The Northwest Passage, Vol. 53, Issue 4

NW PASSAGE Page 8 | Nw culture

Constructive or contaminated?

PAGE 15 | Spooky fORKS dOWN

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TOC | 03

Contents

Northwest Passage issue 3 vol. 53 OCT. 28, 2021

4 barbie in blue

Gender-based marketing continues to shape the expectation and roles we play in

5 columns Columnists Ally Pruente and Yeretzy Blanco tackle tough issues regarding mental health and sexual assault

7 We heard you

Students react to the changing culture at Northwest

8 NW culture

Investigating bullying, homecoming, school spirit, TikTok and LGBTQ+ culture at NW

10 student profiles

A cosplayer and a budding emergency medical technician share their stories

12 drip check

Sneakerhead culture has become increasingly popular in recent years, but how did it all begin?

13 FALL SPORTS RECAP

Five teams qualify for post season play: cross country, football, gymnastics, soccer and volleyball

14 Current events

Our Passage: 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 news magazine, 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 16-page news magazine. The paper will be distributed monthly as possible.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 the solution.

In these cases, the editor-in-chief and editorial board will have the power to make the final decision.

Letters to the editor will be accepted and encouraged. 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 editor-in-chief and editorial board reserve the right to refuse any letter.

This month in current events includes the upcoming Kansas abortion vote and the fall play

15 Forks down: spooky edition Here are a few of our favorite festive treats

During the light show, sophomore Krystin Thomas-Bird beats her bass drum Oct. 22 at SM North District Stadium. It’s tradition in drumline to wear masks during lightshow. “The light show is a lot more fun and relaxed,” Bird said.

“You still have to focus but a lot less than the normal show.”

StafF

Publication Oversight: Editor-in-chief Editor-in-chief

Content Management: Managing Editor Veronica Meiss Copy Editor Morgan Tate Online Editor Grace Logan Photo Editor Claire Moore Design Editor Livi Nagorka Asst. Photo Editor Sophia McCraney Asst. Photo Editor Sidra Sakati

Freshman Mike Garcia performs in the halftime show Oct. 4 at SM North District Stadium. The show contains music from “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin and “Mad World” by Tears for Fears.

“The trumpet section really adds power to the music,” Garcia said. + photo by Brody Carlson

Social medias

Staff Writers: Staff DESIGNERS: Yeretzy Blanco Macy Malik Izak Zeller

Adviser:

Susan Massy + photo by Josie Torres + cover design by Claire Moore

Stella Grist Ally Pruente

Ellie Zeller

@smnwdotcom @smnwdotcom

Check out our latest online stories and additional content.

04 | staff ed

Barbie IN BLUE

For as long as we can remember, girls have been playing house with perfect porcelain dolls while boys raced around with toy cars. Upholding gender norms has become, well, the norm. Society doesn’t hesitate to question anyone who defies these standards, but what’s the problem with a boy playing with dolls? They are just kids’ toys.

Gender plays a key role in the marketing of a wide variety of products.

Packaging, color palettes and placement in stores have all been strategically planned to influence consumers and increase profit for major corporations.

Gender-based marketing can be found all around us, but the most obvious examples are the products placed in small, sticky hands.

Toy marketing separates children by a vast pink and blue divide. Young girls are encouraged to play with dolls, kitchen sets or anything that upholds nurturing and domestic values. Boys are placed in a similar situation with building sets, science kits or anything that promotes toughness and stereotypical masculinity.

Students at New York University conducted a study titled “The acquisition of gender labels in infancy: Implications for sex-typed play.”

In a portion of this study, they observed 82 children at 17 months old, and again at 21 months. During the first period of observation, girls were .12 times more likely to play with dolls than boys. The next observation would yield extremely different results. At 21 months, the group of girls were 2.7 times more likely to play with dolls than the boys. During this second trial, girls were also 2.6 times less likely to play with trucks than their male counterparts.

At 21 months, as mental development increases, children are more aware of society and susceptible to adult influence. This can promote gender association with toys which influences their playtime decision. However, the problem does not lie within the toys themselves, but the ideas about gender associated with each object.

When a toy emphasizing gender-roles is marketed to children,

that object becomes the definition of what it means to be a man or woman in that child’s eyes.

In 2019, the United States Department of Health reported that less than 30% of women work in science, technology, engineering and/or math (STEM) related fields.

There is nothing wrong with a woman wanting to pursue a job associated with nurturing attributes. Problems arise when young girls feel they are unable to pursue opportunities outside of caregiving, based on society’s gender roles. It can be difficult for a young girl to imagine herself in a STEMrelated field when the only toys marketed towards her are dolls and kitchen sets.

Toys influence a child’s perception of their identity.

If children are expected to follow the cookie-cutter, stereotypical definition of female or male, those who stray from the pack face severe repercussions.

In 2014, Michael Morones faced extensive bullying for his love of “My Little Pony,” a show heavily marketed toward girls. As a result, at only 11-years-old, Morones attempted suicide and was left in a vegetative state. Morones is not alone in his experience, as many young children face social backlash for being interested in something not marketed toward their gender.

Children should never be forced to choose between losing something they love or facing social persecution for playing with something outside of gender standards. Children need the option to embrace and explore any interest they may have, regardless of pink or blue packaging.

This does not mean the shelves need to be filled with colorless, uniform toys.

Toy companies and stores must sort products based on consumer interests instead of exploiting consumer traits for monetary gain. Toys should not be marketed to a specific gender, allowing us to work to create a more tolerant society.

11 / 1 / 1 agree

disagree

abstain

Oct. 28, 2021

How is sex different than gender?

Sex, which is assigned at birth, is determined by both physiological factors, such as reproductive organs, and biological factors, such as chromosomes and hormone prevalence. These characteristics dictate if someone is male or female.

Sex is different from gender. It refers to roles assigned by society and characteristics considered appropriate for boys and men or girls and women.

Unlike sex, the concept of gender is fluid.

It typically changes over time, and can be different based on geographic location and varies from culture to culture.

marketing vs. advertising The terms marketing and advertising are often used interchangeably, but in reality, advertising is an element of marketing. In layman’s terms, marketing is the process of evaluating a customer’s needs and then determining how to meet those needs, while advertising is a form of promotion for a company or product.

doing it right This Halloween, Disney has decided to embrace gender inclusive branding by labeling their costumes under the umbrella term of “kids” rather than using gender-based language. While this may seem like a minor step, it’s crucial in the deconstruction of gender norms.

Like the pink and blue divide of childrens toys, Halloween costumes are often categorized in a similar fashion with labels such as “Tinker Bell costume for girls” or “Spiderman costume for boys.”

The Children’s Art Guild (“the Guild”) the ten-year old nonprofit organization based in New York City, helps to provide schools, educators, and families with social emotional learning (SEL) based curriculum.

In an article written by the New York Metro Parents, Alex Kopelman, the CEO of the Guild, said that for children to have a happy and successful childhood, parents need to support children being themselves.

“It ultimately makes them more likely to have satisfying relationships, selfconfidence and professional success,” Kopelman said.

