the Northwest Passage — Issue 4 by Northwest Passage

vol. 43 | issue 4 | nov. 18, 2011

northwest

photo illustration by nate compton

BROTHERS AND SISTERS

While birth order effects arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t scientifically proven theories, many people agree that the order they are born in have an effect on their personalities. on page 13

FROM THE FRONT OF THE CLASS

Students share their experience leading NW clubs and organizations.

IRON WILL

Senior Abby Gomer participated in the Florida Ironman, a 140.6 mile triathlon.

Introduces:

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northwest

PASSAGE | CONTENTS

Issue 4 | Vol. 43 | Nov. 18, 2011 Shawnee Mission Northwest 12701 West 67th St., Shawnee, Kan., 66216

NEWS

FEATURES

recognizing outstanding educators

currently

Associate principal Lisa Gruman was recently honored with the prestigious Milken Educator Award. Pop culture and news from around the world

brothers and sisters

from the front of the class

photo by Kate Jacobsen

RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

OPINIONS inspired to inspire

The news of new siblings motivated one staff member to turn himself into something they could be proud of.

thank a teacher

Educators deserve recognition for the hard work they do for students.

reviews

New education iniatives taking steps toward more 21st century skills emphasize the importance of being part of or student organizations.

SPORTS 08

ENTERTAINMENT J. Edgar, Evan Shinn’s Absence of Love, Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto, Super Hyper Hydrator, H&M’s collection by Versace, Grimm, Florence + the Machine’s Ceremonials

While birth order isn’t a theory that can be proven with numbers, many people agree that the order they were born in impacts who they become and their relationship with their siblings.

18 FROM THE

FRONT OF THE CLASS

photo by Nate Compton

iron will

S-E-Ceding

Senior Abby Gomer was the youngest competitor in this year’s Florida Ironman, a 140.6 mile triathlon. The breakup of the University of Kansas and University of Missouri rivalry is something that will negatively impact both the fans and the teams.

northwest

[ staff ]

Co-editors-in-chief | Maria Davison + David

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Freyermuth

I am a middle child and, as most middle children will attest, we have it the hardest of all our siblings. Our older siblings got to do everything first. Our younger siblings get away with anything. The psychology of birth order isn’t exact and lacks the numbers to prove anything. The closest scientist have come so far is proving that oldest children, on average, have a 2.3 point IQ advantage on their next youngest sibling (page 14). And while all families don’t follow the stereotypes of their birth order, a pattern emerges in talking to siblings. Oldest children will tell you that they feel responsible for looking after their younger siblings and like their parents expect more from them. Middle children feel disconnected from the rest of their family. And youngest children look at what their older siblings did and often make decisions about their own lives based on that. Birth order effects may not be something scientists can prove with numbers and figures, but they exist. The order we were born in plays a huge role in how we view not only our families, but how we view ourselves as well.

Maria Davison

Freyermuth

Graphic Artist | Mitch Feyerherm News Editor | Hayley Battenberg Opinions Editors | Maria Davison + David Freyermuth

Entertainment Editor | Ashlee Crane Sports Editors | Logan Coffman + Brady Klein Staff Writers | Sam Bellmyer, Michael Catt, Rachel Ferencz, Baili Mcpheeters, Evan Shinn, Connor Thompson, Paige Waltman + Eric Zoellner

Co-Editor-in-Chief

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: The school tradition known as Jamesty has been a part of Northwest for more than 10 years. This event helped to educate students on the issues of human rights and allowed students to showcase their musical talents. Over the years, Jamnesty has raised thousands of dollars for the human rights organization, Amnesty International. However, in the last several years, attendance for this event dropped and NW administrators decided to end the Northwest tradition. Amnesty started passing around the “Save Jamnesty Petition” as way to demonstrate that the students of Northwest still want to attend Jamnesty and support human rights. The petition generated over 450 signatures and many of the signers even committed to paying for the event. Although they is aware of this petition, they are unwilling to meet with us to discuss Jamnesty any further. This does not mean amnesty will be giving up.

Jeffrey Willard Amnesty International

Contributor | Edelawit Hussien Adviser | Susan Massy

The purpose of the Northwest Passage is to relay important and interesting information to the community, administration and students of the 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 24page newsmagazine. The paper will be distributed every three weeks during fifth hour. Subscriptions will be available to the community for $25. 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 reserves the right to refuse any letter.

Nov. 18, 2011

NEWS

R EC O G N IZING

OUTST ANDIN G TEACHERS

Associate principal Lisa Gruman won a $25,000 Milken Educator award, one of only 40 awarded nationwide. by maria davison

(dominant) Lisa Gruman hugs Jane Foley after being anounced winner of the Milken Award on Nov. 1. Photo by Alex Stoll (above left) . The check of $25,000 is presented to associate principle Lisa Gruman. The Milken Award is only presented to the very best educators in the U.S. Photo by Carleigh Whitman (above right) Administrator Lisa Grumann covers her mouth in shock as she is announced Milken Award. Photo by Kate Jacobsen

Associate principal Lisa Gruman stood in the corner of the gym as Jane Foley, vice president of the Milken Family Foundation, paused dramatically. “It is my pleasure to announce the newest recipient of the Milken Educator Award — The Milken Educator Award goes to — Lisa Gruman.” Gruman was surprised with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award at a school-wide assembly Nov. 1. “[This award] means [Gruman is] the best of the best,” associate superintendent Gillian Chapman said. “She’s been publicly recognized for her leadership and the work that she does. It’s a huge deal.” Since 1985, the Milken Family Foundation has recognized more than 2,500 educators, giving away more than $63 million dollars in individual $25,000 awards. “At the Milken Foundation, we believe educators have the most important job in our country,” Foley said. “They have been entrusted with the responsibility of preparing [young people] for a bright future. Research and our own personal experience tell us the single most important educational element, determining how much you will learn in school, is the quality of the educator you encounter.” Only 40 educators receive Milken awards each year, with no more than one recipient in every state. Gruman was honored because she is “always visible in the building and is often described as an administrator who works with students on an individual level.” She has worked to implement the International Baccalaureate Program at

Northwest and with minority students to close gaps in reading and math achievement, according the the Milken Family Foundation website. In being recognized as an outstanding educator, Gruman becomes part of a network of previous Milken Educator Award winners and the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN). Both groups strive to share ideas to improve the educational experience. “[I hope to] have a positive impact on education at an even broader level,” Gruman said. “I want to continue to look at ways to improve the NW community and look at ways to help education all over the state.” Foley traveled from Santa Monica, Calif. to present the award at a school wide assembly. Kansas commissioner of education Dianne DeBacker, deputy commissioner of education Dale Dennis, state school board members, as well as superintendent Gene Johnson, associate superintendent Leigh Anne Neil, Chapman and several SM school board members attended the assembly. Rep. Kevin Yoder of the third district also came. The recipient of the award was a surprise to all in attendance. “Today recognizes, not only this fine teacher, but teachers all across Kansas who are doing such a great job preparing young minds for the future,” Yoder said. Gruman said she is excited to have the opportunity to share and generate ideas with other area educators. “To be able to work at a school with people you really enjoy, with the community and students you enjoy, and then for someone to recognize that,” Gruman said. “That is beyond anything I could hope for. It’s amazing.”

news

Pop culture and news from around the world.

compiled by Baili McPheeters

After 61 years of coaching at Penn State University, Joe Paterno was fired Nov. 10 for withholding information about the defensive coordinator for molesting at least 8 boys.

