Freshman Magazine: A Fresh Start

passage

Volume 46 — Freshman Mag ­­— August 12, 2014

The Northwest Freshman’s guide to surviving the first year of high school .12

4 6 t h i n g s ..............10 S u r v i v a l g u i d e .....2 0 1 0 c l u b s .................1 4 photo illustration by lucas silva

freshman mag contents

12 A fresh start A map of the school to help you get where you need to go in under five minutes photo by Lucas Silva

10

07

46 Things

upperclassmen advice

high school survival guide

Lessons shared by the juniors and seniors

Tips, basic knowledge and life hacks to survive the next four years of your life

The must-do's and must-see's before you graduate graphics by Mitch Feyerherm

photo by Addison Sherman

16

in lunch to be with

06 STACKING UP Just the facts on how our school compares to the neighboring high schools graphics by Grace Amundson

22

14

17

18

clubs

sports tryouts

unspoken rules

A year in photos

How and why you should get involved with the 10 most active clubs that our school has to offer

Information about coaches, seasons, tryouts and more

The assumed expectations and implied regulations that teachers and students live by

The biggest and most memorable events from last year at Northwest

graphics by Grace Amundson

photo by Carleigh Whitman

photo by Nick Kahtava

photo by Clara Davison

WE SUPPORT SMNW STUDENT ACTIVITIES

The King of Copies

913-268-4343

GO COUGARS!

Colleen Winter Owner

13222 West 62nd Terrace Shawnee, KS 66216 Phone: (913) 962-0077 Fax: (913) 962-5577 Email: wbushawnee@gmail.com www.shawnee.wbu.com Twitter: @wbushawnee Facebook: Wild Birds Unlimited of Shawnee, KS

Goodluck in soccer next year, Cole Nelson Much love and support!

Shawnee Mission Northwest marketing Sell ads for your own school newspaper

Northwest administration + by deena essa | photos by lucas silva

associate principals

Former Hocker Grove associate principal Nancy Tynon will add a bright smile to the halls of Northwest.

“I’m hoping to get to know everyone,” Tynon said. “I’ll be walking around not knowing teachers, not knowing students….

I’m hoping people are patient as I go through my learning curve because I’m excited to build relationships and work together.”

With over 18 years of experience

Tom Moss

principal

Lisa Gruman It’s not too difficult to find principal Lisa Gruman during the school day; often she’ll be in the mall greeting students with a casual “Good morning” or a high-five during passing period.

“I’ve been very fortunate because I’ve enjoyed each and every aspect of my career,” Gruman said. “But I think it’s just seeing so many students and interacting with so many students that’s really the best part of [being an administrator].”

Gruman has been at Northwest since 2000, working first as a math teacher, then as an associate principal.

Gruman was named principal last October after the retirement of Dr. Bill Harrington.

“We want everyone to come in and feel a part of the community and find their area – we try to have a lot of different things for students to help them find what it is that’s their passion.”

In 2011, Gruman was presented with a Milken Educator Award – one of a maximum of 40 recipients

annually – because she is “rarely closeted in her office…is often described as an administrator who works with students on an individual level” according to the Milken Family Foundation website.

“The best part was, it was just reflective of our school,” said Gruman. “I know they picked one person to receive that award, but it really was about Northwest and all the great things our kids are doing… It was a very proud moment.”

Gruman played a key role in bringing the International Baccalaureate program to Northwest and is a member of the Midwest IB Schools’ executive board.

“Start those habits that you want to have carried forward into life. It’s easy to say ‘Oh, I’m going to skip that assignment but I’ll do this assignment’. But that becomes a pattern really easily…There are a lot of really intelligent people in the world and the one thing that separates people at that level is their ability to dig in and work hard, the persistence to solve that problem.”

Associate principal Tom Moss is entering his 29th year at Northwest. Prior to becoming an administrator, he was the band director for 14 years “My favorite part about being an administrator is that my involvement in the school has gone from just band or maybe music to the entire school,” Moss said. “We want you all to be lifelong learners and I think I have set an example of that.”

Eddie LyDay Since he was hired as an associate 18 years ago, associate principal Eddie LyDay has grown to love his job more and more.

“My favorite part about being an administrator is working with students and helping them to become successful,” LyDay said. “Just working with kids and helping them through these teenage years.”

As a senior, LyDay played on the 1982 basketball state championship team.

“You have to get involved,” LyDay said. “These are going to be

working with high school students, Tynon’s responsibilities will be junior discipline and administrative supervision of the cheerleading squad, drill team and Student Council.

Tynon says that freshmen should start out thinking, “‘I want to get involved, I want to not only participate but I want to contribute to my school and my community and get to know people and build relationships.’ I think this helps high school become even more purposeful and enjoyable.”

Even though Moss is an administrator now, he hasn’t put music behind him and frequently joins the band on his trumpet.

