The Northwest Passage: Volume 54, Issue 8

NW PASSAGE

Who cleans up the mess students leave behind?

NW PASSAGE

Issue 8 April 10, 2023 Vol. 54

TABLE OF CONTENTS

04 UNFAIR BELIEFS, NOT ADVANTAGE – editorial Kansas legislature should not overturn the veto on House Bill 2238

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 24-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-inchief and editorial board reserve the right to refuse any letter.

PUBLICATION OVERSIGHT

Editor-In-Chief Grace Logan

Editor-In-Chief Veronica Meiss

CONTENT MANAGEMENT

Copy Editor Morgan Tate

Copy Editor Izak Zeller

Photo Editor Sophia McCraney

Photo Editor Evan Johnson

Asst. Photo Editor Ashley Broils

Asst. Photo Editor Kara Simpso n

WRITERS

Zadie Tenpenny

Elaina Hammes

Sofia Ball

Sophie Delaney

DESIGNERS

Bella Alvarado

Greta Grist

ADVISER

Susan Massy On the floor, typical lunch room trash surrounds a food tray.

photo by Evan Johnson

UNFAIR BELIEFS, NOT UNFAIR

ADVANTAGE

Kansas legislature should not pass “The Fairness of Women’s Sports Act” due to the transphobic beliefs presented in the bill

For the third year in a row, Kansas governor Laura Kelly vetoed “The Fairness of Women’s Sports Act,” which would have restricted transgender student athletes from participating in sports and activities that don’t fit their biological sex.

While Kelly vetoed the bill March 17, the House has 60 calendar days to overturn that veto.

This act affects transgender student athletes in not just high school sports, but collegiate, club and intramural. All teams must be labeled as either male, female or co-ed.

When vetoing the bill, Kelly said it does not concern education. It’s about politics.

“It won’t increase test scores,” Kelly said. “It won’t help any kids read or write. [...] Here’s what this bill would actually do: harm the mental health of our students.”

This bill applies to less than five students in Kansas, according to the Associated Press. According to Ballotpedia, there were 497,753 public school students in Kansas in 2022. This bill only applies to

less than 0.00001% of public school students.

Why focus on such a small “issue” when there are larger problems Kansas lawmakers could be targeting? In the 2023 State of Mental Health in America report, Kansas was ranked last in mental health services. Why not focus on ways to improve healthcare?

Kansas Republicans use the argument that transgender women have an unfair advantage in sports due to their genetic makeup. However, they fail to acknowledge the genetic lottery in athletics.

Biological women are naturally more flexible than men, due to the makeup of their genetic tissue, according to the Alexander Orthopaedic Associates. Of course biological men have an advantage in strength-based supports, but biological women have an advantage in flexibility sports such as gymnastics and diving.

Kelly’s veto on House Bill 2238 should not be overruled in the Kansas legislature. It only reverses the progress we as a country have made to add inclusivity and diversity to our everyday lives.

THE VOTE

A staff editorial is an opinion piece crafted by a single writer and voted on by the entire staff of the NW Passage. It is not an unbiased news article, but an opinion piece tackling a major issue. Here is how the NW Passage voted on this editorial.

Gender Vs. Sex

There are only three sexes; male, female and intersex. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the idea of biological sex applies to reproductive organs and genitals. Sex is what is given at birth. It also applies to genetic makeup, hormones and chromosomes.

Gender is more complicated. WHO defines gender as a social construct. Gender applies to the characteristics and roles associated with being a woman or man.

Getting the terms right

Transgender

An indivdual whose gender does not reflect their biological sex

trans gen der cis gen der non bi na ry

Cisgender Nonbinary

Individuals who identify with their biological sex

Individuals who do not identify with gender, choosing where they fit best on the spectrum

design by Greta Grist

TRY NOT TO BLINK

by Grace Logan

I miss playing outside. Well, I don’t miss the mosquito bites…

…Or the scraped knees. …Or the sunburns. But I do miss the “dumb fun” of it all.