Halloween is supposed to be a time of fun where you can be anything your heart desires. There is no reason why brands should put labels like “for girls” or “for boys;” it’s not difficult to have things just for “kids.”

+ design by Veronica Meiss + cartoon by Livi Nagorka + design by Veronica Meiss

smnw.com

columns | 05

Shaming the Stigma

It’s okay to stand up to what’s in your head, even if others tell you not to

Speaking up about this isn’t something I had originally wanted to do. The entire NW population holding my vulnerable words in their hands is a scary thought. As a disclaimer, my experiences with my mental health are completely + by Ally Pruente new to me. All I hope to do is share what I’m currently going through in the hope that it will make someone else feel more understood.

When people ask me what’s wrong my vocabulary consists of one sentence, “I don’t know.” People asking me if I’m okay is always followed by irritation and instant stress. My logic is that If I just don’t think about my feelings, they will go away.

Activities I enjoy have started to feel like more work than fun and I’m becoming easily frustrated with people who genuinely care about me. I simply don’t feel at all like myself. Whatever is in my head is scarier than heights… and I hate heights.

I recently decided to see our school counselor. Seeing the school counselor has such a weird stigma, but she’s been an extremely helpful resource for me. I also saw my doctor and she helped me understand what it’s like to deal with anxiety.

Anxiety.

That’s a big term to accept as a part of my life.

I know this won’t fix itself, which is so weird for me.

I’ve always been able to work through things quickly

and problem solve almost anything.

From the outside, my life seems completely pulled together. I never expected to face anything like this, but who does? People don’t always see what you have going on, and sometimes you don’t even see it yourself until it gets bad enough that others see it in you. But I know that there is no way I’m alone in any of this.

I once believed when anyone said they were struggling with mental health they had a mental disorder. The truth is that every one of us has mental health. You don’t always feel good physically, just like you won’t always feel good mentally.

Whether you’re someone who’s going through a difficult time and trying to figure things out or someone who deals with mental health challenges, it’s okay to have a bad day. It’s okay to reach out for help.

I’m still the happy version of myself that everyone knows. There are so many moments in my day-to-day life that bring me joy. Honesty toward my coaches, teachers, parents and peers has moved me forward and is a big factor in managing all of this. Nobody knew anything before I took the step to tell them, and I was met with nothing but support. I have just started to deal with this.

Working through mental health isn’t shameful and I know I shouldn’t feel embarrassed, but I do from time to time. As this starts for me I hope that I’m able to learn strategies to control what I can. Writing this is a step in the right direction. I want everyone, including myself, to know that nobody is alone.

+ by Macy Malik

October 28

Varsity Football Playoffs Come and support your SMNW football team as they take on Kansas City-Wyandotte HS at 7 p.m. at Shawnee Mission North Stadium to begin the playoffs.

October 29-30

State Varsity Volleyball Come watch your SMNW Girls Volleyball team compete for a state title at Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina. Pool play will occur on Oct. 29, where results will determine if they advance to bracket play on Oct. 30.

October 30

Cross Country State Meet Junior Henry Born, Junior Paige Mullen and Senior Austin Oakerson will be competing in the Kansas State Cross Country meet at 4 Mile Creek

November 1-12

I was only 13

It happened the summer before 8th grade and there isn’t a happy ending

Every girl I know has had experiences involving sexual harassment or assault. This is my story.

I was raped the summer before 8th grade. I was 13.

I made a friend my 7th grade + by Yeretzy Blanco year, let’s call her Mary. I met Mary at Skate City through a mutual friend and we began to get close. Eventually we became best friends.

We hung out almost every day that summer and she slept over quite often.

Then we began sneaking out to go out with her friends. We couldn’t drive, so people picked us up and we would drink and smoke with them. I will never put myself in situations like that again. They were strangers. We hung out with a particular group on multiple occasions. One of the guys, Carlos, developed an interest in me. The idea of an older guy thinking I was pretty was exciting to me, so we started talking.

Mary started dating someone around the same time I was talking to Carlos. She came over one day to sneak out so she could hang out with her boyfriend. Carlos texted me later that night and asked me if I wanted to go out with him and his friends. I went.

We hung out for a while and ended up going to one of the guys’ apartment to drink and smoke. I was already drunk.

I don’t remember much after we got there, besides wanting some milk. I sat on the counter drinking my glass of milk. I remember Carlos coming up to me but I don’t remember what he said. I remember being in the bathroom with Carlos. I remember his friends opening up the door laughing and trying to record what was happening.. I remember bleeding .I remember him stopping because he said it was nasty. I remember him

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leaving the bathroom. I remember cleaning myself.

After that, I don’t remember anything until 6 a.m. when I woke up. Confused, I stumbled out of the room I had fallen asleep in. Carlos took me home. We didn’t talk. I never saw him again. I climbed in through my bedroom window, sat down against the wall and cried.

I realized what had happened, I didn’t want it to be true. I was only 13. I cried in the shower. I felt dirty and no amount of showering changed that. He stole something that was supposed to be special, but most importantly something that was supposed to be my choice.

I was ashamed. Scared. Confused. Back then, I didn’t have anyone I could talk to. I couldn’t tell my parents because I had snuck out. There isn’t much your friends can do for you when they can’t relate.

I went on pretending I was ok. I blocked it out, but it would always come back. I wished I could just erase it from my mind. I couldn’t. I still can’t.

In 8th grade, we got a new counselor at Trailridge.

I talked to him and began to open up about what had happened. With his help, I told my parents. A tremendous weight was lifted off my shoulders.

I think back to that night and all the changes I could’ve made. It was hard for me to realize there was nothing I could’ve done. It wasn’t my fault.

There is no happy ending to this story. I wish all of our stories could be fairy tales, but the world doesn’t work like that. Whether it’s your first time, or your hundredth time, when the power to consent is stripped from you, you carry that forever. That’s all this was, though, a singular story. I will never let what Carlos did define who I am. I am so much more. I am who I choose to be. I have many stories still to write. I cannot change the past but I can change my future.

Food Drive

Fifth hour classes will compete to bring the most cans and win prizes from Nov. 1-12. Student Council, who sponsors the event, will award the top three classes a pizza party, a cookie cake or candy respectively. All food collected will be donated to the Johnson County Christmas Bureau.

November 9

NHS Inductions The National Honors Society Inductions will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Only NHS members and initiates are invited to attend.

November 15

Board of Education Meeting The Board of Education will meet at the Center for Academic Achievement at 6 p.m. This meeting will also be streamed on the school board YouTube.

November 22-26

Thanksgiving Break All students will have the week off for Thanksgiving Break. Enjoy some delicious food and we’ll see you the following Monday. + design by Ellie Zeller

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Deadline Info: Friday, December 17 is the FINAL senior tribute deadline.

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feature | 07

WE HEARD YOU + by Stella Grist

Students react to the changing culture at Northwest “I view it as a huge family. You may not know everyone, there may be drama, but that’s how a family is.

I think we have developed a more inclusive culture since I was a freshman.”