“Find something that you like to do that Northwest has that’s outside of going to your Math class or going to your Social Studies class,” Moss said. “Those are important, but you’re going to enjoy school and you’re going to do much better in those classes if you have something that you do at Northwest that makes you feel like you’re a part of it.” a very quick four years, probably the fastest four of their life. Find a club, find an activity, a sport, a group, a niche that you fit in well and get involved. Don’t just sit on the sidelines and watch everything go by.”

Despite LyDay's many responsibilities, LyDay want to be someone students rely on and feel comfortable talking to.

“I am here to help [the students] in any way that I can.

I am very student-oriented and want to see them be successful, want to see them fulfill their hopes and dreams.”

counselors

Christy Schmitt

Brenda Tretbar

Jim Mowry

Erin Barnett

(Students with last names A-Dd) PSAT

(Students with last names Mf-Si) AP Testing, College Now

(Students with last names De-Joh) Scholarships, Financial Aid

(Students with last names Sj-Z) ELL Students, PLAN Testing, Career Exploration

nw passage | Feature

05

Uncharted

Freshman + by deena essa

This isn’t the first or last time you’ll be the rookie, so stay true to yourself

S

ince the day I was born 16 years college applications and standardized ago, I have lived in 13 houses. tests. Blink and you’ll be a freshman at No, that wasn't a typo. Different college. The cycle just keeps going. circumstances have taken me near No matter who you are or how and far. Two countries 7,300 miles apart, cautiously you live or how ordinary eight cities, dozens of hours spent flying you think your life will be, you will and six schools later, you could say I’m a most certainly come face-to-face with bit of an expert at being ‘new’. something new.

The last of these circumstances Just because you’re a freshman landed me here at Northwest last year. doesn’t mean you need to start off with Believe it or not, I was in the same bad grades. It doesn’t mean you can’t position you're in right now. I was a join a club and become an officer by the freshman. end of the year, and it definitely doesn’t Except I wasn't. mean you have to do things you don’t My counselor carefully explained to want to just to impress. me that here in America, I was a junior, This is the first time you’ll be that I was going to 11th a freshman at I was the freshman grade, not Year 11. I sat Northwest. It’s also for what seemed like the in his office, I quietly the only the time hundredth time. wondered why I had you’ll have to go the same schedule almost every day. through ninth grade. Look at it as a I couldn't believe that only had seven window of opportunity. Join clubs and courses each semester. I didn't know make friends and keep your grades up. how to dress for school (would it be like Take the classes you know you’ll enjoy in the movies?) and I had no clue what and try to make it through required a GPA was. ones.

I was new, but I was also a junior.

Make your freshman year something By default, I should’ve known my you’ll look back at and smile, not wince. way around the school, should’ve had The most important thing all this some friends and should’ve known all moving around as taught me was that the Smoothie King flavors Northwest being new is hard, but adjusting is easy. offered. And this is what you need As you learn all about this new place, to realize. ‘Freshman’ is just a label, this new space, just be yourself. the same way ‘junior’ is a label but I’ve tried and failed to blend in way labels don’t have to come with any too many times to convince you that predispositions. that is the way to go. Do whatever makes Here you are, a new member of you happy and hang with the people you Northwest, roaming its halls for the first can truly be yourself with. And don’t time. New at drawing a still life in your be different just for the sake of being Intro to Studio Arts class and new to different. Be comfortable and happy. learning about DNA in biology. In a few It’s easier said than done, but you’re years, you’ll be learning to be successful more likely to trip and fall, walking at your first part-time job. And, in around in someone else’s shoes. time, you will be learning to complete

06

opinion | Aug. 12, 2014

+ by sophie flores

High school can be scary, but regarding it as an opportunity to start over can help you get more out of your freshman year.

F

reshmen have always My mornings were filled with been my favorite class. doing homework last minute, The school hardly knows oversleeping, missing breakfast, them yet and they have the and always running late. Make power to surprise us. They face sure you have a regular sleep tremendous change in a short schedule and your homework amount of time. Beginning high done every day. Do anything you school is like starting another can to make sure you are happy life - a life where you get to before you enter the front doors. practice being an adult with all The rest of the day will follow the shelters of being a child. seamlessly.

Some of the best and worst 3. As a freshman, it's easy to moments of life feel like an outcast. will occur during I struggled to Starting high school is high school. find a place in my like starting another I wish that extracurricular life, where you get to I would have groups.

Everyone practice being an adult had more fun already knew each with all the shelters freshman year. I other, and I never of being a child. took everything saw my old friends too seriously and anymore.

Don't thought that everything I did worry about your social life: would affect me for the rest all the right people will come. of my life. I have learned a lot Be open to them when they since then, and not just about do. You cannot win perfection trigonometric identities or the or popularity, but you can battle strategies of World War win success, friendship, and I. Here are four lessons that I confidence. Joining a club always have learned since my freshman helps. year, which would help every 4. The start of high school is freshman to learn now. your chance to completely start 1. You have no time for self over. It won't do you much good to doubt — banish it forever. This be focused on the past. I still felt is the most important piece like the quiet, unextraordinary of information that I, while person I was in middle school.