When I was seven or eight, the neighborhood kids and I had this ritual:

The one who lived at the bottom of the hill would come and knock on the door of the person who lived halfway up the hill – me – and see if we could play together. Then, we would go along gathering other kids as we walked.

We always seemed to end up in the backyard of the “rope swing house” at the top of the hill. In my eight-year-old mind, this swing was unlike any other. It was on the slope of the hill, with a deck conveniently placed just for us to have a place to jump from.

We would swing for hours and see who could swing the highest.

And who could go the fastest. And who could touch the tops of the trees.

My first geometry lesson was trying to calculate the perfect place to jump from in order to go directly between two trees. It was a painful trial and error process.

I’m a senior. I’m about to graduate. I’m about to be an adult. I need to learn how to be responsible enough to survive on my own. There isn’t any more time to have dumb fun.

That’s how I operated for most of the year, but that’s not how it should be. I should allow myself to have “dumb fun.” I should spend more time with my friends – go on hikes, ride bikes, go swimming.

The reality of the situation is: our childhood is coming to an end.

We should enjoy the last few months we have in high school and allow ourself to let go of the academic stress a little. Our remaining time will go by in a blink.

NOTHING LEFT TO GIVE

Working through unrealistic expectations in academics

I sat on my bed, my mom’s arms around me, while tears streamed down my face and my body trembled.

Nothing left to give.

I had come to a tipping point where four pages of homework a night wasn’t feasible anymore. I didn’t want to do it anymore. I couldn’t.

There has always been pressure to be perfect. I was always told I had so much potential. In my brain, it wasn’t an option to not meet those expectations.

The stress decreased the next year going into middle school, but then COVID-19 hit. Now in high school, I am stressed out most of the time. I wish I could pick classes out of the simple desire to learn new things. If I wasn’t good at it, then it was okay.

I want to learn how to learn.

Not how to work on homework until I physically can’t focus anymore.

Not how to comfort myself by saying,

“it’s just for completion points.”

Not how to ignore the work I have to do just to feel relief.

The pressure to maintain good grades and excel at everything causes students to end up missing the point of school. They see it as a task to get out of the way before they can have any fun.

I would love more than anything for the “task” that takes up my time to be something I can enjoy without wanting to go home and cry about it everyday. Something that could expose me to new ideas and possible interests without feeling like the purpose of it is to get a grade.

I’ve finally gotten to the point where if I look at my grades and see something lower than an A, it doesn’t make me feel bad about myself.

No one should feel lesser than or dumb because they don’t have perfect grades.

by Sophie Delaney

With the end of senior year approaching, it’s time to go out and have some dumb fun

Senior Grace Logan looks toward a swing set April 4 at Quivira Glen Park. photo by Evan Johnson

Sophomore Sophie Delaney examines her math worksheet March 30 in room 151. photo by Sophia McCraney

We Heard You

Students share their opinions on TikTok by the NW Passage staff design by Sophia McCraney

Personally, I understand the intentions behind wanting to ban TikTok. Even if no teenager will admit it, it’s not hard to see that it is detrimental to our mental health. Society might view this proposal as an unnecessary threat to their platform or entertainment source.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

by Sofia Ball

Over the past few months, lawmakers throughout the U.S. have attempted to restrict access to TikTok.

On Feb. 27 the White House took it one step further by giving federal agencies 30 days to delete TikTok from government devices. The platform has already been banned in over 24 states and blocked on campus Wi-Fi. Recently, the Biden administration wants Chinese ownership to sell the app or face a possible ban.

Once the ANTI-SOCIAL CCP Act is signed into a law, president Joe Biden must use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to prohibit all TikTok transactions within 30 days.

I haven’t done much research about it, but it is funny to watch the hearings and the arguments that some of the council are making. Overall, I’m mostly neutral and I don’t think it’s bad or good. Just entertaining. – junior Meredith

Bonge

I only ever downloaded TikTok once, and it was to watch a woman who fought her frogs against each other because [they were] territorial and would cannibalize each other. That was truly the only reason that I had TikTok so once she was banned from the platform I deleted the app. If it gets banned, I really don’t care cause it won’t affect any part of my daily life.