2500 people competed in the 2011 Ironman triathlon

Kansas City baseball great Buck O’Neil, who died in 2006, would have celebrated his 100th birthday Nov. 13. O’Neil was a prominent figure in the Negro Baseball League and is featured at the NBL Museum on 18th and Vine. O’Neil is also remembered with a special seat that is given to a fan who is involved in the community at each Royals game.

c 0 a 0 n 3 , s 9 + over $5600

were co

llected dur

with 92.3 Now radio, out of New York. http://923now.radio.com/2011/02/18/ne-yo-disses-artists-that-use-auto-tune/ Oct. 28, 2011

teachers out of the 6.2 million teachers win the $25,000 Milken award every year

ea r ing the NW Canned Food Drive last y

“AUTO-TUNE WAS MEANT TO BE A SAFETY NET, IT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE WINGS. IF YOU’RE USING IT FOR WHAT IT’S MEANT FOR, COOL, FINE, AND GOOD [NOT], I CAN’T SING AT ALL, SO LET’S TURN AUTO-TUNE ALL THE WAY UP SO I SOUND LIKE WILLY THE ROBOT,” — singer Ne-Yo said in an interview 06

183

pints of blood collected at last week’s blood drive — a NW record

OPINIONS

by sam bellmyer

INSPIRED TO INSPIRE

When my parents first told me about my new siblings, I knew my own behavior had to change first.

hen I first told everyone about my mother’s pregnancy, people asked me if I was jealous that she was having more children or, more accurately, if I would be jealous of the new children. It’s not crazy to think that I had some problems with being replaced, but my reaction was not quite so melodramatic. There was a lot more to the story than the fact that my mother was having a child with a man who was not my father. Or, specifically, two children — twin girls, in fact. The truth is that it doesn’t bother me all that much. Actually, I’ve wanted a sibling for years. It’s only a little ironic that my mother waited until I was just a few years away from college to have the sibling I’ve been asking for. Revelatory findings such as that make your mind wander to rather strange places. I began to think about how their school life would go and I compared it to my own. I found myself slightly disappointed at what I’ve done with my life so far.

One day I came to the realization that I was not doing anything with the time I had. I had absolutely nothing going on, and that made me cringe slightly because it meant that my new siblings wouldn’t be proud of me. For me, that was rather strange. I had never worried about disappointing people before, but now I could not help but think that I was ruining childhood for the twins about to be related to me. When I was in third grade, I enjoyed telling anyone who ever talked to me that my uncle was a sound engineer for the band Evanescence, even though at the time I didn’t know what that was. When I was younger, the biggest boast a child could make was always about an association with a famous person. When I realized that my uncle couldn’t know rock-stars forever, I also realized that young children need someone to brag about. And I want that person to be me. Suddenly, I was filled with the desire to make

something of myself. I simply want to be someone who could be bragged about. I want my siblings to hold up a published book and show the photo in the back saying ‘This is my brother.’ I want them to tell stories about me, or bring my works into show-and-tell, and I know that I’m at the point where I have to choose what I want them to tell the class. In an effort to find what I was good at, I began joining clubs, including this newspaper. I began reading poetry, writing in my spare time and studying up on things that fascinate me. That day, up in my room, I realized I was not doing anything and I found myself at a crossroads. I could decide that this was an attack on me, that I was going to be replaced and I would no longer be loved, the depressing life-ending option; or I could see it as a call to action, something that could drive me toward what I truly want to do. And I’m pretty happy with the fact that I chose the second one.

STAFF EDITORIAL:

THANK A TEACHER P

rops to the Milken Family Foundation for taking the time to thank great educators for all the work they do. Since 1985, the Milken Foundation has given away more than $63 million to outstanding teachers and principals across the country. The Milken Educator Award is heralded as the “Oscars of teaching.” There are no other awards like it. “We recognize excellence in other professions,” Jane Foley, vice president of the Milken Family Foundation said. “The best athletes get Heisman trophies. Entertainers get Grammys, Oscars and Emmys. In science and medicine, there are Nobel Prizes. But our educators, who have the most important job of all, haven’t had that kind of a celebration. That’s just wrong.” And she’s right. Educators play an incredibly important role in our lives everyday. They teach us

Not a teachers can be given $25,000 awards, but those who go out of their way to help students desrve more reocognition for their hard work.

how to find derivatives and integrals, the intervals in the circle of fifths and the hidden meanings in Macbeth’s soliloquies. But more importantly,

THE MAJORITY OPINION OF the northwest passage EDITORIAL STAFF

agree

disagree

they teach us about leadership, how to work in teams and how to appreciate literature, calculus, physics and music. A great teacher can inspire his or her students to become anything — even great teachers themselves. All too often, teachers don’t get the recognition

they deserve for the hard work they do. Teaching high school students to appreciate literature, calculus, physics and music can’t be easy. Not every teacher can be handed a Milken Educator Award and $25,000. But we, as the students, should at the very least show our gratitude for everything they do for us. Teachers became teachers in the hopes of having an impact in students’ lives. Take time today to thank a teacher for the hard work they do for you. Contact an old elementary or middle school teacher to thank them for talking you through a fight with a friend or your parents divorce. When you get something out of the day’s lesson, let them know, even if it’s just a quick comment as you walk out the door after class. They don’t hear it enough and it will mean the most coming from a student.

opinions

ENTERTAINMENT

things

with Design Editor Bailey Kopp photos by kate jacobsen and monique ware

The Wonder Years’ The Upsides

Very rarely can I listen to an album in its entirety, but The Upsides is happy pop-punk that I can’t help but listen to from start to finish. The growing-upand-moving-on feel to the lyrics just seriously pulls at my heart and makes me feel nostalgic for the future. The variety in each song allows the album to fit my mood no matter what the occasion. Maybe that’s why I listen to this release so often. $7 on iTunes.