I was a freshman, couldn't Become the person that no one comprehend. It's good to always yet knows you are. You can be stay a little outside your comfort outgoing if you felt awkward or zone and do what scares you. talented if you felt boring. This Don't hesitate, don't make is the one chance you have to excuses, and don't let your fears throw everything at the wall and get in the way. see what sticks.

2. Too many of my weekdays In fact, be prepared to change have started off on the wrong foot. a lot in these next four years.

the best class i ever took There’s more to the next four years of your life than getting a car, better lunch, and getting out of class an hour earlier. The actual “school” part is what makes high school the time of your life. The best aspects can be found in the least expected places. The most memorable of the new freedoms just might be the classes.

+ compiled by Haena Lee

“

I think it would have to be

painting, it’s nice to have a class where I can have the freedom to express myself

in a way other than talking or writing,” senior Logan Meireis said. “It’s a nice break from 'regular classes' as well as an amazing creative outlet.”

“The best class I ever took was Chemistry with Winston because he made it exciting and was a great teacher,” ‑junior Zachary Ziegenhorn.

“The best class that I have ever taken at Northwest was Cougars Community Commitment,” senior Dillon Daubenspeck said. “I am the type of person who learns from hands-on experiences. I also like to help others. CCC gives me the best of both worlds. CCC is the reason why I've decided to major in elementary education and become a teacher.”

“AP English 11 with [Marc] Gibbens because I learned a lot and there was always an interesting conversation,” senior Roya Rostampour

“The best class I ever took was AP US History with [Rebecca] Anthony because she taught the subject in a really fun and captivating way, and because there was a real sense of community in the class,” Amélia Guglielmi

“Human Anatomy and Physiology was one of my favorite classes because you learn so much about the human body and all that comes with it,” senior

“If you're planning on going into the medical field, this is a great class to take. Also,

Kiran Kaur said.

we got to dissect different organs and a mink, so that was pretty entertaining.”

“World Regional Studies with [Sarah] Dent because I learned more about the world around me than ever,"” junior Iman Ghasempour said.

“Mrs. Dent made learning about other countries interesting with fun projects and food from around the world.”

“I'd say intro to studio art because it has a lot of different types of projects and they're all fun and creative,” junior Katrina Coyan said.

“Drama because it's a very fun and interesting class that everyone can enjoy,” junior Elise Dorsey said.

nw passage | opinion

07

Upperclassmen Advice + compiled / photos by addison sherman

Jillian Borel:

try everything, Pick what you love, go all in and stick with it.

Melody Riddell - @melody_riddell :

Don’t be afraid to talk to people and get involved.

Nate Jones - @BowTieness2:

Jana Kotzman - @JanaKotz :

Get out of your comfort zone because there are a lot of people who would love to get to know you.

What's the best advice an upperclassmen has given you? Let us know by sending us a tweet @smnwdotcom or instagram us using #nwmedia in your photo caption for a chance to be featured in a later issue!

08

feature | Aug. 12, 2014

Be yourself because you bring something new to Northwest that no one else has because you are wonderful.

Adam McMorris:

Your teachers are there to help you so don’t be afraid to ask.

Courtney Jones - @courtneykayy_ :

Don't procrastinate because you will get behind and it will be hard to get back up to speed with the class.

Jordan Sumner - @jordan_sumner3 :

Don't be afraid of the upperclassmen.

They’re there if you need help figuring something out. We are not as scary as people make us seem.

STACKINGup + compiled / graphics by grace amundson * statistics from usnews.com based on 2011-12 school year

college readiness index:

16.8 1818

full-time teachers

111

total minority enrollment:

students proficient in reading

total enorllment:

gender ratio:

white enrollment:

98% students proficient in math

51% 49% male female

Shawnee Mission North

97%

71% 29%

american indian: 1%

asian: 4%

hawaiian/pacific islander: 0.1%

african american: 8%

hispanic: 10%

two or more races: 6%

Shawnee Mission South

53% male 47% female

111

full-time teachers

93%

92%

13.8

college readiness index

total enrollment: 1623 minority enrollment: 37%

reading math proficient proficient

53% male 47% female

90

full-time teachers

96%

87%

26.1

college readiness index

total enrollment: 1420 minority enrollment: 33%

reading math proficient proficient

Shawnee Mission East

Shawnee Mission West

50% male 50% female

111

full-time teachers

n/a

96%

reading math proficient proficient

36.0

college readiness index

total enrollment: 1808 minority enrollment: 15%

49% male 51% female

110

full-time teachers

94%

92%

22.9

college readiness index

total enrollment: 1865 minority enrollment: 36%

reading math proficient proficient

nw passage | Feature

09

t

h

i

n

g

s

to do before you graduate

five

thirteen

Go to at least one game for every sport.

one

If you’re brave enough, get up in front of the school and perform an original spoken word poem at this year’s Poetry Slam; if not, be a part of the audience and volunteer to be a judge.

two three

six

Submit poetry, artwork or short stories to the student literary magazine Penpoint.