– freshman Dane Orlich

It’s not like I want people knowing my information, but it’s not like the government isn’t [already] spying on me for it. If politicians are super concerned about it, then they just shouldn’t have [the app]. – junior Adra

Cress

TikTok can either be an uplifting or a discouraging app. I think the content is what keeps people wanting more and more. TikTok tries to give you content that they know you’ll enjoy. I just think that one needs to realize that it’s just a never ending hole if one doesn’t gain control of how much of their time is being spent on an app.

– senior Ashley Solis-Jimenez

sophomore Addison Baker

Hy-Vee

After pulling the garbage from a trash can, custodian Julio Castellon collects the trash from lunch periods March 31 in the Mall. “[My favorite part of being a custodian is] helping the students,” Castellon said. “I think that is the most important thing for me.”

Custodial Supervisor John Cole sets up a lunch table March 31 in the cafeteria. Custodians spend time after school cleaning all areas, including the cafeteria. “Even though there are a few students who make huge messes on purpose, there is always a majority of students that care,” Cole said. photo by Ashley Broils

THINK TWICE

Students abandon their trash at lunch and throughout the day, but who cleans it up?

Most students don’t think twice when they walk into a newly cleaned classroom, with new bags in trash cans and eraser shavings absent from desks. Students don’t think twice before leaving a mound of trash on their cafeteria tables.

They don’t think of the custodians and janitors who spend their days and nights cleaning up the wrappers, drink containers and assorted other bits of trash left behind by students.

Particularly frustrating are the messes students make intentionally.

“That does aggravate us,” Custodial Supervisor John Cole said. “We’re picking up more than what’s called for just because of their actions.”

ATS Janitorial Services staff member Janet Zavala Zermeno has worked as a night-time janitor for a year. While at Northwest, Zermeno cleans classrooms, the library and bathrooms.

“In the restrooms, they put eggs [and fruit] in the boys’ toilets,” Zermeno said. “It makes me feel stressed and disappointed.”

While the extra trash and messes can make their job harder, the custodial staff, for the most part, understands the job they’ve been hired to do.

“You know, a lot of custodians feel disrespected,” Cole said. “But we realize it’s a part of work and you can’t get mad at everybody for what the few [students] do.”

by Veronica Meiss & Zadie Tenpenny design by Veronica Meiss & Bella Alvarado

CUSTODIAN VS. JANITOR ?

Custodians and janitors are not the same thing. Custodians and janitors both clean, but custodians also take care of the school.

Electrical work, plumbing, pulling weeds, setting up for events and delivering mail to the office are a custodian’s job.

Janitors clean the bathrooms, classrooms, offices, libraries, really anything that needs cleaned, overnight.

The next time students see a clean classroom and a working TV, remember who did it.

photo by Ashley Broils

by Izak Zeller

House Bill 2238 vetoed for the third year in a row

JUST A BILL

House Bill 2238 was recently vetoed for the third year in a row by Governor Laura Kelly, preventing it from becoming law. The bill prohibits students from playing on sports teams that don’t match their biological sex. The bill is directed toward transgender students and seeks to make sports fairer in the eyes of Congress.

“Let’s be clear about what this bill is all about — politics,” Kelly said in her veto message. “It won’t increase any test scores. It won’t help any kids read or write. It won’t help

design by Greta Grist

any teachers prepare our kids for the real world. Here’s what this bill would actually do: harm the mental health of our students.”

After a veto, Legislators do have the power to override it, but they only have 30 days from when they received the official veto notice to attempt it.

Young Democrats and Young Republicans each wrote a statement. These statements were submitted April 3, one day prior to the passage of the bill regarding the use of public restrooms by transgender people.

YOUNG REPUBLICANS OPPOSE VETO

A statement from the executive board

As members of Young Republicans Club, we believe it is unfair for students to play on sports teams that don’t fit their biological sex. It makes the sports and competition unequal. It also takes away scholarship opportunities, especially when there are biological males playing against biological females.

