Issue 9: Reaching Out by Northwest Passage

VOLUME 45 - ISSUE 9 - MARCH 12, 2014

Spotlighting students who give back to the community .10

SEPARATING THE STEEPLE .09 governmen should not be one of them

INDOOR ZOO .16

Enviornmental Education houses animals in the classroom to help students learn about different irganisims PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NATE COMPTON

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NATE COMPTON

STAFF THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF DESIGN EDITOR STAFF DESIGNERS

PHOTO EDITORS COPY EDITOR WEB EDITOR WEB MANAGER GRAPHICS EDITOR STAFF GRAPHICS DESIGNER NEWS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR FEATURES EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR STAFF WRITERS

Grace Amundson + Sarah Egger Grace Amundson Maddie Grimes Nate Compton Katie Addington Rachel Bateman Paden Chesney Nate Compton + Addison Sherman Lena Dennington Alaura Moore Haena Lee Mitch Feyerherm Calista Bohling Haena Lee Sarah Egger Atalie Black Lena Dennington Kylee Hartl Atalie Black, Keegan Dolinar, Deena Essa, Sarah Egger, Paige Eichkorn, Sophie Flores, Kylee Hartl, Haena Lee, Ben Lucier, and Alaura Moore

GUEST WRITERS

Jordan Arnold Britta Coleman Sean Collins Tess Holcom Kaitie Marolf

ADVERTISEMENTS EDITOR ADVISER

Daniel Mirocke Susan Massy

PHOTO illustration by nate compton

09 08

PHOTOGRAPHERS Jordan Absher Emilie Amunatigui Shelby Beaumont Nisha Bisht Ginny Bohling Randy Castellon Gabby Chavez Nate Compton Clara Davison Sarah Dean Katherine Dewitt Lauren Edwards Kate Jacobsen Nicholas Kahtava Savannah Kelly

Teresa Pedroza Bryce Rex Kristi Seng Addison Sherman Lucas Silva Kristen Smith Taryn Smith Christa Stoll Lea Stuart Alexa Styers Sydney Taylor Nate Thompson Kyle Tong Isabelle Wallis Carleigh Whitman

MARKETING Austin Bondurant Mitchell Bolton Clay Droulliard Christophe Garcia Tristan Gerfen Nick Ghilardi Saliyah Henderson Travis Hickman Misha Ilich Taylor Kangethe Daniel Kashani

Celeste Lopez Evan Miller Tyler Nelson Mia Pallito Quincy Rast Kelci Scott Elizabeth Stithem Jordan Sumner Hunter Thompson Daniel Wood

REACHING OUT

While we are expected to volunteer to meet the requirement of CCC or NHS or IB, the need to assist others comes from within.

SEPARATING THE STEEPLE

Religion can influence many things, but the government should not be one of them

EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOTE:

JUST BREATHE

After facing life-changing events, admitting you need help is the first step to recovery

remember it clearly. I was in kindergarten and we had just gotten back inside from recess. We formed a single file line in front of the bathroom, patiently waiting our turn; I was at the very back of the line. I opened the door to the classroom, and looked around. The seats were empty and my class was no where in sight. I stood in the doorway for a few seconds before completely realizing what had happened, my class had left me.

I wandered into the classroom next to mine and opened the door. Tears filled my eyes and all of the first-graders were staring at me. Ms. Mason asked what was wrong and I could barely get out complete sentences. I saw my sister sitting in a desk at the front and hoped she would claim me; instead, another first grader offered to help me find my class. We walked downstairs and found my class in the music room. Everyone was gathered in a circle on

The Northwest Passage and smnw.com, the official, school-sponsored student media of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School have been established as forums for student expression. The purpose of the Northwest Passage is to relay important and interesting information to the community, administration and students of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.

As a news magazine, the Northwest Passage will cater to the interests and concerns of the student body. The Northwest Passage is a 24-page newsmagazine distributed every three weeks during fifth hour. Subscriptions are available to the community for $40. The staff of the Northwest Passage firmly supports the First Amendment and opposes censorship. In

PHOTO BY KATE JACOBSEN

PHOTO BY ALEXY STYERS

PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA

17 15 16 PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

PHOTO BY TARYN SMITH

PHOTO COURTESY OF WAC 450F

21 14 19 17

THE HEAD COVER, UNCOVERED

Two Muslim girls talk about what the hijab means to them

THIS DISH SERVED

When it comes to custard, which is better; the big name brand or the Kansas-based store with the hometown feel?

HOOP, THERE IT IS

Students play recreational basketball in style

STATE CHAMPIONS

Senior Andrew Moss and junior Josh Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to tuba has had record setting results

INDOOR ZOO

Environmental Education houses animals in the classroom to help students learn about different organisms

300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE

A new perspective on the events in the origional 300

the carpet as the music teacher passed out instruments. That was arguably the most traumatic experience I had in elementary school. What got me through it was getting help. We all have times in our life when we need help from others. You drop a pencil and it has become out of your reach and the person sitting next to you reaches down and

hands it to you; someone helps you study for a test you are unprepared for or gives you a ride home. We all need help. We all need each other to survive (for more information on why we help, see page 10). Community service does not have to be something huge. It might be helping someone in small ways that get them through their day. You may not have time or want to

do a lot of community service, and that is okay. Find ways to help people around you, even if it is small. People need help in their everyday lives, whether they realize it or not.

accordance with Kansas statutes, the content of the newspaper is controlled and created by the staff of the paper. When questions concerning word choice, legal or ethical issues arise, the editorial board will address these concerns. If the editorial board cannot reach agreement on

Letters to if signed. and good policy but

Letters to the editor as well as any questions or concerns regarding either The Northwest Passage or smnw.com should be sent to either sarahegger.nw@gmail.com or graceamundson@gmail.com.

the editor will be accepted and The staff reserves the right to taste, but will in no way change not people the co-editors-in-chief

encouraged but will only be published edit for grammatical mistakes, length ideas or viewpoints. Letters may attack reserve the right to refuse any letter.

Sincerely, Sarah Egger Co-Editor-In-Chief

Colleen Winter Owner

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

Summer Aquatic Positions

JCCC Honors: Dig deeper. Aim higher.

assistant Pool Manager must be 18 years of age and hold current american red Cross waterpark lifeguard Certification. Starting salary is $12.00/hr lifeguards must be 16 years of age and hold current american red Cross waterpark lifeguard Certification. Starting salary is $8.75/hr. Swim instructors must be 16 years of age or older. training will be provided. Starting salary: $9.75/hr. Concession/Front Desk attendant must be 15 years of age. Starting Salary is $7.25/hr. assistant Dive Coaches must be 16 years of age with prior diving experience. Starting salary: $9.75/hr. head Swim Coach must be 18 years of age with previous coaching experience. assistant Swim Coach must be 16 years of age with prior swimming experience. Starting Salary $9.75/hr Pool Employment applications available on-line at www.cityofshawnee.org and at Shawnee City hall, 11110 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, kS 66203. Positions open until filled. all positions require pre-employment drug screen.