French vanilla cappuccino from Phillips 66

Raspberry lemonade Blistex

With winter inevitably comes chapped lips. Since I’m a pro at losing lip balm, I’ve had the opportunity to try a bunch of brands and flavors. Blistex has always served me well, and when I stumbled upon raspberry lemonade, I did a happy dance in the gas station I purchased it in. $2

rainymood.com

The website’s tagline is “rain makes everything better” and I’d have to agree with them. When launched, rainymood. com automatically plays a loop of high quality rain and thunder sounds, perfect for writing a paper or trying to fall asleep.

Everyone typically needs a boost in the morning. Most obtain theirs from Starbucks for more than $4. Considering I’m typically in a hurry and short on cash, I like to pop into the Phillips 66 on Shawnee Mission Parkway and grab a cappuccino before school. 20 oz for $1.40

Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens

I purchased this a year and a half ago and it is still my primary lens. The small aperture is really helpful in low light situations and the shallow depth of field gives photos a professional look. The only thing is that with newer Nikon cameras (like mine), this lens lacks auto-focus capabilities but being forced to use manual focus has strengthened me as a photographer and allowed for more artistic freedom. $120

Coastal Scents warm palette

I first heard about Coastal Scents from Youtube makeup tutorial guru Michelle Phan. The warm palette has 88 colors complete with an entire spectrum of shades of nudes, rich browns and soft blues. Any skin tone is compatible. The pigments are a really high quality matte with a satiny finish that stays intact all day. $25

nov. 18, 2011

Good Magazine

Good magazine is exactly what its name implies — good. In fact, it’s striking. The way they present their news is refreshing and interesting to readers that might otherwise find the topic irrelevant. As a design geek, I pull a ton of inspiration from the infographics and graphic feel of the magazine. Their website, www.good.io, is just as absorbing and useful for viewing content if you can’t find a paper copy on newsstands. $6

Editor’s Pick

J. EDGAR An intense opening gives J. Edgar a running start that the rest of the movie doesn’t keep up with. Leonardo DiCaprio stars in this biographical drama about the rise and fall of the original head of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, J. Edgar Hoover. The movie flashes back and forth from those interviews to the event he is depicting. Throughout the entire film, Hoover is portrayed in a negative light that showcases his many faults, but that doesn’t take away from the movie. The movie itself wasn’t phenomenal but many different aspects of it made it better. Director Clint Eastwood chose the perfect actor for the job of J. Edgar Hoover with DiCaprio. His accent seemed real and not forced, unlike Robert Kennedy’s (Jeffery Donovan) extremely phony and, at times, painful one. Other memorable stars were Naomi Watts, who plays Hoover’s faithful assistant, and Armie Hammer, who effectively portrays Hoover’s right-hand man,

Clyde Tolson. The most impressive element of the movie was the makeup. Except for the scenes of Hoover’s childhood, DiCaprio was the only actor who played Hoover. They made him look like an old man, and everyone would have believed it if they just saw him walking down the street. Although all of the other makeup

RUNTIME: 137 minutes RATING: R was done well, Armie Hammer’s was awful. Overall, it wasn’t a bad movie; it could have just used some work, like how the directing was biased as it showed Hoover’s negative side a lot. It was a little bit long, but yet it still did not have enough information. If you are into history, it’s a decent movie; otherwise, seeing it would be wasting your time.

by connor thompson

SUPER HYPER HYDRATOR with coconut water

In the winter, my skin tends to feel more like peeling paint than a baby’s bottom. The mere hint of a chill in the air makes my face tight, flaky and dry in the extreme. I’ve tried intensive creams, moisturizing cleansers, overnight

WHERE TO BUY:

Sephora in Oak Park Mall PRICE: $40 facials and every other product that claims to relieve thirsty skin. No matter how much I did, though, I still had patches of peeling epidermis. Dr. Nicholas Perricone’s Super Hyper Hydrator with Coconut Water might be my saving grace. The moisturizer is more of a gel than a cream, which helps to

courtesy of constantin film

REVIEWS

prolong the effects and promote quick absorption. When first applied, the gel is a little thick, but that’s exactly what I need. It feels heavy and smells sweet for a few minutes, but rapidly fades into a soft matte finish with no odor, leaving skin smooth and silky. I’ve only been using Hyper Hydrator for a few days, but the difference in my skin is noticeable, both in appearance and feel. For supersensitive skin like mine, this might be the ideal moisturizer.

by hayley battenberg

photo by mikala compton

ABSENCE OF LOVE

Senior Evan Shinn released his selfproduced album Absence of Love on Oct. 25, and it shows a whole new side of him, a deeper persona, with plenty of stories to tell of heartbreak and love, that many of his peers wouldn’t may not have known about. The album starts out with “Nothing to Fake,” which reflects the Shinn we see at school who’s really down-to-earth and owns his identity. The second track, “Leslie,” is by far the most eccentric song. Shinn’s deep, electronicallyaltered voice repeats the line “Leslie told me everything/while you were in the bathroom.” You have to listen to the rest of the lyrics to fully appreciate the song and understand the meaning of the track, which tells a fictional story of domestic abuse. “I was obsessed with making a weird lyric up, and [that main line] is really obscure, so I needed PLACES TO DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire. com/?xkh8o5a4pk7587y something to go along with that,” Shinn said. Shinn teams up with a few other NW students to complete two more tracks on his album. “Casablanca” has a guest appearance by senior Kenny Jackson, and “Spring” features senior Isabel Zacharias. The synchronicity of Shinn Zacharias’s haunting voice in the background of the song “Spring” is beautiful, and her vocals give that female perspective to the story behind the song. “Isabel Zacharias is a very dear friend of mine and I love her voice,” Shinn said. “I wrote this song, but I needed her voice; she’s very talented, and I wanted to share something with her.” “Casablanca,” his team-up with Jackson, gives a fresh, upbeat boost

Evan Shinn

cover photo by bailey kopp that the album needed. The raps, jam-packed with references to pop culture (including a Humphrey Bogart line, hence the track title) kept me giggling, seeing as I’m a pretty big movie and TV buff. The fourth track, “When She Falls Asleep,” one of the unexpected love songs is definitely my favorite song on the album because of the amazing buildup, followed by an instrumental explosion of emotion. Shinn’s use of auto-tune was perfectly placed in this track, giving the song a great mix of his natural voice and the electronic elements he enjoys using so often. It’s hard to pick just one favorite song, since I’m certain that I love all of them equally. However, the second best song on the album, “I Fell Astray,” has a chorus with what sounds like a crowd of Evan Shinns that vocalizes the beat. “Air of Finality,” Shinn’s favorite song on the album, wraps up the album in a clever, and not to mention beautiful, way. The final song is “Air of Finality.” Like I said, clever. The fact that he is offering a free downloadable album provides no reason not to check it out. I highly suggest taking the time to listen to it, and I’m sure if you don’t even have the time to download it, just go up to him and ask him for a copy. That’s how I got it, and now I’m in love.

