Northwest Missourian

DEI DECISIONS

Latonya Davis hopes to build relationships

SIDNEY LOWRY Managing Editor | @sidney_lowry

A new face has been added to the Offce of Diversity and Inclusion. Latonya Davis started as coordinator of diversity and inclusion April 17.

Joining Northwest in 2020 as an academic adviser for the School of Education and then working as a recruitment coordinator for Northwest admissions, she found herself back at Northwest.

She obtained a bachelor’s degree in K-12 physical education, health education and coaching in 2003 and master’s degree in physical education and athletic administration from Northwest in 2004, but that was never part of her original plan.

Davis said her history teacher and cheerleading coach motivated her to go to college, despite the history of family members going right into the workforce after high school. After meeting with a representative from Northwest, she decided to give college a try.

“(I was the) frst generation in my entire family to go to college, and so I didn’t really know what to do,” Davis said. “I just knew I wanted to go and to go to college because I didn’t like where we were living in the city. … And so I came here not knowing anybody and got an amazing education, had amazing professors, some I still keep in touch with today that are still here.”

After graduating from Northwest in 2004, she taught elementary physical education in St. Louis for 15 years. During that time, she organized events for underrepresented families in the Desegregation program, which she was once a part of.

The Desegregation program started in 1983 to increase racial integration in metropolitan area public schools and allows for Black students to attend participating schools in St. Louis County.

Legislators to revoke funds from DI ofces

SIDNEY LOWRY Managing Editor | @sidney_lowry

Diversity, equity and inclusion offices in Missouri have undergone pressure as the Missouri House banned diversity funding from the state budget at many institutions, including public universities.

Assistant Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Justin Mallett said the Offce of Diversity and Inclusion had conversations with University ofcials and thinks Northwest should be proactive with preparing for a possible audit. While prepared, he said Northwest doesn’t have much to worry about.

“I think one of the nice things about Northwest is we really don’t use a lot of state funds for diversity and inclusion programming, eforts and planning,” Mallett said.

The budget for these programs come from the Campus Climate Fee that is issued to students alongside tuition. Despite Northwest not having designated state dollars for DEI funding, Mallett said other schools in the state will have to be ready for an audit and some push back on diversity and inclusion eforts.

ILLUSTRATION BY SIDNEY LOWRY MANAGING EDITOR

“... If you look at the bottom of a lot of those bills as well, there’s also a hit on higher ed because it’s also saying ‘Well, we’re going to review the tenure process’ and … ‘What does tenure look like within all of this, and what is that role going to play?’” Mallett said.

Other Missouri legislators have made moves against diversity efforts in other areas of Missouri. House Bill No. 489, brought on by Rep. Ben Baker, aims to scale back the use of DEI training and ideas. Rep. Doug Richey added to this with House Bill No. 1196, which specifcally talks about ‘protections against ideological discrimination in postsecondary education,’ and stops universities from requiring DEI statements.

County gets grant for courthouse, jail safety improvement

Nodaway County received a $291,008.50 grant to improve the jail and courthouse. Gov. Mike Parson announced the state was giving out grants for these improvements. Nodaway County was notifed March 24 of the receival via email.

Nodaway County Sheriff Randy Strong and Undersherif Scott Wedlock worked toward getting the grant for the county. The improvements will include door control systems, laundry capabilities and fre safety.

“We had just a few weeks to

said. “We worked in conjunction with the regional council of governments.”

The grant required a county match, so all together the total approved by the city project cost was $582,017 for the improvements. The buildings were built in the 1980s and have since worn down. The department has made notice of those things and decided to apply for this grant to help improve the buildings.

“A lot of things were never maintained to the level they should have been or they’re just worn out,” Wedlock said.

INFOGRAPHIC BY JULIANNA LAWRENCE DESIGNER

Student Senate president named Northwest’s new Student Regent

Student Senate Executive President Elizabeth Motazedi was named student regent, a nonvoting member on the Northwest Board of Regents, by Gov. Mike Parson April 19.

Motazedi, a social studies - history education major, interviewed for the position with members of the University over a year ago and was called in February to move along in the process.

“To be able to represent the state and also to serve on the Board of Regents, I think it’s just really important going forward especially with all the changes happening in this University,” Motazedi said. “I really want to make sure I have that student input and not be afraid to use my voice.”

Motazedi said she feels ready for this position as she worked closely with members of the Board of Regents during the search to fnd Northwest’s 11th president,

Lance Tatum. She said having that experience will help her be more comfortable sharing her thoughts and ideas.

“I’m really looking forward to attending the board meetings, and being able to sit at that table and really feel like I have that spot there and feel like I am making an impact at this University,” Motazedi said.

She went to Jefferson City, Missouri, April 26 to be sworn in and will be represented with Sen. Jill Carter from District 32.

Headliner to Northwest’s Student Activity Council’s annual concert, Eli Young Band’s lead singer, Mike Eli, sings its 2014 release, “Dust.” The country-themed concert was held in Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse April 21, bringing in people from all over the Maryville community. SAC sold a total of 2,093 tickets, which were $10 for students and $25 for any attendees without a student ID.

Local business holds annual open house, provides food to shoppers

The Plant House celebrated its annual spring open house April 22. A first come, first served, free meal consisting of pulled pork sandwiches and refreshments was provided, and the sales continued through April 23.