— senior Naudia Thurman

“It’s hard to say how [NW culture] has changed because everything was online last year, but people seem a lot quieter at school after COVID-19 than before.”

— sophomore Derek Larsen

“I have noticed that people can be very judgmental about others and that can make people feel [like an] outcast. The opposite can be said.

When you find a group of people you can bond with, it can change the rest of your high school career for the better.”

— freshman Luke Dent

“The atmosphere changes once you step into the gym for an assembly, or into the stands at a football game. No matter what, when you’re at all of these events, you feel part of one whole instead of a group of individuals, even if you don’t know half of the people.” ­­— senior Shelby Sogaard

“Northwest is very welcoming. No matter where I go, there are always people to welcome [me]. People try to make everyone feel welcome and help them find where they fit in… The right people will help you find your place and make you truly succeed.”

— sophomore Rose Cox

“I think some of us feel closer than we did before COVID-19. COVID-19 didn’t allow us to be together at Northwest and now that we’re back together, we cherish it much more than before.”

— senior Raquel Ramirez

“The overall culture at Northwest took a turn this year. In the past, it’s been very family-like and we are all super close. This year, coming back from quarantine and COVID-19, we’ve all missed out on that culture and the younger grades haven’t really been taught it, so we aren’t as close as a family now and it’s not as loving.”

— junior Katie Burke

“For good or, more likely, for worse, we fall into categories at Northwest.

Though you may be in more than one group, you are only viewed as one [thing]. For the most part, everyone sticks to their little groups and views the other groups from an outsider’s perspective. This separation happens less and less the older you get.”

— senior Sterling Sewell

+ design by Ally Pruente

08 | feature

NW Culture:

Oct. 28, 2021

Constructive or contaminated?

It’s a reality

The truth behind bullying + by Izak Zeller

Students have dealt with bullying for years. Nationally, one of every five students report being bullied according to the National Bullying Prevention Center. From yelling matches to cold shoulders, hostility between students is a significant part of the culture here.

Fights are nothing new. Teachers and administrators rushing in to break them up is all too common. To students, the fighting, bullying and shunning that has occurred may seem outrageous, but according principal Lisa Gruman, this year’s bullying and fighting hasn’t increased from past years. Administrators are focusing on the mental and physical well being of all students and bullying makes that job harder.

“Most of it is social media or things that apply to school,” Gruman said. “Either way, we reach out to parents to get that behavior to stop, but there’s a certain jurisdiction that we have, whether it’s happening in school or out of school. Regardless, the end [objective] is still the same. It’s to get that behavior to stop and to create a safe space for students.”

The Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) has put guidelines and policies in place for schools to follow. These policies specify that “Conferencing, corrective discipline and/ or referral to law enforcement will be used to change the behavior of the perpetrator and remediate the impact on the victim.” All SMSD schools follow these guidelines. While the district has put procedures in place to correct bullying, some students think they haven’t defined it.

“I’ve had friends who have gone to administration about them being bullied,” sophomore Mia Ruiz said. “They classified it as ‘not bullying’ and nothing was done about it.”

Sprigeo, an app installed by the district on each laptop, allows student to report bullying.

Sprigeo is the most direct way to make that report and allows students to remain anonymous if they want. The bullying shortcut on student laptops is a direct link to the Sprigeo website.

Bullying changes students’ daily lives, in and out of school. Junior Katie Burke has felt the effects of bullying in her activities and recognizes that this last year has been tough on everyone.

“It’s caused a lot of ostracizing [of] our leaders because people think we make decisions,’’ Burke said. “When we are not able to do every single assembly like normal and have all of our different events, it’s a lot more difficult for the student body to appreciate and respect each other.”

Tiktok trend gone awry The TikTok trend, ‘Devious Licks,’ caused NW male students a change of routine + by Yeretzy Blanco & Ally Pruente TikTok, a popular social media platform, allows users to share short videos of just about anything.

With approximately 689 million active users worldwide each month, it has become one of the most used social media platforms and has changed the way the current generation interacts.

Recently, the trend ‘Devious Licks’ emerged on the platform. The trend encouraged students to steal school property including soap dispensers, restroom sinks and restroom doors resulting in damage to school restrooms nationwide.

“It happened in all the schools around the district,” principal Lisa Gruman said. “[The problem] was primarily the soap dispensers and people kicking the doors.”

In order to prevent further vandalism, schools, including Northwest, shut down restrooms. Only one of the boys’ restrooms was open when the trend was at its peak.

“Our damage wasn’t as significant [and closing bathrooms] did reduce the number of people

kicking the doors,” Gruman said. “People got it figured out and that phase passed.”

None of the girls’ bathrooms were closed.

“I was frustrated at people’s stupidity,” junior Micheal Houser said. “I had to walk multiple halls or even across the school to go to the bathroom.”

Students like Houser were inconvenienced by the actions of their peers. It not only removed access to a public facility, but took away many students’ pathway to class.

“I walk through the bathroom to get to my classes —senior Hank Kniggendorf faster. It’s pretty lame [they] were closed,” senior Hank Kniggendorf said. “If you want to [pull] a prank, there are way better ways than the destruction of property that inconveniences others and causes permanent damage.”

Although bathrooms have since reopened, teachers have been instructed to ask all students sign out of class with their name, destination and time left and sign back in with the time that they return.

Through this system, administrators will track student movement and make it easier to determine who is vandalizing school property.

I feel like there are way better ways to prank someone than the destruction of property that inconveniences other people and causes permanent damage.”

LGBTQ+ on a local level Slowly, students make progress toward acceptance + by Izak Zeller LGBTQ+ acceptance rates are on the rise nationally, according to a survey conducted by Statista.com.

However, according to NW students, things might not be as positive as they seem.

“When people listen closely enough, they can actually hear how some of the student population treats the LGBTQ+ community,” sophomore Katelyn Patrick said. “Students often use various forms of identity within the LBGTQ+ community as a term to denounce someone — phrases such as ‘that’s so gay’ and ‘no homo.’”

Before 1973, homosexuality was defined as a treatable mental illness by the American Psychiatric Assosiation (APA). Often the ‘treatments’ included electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), lobotomy and medication. The modern LGBTQ+ movement began in 1969 with the Stonewall riots. The six-day riots started in response to a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in New York City.

“Being a part of the community has both very negatively and very positively affected me personally,” freshman Braylan Lindberg said. “I’ve met some really amazing people along the way. That has helped me connect with people and learn more about myself and others. At the same time, it makes a lot of comments and behaviour a lot more personal and [makes it] hurt a lot more.”

Increasingly, members of both the LGBTQ+ community and its allies are asking for preferred pronouns. There continue to be students who aren’t as accepting as this community would like, but with time, they think people will start to change.

“I think it’s important to educate people who are coming from ignorance, but if you’re just coming to attack people, keep it to yourself,” Plus Club secretary Kendall Adams-Fink said. “Nobody has the energy to listen to you trash on the community. We don’t care, so keep it to yourself.”

