Issue 13

passage NORTHWEST VOL. 42

jump to invincibility /20

SENIOR KAYLA MORRIS HOPES TO GO TO STATE IN TRACK AND FIELD.

8,424 miles /12

JUNIOR MARY MWANGI MOVED FROM KENYA WHEN SHE WAS 13 YEARS OLD.

behind the sparkles / 14 BEFORE THEY PUT ON FLASHY COSTUMES, DANCERS COMMIT HOURS OF EFFORT TO PERFORMING THEIR BEST

/ PHOTO BY MONIQUE WARE

ISSUE 13

APRIL 8, 2011

FREE APPETIZER WITH PURCHASE OF AN ENTREE AND DRINK

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contents 

PASSAGE STAFF

Co-editors-in-chief MARIA DAVISON + STEPHANIE SPICER

Copy Editor

BRIANNA LEYDEN

Design Editors

STEPHANIE SPICER + BAILEY KOPP

Assistant Copy Editor WYATT ANDERSON

Photo Editors

DAVID FREYERMUTH + HANNA MEIGS

Graphics Editor TYLER ABSHER

News Editor

HAYLEY BATTENBERG

Opinions Editors MARIA DAVISON + STEPHANIE SPICER

Features Editors MORGAN JONES + BRIANNA LEYDEN

Entertainment Editor WYATT ANDERSON

Sports Editor BRADY KLEIN

Ads Editor

CLAIRE MARLEY

NORTHWEST PASSAGE / VOL. 42 / ISSUE 13 SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST 12701 W. 67TH STREET SHAWNEE, KS 66216

11

Staff Writers

JEFFERY ALLEN, KIRK BADO, LOGAN COFFMAN ASHLEE CRANE, RACHAEL DEMJANIK, RACHEL FERENCZ, MICHAEL GRIFFIN, PIA HECKMAN, DANIEL MAGWIRE, JOSH MEIGS, TESSA MILLER, EVAN SHINN, CONNOR THOMPSON, ERIC ZOELLNER



11 / words they never forget Sophomore Rena Soller performs an original poem in one of Lindsay Kincaid’s English classes. / PHOTO BY MIKALA COMPTON

SMNW.COM

Co-editors-in-chief LAUREN MINICK + STEPHANIE SPICER

16

 NEWS 04 news

Updates on happenings at Northwest.

06 news schmix  OPINIONS 07 the wonder of “break”

A staff member discusses the need to take time to relax.

working toward a work ethic A staff member reflects on the need to change his study habits.

08 first of its kind

A Kansas school district has taken steps to repeal No Child Left Behind.

12

 ENTERTAINMENT 09 reviews

Rolling Papers: Wiz Khalifa showcases his diversity in his new album.

Angles: The Strokes create a different sound in their new album.

New York Dawg Pound: This restaurant is expensive but has an interesting concept.

 FEATURES 11 words they never forget

English teacher Lindsay Kincaid takes a different approach to teaching the her poetry unit.

12 8,424 miles

Junior Mary Mwangi moved to the United States when she was 13 years old.

14 behind the sparkles

Senior Olivia Rezac spends hours at her dance studio preparing for performances.

 SPORTS 20 jump to invincibility

Senior Kayla Morris hopes to go to state for Track and Field.

23 pay heed

Forcing athletes to pay to participate in their sports is too much.

10 reviews

Limitless: This movie, starring Bradley Cooper, is an intoxicating thriller.

(above) Junior Mary Mwangi models a traditional Kenya

outfit. / PHOTO BY MICHELLE STUESSI

The purpose of the Northwest Passage is to relay important and interesting information to the community, administration and students of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. As a newsmagazine, the Northwest Passage will cater to the interests and concerns of the student body. Outside concerns and activities will only be covered if they somehow affect the school or students. the Northwest Passage is a 24-page newsmagazine.

The paper will be distributed every two weeks during fourth hour. Subscriptions will be available to the community for $35. The Northwest Passage firmly supports the First Amendment and opposes censorship. The content of the newspaper will be determined and created by the entire staff.

When questions concerning word choice, legal problems or ethics arise the editorial board and adviser will discuss the problem to find a solution.

In these cases, the co-editors-in-chief will the have final say in all decisions. Letters to the editor will be accepted and encouraged, but will only be published if signed. The staff reserves the right to edit for grammatical mistakes, length and good taste. Letters may attack policy but not people.

In no way will ideas or viewpoints be changed. The co-editors-in-chief reserve the right to refuse any letter.

NEWS

SPRINGING INTO LATIN Before leaving for spring break, 79 Latin students volunteered their time to take the National Latin Exam. With the fourth quarter now in session, the studying continues as they gear up for the state Latin convention on April 29.

“We [usually] do very well,” Latin teacher Joe Gehrer said. “We’ve won first place for the past seven years and we’re hoping to do so again.”

Prior to the convention, students choose three out of nine categories to test over, such as vocabulary, reading and culture. Those grades are then tabulated with the individual competitions held at the convention to produce a final score for each school.

“The National Latin Exam is completely different from the convention,” junior Andre Silva said. “There, you’re given 45 minutes to answer 40 questions based on which level of Latin your in, but its good preparation.”

Students will receive their exam scores in late April. / EVAN SHINN

COUGARS UNITED TO HOST CULTURE FAIR The gymnasium will become a microcosm of the world as representatives from various countries showcase their nations’ individual cultures and customs at the Culture Fair April 29, hosted by Cougars United every other year.

About 20 nations will be represented. So far, students representing Spain, Germany, Kenya, Ghana, Mexico, China and Vietnam have signed up for booths.

From second to sixth hour, teachers can choose to take their students to the Culture Fair. Students whose teachers choose to not attend the fair can visit during lunch. The fair will feature a fashion show during fifth hour, and the first 30 minutes of each class period will be filled with performances.

“We are going to start off with performances such as singing and dancing,” Culture Fair coordinator Julie Mats said.

With three to five performances per hour, Cougars United members plan to mix up the routines so students will be able to see different dances each hour. The rest of the class period will be open for students to walk around the gym visiting various countries’ tables. At each of the designated tables, students can learn cultural facts, observe traditional dress and sample ethnic foods that are for sale — often the highlight for students.

“Food is a big part of the Culture Fair, and almost every table will have some sort of food for students to try,” Cougars United sponsor Jennifer Bilyeu said.

Seniors Pia Heckmann and Stefan Kumpe, both foreign exchange students from Germany, will be preparing some traditional cuisine from their country.

“We’ll be cooking sauerkraut and sausage for our stand,” Kumpe said.

For many foreign exchange students, the Culture Fair is a chance to share their culture with us as they experience ours.

“I may not be the best example of Germany, but I’m proud to represent my country,” Kumpe said.

But it’s not just foreign exchange students who set up stands. Many of the Culture Fair participants are simply students who want to express their heritage.

“It’s always interesting to see how different people live around the world,” Mats said. “For those of us who haven’t traveled a lot, it’s fun to see other people’s cultures.”

Students interested in participating in the Culture Fair can sign up at a Cougars United meeting, held Thursday mornings in Room 223. / ERIC ZOELLNER

4

/ APRIL 8, 2010

DECA MEMBERS TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Senior Fritz Wood and junior Luke Moore placed in the recent Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) state competition, earning them spots in the annual international competition.

Twelve students represented Northwest at the state competition, held in early March at the Marriott in uptown Overland Park, and 10 went home with awards.