“The Honors program enhances your college education and provides opportunities to gain hands-on experience in areas of interest.” Amanda, JCCC Honors student and Gardner Edgerton High School graduate

Johnson County Community College’s Honors Program stimulates and challenges academically talented students. An Honors application is required for admission. For more information, call Pat Decker at 913-469-8500, ext. 2512, or visit www.jccc.edu/honors

briefly a Harrison Chen and Griffin robinson next student body president and vice president

eb. 27 ballots were collected and counted by StuCo Parliamentarian senior Carolina Mach. Juniors Sam Nobrega and Tom Green ran against classmates Harrison Chen and Griffin Robinson; who won the election. “Mrs. [Sarah] Dent faked me out a little,” Robinson said. “When we were walking into the library to find out results she wouldn’t look at me. She told me later that it was because she’d just been smiling if she had made eye contact with me.” Future plans to change how StuCo functions are not the focus for Chen and

Robinson. Keeping things organized and together is important to them; but they do want to include the StuCo executive board more in discussions and deciding things as well. Open Forum will be held each quarter in the little theater. “We want to keep it smooth,” Robinson said. “We want to see what the year has for us. It’s been really great the whole campaigning process; thank you to all that supported us.” BY PAIGE EICHKORN photo by sarah dean

future blood drives cancelled T here will be no more blood drives in the SM School District due to policy changes made prior to Winter Break. The Spring Blood Drive that was scheduled for March 4 was canceled due to this new policy. The policy is to protect students from any health related effects of donating blood and to keep classes undisturbed. “I am not happy because it still saves a lot of lives,” Blood Drive Coordinator Tom Green said. “I think they are worried about people getting injured and not many people have gotten injured. Many people pass out, but that is natural. They are worried about class time being wasted, but one class a day for lives being saved is worth it.” Instead of blood drives being hosted at the school, the district proposed that schools would encourage students and staff members

BY HAENA LEE

donate blood outside of the school. The district proposed that a month would be selected where there will be a competition of which school donated more blood. This option would not interfere with the learning environment and students and staff members could donate blood on their own time to the Community Blood Center. “That sounds really great since it isn’t just one day and nobody is missing school,” StuCo sponsor Sarah Dent said. “There have been some concerns brought up in our classes what this means. Will the students really go to the Community Center to donate blood? Will student develop a habit of donating blood in adulthood and how important that is to save people’s lives? There are just a lot of concerns of what will happen in the future, and to Northwest.”

Journalism Department Wins CSPA and Quill and Scroll Awards

olumbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) honors journalism students across the nation with the Gold Circle Award, the highest recognition of merit. Thirteen NW journalism students earned a Gold Circle Award or an honorable mention in eleven categories. Among those recognized is senior photographer Kate Jacobsen, who received an honorable mention in caption/cutline writing and photo portfolio. “For me, winning awards proves to me that I’m good at what I do and motivates me to try harder and do even better in the next contest,” Jacobsen said. Quill and Scroll recognizes more than 340 journalists in the fields of both photography and writing. Seven students have been recognized by Quill and Scroll as national winners, including those who graduated last

BY ATALIE BLACK

year. The 2012-2013 yearbook, themed “We Know,” along with SM North’s yearbook “Things Left Unsaid” have been nominated for the National Student Press Association (NSPA) Pacemaker Award. Since 1927, the National Pacemaker Award has been given to student journalists as the highest honor. The awards are generally considered to be the highest national honors in their field, and are unofficially known as the “Pulitzer Prizes of student journalism.” If The Liar receives the Pacemaker, it would mark the eighteenth consecutive year this honor has been award to Northwest. This award will be given April 13 at the 2014 spring journalism convention in San Diego, CA.

photo by kyle tong

Penpoint in need of more entries

BY KYLEE HARTL

enpoint is a literary magazine composed of students’ artwork, photography, poetry and writings, published at the end of the school year. Penpoint is currently still looking for submissions and staff for this years magazine. “Penpoint was around my freshman year,” Penpoint head editor Serena Clark said. “When it died out sophomore year, I decided it should come back because it’s been around a long time and it’s a unique and student driven published magazine that other schools don’t have.” As of now there has been only two works submitted, and the Penpoint staff is currently needing more. The deadline to submit all entries is mid April. “We prefer to have your name, but if you want to be it can be published under anonymous,” Clark said. You can submit your work to the penpoint email, smnwpenpoint@gmail.com or you can give it to Serena Clark, Meghan Clark or the Penpoint teacher sponsors, Morgan Johnson and Linda Raner.

NORTHWEST PASSAGE 05 a

NEWS

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SPRING PERFORMANCES

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NORTHWEST PASSAGE 07 a

NEWS

JUST BREATHE

EXPRESSING MYSELF

I may be quiet, but I have a lot to say KYLEE HARTYL The reason I write all these columns is to make a statement. I mean, I’m open about my beliefs, but only on paper. Words are my friends. They’re always there, they never leave, they are always true to me. It makes sense to me that the only way I feel comfortable about expressing myself is through words and writing. Writing gives me the power to express myself without speaking face-to-face to people. I’ll be honest: I don’t like being social. I feel awkward around people. I can’t talk about the party last Friday, or the boy who lives down my street or how awesome the newest song on the radio is. I don’t talk much about politics, news or how I feel about the government or charity. It’s the odd things about life that I like to talk about, a story that no one’s ever heard, the annoying part of a movie I disliked or the overall feel of an album that spoke to me. I’m that quiet girl in the back of the room who doodles and listens to music. Most of my classmates and teachers just assume I’m shy and don’t talk much. This is true, but it’s more of a fear of most people — a fear of strangers seeing who I really am. I surround myself with people who know nothing. I’m nice to them, but I don’t let on anything about my personality because I know that people would dislike me if I truly did express my thoughts. Why do I choose not to express my actual personality to anyone but my closest friends during school? Maybe because I don’t like people judging me. Once people know my beliefs and personality, I’m afraid they will judge and isolate me — or worse, put me into a categorical box. People have more of an appreciation for written words. It’s also nice because I don’t have to face as many people who disagree with my opinion. I don’t react well to being confronted about my beliefs, which tends to happen all too often than I like. I don’t like it when people complain about what I wear and why I do the things I do. Writing helps me express myself and it might be different for everybody. I know I’m not the only one who doesn’t fit into a particular way and I prefer it that way. Writing is my way of dealing with my problems. Find yours, whether it’s music, dance, writing, or whatever helps you feel better. It helps a lot more than you would think.

‘‘

I’m that quiet girl in the back of the room who doodles and listens to music.”