Sophomore Lauren Draper blows kisses to the crowd as they march down 67th street Oct. 1. “We didn’t have a set decade since the LGBTQ+ community has alway been around,” Draper said. “I love being around people that are like me.”+ photo by Sidra Sakati

smnw.com Freshman Alena Graham dances Oct. 2 at SM North District Stadium.

Homecoming was held outside to allow students to participate without masks. “I have been waiting to go to [homecoming] since I was in elementary school,” Graham said. “It was different in a good way.” + photo by Sidra Sakati

feature | 09

happy homecoming This year’s dance was all about community + by Ally Pruente The DJ blasted music across the SM North football field on Oct. 2 for this year’s first school dance.

Homecoming is a strong Northwest tradition and, like many of the dances held over the last year, it has been altered to fit the COVID-19 protocols. Despite the changes, students managed to gather in their finest attire to celebrate each other and the return to full in person school.

Shawnee Mission Board of Education member and NW parent Jamie Borgman was a volunteer at the dance. While helping clean up and supervising, Borgman was able to recognize how truly important Homecoming culture is at our school.

“I was so excited that we get to get back to some of these in person activities,” Borgman said. “It’s things like Homecoming that really build community.”

Everyone being together for homecoming was the most important part of this years Homecoming.

“Kids can come together as one giant student body and laugh, dance and make memories together,” Borgman said. “[It’s] a special night.”

School dances haven’t always been held on the football field. Pre-pandemic, the Homecoming and Sweetheart dances took place in the cafeteria, with activities in the mall. Last year, Homecoming was completely virtual, with only a playlist made by Student Council (StuCo). The dance being held outside was highly favored by many.

“I actually think the dance [being] outside was way better than inside,” Borgman said. “I talked to several students who really liked having more space [outside because] inside, it gets really hot.”

The number of students attending this year’s Homecoming set a new record attendance. The previous record was 950 students, set at 2019’s homecoming, right before the pandemic. This year, 1,000 students attended the dance with approximately 110 of them being outside guests. StuCosponsor Sarah Dent found these statistics to truly represent the enormous amount of spirit within the student body.

“In my 17 years of teaching, [this was the] biggest Homecoming, numbers wise, we’ve had,” Dent said. “I think there are several factors that play into that, [like] being outside and [not having had a real] dance. We had a large number of freshmen and sophomores who were wanting to just experience [a high school] event.”

With two more dances left this year, students and staff hope to keep the energy alive and realize how lucky students are to be back at school.

“I’m really proud of how the SM Northwest students conducted themselves,” Borgman said. “We didn’t have any issues. We didn’t have any problems. It just was really special to see so many kids together as one and just have a great time.”

Spirited Away

School spirit plays a significant role in culture + by Stella Grist

Senior Sarah Robinson cheers at the homecoming football game Oct. 1 at SM North District stadium. Northwest beat Lawrence High School 41-24. “I adore the environment,” Robinson said. “Everyone gets super excited and the school spirit is amazing.” + photo by Sidra Sakati

School spirit is infectious, spreading from upperclassmen to underclassmen who carry the torch of chants and cheers. When looking at the culture at Northwest, school spirit is a significant aspect, although, in recent years, some see school spirit on the decline.

Spirit Club President Natalie Peterson joined the organization in admiration of the spirit weeks and game day themes. She was moved by her older sister, graduate Lindi Peterson’s previous involvement.

“I think [school spirit is] a really important part of our culture and our school community,” Natalie said. “I feel like it’s a really good way to bring people together. It can also be, as we’ve seen in the past few weeks, something that sort of divides people if we aren’t all on the same page.”

While in past years, spirit themes have been a fun way to show support for our school community, in recent weeks, they proved to be controversial.

“We’ve had people who are so passionate about school spirit, but might not understand that student organizations are the best way to have a big influence on school spirit and school culture, rather than just taking it to the class group chats,” Peterson said. “I’m so glad that we have a school community where there are so many people who want to be involved, but I think it would be more beneficial to all of us if we could all work together on those things, rather than allowing them to create more

divisiveness between all of us.”

Peterson uses her position as Spirit Club president to continue to push for more events and opportunities to show school spirit.

“To some degree, there’s always a little bit of a conflict, but that this year with the events of the past couple of years, I think it’s been amplified,” Peterson said. “I think it’s important that this year we all appreciate the opportunities we are getting to have and recognize that we’re lucky to be able to have any of this at all. We missed out so much last year.”

Peterson is firm in her belief that school spirit makes a huge difference in the overall atmosphere of Northwest.

“I feel like we don’t even realize how much of an important role it plays in keeping us all connected,” Peterson said. “I think if there weren’t people going to football games, soccer games or wanting to be involved in those assemblies, [our athletes] just wouldn’t feel supported if it weren’t for the student section and having those people come and dress up.

We don’t realize how supportive it makes us of each other.”

Peterson urges the student body to be active in showing their spirit to make up for years lost.

“Overall, I think school spirit is a really important part of our culture,” Peterson said. ”With the number of events and overall experiences that we’ve lost, we should all come together to make this year super fun and spirited.”

Oct 28, 2021

10 | feature

Vocabulary Cosplaying According to the Oxford Dictionary: The activity or practice of dressing up as a character from a work of fiction.

“Cosplaying is [when] you dress up as a character and have fun and be yourself.”

— CAT Spangler

LARP-ing

In good and bad times, junior Cat Spangler uses cosplay to escape + by Veronica Meiss “TOUCH THE TABLE! YOU’RE CROWDING ME!” Members of the Animé Club race to the center of room 155 in a competitive game of “Guess the Animé Opening.” For each correct answer a team gives, they receive one point. Excitement bubbles in the room in between rounds.

“That’s my favorite animé! I can’t believe I got it wrong.”

“I think that’s from Jojo!”

“I know that opening by heart. It was the first animé I ever watched.”

In the back of the room, two members discuss their favorite cartoons, not paying attention to the game. One of them is in a “Freddy Fasbear” cosplay.

Cosplayers are not uncommon in the animé club, or even throughout Northwest. The cosplaying community within the school is constantly growing with each new class. Dressing like characters from popular animés and cartoons is what gives junior Satsuki, or Cat, Spangler a chance to show off his interests.

Spangler was born in Lathrop, Mo. When he was three years old, he and his family moved to Richmond, Mo., where his parents separated.

“It was really dark,” Spangler said. “All the memories from that time are either non-existent or just really overcast. Depression messes with your memory. It wasn’t fun, but I’m doing better now. I’ve [gone through] therapy and [I’m on] medication.”

During that dark time, however, Spangler found his passion for cosplaying.

“In my early years, I would always dress up for Halloween as characters [from cartoons and shows],” Spangler said. “Then, I just wanted to do it outside of Halloween. So, I just started dressing up. I enjoy looking great in cosplays and putting them together and showing them off.”

Spangler started cosplaying characters and creatures, such as Buttercup from The Powerpuff Girls and a Dalek from Doctor Who. His favorite cosplay so far is Tubbo. Tubbo is a character from the Survival Multiplayer (SMP) server: the Dream SMP.