Even though 10 students earned awards, only Wood and Moore placed in the top three. Moore actually placed fourth, but one of the top three in his competition opted out of the international competition.

DECA, a marketing education club for high school students, “prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management,” according to the organization’s national website. The NW DECA club participates in multiple competitions throughout the school year, culminating in the state competition and, ultimately, the international conference.

Wood placed first in hotel and lodging management, while Moore placed fourth in principles of marketing. The competition for each is two-fold: first, an essay about the principles, and then a role-play situation during which the student acts out a marketing pitch to a judge, who is usually a business professional.

“Fritz and Luke have both grown in confidence a whole lot in the last six or seven months,” DECA sponsor Bob Jensen said.

Both Wood and Moore are relatively new members to DECA. Wood joined the club last year, while Moore joined just this year. Even though they are new, Jensen thinks they were able to perform well.

“Fritz and Luke performed well because of their personality,” Jensen said.

“Marketing is part selling your product, but a great deal of it is actually marketing yourself, which they are both very good at.”

With their exemplary performances at the state level, both Moore and Wood are going to DECA’s International Career Development Conference, held April 30 to May 3 in Orlando, Fla., where they will compete against DECA members from the United States, Canada, Germany and other member countries.

Wood went into the state conference with lower expectations, but he ended up surprising even himself.

“I didn’t think I was going to do very well,” Wood said. “This was actually my first competition, since I’ve missed all the others due to football and swim team, and I went with little to no preparation.”

Wood participated in hotel and lodging management, which involves creating pitches for property, such as hotels and rental homes, and businesses like realty.

Wood also competed in this section at the state tournament last year. “[Senior Jacob] Ohmes and I were partners last year, and we didn’t take the competition too seriously, so we didn’t do well,” Wood said. “This year, I actually tried to do my best.”

Moore participated in the principles of marketing and also the Quiz Bowl. The Quiz Bowl is like a game show, where the judge asks questions and the first team to buzz in and answer correctly scores points. He, like Wood, didn’t do anything special to prepare.

“People could prepare by studying vocab and other things like that,” Moore said. “Once I put on my suit ... that’s enough preparation for me.”

Because this is Moore’s first year in DECA, he was new to the state competition, so going to the international conference is a big surprise to him.

“Coming into the competition, I wasn’t sure how well I was going to do,” Moore said. “I’m happy, though, because I did a lot better than I thought I would.”

Despite the pressure, both Moore and Wood are looking forward to the international competition.

“I think I’m fortunate just to go to Orlando and to be able to compete with some of the country’s up-and-coming business talent,” Wood said. “I just hope I can hold my own and hopefully bring back some hardware.” / MICHAEL GRIFFIN

NEWS

more nw news MARCH 29: DISTRICT BAND FESTIVAL / The District Band Festival was held at SM East.All five high schools’ top bands performed. (left) Sophomore Brooke Golladay and seniors Kelsie Taylor and Julia Stanislav toast during a scene in play rehersal. /PHOTO BY MIKAYLA COMPTOM

(bottom) Freshman Nick Smith and seniors Connor Haley and Daniel Fry sing during a rehersal.

MARCH 31-APRIL 8: ROCK PAPER SCISSORS / Sign-ups and bracket play for StuCo’s seventh annual school-wide Rock Paper Scissors Tournament took place in the cafeteria. Students and faculty were encouraged to participate in the tournament, and the final four will have the final showdown during the Prom Assembly on April 14.

/PHOTO BY MONICA CASTELLON

APRIL 5: ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL / The District Band Festival was held at SM west. All five high schools’ top orchestras performed.

PROM CANDIDATES:

Girls: Meggie Alpert, Chandler Durkee, Lesley Johnson, Natalie Lutz, Haley Lynn, Madeline Niemackl, Kadie Nugent, Samantha Rivotto, Logan Roberts, Jenna Shelton, Maggie Simms.

Boys: Jay Brann, Matt Humphrey, Jake Keegan, Alec Kremers, Jalen Lewis, Jacob Lindenlaub, Tyler McGrew, Jacob Ohmes, Derec Olson, Alex Smith, Jacob Walters.

APRIL

REPERTORY THEATER PRESENTS LES MISÉRABLES As stress builds with less than a week before opening night, spirits remain high for Repertory Theater as they prepare for their spring musical Les Misérables.

“At first I was kind of worried about how the rehearsals were coming along,” senior McKenzie Winters said. “But everything is now coming together.”

Rehearsals for the upcoming musical have been a two-month process, with lots of late night rehearsals.

“The hardest part about rehearsal is staying focused,” junior Brett Cooper said.

“Everyone is in the right mind set,” Winters said. “We all know the last week before is always the worst, but it’s worth it in the end.”

Normally, the spring musical is only a production put on by Repertory theater, but this year the class invited underclassmen and three

other guests to be a part of the performance.

“We have little kids,” Winters said. “There’s three main lead parts played by little kids.

They’re adorable.”

Not only are the new additions to play different for the class, but so is the play.

“This is my favorite musical ever,” junior Brett Cooper said. “It has this great humanity theme to it. It’s a lot more serious than anything we’ve ever put on before.”

Based on Victor Hugo’s novel, the story follows the lead characters as they fight for revolution in France, as they search for a deeper purpose.

“The leads are doing very good job right now,” Winters said. “I’m really impressed with the seniors, like Connor [Haley], Claire [Martin] and Eric [Fillmore]. They’re all doing a very good job.” / EVAN SHINN

9

SATURDAY

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ACT test in NW academic wing SPED dance Prom assembly in gym during

THURSDAY seminar.

14-15 7 p.m. / 21-23 Les Misérables spring play in

THURS-FRI, + auditorium.

THURS-SAT

16

Junior/senior prom at the Shawnee

18

Meet-the-coaches night

SATURDAY Civic Center.

MONDAY

19

Sleep-in-a-box at SMNW 1:10 p.m. /

TUESDAY Early release, teacher workday

NEWS

/5

Compiled by Hayley Battenberg

FORT MORGAN, ALABAMA

British Petroleum has finished its five month oil spill deep-clean on the beaches of Fort Morgan, Ala. Concerns regarding tar mats coming in from the water remain, but, according to BP officials and the cleanup crews, the sand is clean.

HILMARTON, ENGLAND

MOSCOW, RUSSIA

An original King James Bible, one of perhaps 200 surviving 400-year-old original editions, was discovered St. Lawrence church in Hilmarton, England last week.

TRIPOLI, LIBYA CAUCA, COLOMBIA

Colombian armed forces killed 15 members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the province of Cauca on March 26. FARC claims to use drug trafficking and kidnapping to create revenue to defeat “Colombia’s elitist ruling class.”

Former Obama National Security Adviser Jim Jones said the international coalition in Libya cannot leave the country until Moammar Gadhafi is out of power. Jones said the problem now is how to transition from the humanitarian mission currently underway to preventing the African leader from staying in power.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin proposed that his country and the United States abolish visas between them. "Such a step would shatter old stereotypes between Russia and USA. We would turn an important page referring to our past, and start from scratch," Putin said.

FUTABA, JAPAN*

Workers at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Futaba, Japan, have begun "Plan C" in their bid to stop highly radioactive water from gushing directly into the Pacific Ocean through a cracked concrete shaft, a Japanese nuclear official said Monday. The first two attempts — pouring in concrete, and using a chemical compound mixed with sawdust and newspaper — failed.