The Plant House is located north of Maryville at 24579 Business Highway 71 and is owned by Tim Janousek and Kelsey Bowlin. It has a selection of annuals, bulk and garden seeds, brambles, crowns, pota-

toes, bulbs, perennials, herbs, vegetables and succulents. Its seasonal hours on weekdays are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.

Plants, eggs and pottery selections are also available.

The annual spring open house has held a few different names in the past years such as “Customer Appreciation” and “Open House Sprinkler.”

Janousek spoke about the planning of the spring open house and said the annual spring open house and Mother’s Day are the

biggest sale days of the year.

“The planning happens the year before,” Janousek said. “We look at the calendar and the dates that we’d like to have it.”

Owners of The Plant House plan to make some changes this summer as well as planning some events with the Backyard Wine and Vine. Janousek said he would like to work on capital improvement plans and general maintenance tasks during the warmer months.

Annita Ecker is a manager at The Plant House and said the first task she does in the morning is checking plants’ moisture levels. Plants that are sitting in plug trays that are not yet for sale must be watered two to three times per day.

“You kind of judge your day and what our projects are for the week,” Ecker said. “‘What is go-

ing to be done? Such as getting ready for open house.”

The preparation for the spring open house consisted of trimming and weeding plants, making sure all items were priced and filling any hole where someone had taken a plant.

“A lot of cleaning up on the floors and the counters and try-

ing to make everything look presentable,” Ecker said.

Terra Feick and her family attended the spring open house, saying they come every year.

“We get so excited to come out here and let them go through and pick out their favorite plants,” Feick said. “And, my kids love it so much.”

MAKAYLA POLAK EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BECKY DAVENPORT Missourian Reporter | @TheMissourian

Loren Nook and Maggie Jackson shop for flowers at The Plant House, located on 24579 Business Highway 71. The spring open house allowed customers to shop for plants and provided pulled pork sandwiches and beans.

SIDNEY LOWRY MANAGING EDITOR

Northwest showcases senior art exhibits

faculty has been a positive experience.

Northwest is holding senior art exhibitions until May 5 for final-year art students to show off their work.

Professor Armin Mühsam teaches painting and drawing classes here at Northwest. He said what is satisfying about teaching seniors is being able to witness the maturity of their skills in art and seeing their one-of-a-kind vision they have developed over time. Mühsam said he hopes the graduating art students are productive citizens in life but do not sacrifice being the professional artists they studied to become.

“Every professional artist shows their work because that’s their research,” Mühsam said. “The visual research is presented in an exhibition, and so the seniors mount a show where they present to the public a coherent vision of who they are as an artist and what they want to communicate to the world.”

Assistant Professor of ceramics Veronica Watkins teaches ceramics classes of all levels, as well as foundational art classes like 2D design, drawing and art appreciation. She said these exhibitions provide students with opportunities to show off their best pieces, contrary to the belief that everything an artist makes is good.

“There’s failures, and people don’t see the failures that are going in the dumpster,” Watkins said. “I compare it to writing or any other kind of communication. You know, we write a lot of bad papers before

we write good papers.” Watkins said it is a positive experience as a professor when a student continues their artistic studies in graduate school or through a residency. Even more when students might send their professor some artwork they have

done in their continuing studies.

One of these graduating students is senior art education major Caylea Dill, whose exhibition is in the lobby of the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts until May 5. She said that studying art at Northwest with Northwest’s

“I love the faculty here,” Dill said. “They really want what is best for their students, and they are willing to drop everything to come help you. I have a lot of ambitious ideas, and I have never been turned away because of them.”

Dill said graduating with an art degree is exciting but also scary. She said there is less faculty support after someone graduates, so the responsibility is really all on her.

Dill’s art for the exhibition was inspired by religion. She said figuring out what she believes, and not just believing what she is told to by other people, is a part of the inspiration.

One piece Dill emphasized was her piece titled “Angel,” which depicts a woman angel on her knees turned so you can’t see her face. Above her head, in a halo, are the lyrics to Leanord Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” The halo reads “Your faith was strong, but you needed proof.” Dill said she was in a similar boat when her faith deteriorated, and she felt she required proof.

“You see her kneeling, but you don’t see her face,” Dill said. “And so it kind of leaves the viewer to question ‘Why is she questioning her faith? Is it because of fear (or) sadness?’ We’re missing those answers because we can’t see the expression on her face.”

Other senior exhibitions are being held up until May 5 in the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building in both the Olive DeLuce Gallery and throughout the first floor as well as the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union.

Blue Willow and White Elm Mercantile will be closed from April 30 to May 4 and will officially reopen May 5 with a new, improved look. The sister stores will not be combined by owner Stephanie Campbell-Yount.

Campbell-Yount brought Blue Willow to Maryville in November 2016, and she opened her second store White Elm Mercantile in October 2020. Blue Willow is a women's apparel and accessories store. It provides sizes from extra small up to 3X. White Elm Mercantile is a home decor and gift store.

She moved the location of both stores to one building in 2021 — one side being Blue Willow and the other being White Elm Mercantile. CampbellYount said she felt she was duplicating efforts and it has been hard running two businesses in one building. She has been managing both stores separately: two separate websites, social media, store systems and apps.

“The most challenging part is to have two different brand voices,” Campbell-Yount said. “It’s gonna feel really great to talk about it all the same.”

Willow + Elm is going to be about creating a beautiful life in people’s homes and closets.