“I had a pair of horns I got from [the Renaissance Festival],” Spangler said. “[I’m able to put] my hair in my face. First, [I needed to] get me some ears. [After that, I] made hooves.”

Spangler even got his father to assist with creating costumes.

“It’s really fun because [my dad] knows a whole lot about crafting,” Spangler said. “He does [Dungeons & Dragons], so he makes miniatures. It’s good to have help on a really tough cosplay [with] lots of moving pieces, cardboard and lights, like a Dalek giant monster.”

Spangler and his sister Eliza were both raised on animé.

Spangler was even named by his parents after an animé character in My Neighbor Totoro, which is an animé both his parents love.

Together, they have cosplayed Tubbo and Tommy, characters from the Dream SMP. “It’s really fun to be in a group, especially with someone you’re comfortable with,” Spangler said. “You can do group cosplays, like a duo, and actually get a lot more attention for a duo than just a single person. It’s easier to recognize cosplayers [when they’re in a group].”

Spangler has cosplayed characters ranging from Mello from Deathnote and Dib from Invader Zim. Putting together a cosplay can cost money, time and effort. Deciding what character to cosplay is the first step. Then you have to gather materials.

“If it is a simple cosplay, you can usually just buy stuff at thrift stores or put it together yourself,” Spangler said. “If it’s a big cosplay, like armor and weapons, then you’re gonna have to get foam and you’re gonna have to cut it, shape it, paint it and put it all together. Sometimes wigs and makeup are involved and those are not my forté, so I try not to do them too much. It’s usually pretty easy. “ Spangler has cosplayed his whole life, and he shows no sign of stopping soon.

“Being able to dress up anytime anywhere is really fun,” Spangler said. “I just want to show off my really cool stuff to the world.”

According to the Oxford Dictionary: A type of interactive role-playing game in which the participants portray characters through physical action, often in costume and with props.

According to Cat: “In LARP-ing, you essentially become the character for a while. You’re not you anymore. You have to embody the character and be the character.

Junior Cat Spangler and freshman Eliza Spangler dress in their cosplay in room 151. The siblings are cosplaying as TommyInnit and Charlie Slimecicle from the Dream SMP. “We cosplay a lot, whenever we can and whenever we feel like it,” Spangler said. + photo by Claire Moore

ANIMÉ According to the Oxford Dictionary: A style of Japanese film and television animation, typically aimed at adults as well as children.

+ design by Livi Nagorka

Cosplaying

Cat

A legacy of

smnw.com

feature | 11

Bravery Junior Ella Fosburg has chosen to follow in her father’s footsteps and will become an emergency medical technician

+ by Morgan Tate A pair of firefighters stood outside the firehouse in front of a storm drain. Fire captain George Stewart had thrown a set of keys to the fire inspector and ended up accidentally tossing them down the nearby drain. A fellow firefighter fished the keys out of the drain, while the rest of the crew just made fun of Stewart. Oddly enough, this is one of the stories that made junior Ella Fosburg want to become a paramedic.

Fosburg’s father, Shane Fosburg, is a firefighter emergency medical technician (EMT) at the station on Lamar Ave. and Martway St. He brought her into the firehouse bimonthly, let her sit in the driver’s seat, and put on the mask and the rest of the crew became family, especially since they are her honorary uncles. Those uncles have been the subject of many odd stories resulting from the long off-time that firefighters have, one odd story being how two firefighters went to Cargo Largo, a thrift store, in Independence and bought 15 televisions for $500 in order to re-sell them at a higher price, but they were all shattered so they couldn’t sell them. This type of fun environment that her father exposed her to really pointed her in the right direction.

“The station environment is just so fun, it’s just a bunch of people who love taking care of people and are good in an emergency situation,” Fosburg said. “I always loved that environment, and I’ve known I’ve always wanted to do something to help people. I think my dad showing me that stuff really helped me in that aspect.”

Fosburg has also always wanted to help people, but has always seen the white hospital walls of nursing to be very mundane. This led her to consider being a paramedic. In addition to a life on the go, being a paramedic combines the station environment with the medical side of things, where she’s more comfortable. Despite being around the station she’s not content with being a firefighter.

“I’m not a [firefighter] kind of kid,” Fosburg said. “There are some kids out there who [are] like ‘Yeah I want to be a firefighter.’ I’d like to stick with the medical side. I couldn’t handle [being a] firefighter. I think I would die.”

But her father, as a firefighter EMT who has seen calls first hand, would prefer her to be a nurse or a doctor for her mental well-being.

“I’d rather her be a physician assistant or a doctor than be a paramedic, but I get the calling to be a paramedic,” Shane said. “I think it’s very admirable. We do need folks to do that. Knowing what I know and seeing what I’ve seen, I hope that she chooses to be a doctor, but I would be proud of her as a paramedic.”

Shane has seen many things during his 17 years as a firefighter, he was in the mobile unit during the house fire that killed Shawnee firefighter John B. Glaser and has experienced calls where a pediatric death has occurred.

Fosburg is only mildly concerned about the horrors of

‘

the medical field. She’s generally unaffected by gore, in fact she finds it fascinating, the only part she is concerned about is the effect it might have on her emotional wellbeing, as in the past she’s been rattled by some of the stories Blue Eagle program teacher Marissa DanenbergJones has told her about.

“She [dealt with] an abusive couple,” Fosburg said.

“The dad had locked the infant in a dog kennel and had killed the mom, then proceeded to kill the infant. I’m sure it’s hard [to experience that]. Marissa has mentioned the

There are some kids out there who [are] like ‘Yeah I want to be a firefighter.’ I’d like to stick with the medical side. I couldn’t handle [being a] firefighter. I think I would die.”

— Ella Fosburg, junior

opioid crisis in our country right now. Those scenes have hurt her a little bit.”

In order to achieve her dream of being a paramedic, Fosburg started attending the Blue Eagle program at the Career & Technical Campus (CTC). This has made her schedule rather odd. In the morning, she starts out at the Center for Academic Achievement (CAA) to attend Medical Science class before heading to Northwest for fourth-hour math and then goes to the CTC to participate in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program.

This year, she has learned about patient assessment and airway management. One of her favorite memories has been going to see an American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance with her class.

“We went to the park next to Advent Health Hospital,” Fosburg said. “A lot of the AMR ambulances park there… We found one and asked them to show us the whole ambulance. That was so cool to me, seeing those people. They’ve done the whole EMT thing and they’re knowledgeable about how to save people’s lives.”

After high school, Fosburg has a step-by-step plan to achieve her goal of becoming a paramedic.

“I’ve already completed most of my [Johnson County Community College (JCCC)] prerequisites for the paramedic program. I am going to skip the EMR class.

Then, after my senior year, I’ll be taking EMT, so I get my EMT certification. When I graduate, I’ll probably take the summer to finish my prerequisites for the paramedic program and then I will go into the paramedic program at JCCC and get my license within [about] two years.”

As a paramedic, Fosburg wants to help people, and despite any obstacles, it’s still a delight for her to do so.