MAR. 12, 2014 Y

OPINION

After facing life-changing events, admitting you need help is the first step to recovery BY MADDIE GRIMES I’ve been struggling with severe anxiety since the latter part of middle school. At its worst, I feel like I have no control, like I am powerless and hopeless. I can’t stop the negative thoughts that remind me of every failure in school, every social shortcoming and every flaw in my appearance. No matter how I try to convince myself that I’m OK, the thoughts surround, haunt and attack me. The worst attack came last Christmas. We had opened presents earlier in the day. My sister and I had just seen Frozen when suddenly I was in full panic mode. I started shaking and couldn’t breathe. I had to be carried into the house because I passed out. When I woke up, I started crying even harder and couldn’t form words. I was screaming and grabbing for someone to help me. Then, I passed out again. I had never lost control like that before, and it was probably one of the scariest things I’ve ever been through. Just coming to Northwest my freshman year was a challenge. It felt too big, too overwhelming. I convinced myself that I wasn’t going to be successful, that the attempt to excel would actually be detrimental to my health. So I didn’t try. Sophomore year, I set my expectations too high. When I couldn’t reach the bar I had set, I crashed. I was trying so hard to catch up in my geometry class but had fallen about three weeks behind in homework assignments. It’s hard to explain, but my brain felt broken. I told myself that if I didn’t understand, I must be a failure, and I wouldn’t get the credit, so I’d have to do it in summer school, and then I might not graduate and if I didn’t graduate…, and then I wouldn’t be able to…,

‘‘

and that would mean…. And that’s how a panic attack starts — with an initial problem that you don’t know how to deal with that triggers the thoughts that prove that you are worthless, that you are hopeless, that you will never amount to anything. The spiral just continues. I screamed at my mother to help me, but the moment she offered advice or comfort, I rejected her advice, her help, even her touch. I left her no option but to leave me alone until I began to surface and could begin to hear her. She finally told me that I needed to see someone. I’ve been seeing a therapist for a little more than a year now, and I’ve made so much progress. The panic attacks come less frequently because I’ve begun to develop the skills needed to cope with daily life. But when I allow myself to get overwhelmed, the panic sets in, just like before. I know I’m not the only one who goes through this. If you are like me, I hope that in those moments when you are vulnerable, you’ll chose to hear my voice. Your personal traumas are a big part of your life, but they don’t define you. Maybe you’re sitting there reading this article thinking, “Oh my God; that’s me,” or, “That sounds just like my dad or mom.” The best decision I made was to start my recovery. I talked to my mom. I let her know I couldn’t pretend to be OK anymore. She helped me find a therapist and I know I’m getting better. Recovery takes time and effort. You can’t start the recovery process until you are willing to accept help. Reach out. You won’t believe how many people in your life just want to see you get better.

If you are like me, I hope that in those moments when you are vulnerable, you’ll chose to hear my voice.”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NATE COMPTON

staff editorial

SEPARATING THE T

he Kansas Legislature introduced House Bill 2453, which would give businesses the right to refuse service to gay people or to fire gay employees, Jan.16. HB 2453 was passed by a 72-49 margin Feb. 12 in the Kansas State House, and then quickly declared dead by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Jeff King. Arizona proposed a similar bill, SB 1062, that passed through both houses Feb. 20. However, Gov. Jan Brewer hesitated to sign the bill due to the economic concerns after companies including Apple, American Airlines and the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee voiced their misgivings. Brewer vetoed the bill after it was found unconstitutional. These bills were introduced

to “protect” those who hold religious beliefs that condemn homosexuality. But, public outcry came from the understanding that this would also allow discrimination based on one’s sexual orientation. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, and so all Americans have a right to their beliefs. Additionally, all Americans have the right to live free of discrimination, especially in the eyes of the law and government. It’s for these reasons that the separation of church and state has been so important since the foundation of our country. However, bills like these are pushing the boundaries of this separation. Beyond this issue, consider the controversial topic of abortion. Many people fall under

House Bill 2453, which would allow businesses to refure service to gay people or fire gay employees, was passed by a 72-49 margin

‘‘

this would allow discrimination based on one’s sexual orientation.”

vs.

the category of either pro-choice or pro-life. Kansas HB 2253 went into effect last July. This bill declared that human life begins at fertilization and eliminates government funding for abortion services. When it comes to being pro-life or pro-choice, the decision often boils down to a person’s religious beliefs. Again, it seems that the line between church and state is being blurred. The Constitution established the separation between church and state. The word “God” does not appear in the Constitution, therefore making it secular. Now the government is making various bills decimating the line between the state and the church. There needs to be limitation and boundaries of how much one’s religion influences

no America has

official

religion

Religion can influence many things, but the government should not be one of them lawmaking because there is more than one religion. Why not view things from another standpoint? We preach about equality, yet we create bills that allow one to be denied service and, in turn, promote discrimination.The fact that bills such as these could even be considered in front of a legislature is evidence enough that our policy-makers need to put aside their personal agendas and get back to representing, and protecting, all of their constituents.

Staff Votes

20 01 agree

disagree

The government has no right to be involved, no matter who is participating in the marriage & if it is or is not against a religion

‘‘

if a religion conflicts with a decision that affects the people and interferes with what we try to promote, that is where the line is crossed.”

NORTHWEST PASSAGE 09 Y

OPINION

MAR. 12, 2014 y

FEATURE

photo illustration by nate compton

out

While we are expected to volunteer to meet the requirements of CCC or NHS or IB, the need to assist others often comes from within Throughout high school, Amanda Daubenspeck was the manager of the girls’ basketball team. Amanda, a 2007 graduate, has autism. She attended practices and cheered loudly from the sidelines every game, whether they were winning or losing. Her ability to turn her disability into an asset was the reason her brother, junior Dillon Daubenspeck, decided to help others. “Amanda taught me to have patience and appreciate all the gifts God gives us as well as the special people he puts in our lives,” Dillon said. “I feel like I

should put all of the lessons Amanda has taught me to good use. She, in fact, inspired me to join Helpers, Inc.” Helpers, Inc., collaborates with the state to pair up volunteers with someone who has a physical or mental disability. Volunteers, like Dillon, visit the homes of these individuals and work with them on social or life skills. Dillon and his partner enjoy preparing meals together. “Every Wednesday, we work on cooking skills. We take over the kitchen for the night and we make a meal for ourselves,” Dillon said. “My job is to step back as much as possible give him as little help as possible, so then he’ll be able to do it on his own.” story continued on next page

BY ATALIE BLACK + LENA DENNINGTON + PAIGE EICHKORN + SARAH EGGER + DEENA ESSA + SOPHIE FLORES + KYLEE HARTL + HAENA LEE

NORTHWEST PASSAGE y

FEATURE

why do we help?

niversity of Kansas psychologist and we want to be able to make people Dan Batson, Ph.D., thinks that feel the same way we did.” human empathy allows us to be Altruism is putting someone else selfless. When you can empathize first, even if we pay a price to do so, with your friend who is feeling without expecting a reward. Empathy exhausted after having pulled an all altruism is being altruistic due to a nighter studying for an exam. Or how sense of “I’ve been there before”. a former smoker is more Volunteering can also Volunteering can also likely to understand a help people stay physically help people stay physically healthy, smoker’s struggle to combat healthy, combat depression, quit. depression, and increase and increase self“Teenagers can self-confidence, according confidence probably identify most to Helpguide.org. Doing good with the idea of empathetic altruism,” for others provides a natural sense of psychology teacher Amy Walker said. accomplishment and keeps a person “We’ve been [helped out] before and in constant contact with people. we want to find a way to give back,

AT NORTHWEST

rganizations and classes such as Although clubs and organizations National Honors Society (NHS), play a large part in promoting service Spanish Honors Society (SNHS), CCC to the community, athletes find time and International Baccalaureate CAS in their busy schedule to help others (Creativity, Action, Service) require in the community as well. The girls’ community service hours. Other swim team supports Harvesters, an clubs, including Key Club and Interact organization that feeds approximately Club, encourage volunteer work, but 66,000 people a week. For every goal do not require it,. the girls’ varsity soccer team scored, The IB website explains that “The a money jar is passed around the CAS requirement is a fundamental stands. Boys’ soccer team members part of the programme and takes referee Special Olympics, a sports seriously the importance of life event for children with mental or outside the world of scholarship, physical challenges. providing a refreshing counterbalance “We try to do as much as we can to to academic studies.” help out the community,” junior Tom Similarly, the NHS membership Green. “It hits really close to home requires that students complete because of Coach Boren’s son, but it’s 20 hours of individual community so rewarding to see these kids light service and one group service as a way up while playing soccer. To be there to to stimulate a desire to render service help, it’s even better.” and to develop character While the students in the students of enjoy participating “I think it’s such a secondary schools. in Special Olympics, cool thing to be able soccer As part of their coach to invest in a child.” Todd Boren is the group project, seniors Carolina Mach and inspiration behind the Josh Van Auken and motivation. juniors Spencer Dang, Luke Hansen “I feel a little bit stronger of a and Nick Leyden are reading and connection to Special Olympics recording children’s books that will be knowing that my son [who has sent to kindergartens and hospitals in down syndrome] might participate the metro area. sometime in the future,” varsity “I got the idea from a camp I soccer coach Todd Boren said. “But worked at this summer,” Mach said. even if it were not for my son, I would “I think it’s such a cool thing to be able still have decided to do it just because to invest in a child.” I think it’s a great cause.”