A sophomore on the Young Republicans club exec board, Mackenzie Farkes, wrestled against a biological male who was transitioning into a female.

“It makes me feel like all the work that has been done to separate my sport into its own gender group was for nothing,’ Farkes said. ‘The biological differences between us are so vast that even though we were close in weight I was still completely dominated by them.”

Overall, we believe that Laura Kelly should not have vetoed the bill. When transgenders participate in sports that don’t fit their biological sex, it creates inequality when competing.

As this issue was going to press on April 4, various news media outlets announced that SB 180 had cleared the Senate, sending it the governor’s desk where it is expected to be vetoed. The bill would define a person’s gender as “either male or female, at birth.” The bill bans transgender students from using bathrooms and locker rooms in schools, prisons, jails, rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and other spaces “where biology, safety or privacy” prompt separate facilities for men and women.

For more information on the bill, go to smnw.com.

YOUNG DEMOCRATS SUPPORT VETO

A statement from a representative

This bill is a disservice not only to transwomen, but also to the public in general. Regulations should be considered within private organizations such as the NCAA, rather than pushing to ban transgender athletes entirely. When you ban one group from a sport, what’s stopping the government from banning another group of people? The number of transgender athletes in sports is not enough to merit an entire ban, and if nobody will bother to create a new division for trans athletes, then why are we cutting away their freedoms to compete in a sport?

This debate has to do with womens’ sports, especially with recent controversies in NCAA swimming. Frankly speaking, it’s ironic how suddenly government officials care so much about womens’ sports when it relates to their political propaganda but, just

before this debate, womens’ sports were labeled as boring, pointless and noncompetitive.

I have been swimming competitively for 10 years. It is clear to me that taking away the rights of one group on the basis of biology or personal belief is an encroachment on personal and religious opinions. I can only imagine the consequences of this bill to be terrifying for young trans men and transwomen, who are often bullied, harassed and sometimes even killed for being who they are.

This bill will only strengthen anti-trans sentiments. While this bill only handles sports, I implore the supporters of this bill to think : if you are giving the government the decision to decide who can and cannot participate in parts of society, what’s stopping them from eventually taking freedoms away from you?

—Mehania Asir, senior

NO

by Sofia Ball

Long hazel locks fell to the floor.

The dulcet tones of wind chimes echoed throughout the barbershop, while nervous glances ricocheted against the textile flooring.

In the corner of my eye, I could spot my half-brother’s aunts tearing up, and not in the “congratulations” or “I’m so proud of you” kind of way.

Days of dressing their niece’s hair and plaiting it with precious bows were over.

As the barber swiveled the chair, letting the family take a moment to see the finished product beneath the blanket of glares, I could make out only one smile.

Relief began to unfurl in his shoulders. This was the first piece of the puzzle.

My parents and I always knew my sibling wasn’t the average girly girl. Instead of skirts, it was joggers. Instead of halter tops, it was oversized tees. Now I’m not saying wearing sweatshirts and baggy jeans as a middle school girl automatically outs you as transgender, but for Dre, it was different.

I’ve never been one to experience body dysphoria, however, when it affects someone you’ve known your whole life, you start to notice things.

The fake smiles.

The shielded anger.

The closed doors.

It felt as if our bond was becoming more and more compressed with every binder.

Until it snapped.

I don’t know how and I don’t know when, but as time passed, our interactions became less “hey’s” and “excuse me’s.” They turned into actual talks and distant understanding which resolved to acceptance.

It wasn’t that I never accepted my brother, I always did. It’s just that experiencing something like this so young, you never truly comprehend it till you’ve outgrown recess.

Growing up in a relaxed household, where I never had to take my shoes off at the door or worry about coasters, I was always educated on respect.

Respect for pronouns, opinions and appearances.

So I assumed, like any kid, that every other household was the same way.

Boy, was I wrong.

Seeing the news headline from PBS News Hour say “at least 32 transgender people were killed in the U.S. in 2022,”

and TikTok comments reading “people like you make me sick” opened my eyes to a world I never wanted to be part of.

More than anything, I was confused.