All information from map is from CNN.com.

japan's disaster

*

GOOD TIME TO BE:

BAD TIME TO BE:

Ark Music Factory.

The production studio is garnering massive attention thanks to Rebecca Black’s viral video “Friday.” The video, which cost $2,000 to produce, has grossed over 200% the original budget.

The SMSD budget.

After being cut by $20 million in the last two years, the budget needs another $10.5 million reduction for the 2011-2012 school year and expects to be forced to make a similar cut in 2012-2013.

To heart. ♥

The Oxford English Dictionary has added LOL, OMG, FYI and Heart ♥ to their 2011 edition. To heart ♥ (verb): to love

Borders bookstores.

America's second-largest bookstore chain is liquidating 200 locations.

A fan of summer.

Although Shawnee Mission School District exceeded the number for builtin snow days, the last day of classes for students in grades 1-11 is still Thursday, May 26.

Abercrombie & Fitch.

The clothing store is being criticized for posting it’s padded “Ashley” bikini on the Abercrombie Kids website.

$300 BILLION

the cost for tsunami relief efforts in Japan

11,438 PEOPLE

have been confirmed dead since the tsunami struck

2,873 PEOPLE

were injured by the catastrophic tsunami

MARCH 11, A 9.0

earthquake triggered a 114-foot tsunami which hit Japan.

06

/ APRIL 8, 2011

THE WONDER OF “BREAK” Taking time out to relax is important for any busy-body.

MORGAN JONES New Braunfels, Texas, 11:42 a.m.

Plans for the day? Who knows, who cares. It’s spring break.

It has been longer than I can remember since I’ve been able to say something like that. Ever since my decision to take college classes at JCCC as well as attend high school, every day has been dedicated to working at that. While I’m grateful that I made the decision, I’ve missed out on a lot of carefree time when I didn’t have to worry about anything. I see now how much I took it for granted before.

I’m currently visiting family in New Braunfels, Texas, where my mom grew up. It’s a small town with lots of Southern personality. There are Beautiful

parks that line the river, and various opportunities to play putt-putt golf abound. Oh, and of course, there’s the largest outlet mall I’ve ever seen. Life down here really is good.

What makes this place so amazing, though, is the fact that I’m able to really just do whatever. I can even do nothing and it doesn’t matter.

Sometimes I feel like I’m the only high-schooler who’s really putting in the effort. Of course, that’s not true. I’m sure that anyone doing something other than school, and maybe a job, has got to be craving that oh-so-sweet carefree time that I’m experiencing now.

As important as it is to keep busy, making time

for nothing is vital. It gives you a chance to catch up with the rest of your body and unwind from everything that’s been going on. Plus, I’m pretty sure anyone who doesn’t take a little time off might end up insane.

Of course, taking some time off can be dangerous.

We’re meant, as humans, to work and engage ourselves in life. Too long of a break can have re adverse effects and make us lazy and unwilling to meet responsibilities.

When the regime of school begins again, remember not to get too caught up and save some time for you. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.

WORKING TOWARDS A WORK ETHIC EVAN SHINN

After receiving a treacherous grade card, the idea is to change. But how do you do that when your schedule is eating away at you ever minute?

It’s 11 p.m. and this column is due tomorrow. I’m sitting on the couch in the middle of a three-hour Gilmore Girls marathon with my sister wondering how I’m supposed to dish out 500 words on command. This laptop is warm, and there’s coffee brewing. Did I mention this column is supposed to be about work ethic? Too bad I’ve never had one.

When third-quarter grades were handed out, I saw the worst I’ve gotten in my high school career.

My only “A” was in seminar. Unlike any other honor student who would question such a horrific grade card, I laughed, folded it up and threw it in my locker. I didn’t have to question it because I already knew the answer.

I don’t remember why I stopped trying; I just knew I had. After coming back from winter break, it all began to hit me. I was juggling school, work and other commitments, all of which were consuming 14

07

/ APRIL 8, 2010

hours of every weekday, and it was rare to even arrive home before 11 p.m. Every late night I could expect three things: dinner, warm in the oven; parents, cozy in bed; and homework, snug in its folders. It was the only free time I had, and I wasn’t going to use it for more work. That’s just unhealthy, but so was this crazy schedule.

The question now is, how am I going to fix this problem? It’s now fourth quarter — one of the last chances to end the year on a good note — and I still have the same schedule. I think the better question is, how is my work going to get done?

The answer is organization. I was going through my locker last week, and I found this peculiar black book that I vaguely recognized. It had these calenders made just for writing down daily assignments down.

Oh yeah, my planner. How convenient.

More important than organization as regards

work ethic, however, is motivation — something I’ve lacked ever since I can remember. But I’m trying my best.

So far, I’ve done a pretty good job at turning in all my homework, even though it may be completed during the hour before it is due. But what high school student doesn’t do that? I’ve also caught up on my current English book. Yeah, but who am I kidding? I read that book freshman year.

It’s now 1 a.m., and those witty Gilmores are still rambling. I just realized my backpack is in the trunk of my car. And, instead of taking it out, doing my physics homework and making flash cards for French tomorrow, I’m going to bed.

I guess cultivating a good work ethic doesn’t happen overnight, but at least this column is finished.

FIRST OF ITS KIND

McPherson Unified School District 418 is trying something new: the only alternative to No Child Left Behind.

MICHAEL GRIFFIN Landmark legislation was passed in McPherson County, Kansas, two weeks ago making it the first unified school district in the nation to receive federal approval to repeal parts of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, which was enacted in 2001.

McPherson County was only able to repeal NCLB because more than 80 percent of its students have met standards for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), state and federal educational standards that school and district testing must meet. County officials then drafted and presented an alternative plan to Congress.

Since NCLB’s inception, public schools have been measured by standardized testing for all grades. Student performance on these tests determines the federal funding the school receives.

Every NW student knows these: the hour-long tests over reading, math and English that haunt us every semester.

The worst part about the tests is that most of a school’s federal funding is dependent on making AYP. This encourages some teachers to “teach to the test,” making the curriculum only cover what is needed to pass AYP. Children, especially elementary school students, don’t understand how to apply what they learn, just how to answer basic test questions.

As an alternative to NCLB requirements,

McPherson County is creating its own testing curriculum called C3: Citizenship, College and Career Readiness. I think this is a step in the right direction for Kansas and for education in general.

Instead of a high school being tested as a whole, the C3 program is more focused on testing the progress of each student individually. The tests are authored by the nationally recognized ACT Corporation and assess how ready a student is for college or for a career. Three major tests comprise the collegeready portion: the EXPLORE test in eighth grade, the PLAN exam in 10th grade and the ACT before graduation.

The only misgiving I have about this idea is that it was also created to check a student’s “readiness to be a citizen,” and the school district is doing this with an Eight Keys of Citizenship system.

The Eight Keys of Citizenship was created by the Learning Forum International, which is a nonprofit organization that creates seminars and camps to help with students’ leadership and promote citizenship. It gauges a student’s readiness using eight different criteria, like the ability to “learn from mistakes” and to “make the most of every moment.”

It really shouldn’t be a school’s job to determine whether a person is an outstanding citizen. I don’t think I want the Shawnee Mission School District judging whether I am fit to be a

part of my community. And, I worry about how these criteria would be monitored. How does the district keep track of my personal life? When is my personal life out of the school’s jurisdiction and when is it not?