Campbell-Yount took elements of each brand's styles into the new store identity. She said there will be more of a classic font and the secondary font will be a mid-century and retro.

Campbell-Yount had thoughts of combining the two when she moved locations in 2021, but she came to her final decision in January 2023. When Campbell-Yount announced the new beginning of the stores, she said the community was super positive, and she felt everyone kind of knew it was coming.

Campbell-Yount said she is still in the works of planning a special opening day. She said it will have specials and tons of new items, and Sylvia Chloupek will be there selling her macarons.

“We are going to dig a little bit more into the ability to have pieces in your wardrobe that can do everything,” CampellYount said.

Campbell-Yount said the process of combining the two businesses has been a seamless process, but she knows there will be challenges ahead. There will be a warehouse sale April 27-29 at the Blue Willow and White Elm Mercantile located on East Fourth Street during normal store hours. Both stores are having a 25% off endof-era sale online.

It will be getting rid of some brands that don’t fit into the new store brand and style. It plans to keep styles in denim and items that sell well, and get rid of the things that aren’t popular. Customers of both businesses will see great gift options, home decor, selfcare, greeting cards and much more from what White Elm Mercantile provided.

Campbell-Yount said it will be hard to let go of Blue Willow, and it's how she started in the community and got close to many women. She said she is very excited about the future of the new brand and wants every-

one to learn to live life beautifully through Willow + Elm.

“Community is everything, whether it is my online, local or student community,” Campbell-

Yount said. “The community has given me far more than I could ever give it. It’s been an incredible experience and just changed my life in all the best ways.”

City regulations amended during Council meeting

The Maryville City Council spent just 30 minutes discussing various changes to yard space and usage regulations at the April 24 meeting.

Assistant City Manager Ryan Heiland discussed the changes that would be happening with yard accessories, like buildings and portable storage containers.

“Really the only change with that is increasing the height of an accessory building allowed from 15 feet to 20 feet,” Heiland said. “... This will not have a huge impact visually, but it will be easier for our staff as well as the builders so come in underneath that 20-foot height limit on that.”

The change was made because the builders were commonly producing yard accessories that were around 17 feet tall.

There is now a limit of two yard accessories that are allowed on a lot, and the size is limited to 1,500 square feet or not more than 10% of the lot size. If someone had a larger property and wanted more than two yard accessories, there will be a process they can go through to try and have more —

CRIME LOG

for the week of April 27

Northwest Missouri State University

Police Department

April 21

There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in Perrin Hall.

April 20

There is a closed investigation for harassment in Student Support Services.

April 19

There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in Perrin Hall. There is an open investigation for property damage in Parking Lot 42. There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in Hudson Hall.

April 18

There was an accident between Logan Bogle, 21, and Gianna Weber, 19, in Parking Lot 42. There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in Dieterich Hall

Maryville Department of Public Safety

April 19

There is an ongoing investigation for trespassing on the 1100 block of North Main Street.

April 17

There was a summons issued to Gregory L. Brumley II, 45, for not having a valid driver’s license and excessive acceleration on the 100 block of South Main Street.

There was an accident between Jarnik Busses Inc. and Maryville RII School District on the 1500 block of South Munn Avenue.

There was an accident between Chloe A. Saenz, 21, and Micheal S. Butterfield on the 300 block of West First Street.

April 15

There was an accident between Emily C. Niell, 26, Sean Hastings, 71, and Makenzie Cobb, 28, on the 800 block of South Main Street. Niell was issued a citation for careless and imprudent driving.

There was an accident between Carrie R. Hartley, 41, and Joshua C. McMillen 37, on the 1200 block of South Main Street.

A summons was issued to Cathleen M. Wiederholt, 20, for driving while intoxicated and an equipment violation on the 100 block of South Buchanan Street.

A summons was issued to Avery R. Arnold, 19, for a minor in possession and possession of a fake ID on the 400 block of West Ninth Street.

that is still being finalized. Portable storage containers will require a temporary building permit with no more than one per lot at $15.

Council members asked about how these regulations will be managed. There will be an enforcement officer. If they see an issue, they will reach out to the homeowner and go through a process to rectify the issue.

“The first step is always just that outreach and trying to educate the homeowners with (regulations),” Heiland said.

City Manager Greg McDanel updated Council on the progress of the South Main Corridor Project. Phase I was meant to be completed April 28 but will not be until done until summer. McDanel said Phase 1 is about 82% complete.

The delays are because of weather and other circumstances.

Traffic signals have been installed and McDanel said will be running in a while and sidewalks are being worked on. Phase II construction bidding is still being done. Mayor Tye Parsons also commented on the delays.

“I think it’s important to note that the city continues to work with our contractors to

work hard to move the project along,” Parsons said. “... We expect this summer for sure we’ll be done and ready to go, we appreciate the public’s patience as we continue to finish up this project.”

Other City Council Business:

• Council member Benjamin Lipiec will be a part of the Tourism Board.

• Council member Bryan Williams will be on the Region-

DAVIS CONTINUED FROM A1

While teaching, she was also a part of the Missouri Society of Health and Physical Educators Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force.

In Valley Park School District, where she taught for 13 years, she said she was the only Black certified teacher in the whole district.

“...I was the only Black certified teacher there for 13 years,” Davis said. “So in a way, I was a designated DI person. Because students would come to me and staff and faculty would come to me with questions and different things like that.”

She said her experience being the only Black certified teacher in the district, along with her membership in other organizations, set her up for her new position in the Northwest DI Office.