“I’m worried for my health,” Fosburg said. “And so is my dad, he’s worried. But if I can take a small piece out of me to help others. That’s ultimately such a gratifying thing for me.”

Junior Ella Fosburg demonstrates cpr on a training dummy Oct. 19 at the Career and Technical Center. Enrolled in Project Blue Eagle, she learns and trains in EMT practices. “I decided that being a paramedic was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life so I joined the blue eagle program to give me the best head start on that pathway,” Fosburg said. + photo by Sidra Sakati

What it takes to be a first responder

There are three levels of medical certification for first responders: EMR, EMT and Paramedic. They all have different class requirements and levels of care they can provide.

EMR

- Must take a state-certified EMR course (around 48-60 hours) - Requires cognitive and skills exams - Can provide first aid for flesh wounds - Can provide airway management

EMT

- Must take a state-certified EMT course (around 120 hours) - Requires cognitive and skills exams - Requires a CPR-BLS held for a healthcare provider - Can provide care to minimize secondary injury - Can intubate patients - Can transport patients in an ambulance

Paramedic

- Hold EMT certification or higher - Must take a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic education program (around 1,200 - 1,800 hours) - Requires cognitive and skills exams - Requires a CPR-BLS held for a healthcare provider - Can administer IV’s and medications - Has a larger range of out of hospital care duties + design by Livi Nagorka

Oct. 28, 2021Livi

12 | featured

DRIP CHECK Sneakerhead culture has become increasingly popular in recent years.

But how did it all begin? + by Yeretzy Blanco

Walking through the halls Northwest one sees a diverse crowd. Some may be walking a little funny in order to prevent them from creasing their most cherished shoes. They are a part of a subculture revolving around sneakers, many labeling themselves as “sneakerheads.”

“[I consider myself a sneakerhead]. People know me for my shoes so I feel like other people consider me a sneakerhead too,” said senior Destiny Meadows.

To fully understand the fascination behind shoe collecting you have to be aware of its roots. Sneaker collecting started with two sources: the rise of hip-hop music in the mid-80s and the release of the Air Jordan 1, a collaboration between Michael Jordan and Nike, in 1985. This release changed the way athletic footwear was viewed, making it a fashion statement rather than just a functional shoe.

Music is one of the most influential forms of art in the world. Artist collaborations have become the ultimate marketing strategy, if an artist promotes it, it will sell.

For hip-hop artists, fashion is a form of expression, just like their music is. The way you present yourself, especially in the music industry is important.

“Fashion has been widely regarded as a definition of character, swag, success, and creativity,” according to Meko Cridland, Journalist for 10 at 10.

“Sneakerheads” have built their own culture around iconic athletic footwear. They identify with specific brands due to the different aspects of the shoes, the history and the collaborations. While, at first, “sneakerheads” were primarily African American males, that has changed throughout the years.

“Although there may exist differences in [the]

It’s a Shoe-in...

Gabe Hoskins

Who got you into shoe culture?

My brother, he used to put me on, but now I’m the one putting him on.

Why do you continue to invest?

Because [the look and the style are] hype. I do it for the fits. If I look good in them I’m buying them.

Favorite Shoe: Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Black Cat’ First Shoe: Air Jordan 11 Retro ‘Bred’ Dream Shoe: Nike SB Dunk Low x Supreme

Ariana Orozco

Who got you into shoe culture?

Just myself, I liked it a lot.

Why do you continue to invest?

I like presenting myself in a good way. I like to have [my outfits] color coordinate. I just like looking good. I [wasn’t] into it that much until I got my job but I just like having a good style.

Favorite Shoe: Either my Air Jordan 3 “Racer Blue” or the [Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Yecheil (Reflective)] First Shoe: [Jordan 1 Retro High] Shadow 2.0.

Dream Shoe: I would say the red thunders, they’re really expensive right now, like 500 dollars. So I think that’s just my goal for right now. But hopefully not for 500.

perception of Sneakerhead culture based on age, Sneakerheads agreed that membership is exclusive and built upon a shared enthusiasm, often developed early in life,” according to a study conducted by Delicia Matthews, Qiana Cryer-Coupet and Nimet Degirmencioglu for Fashion and Textiles, an International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research.

This interest and culture is usually passed down through generations. Sophomore Gabe Hoskins was introduced to sneaker culture by his older brother and Meadows was introduced by her father.

The shoe industry has grown tremendously since the 1980’s, with the countless number of shoe releases or “drops” keeping people interested. Adidas’ collaboration with Kanye West and the start of Yeezy has expanded the industry even further.

These collaborations, in addition to limited and exclusive drops, have increased the resale industry.

Platforms such as GOAT and StockX have given users the opportunity to buy and sell shoes that may be sold out in the regular retail market.

“In a July report, investment firm Cowen estimated the global resale market to be worth about $6 billion in 2019. Cowen predicted worldwide resale could rise to nearly $30 billion by 2030,” according to Marc Bain, a fashion reporter for Quartz.

Shoes now connect people rather than serving only as an item that protects feet. Functionality has been mixed with fashion creating a fast-growing industry.

NW students have connected with shoes, for the look as well as more personal reasons. They have shown a love for shoes that is noticeable and impressive.

VALUE OF SNEAKERS OVER TIME *all information from Statistica

2012: $34.3 million

2013: $37.6 million

2014: $41.8 million

2015: $47.7 million

2016: $54.1 million

2017: $59 million

2018: $64.3 million

2019: $69.6 million

Destyni Meadows

Who got you into shoe culture?

I started talking to my dad again 3 years ago and that was like the first thing that we started bonding over. He used to be a shoe collector back in the day. So I think that was like our bonding point after not talking for so long.

Why do you continue to invest?

I don’t know, they’re always dropping new things, new colorways.

They have meaning to me, with my dad. So it goes back to that bonding thing with me and my dad.

Favorite Shoe: Off-White x Dunk Low ‘Lot 15 of 50’ First Shoe: Jordan 11 Retro Win Like 96’s Dream Shoe: Off-White x Wmns Air Jordan 4 SP ‘Sail’

+photos by Kailee Alexander

smnw.com

sports | 13

Fall sports Recap + by Macy Malik & Izak Zeller + design by Stella Grist

Cougars finish 5-3

Football team trounces South in season finalé and heads into post season play against Wyandotte tonight

end of season

+ by Izak Zeller The Cougar football team will head into post season play this evening after roaring past the SM South Raiders, 49-7, last Friday. Senior Jack Meylan scored three touchdowns.

“Meylan played very well for us,” head coach Bo Black said. “He came in as quarterback, wide receiver and defense back. Really, the player of our game was [senior] Alex Rogers who played really well.”

Although Meylan was the leading scorer, Malik O’Atis added two touchdowns to the scoreboard.

“Our kids came out and jumped on South in a hurry,’’ Black said. “We’re just getting better the later the season goes on. We looked good on offense, defense and special teams. In all phases of the game it was a good outing for us.”

Quarterback Blake Reeder finished the regular season with a total of 1,909 yards. O’Atis finished leading rusher, with a total of 681 yards and Meylan led in receiving, with 648 yards total.