Buy a yearbook all four years.

Try each of the flavors of smoothies from Smoothie King. Smoothies are sold at lunch every Wednesday; you can find them in the snack bar and the a lá carte line.

seven

Dress up every day for each spirit week; look your best supporting the Cougars on Cougar Crazy Day Friday for every spirit week.

eight

Lead an elementary school class on a tour of the environmental lab during Environmental Education.

ten

Respond to an article or bring up a topic that you want covered in the newspaper by tweeting us @ smnwdotcom. You can also bring a signed letter to the editor to room 151, or email it to graceamundson@ gmail.com.

eleven

Get a photo booth picture of you and your friends in the index of the yearbook. In the spring, the yearbook staff will set up a booth in the mall.

All students are welcome to get their pictures taken and possibly featured in the book.

four

Buy a rose for your crush from Prom Committee on Valentine's Day and have it delivered during class.

10

feature | Aug. 12, 2014

Get coffee or breakfast with friends on a late start day. Popular picks among students include Starbucks, IHOP and The Big Biscuit.

fifteen

Be a part of the tradition and attend the NW bonfire.

seventeen

Walk through the art gallery and down the art hallway to see some of the school’s best student works.

Participate in the Talent Show, or support your favorite performers by cheering from the audience.

nine

fourteen

Hang around to congratulate the cast of the play after you enjoy the show.

eighteen

twelve

Be the crossword puzzle winner by picking up a crossword in the library every morning, completing it and returning it. A winner will be drawn each week from the completed puzzles.

Go to an orchestra, band or choir concert, as well as a forensics competition.

nineteen

Adopt a tot and throw a party for them with your fourth hour class in the winter; you will give a local child in need food, a welcoming environment and presents.

Send us a tweet @smnwdotcom or instagram us using #nwmedia on your photos every time you complete one of the forty six things for a chance to be featured in a later issue!

twenty

During Prom Spirit Week, find your name on a paw print taped up around the school and turn it in to the Spirit Club table in the mall for a prize.

twenty seven thirty three Buy as many NW shirts and spirit wear as you can. You can never have too much Cougar pride.

twenty one

Attend the College Clinic at Shawnee Mission East in October to learn about the many colleges in the area.

twenty two twenty eight

Volunteer to help with the Halloween Carnival.

twenty three

Help your fellow classmates create a Homecoming float that will outdo all the other classes’.

twenty four

Prepare to get dirty at Muckfest.

Every fall at Theater in the Park students toss shaving cream, fling mud and chuck water balloons at their closest friends at this event sponsored by Young Life.

twenty five

Persuade a teacher to conduct class outside.

Write a speech and run for Student Council office.

twenty nine

Opt out of a final during your senior year by getting an “A” in the class.

thirty

Comment and make your voice heard on a story on smnw.com

Participate in The Walk sponsored by Coalition to raise awareness of unfit conditions in other countries.

thirty four

Take Cougar Community Commitment (CCC) as an elective during your junior or senior year and spend the class periods by helping a local elementary school or nursing home.

thirty five

Take a College Now class. If you pass the class with a B or better, you can receive college credit.

thirty six

Round up students and a sponsor, find a cause and create a club.

thirty seven

Attend the drill team’s Spring Special in early May in the auditorium.

thirty eight

thirty one

Sleep in a box for one night at StuCo’s event to benefit the Shalom House, a homeless shelter in Kansas City, Kan. Raise money, grab your box and camp out on the track.

Draw a comic strip for the newspaper and email it to mitchfeyerherm@gmail.com

forty two

Go to the last home football game of the regular season to see the Marching Cougar Pride’s Light Show performance.

forty three

Try out for a sport, even if you don’t think you’ll make it; you may be surprised by your hidden athletic abilities.

forty four forty five Go to every school dance.

Help your class win the spirit stick at an assembly.

forty six

Head to your local blood donation center and give blood in support of CCC and StuCo sponsored events.

thirty nine

Find the 49 Waldos in the murals along the walls of the academic wing.

forty

twenty six

Dance along with the drumline on the mornings that they march and perform throughout the hallways.

thirty two

Junior or senior year, sign up to participate in Powder Puff football (for ladies) or volleyball (for guys).

Become friends with the foreign exchange students. You can learn a lot about other cultures from them.

forty one

Perform in a class skit at an assembly.