Perhaps moral monitoring would work for a smaller district like McPherson, but significant increases in counselors and funding would probably be needed to personally observe students in larger districts.

Cut out the citizenship part of the plan, and I would back it wholeheartedly.

McPherson’s C3 plan prepares students for college and the real world, instead of making sure they are just “adequate” and able to mindlessly recite facts, wholly disconnected from their lives and the real world. With the changes, teachers won’t have to “teach to the test” and will have more time to cover topics in more detail. Students truly won’t fall behind because they are being tested as a person, not as a school. However, with an individual focus comes the need for more people to check on individual progress and ensure the needed level of improvement.

The McPherson school district is just rolling out this system, and the tests are scheduled to be administered before the end of this school year.

Only then will we know if this system works as well as, or better than, NCLB. Even though there are still some unanswered questions, I believe C3 will help students who need assistance in a genuine way and truly ensure that no one is left behind.

OPINIONS

/ 08

REVIEWS

the strokes’

WIZ KHALIFA’S

rolling papers

Despite hearing “Black and Yellow” countless times in the past year, it never gets old. Wiz Khalifa’s major label debut, Rolling Papers, shows that he is more than just a one-hit-wonder. With a diverse tracklist — ranging from bass-heavy songs like “On My Level” featuring rapper Too $hort to the Bruno Mars-like track “Fly Solo” to slower hits like “When I’m Gone” — Khalifa sets himself apart from other rappers.

If all that comes to mind when you hear Wiz Khalifa is “Black and Yellow”, “Roll Up” or “No Sleep,” think again. Instead of keeping a typical, mainstream rap style, Khalifa uses a mix of various influences to create a unique rap album. Although his lyrical content is the standard of rap music: getting girls, partying and spending ridiculous amounts 4.5/5 of money like it’s nothing, Khalifa also has a little bit of depth, exploring the topics of ending relationships and the rise to fame (“Cameras”).

The best of Khalifa’s work is not included in his singles. “Fly Solo” is a track backed by an acoustic guitar, allowing Khalifa’s lyrics and talent to shine. With such a variety of genres included on his album, some may find Khalifa inconsistent, but it’s just his style. In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Khalifa explained his style:“there’s a lot of artists who just keep it straight, like strictly rap music, but I like to branch off and do everything.”

Wiz Khalifa’s diversity definitely shines through on Rolling Papers.

ANGLES

3/5

I honestly couldn’t wait to hear the Strokes new album, I was expecting the usual Strokes: lead singer Julian Casablancas’ voice blaring through the speakers and a duo of guitars playing rock riffs. Instead, I heard a whole new Strokes. A cross between the Cars, Vampire Weekend and the Killers, the new sound is a huge change, like if Ke$ha somehow worked Coldplay’s style into her next album.

The most notable change in sound is the amount of synth used. It’s like stepping into the 1980s. “You’re so Right” is a good example, with its repetitive lyrics and fast beat. It lacks a real drum, and “Casablanca” is chanting or talking most of the song. There’s also no flow to the album.

Almost every song has a different sound, and they all seem to be thrown hastily onto the album, almost like a B-sides collection.

After I heard the album once, I didn’t have much to say; I was neutral.

But the more I listen to it, the more I like it. The songs are really catchy and rely on clever hooks and a heavy bass line. “Gratification” was like a modern Queen song, and half way through I was already humming to its arena rock groove. Also worth the mention, “Call Me Back” is probably the most simple song instrumentally, yet it’s also the best.

I had to suffer through the techno songs, but when I did, Angles turned out to be OK. The band has taken a new approach, and it hit some rough patches, but it isn’t all bad. As long as you can accept the Strokes’ new sound, Angles is a decent album. / DANIEL MAGWIRE

/ TESSA MILLER

new york dawg pound 3/5

New York Dawg Pound is no Dog Nuvo, but it beats Sonic’s hot dog selection any day. However, if you’re not looking to spend a New York dollar, I’d stick with Sonic — I’m still pretty upset I had to spend more than $10 dollars for just one meal.

I’m the kind of guy who will eat any type of meat, whether it’s served on a stick, bun or in a tortilla. So when I walked into this fairly new restaurant, I expected my carnivorous appetite to be satisfied. But it wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong: I ate my whole hot dog and the staff was more than friendly, but just because you cleverly name food after different breeds of dogs doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put as much effort into its taste.

Now, I’m no hot dog expert, but I’m pretty sure I should’ve been able to taste the difference between a chili dog thrown together at home and this restaurant’s “Bulldawg.” Sadly, there was none. However, I will give credit to their most outthere item, the “Hound Dog,” a tortilla-wrapped dog with egg, smothered in nacho cheese. It’s actually better than it sounds.

And if you want, you can “Build A Dawg.” With a wide range of ingredients, making your dog unique is no challenge.

After devouring a hot dog and the saltiest, stalest fries you’ll ever come across (make sure to buy a drink), there will be room for dessert. Trust me. I always thought it was impressive to watch videos of Joey Chestnut, the current hot dog eating record holder, as he vacuumed 66 hot dogs and buns into his stomach in 12 minutes, but after eating one of New York Dawg Pound’s “Distinguished Dogs,” I’m no longer impressed. That dog was gone in a matter of seconds. Unsatisfied, I looked at deserts and decided to buy their Cool Dog, an ice cream “sausage” topped with whipped cream and sprinkles between two thick slices of pound cake. Not too bad.

Located off Shawnee Mission Parkway, just a block west of Metcalf Ave., New York Dawg Pound is expensive, but a cool / EVAN SHINN concept nonetheless.

ENTERTAINMENT

/ 09

REVIEWS

limitless

Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper), a typical sofar unsuccessful writer living in a closet of an apartment, is dumped by his girlfriend and surely heading down the road to obscurity. When he is offered a magic little pill that allows him to access all of his brain, he figures, “Why not?” Morra then basically becomes a living, breathing Google, infinitely knowledgeable about everything he has ever seen, heard or experienced. But as great as this seems, the pill has adverse effects, and after getting involved with both a Wall Street tycoon (Robert DeNiro) and a Russian gangster (Andrew Howard), Morra is faced with a dilemma of being an intellectual superman or enduring the consequences.

There’s something extremely attractive about a drug that instead of clouding your mind makes everything crystal clear. This is what makes Limitless so engaging. Also, it’s a rags-to-riches story, and through all the trouble he gets in and the danger he puts himself in, we still root for Morra, because he’s just a typical guy who finally catches

[

4/5 a break.

It was interesting to see Bradley Cooper in a role that has more depth than what he is used to, because many people automatically think of his character in The Hangover. It’s fun to see such a funny guy have a little more substance and do something more than just make us laugh (even though that’s always a good thing). It makes me respect Cooper more as an actor, and I can see this performance opening up more doors for him in his career.

The movie was really intriguing and just a fun story up until the last 15 minutes or so. The ending left me asking, “Where did the rest of this movie go?” It was very abrupt, and I wasn’t sure what was going on. It left me with a lot of questions, which isn’t always a bad thing, but this time, it just left me dissatisfied.

Apart from the ending, Limitless is a great, intoxicating thriller about superhuman abilities anyone would envy. / ASHLEE CRANE

]

forgot your camera? we didn’t. check out:

10211 W. 75th St Overland Park, KS 66204 (913) 962-0027 Open Saturdays & Sundays WE DELIVER

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/ APRIL 8, 2011

words they never forget ENGLISH TEACHER LINDSAY KINCAID APROACHES THE STANDARD POETRY UNIT FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE.