94% 78% of peoeple say

volunteering improved their mood*

of peoeple say

volunteering lowered their stress*

MAR. 12, 2014 * UnitedHealth Group survey of 3,351 people y

FEATURE

beyond NORTHWEST

olunteering can also prepare at times, more children, volunteers and students for college life by allowing donors would eventually show up. them to practice important skills used Bike club mentors teach children of in the workplace, like teamwork, elementary and middle school ages to communication, and organization. repair donated bikes. After gaining the skill “I realize that I’m not the mathematical the children get to keep their bikes. genius who is going to make a lot of money “Really, it’s about giving kids a project in engineering or a lawyer,” senior Grace — something to commit to that they can Freeman said. “I decided to get fulfillment physically see the results of,” Alexander from helping other people instead. I plan said. “They can learn how to repair a to commit my life to community service.” bike and learn about things they’ve never Senior Emma Perlmutter joined Cadet heard of before and an hour later they’ll Teaching to gain experience working with have to fix that thing. That sense of students who have special needs. In Cadet accomplishment is definitely not unique to Teaching, students partner with other bike repair but very important to middlestudents to help them develop social and school aged kids.” life skills. We can volunteer to help to children “I want to be a teacher, so I think it’s in several different ways, from teaching a really good skill to have, to know how them an applicable skill to providing a role to work with kids who have more specific model in their lives. Big Brother-Big Sister needs,” Perlmutter said. “You can see them is another group that has helped children improving, and you learn a lot about helping people. I think I probably will do some volunteering “Really it’s in the future with Special about giving kids a project - something to Olympics now that I have the skills.” commit to that they can physically see the At the talent show Feb. results of,” Alexander said. “They can learn how 10, the Cadets and their partners danced to the to repair a bike... and an hour later they’ll song “Cotton-Eyed Joe.” have to fix it and [will have] that sense “I love working with those kids,” junior Morgan of accomplishment.” Carl said. “We had been dancing in class to prepare for a special education dance we have coming up and [teacher Debbie] Jenkins in the Kansas City area since 1964 by simply thought it’d be a good idea to do in the giving companionship. Talent Show. I got to teach the dance to the Big Brother-Big Sister is a mentor class. We practiced in the cafeteria with a program between “bigs,” an adult boom box and everyone had a ton of fun.” volunteer, and “lils,” a child or adolescent. Learning to help others during high The volunteer’s job is to be a mentor and school can also lead to even bigger projects role model for a child who has lost a as an adult. parent. Senior Jesse Black has had his big Ben Alexander, 2006 alumnus, dragged brother Louis for five years. bikes out of his garage, his attic, anywhere Just a year after Black’s father passed he could find, for children in need. away in 2007, his mother introduced him Alexander founded the nonprofit to Big Brother Big Sister. The fear of having organization FreeWheels for Kids (http:// someone replace Black’s father became an www.freewheelskc.org), in January 2012. issue. However, Black eventually became Alexander met a seventh-grader in a grateful to have someone to go to when he community center who wanted to learn had bad days. how to fix a bicycle. He liked the idea of “At first, yes,” Black said. “I felt like that teaching children to fix bikes, so he called was what my mom was trying to do. But at several bike shops to secure space for his the same time, I was 11 years old. I might project. When he couldn’t find anything, have felt that at first, but now I don’t feel he brought bikes in to the community that at all. We’re just brothers.” center. Although membership slowed

I’ve already done a group project and I have my hours [for NHS]. It’s mostly just because I think it would be a nice thing to do for people. It’s not taking up too

much of my time, it’s going to make people

happy, so why not?”— Junior Nick Leyden

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more than VOLUNTEERING

self transcendence

illon and his sister spend more time mission trips to help build communities together now that Dillon can drive. and shelters for third world countries. very chance they get, they take a drive “I’ve always gone to church so I just got nd listen to anything by Will Smith “Get my inspiration from God,” Bonser said. “I ggy With It” is their favorite. basically am able to love others and love “My big sister has taught me so much God through helping others.” even just about the little There are many places to “My big sister has hings in life like being volunteer and many people taught me so much, rateful for the people who who need help. even just about the elp you ” Dillon said. “She “We have come to little things in life” uly means a lot to me.” the realization that the As for Dillon’s volunteer only thing that works is ork, he continues to reach out to others. community service, that is the way we are “Don’t think of it as volunteering,” put together,” Poplau said. “I cannot make illon said. “Look at it as you wanting to go it on my own, you can not make it on your ut and do something for the community.” own. We owe everything to community One of the most popular ways students service.” et involved in the community is through he Cougar Community Commitment CCC). “The only way we can become good is hat we do for other people,” CCC teacher on Poplau said. “That is why there is a equirement, so many hours. The more ou do, the better you become.” Students are discovering this ealization in their own lives. “I realized volunteering was really eneficial, not only was my body less ense but I was also happier and I smiled uicker. Part of my life and part of what believe is if I’m capable of giving back, I ill give as much as I can,” senior Jackie ntzminger said. “There’s no reason why ou can’t. Everyone in this building is apable of giving a little bit of themselves o someone else so I just try to do that.” Senior Michael Catt volunteers at arent’s Night Out and helps children with isabilities. “Volunteering puts a lot into erspective, it seems like a lot of your roblems are trivial after you see what ther people are going through,” Catt said. got into it at first with the motive to uild up my resume for college. Eventually started doing it without getting hours ecause it’s a lot of fun, and you get to meet people you don’t normally meet.” Junior Nick Leyden volunteers at a ursing home. “I have my hours [for NHS],” Leyden aid. “I [volunteer] mostly just because think it is a nice thing to do for people. ’s not taking up too much of my time, it’s oing to make other people happy, so why ot?” CCC president Taylor Bonsor goes on

self actualization

esteem

social

security

physiological

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City has served more than

,00

t 0 at - r i s k you

90% 90%

these youth account for: of juvenile court cases,

of high school dropouts,

60% of teen suicides in the KC metro area

Harvesters feeds approximately

, 000

Psychologist Abraham Maslow theorized the motives of behavior in a humanistic perspective, forming his hierarchy of needs. According to Maslow, people must fulfill basic needs before they are able to reach self actualization, and finally, self transcendence. The lower level

FreeWheels for Kids sent

people a week

needs in maslow’s pyramid are known as deficiency needs; these include physiological needs, security needs, social needs and esteem needs. The higher level needs are known as growth needs because they arise from one’s desire to progress in life.