+ by northwest passage staff + graphics by mitch feyerherm nw passage | Feature

11

social studies english Foreign language

A FRESH

ELL Science Special education Fine Arts physical education math facs business restrooms elevator

First Floor

feature | Aug. 12, 2014

How to get where you’re going before the minute bell rings... most of the time + by paige eichkorn | graphics by grace amundson

The mall:

This is the general area between the main front entrance and the back entrance in front of the cafeteria. It’s where many students talk with friends before and after school and eat their lunch at the tables that are out during lunch periods.

Basement and 2nd Floor Locker rooms:

Basement Second Floor

The boys' and girls' locker rooms are used for gym classes and are located on the lower level on the right hand side. The team locker rooms are for after school activities and are also located on the basement level.

Teacher offices:

This is where you can find a teacher if he/she is not in the classroom. The Social Studies office is rooms 123 and 125. The World Languages office is rooms 112 and 110.

The English office is rooms 118 and 136. The Math office is rooms 220 and 222.

Rooms I, K, and L:

All these rooms are located in the basement on the left side. They are often called by what they are used for. Room I is the weights room, room K is the ISS room and room L is the copy room.

nw passage | Feature

13

Joining a club is the easiest way to find a place in high school, so here are 10 of the most active clubs in the school to consider signing up for. + by paige eichkorn | sophie flores photo by sarah dean

interact club Business teacher Jan Berg holds Interact Club every Wednesday morning in room 202. Interact club works on a variety of service projects. Last year 35 students were involved.

fca Van Rose and Mike Cooper host the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) every Monday off campus at a chosen location. FCA is for students who are involved in school sports and are also Christian. FCA creates a time away from their sports practices to grow in their faith. Last year 39 students were involved.

photo by nate compton

photo by clara davison

Student council (StuCo) Student Council (StuCo) manages most school-wide events at, including dances and fundraisers. StuCo also coordinates the annual garage sale, adopt-atot, and the spring and fall carnivals. StuCo sponsor Sarah Dent teaches this 5th hour class made up of 10 representatives from each class and six executive

14

news | Aug. 12, 2014

coalition board members. The class meets in room 132.

Interested in representing the freshman class?

Get more information from Dent or contact StuCo president Harrison Chen or vice president Griffin Robinson.

Coalition, supervised by Beth Jantsch, is a club that raises awareness for human rights causes including Save Darfur, Love146, and Invisible Children. To join, attend a meeting, held every Thursday after school in room 124.

spirit club Spirit Club organizes and runs assemblies and NW Spirit Weeks. Spirit Club members organize banner sessions events after school and actively support all organizations. All students are welcome to attend Spirit Club meetings in the Little Theatre every Tuesday at 7a.m. Freshman cannot try out for the executive board, but president Izzy Williams will be looking for volunteers to help with the club's many activities.

Cougar community commitment This community service organization meets as a class. More than 200 students participate in CCC each semester. Founded

by Ron Poplau, CCC has been an international model for community service involvement during the school day.

Students aid teachers in local elementary schools, help in nursing homes and coordinate community service projects throughout the school year. Membership is limited to those enrolled in one of the five CCC classes.

photo by nick kahtava

photo by lucas silva

thespian troupe #888 Members of Thespian Troupe #888 are enrolled in drama or technical theater classes or are involved in the production of a play or musical. The officer board and sponsor Keli Rodgers meet at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays in the

Little Theatre. Watch for the opportunity to try out for each of the main stage productions.

The first will be "Little Shop of Horrors." Up to 100 students join this organization each year.

key club

club 121

Librarian Carolyn LaFever oversees Key Club meetings at 7:15 a.m. on Fridays in room 155.

The organization participates in community service projects coordinated by the Kiwanis. an organization that promotes character building, leadership, inclusiveness and involvement in the community. All students are welcome to join.

This Christian organization holds open discussions about faith and how it can be difficult to remain openly Christian in a public school during its meetings on Thursday mornings in the Little Theatre. Sponsor Ken Summers welcomes all students to attend meetings at 7:15 a.m.

photo by lucas silva

girl effect Girl Effect raises money and awareness for the struggles of girls and women including issues such as eating disorders and domestic violence. Approximately 20 members meet with sponsor Debra Brewer on Tuesday mornings in room 204. All students are welcome to join the discussion.

still not what you're looking for?

Co-curricular Band, Marching Band, Symphonic Cadet Teaching Choir, A Capella Choir, Boys' Concert Choir, Chambers Singers Choir, Girls' Concert Choir, Girls' Select

Debate/forensics Fashion Careers Club International Baccalaureate Jazz Ensemble Journalism, Lair Northwest Passage Journalism, Quill and Scroll Journalism, smnw.com KUGR Broadcasting

Northwest has plenty more to offer. Here's the list of all co-curricular and extra-curricular clubs. Questions, or want to know even more? Come into room 151 and we can provide further information on any club.

