and the way people seem to no longer consume media through a critical lens. Terms such as “the death of literacy” have been used to describe this supposed crisis, and while I believe there is adequate reason for concern, it is also not quite as dire as some have made it out to be.
The internet is quick to exaggerate and even quicker to jump to conclusions, such as the idea of literacy being dead or the narrative that kids can’t read anymore. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, literacy scores in the nation haven’t seen a significant drop since the first reading assessment was introduced in 1992. People are still able to read and write, but their competence— or rather, incompetence—in comprehension of media poses a cause for concern.
I have seen countless videos of people discussing and recommending all types of books and movies online. This should be beneficial as it encourages people to engage with literature and media, but the problem arises when these recommendations are boiled down to nothing more than tropes to make them more palatable.
“Lolita,” a novel tackling several important and complex issues, has been recommended on TikTok and diluted to forbidden romance between a full-grown man and a young girl, a take that goes directly against the book’s core message. Beyond “Lolita,” the use of terms such as forbidden romance or enemies to lovers has taken over all forms of media, so much so that creators are beginning to feel as if they must adhere to the expectations of consumers, not straying beyond convention. Many of the books and movies released today contain little substance, trading it out for easily digestible tropes that don’t require the audience to think about what they are consuming. There is a reason why so much of the media we consume today seems to fall flat and impactless. They don’t contain a message or a point, just pages and pages of one-bed trope or forced proximity.
attention, praise and criticism alike? It’s because it contains a message about the human condition, about a dystopian world serving as a warning that strikes a bit too close to home.
There is a reason why so much of the media we consume today seems to fall flat and impactless.
Of course, I don’t mean that all media should have something profound at its core. There is no harm in consuming media just to escape from reality. Books and TV provide a respite from the difficulties that we face every day. It’s when ALL media is reduced to mindless entertainment used to turn off our brains and avoid thinking altogether, that literacy decays.
This is accentuated by the fact that the recently released “Wild Robot” was acclaimed as one of the best movies to come out in recent years. At the heart of “Wild Robot” is a message about the human condition, about love and emotion. Similarly, why does “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins garner so much
Books and movies are entertainment. They can be used as a solace from the stress and anxiety of the world. However, it is crucial to understand they go beyond just entertainment. In today’s largely digital world dominated by shortform content, literature and film are not valued as the avenues for learning, understanding, social commentary and change they are. The media we consume should challenge us and our ideas of the world. Use the critical thinking skills that every English teacher has taught for years. Consider some media with the purpose of learning.
CHANGERS GAME
Coaches create success by shaping players on and off the field
Written by Emily Olm-Shipman and Ellie Votypka, Photographed by Rachel King, Designed by Hailey Heckman
As she stepped onto the field for the first day of tryouts her freshman year, sophomore Annika Witt said she was filled with fear and unaware of what the girls soccer tryouts would be like. She said she felt some excitement but was immensely nervous.
At the first practices and camps after making varsity as a freshman, she said she felt hesitant and out of place due to her young age, but she felt full support from her coaches throughout the process.
“I felt like I had to prove myself because I knew that having a spot was a very important thing,” Witt said. “Right off the bat, from tryouts, the coaches were super supportive.”
By the end of the season, Witt said she got to know everyone in the program, which changed the whole competition because she said she was no longer playing for herself but for the team.
She said the coaches create a collaborative atmosphere giving the team a stronger bond and more confidence.
“It’s a fun environment that makes you want to work so much harder for your team, and I think it’s based on bonding with everybody,” Witt said.
Similarly, senior captain Nastassja Garrett said the coaches create a sense of mutual trust, respect and community on the team.
It
“[I like] how enthusiastic they are about the team and the players and also the emphasis they put on just having fun and having a good time,” Garrett said.
system for many young athletes.
“I would hope our kids feel supported in making a decision, confident in coming to us and talking to us about whatever,” Pothoven said.
Both Garrett and Witt said they have good relationships with their coaches because of how encouraging and understanding they are.
changed the entire season because I knew my coaches had my back.
On the other side of the DAC bleachers, junior Charlie McBride said he discovered a passion for both football and track his freshman year. He said football and track coach Edward Thomas has been a coach and mentor to him throughout high school athletics.
Michelle Pothoven has been the head coach for the girls soccer team since 2015. She said through her experience coaching, she has learned to be not just a coach but a support
“He made me want to try in track and showed me that competing at the next level is something I can do,” McBride said. “He doesn’t treat you like a student, he treats you like a peer.”