& they have now repaired

783 bikes

home with kids. NORTHWEST PASSAGE y

FEATURE

Senior Andrew Moss and junior Josh Patrick’s commitment to tuba has had record setting results BY KAITIE MAROLF

photo by taryn smith

Junior Josh Patrick’s drum corp, Madison Scouts, and senior Andrew Moss’ drum corp, Dubuque Colts, will travel for the majority of the summer. Here is a look at the schedule through July. 2014 DCI Tour Madison Scouts JUN 20 - Rockford, IL JUN 21 - Akron, OH JUN 22 - Bowling Green, OH JUN 24 - Merrillville, IN JUN 25 - Evansville, IN JUN 28 - Madison, WI JUN 29 - Rochester, MN JUN 30 - Mankato, MN JUL 3 - Cedarburg, WI JUL 4 - Cedarburg 4th of July Parade & Concert

JUL 5 - Whitewater, WI JUL 6 - Lisle, IL JUL 8 - Dubuque, IA JUL 9 - Sioux City, IA - Clinic & Performance JUL 11 - Cheyenne, WY JUL 12 - Denver, CO JUL 14 - Omaha, NE JUL 15 - Wichita, KS JUL 17 - Round Rock, TX JUL 19 - San Antonio, TX

Dubuque Colts Summer Tour 2014 Move In For Summer: Brass ‘n Bats: Friday, May 23 Tuesday, June 10 Dubuque, IA Belmont, WA Cornfield Tour: May Rehersal: Wednesday, June 11 Saturday, May 24 - Sunday, Wednesday, June 18 May 25 TBA Dubuque Area Cornfield Tour: Summer Premiere: Tuesday, May 27 - Monday, Wednesday, June 19 June 9 Dubuque, IA Dubuque Area Rehersal:

MAR. 12, 2014 y

FEATURE

JUL 21 - Dallas, TX JUL 23 - Hattiesburg, MS JUL 24 - Opelika, AL JUL 25 - Huntsville, AL JUL 26 - Atlanta, GA JUL 28 - Dublin, OH JUL 29 - Erie, PA JUL 30 - Rome, NY JUL 31 - Quincy, MA

Friday, June 20 - Monday, June 23 TBA Competition: Tuesday, June 24 - Monday, June 30 Merrillville, IN Evansville, IN Muncie, IN Madison, WI Rochester, MN

ong bus rides, sleeping on hard gym floors, showering in team locker rooms and 11-hour practices on smoldering football fields: this is how junior Josh Patrick and senior Andrew Moss are planning to spend their summer. “It’s really hard to get in,” Andrew’s father, associate principal Moss, said. “Most of these kids that are in it are 18-21 [years old]. So most of them are in college, and both Andrew and Josh made the drum corp, which is a big thing.” The tuba players originally tried out for the Blue Coats Drum Corp, a Canton, Ohio-based competitive music ensemble, together, but neither of them made it. After individual tryouts, Andrew made the Dubuque Colts and Patrick made the Madison Scouts, based out of Dubuque, Ohio, and Madison, Wis., respectively. “Basically, it’s a marching band on steroids,” Patrick said. The marching bands are made up of about 150 players (about 80 horns, 30-40 percussion and the rest colegard). Both teams travel the country competing in week-long competitions during which they are judged on overall impression, musical sound, their marching and interest level. “The sound that comes at you of 80 brass players that have been working really, really hard all summer. It’s like you not only hear the sound, but you can feel it,” associate principal Moss said. “You can feel the sound. All of the drummers, they are just… it’s amazing.” The end goal of the band’s intense focus is the Drum Corp International World Championships in Indianapolis in late August. “It’s going to get tough, but as it goes on, it’s going to become easier,” Patrick said. “I’m going to be away from a lot. It could affect me. I know it will change me as a person; I’m just not sure how yet.” While Patrick joined to become a participant after being an observer for so many years, Andrew’s father introduced him at an early age. “I’ve gone to drum corp shows probably since the mid ’70s, so it’s been probably 30-35 years that I’ve known about drum corps,” associate principal Moss said. “It’s going to be pretty cool to have a kid out there on the field.” Andrew and Patrick’s tuba accomplishments go beyond their summers. Both of them qualified for the district band, and then the All State Band, which performed in Wichita March 1. Northwest has not had a tuba player make it this far since 1970, and this was the first time in the school’s history to have two tuba players at this stage in the same year. With only six students selected out of the state, Northwest has one-third of the best tuba players in the state. To prepare for their summer competitions, the musicians travel to Iowa and Wisconsin once a month for day-long rehearsals. “Andrew was first chair, and when we were going down to Wichita Andrew said, ‘I’m kind of like the state champion in tuba,’” associate principal Moss said. “I said, ‘I guess you are. That’s a different way of thinking about it, but yeah, I guess so.’ So, we had two state champions in tuba: Josh and Andrew.”

photo by alexa styers

D Michael Catt

@TheGreatCattsby

No Brakes dropped 70 points in our GABL game today

Josh Alexander

@JoshAlexander9

@smnwdotcom talk to me about this. I’m the self-proclaimed captain of THE BEST GABL team at NW.

Sean Collins

@sean_collins23

#GameDay #GABL #RiseAndGrind #BallsLyfe #journeyToTheAssociations #TreyBallsForDayz

Sam Gay

@samsnotgay

“@TheGreatCattsby: Sam Gay with the upcoming #1 play on Sportcenter #buzzbeater @ samisnotgay” with the assist to @MJenks12

Nate Reeder

@natereeder4

Bout to tear it up on the court with the fellow tropics players tonight! @jake_malik16 @ jesseH00T9 @brandongomer @ chasebennett25 @Klomfahs

hoo , THERE IT IS Students play recreational basketball in style

ribbling down the court passing boys in short-shorts, sweat bands, kneehigh socks, and brightly colored shoes, junior Brandon Gomer makes a layup. Similarly dressed teammates on the sideline jumps out of their seats and erupts in cheers. This is not just any basketball game; this is the Great American Basketball League (GABL). “Every time we are together and someone scores a moderately good shot, we love to joke around and dash out of our seat,” Gomer said. Gomer joined GABL two years ago. GABL allows students who want to play basketball recreationally to form and compete against area teams, many from other SM schools. Gomer plays on The Tropics, a team with his classmates, which has yet to lose a game. Another NW team, No Brakes #FeelingGood is comprised of seniors Sam Gay, Michael Catt, Andrew Knapp, Max Jenks, Connor Johnson, Kellan Horner, Alex Springer and Josh Alexander (their selfproclaimed captain). They have a similar record, but have lost one game (to SM East). While Gomer’s game mentality is more to have fun, Alexander believes his team is a little more serious. “As self-proclaimed captain, I know