Sophomore Stephanie Reintjes “Imperfect Me,” an original poem, in front of her English class. / PHOTO BY MIKALA COMPTON

/T

he screen at the front the classroom flashes to life as the words “Anis Majgani at the 2006 Seattle Grand Poetry Slam 2006” appear. A 20-something bearded man is standing at the mic, center frame.

“Rock out like you’ll never have to open a textbook again.”

Stifled laughter.

“Rock out like you get paid to disturb the peace.”

Table smacking.

“Rock out like you have an empty appointment book and a full tank of gas.”

Cheers.

“Rock out like this was the last week like these were the words that you never wanted to forget.”

The classroom erupts as students stand to applaud.

The lights flicker on, illuminating the sophomore students in Room 153. English teacher Lindsay Kincaid, sits behind her desk laughing with her students as she watches the reigning district poetry slampion Isabel Zacharias step in front of the class and talk about the Anis Mojgani video they have just reviewed. Kincaid asked Zacharias to help introduce the class to spoken-word poetry, and she wanted to start on a lighter note.

No one at Northwest does the standard poetry unit quite like Kincaid. Her approach challenges students to write about what is going on in their lives and not just about intangible ideas.

She incorporates video and audio spoken-word performances to enhance the experience for her students, and she uses everything from humorous poems like “The Impotence of Proofreading” to the more serious like “What Teachers Make.”

At the beginning of the unit, which coincides with the school wide Poetry Slam that she also organizes, Kincaid gives each student a composition notebook to fill with poems or other thoughts that express who they are.

“Sometimes you just have to put the tools in the student’s hands. It does not seem like much, a composition notebook, but it is fun to see the kids up on stage at the poetry slam with their book or the kids coming back years later with their [composition] book,” Kincaid said.

“We have been taught about rhyming: ‘Sam’ with ‘ham’ or ‘Matt’ with ‘rat.’ She tells us to write what we know and what we feel. If I have feelings about it, then I can write,” sophomore Paige Cook said.

Kincaid’s teaching style was not always met with such warm reception.

“My first couple of years, I met with a lot of resistance, because they had received the same type of instruction every year and read the same types of poems every year,” Kincaid said.

With the added freedom of having the sophomore class learn the blanket “poetry genre” and not just a specific movement or poet, Kincaid began to incorporate her love of spoken word into the classroom.

Over the years, Kincaid has been able to finetune her style and teach the students to appreciate the true art and style of performance poetry.

During the unit, students in Kincaid’s English honors class have the opportunity to share their poems with their classmates.

“The general atmosphere changes [when someone shares]. It is very respectful. They are

sharing a piece about what they feel — poems about life, love and happiness,” Cook said.

Kincaid echoed the sentiments of her students.

“It is a bonding experience with students and classes. Every year, I get students who cry because they are talking about something sensitive or struggle to get through a performance,” Kincaid said.

All the in-class performances eventually lead up to the students performing an original spoken-word poem in front of a video camera.

“This is the perfect culminating experience,” Kincaid said. “Students have to write and memorize, and they have to show extreme amounts of courage and bravery to get up in front of their classmates to put their stuff out there.”

For the students, respect is the standard for any one's performance.

“When you are listening to someone your age up there talking about all this heavy stuff, it is like, ‘Woah!’” sophomore Kendall Toren said.

Many students then perform their spoken-word poem in the Poetry Slam, which this year happens to be a week after the videotaped performances.

“I am really nervous about the poetry slam, but I think the reward in the end will be worth it,” Cook said.

Not surprisingly, many of her sophomores take part in the Slam year after year.

“It is heavy on sophomores because I back up a unit of poetry to the Poetry Slam intentionally,” Kincaid said. “What is really rewarding is seeing that the list of Poetry Slam participants are students who come from my class and continue year after / KIRK BADO year.”

FEATURES

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JUNIOR MARY MWANGI TRAVELED FROM KENYA TO THE UNITED STATES IN SEARCH OF A BETTER LIFE, A DISTANCE MORE THAN...

8,424 miles

Junior Mary Mwangi, her mother and father, and her two younger siblings, Ivy and Martin, say their final good-byes to their family as they make their way through the gate. Mwangi catches her breath in her throat as she looks out the window at the land below her. Tears drip down her face, and she takes one last look at all she has ever known. The plane shudders as it makes its way through the clouds, taking her and her family to meet their new life in America.

Mwangi was barely 13 years old when she first stepped onto American soil.

“I was used to being around mostly black people, Kenya people. For the first time I was surrounded by mostly white people,” Mwangi said.

With only the knowledge of her culture in Kenya, Mwangi was led to believe that everyone in America was rich.

“When I first stepped outside of the airport, I was amazed.

Everything was so new and beautiful. All the cars looked new, and everyone looked as if they were rich,” Mwangi said.

Mary and her family realized that although America was beautiful as they expected, it was also very confusing at the same time. Back in Kenya, Mwangi and her relatives were all under the impression that money was strewn about, and anyone was free to pick it up and use it for whatever they pleased.

“Our family called us on our first day here and asked us when we would be sending them money, but we had to tell them that there wasn’t just money lying around,” Mwangi said. “You actually have to earn it.”

Even with all the excitement of her arrival in America, Mwangi soon came face to face with what would become her biggest barrier between her and having a normal life in America — learning to speak English.

“The first day of school at Trailridge was the hardest,” Mwangi said. “Everyone was speaking English and I was still learning. All I could say was ‘Hi’ because that’s all I knew how to say.”

Although she picked up a huge portion of her English by being around it everywhere she went, she found it more difficult to learn than her two younger siblings, Ivy, who was 6 years old at the time, and now freshman Martin, who was 10 years old at the time.

“My brother and sister’s English is much better than mine because they came here when they were just kids. You learn much faster when you’re young. It’s a lot tougher to learn it when you’re older,” Mwangi said.

In Kenya, Mwangi spoke Swahili. Although she had to learn English when she came to America, her family still speaks their native tongue at home.

“That’s something we learned from the beginning, something

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/ APRIL 8, 2011

/ PHOTO BY MICHELLE STUESSI

we were born with. We’ve come from poor people to kind of rich people, and speaking Swahili reminds us of where we came from,” Mwangi said.

Although Mwangi passed a state English language proficiency test just last year to test out of the English Language Learners program at Northwest, Mwangi still struggles with English.

When Mwangi takes tests, she’s allowed to go down to the ELL classroom and have someone explain the questions to her.

“When I’m trying to say something, I think in Swahili and then I have to go back and think of how to say it in English because I don’t know English that well. It’s very tough,” she said.

Mwangi came from the Kikuyu tribe in Kenya. She said village life is comparable to living in an apartment complex, with each hut lined up next to each other.

Each hut is made out of a grass triangle top stacked on top of a circle mud wall creating a small room.

Mwangi’s family was considered to be more fortunate than others, and were able to afford to live in a ‘house’, which was no bigger than the apartment that she lives in today. Mwangi says that up to 7 people could live in one house at a time.

“Life in the village is very simple. We don’t have the movies or anything; all we can do is play games, do chores or maybe fetch firewood,” Mwangi said.

In addition, having a car was extremely expensive, so most people walk everywhere, which made it difficult for some to make it to school.

“School started at 7 and ended at 5,” Mwangi said.

“Where I lived, it didn’t take me long to walk to school.