-ANNIKA WITT
McBride’s father, Ted McBride also said he noticed Thomas’ impact on his son.
“He just really cherishes that relationship, and I think that’s probably one of the main reasons why he went out for track,” Ted McBride said. “Charlie really respects him and looks up to him.”
Although Ted McBride has seen his son improve in both sports, he said Thomas is more than just a coach to McBride. He said their relationship is built off of mutual respect and the effort they both put into his sports.
“It’s a good combination, someone he feels like he can learn from, but he can also have a really good time with,” McBride’s father said.
Similarly, Pothoven said she enjoys her job as a coach and the relationships she can build with both the girls and the boys teams.
“The easiest thing [about coaching] is spending time with kids. It’s so fun. Life makes sense on the soccer field,” Pothoven said.
Thomas said coaching comes easy to him when working with athletes like McBride who want to improve.
“Charlie’s a hard worker. I’ve never seen him mad about nothing. He’s got that great attitude,” Thomas said. “He may [run] a bad time, but he never let it get to him.”
Thomas said he learned the importance of consistency and dedication to athletic improvement by coaching for 25 years.
At the girls soccer preseason meeting, senior captain Nastassja Garrett talks with head coach Michelle Pothoven about the upcoming season.
“The hardest part for me is to get their encouragement up [and] try to build them up,” Thomas said. “You got to put a lot of work into them.”
Although Garrett also recognizes the importance of being pushed by her coaches, she said a large part of what makes her season enjoyable is their support and flexibility.
“They expect us to work hard, but they also understand that we still have school, we still have other stuff going on, and it should just be a space where you’re allowed to play soccer,” Garrett said.
Coaches like Pothoven and Thomas look to build relationships with their players into something more than sports. With the upcoming spring season, these coaches
said they are excited about what the new season will bring and want to encourage people to try out.
“We’re excited to have you. You never know what’s gonna happen, and you never know the moment you’ll be called on,” Pothoven said. “You can do anything, and we’re here to support you. We’ll always be rooting for you.”
THROUGH THE LENS
Students develop a passion for photography and share photos with the comnunity
Written by Bridget Hamlin and Ruby Halverson, Photographed by Paige Mailliard, Designed by Sri Trikona
Dreaming of crowded stadiums full of screaming fans, yearbook photo editor junior
Sophie Hartley said she hopes photography will one day land her on the sidelines of an NFL game so her photos would be seen by millions.
“I feel like the best job ever would be being a Chiefs photographer or a photographer for a big football team,” Hartley said. “That would be my ultimate goal.”
Hartley explained she could not imagine her life without photography because of the connections it has given her.
“If I never did photography, I would not have the friends I have today,” Hartley said.
Although he is not on yearbook staff, sophomore Armaan Hundal said he has also developed relationships through his passion for photography. He said he became
interested in photography during his freshman year after finding an old unused camera.
Hundal said one of his first shoots occurred after one of his friends asked him to take photos for their soccer game. Currently, basketball and football are the main events Hundal said he photographs, but he goes to occasional baseball or soccer games.
He said he taught himself many aspects of photography and learned at an individual pace. Through his experiences learning to take pictures, Hundal said photography has helped him build relationships.
Sophomore Jake Henry, a friend of Hundal’s, said he is so proud of the work Hundal has done with photography. The two met in middle school, and he said he told Hundal to explore taking pictures for sports, furthering his talents.
Henry said Hundal’s photography has allowed them to bond, especially
when Hundal takes pictures of him at his soccer games. He also said Hundal has gotten progressively better each time he takes pictures.
“I'm proud of him. He's been a close friend of mine for a while, so I love seeing [him] succeed,” Henry said. “We have built a closer friendship from [his photography].”
Similarly, creating connections through camera work allowed Hartley to fit this passion into a special place in her life. She said she had not felt much interest in sports or clubs, so when she discovered her love for photography she felt a sense of satisfaction.
“I always wanted to do sports, but I'm probably not the most athletic, and I tried clubs, but nothing really ever stuck with me,” Hartley said. “When I started photography, it just clicked.”
Her mother, Amanda Hartley, said she enjoys listening to Hartley talk
Sophomore Armaan Hundal takes photos at the Boys Varsity Basketball game at Blue Valley Northwest on Jan 28. “Going to the games and meeting new people is probably
about taking photos, especially for sports because she knows Hartley has big dreams for her future.