Orchestra, Camerata Orchestra, Chambers Orchestra, Freshman Orchestra, Strings World Languages Extra-curricular National Honor Society National Art Honor Society Mural Club

Math Club French NHS French Club Ramen Club Spanish Club Spanish NHS Student Voice Ukulele Club SADD Committee

Science Olympiad Skills USA Poetry Club Categories Animal Alliance Robotics Club Guitar Club Penpoint Future Teachers of America

Academic Decathalon Amnesty International Yoga Club Knitting & Crocheting Club Prom Committee SLAB Latin Club Woodworking Club HELPERS Club

nw passage | news

15

high school + by haena lee

Your overall health is a bigger

cut through the bathrooms to save yourself the

Cutting the cafeteria line to be with your friends will only result in getting yourself sent to the

end of the line Talking to your teachers will solve

A+

Instead of dropping trash on the floor put it in THE trash cans placed in every hallway

more problems than arguing with them

priority than your grades

Do what is best for you, You not what is best for

everyone Else

A friend is

w o

so

h

m

ne eo

best

friends

For a better high school experience get involved in an

u

s

pp

orts

yo

not someone who makes you feel bad about yourself

16

feature | Aug. 12, 2014

go to get help, not only when you’re in trouble

organization club or

u

The office is where you

sport

Procrastination

gets you no where.

All it really does is force you to give up valuable hours of sleep

Z

Z

Z

ZZ

Do Keep PDA for somewhere else

from getting getting to to from lockers their lockers

Do not stand in the middle of the hallway

Indoor voices are used in the hallways

Walk at a fast pace pace, but do not run

of the classroom

Raise your hand to answer the question

Do not take naps during class

Do not stick your gum underneath the desk or chair

Keep your cellphones in your pocket or your backpack

Pay attention to what your teacher is saying

Keep track of all the assignments and their due dates

Always Stay have a pen in or pencil your with you assigned seats

Walk on the right side

t block pe

le

The assumed expectations and implied regulations that teachers and students live by at Northwest + by haena lee

no

op

unsp oken rules

of the hallways

Do not leave your trash on the ground

of the assemblies Do not talk while the speaker is talking

Stay

Do not boo any performances

Be respectful during the national National anthem Anthem

in your class section

Show support & participate during class chants

Respect the class that earned the spirit stick

do not push or shove on the stairs or bleachers, and always stay in your seat nw passage | Feature

17

+ photo by addison sherman

2

A Year i n

3

+ photo by kate jacobsen

1

+ photo by sarah dean

4 5

p h o t o s

The biggest and most memorable events from last year

Led by '13 graduate Colton Allen, 1 '13 graduate Sarah Taylor celebrates after being crowned homecoming queen at halftime of the football game. The crowning is the third of four homecoming events that include the homecoming assembly, homecoming parade, homecoming crowning and homecoming dance.

2 '13 graduate Nate Sterns throws the ball at the opposing team, Denim Dodgers, on March 1 in the main gym.

They lost in the finals. “Going into this year we thought we would do good considering last year went far.”

Sterns said. “Losing was difficult but we couldn’t be mad because it was so much fun.”

3 Sophomores Makenzee Smith, Tavin Cook, and Allie Marx, along with the rest of the squad, cheer on Oct. 17.

The freshman squad clapped their pom poms together chanting “wewe, want a touchdown, Cougars!” “My favorite part is watching my friends on the football team and supporting them.” Smith said.

With his hands cupped around 4 his mouth, '13 graduate Jake Horner chants “Seniors, seniors” during the Homecoming Assembly on Oct. 4. The different class sections cheered in an attempt to win the Spirit Stick. The

18

feature | Aug. 12, 2014

senior class won almost every time.

“Cheering at games can play a huge role in momentum and can really make a difference,” Horner said.

Covering his face, assistant 5 coach Drew Perkins watches the soccer game against Lawrence from the sideline on Oct. 16 at Lawrence High. The Cougars won 1-0.

Senior Sam Sullivan looks at his 6 arm while blood is being transported to the blood bag in the Main Gym on Nov. 5. “I felt fine but I was scared that I was going to feel bad at football practice,” Sullivan said. This was the last blood drive that will take place at Northwest.

Gathered around the table, 7 sisters Lenny and Babe, portrayed by '13 graduate Emily Robison and senior Ryllie Quesada, break into laughter while talking to their other sister, Meg, portrayed by '13 graduate Rachael Birt, during the rehearsal for Crimes of the Heart on Feb. 19 in the Greg Parker Auditorium. The play centered on the reunion of the three MaGrath sisters when they return to Old Grandaddy’s house in Hazlehurst, Miss. “ It’s really difficult to play a mentally unstable person [like Meg],” Birt said. “ You have to understand everything that person went through and how she would feel.”