But in some villages, they may have to walk 20 minutes or an hour just to get to school every day.”

dirt, but you have to do it,” Mwangi said.

Until she first turned on the faucet in her home and saw clear water, Mwangi had no idea of the conditions of the water she was drinking in Africa.

“If someone from America were to go there, they would say, ‘Oh my goodness is that what you’re drinking; is that what you’re eating?’ Because they’ve seen it, they know what’s clear water and what’s dirt,” Mwangi said. “We never did.”

In Kenya, both money and jobs are very scarce.

Mwangi’s parents were lucky enough to both hold teaching jobs, but most middle-class people worked on the plantations. They were paid, the money never seemed to be enough to feed an entire family.

“My family never had to, but some families would not eat for two days because they didn’t have enough money for food,” Mwangi said.

Food and water were not only a problem, but medical care as well. If someone was to break a bone or catch a disease, little help is received due to medical care being too expensive for most people to afford.

“One day I want to become a physical therapist,” Mwangi says. “When I get enough money I want to start my own clinic over in Kenya where I came from.

I want to make a clinic to be able to help the girls who get pregnant and who have HIV/Aids. I knew plenty of girls who had HIV, I knew a couple who passed away because of it. I want to be able to go back and help the poor people who can’t afford medical care.”

Despite being without her close relatives, Mwangi is more than grateful for her parents’ decision to move her and her family to America. She had no idea how many opportunities would be available to her. Her family in Kenya was upset and scared at first when they were told of the news about Mwangi and her family moving to America, but they were supportive because Mwangi’s family would be able to send money back to Kenya. Mwangi’s parents both have stable jobs now. Her mother is a nurse and her father is an accountant, and currently working to get his Master’s degree.

“I’ve learned to be thankful for what I have. I remember about people suffering back in Africa, and I feel so sorry for them.

I am just thankful for being able to come to the United States, to a new country,” Mwangi said.

Although Mwangi has experienced many luxuries and new things here in America, her heart aches when she thinks about the rest of her family that she left behind in Kenya. She has one cousin that lives not far from her current home, but otherwise the rest of her relatives still reside in Kenya.

“When you come here, you don’t know if you’re going to go back because you have to have a lot of money to go back to Kenya,” Mwangi said. “All we could say is, ‘I’ll see you when we get enough money to come back,’ and we don’t know how long it will take. It could be ten years, twenty years, we just don’t know.”

“When I’m trying to say something, I think in Swahili and then I have to go back and think of how to say it in English because I don’t know English that well. It’s very tough.” —junior Mary Mwangi Mwangi has adjusted to life in America, and she now has many practical things including a bed, a kitchen table, and household appliances. Before coming to America, Mwangi had never slept in a bed.

“When I first slept in my bed, I rolled off of it a couple times for the first month because I wasn’t used to it,” Mwangi said.

Mwangi’s family had to adjust to the extreme changes in their diet as well.

“We never had stoves or microwaves, so we had to fetch our own firewood, and then start your own fire and cook your food over it,” Mwangi said.

Mwangi feels like she eats much better here than she could in Kenya.

“We drank water that wasn’t clean. It was like eating

photos below courtesy of mary mwangi

TOP: Junior Mary Mwangi picks sukumawiki,

which is a vegetable similar to spinach that her family often ate for dinner when they lived in Kenya.

MIDDLE: Junior Mary Mwangi and her cousins

from Kenya listen as their grandmother tells them stories. “My grandma is very religious, so we had to go to church every Sunday, just like you would in America.

BOTTOM: Before church, Junior Mary Mwangi

eats breakfast with her cousins and her sister, Ivy at their house in Kenya. “I was taught to go to church when I was very young, so it’s in my blood. If I don’t go to church then I feel like something’s missing.”

/ RACHEL FERENCZ

FEATURES

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BEHIND THE SPARKLES The intense years of training that dancers go through are often overshadowed by the flashiness and showmanship of dance competitions. graphics by tyler absher Walking into the Overland Park Convention Center, visitors are greeted by a hectic scene.

Whining younger siblings, proud fathers and anxious mothers are sitting in hundreds of chairs that are set up around a large stage. The real commotion is going on backstage, however, where girls ranging from 8 to 18 are rushing around, changing leotards and tights and stretching their bodies into impossible positions (for normal people).

This is a dance competition. “[There are] a lot of moms in the dressing rooms and in the back of the stage, and they put huge curtains back there,” senior Olivia Rezac said.

“There are just hundreds of girls with costume racks and rhinestones and sparkles.”

Rezac is a member of the ultra-competitive Le Dance Company, an Overland Park studio that attends three regional competitions like the previously described Stage One Competition, in addition to one convention and one national competition.

“We usually get most of the top-scoring stuff,” Rezac said. “I’m really confident in our team, our company. Last year, we were in this magazine and it was the top dance studios in the nation, and I want to say we got third. I don’t know if that was the full United States or if that was just the Midwest section, but we got third. Our ranking was a composite score from all the competitions.”

How clean the dancers’ technique is, who the judges are and how flashy the tricks are various factors that affect how a company does at competition.

“We do second turns (fouette turns) and out of them we jump to the ground and that definitely looks good when more people are doing it. A class triple, having everyone doing all three [or] all four turns, together looks very impressive on stage,” Rezac said. “There are just so many different things that impress me from different dances. It’s just different for everyone.”

Teamwork is another important aspect of competitive dance because dancers have to make every movement precise, sharp and in unison to win points.

“We are definitely really, really close, and I don’t feel all studios are like that. I feel like some studios are competitive with each other, and we’re definitely competitive more with other teams, not each other,” Rezac said. “We [just] push each other through things.”

But as competition approaches, the tension thickens between dancers in the studio.

“We’re bickering at each other … We get into it with each other. There are times when we correct each other on parts of dances, and we get kind of irritated, but we know that everyone needs to calm down. We’re just stressed,” Rezac said.

Some studios prepare the entire year for just one competition. The dancers at Le Dance don’t just work for one competition, but their training intensifies as it draws closer.

“In a week, I have four and a half hours on Monday, two and a half hours on Wednesday and two hours on Thursday. And then on Saturday and Sunday, I’m usually there a range of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday,” Rezac said. “The hours get really, really stressful and really long. And you’re trying to fit in costumes and get rhinestones done.”

This year, time was especially crunched for the dancers because they had a competition the weekend after spring break.

“We’ve never had that short of notice, and it’s really soon. We all don’t feel like like we’re ready yet, but I feel like we’re going to come together,” Rezac said.

Most dancers today have to train in a variety of styles to have an edge on competitors. In fact, Rezac takes ballet, tap, modern, lyrical and hip hop, all which require different skills.

“For hip hop, it’s about isolations, and you have to have a lot of sharp movements. Jazz — it depends on the style of jazz — but I like the smooth [movements] that have accents in it or here,” Rezac said. “Ballet is definitely the challenging one. You have to have very good posture, and you’re always working through

basics of dance FOUETTE TURNS: — a dancer can turn continuously by using one leg to whip his or herself around.

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/ APRIL 8, 2011

your feet. Everything is hard work.”

And it’s definitely hard on the body. Dance is known for having one of the highest rates of nonfatal injury at the workplace, mostly because of the weight placed on the legs when jumping, leaping, etc.

“I’m definitely thinking that my knees will not be so great in 20 years, just because it’s so much pressure on your legs when you land. I’ve already had problems with my knees and my back, but I go to a physical therapist for that. I’m hoping to keep dancing and hopefully will stay in pretty good shape,” Rezac said.