by ashlee crane

entertainment

REVIEWS

UPCOMING RELEASES

MYLO XYLOTO Coldplay

MOVIE:

The Artist — Nov. 23 Hugo — Nov. 23

Amy Winehouse — Lioness: Hidden Treasures Dec. 5

BOOK:

VIDEO GAME:

Lady Gaga by Lady Gaga — Nov. 22 The Future of Us by Jay Asher — Nov 21

ALBUM:

Batman Arkham City: Robin bundle pack — Nov. 20 — Xbox 360 Just Dance 3 — Dec. 6 — PS3

Kate Bush — 50 Words for Snow — Nov. 21

GRIMM

The fairytales of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, more famously known as the Brothers Grimm, provide the eerie inspirations for NBC’s new fantasy-drama series Grimm. Based on a red-riding-hoodthemed pilot, director Marc Buckland wants to keep the show as close to the original stories as possible. Police officer Nick Burckhardt (David Guintoli) is a monster hunter

NETWORK: KSHB 41 AIRTIME: Fridays, 8 p.m. by birth (called a Grimm), a fact which he discovers in this episode. The case he is working involves two girls in red hoodies disappearing, and a mysterious animal attack. Turns out, a werewolf is committing the crimes. He lives in a cottage in the woods, both victims were wearing bright red hooded sweat shirts and the second girl he kidnaps was going to her grandparent’s house. I love

Nov. 18, 2011

hokey shows as much as the next person, but this is pushing it. Give the audience some credit — they realize they’re tuning into a series based on Grimm’s fairy tales. The allusions don’t need to be in-yourface obvious. Other than the overly noticeable

photo courtesy of NBC

connections, though, this isn’t a half-bad addition to the new fall lineup. A blutbad gone good brings comedic relief and is a wonderful foil character to Guintoli’s serious role. The cast was actually a decent group of novice actors, and the reactions to situations were realistic. If you don’t love goofy TV, don’t tune in. But, if you adore guilty pleasure television and scary monsters, maybe you’ll like this hour-long show.

Coldplay instantly became recognized as a rock-pop powerhouse after the release of their debut album Parachutes back in 2000. Their newest release, Mylo Xyloto, is proof that they haven’t sold out; if anything, they are improving. The album opens with the song “Mylo Xyloto,” which acts as an instrumental prelude to “Hurts Like Heaven.” It takes about 20 seconds to realize that it’s a Coldplay album, but the first two songs manage to contain an innovative sound. “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” and “Paradise” were the first singles released. And while I fell in love with them months ago, I now have a new appreciation for the tracks after hearing the record as a whole. All 14 songs flow beautifully

photo by david freyermuth

together to tell a story. “Charlie Brown” makes me feel like I’m driving, windows down in 80 degree weather with my best friend. Brian Eno’s production work

SONG TO DOWNLOAD:

“Major Minus” on the album really shines through with this tune. It’s a masterpiece of ambient soundwaves. Rihanna makes an appearance on “Princess of China.” I’ve never been a fan of her, but Chris Martin’s vocals and the instrumentals save the poorly paired duet. The last track is a perfectly synthesized and subtle finale. The song isn’t attempting to be one last hurrah; it wraps up the album in a suitably soft tone. Mylo Xyloto is an album worth sitting down and listening to. If you’ve been a fan for years, or if you’re just now discovering Coldplay, you won’t be disappointed.

by paige waltman

FOR MORE REVIEWS, VISIT SMNW.COM

Take Care Drake

This smooth R&B album has the potential to be one of the best of 2011.

The Rub

In a city full of famous barbeque joints, this restaurant has some work to do before meeting the level of many others.

by hayley battenberg

REVIEWS

STAFF PICKS

VERSACE

for H&M

photos courtesy of She Finds, Wire Image and British Vogue Versace is recognized by fashion elite as the prime example of glamour and risktaking genius. And when the designer, Donatella, announced the collaboration with fastfashion retailer H&M, girls everywhere were dying to get their hands on these creations. The clothes that were first

WHERE TO BUY:

H&M 440 W. 47th St. Country Club Plaza

presented on the runway last Tuesday lived up to the hype surrounding the collaboration. Donatella stayed true to the Versace name by sending studs, sequins, leather and lace down the runway. The models were given dark smoky eyes, long pin-straight

Staff members’ favorite songs of the moment

hair with a silk black bandanna, giving them an edgy, rock ‘n’ roll look. There were studded leather jackets, a metallic dress, fitted suits in bright colors and tons of tropical prints to make you forget what season it is. Many of the looks were recreations of iconic Versace looks. There even was a black dress with gold hardware resembling a Versace gown made famous by Elizabeth

CEREMONIALS Many Americans got their first taste of Florence Welch at the 2010 VMAs as she performed her spectacular, gospel-inspired “Dog Days Are Over,” with choirs, tribal dancers and a spinning platform. But, for those viewers, that was it. Florence and the Machine’s popularity in the United States isn’t as immense as it is in the U.K. Welch’s latest album Ceremonials recently knocked Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto to No. 2 on the U.K. charts. Ceremonials sold more than 90 thousand copies in its first week, but didn’t even make the cut for the Billboard Top 200, where Coldplay reigned. This is unfortunate because

Champions

Metta World Peace

brady klein

Take Care

Drake Hurley. The line, in my opinion, was worth the long wait. Donatella Versace was quite successful in recreating those high fashion looks for less.

photo courtesy of universal music group

by edelawit hussien

Florence + the Machine

pop sub-genres, the overall theme touches on much different topics and further showcases the band’s ability to write anthems. Welch has an SONG TO DOWNLOAD: incredible talent for “Only If For a Night” taking an obscure melody, putting profound lyrics to it and making it catchy without going overboard. This shows in the album’s highlights. Songs like “Shake It Off,” “Leave My Body” and “Only If For A Night,” will leave the listener shaken by the power of Welch’s voice and her ability to catch courtesy of florenceandthemachine.net your attention with every first release Lungs, with the word. exceptions of the few songs by evan shinn where Welch experiments with

rachel ferencz

Born Depressed Drill Queen

sam bellmyer

Ceremonials is an epic thing to behold. Although, sonically, it sounds similar to the band’s

photo courtesy of sanctusreal.com

Dear Heart

Sanctus Real

mikala compton

Aquarium: Carnival of the Animals Camille Saint-Saens

brianna leyden

entertainment

[

]

forgot your camera? we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. check out:

FEATURES

brothers and sisters

While birth order is only recognized scientifically as a theory, it can play a huge role in how siblingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personalities and how they interact with each other. by maria davison, baili mcpheeters + connor thompson

features

enior Taylor and sophomore Tori Tummons say they are as different as siblings can be. Except that they look alike. And that’s just what everyone else says; the two girls, however, don’t think they look anything alike. “As siblings, we’re probably the most independent people I know,” Taylor said. “In my case, I feel like I’m really independent because [my parents] pushed me a lot harder than my other siblings. In Tori’s case, they gave her less attention, which made her more independent.” Taylor is the oldest of three. Tori is the middle, and their younger brother Tyler is 13. Tori and Taylor agree that the order they were born in is part of the reason they are so different. “[With] Taylor, being the first born, we laid down our rules, and our expectations,” Jeff Tummons, Taylor and Tori’s dad said. “When Tori came around, Taylor always thought that Tori would get away with things that Taylor thought she should. I think that they don’t get along as well because of that.” Birth order isn’t an exact science. In fact, some scientists argue that it isn’t a science at all. Studying birth order means studying families, and since all families are different, studying them can present a challenge. At best, this is a theory that fits some families and, at worst, birth order stereotypes mean nothing. The study of birth order and its relationship to personality can actually be traced back to 1874 when English scientist Francis Galton published a book exploring the relationship between prominent scientists and the order they were born in. He found that, of these 99 male scientists, 48 percent were either oldest children or only children. Statistically, first born children more likely to have a higher IQ score than their

Nov. 18, 2011

younger siblings. A 2007 Norwegian study of the relationship between birth order and intelligence found that the oldest child had an average IQ score 2.3 points higher than the next oldest child, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. But the results of those IQ tests are within about five points either way of the subject’s true score, and with a gap of only two points, it’s difficult to say whether that data makes a difference or not. According to the same study, children from larger families are also have lower IQ scores than those from smaller families. But a study published by the American Psychological Association found no direct link between family size and intelligence. There is another (or multiple other) ways to explain all of these phenomena. For example, a child’s IQ could be affected by the IQ of their parents. Parents with lower IQ scores could tend to have larger families. Taylor said she doesn’t believe every part of the birth order effect is really accurate. In some ways, her own family doesn’t follow the stereotypes. “I do believe that the order we were born in does make us a little of who we are though,” Taylor said. “We have different pressures put on us.”

the oldest child

All oldest children were only children, at least until their younger siblings came along. For the first few years of their lives, oldest children got all the parental attention and resources. Parents generally spend more time reading and explaining things to their oldest child, according to an MSNBC article. Younger siblings often don’t have the same advantage. The undivided attention oldest children get from their parents is part of the reason they tend to be overachievers. Firstborn children are also more likely to become CEOs, according to a USA Today article. The reason could lie in a slightly higher IQ score; but, more likely, it’s from the undivided parental attention early in life. Oldest children often have to look after younger children,

which can help them learn to be more independent at a young age. “I feel like the guinea pig sometimes, but I’m a responsible person and part of that could be attributed to the fact that I’m the oldest,” senior Stephanie Smith said. “The two youngest were babies at the same time, so I helped my mom. I don’t know if I mothered them a little bit, but sometimes my little sister used to yell at me for mothering her.” Stephanie is the oldest of four. Her next youngest sibling is sophomore Lauren Smith and the two youngest are 12 and 11. Stephanie said she thinks her younger siblings rely more on the help of her parents than she did. “When I was little and I couldn’t figure out a math problem, I had to sit there and try to figure it out for myself before I asked my parents for help,” Stephanie said. “I think part of that is just my own drive, but I think part of that is that I was the oldest. My little sister looks at math problems and will be like ‘I don’t think I know how to do this.’ She’ll ask my mom for help and then my mom will help her.” Taylor said she thinks her parents have higher expectations for her than for her younger siblings, which often means taking part of the blame. “I think parents try really hard to focus a lot of attention on the older child to make them get it right, and are more confident with each child after,” social worker Donda Mclaughlin-Compton said. “They start to ease up on some of the pressure that transfers to the child.” McLaughlin-Compton is a medical social worker for Odyssey Hospice. She works with family therapy. Stephanie’s parents were more strict with her than they were with her younger siblings. “I wasn’t allowed to watch [PG-13 movies] until I was twelve,” Stephanie said. “And I know that Lauren watched it with me, so she was definitely 10. My

[youngest] sister has [already] seen PG13 movies.” For Taylor, being the oldest isn’t always the easiest place to be. “There’s so much responsibility in being the oldest,” Taylor said.

the middle child

Middle children don’t live with the high expectations that are placed on the oldest child and they also aren’t given the care often reserved for youngest children. Unlike the oldest and youngest, middle children never spend any time as an only child, meaning less parental attention overall. According to a TIME Magazine article, middle children tend to have the lowest self-esteem of all their siblings. Taylor and Tori often don’t get along, but Taylor and the youngest Tummons child, Tyler, who is 13 get along and stick up for each other. Tori believes she and Taylor don’t get along because they are so close in age, whereas Taylor and Tyler are far enough apart that they don’t fight as much. Middle children never get the full attention of their parents as an only child, which can be emotionally taxing on them, according to a TIME Magazine article. Middle children also tend to have the lowest self esteem of their siblings. Tori said that she tends to “mind her own business, in her own world.” She said she talks a lot, but her family doesn’t always listen. “I don’t really care what other people say,” Tori said. “If I think it’s right, then I’ll do what I want to do.” Lauren acknowledges that she isn’t always as responsible as her older sister. “I know I’m not as responsible as [Stephanie],” Lauren said. “She’s the one usually doing her homework right as she gets home from school. [That’s] not so much for me.”

I do believe that the order we were born in does make us a little of who we are though. We have different pressures put on us.” — senior Taylor Tummons.

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When I was little and I couldn’t figure out a math problem, I had to sit there and try to figure it out for myself before I asked my parents for help. I think part of that is just my own drive, but I think part of that is that I was the oldest. My little sister looks at math problems and will be like ‘I don’t think I know how to do this.’ She’ll ask my mom for help and then my mom will help her.” — senior Stephanie Smith

Lauren was also more independent as a child than her three siblings. She would often run off from her parents. None of her other siblings ever did that. “My mom always told me that I was more independent in simple things like not wanting to cross the road with my mom,” Lauren said. “I taught myself to swim without floaties.” Lauren also said that her older sister played a role in teaching her things as she grew up. “I feel, not neglected, but I had to learn things on my own more. Your parents don’t hover as much when you have a sibling. [Stephanie] taught me stuff, but I didn’t learn it from my mom. I learned it from a child’s perspective, I guess.”

the youngest child

The youngest children in a family are often treated as babies. They are more adventurous, funnier and often less driven than their older siblings, according to a TIME Magazine article. Youngest siblings, like middle children, tend to score higher on agreeably tests than oldest siblings. Sophomore Mia Woodward is the youngest of four children. The next youngest sister in her family is almost nine years older. “I don’t get treated as an only child, even though I am the only one in the house,” Woodward said. “[My parents] still keep close tabs on all my other siblings as much as me.” Youngest children tend to be more adventurous than their older siblings and more open to taking physical risks, according to an MSNBC article. That means they are more likely to engage in physically demanding sports, like football or rugby, instead of tennis or track.