How could my brother, who goes to bed with milk mustaches, be feared?

How could my brother, who made pillow forts for me when I was sick, be hated?

How could my brother, who walked our bikes home when my knees were skinned, be seen as disgusting?

As the youngest sibling, I was viewed as annoying, but as I got older I wanted to be a protector and shield him from all the hate.

What’s hard to accept is that I can’t. I know I can’t.

No matter what anyone says, I don’t care what the birth certificate read, he will always be my brother.

Witnessing transphobia made me protective of my older brother

Freshman Sofia Ball leans on her 21-year-old brother Dre Knox March 29. Knox is transgender. “I love how my brother is always there for people and willing to set time aside, even if it’s inconvenient for him,” Ball said. photo by Kara Simpson

THE PEANUT

Buffalo Wings

by Izak Zeller

Price: $15 Rating: 4/5

About: The Peanut is a bar and grill with multiple locations throughout Kansas City. They are self-proclaimed to be KC’s oldest bar and grill, existing as a speakeasy before the Prohibition was repealed in Dec. 1933. The Peanut serves a wide variety of American cuisine, but are known for their wings.

CM CHICKEN

Red Hot Pepper

Price: $16.99

Rating: 5/5

Q39

The Best Wings On The Planet

Price: $13 Rating: 4/5

By Grace Logan

About: Back in 2014, the barbecue restaurant Q39 opened its first location in Midtown, Kansas City. Before opening Q39, Rob Magee led a competitive barbecue team known as the Munchin’ Hogs. Learning from each competition and national championship, Magee always hopes to pursue perfection with his food.

The Review: The Peanut we got one of my personal favorites, buffalo wing. Once the wings reached our table, I have to admit I was surprised at how big they were. The size of the wings made it hard to eat, but the flavor was delicious. The skin was crispy and it had bursts of heat with a mild sweetness. Although you may need a couple of napkins, I definitely recommend these wings. They are worth the highway trip.

by Izak Zeller

Red

About: Cm Chicken is a Korean-style fried chicken franchise, established by Choongman Park in Korea. He created his first Tikkudak (Fried N’ Grilled chicken in Korea) recipe in 2011. Park now has 50 locations around the country.

The Review: “The Best Chicken Wings on the Planet.” A bold title that is probably hyperbole. The wings were coated in a sweet barbecue sauce and, overall, had a good flavor. They were also crispy, but not too crispy, which I appreciated. Now are these really the best wings on the planet? I will be returning to Q39 for these wings very soon, but I don’t think I have tried enough wings to confidently say they are the best on the planet. However, they are still absolutely worth a try.

design by Sofia Ball

The Review: I have to say, the Korean fried chicken place ‘CM Chicken’ checked all of my boxes. If you didn’t know, the spice levels between different restaurants can vary, especially at Asian restaurants. Maebusim is our ability to tolerate spicy foods, and Koreans take great pride in it. That’s why the spiciest food at a Korean restaurant may be more intense than at an American one. The spice complemented the sweet, tangy flavor of the sauce and the wings were juicy and tender. If you were to try any restaurant on this list, I promise you this is the one.

T FORKS DOWN: WINGIN’ I

Hot Pepper Chicken

Wings from CM Chicken, April 2. photo by Sydney Jackson

World’s Best Wings from Q39 March, 23. photo by Sydney Jackson

Buffalo Wings from The Peanut, March 23. photo by Sydney Jackson

We visit three popular wings restaurants and let our waiter decide the flavor

Chicken

EIGHT MONTHS OF CREATIVE WORK CULMINATED INTO 32 PAGES. FINISHING THE ZINE WAS UNREAL

JACK

of all TRADES

From photography to design, senior Evan Johnson has never been afraid to try something new, and now, he has self-published a magazine

BY GRACE LOGAN

Senior Evan Johnson has always been a jack of all trades.

One day a photographer, then a writer and, maybe the next day a filmmaker.

In 8th grade, Johnson had a day off of school. He could have spent the day skating, or biking, or playing Roblox like he usually did. Instead his curiosity pushed him to learn how to use Adobe Photoshop. He was bored and always wanted to learn, so why not?