that I need to do what it takes to keep my team on top,” Alexander said. “GABL gets so heated. We once had a guy get ejected on another team because he got two technical fouls for screaming at the ref.” Although the games are only recreational, the boys take them to extremes, both in level of competition and attire. Players usually decked out in brightly colored attire including sweatbands, track shorts and shooting sleeves. However, each team wears the same reversible jersey, blue on one side and white and red on the other. The athletes are allowed accessorize to their own desire, which leaves some in little more than boxer shorts. “We dress ridiculously, with like shooting sleeves and crazy-colored shortshorts” Alexander said. “Then the other team won’t take us seriously. Then we will beat them and they’ll get really mad. Plus, it’s more fun to dress ridiculous; it brings out the funny in everyone.” Although the two NW teams are not scheduled to play each other, the two teams are planning to scrimmage. “We are both the top teams of our class,” Gomer said. “I think we could definitely take them because I think they underestimate us.” “I mean, I heard they wanted to scrimmage us, but I don’t know why they would want to do that,” Alexander said. photo by alexa styers

photo by alexa styers

“About five of us average 10 points a game, so we put up some major numbers.” Many of the other SM schools form teams to compete competitively, making it comparable to a recreational Sunflower League. The games are played at SM East, SM West and Okun Fieldhouse, off Johnson Drive in Shawnee. “Whenever I have GABL, I have to get in the zone. I don’t have time to text people back,” Alexander said. “I know I have to prepare for the big game.” Contrary to the recreational nature, the players take the games seriously, running plays, shooting threes and setting screens. However, the league prohibits dunking the ball and penalizes anyone who tries with a technical foul. “Even though we joke so much, GABL is just fun,” Alexander said. “It’s always the highlight of my weekend. It’s just a good time to hang out with my friends and an excuse to get some food afterwards.” “GABL is a huge stress reliever for me because I get to go play basketball with my friends,” Gomer said. “We try to win, but it’s just more about having fun.” As the players exit the gym, all of them smile and tell each other, “Good game.” But trash-talk floods the Twittersphere, until the next time they meet each other, all smiles, on the court. BY LENA DENNINGTON

Above: Senior Max Jenks goes for a lay up on Feb. 9 at SM East gym. Jenks’ team, the #FeelGood/NoBrakes, won the game. “We decided to make a GABL team to have fun,” Jenks said. “And we all love basketball.” Left: Senior Max Jenks shoots the ball at S.M East on Feb. 9. Jenks makes the shot earning another two points for his team. Center: Senior Alex Springer jumps up to shoot a 2-pointer at S.M East on Feb 9. Springer makes the shot. Right: Senior Max Jenks shoots over an opposing player at S.M East on Feb. 9. The ball rebounded off the rim into the opposing team’s hands.

NORTHWEST PASSAGE 15 y

FEATURE

PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA

Environmental Education houses animals in the classroom to help students learn about different organisms.

“Y

ou never know what you are going to walk in on, because there are 30 animals in the room,” Environmental Education teacher Stacy Robins said. Environmental Ed is a class that teaches students about different animals and how to take care of them. “One of the objectives of the class is to learn how to take care of an organism so that is technically the reason they

are there,” Robins said. “Then we have all different kinds of animals to take care of so then a student can learn how to take care of different types.” They do elementary school tours as well. Throughout the year, students from Benninghoven elementary school will take a tour of the room and the outdoor lab. The students must be educated enough on a specific animal to be able to teach the children.

PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA

Common Name: Armadillo Lizard Class Name: different in every hour Diet: Insectivore; crickets and other

PHOTO BY LAUREN EDWARDS

Common name: Bearded Dragon Class name: different in every hour Diet: Insectivore; crickets and other

PHOTO BY LAUREN EDWARDS

PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA

Common Name: Dwarf Hamster Class Name: Fancy Diet: Herbivore; seeds, fresh fruit and

Common Name: Chinchillas Class Name: Momma, Spike Diet: Herbivore; high fiber diet

Interesting info: you can control what

Interesting Information: Chinchillas

small insects

greens

scaled lizards that may be small in size but can make a great pet for up to 25 years.

they will stand up on their hind legs to run from danger. This is actually slower than running on all fours.

genders of babies are born based on temperature of the cage.

PHOTOBYBYLAUREN NICK KAHTAVA PHOTO EDWARD

Common Name: Blue-Tongued Skink Diet: Omnivore; fruit, chicken, and insects

Interesting Info: the blue-tongued

skink got its name because its tongue is really blue.

MAR. 12, 2014 y

BY KEEGAN DOLINAR + SARAH EGGER

small insects.

Interesting Information: they are

“My kids teach the little kids about the specific classes of animals and adaptations and life cycles,” Robins said. “The [animals] are used more in Environmental Ed, used as a how to take care of the organism, but they are a teaching tool for when the little kids come.”

FEATURE

Interesting Information: In the wild

PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA

Warmer=boys

Colder= girls

PHOTO BY LAUREN EDWARDS

(timothy hay)

take dust baths because of their fur, which has eight hairs.

PHOTO BY LAUREN EDWARDS

Common Name: Ball Python Class Name: Monty Diet: Carnivore; mice and other small

Common Name: Yellow-Bellied Turtle Class Name: Squirt Diet: Omnivore, pond plants, insects,

Common Name: Leopard Geckos Class Name: different in every hour Diet: Insectivores; cricket and other

Interesting Information: Revered as

Interesting Information: the shell

Interesting Information: Geckos are

rodents

a symbol of the Earth by the igbo tribes in Nigeria.

and fish

of a turtle is made up of 60 different bones all connected together. In captivity they require more space as they age. SOme aquatic turtles can absorb oxygen through the skin on their neck and cloacal areas allowing them to remain submerged.

small insects

nocturnal that can be found in India and hot sandy regions.

The Head Cover

uncovered Two Muslim girls talk about what the hijab means to them BY DEENA ESSA

“H

ijab” is an Arabic word used to describe the headscarf worn by Muslim women that covers their hair and neck and sometimes their face. Similar to the other Abrahamic religions, in Islam, women are required to dress modestly. Orthodox Jewish women are required to cover their hair in the presence of men other than their husband. Christian nuns wear habits that cover their hair and body and Virgin Mary is rarely depicted with her hair uncovered. Senior Huda Al Sadeq and her sister, junior Eman Al Sadeq, are both Muslim. Huda decided to wear the hijab at age 13. “I wanted to wear [the hijab] even in the beginning,” Huda said. “I used to go to private school [Islamic School of Greater Kansas City (ISGKC)] and [all the girls] wore scarves, that was part of the uniform so I grew up with it.” Even though Eman also started at ISGKC, she chose not to wear it at all. After trying it on for a month her sophomore year and not liking it she took it off. “I don’t feel like mysel,” said Eman. “I feel closed up and I just don’t want to talk to anyone because I’m not confident with it and you have to be confident with it. When I wear it I feel like all eyes are on me and I feel like I’m being judged and I’m not supposed to feel like that.” 13 while her younger sister chose not to wear it at all.

Hijab FAQs

When do you have to start wearing it?

Usually the hijab is worn around the time of puberty when a girl becomes a woman. However, the ages at which you start wearing it can range from as young as 10 to as old as 50.

Why cover the hair? It’s not just the hair. Wearing the hijab entails covering all parts of your body except your face and hands. However, it also means you can’t wear anything tight or revealing (e.g. leggings). The hijab is also about your actions

Who do they have to wear it in front of? Muslim women have to wear the hijab in front of all men who they could legally get married to. This doesn’t include their father, brother(s), uncle(s), grandfather(s), husband, father-inlaw, son(s) and nephew(s). Also, Muslim women do not have to wear the hijab in front of other women.