Nov. 18, 2011

Growing up, Mia always knew she wanted to be a basketball player because it was a sport none of her other siblings tried. “My oldest sister Nikki danced, A.J played hockey and Whitney was a cheerleader,” Mia said. “I used to dance, but basketball is where I am most comfortable.” The career paths of her siblings are part of the reason that Mia thinks birth order has had an effect on her family. “Nikki, my oldest sister was the smartest out of all of us. She’s an engineer, A.J is unemployed, Whitney works at Aeropostale and I want to play basketball.” Sophomore Kendall Spencer is also the youngest child in his family. His older brother is 2011 graduate A.J. Spencer. While Kendall does

feel pressure to live up to his older brother, it isn’t a sibling rivalry. “We have always gotten along, I’ve never been jealous of him he has always just helped me,” Kendall said. Although his brother is now in college, Kendall still feels the effects of having a successful older brother. “My brother left a huge impression on the school and I’d like to do the same, maybe even do better. He set a goal for me,” Kendall said.

the theory

Most people would agree that the order they were born in had something to do with their development as a person. Many parenting websites offer advice on how to approach each child based on birth order. “I think generally families follow the birth order pattern. But each and every family has unique circumstances,” McLaughlinCompton said. Like any theory, there are holes to be poked in it. Resolving the debate over birth order, family size and intelligence published by the American Psychological Association looked at the data claiming that children from larger families have lower IQ scores and ruled that it wasn’t reliable. Whether the theory can be proved or not, Taylor believes that birth order has had an effect on her family. “I think [the birth order theory is] true for the oldest and the youngest,” Taylor said. “In my family, the middle doesn’t get as much pressure, and she get to make more decisions for herself. She doesn’t get criticized as much as I would because I’m the [oldest].”

On average, oldest children have higher IQ scores than their younger siblings and are likely to earn more throughout their lives. Oldest children tend to be perfectionists and sometimes have troubling admitting that they’re wrong.

HELLO I’

the BIRTH ORDER effect Being in between oldest and youngest siblings generally leads middle children to be more agreeable and have better people skills than their siblings. They often form stronger relationships with their friends because they don’t feel like part of their family.

Youngest children are often the most outgoing and adventurous of their siblings, as well as charming and creative. Being the baby of the family, their older siblings often thinks the youngest can get away with anything.

the oldest

HELLO I’M

the youngest

HELLO I’M:

the middle

Information from parents.com and jobs.aol.com

features

FEATURES Junior Garrett Allen tells classes about the Canned Food Drive. Student Council representatives visited each class to inform them of the drive. Photo by Monica Castellon

Nov. 18, 2011

FROM THE FRONT OF THE CLASS

Student leaders at Northwest share their perspective on what it is like to lead a class. by ashlee crane + brady klein Seventh hour is about to begin in room 210. At the front of the room, Taryn Vogel reads a list of what needs to be done before the next day’s assembly. Vogel, however, is not the teacher. That’s Spirit Club sponsor Drew Magwire. Vogel is the co-president of Spirit Club, a school-sponsored organization run predominantly by students. “We organize [Spirit Club]; we know what the students want,” Vogel said. In organizations like Spirit Club, theater, journalism and Student Council, students lead the class and teachers take on the role of adviser, rather than instructor.

“Sometimes we want to do a certain activity but we’re not really sure how to get from [point] A to [point] B,” said Amanda Gerber, Thespian Troupe #888 treasurer. “[The difficulty is] just the process of trying to do things that we want to do.” And that’s one of the most valuable aspects of a student-led organization — learning to problem-solve creatively and to think critically. In fact, the Kansas State Department of Education is joining other state departments of education in recognizing 21st Century Skills and reorganizing the state curriculum to emphasize the

very skills that are at the heart of student-led organizations. According to Tony Wagner in his book, The Global Achievement Gap, those 21st century skills include curiosity, imagination, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and leading by influence, adaptability, initiative, effective oral and written communication, accessing and analyzing information. “These skills have always been key to journalism programs,” Susan Massy, publications adviser, said. “In the course of producing the yearbook, the newspaper and the website, students work with deadlines, problem-solve to deal with the daily stresses inherent in group work, and constantly synthesize information both as they write stories and as they work collaboratively.” “It’s a lot of learning how to work with other people which is an important skill for working in the real world,” NW Passage co-editor-in-chief Maria Davison said. “It’s up to the students and editors to make the newspaper happen. It’s a lot about learning to be successful without someone always there to back you up.” Vogel also acknowledges the problems she faces in balancing the need to be a leader with the need to be a peer. “On Spirit Club executive board, there are seven kids who sometimes think I’m being too bossy, or they think that I’m acting more like a mom than a peer,” Vogel said. “I forget that sometimes, too.” Spirit Club sponsor Drew Magwire says that a student leader cannot be hesitant to tell people what to do and to take charge. “There are times where you have to be like, ‘Hey this is what you have to do, get it done,’” Magwire said. “I think sometimes kids fear that if they’re in that leadership role they won’t be included with the rest of the kids, because they have to play enforcer.” Being able to organize others is an important skill to develop in today’s business-driven world. However, in certain situations, there is a need for an overseer. StuCo parliamentarian Abby Hoelting recognizes this need and realizes that having an adviser is a huge aid in running an organization. “Student leaders don’t always consider every aspect. It’s very helpful to have Mrs. Dent who’s been through all the events we’ve put on,” Hoelting said. “She thinks of everything, like emailing the custodians to set up chairs and tables, and she thinks of how to contact all of the organizations. It’s nice to have someone who knows how to cover every single aspect of it.” “Parents and teachers have had more experience and they know how to organize [events] better than we do,” Vogel said. “It’s good to have a sponsor there to make sure things run smoothly.” In journalism, students not only must make these process-oriented decisions, but must insure that the publications operate within a budget as well as within legal boundaries.