Dance has often been criticized for being “easy” or not a sport. What people don’t realize is the level of work that goes into every single step.

“If people don’t dance and I tell them that I dance, I don’t think they think that it’s too crazy,” Rezac said. “But when people know how much I dance, and how it takes up most of my time, people are like, ‘Dang, that’s a really big commitment.’

People that know me know how much time I put into it and how it’s a really big commitment.”

Rezac has been a dancer for nearly all her life — in fact, she has been dancing for 14 years, and has been competitive since fourth grade. Besides physical training to make it through competitions, she has to prepare herself mentally as well.

“I probably would say I put a lot more pressure

on myself than other people do, and then when anyone says something bad, that just puts it on more,” Rezac said. “I’m really hard on myself, and critical of myself, so I’ve definitely stressed out a lot, but I know sometimes [I have] to relax. I always get nervous right before and am like, ‘Oh gosh, I’m getting nauseous,’ but once I’m onstage I get into this focus mode. I just get really into it, and people can tell.”

Even with all this preparation, becoming a professional dancer is incredibly difficult. It seems like there are fewer spots available, and smaller paychecks. There were only about 10,700 dancers (not including choreographers, etc.) in 2009 and $38,520 was the minimum annual wage for studio owners in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“It’s a very, very competitive career, and it’s hard to make money in it. You’re always going from job to job. I’m hoping to maybe do some dancing, but it’ll be more on the side. I’m hoping to make money from it, but it’s just what the future brings,” Rezac said.

Despite the dangers of the profession, Rezac plans to keep dance in her life as long as possible.

“I definitely can’t picture myself not dancing, so I’ll [always] dance. And if I have a daughter, I want her to dance,” Rezac said. “It makes you happy. It’s the one thing that makes me happy. I love it.”

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE?

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the number of foutte turns that a prima ballerina can do.

3 hour ballet performance = two

90 minute soccer games back-to-back, or a18 mile run

The record for “marathon dancing,” set in 1930-1931 is

214 days straight

(15 minute breaks) is held

by Americans Mike Ritof and Edith Boudreaux.

2-3

pairs of pointe (a type of ballet shoe in which the dancer stands on her toes on wooden blocks) shoes that a professional ballerina will wear out every week.

/ BRIANNA LEYDEN

SPLITS:

— right/left, + center

first position second position third position fourth position fifth position FEATURES

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smnw com {dot}

 ENTERTAINMENT

CAFETERIA RENOVATIONS The lunchroom, which hasn’t been renovated since the Northwest opened more the 40 years ago, is being redesigned for the 2011-2012 school year. According to associate principal Tom Moss, the goal is to create a better lunch time experience for students.

F.A.M.E. Chris Brown’s new album explores a different side of his musical abilities and include tracks featuring Justin Bieber, Wiz Khalifa and more.

VICES & VIRTUES Panic! at the Disco’s third album was released March 22, with the debut of the bands two man line-up.

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 NEWS VERY HARD

MESEKE EARNS MARCUS PRIDDY AWARD Basketball Coach Ben Meseke was awarded at the College Basketball experience for being a coach positively influences his players.

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PASSAGE?

WRITE US A LETTER

We would love to hear your opinion about anything we published or other things going on around Northwest or in the outside community. Letters can be sent to passageletters@smnw.com or be brought to Room 151. Only signed letters will be published.

SMNW.COM

/ 07

SPORTS

boss/

BEST OF SPORTS SHOT

// by connor thompson

QUESTION + ANSWER WITH ERIC PINKMAN JUNIOR, VARSITY THROWER

Q: How did you get involved in throwing?

A: Freshman year I went out for it for fun because I had nothing else to do in the spring.

Q: What do you like to throw? Why? A: Javelin — it’s the one I’m best at and I have the most fun throwing.

Q: What are your personal goals for the season?

A: I would like to qualify for state in javelin.

Sophomore Brandon Martinkus pitches to a Lawrence High School opponent at 3&2 Baseball Complex on March 31. / PHOTO BY BRITTANY BONSIGNORE

Q: Is there anything you would like to do differently this season?

A: I really want to continue working hard and be the best that I can be.

Q: Is there anything different about this season?

A: We have new coaches this year, and they have been helping out a lot.

Q: What have you done to prepare for the season?

A: We’ve had a few weeks of practice, and I’ve been weight lifting.

Q: Have you participated in a meet yet?

A: I got a new personal record in the shot put at the meet on March 26 and got second place, which was an indoor meet so it was a new thing to us.

Q: Have the new coaches taught you

anything you didn’t know?

A: They are just really reinforcing old stuff and new ways that have helped me a lot, and once I get what they have taught me down, then I should be able to add some pretty decent distance.

Q:

Do you have any pre-meet superstitions/traditions?

No not really, I just get out and throw my best and try to win.

Q: Is there a lot of technique behind

throwing javelin?

A: Yes. A lot of people don’t realize about all of the technique there is involved in throwing javelin especially. It is very technical and it involves a lot of precise movement.

SPORTS

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jump into invincibility

SENIOR KAYLA MORRIS HOPES TO MAKE IT TO STATE IN TRACK AND FIELD.

Senior Kayla Morris’ eyes sparkle when she talks about jumping. Sitting in the sunlight, she moves her arms and hands while she explains her primary jump, the triple jump, the jump she enjoys the most to perform.

The triple jump, a track event, is a hop, a skip and a jump from a running start. It’s more difficult than the long jump, for example, because the athletes have to jump three times. The movements must be carefully coordinated because the transition from one jump to the other can be the difference between winning and losing. Morris has experienced this difference between losing and winning several times in her nine-year jumping career.

Morris is part of the sprinting and jumping teams this season. She began participating in this sport in fourth grade at Hope Lutheran, a Lutheran private school near Northwest, as well as every other sport offered: cheerleading, basketball, volleyball and dance.

In eighth grade, she watched someone doing the triple jump and thought, “Wow, that is so awesome. That is the coolest thing ever.”

Since then she has worked to perfect her triple jump. From the beginning, jumping came naturally to her and that made her even more willing to challenge herself. It’s the activity she is best at; it empowers her and, after doing it now for so long, it is also a part of her, she said.

The training for a jumper includes speed and strength workout and, the piece that many people don’t realize, a crucial workout for the abdominal muscles.

“When you are in the air, you have nothing to

stabilize your body except for your inner core”, jumping coach Ken Summers said.

If the abdominal muscles are weak, control of the body in the air is lost, and that loss of balance means that the jumper either hits the bar or fails to achieve the proper distance. Next to the required good shape, the skill to convert the learned techniques from the ground to the air is needed.

“You have to be able to apply the theoretical part into the practice right,” Summers said.

Not everyone, Summers says, is able to do that.

But Morris definitely can. Despite the difficulty, the prowess and strength to perform the triple jump came naturally to her. Beyond that, her effort to learn the techniques that help her to jump further and higher make her a great athlete, according to Summers.

“It feels like you are flying,” Morris said. “You feel like you are invincible for a moment and, as soon as you hit the sand, you are back in reality. It is awesome.”

In her jumping career, Morris has won several medals. In high school, she has not only won several medals but has also always been close to the state competition. The last two years she was one place away from making the state team and actually only jumped a few inches less than the fourth place winner. In regional competition, the jumpers are allowed three jumps in the preliminary round. In the finals, they jump three more times. The officials then take the best of all six jumps. At this particular competition, the very last jump of the fourth place girl was only one inch less than Morris’.