That’s how it went — from boredom came the “so why nots,” and the “so why nots” continued as Johnson grew.

He had always loved taking photos, so why not try out for photojournalism?

He had always wanted to design, so why not learn how to?

He had always loved to be creative, so why not make a magazine (zine)?

And so he did. He did it all.

He won the national Sports Feature Photo of the Year contest. He got the hang of design. He

DESIGN BY EVAN JOHNSON

created Well Dressed Wednesday (WDW), a zine featuring him and his group of friends, Micah Reeves, Michael Houser and Ian O’Neal.

“It felt right to [have them featured in the zine],” Johnson said. “If I was going to do something creative I would want to do it with them. It was the obvious answer.”

Freshman year, the group dreamt of starting a podcast reviewing music together. They created a name for themselves, The A.M. BOYS.

Sophomore year, they dreamt of making music and becoming the next “Odd Future” or “BROCKHAMPTON” together.

Always, they dreamt of creating something together.

Now in their senior year, they pursued their own interests individually, but continued to support each other unconditionally. Their bond is shown in Johnson’s work on WDW.

From planning to taking photos to designing…

THE REST OF THE A.M. BOYS ON:

FEELINGS ON WDW?

And designing… And designing…

The dream of being creative together never died.

“We got to share the bond of just being ourselves with each other,” Johnson said. “When we’re balding, gray and wrinkly, we will look back and remember those days. The zine is coming out so close to graduation — this is one thing we can share even if we aren’t geographically close to each other. We will still have this thing to look at as a symbol of how close we are.”

On distribution day, Johnson looked in the mirror.The boy stared at the man.

He scanned his outfit: black Dr. Martens, white tube socks, light brown shorts, a semi-wrinkled white dress shirt and a black tie.

The man stared back.

Evan Johnson will always be a jack of all trades.

He is a photographer, writer and filmmaker. But most importantly, he will always create fearlessly.

I’m very proud of Evan. His strength, regarding WDW, is painstaking attention to detail, diligence, humility.

Evan is the reason Wednesday is my favorite day of the week.

Proud doesn’t begin to describe it. I’m incredibly lucky to bear witness to his work coming to fruitition.

-Ian O’Neal

-Micah Reeves

-Michael Houser

RECAP

BRAND NEW EXPERIENCES

“Spaghetti Showcase” put the spotlight on Intro students

by Veronica Meiss

During the Spaghetti Showcase, junior Ellie Gast picks up trash March 31 in the Mall. Students on the theatre officer board were invited to be servers and students in the into to theater class were acting. “My favorite thing about the spaghetti showcase was getting to see new actors show off what they have been working hard on,” Gast said. photo by Annamarie Torres

ARRANGING ART

Every three weeks, the visual art teachers shift the art shows in the gallery spaces.

They use a calender to organize what art shows and to avoid conflicts when different classes want to use the space. From paintings to clay pots, a variety of art is showcased yearound.

“Throughout the year we put in a request in for when we want to have a show and for what class,” Ruttan said. “We coordinate the schedule between the four of us, but we’ve had other teachers ask if they could put work in.”

The most difficult time

Introduction to Theater students performed a series of vignettes March 31 in the mall for parents and students.

While the class performed, Theatre Troupe #888’s executive board served spaghetti to attendees. Theater teacher Shawnasea Holst was surprised by the turnout.

“We had way more people than we were

The visual art teachers work together to schedule art gallery shows

by Morgan Tate

they’ve had arranging pieces was when they recently hosted an art show involving all of the Northwest feeder schools. They’ve been wanting to bring it back after it died out during the peak of COVID-19.

“We had to rally the troops,” Ruttan said. “[We called] all the elementary and middle school teachers and had them get their work together. [They had to] decide what piece [they] wanted in the gallery. We really wanted to do voting so the winners for each grade level could get a first and second-place prize,

which was really cool and made it interactive.”

Ruttan is thinking about bringing a staff art show to the gallery at the beginning of the next school year before there are any student works to display.