“If a writer makes an error, not only does the entire school see it, but it could have legal repercussions if it is libelous or obscene,” Passage copy editor Brianna Leyden said. “When students write an English paper, if there is a typo or mistake, the only problem it leads to is a few points off on an assignment. For us, we not only face criticism from the readers, but the possibility of being sued.” Real life repercussions are an integral part of being a part of a student-led organization. “School is a great way to have kids see the real world in a ‘fake’ world,” Magwire said. “[With] anything that happens in school, the outcome is not going to be as bad as it could be in the real world.” The ability to face harsh consequences is one of the most basic criteria of being a student leader. Gerber thinks that many of the other criteria are character-based. “To be a good leader, you need to be dedicated, for sure. If you are a leader, then you have to show everyone else a good example of what it is that you’re trying to do,” Gerber said. “You have to be the person to say, ‘Hey, I’m going to help you out because I want to.’ You’re that person that’s going to step up and say ‘Hey, people. Here’s what we have to do.’” Vogel has realized that the experience of leading her peers has give her a sense of independence and encourages a higher level of maturity. “I have a job, and I have to do a lot of other things on my own, especially since I’m so busy,” Vogel said. “Sometimes I’m just completely on my own. I think being a leader prepares you for having to step into this and be independent and [better at] decision-making.” Hoelting sees the personal satisfaction of helping people as the best part of being a StuCo officer. “I have always been a natural-born leader; so for me, it’s just natural to take the reigns and run StuCo,” Hoelting said. “I think it’s really satisfying to know I’m doing everything that I can to help people out. For example, with Adopt-aTot, it’s really cool to see the kids’ reactions that I probably wouldn’t have noticed as much if I wasn’t in StuCo.” Vogel and Gerber agree that opportunities like this not only benefit the leaders, but also encourage younger members of the organization to take on a role like theirs. “[To them] it’s like ‘Hey, that’s somebody who’s my age, and that’s somebody I know and they are out there running this.’ It kind of shows them that they could do the same,” Vogel said. “It shows the freshmen that there is something higher up, other than just a teacher,” Gerber said. “There’s someone that you can look up to because they have been in your position, and they were able to achieve a position of leadership. It gives all the underclassmen someone to look up to.”

THERE ARE TIMES WHERE YOU HAVE TO BE LIKE, ‘HEY THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO, GET IT DONE. I THINK SOMETIMES KIDS FEAR THAT IF THEY’RE IN THAT LEADERSHIP ROLE THEY WON’T BE INCLUDED WITH THE REST OF THE KIDS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO PLAY ENFORCER.” — Spirit club sponsor Drew Magwire

TOP: Senior Alex Nepote work on a flier in Spirit Club on Nov. 14. Spirit Club takes place in room 219 during seventh hour. Photo by Nate Compton BOTTOM: Junior Reagan Wilks informs senior Jake Gipple of the class activities in fifth hour student Council on Nov. 11. Photo by Mikala Compton

features

IRON WILL

Senior Abby Gomer tested herself in the world’s most demanding by logan coffman + eric zoellner endurance competition. photos courtesy of abby gomer

hile speculations of college football games and the upcoming winter sports seasons were on most students’ minds last November, senior Abby Gomer was focused on something else. Gomer was preparing to take the first step of completing a life-changing task — an Ironman. Gomer sat at her computer, hastily filling out the online registration form. In another room, her mom, Christina, did the same. After all the information was entered, she put in her credit card number and hit “Accept”. There was no going back now. She had paid the $500 and officially registered for Ironman Florida in Panama City Beach, a 140.6 mile triathlon that consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a marathon (26.2-mile run).

Nov. 18, 2011

Gomer signed up for the race over a year ago, the very second registration opened. “A couple of months before we signed up, my mom brought it up and asked me if I really wanted to do this,” Gomer said. “I had no reason to say no then. We did the math. I would be 18 by the time of the race [competitors must be 18 or older]. We had both of our computers on the registration screen because it fills up quick.” Previous competitors get first priority to register for the race, so Gomer and her mom weren’t sure if they could even get in. After they heard that they were officially registered, they began to train. “We started training exactly a year ago. We went on the Internet and printed off a year-long training log,” Gomer said. “The log was written by

a guy who does national training for those who want to do decent in an Ironman.” Gomer’s training regimen consisted of intense endurance workouts six days a week. Each day, Gomer and her mom trained for at least two of the three events: swimming, biking and running. “It started off with a 45-minute run and a 1-hour bike ride , then it consistently got longer,” Gomer said. “The weekends were the hard days; for some, we got up to a five-hour bike ride, then a one-hour run and a one-hour swim.” Gomer racked up long distances during training. As a member of the swim team, Gomer swam far more than the necessary 2.4 miles required in training. The longest Gomer trained was 16.5 miles of running and a 109-mile biking