+ photo by kyle tong Reacting to her name being 8 called, '13 graduate Mallory Wilhite is named the 2014 Queen of Courts on feb. 14 in the main gym. “As they announced ‘and your 2014 Queen of Courts is..’ I leaned over and told my dad someone else’s name,” Wilhite said. “When they called my name I was utterly confused because I was truly no expecting it. I’m so honored, and it’s definitely a moment I will never forget.”

+ photo by sarah dean

6 Covered in muck, senior Jesse 9 Robinson smiles during Muckfest on Sept. 4 at SM Park. Students from all of the SM high schools attended the Young Life sponsored event.

A boa peers through the glass 10 wall of its terrarium on Jan. 21 in room 233. Students in the class are allowed to interact with the boa and many other creatures in the Environmental Education class, taught by Mike Pisani.

+ photo by carleigh whitman

7 + photo by carleigh whitman

8 + photo by bryce rex

9

+ photo by carleigh whitman

10

+ photo by nick kahtava

14

+ photo by sarah dean

+ photo by kate jacobsen

12

11 13

+ photo by carleigh whitman Junior Parker Kremeier plays 11 his saxophone solo during the Jazz Cabaret concert on Mar. 19 in the cafeteria. Bands from Trailridge, SM North, and SM Northwest performed.

“I was confident in my abilities as a player and was prepared,” Kremeier said. “But, as usual, I was pretty nervous.”

Environmental Education 12 teacher Mike Pisani removes a butterfly from the net and places it in

+ photo by savannah kelly

15 an envelope at the Baker Wetlands.

This butterfly would later be tagged and then released.

“Catching monarchs just isn’t something you do a lot,” Elliott said. “[As] kids, [we would] always chase butterflies, but we never got to catch them.”

Crying, junior Zachary 13 Ziegenhorn hugs his sister, '13 graduate Zoe Ziegenhorn, after she read her poem at the Poetry Slam on April 17 in the library. Zoe's poem

+ photo by kate jacobsen described being bullied as a freshman student which led her to seriously consider committing suicide. "It was really weird seeing Zoe in that light," Zachary said. "I never knew that it got that bad."

'13 graduate Bethany Vonada 14 plays the guitar at See You at the Pole on Sept. 14. The event is sponsored

by Club 121 and allows the Christian community to come together and profess their faith.

16 Hitting the pavement, senior 15 Tevyn Pak dives for the ball during a tennis match on April 8 at Olathe East.

“I don’t really think [about diving], I just know that I need to return the ball,” Pak said. “Sometimes I forget that I’m playing tennis, not goalie.”

Holding out this hand, senior 16 Spencer Dang reads performs at the Poetry Slam on April 18 in the library.

The slam team received first place at the district slam competition.

nw passage | Feature

19

Mitch Feyerherm | Words and Ink

Mo Mbogori | Prelude to Freshman Year

Daily schedule Hour 1 ............................... 7:40-8:30 Hour 2 ............................... 8:35-9:30 Hour 3 ............................... 9:35-10:25 Hour 4 ............................... 10:30-11:20 Hour 5 ............................... 11:25-12:50 lunch 1: passing: 11:20-11:25 passing: 11:50-11:55 lunch 2: passing: 11:20-11:25 passing: 11:50-11:55 passing: 12:20-12:25

lunch: 11:25-11:50 class: 11:55-12:50 class: 11:25-11:50 lunch: 11:55-12:50 class: 12:25-12:50

lunch 3: passing: 11:20-11:25 class: 11:25-12:20 passing: 12:20-12:25 class: 12:25-12:50

Hour 6 ............................... 12:55-1:45 Hour 7 ............................... 1:50-2:40

DO YOU WANT TO Send an email of your comic to our graphics editor at mitchfeyerherm@gmail.com and you could be featured SUBMIT A COMIC? in an upcoming issue of The Northwest Passage.

20

entertainment | Aug. 12, 2014

+ by sophie flores The offices at the front of the school are there for students to use as resources, as long as those students are not breaking school's attendance policies. So here's a guide on

How-To:

Use the Nurse’s & Attendance Office

School Nurse & Attendance Office the attendance office is located across from the main office,

The school nurse is Cindy Alexander, and her office is located on the east side of the mall, next to the vending machines closest to the office.

Do go to the nurse’s office if you have suffered a small injury or are feeling too sick to continue with the school day. The nurse will determine if it is necessary for you to be sent home.

Don’t go to the nurse’s office to ask for over-the-

counter meds. Northwest no longer supplies any medication to students.

Forms available in the nurse’s office must be signed by a physician and parent before she can administer prescriptions or over-thecounter meds. You will also need to send a supply of your medication to the school to be stored until needed.

under the world clocks.

The main purpose of the attendance office is to enforce the tardy & absence policy.

Some of their job is done at the tardy tables, located near the doors on both sides of the mall.