“I know she wants to go on and take pictures for college, hopefully at KU, and then she dreams bigger, and talks about the Chiefs,” Amanda Hartley said.
“It keeps her going and gives her something to look forward to in the future.” Likewise, Hundal said his family members have supported his photography passion and that they have encouraged him to pursue it professionally.
my favorite part [of photography] and taking the photos,” Hundal said.
“They tell me if it’s something I love, I can do something [with it] and one day, maybe make it into a career,” Hundal said.
Besides photography being a potential livelihood for Hundal, he also said it has bettered his life through the connections he has made.
“I met a lot of new people [and] my friendships have gotten a lot better,” Hundal said. “It’s made a really great and positive impact on my life.”
-ARMAAN HUNDAL
“I met a lot of new people [and] my friendships have gotten a lot better,” Hundal said.
“It's made a really great and positive impact on my life.”
Hartley’s mother said she enjoys hearing about the people Hartley
meets through photography and the relationships she develops.
“I know she [is] making connections with a lot of different people that you normally would not interact with, and she gets to know a lot of new faces and friends and groups,” she said. “It widens your horizons a lot.”
Hartley’s mother said Kim White, co-adviser of Northwest’s yearbook, Horizon, motivates and encourages her daughter when she needs it.
“She is always there to help her along,” Amanda Hartley said. “She is a good role model [and] is like a friend of Sophie’s. [Sophie] just loves her so much.”
The admiration is mutual, as White said she finds Hartley’s kindness and work ethic special. She said Hartley follows her instructions when taking photos, displaying her drive to be the best she can at everything. However, White said it is not always about the photo for Hartley.
“As a photo editor, she
Junior and yearbook photo editor Sophie Hartley shows advisor Kim White photos she took on her camera recently, “Ms. White gives such great advice on my photos and more
cares so much about the other photographers. She wrote each photographer on our staff a personal note that was clearly from the heart at the holidays,” White said. “She is someone who legitimately cares about other people, and she wants them to have success, and I think her reward is seeing their success.”
Hartley said she worked with White to strengthen the quality of her photos and become a better photographer. She gave White credit for the growth and development of her photo and editing skills as well as the passion she feels for this hobby.
Similar to the encouragement Hartley was given from White, Hundal said he also received many positive comments from family members and friends, which made him continue to take pictures.
“I like the angles he chooses [and] the lighting,” Henry said. “His editing style is very unique.”
He said even people from other schools who he did not know responded positively. When he takes and posts pictures, Hundal said he
importantly, she encourages me to go back and try new things” Hartley said.
looks for what will make the player happy. He said he thinks of himself in the place of the player being photographed, and what he would want in their position.
“My main goal is to get as good as I can,” Hundal said, “I [go] to as many games I [can] to try to get more photos and get better.”
Another teacher who has increased students' education in photography progress is Joanna Mays, teaching Digital Imaging. Mays has taught at Northwest for the past six years in the art department and has built experience helping students find their love of photography.
“My favorite thing is having kids come to a place where they have a creative outlet and do something completely new,” Mays said.
She said one of the things she loves most about the class is the low-pressure environment and the ability to be completely relaxed while being expressive in their art.
Mays said there are many decisions that must be made very quickly before taking a photo,
including composition, angle and placement.
“It creates a skill of creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking,” Mays said. “There [are] not [many] other subjects you can get that from.”
Mays said there is a lot more behind taking a photo than people realize; a great photographer will think deeply about the meaning of a captured moment while applying the technical aspects as well. She said taking a picture for an intended
Sophomore Armaan Hundal sits on the floor to get a close-up photo at the Boys Varsity game at Blue Valley Northwest on Jan. 28. “I just started taking photos for fun and ended up really liking it so I stayed with it,” Hundal said.
audience also correlates with creating an amazing photo.
“[You have to evaluate] the purpose and the story before you take a picture, asking yourself why you take it, who are you taking it for and what is the reason behind it,” Mays said.
jh
“Some people spend their whole life trying to figure out what they are passionate about,” her mother said.
Sophie’s a kid that fights through when she doesn’t succeed or something’s not as good as it could be; she keeps working at it and she wants to get better.
With the skills learned from the yearbook staff and guidance from White, Hartley’s mother said she is so excited to see what her daughter will accomplish further down the road.
“I cannot wait to see what Sophie does in the future with her pictures,” Amanda Hartley said. “I have a feeling that she is going to do great things.”
Amanda Hartley said she is proud her daughter found a hobby she is devoted to because it gives her a sense of fulfillment that grades and homework do not.