SPORTS route. Based on her training, Gomer set a goal of Gomer, most difficult event, the marathon run. The had your name on it so the crowds of people by the 14 hours to complete the Ironman. only thing on Gomer’s mind as she began was to finish are yelling your name and encouraging you After training for nearly a year, the event remember her training and be sure to pace herself. to keep going,” Gomer said. “I felt really close to crept closer. Even with the Herculean task of the Gomer had a well-planned strategy of running for all these strangers yelling at me. There was a man Ironman ahead of her, Gomer stayed confident in five minutes then walking for one. on a mic and when you crossed the finish line he her abilities. would say, ‘You are an Ironman.’” “I never really had any doubts,” And that’s exactly what Gomer Gomer said. “I had seen the old people was. She finished with a time of 12 doing it on TV so I knew that I could hours, 24 minutes, and 46 seconds, do it. I just wasn’t sure about what my which landed her 1,077th out of the time would be.” 2,945 competitors. Gomer finished Gomer loaded up on carbohydrates 133rd of the roughly 500 women that in the days leading up to the race and took part in the race. tried to get a good amount of sleep. “My legs just felt like jello. They She was worried she was going to be had multiple volunteers who literally too nervous to sleep the night before helped me walk over to a seat,” Gomer the race, but the nerves didn’t set in said. until later. Gomer then received a “The night before the race I was complimentary 15-minute massage a little nervous about whether I was and waited for her mom to finish. going to be able to make my 14-hour Christina crossed the finish line two goal. Right before the swim was when hours after Abby. If it wasn’t for I was most nervous.” Gomer said. Gomer’s mom, she would have never ”It was a mass start of nearly 2,500 done the Ironman. people, so it was a huge mess; that’s “It was really cool to have my mom when it hit me that I was about do an as a buddy to do it with because it Ironman.” would have been really boring to do But Gomer was ready. She was this alone,” Gomer said. “She was standing on the beach with her mom always the one to make me train when when the starter gave the signal. All I had lots of homework. She always of the competitors, except for the made sure I was on the treadmill each professionals, who started 10 minutes night.” earlier, ran into the ocean. Gomer sacrificed a lot of her time “The beginning was really hectic,” so she could do this. She gave up Gomer said. “There were a bunch of the normal social life of a teenager serious guys who would elbow you to achieve a feat few people ever and pull you back in order to get attempt. ahead. Luckily, my goggles didn’t fall “I never really went out at all off. After the first 100 yards, the pack because I was always training,” Gomer spaced out and everyone got into their said. “I gave up Friday night football own groove.” games and hanging out with friends. After completing the swim, Gomer All of my time was spent either ran on the beach to volunteers called training or working. My best friends During the Florida Ironman, senior Abby Gomer swam 2.4 miles in the “strippers,” which is Ironman lingo became the adults I would go on bike Atlantic Ocean followed by a 112-mile bike race and a marathon. Gomer for those who rip off the wetsuits rides with.” completed the Ironman in 12 hours, 24 minutes and 46 seconds. competitors have to wear. From there, But now that Gomer has returned Gomer headed to the showers to wash to Kansas, she has resumed the life off the salt water and sand. “It was nice because there were aid stations of a normal teenager, thinking about upcoming “The showers didn’t really work. They would every mile with plenty to drink and eat,” Gomer basketball games and schoolwork. Looking back, only drip a few drops so the rest of the race I was said. Gomer is proud of what she did and has thought covered in sand,” Gomer said. The Ironman organizers were especially careful about giving it another go. Gomer took a generous amount of transition when dealing with the drained competitors. “Right when I crossed the finish line I thought, time to ensure she was well-equipped for the brutal After an exhausting 26.2 miles, Gomer saw the ‘I’m never doing this ever again’. But now that I’ve second leg of the triathalon, a 112-mile bike ride. large purple arch covered with sponsors that she thought about it, I really think I could improve “I made sure I had plenty to eat and drink thought was the finish line. my time and I would like to try it again,” Gomer and that I had sunscreen on before I left,” Gomer “I ran under it and thought I was done but it said. “It was definitely worth it. I proved to myself said. “During the bike ride, it was really windy so turned out I had a couple hundred yards more.” that I could do anything once I completely devoted it was nice when the wind was at my back, but Gomer said. ” I just pushed through and made it.” myself to it. Ironman was truly a great experience when I had to ride into it, I felt like I was going During the final dash, crowds surrounded the and left me with memories I will cherish forever.” exhaustingly slow.” finish and cheered Gomer on. Gomer then moved on to the final and, for “It was really cool because your number sheet

“It was definitely worth it. I proved to myself that I could do anything once I completely devoted myself to it.”

sports

by logan coffman

S-E-CEDING College conferences like the Big 12 need to stop rearranging their teams and stick with what they’ve got in order to avoid killing age old rivalries and losing fan base.

ov. 6, 2011 marked the death of a 103-year-old border state rivalry between Kansas and Missouri with roots as deep as the Civil War. Missouri officially announced it would be heading to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) which now brings the number of teams filling the SEC to ….wait, I lost track. Oh yeah, 14. The crumbling Big 12 has lost one of the most interesting and exciting rivalries in the nation. In the words of Stephen A. Smith, quite frankly, this is a joke. Missouri chancellor Brady J. Deaton broke word of the team’s exodus through ESPN.com stating that, “The Southeastern Conference is a highly successful, stable, premier athletic conference that offers exciting opportunities for the University of Missouri.” Wow, three general cliche statements, that when used together, add up to a poorly hidden meaning: more money. This is a catastrophe. I never actually believed it would come to this. I honestly thought we lived in a world where love of competition triumphed over the love of money, but I guess naiveté has a price. The enormity of this decision won’t sink in for fans until they get to football season next year when the changes will take place; the school signed the agreement that initiates in July of 2012. Although KU and MU could technically play each other during non-conference play, I seriously doubt that the match up will occur as often as some may think. Talk has already been spreading around of KU and K-State not playing MU. Missouri’s decision has left their rivals somewhat bitter. Big 12 Chancellor Chuck Neinas described the loss of Missouri in a statement released through ESPN.com, “The decision by the University of Missouri to leave the Big 12 Conference is disappointing,” Neinas said in a statement. “Mizzou has been a valuable member, with a Conference connection to schools in the Big 12 that dates back to 1907. I personally

Nov. 18, 2011

believe this decision is a mistake and that Missouri is a better fit in the Big 12.” I’m not even a Missouri fan, and I’m afraid to see what will happen to them next football season when they go up against “big time” SEC teams such as Florida and Alabama. Don’t get me wrong, Mizzou has a great athletic program but they will struggle against teams who thrive in a region where football and religion are synonymous. It’s unfortunate that the greed of a few men could take a staple rivalry like KU-MU away from thousands. This decision has resulted in many losses for fans. There will no longer be Border War games, College Gameday will never roll into Lawrence or Columbia and the witty t-shirts antagonizing opposing teams will most likely cease to exist. I don’t really know what I am supposed to do at this point. Do I root against Mizzou when they play against other teams like I used to? Do I feel a sense of pride when I walk around my Mizzou fan friends while wearing KU apparel? It just won’t be the same without the rivalry. If you put the shoe on the other foot, it is even harder to figure out how to react. As a Mizzou fan, should I be mad? I can’t really see MU fans driving all the way to Florida, or Alabama to watch their beloved Tigers play. At this point, it doesn’t look like MU will ever return to the Big 12. So for fans crossing their fingers to see exciting rivalry games... sorry. The only real solution to this problem will have to come from MU Alum’s and fans. By voicing their disapproval and expressing interest in retaining membership in the Big 12, MU might have a shot at coming back. For now, sports fans whose teams still reside in the Big 12 can only look forward with a positive attitude and welcome new teams like TCU and West Virginia to the conference. Maybe somewhere down the road one of these teams can fill the void left by the departure of a great team.

BY THE NUMBERS

teams participated in the Powderpuff Vo l l e y b a l l g a m e s

The boys’ cross country team’s finish at the Nike Cross Heartland regional cross country meet.

12.5

The number of hours it took senior Abby Gomer to complete the Ironman triathlon.

4–5

Chiefs’ win-loss record as of Nov. 18.

Successful blood drive held at Northwest

A record 180 pints of blood were collected by the Community Blood Center during the biannual blood drive hosted by Student Council Nov. 8. photo by monica castellon

sudoku Student Council hosts MSFD Dance

More than $600 and 200 canned food items were collected at the junior/senior Mother/Son Father/ Daughter dance on Nov. 12. photo by johnny tong

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IN FOCUS

“[I like to be in shows because of] the feeling you get from performing in front of an audience knowing you put all of your hard work and time into [the show].” — senior Tanner Rose Rehearsal of Cabaret, Nov. 14

photo by sarah dean