The Cougars will take on Wyandotte H.S. at 7 p.m. this evening at SM North District Stadium. A win will push

the Cougars further into bracket play, moving them one step closer to a chance to play for the state title. It takes four playoff wins to reach the state championship game.

Reaching the first playoff game is the culmination of work that began in January. Football players do morning workouts four times each week from 6:40-7:30 a.m. They workout and practice five days a week over the summer.

This allows them to get stronger and become better athletes while learning to develop a strong work ethic and accountability. Black preaches “culture over scheme” to the athletes at all times. It’s not about the plays they run but rather the players’ attitudes and beliefs.

“We work all year long talking about the four core pillars of our program which are accountability, relentless effort, respect and a competitive spirit,” Black said. “If we can have young men in our football program that think those things are important, then winning games on Friday nights becomes a habit.”

REPORT + by Macy Malik

Golf

The girls’ varsity golf team participated in a total of eight events this season.

Their last event was the regional tournament Oct. 11 at Sycamore Ridge Golf Course in Spring Hill. Senior Sloan Munson was two places short of qualifying for the state tournament.

Soccer

The varsity soccer team went 4-8-1 in league play and began post season play with the regional tournament on Tuesday facing off against Shawnee Mission West at the Shawnee Mission Athletic Complex (SMAC). The results of this game were not available at press time.

1

2

Volleyball

The varsity volleyball team played strong through their season finishing the regular season 28-7 overall and 8-1 in league play (3rd in the Sunflower League). The Cougars will begin the state tournament and their quest for the 6A championship at 3:30 p.m. on Friday at Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina. They will play again at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Results determine advancement to bracket play later in the day.

Gymnastics

Gymnastics participated in a total of nine events this year. Their last event was the state tournament Oct. 23, at SM West where they clinched a third place team finish, scoring a 100.813.

3

Cross Country

Junior Paige Mullen was 6A Regional runner up, pushing her through to the state meet Saturday at 4 Mile Creek Resort in Augusta. Juniors Jazmin Irvin, Henry Born and senior Austin Oakerson have also qualified for the state meet.

Marching Band

The Marching Cougar Pride competed Oct. 23 at K-State where they received a one rating. Their last performance will be tonight at the SM North district stadium as the football team takes on Wyandotte in post season play.

1 Senior Alex Rogers runs the ball down field Oct. 22 at SM North District Stadium in a 49-7. win. “Whenever I didn’t have the best day or school was stressful, I always knew I could have fun for a couple hours at practice,” Rogers said.

2 Finishing first, junior Paige Mullen runs Oct. 2 at Baldwin City Golf Course. Mullen finished with a time of 18:54. “I run with the boys’ team so I’m pretty competitive with some of them in times,” Mullen said.

3 Senior Ella Mackiewicz tips the ball over the net Oct. 12 in the Main Gym. The Cougars beat the SM North Indians 3-0. “[During the game] I was thinking about giving it my all and enjoying senior night with all of my teammates,” Mackiewicz said.

Tennis

The doubles team of senior Sophia Hoffman and junior Clare Taylor competed in the regional tournament, but fell short of continuing to the state tournament when they lost in their qualifying match. Hoffman and Taylor placed 10th in the Sunflower League.

news | 14

Oct. 28, 2021

current events This month in current events includes the 2022 Kansas abortion vote and the NW fall play

+ design by Ally Pruente

Behind the Scenes of Backstage + by Veronica Meiss

Theater technical crew had the spotlight on them in “Backstage,” the fall play written by NW alumni Zachary Dulny. The play centers around what goes on backstage while the actors are performing. Costumes, lights, makeup and more are featured.

“Backstage” follows the story of Cameron Baker, a self-centered actor, who believes all problems in a show are because of the technical, or “techie,” crew.

He and Mr. Kingsendyfe, the drama teacher, take their frustration out on the techies, which leads to them leaving the show. As the show goes on, Cameron realizes his mistake and tries to apologize to the techies and convince them to come back to help.

“My character was Jaren, the guy who got all the non-lead roles in the show because not enough men auditioned,” junior Natalie Rogers said. “[I played] everything from some random dude, to a priest, to the king.”

Casting for the techies in the show decided who would lead each technical aspect.

“I played Mary, who was the costume director [in the show],” junior Alyssa Kempf said. “I’ve never been a costume director before, so that was a fun experience for me. [I was costume crew head], publicist and I was an actor in the show. That was my first time doing a bigger role.”

During each theater performance, awards are handed out from NW alumnus. Kempf won the “Golden Hammer,” which is the highest technical achievement you can receive for a show. Other awards include the Gypsy Robe, which was awarded to senior Thomas Johnston, and the Whoopi Goldberg award, which was awarded to junior Xavier Williamson.

“Receiving the Gypsy Robe was a dream come true,” Johnston said. “Seeing so many of my older friends receive this award for acting, and now me, is amazing, I’m so excited to add a piece of the show onto the robe.”

Juniors Grace Allen and Layla Harris are the student directors behind “Backstage.” They became directors through a google form that was passed around during the last semester of the 2020-21 school year. “[Backstage is] a show that I really love, and honestly, I think it’s just the technical side,” Allen said. “We had many things thrown at us. [Dulny] approached [Harris and I] with a script in our freshman year, and we were supposed to do it our sophomore year. We didn’t end up doing that because of COVID-19. Directing it was a whirlwind, we had many things thrown at us.”

Senior Thomas Johnston and junior Natalie Rogers talk on stage Oct. 14 in the Auditorium. Johnston’s character Cameron plays a prince who is looking for a wife. + photo by Erin Dory

Kansas: Pro-Life or Pro-Choice? + by Ally Pruente & Stella Grist After the Texas abortion ban residents from Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas are flooding to Kansas in hopes of receiving a safe and legal pregnancy termination. Kansas legislature has decided to propose an anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution on the 2022 primary ballot. Due to the rapid increase in women seeking abortions in Kansas, the vote to ban or keep abortions comes front and center in our local politics. Governor Laura Kelly is also up for re-election and the race for Kansas Governor is projected to be one of the hardest statewide races to date. Many questions are arising as we become only months away from voting.

According to BallotPedia, the Kansas Supreme Court voted in 2019 in the case Hodes & Nauser v. Schmidt that the Kansas Bill of Rights does, in fact, include a right to abortion. The vote in 2022 would be to appeal the rulings of Nauser v. Schmidt and the ruling of the more widely known supreme court case Roe v. Wade.

In 1970, the case of Roe v. Wade appeared before the Supreme

Pro ice Cho

Court. Jane Roe had filed a lawsuit against the district attorney of Dallas County, Texas, Henry Wade. She argued that laws making abortion illegal in Texas violated her right to personal privacy — protected by the First, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth and Fourteenth amendments — and the state laws were unconstitutionally vague.

The Court ruled in favor of Roe, seven to two. The case legalized abortion throughout the nation while simultaneously giving states the authority to place reasonable restrictions on this right. The new Texas ban is a direct repeal of Roe v. Wade.