“...That’s the perk of being a Northwest grad, is explaining my story,” Davis said. “And a lot of students think that the staff and faculty had perfect lives, and that’s why they’re here. Well, our lives weren’t perfect, and I’ve had a roller coaster of life.”

In just over two weeks, Davis said she has already made many connections with students and is looking forward to more connections with staff and faculty.

Junior physical education major Nicholas Bolton said he has known Davis since his freshman year. Over the last three years, he has gotten to know her more and said she lights up a room when she enters.

“Everybody already loves LT, we already knew her,” Bolton said. “So having that chance to have her in the office and just be around this, like literally almost every day, is just another great thing. And her office is very welcoming. She’s also a very welcoming person, too.”

With the new change in scenery from admissions to the DI office, Davis said she has one goal:

FUNDING CONTINUED FROM A1

At the University of Missouri, the university dismissed all requirements of a diversity statement in the application process. At Northwest, that has never been a requirement despite it being part of an Inclusive Excellence Plan that would include it in time. With the new legislation and resistance to DEI efforts, that has been cut out of the plan.

“The nice thing is we’ve really been keeping a pulse on what’s going down in Jefferson City and then making sure that our work is aligned where we could continue to do the things we’re doing,” Mallett said.

Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion

Latonya Davis said even though this is happening in other states, she doesn’t worry about Northwest’s program.

GRANT CONTINUED FROM A1

The department worked directly with the Nodaway County Commissioners, which included an intern from Northwest. Wedlock said the intern was a huge help in the process of applying for the grant and getting all of the necessary information.

Safety is one of the main concerns for improvement with the grant money. Strong said there was a fire a couple of years ago an inmate set, and the building filled with smoke, making it

al Council of Governments Board, which coordinates with other counties to address any large issues.

• Jacob Katsion was approved for a special use permit to rent out an apartment.

• Council amended Chapter 235, to remove the term ‘medical’ in front of marijuana to apply to all usages of marijuana and prevent people from publically using it.

• Council adopted the Nodaway County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which reduces long-term hazard risks for people and property.

• Council accepted the Stormwater Management Plan for the Southview Apartments, Phase III.

• Council executed a rights-ofway agreement for communication facilities with Embarq Missouri, Inc.

be there for students who need her.

“I’ve talked to many students, they always talk about that culture that’s around, the positive culture that’s around and everyone’s willing to help,” Davis said. “And I want to be that person to help others as well.”

“I just have faith that the powers that be understand the importance of it,” Davis said. “And all of our students, no matter who they are, all of our students feel equitable, seen, heard, loved, cared about, and I think they understand that that’s needed.”

Workers and attendees of the DI Office were vocal with their opinions. Juniors Darren Ross and Nicholas Bolton are two Northwest underrepresented students who have talked about what implications this bill has.

“We didn’t know that this bill was being passed,” Ross said. “Now listening about the bill again, it seems like the bill is more of a leeway to something that’s more important to them … It’s not really targeted towards the correct people, but it’s an easy way to shift focus to blame someone else for the issues that are occurring in the current realm of the society that we live in, in the United

dangerous for both the employees and the inmates while they were trying to evacuate.

“We have to provide them a safe place, medical attention while they are here and feed them,” Strong said. “So we have an obligation to make sure, while we keep them confined as ordered by the court, that we do that in a humanitarian process.”

The door upgrades will help make the building safer for the staff. Incase of a dangerous inmate, all of the doors need to be functioning and locking properly. Strong said these upgrades

States (and) Missouri.”

Bolton said Mallett discussed with them that the bill also wanted to remove tenure from Missouri universities. Bolton said this would affect Missouri’s higher education in its entirety. He said this would affect higher education since so many professors already have tenure, so big change would come with removing it.

Freshman Kindyl Jones said the DI Office has given her good friends and has gotten her connected with people. She discussed what she thought would happen to other Missouri colleges that would be hit harder with this bill because of more reliance on state funding.

“I could definitely see their minority enrollment going down,” Jones said. “Just because I feel like the funding is very important to be able to put on events and make the campus feel inclusive.”

should have been done years ago, and they are finally going to be taken care of.

Wedlock said the jail building requires frequent maintenance because there are a lot of people who come in and out.

The closing date from the grant, when the money has to be used and the repairs made, is June 2026, so it will be an ongoing process, and there is no specific timeline being followed.

Vendors will now be looked for to hire to help with the repairs on the buildings. The bid processes are being started, so the con-

struction and improvements can start. There is no order in which the improvements will be made, it will be going off of the bids received and who is available to do the improvements and when.

“I think we’re just excited we were able to capture this grant with the help of the Commission and Northwest Regional Council of Governments to write the grant,” Wedlock said.

There will be another meeting soon with the Department of Public Safety, which is going to administer the grant, to sort out the bid process and set it to start.

Assistant City Manager Ryan Heiland spoke on an ordinance to amend city regulations about yard spaces and other city codes. The amendment passed at City Council’s meeting April 24, leaving Maryville citizens with some added freedom regarding accessory buildings and portable storage containers on their property.

KAYLA ALLISON MISSOURIAN PHOTOGRAPHER

and master’s degree here.

SIDNEY LOWRY MANAGING EDITOR

Northwest will be holding its graduation ceremony for the class of 2023 at 10 a.m. May 6 in Bearcat Stadium — similar to the graduation for the class of 2020 during the pandemic. The main difference, Northwest didn’t account for the amount of students and the chaos it would create.