-KIM WHITE
“I am happy she found it so soon.”
White said when you find your passion, anything is possible, and she would not be surprised to see Hartley taking photos of a Chiefs
game in the future. She also said Hartley has even more room to grow her skills since this is not her last year on staff.
White said anyone can find their passion the way Hartley found photography if they put themselves out there.
“When there's something out there and you want to try it, go for it, because you might find your passion,” White said.
To view more of Hartley and Hundal’s photos, visit their photography Instagram accounts sophhartleypics and _shotbymaan_.
SOPHIE HARTLEY
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ARMAAN HUNDAL
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PLAYING WITH FIRE
Blue Valley’s Fire Science program equips students for careers in firefighting and emergency response
Written by Rishitha Bonthu
ADanielle
smile spread across senior Brandon Bautista’s face the first time he put on the mask and connected to an air supply. The sound of his breath, just like the firefighters in movies, brought an excitement he said he couldn’t shake for days.
“It was just the feeling you got when you first took that breath with air on and sounded like [a] firefighter,” Bautista said.
Every day at 12:20 p.m., Bautista and fellow seniors Thaha Karim and Patrick Wells drive to the Overland Park Fire Training Center. There, they participate in the Fire Science & Emergency Management Career Ready Program, a foursemester pathway designed for students interested in firefighting or emergency medical technician (EMT) roles.
The program, a partnership between the Overland Park
Fire Department (OPFD) and Blue Valley School District, provides students with handson training for firefighting and emergency response. According to Blue Valley’s Director of Career Ready Programs, Adam Wessel, it equips students with skills that help them stand out in these fields. Last fall, Wessel said two students who completed their program in 2022 were hired as firefighters with the City of
and
Croom, Photographed by Julia Curotto, Designed by Iqra Nadeem
On Jan. 27, senior Brandon Bautista worked with one of his classmates to reassemble a chainsaw. “I like working
Overland Park.
Bautista said he was inspired to become a firefighter at the age of 3, remembering a moment when his family had to drive up the median to make way for a passing fire truck.
“It left an impression on me,” Bautista said. “I knew I wanted to be the one helping in those situations.”
Bautista is currently enrolled in Fire Science 2. By passing his exams, he will earn both Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 certifications. Wessel said students have to pass an exam with Kansas Fire and Rescue Training Institute to earn certifications for completion of the Fire 1 and 2 content.
with different people so I can teach them things that work better for me that might help them,” Bautista said.
During his junior year, Bautista took the Emergency Medical Responder course. This class introduced him to life-saving skills like CPR, administering medication, delivering a baby and conducting patient assessments.
Instead of sitting through Advanced Algebra, I get to go and use a fire axe to open a door.
-PATRICK WELLS
“Even if you’re not interested in firefighting, I’d recommend the EMR course,” Bautista said. “It teaches you how to handle emergency situations, and I carry [the skills I learned] with me wherever I go.”
Wessel said multiple students who are interested in becoming nurses, doctors or EMTs have taken this
course to gain medical knowledge without participating in the firerelated aspects.
Wells said he wanted to steer away from the traditional college pathway. When he discovered the program through word of mouth, he decided to give it a try.
“It gave me a reason to want to go to school instead of just showing up,” Wells said. “Instead of sitting through Advanced Algebra, I get to go and use a fire axe to open a door.”
Students like Karim and Wells, who did not take the EMR course before enrolling in Firefighting 1 and 2 their senior year, plan to get their EMT licenses after the school year.
The program balances medical, hazmat and firefighting training while emphasizing teamwork. Bautista said learning to trust his team and ensuring everyone is working together seamlessly is critical to staying safe.
“I now take things a whole lot
FEBRUARY 2025 | 19
more seriously,” Bautista said. “Making sure everyone’s on the same page is definitely a big thing I’ve taken out of (the program).”
At the OPFD Training Center, students put on their bunker gear, which includes fire-resistant pants, boots, a jacket with a nameplate, a helmet and a selfcontained breathing apparatus. They practice tasks such as connecting hose lines to fire hydrants, pulling and wrapping hoses and opening hydrants for water flow. Wessel said real fire is used in some scenarios and must be extinguished with hose lines.
“You get to do things that you wouldn’t do on a regular day,” Karim said. “You learn a lot of skills, [like] team and public leadership.”
Later this semester, Bautista said they will learn more advanced skills such as extinguishing prop fires, cutting roofs and doors off cars, hazmat awareness and forced entries.