Although she was disappointed, it was a big accomplishment for her to be fifth at the regional

meet. Still, getting so close shows her that she worked hard. She remains determined to go to the state competition.

To get there, she is working harder than in years past. She is doing more running than usual and hopes that it helps her gain the few inches necessary to reach at least the fourth place at the regional meet. Last year, she just focused on doing the jumps, but now she is trying to master certain steps of the triple jump and improve some weaknesses in the techniques.

Right now, the jumping team includes mostly sophomores and freshmen. Morris is the only senior and the only female jumper on the varsity squad, and would like to have another triple jumper on the team.

“I hope the girls in the jumping team look up to me,” Morris said. “ I try to set the best example for everyone on the team.”

According to sprinting coach Justin Stigge, Morris already is helpful to the team. He says she is very enthusiastic and passionate about hard work and always doing well. During the four years he has worked with her, he has seen her progress not only in the triple jump and in the sprints, but by developing into the energetic leader she is now. Stigge said that she is seen as the unofficial leader by the younger girls of the jumping and sprinting team. Although Morris isn’t the fastest sprinter in the team, she is still respected because the support she gives her teammates.

“She always has a positive attitude,” Stigge said.

“It is nice to see a kid that is enthusiastic about doing well.” / PIA HECKMANN

how to triple jump

 Begin with a running start.

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Take off from their right or left foot

/ APRIL 8, 2011

After a hop, land on the same foot you took off from.

Take off from the same foot, skip.

 Land on the opposite foot you took off from.

From the foot you just landed on, take a final jump similar to a long jump.

Land on two feet in a sand pit.

above: Senior Kayla Morris takes

the final jump of a triple jump, which consists of a hop, skip and a jump. / PHOTO BY DAVID FREYERMUTH

far left: Senior Kayla Morris sprints

before jumping during practice April 4. / PHOTO BY MONIQUE WARE

left: Senior Kayla Morries lands in the

sand pit after a triple jump. / PHOTO BY DAVID FREYERMUTH

SPORTS

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Greetings juniors and seniors willy wonka invites you to SMNW’s everlasting After-Prom!

saturday april 16, 2011 11:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. all juniors and seniors Whether or NOT you attend the Prom, you are encouraged to attend this marvelous event.

You may bring one guest... and only one... but no one else...

Win tickets by playing casino & carnival games. Look for golden tickets!

Enjoy inflatables in the gym and fabulous eats and sweets in the cafeteria.

Stupendous prizes include a laptop computer, ipod, camera, dorm dĂŠcor, jewelry, camping equipment, movies, gift cards, and more.

For all these wondrous mystical activities, prizes, and surprises. purchase your tickets in advance in the mall during lunch april 10-15 for $10 a ticket. If you are not able to purchase at the time, tickets will be available at the door the night of after prom for $15.00

enter the realm of Imagination

BRADY KLEIN

PAY HEED

Schools are doing whatever it takes to save or make money, but requiring students pay to play a sport is going too far.

Public education is in dire financial trouble. As the economy continues to worsen, school budgets continue to shrink.

The lack of money in education has started worry, and even incite panic among, some teachers, students and parents, as every year more items are cut from the budget at all levels. Just recently, a survey about budget cuts was posted on smsd.org, and students all over the Shawnee Mission School District participated in it. Proposed cuts included elementary strings and band and paid librarians. These cuts would definitely be hard to make, but they are not nearly as extreme as some of the proposed strategies. The one that caught my attention as most frightening was “pay to play.”

If this budget-cutting strategy were approved, every high school student who wants to play a sport will have to pay a fee to participate. The survey stated that it would cost $50 per sport, but that a family would only have to pay a maximum of $200 per year.

This fee would not even cover the uniform and booster club fees that parents already pay.

Yes, the pay to play idea could save the district some money, but it would be devastating to many students who would be unable to play the sports they love. Imagine if you are a three-sport athlete who already has to pay fees for uniforms, banquets,

 UPCOMING VARSITY GAMES

boosters, etc. Now, tack on another $150 just to play those three sports. Many parents simply cannot afford to pay those fees, especially if they have multiple children in high school who play sports. That could add up to $200 a year, which is $200 more than parents want to pay for a sport that has been free in years past. For students who play high school sports, it is about more than just playing a sport they love. Sports are a way to make friends, keep in shape or simply get out of the house and do something. However, if the district expects students to have to pay to play in a sport, many students will simply stop participating.

I know that $50 doesn’t seem like a lot of money, but it can really add up in the long run. If a student plays multiple sports every year in high school, that can add up to a hefty total of more than $600 coming out of a parent’s pocket for one student. Now throw in other sporting fees, and maybe another child who also plays sports, and the cost can become astronomical.

The great thing about high school sports has always been that whoever wants to play a sport will at least receive an opportunity to try out. Middle schools don’t offer organized sports because they cannot afford to have students play for free, and most students who play sports in high school probably won’t continue to play in college. This makes high

[ WHAT WILL WE PAY? ] 50 DOLLARS / Amount it would cost every

student to participate in a high school sport if pay to play was passed.

800 DOLLARS / Most it could cost a family for four years to play sports if pay to play was to go into effect.

200 DOLLARS / Most it could cost for one family for a year, if pay to play was passed.

21 / The number of sports at Northwest that would enforce the pay to play plan school the one great opportunity we have to play.

However, this pay to play proposition will no longer allow just anyone to participate, thus ruining all the athletic opportunities for high school students.

Softball

Baseball

April 12 vs. Olathe North, 4:15 p.m.

April 8 vs. Lawrence FSHS, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 vs. Olathe North, 6:15 p.m.

April 9 at Piper HS, 3 p.m.

April 15 vs. Law. FSHS, 4:15 p.m.

April 11 at SM South, 7 p.m.

Girls’ Swim and Dive

April 15 vs. Law. FSHS, 6:15 p.m.

April 14 at River City Festival

April 8 at Varsity dive, 5 p.m.

April 19 vs. SM West, 6:15 p.m.

vs. LS West, 4 p.m.

April 15 at river City Festival vs. Law. HS, 3p.m.

April 8 at Olathe Invite 5:15 p.m.

April 12 at Lawrence FSHS, 3:30 p.m.

Coed Track and field

April 19 vs. SM North, 4 p.m.

April 8 at Blue Valley relays, 3:30 p.m.

vs. Kickapoo HS, 11:30 a.m.

April 15 at Olathe East Quad, 3:45 p.m.

April 19 vs. Olathe East, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ Tennis April 11 at Olathe North, 3:30 p.m.

Girls’ Soccer

April 12 Saint Thomas Aquinas, 3:30 p.m.

April 9 vs. Washburn Rural, 5:30 p.m.

April 16 at SM Districts, TBA

April 12 vs. SM West, 7 p.m.

April 18 at SM South, 3:30 p.m.

April 14 at SM North, 7 p.m.

April 16 at River City Festival

Boys’ Golf April 11 vs. SMNW Golf Tourney, 3 p.m.

April 18 at Varsity League, 1 p.m.

April 19 vs. Law. FSHS, 7 p.m.

SPORTS

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IN focus

“I thought it was impressive and heroic of [the veterans] to be apart of the war effort and fight for our country, and their stories were very moving. ” —junior Josh King / PHOTO BY PETER KANG