Graduates and their families are filled with questions due to the uncertainty of many factors in the ceremony. How long will it take? Where do we park? What about accessibility? But most importantly, some students are stuck with one big question: Am I going to walk?

Northwest announced in an email to the graduating class that the ceremony has met maximum capacity for the amount of people walking — just over 1,025 students. The remaining students have been placed on a waitlist.

Northwest underestimated this graduating class.

Students who have spent four, or even more, years working toward getting a degree, creating tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt and working hard each day will not be able to walk across the stage and celebrate the triumph.

Going from in-person classes to being kicked out of the residence halls and moved to online classes, these students experienced Northwest in many forms. The pandemic was one large question mark at the time, but for the students that stuck with it, they deserve the right to walk across the stage.

Some of their classmates — their friends — did not make it to this point. Transferring schools, dropping out or moving completely online was a trend of higher education during that time.

Aside from the students on the waitlist, many student-athletes are unable to have the opportunity to walk across the stage. They have to prioritize their sport over one of the biggest academic accomplishments in their lives.

Since the announcement of a singular ceremony, athletes have been mentioning that they want to walk but are unable to due to the scheduling of meets — which has been set in stone for many months prior to the University’s decision. Athletes, just like every other student, have the right to walk alongside their classmates — or at least given the option.

Last year, Northwest split its commencement into multiple ceremonies, allocating space for every person that wanted to walk. This year, the one large ceremony is lacking numerous details and transparency.

Allowing an average of six people per graduate, Bearcat Stadium reaches capacity at 6,500. Though some families will have less, many will have more, yet there is no ticket system, allowing for an overflow of family and friends with no clarification to how this will be handled.

There is a high possibility seating will be limited whether Northwest will admit it or not.

The University decided it wanted to try this out again and see how it would turn out. So far, many people would rather have it back to the way it was.

Northwest chose to change a functioning graduation ceremony and now students and their families and friends are the ones suffering the consequences.

Parking on campus for any event, even just going to classes, is an ongoing problem. Not to mention when you have 1,025 graduates, their families and friends all trying to park near one destination.

Free parking is available at most lots on campus the day of commencement, according to the Northwest graduation link

under “Parking.” There is not one place on campus you can park without a permit of some sort.

The website does state “Elderly, mobility impaired and disabled guests may be brought to the circle drive in front of the Lamkin Activity Center. A lot designated for disabled parking is located across the street from the Lamkin Activity Center, to the west of the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building. Vehicles must have a state disabled parking permit.”

Although there is ADA Accessible parking, all lots require you to go up or down a hill of some sort along with a bit of walking. Graduates and guests who are going to want a decent spot where they are not having to walk a mile to the stadium will have to get there earlier than expected — by two hours, when doors open.

For the many who are wondering what will happen if it rains, the answer is nothing.

“The ceremony will happen rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Rain ponchos will be provided to graduates if needed. In case of lightning or severe weather, the ceremony will be delayed, but it will happen that day. If delayed, communication about updated ceremony times will be sent to your email address. Please familiarize yourself with all weather emergency procedures for campus. *Note that umbrellas are not allowed in Bearcat Stadium.”

This is in an email that was sent out April 21 with further information about how the day of graduation will look.

The Green and White scrimmage April 22 was moved to the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse after a light dusting of snow that was cleared by the start, but Northwest will not consider moving the graduation if it is downpouring on everyone. Yes, they will provide students with ponchos if needed, but didn’t account for the safety of the audience members.

If by chance it rains and the bleachers are wet, someone will fall, someone will get hurt and it will be at no fault but Northwest’s. We understand there isn’t another place for all of these people to go, but that is something that should have been taken into account.

The commencement ceremony is supposed to be approximately two hours long. Without the speeches, student callouts and video that is normally played, that only allots seven seconds per graduate to call their name, grab their “diploma” and walk across the stage.

Two hours will not be enough time to get through the whole graduation, but anything past that amount of time will result in audience members leaving and everyone getting antsy to be done.

The Maryville businesses are going to be under immense stress as well. Families have more than likely already made reservations or plan to soon.

For many restaurants, if you have a reservation at a certain time and aren’t there at that time, you lose your reservation slot. This will cause anger and frustration with customers of the business along with the staff having to try to communicate with the customers.

Northwest graduates should not have to worry about whether they are going to walk, if all of their family members will be accommodated, if they and their families will have adequate parking, if the graduation will go over the allotted time or if it will be delayed.

This is a milestone. A memory that will be talked about for generations. Many want this to be a happy memory, but with all of the blurred lines and confusion, it isn’t looking like it will be a stress free day.

It’s too late to fix this year’s graduation ceremony mishaps, but listen to the graduates this year and don’t let future classes undergo the same chaos.

“Northwest chose to change a functioning graduation ceremony and now students and their families and friends are the ones suffering the consequences.”

-THE EDITORIAL BOARD

UPCOMING GAMES

For information about Northwest Athletics throughout the summer break, check out bearcatsports.com. Information about schedules and schedule changes for Maryville High School over the summer can be found at meconference.org.

Girls soccer prepares to ‘be more physical’

CRAIG MCMULLEN Missourian Reporter | @NWMSports

Maryville girls soccer came off its first overtime match of the regular season to face St. Pius X — first in the Class 2 District 8 standings — April 25.