“Texas had a lot of influence in the United States,” Young Democrats president Meg Qualls said. “Everyone knew that once this was passed in Texas, that it would just snowball for the rest of the United States. Unfortunately, I knew it was coming, and it didn’t make it any better.”

Voting yes to pass the abortion ban means that you agree that nothing in the Kansas constitution gives the right to having an abortion or proves that the government should be responsible for

funding in-state abortions. Voting no, or against the act, means that you agree that nothing in the Kansas constitution gives the right to having an abortion, however they should remain legal in Kansas with support from previous court cases.

Students turning 18 before the election in August 2022 will get the chance to vote on this issue and play a role in the re-election of Governor Laura Kelly. Qualls believes that it’s our job as a student body to think of those around us as we become eligible to make change here in Kansas.

“Think about your mother. Think about your sisters, think about your cousins, and what this could potentially do to them.

No matter if you’re pro-life [or] pro-choice,” Qualls said. “Put your own personal views aside and think about the women that you’d be affecting. It is a two-way street but unfortunately women are left with a difficult decision to make.”

Pro Life

+ graphic by Alden Norberg

smnw.com

Forks

review |, 15

do

n

spooky Edition

A cold wind brings chills in the morning and leaves shifting from green to the vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange. Fall is finally here, and along with it, many new menu options in our local area. Here are a few of our favorite festive treats that will surely put a spell on you this spooky season.

Monster Meals iHop - Reese’s Pieces

Devilish Drinks iHop - Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa

Pancake Combo

Rating: 7/10

Rating: 9/10

+ by Veronica Meiss I’ve always been a huge fan of hot chocolate. When I saw it was a part of iHop’s Halloween specials, I was skeptical. I ordered the peanut butter hot chocolate, expecting the peanut butter flavor to be overwhelming… and it wasn’t! I The presentation was appealing, with peanut butter and chocolate syrup on top of fluffy whipped cream and Reese’s Pieces.

It was almost sad to see it ruined when I took a sip. The temperature of the hot cocoa didn’t burn my taste buds, which is something I greatly appreciate as a hot chocolate connoisseur. It’s always hard to balance out anything that has peanut butter, and I think the chefs in the kitchen did a great job. I would definitely recommend this drink next time you’re at iHop.

+ by Veronica Meiss I never thought I would have a dream about a food combo before, yet here I am. As I was researching the different combos iHop offers, I came across this: Reese’s Pieces Pancakes with bacon, sausage, hash browns and scrambled eggs. When my order was placed in front of me, I nearly went crazy. The hash browns looked and tasted incredible by themselves, as iHop hash browns always do. Sure, the bacon and sausage were greasy and the eggs were slightly flavorless, but they were still good. But the pancakes — after the first bite, I was in love. The nutty flavor of the peanut butter syrup perfectly contrasted the rich chocolate. The buttermilk pancakes were wonderfully fluffy and the whipped cream added a beautiful sweetness to it. I most definitely recommend this. This was a surprisingly pleasant entree that satisfied my taste buds.

Starbucks - Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Rating: 9/10 + photo by Evan Johnson

Spooky Snacks

Starbucks - Pumpkin Cream McLain’s Market - Caramel Apple Danish Cheese Muffin Rating: 10/10

+ by Grace Logan The pumpkin cream cheese muffin is, by far, the best snack offered at Starbucks during the fall season. It incorporates everything that is perfect about the already picturesque pumpkin loaf and adds more. I’m a sucker for anything involving cream cheese and pumpkin, so I worship this muffin from Aug. 24 to Oct. 31. My devotion can be traced back years, and has become my staple guilty pleasure food during this season. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and savory. This muffin is out of this world; I thank the Starbucks gods for blessing us with such a delicious treat.

Starbucks - Pumpkin Scone

Rating: 9/10

+ by Morgan Tate I am a pastry person, which means that I’m rather familiar with Danishes. Although I’ve never had a Danish of the caramel apple variety, the new flavor at McLain’s Bakery did not disappoint. The pastry was flaky and warm, and the caramel added a gooey touch. At first, it was more caramel than apple, but when cinnamon apple topping in the middle appeared, it was a delicious treat. The treat was very sticky, so pick up napkins to avoid fingerprints on your phone. The only downside to the taste was the eventual build up to overwhelming sweetness, but this did not detract from the experience.

Rating: 6/10

+ by Grace Logan I’m a big fan of scones and Starbucks has some of the best around, but the pumpkin scone disappoints me year after year. This scone lacks that real punch of pumpkin that I look for. It is typically dry, even for a scone, however this problem can easily be solved by accompanying this pastry with any hot drink offered on the menu. Like the lemon loaf, the icing used on this scone is too sweet for my taste. An integral part of my snack rankings are the convenience of eating the item on the road. The pumpkin scone is crumbly and no one likes crumbs in their car. Despite its flaws, the pumpkin scone holds a place in my heart. If you are looking for a scone, it is definitely one to try. Just make sure you get a caramel latte to help with the dryness.

+ by Grace Logan I’ll admit it, Pumpkin Spice Frappuccinos® are basic, but there’s a reason why it’s so popular. It is by far, the best seasonal drink offered at Starbucks. As soon as the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino® is put on the menu, it’s automatically autumn. No matter the temperature outside, this drink can change the season; that’s just how famous it is. I’ve dabbled in my fair share of pumpkin spice frappes, but none stand a chance against Starbucks’ version of this drink. It’s on the sweeter side, with a hint of cinnamon that perfectly compliments the pumpkin. It is a crime not to have this Frappuccino® at least once during the spooky season. + photo by Claire Moore

Starbucks - Apple Crisp Macchiato Rating: 8/10

+ by Grace Logan Starbucks’ new featured seasonal drinks are hit or miss. I can safely say the apple crisp macchiato hit the bull’s eye this year. I prefer a more prominent coffee flavor, so macchiatos are usually my go-to. The apple crisp macchiato is just the right blend of sweet and spicy. The caramel used is amazing and the drink tastes like apples. It reminds me of those caramel coated green apple lollipops we got during the Halloween season. I would definitely recommend trying this drink before it’s gone.

Starbucks - Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Rating: 10/10

+ photo by Claire Moore

+ by Stella Grist If there’s one drink that perfectly encapsulates the autumn feeling I experience every year, it’s Starbucks’ Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. This delicious elixir of coffee, pumpkin cold foam and pumpkin spice sprinkled on top is a must-drink every fall. The perfect amount of coffee flavor with the slight undertones of pumpkin makes it taste like you’re taking a sip of autumn itself. Year after year, I look forward to it’s arrival and order it an unhealthy amount of times throughout the season. I will mourn the day when it is replaced with the winter options. + design by Ellie Zeller

“I loved playing [Mr. Kingsendyfe], it was not my personality at all. He is self centered and thinks he is better than everyone else. It was a good experience for me since I’m new this year.”

- junior David Leugers Using a makeshift tin and string phone, junior David Leugers and junior Grace Allen rehearse Oct. 20 in the Auditorium.

Leugers character, Mr. Kingsendyfe is the drama teacher in the show. + photo by Josie Torres

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