Additionally, they will have the opportunity to participate in ride-alongs with firefighters, shadowing professionals as they respond to real emergencies.
From semester one, both Bautista and Karim said their favorite activity has been a search and rescue scenario. In the exercise, the training tower is smoked out, and students must locate and rescue a weighted dummy with zero visibility.
“It was my favorite because of the rush of adrenaline you had the entire time,” Bautista said. “Being in zero visibility, you seriously couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.”
building,” Severson said. “If you’re thinking about a trade, military or something like that, programs like Fire Science set you up very well.”
Severson said his passion for helping others motivates him through exhausting days in training.
“I want to be the person who makes the worst day of someone’s life even a little better, or maybe even save a life,” Severson said.
According to Wessel, 17 Blue Valley students are enrolled in the Fire Science program for the current school year. He said any incoming junior or senior can join as long as they are on track to graduate.
After students communicate with their counselor or list the course on their enrollment sheet, Wessel and Training Officer Andrew Bobka will visit BVNW at the end of March to meet individually with each candidate for the program. No physical or written test is required for entry.
Bautista, who plans to pursue an EMT license at JCCC after graduation, hopes to join the OPFD and land a job there by the time he turns 20. Karim said he plans to attend paramedic school after completing his EMT certification over the summer and fall. Wells plans to attend JCCC to get his EMT certificate and secure a job with the OPFD.
I want to be the person who makes the worst day of someone’s life even a little better, or maybe even save a life.
-JAY SEVERSON
Jay Severson, a 2024 graduate, said the Fire Science program gave him a head start in his career. Severson, who is training with the Army National Guard, said he is excelling in his medical training in San Antonio and plans to return to Overland Park to work as a firefighter.
“These classes prepared me better than any (other class) inside the
Although enrollment cards have already been turned in, Wessel said students can still communicate with their counselor to incorporate the program into their schedule.
“If (students) are at all interested at any level, even minimally, let us know,” Wessel said. “It might end up being something you make a career out of.”
During class on Jan. 27, seniors Patrick Wells and Thaha Karim spent time discussing tool anatomy. “I really
like the hands-on learning aspect of the fire science program,” Wells said.
W O B M S E M A T
A twin sibling provides a unique experience and an automatic friend
Written by Adria Heinauer and Sara Scheibel, Photographed by Allison Leese, Designed by Lily McCann
The doctor turned to 18-week-pregnant ELA teacher Valerie Golden and said “You’re having a boy and he has a brother.” Valerie Golden said she was initially shocked at hearing she was having twin boys, but ultimately enjoyed watching them grow up together and become the individuals they are today.
“It’s been interesting to watch them grow up side by side and watch them become who they are independent of each other because people expect that they are the same,” Valerie Golden said.
Although they are not exactly the same, her son, junior William Golden, said he and his twin have very similar interests, and having a twin is similar to having a best friend always around.
“It’s really nice because you’ve got somebody who understands what you’re going through, whether that be with classes or things happening within the family,” William said. “It makes it easier to go through life with somebody who knows exactly what your life is like and how to talk to you.”
Junior Andrew Golden, William’s twin, said he likes being a twin. He said it eliminated the necessity of a large group of friends.
“I always had William there, so I didn’t feel the need as much as other kids to go out and find new friends,” Andrew said. “I’m not
upset about that. I have a smaller friend group than most people, but [we are] also a lot closer.”
Freshmen Bella and Will Connolly are also twins at Northwest. Bella said because they’re in the same grade, they shared a friend group as kids. As they got older, she said they formed their own friendships but continued to have mutual friends.
“I’m friends with my friends, and he has his friends, but we can hang out all together and get along,” Bella said.
Pearson said when she and her brother were younger, it was rare for women to have twins. She said the uniqueness of their bond made them very close, and despite living in different states, she often still goes to Kelly for advice.
Whenever we struggle on something, we help each other, and then if she succeeds in that, we can celebrate together.
-WILL CONNOLLY
Their mother, Carrie Connolly, said she didn’t host many playdates when they were growing up because they always hung out together.
“They have friends, but I didn’t have to worry about [them] being social, because they had each other, and they would play a lot together,” Carrie Connolly said.
Similarly, English teacher Erin Pearson said she enjoyed sharing big events with her twin, Scott Kelly, such as her wedding day and birthdays.
“I refer to him as my womb mate. Most of my core memories, he’s part of them,” Pearson said. “He’s always been very supportive of me. I’ve been supportive of him.”