Why do they wear it? The purpose of the hijab is to add meaning to women beyond just a figure. A woman’s body is part of her beauty and in Islam it is reserved for herself and for family members. In the privacy of their house, Muslim women have the freedom to wear whatever they want to. In Western countries, some women wear it as an assertion of identity.

Why do some Muslim women decide to not wear it? The hijab is a religious obligation for all Muslim women. However, it is also indisputably a choice in Islam that women have to make on their own, and yet there are women who are still forced into wearing it. Some women don’t wear the hijab because of social pressure and fear of discrimination. Others feel it limits their freedom to express themselves.

PHOTO BY KATE JACOBSEN

wrapping the hijab 1. Tie hair into a bun to avoid it slipping out of the scarf.

2. Put underscarf on like a headband - slip it onto your neck first, then pull it upwards onto your hair.

3. Take the rectangular shaped scarf and put it on with one side shorter than the other leaving a little of the underscarf showing.

4. Start wrapping the longer side of the scarf around your head.

5. The second wrap should be a little behind the first one.

6. Finish by putting the remaining part of the scarf onto your shoulder NORTHWEST PASSAGE y

FEATURE

PHOTO COUTSEY OF 2.BP.BLOGSPOT.COM

Traffic Racer The perfect smartphone driving game is right around the next turn

BY BEN LUCIER

rating: 4.5 out of 5 platforms: IOS & Android Cost: $0.99

PHOTO COURTSEY OF WAC.450F.EDGECASRCDN.COM

raffic Racer may the perfect game to let off steam from driving in real life. It is your job to steer through highway traffic in order to collect money and points for when you want to customize, upgrade, and even choose better cars. This game brings endless arcade gaming to a whole new generation. With amazing graphics and realistic gameplay, Traffic Racer gives the fun, enjoyable feel of what a smartphone game should be like. The replicated vehicles look exactly like their real life counterparts, whether it’d be Dodge, Chevy, or BMW. You can choose to drive in the calm, relaxing suburbs, scorching heat of the desert, blizzard snowing roads, or even take a midnight drive where it’s harder to spot oncoming cars with your headlights. You can choose to drive endlessly in one way, two way traffic where you have to avoid oncoming cars driving your way, time trials where you have to beat the clock to get as many points as you can, and free ride mode.

Crazy driving is now in the palm of your hands

300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE

ise of an Empire was different from what I initially expected. I assumed it was a sequel to 300. However, it is more of a companion movie, with all of Greece uniting with the combined armies of all the Greek city states (excluding Sparta), that provides a different perspective of the events in 300, including before and after. Greece is being invaded by Persia and its god-king Xerxes (ca. 480 BC). While Leonidas of Sparta is fighting in Battle of Thermopylae (300), Themistocles of Athens is preparing a sea battle at Salamis (Rise of an Empire). In an attempt to live up to it’s predecessor, 300: Rise of An Empire is just as action-packed and visually stylish. But, this installment is even bloodier than the first. As for the story, there really isn’t much to chew on. The overblown acting of the movie was about the same as the first. But, the Australian actor cast as

BY KEEGAN DOLINAR

Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) is nowhere near as memorable as Gerard Butler as King Leonidas in 300. He just doesn’t bring that rugged heroic presence on screen as is expected. Artemisia (Eva Green), on the other hand, steals the show. She is tough and can handle anything thrown at her, whether it’s an army or Xerxes himself; she was the perfect choice for Xerxes’ (Rodrigo Santoro) naval commander. While most of the movie was visually impressive, I did find a few scenes that were out of place and unnecessary. Sure the political side of war is important, but the fact that people are begging Sparta to help in the war to fight off Persia does not make for a good movie. In saying that, the confrontations between Themistocles and Artemisia more than made up for these lulls in story. Overall this movie is not near as explosive as the first but it is definitely worth a look.

If you’re one of those kind of people who like to slowly progress through a game, then this is the game for you. You need to be good at driving in order to get really far into the game and can be a real time consuming game to earn cash for when you want to buy anything in the game. When you end up playing this game with its amazing graphics, your phone battery will drain like crazy. So the best time to be playing this game is when you are charging your phone. There is no option of a multiplayer on this game, so you end up playing solo the entire time. This mini game can give you the rush and adrenaline of your dream to speed along an endless highway. It is a fun game all in all, the game never crashes, updates automatically, and precision when steering in the game is perfect. Although, it is very time consuming to play and get cash, it is a game that is never boring.

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

ENTERTAINMENT

DO YOU WANT TO SUBMIT A COMIC?

Words and Ink by Mitch Feyerherm

Abhor Horror by Jordan Absher

Spirit of Northwest by Isaac Coleman

Send an email of your comic to our graphics editor at mitchfeyerherm@gmail.com and you could be featured in an upcoming issue of The Northwest Passage.

SUDOKU hard 5

6 2

1 20

MAR. 12, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

6 3

6 8

3 3

6 3

1 3

5 1

thisDISH

SERVED

frozen custard

Savour Sheridan’s i

f you want frozen custard, why not go somewhere which actually specializes in frozen custard. Sheridan’s full name in fact is Sheridan’s Lattes & Frozen Custards, showing that frozen custard is one of their first priorities. It is their craft, and they have perfected it. Sheridan’s has an endless amount of combinations. They have dozens of pre made combinations of custards, malts, latte’s, smoothies, and other frozen drinks, and if you have something more specific in mind then you can create your own frozen treat with 37 different topping options and the choice of chocolate or vanilla custard (if you are making a frozen custard that is.) You can always use those sweet, savoury, salty, or fruity toppings to make other things, such as smoothies, as well. One of my personal favorite smoothies is a

pineapple blueberry smoothie (not on the menu), and as for custard, the chocolate razzle dazzle is a must have. The razzle dazzle is what is actually on their menu, rich custard topped with fresh raspberries and delicious hot fudge, but when you order it with chocolate custard it takes it to an entirely new level of richness. Sheridan’s is not a full, sit down restaurant. Instead your two options are a drive-through or a walk-up window. While in the winter, waiting outside in the freezing cold to receive frozen custard is not the best way to get pumped up for your ice-cold treat however, in the warmer seasons it is the perfect combination. A frozen treat, a sunny day and a little bench with a picnic table: what could be better? The all year around bonus to just having stop-and-go windows are that it is fast and

For Freddy’s f

reddy’s has made their own frozen custard since the 1950s, and it was first opened by a World War II veteran in Wichita, Kansas. Now, there are over 26 states with a Freddy’s. Frozen custard is different than ice cream. Frozen custard is a gourmet ice cream treat which is smoother because of the extra egg yolk in the ingredients. It is also done in air tight container which allows for minimal ice crystals. This also allows it to be served at a higher temperature and gives the custard more time than ice cream before it melts.