Before the match against Pius, the Spoofhounds defeated Pleasant Hill 2-1 April 20 for their first overtime win since a 6-5 triumph over Savannah May 2, 2022. Midfielders senior Kennedy Kurz and sophomore Makayla Yaple scored Maryville’s goals against the Chicks.

In the match against Pius, the Spoofhounds fell 4-0 against the Warriors. Senior goalkeeper Abby Swink had seven saves in the first half of the match and said she thinks the team needs to be more physical.

“Something that really stuck out to me is that (the Warriors) had a lot of speed up front, and they are more physical,” Swink said. “After this match, it sets into our brains that we have to be more physical. I am excited for the challenge to be more physical and attack more balls.”

The Spoofhounds (8-4) have been dealing with injuries throughout the past couple games, including sophomore forward Addison Weldon, who has been sidelined for the rest of the season with an unspecified knee injury. Assistant coach Courtney Kennedy said she likes her team’s will to fight through the challenges and keep going as the Spoofhounds prepare to enter the final month of the regular season.

“There is not enough time for our players to rest throughout the season, so it seems like it’s injury after injury, but they are so strong and are willing to still play out on the field,” Kennedy said.

The Spoofhounds’ next contest is a rematch against Harrisonville (8-6) April 27. The first match this season between both squads ended with a 5-2 win for the Wildcats in their last match of the Smithville Round Robin Tournament April 6. The Spoofhounds are 2-5 against the Wildcats since April 2016.

Maryville won 4-0 April 22, 2018, in

Maryville and triumphed 3-2 in the team’s final game of the North Kansas City Tournament April 20, 2019.

“We have seen our players thrive in different positions throughout the season,” Kennedy said. “We need to go out and redeem ourselves after playing them in the Round Robin Tournament.”

In the Class 2 standings, the Spoof-

I T Z E N B E R G E R PITZENBERGER P I T Z E N B E R G E R PITZENBERGER

Dr. Dallas Fitzgerald

hounds sit at No. 7. With the loss to Pius (13-3), Maryville is two games behind the first-place Warriors. The Spoofhouds have six regular season games remaining and will be on the road for all but one. After the match against Harrisonville, the Spoofhounds will compete in the Glenwood Shootout April 29 for games against Underwood and Glenwood. As

Next for the teams will be the Spoofhound Invitational April 27 in Maryville. It will be the first meet Maryville has hosted since the Maryville Time Trial March 22.

Stone said it will be a great chance to perform in front of a home crowd before being on the road for the Benton meet May 9 in St. Joseph and the Class 3 District 8 Tournament May 13. “Hosting a meet is always fun,” Stone said. “It means a lot to the team to perform in front of a crowd that shows great support for the team.”

The Spoofhounds will follow it up with the Midland Empire Conference Championship May 2 in Cameron, Missouri.

The ’Cats were on a 12-match winning streak before losing the tightly contested, 4-3 battle against Northeastern (12-8, 5-3 MIAA). Northwest women’s No. 4 singles player freshman Carolina Caetano Reis won a hard fought match against Northeastern’s No. 4 player freshman Roos Karremans in straight sets.

“It was a bad match and a bad day, but I think we’re ready for regionals,” Caetano Reis said April 24 at practice before the selection show. “We’re going to give 100% in the regional tournament, and, if it’s at home, it will be even more important to us. We want to forget that day and, starting today, work toward the next match.”

The Northwest women will match up with the winner of Central Oklahoma and Missouri Western in the NCAA Central Region Tournament May 1. Northwest women’s No. 1 singles player junior Vera Alenicheva, who is also ranked No. 9 nationally, said being able to host the Central Region is going to be fun and something she’s never experienced.

“It’s very special since all the regional tournaments I have

the season nears its end, Swink said the key is having a good mindset.

“This late in the season I just try to focus on the positives,” Swink said. “If you let any of the negatives affect you, then you won’t be able to move forward at all. Especially late in the season, the main goal is to move forward onto the next match.”

8

individual events Maryville track and field won at the Mineral Water Invitational April 22.

Bade and Stone said the focus is to go out and get the job done.

“The focus is to keep going out there and competing,” Bade said. “It is higher stakes now, and it has been the same focus since the beginning of the season.”

“My focus for the MEC Championships is to win,” Stone said. “It has been a competitive meet since I have been here. … so I hope it stays that way going forward.”

played in were all in Oklahoma because of COVID because everybody had to play together in the same spot,” Alenicheva said.

-VERA ALENICHEVA

JUNIOR NORTHWEST TENNIS

“For my senior year, and my last year, it’s really special to experience a regional tournament at home, and I’m super excited to see how it’s going to be.”

The Bearcat men (14-6, 7-0 MIAA) will look to improve off their last Central Region Tournament run in 2021-22. The Bearcats were a first-round exit after losing 4-0 to Southern Ar-

kansas. The ’Cats have rebounded against the Muleriders since defeating Southern 4-2 March 31. Northwest men’s tennis will compete against Southeastern Oklahoma (11-9) in the first round April 29. Northwest men’s No. 2 singles player senior Michael Delebois, who is ranked No. 45 nationally, said being able to be the top seed is an amazing feeling.

“It is very special, and it’s a big advantage to be playing at home against a tough team in Southeastern Oklahoma,” Delebois said. “We’ve already played them at their house, and it was a pretty close match. It was 5-2, but every match was kind of close. It’s going to be good to host this time against them.”