“[He’s] that built-in safety net of having that person who [is] going to set me straight if I need to be set straight, but he’s also the person that I can confide in,” Pearson said. “I can ask him questions and I don’t feel judged, and just there’s that sense of comfort.”
Like Pearson’s bond with her brother, the Connollys’ mother said the twins have a very strong connection that is almost impossible to describe. She said their bond started in early childhood when they would help each other get into trouble.
“They would gang up on [me]. They would get into the pantry and he would lay on the ground, and she would stand on him,” Carrie Connolly said. “They couldn’t speak, but they had a really weird, sort of psychic bond.”
According to Will, one part of
this bond is sharing each other’s accomplishments.
“Whenever we struggle on something, we help each other, and then if she succeeds in that, we can celebrate together,” Will said. Similarly, Pearson said she also loved the support between her and her twin.
“I loved going and cheering him on at his baseball games and he would cheer me on in my activities,” Pearson said. “He was always there, and I was there for him.”
Bella said that being in the same grade is beneficial for both her and her brother.
“I think it’s nice when you have the same class or you’re stressed about something, you can study together or work on it together,” Bella said. “You love them, [and] they’re always there.”
Valerie Golden said she sees her
twins support each other.
“I think they have moments of extreme excitement and pride for each other, and I’ve seen that when one of them has achieved something or won something,” Valerie Golden said. “Even playing Little League Baseball, it was fun to watch them cheer for each other and see they were sincerely excited for the other one’s success.”
Pearson said she enjoyed having a twin in school because it was like having a built-in best friend there and being at school strengthened their bond outside of their family.
“When we first moved here in third grade, we didn’t know anybody. So walking in that first day of school, that helped because at least I had one friend already,” Pearson said. “We could do fun things together not as siblings necessarily, but as classmates.”
Although Bella enjoys going to school with Will, she said some challenges come with being a twin, one of which is comparison.
“We’ve had teachers who like my brother more than me, but it’s like they expect me to do the same stuff as him in class, be the same way he is,” Bella said. “He’s better at some stuff than I am.”
Will also said being around Bella so much can become repetitive due to seeing each other at school and home. He said he also often feels like people compare them to each other.
“I think they expect us to do a lot together, and we do, but we don’t. I’m in cross country, Bella’s in basketball, ” Will said. “They expect us to be a lot more similar than we are.”
Andrew said oftentimes other people compare him and his twin more than they compare themselves.
to relate with her,” Will Connolly said. “Our bond is different because we have different interests despite being twins.”
Freshman twins Will and Bella Connolly stand together on Jan. 21. “My favorite part of being a twin is that it’s easier
know in this world I have [my] person,” Pearson said. “And that’s my brother.”
“There are definitely things he’s better at than me and there are things I’m better at than him,” Andrew said. “People like to compare us, I think sometimes even more than we like to compare ourselves.”
He said people try to point out their differences on things such as tests or performances, but he believes their differences often just depend on the day.
“I think a lot of times [it’s] just based on luck. I don’t think there’s really that much difference in skill at all,” Andrew said. “There have been times where he does better and people ask me, ‘How do you feel that he’s better?’ Usually, I just say I think we’re pretty even and he just had a better day. I think he sees it the same way I do.”
To help her twins overcome comparisons Valerie Golden said she tries to view her sons as their own people.
“I have tried to make sure that they know that I see them as individuals,” Valerie Golden said.
“I try to talk to them individually about what I recognize as their strengths and the qualities that make them unique from each other.”
Although the Golden twins were placed in different classes, Valerie Golden said she felt like they were never seen as individuals by their peers
“I think even just socially, they’ve always been seen as one part of a pair, and so I think that has to have impacted them,” Valerie Golden said.
Similar to Valerie Golden, Carrie Connolly said she reminds her twins they’re different people with different interests. She also makes sure to spend time with them individually like getting her nails done with Bella or running with Will.
Pearson said it’s important for parents of twins to allow them to be themselves and avoid comparisons.
“Even though you may be a twin, you don’t have to be like the
other one. You can be you. You have permission to be your own person,” Pearson said. “I would encourage people, if they were to have twins, just to remember to celebrate the uniqueness, but celebrate the differences as well.”
A B C D E F
English teacher Erin Pearson reminisces over a photo with her twin, Scott, on her son’s graduation day. “I just
SP T THE L VE
Directions: Count each Valentine’s Day item and write the number on the line
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