BY NATE COMPTON

there is no expectation to tip. So in the end, the lack of tipping makes up for Sheridan’s prices, which are on the higher end. Even for frozen custard. Sheridan’s is the best place to go for frozen custard because it is what they specialize in. Their slightly higher price range is well worth it for their superior quality. With seemingly endless possibilities, Sheridan’s is sure to satisfy whatever craving you have.

photo by sarah dean

BY LENA DENNINGTON

Being a restaurant started by a middle class man from Kansas, Freddy’s has a diner-esque feel. This gives it a laid back environment, which makes it feel a little nicer than an ordinary fast food restaurant. If you are looking for a salty snack with your frozen custard, Freddy’s also serves burgers and slim cut french fries. The prices range around $3-$4 for your frozen custard, and $1-$2 for fries, so for a snack, it would only cost about $5. Although the weather doesn’t always permit, Freddy’s is the perfect place to sit in a warm, indoor facility, and enjoy a

cold treat. Although they only have two different flavors of custard (chocolate and vanilla), with over 26 different toppings,so there are many combinations. If you are struggling on what to get, they have over ten specialty choices including sundaes, concretes, malts and milkshakes. They also have the option of a waffle cone (made inhouse), cake cone, or in a bowl. So, if you’re looking for an indoor environment that serves quality frozen custard with a hometown feel, Freddy’s is the place to go.

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

ENTERTAINMENT

w i n t e r s p o r t s

MAR. 12, 2014

SPORTS

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

Boy’s Basketball S

aturday night’s game at home against Olathe North was an important one and the Cougars didn’t let up one bit. Despite foul trouble holding off seniors Keaton Cross and Brady Skeens, the team was able to make stands defensively to hold of the Eagles. At the beginning of the fourth quarter it was just a six point game, but after a few transition lay-ups and a key three-pointer from senior Warren Spect the Cougars took a commanding lead and never looked back, defeating the Eagles 6144. “It was a team effort,” senior Brady Skeens said. “We saw how the refs were calling it and had to adjust the best we could and managed to get out with a pretty good win.” The Cougars became sub-state champions Saturday, but the next stop is state. The next game will be this Wednesday the 13th in Witchita. BY sean collins

PHOTO BY addison sherman

Wrestling

Girl’s Basketball T

he Girls’ Varsity Basketball team is headed to State after their 5650 win against Olathe East. Their win on Mar. 7 made them the regional champions. The lady cougars will play at the State Tournament which begins on Mar. 12 and continues on Mar. 14 and 15 at Wichita State University. “We are approaching [state] just

PHOTO BY emilie amanatigui

like we did substate,” senior Amanda Hoelting said. “It’s a survive and advance type of situation so we have to mentally prepare ourselves to give absolutely 110% every single time on the court.” A spirit bus will be available for students to ride to Wichita if faculty members agree to supervise the ride. BY jordan arnold

restlers competed in the KSHSAA Regional Tournament at Gardner-Edgerton on Feb. 28 and March 1. The eight wrestlers that qualified for State in Wichita were senior Mario Galvan, who took first, juniors Adam Vanausdall and Alex Quinn, took second place, senior LaPhonso McKinnis and sophomore Zack Newcomb, both took third, and freshman Devonte Smith,

sophomore Emilio Amunatigui, and freshman Tyler Tummons finished 4th. The New 6A State Wrestling Champion is Galvan, and Mckinnis, was State Runner-Up. Galvan and Mikkins have been selected to represent Kansas in the Metro Classic being held at KCKCC March BY tess holcom 11th.

PHOTO BY katie dewitt

just keep swimming

Bowling T

he NW bowling season ended with a faculty versus bowler bowl-off at Park Lanes. This was also senior night for the NW bowlers. The winner was senior Kelly Chambers, second place was freshman Katy Doleshal, third was freshman Colton Kinsella, fourth was senior Chris Graves, and fifth was former NW teacher Britton Haney. The places were based off the first game the participants bowled. The teachers lost to the students by 935 pins. “It was great to see the students outside the classroom and doing something they love to do,” psychology teacher Amy Walker said.

Even though the one you looked to for guidance may move on, it’s up to you whether you let that affect your performance

“Even though I’m bad at bowling, it was still a great time bowling with my students.” While both the girls and the boys varsity teams made regionals, the average pins to qualify for state was tough this year. Senior Amanda Vanderwerf was the only bowler to make state. “[Qualifying for state] taught me to cherish these last few meets this year because they would be my last memories with my team after three years of being together,” Vanderwerf said. “Even though it wasn’t my best meet this year, I’m very grateful.” BY lena dennington

PHOTO BY nate compton

Swim & Dive W

ith the season coming to a close and coach Ken Summers leading the team with a winning record, boys swim finishes the seasons strong with second place wins in their last three meets. Practice in the pool everyday after school really paid off when some of the team members found themselves at the state meet in Wichita on Saturday February 22nd.

At the state meet, the boys 200 meter freestyle placed 18th out of 25 teams competing for the win. With a winning season behind them, and a new year of swim to look forward to, team members really pushed themselves to the limit both physically and mentally BY britta coleman throughout the year.

took a deep breath and cleaned my goggles with my thumbs one more time. I put my foot on the step up to the block and glanced to my left side to see my swim coach Matt Wolfe. I was only a freshman in that first meet, and I wanted to prove I deserved a spot on varsity. I looked down into water and heard the buzzer go off. My fingertips hit first, and suddenly I couldn’t breathe. My body reacted instinctively: my arms pulling me up and out, and my legs propelling me forward. That taught me to be alert, to be ready, and that I’m not the best in the 200-meter freestyle. Now it’s that time of year again: tryouts. This year is different. The seniors left us to fend for ourselves. Our coach decided to take a break to spend time with his children, and now we have to be ready for whatever our new coach brings. Toward the end of last season, Wolfe told us he needed to spend more time with “this one and this one,” moving his hands down to the height of his children. I completely understand the need to raise your children and not miss out on their lives, but it

was sad to see him leave. Wolfe was the first coach who really encouraged me and cared about my performance. I’ve known people who drop classes because they don’t get their favorite teacher, or leave their sport because their coach left. Although some student athletes leave their sport for a number of reasons, a change in leadership shouldn’t be one of them. Swim (or jump or run or dive or throw) because you love to it, not because you believe no one else will be as good a coach. With a new coach comes new rules and expectations. By that same token, new leadership brings passion and excitement, and the opportunity to grow in a way that only a new perspective can bring. I’ve been swimming since I was 6 years old. My mom is always proud to tell the story of how I was the one who would wake her up at 7 in the morning to go to Shawnee Sharks club practice over the summer. Her point? It wasn’t about who I was swimming with, or who was coaching. I just wanted to swim. BY paige eichkorn

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

SPORTS

LOUDER THAN A

BOMB L

ouder Than a Bomb is a youth poetry slam that started in Chicago in 2001. It began as a response to inequaliy and gang violence in the inner city high schools, and has now grown to be a national competition. The Northwest team was comprised of seniors Natalie Chance, Devante Covington, Sam Gross, Connor McDonald, Hayley Nugent and Jack Rheuport. “We did a lot of group writing sessions in various basements over a week, in preperation,” Gross said. “And we will be amping those up in preperation for semi-finals.” The seniors performed their first “bout,” or round, on March 3 at Washington High School. They closely followed Paseo High School’s score, recieving second place overal. Their team is advancing to the semi-finals March 26.

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

BY Nate Compton

TEAM

the

Natalie Chance

PHOTO BY SAVANNAH KELLY

individual poem score: 9.66

Devante Covington group poem with Natalie Chance, Sam Gross and Jack Rheuport

Sam Gross

individual poem score: 9.93

Connor McDonald

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

individual poem score: 9.13

Hayley Nugent

individual poem score: 8.96

Jack Rheuport

group poem with Natalie Chance, Devante Covington and Sam Gross PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

PHOTO BY SAVANNAH KELLY