Important Things to Know if you are absent:

If you miss the bell:

I m p o rta n t c o n t a c t s

• go to one of the tardy tables, located near the doors on both sides of the mall • the teacher at the tardy table will give you a tardy pass and record your tardy in the computer

how to get ahold of all of our office employees

the consequences received as based upon his/her number of tardies for that hour and semester:

Receptionist Talbott Rhonda nwlauer@smsd.org 993-7300 Counseling Dept: (913) 993-7230 Attendance office: (913) 993-7245 Secretary Sherry Ely nwely@smsd.org 993-7242 Attendance Jamie Prosser nwprosse@smsd.org 993-7244 Nurse Cindy Alexander nwalexan@smsd.org 993-7216

1 ~ first offense warning 2-3 ~ detention with teacher 4+ ~ consequence assigned by attendance office, you will be summoned in class, usually a Saturday school

Go to the attendance office if:

•you are 10 minutes late and the tardy tables have closed •checking out of school •you are called in during class for breaking the attendance policy

Attendance Policy:

•5 minutes are allowed for passing periods •Arrival after the final bell will result in a tardy •tardy students must proceed to the table •the teacher at the tardy table will ask for the students

If You Need Make-up Work:

ID card and record the tardy in the book •students will be sent back to class with a tardy pass •arriving in class more than 10 minutes after the final bell is considered an absence

-you can request class assignments if you are absent three or more days because of illness -call 993-7230 before 8 a.m. to receive assignments the same day, if you call after 8 a.m., you can receive homework at the end of the next school day -give the name and grade level of the student and the dates

-have parent/guardian call the attendance office 24-hour line (993-7245) give only name, student name and grade, spell last name, date of absence, reason, length, time and date of call -all absences without a note or call are considered unexcused -if you are going to be absent for three days or more, come to the Attendance Office for a prior written form, which must be signed by all your teachers and approved by the attendance administrator

6 reasons for excused absences:

-personal illness -serious illness or death of a family member -emergency situation requiring immediate action -obligatory religious observations of the student’s own faith -participation in a KSHSAA, district-approved, or schoolsponsored activity -an absence which has been requested in writing and approved by the building administration

if you leave early:

- to check out for an appointment, bring a note from home or call - to report early dismissals, call 993-7242 or 993-7244 - go to the Attendance Office to get a pink slip and sign out before you leave

of absence -you can also check your teachers’ web backpacks for assignments *Take care of your make-up homework and tests. A couple days of absence can lead to a week of catching up if you don’t act early enough.

nw passage | entertainment

21

Northwest Fall Cross Country

Girls' Tennis

Football

Volleyball

Van Rose nwrose@smsd.org Linn Hibbs nwhibbs@smsd.org

Ken Clow nwclow@smsd.org Sarah Silva

+ photo by sarah dean

+ photo by jenny bohling

Golf

John Reiff nwreiff@smsd.org

Gymnastics

Janice Baker janicebaker@smsd.org

Boys' Soccer

Todd Boren nwboren@smsd.org

+ photo by nate compton

+ photo by nick kahtava

Winter Bowling

Boys' Swim

Boys' Basketball

Wrestling

Marcus Fryatt nwfryatt@smsd.org Mike Rose nwrosem@smsd.org

Ken Summers nwsummer@smsd.org Howard Newcomb nwnewcom@smsd.org

+ photo by carleigh whitman

Girls' Basketball

Tyler Stewart nwcoachstew@smsd. com

22

sports | Aug. 12, 2014

+ photo by nate compton

Sports

Seasons, coaches, important dates and more + by deena essa

Spring

+ photo by carleigh whitman

+ photo by katie dewitt

Baseball

Boys' Tennis

BOYS' Golf

Track

Girls' Soccer

Girls' Swim and Dive

Rich Kuzydym mckuzydy@smsd.org Jim Bamburg pabambur@smsd.org Todd Boren nwboren@smsd.org

Ken Clow nwclow@smsd.org Mike Cooper nwcooper@smsd.org David Pfortmiller davidpfortmiller@smsd.org

Softball + photo by carleigh whitman

Anthony Kinney nwkinney@smsd.org

dates to keep in mind: Aug.18 Fall Sports tryouts begin

west doors east doors

Aug. 25 Fall Sports Parent Meeting, 7:00 p.m. auditorium

Nov. 17 Winter Sports tryouts begin Nov. 24 Winter Sports Parent Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

March 2 Spring Sports tryouts begin

athletic office

is located on the north half of the attendance office

for all the latest sports news and tryout dates, go to

smnw.com/sports

nw passage | sports

23

'13 graduate Jeremy Gonterman plays his instrument along with fellow marching band members at last years' bonfire on Sept. 5. Gonterman was a part of the Marching Cougar Pride leadership board. “My favorite thing about being on marching band this year was being a leader,” Gonterman said. “I really felt I was giving back to the organization that has been

my definition of a high school career." photo by kristi seng