Rosewell said the Bearcats can’t focus on the fact they are the No.1 seed. He said being the top seed is one thing, but winning the tournament is another challenge.

“I think playing at home gives you about a 10% better chance to win because you’re used to the courts,” Rosewell said. “But — both matches — they’re going to be tough matches, so we can’t take anything for granted, and we could get knocked off in both of those matches. It happens all the time. We got to be ready.”

Maryville girls soccer freshman forward Payton Kurz carries the ball downfield against Chillicothe April 13. Kurz had two goals in the 8-0 win against the Hornets and has scored five goals during the 2023 season. The Spoofhounds will travel to play against Harrisonville at 5 p.m. April 27.

KAYLA ALLISON MISSOURIAN PHOTOGRAPHER

“

“For my senior year, and my last year, it’s really special to experience a regional tournament at home, and I’m super excited to see how it’s going to be.”

Northwest football plays in annual spring game

The new generation of Northwest football players stood at midfield in the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse. After coach Rich Wright finished introducing the incoming freshman, Wright called out the seniors from the 2022 season out to the field.

“Why are they walking?” Wright said with a grin while watching the players take their place next to him.

While Northwest’s spring game April 22 allowed fans to see some of their favorite players for the first time before the 2023 campaign, it also provided Wright an opportunity to see his seniors for the first time since the Bearcats’ season-ending, 13-8 loss to Grand Valley State.

“It’s awesome, and it embodies what this place is all about, right?” Wright said. “We started a tradition about 10 years ago, where we had our former players come down on the sideline, and

there’s anywhere from 25 to — on a big game — 100 players … For them to want to come back, it’s truly special, and it says that we’re doing things the right way in terms of our culture.”

As spring practice wrapped up, coaches and players were given a chance to experience a game-like environment before the start of summer and camps.

The Bearcats have practiced since the start of the spring schedule March 27, but the contest was the fans’ first look at the team before the 2023 season. Wright said he wanted to see what kind of depth his squad has.

“Now it’s about establishing our younger guys, and, you know, that’s kind of been a work in progress for the entire spring,” Wright said.

The spring game looked a bit different this year, as the exhibition was moved into the Hughes Fieldhouse rather than the team’s typical home in Bearcat Stadium. The white team, or the offense, attempted

to drive at least 60 yards against the green team, the defense, multiple times.

The white team scored 19 points, largely due to the legs of junior kickers Cole Lammel and Noah Guastella and sophomore kicker Devin DeRousse. The lone touchdown of the game came off a 6-yard connection between senior quarterback Mike Hohensee and senior wide receiver Trevon Alexander.

“We’ve been making a lot of strides this spring, and it’s great because we got a lot of experience under our belt from last year,” Hohensee said. “So, coming into this spring, we really just focused on building from there, and I think we’re able to plug different guys in different spots to be successful around the field.”

The game ended with Wright and the rest of the Bearcat coaching staff announcing the team awards from the 2022 season.

Defensive lineman Zach Howard, who will try to advance to the professional level with the NFL Draft April 27-29, was given

the Al Cade Spirit of Bearcat award. Running back Jamar Moya was named the Offensive Player of the Year. Defensive lineman Elijah Green, the reigning MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, was named the Scott Bostwick Defensive Player of the Year. Rounding out the awards was Lammel as the Special Teams Player of the Year.

Spring practice also gave the team opportunities to build chemistry and camaraderie for the first time in preparation for the fall. Junior linebacker Andrew Dumas said it’s been a fun spring, and he’s excited for the season.

“It was great just to see everybody having fun again, playing the game that they came here for, basically,” Dumas said. “I mean, that’s what it’s all about. We’re in the weight room, pushing each other, and it can be a hell of a thing, but, I mean, coming out here, you just get to have fun for once. And that’s what football is.”

WESLEY MILLER Sports Editor | @wesleymiller360

The green and white teams line up for a play at the Northwest football spring game April 22 in the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse. At the end of the game, Northwest football coaches and staff introduced the incoming freshman for the 2023 season, welcomed back seniors from the 2022 campaign and handed out team awards from the 2022 season.

SIDNEY LOWRY MANAGING EDITOR

Softball to finish campaign at home

Northwest softball looks toward its final four games of the regular season April 28-29, as all are being played at Bearcat Softball Field. The Bearcats will match up against Central Missouri and Lincoln in their final doubleheaders of the season.

Coach Naomi Tellez said the Bearcats’ goal is simple in these final home games — win to give themselves a chance to earn a spot in the MIAA Tournament May 3.

“The biggest thing is, you know, just continue to turn this program around,” Tellez said. “We want to finish above .500, and we want all these goals for ourselves, and this weekend’s a huge one. We have Senior Day on (April 29), and those kids have made a huge impact on this program, so to send them out in the right way would be awesome.”

There will be five seniors recognized April 29 — infielder Olivia Daugherty, catcher Madison Friest, infielder Aubrey Griffith, catcher Grace Ruehle and outfielder Brylee Kemper.

The ’Cats (25-23, 8-14 MIAA) will only need to win one of their final four games to secure a mark above .500 for the season for the first time since 2018. Northwest will play Central (31-16, 15-7 MIAA) in its first doubleheader of the weekend at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. April 28. The Bearcats will meet Lincoln (6-36, 2-20 MIAA) on Senior Day, in the final two games of the season at noon and 2 p.m. April 29.

Central is No. 4 in the MIAA standings and top-five in multiple hitting statistics. The Jennies are No. 5 in the conference in team batting average (.301), No. 4 in on-base percentage (.382) and No. 5 in triples (11). Junior outfielder Avery Ander-

Maryville track and field to host meet before conference

Maryville track and field had a huge performance in the Mineral Water Invitational April 21 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, with the girls and boys taking home the combined division title for the meet.

Leading the boys were seniors

Keaton Stone and Jesus FloresHernandez. Stone secured first in the boys long jump with a mark of 20’ 8.50” and in the triple jump with a measure of 44’ 2.75”. Flores-Hernandez followed up with a first-place finish in the boys high jump with a height of 6’ 2.75” and a third-place finish in the boys 400-meter dash with a time of 52.74. Stone said his performance was fantastic.

“My performance out there was pretty good,” Stone said. “I had a really nice triple jump and came out with a win against another athlete that was one of the best in the state in long jump.”

The boys 4x400-meter relay team earned first with a blistering time of 3:36.20. Sophomore Bradley Deering took first in the boys 3200-meter run with a mark of 9:52.20.

The boys 4x200-meter relay team placed second with a time

of 1:34.72. Sophomore Dylan Masters ran into second place in the boys 800-meter run with a time of 4:52.39. Sophomore Carson Sterling’s mark of 125’ 11.75” in the discus throw placed him third.

On the girls’ side, junior Ava Dumke led the way with a firstplace finish in the javelin throw with a toss of 121’ 2.75”. The girls 4x800-meter relay team secured first with a timed 11:05.26. Coach Rodney Bade said the girls showed out in a huge way.

“The girls did a tremendous job,” Bade said. “We were short-handed because of other events that they had to go to, but it was great for them to come home with a fourth-place finish in Excelsior Springs.”

There were other successful showings from the girls’s side. Junior Ella Schulte ran for a time of 16.67 to earn second in the girls 100-meter hurdles.

Freshman Meah Schommer took third place in the girls 800-meter run with a mark of 2:40.91. Freshman Brylee Acklin hurdled her way to a fourth-place time of 50.33 in the 300-meter hurdles.

Northwest claims top seeds in regional playoffs

Northwest men’s and women’s tennis both fell short in the MIAA Tournament, but despite that, both teams will host the Division II Central Region Tournament after the Bearcats snagged both No. 1 seeds.

The Bearcat men lost 4-0 to Washburn in the tournament championship April 21, and the Bearcat women lost 4-3 in the semifinals to Northeastern State April 22. Both squads look to leave those losses in the past, though, and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament after claiming the top seeds and the right to host the Central Region during the selection show April 24. Coach Mark Rosewell said it is important not to focus on the losses and to move on for the regional tournament.

“Very proud,” Rosewell said. “I mean to do that and to go undefeated in the conference and region, that’s pretty good, I’m real proud of that.”

son said the game plan for the first doubleheader is to not be bothered by the Jennies’ success this season and focus on her team’s own success.

“We just plan to, kind of, jump out on them and hopefully catch them off guard because I’m sure they’re going into it expecting us not to be somebody to reckon with,” Anderson said. “That’s kind of the mindset that we’re going into that game with.”

Anderson has made a significant impact in the team’s success this season, especially as of late, as she went 4-for9 from the plate in the past three games with two RBIs.

After the contests with Central, the Bearcats will turn their sights to the season finale against Lincoln in hopes for a spot in the conference tournament. Lincoln is last in the MIAA standings at No. 14, last in the conference in team-batting average (.223) and last in on-base percentage (.277).

Northwest is No. 9 in the MIAA in team batting average (.286), No. 10 in on-base percentage (.355) and No. 7 in home runs (32). The ’Cats will need some shifting in the conference standings the final weekend of the regular season April 28-29 in order to make the postseason tournament May 3. The top-eight teams in the MIAA standings will make the tournament, as the Bearcats sit at No. 11.

Tellez said she hopes the team comes out ready to play these last four games for a chance to earn a spot in the playoffs.

“I told the team after (Pittsburg State), you know, we go in and we do our absolute very best to take these four games,” Tellez said. “Obviously, we wish we could go back and change some things early, but, you know, if we can at least give ourselves a chance till the very end, then that’s what we’re gonna do.”

Confidence can play a major role in how athletes play and how teams perform in their matches. After dropping a match, it can be hard, especially a loss to a rival. Rosewell said his and the rest of the teams’ plans are the same.

“We were just talking about this before practice started, and we’re just gonna get right back on the horse and do what we do — have good practices,” Rosewell said. “We were

undefeated in conference and the region — we knew it had to happen sooner or later. We have a target on our backs, as they always say.”

This is the Bearcat women’s (18-4, 8-0 MIAA) first appearance since the 2020-21 season, when the Bearcats fell 4-0 in the second round of the Central Regional Tournament against Central Oklahoma.

Northwest tennis junior Tessa Kwakernaak hits the ball back against Missouri Western April 12. The Bearcats will face the winner of Central Oklahoma and Western in the second round of the Central Region Tournament May

RIVER BOYD MISSOURIAN REPORTER

Northwest softball junior Breck Dickey pitched eight strikeouts during the 8-7 loss against Wayne State March 23. Dickey has a 4.99 ERA, allowing 77 runs through just over 99 innings pitched.

DAKOTA WEAVER