“We haven’t actually advertised for it yet,” Ruttan said. “But we would like to have a staff show. We used to and I know some of the other schools do. It’s open up to anyone. Dr. Gruman could say ‘I drew this’ and put it in. I don’t think any of us have made any motions toward doing that, yet. So I gotta wait and see.”

expecting,” Holst said. “We had to pull tables out. We also ran out of spaghetti and had to send someone to Fazoli’s.”

For most Intro to Theater students, this was their first experience on the stage.

“I was nervous for sure,” senior Siliya Lin said. “But when I’m on stage, I feel like I can be vulnerable without being judged or criticized in a harsh manner.”

WANT MORE ARTS?

Scan the QR-code for web-exclusive content, or go to smnw.com

realizing the FULL SCOPE

by Veronica Meiss

Most first lunches, the sound of a viola can be heard among the conversations in the mall.

Following the sound will lead the curious to a single violist playing Irish jigs and pop songs near the auxiliary office. At his feet, the case is open and occasionally, students will drop a dollar bill in.

Sometimes, someone will have a song request. If he doesn’t know the tune, junior Wolfgang Sell will take the next few days listening to it on repeat. His ability to recognize notes and chords by ear allows him to play songs by listening to them.

Those talents allow Sell to excel not only in solo performance, but as the principal viola in Chambers Orchestra. He auditioned for district orchestra and was awarded fourth chair. He then auditioned for all-state orchestra and was placed in twelfth chair. He was also accepted into the Esterhazy String Quartet Seminar held at Missouri State University.

Regardless of his accomplishments, Sell still doubts his musical ability. When he performed at the state level, he considered himself the worst player there. He thought he must have barely gotten in.

“It’s pretty common across teenagers,” Sell said. “We’re always struggling with thoughts of ‘we’re not good enough.’ But you’re way better than you think you are. You’re just hardwired to think that you’re not enough because that’s what people have told us in our lives.”

Sell knows he is talented, regardless of the thoughts that

plague him. He knows he was born with a gift, but he knows he wouldn’t have gotten anything if he hadn’t worked for it. He says that just being gifted doesn’t automatically equal success.

“You can’t just get it,” Sell said. “I have some gift, but giftedness can only take you so far. You can be naturally born with talent, but you have to work hard to actually realize the full scope of it.”

Sell uses those first lunch concerts as preparation for future performances. He hopes the more he plays those Irish jigs and covers of “Hamilton” songs, the more he can ease his performance nerves. With the solo and ensemble contest coming up April 15, Sell plans on performing Sonata for Viola Schubert and participating in a group performance with the hope of achieving a 1.

Wolfgang works hard for his talent, regardless of any natural skill he has

photo by Claire Reed

SPORTS RECAP

Girls’ Soccer Lost Recent Two Games

by Izak Zeller &

Delaney design by Sophie Delaney

Warming up for the game, players might spot someone they know in the crowd, laying the pressure on even more than usual. Nerves run high as the Star Spangled Banner ends. The players know what happens next.

The varsity girls’ soccer team faced off against SM South on March 28 at the SM Soccer Complex. They ended up losing with a score of 2-1. They started the season strong, but have lost their last two games.

“The vibe is always positive and funny,” sophomore Sophia Rine. “Everyone gets along so well and we have already made amazing memories. The season has been great. We’ve had some tough matches but [we] have held up very well.”

Boys’ Baseball

The varsity baseball team had a game on March 28 at the 3 & 2 Baseball complex, with a 2-1 final score against Olathe West.

“We all work hard and play together really well as a team,” junior Shane Neumer said. “The atmosphere at the games are good, in the close games is when it’s best.”

Girls’ Softball

The varsity girls softball team played March 30 against Lawrence High school at the SM Softball Complex. They lost with a score of 1-5.

“The softball season is off to a great start with our energetic attitudes and our consistent support for one another,” junior Kayley Givner said. “It is so amazing to see how far the softball program has come, and all the new friendships that form from a passion we all share.”

Boys’ Golf

The varsity boys’ golf team had their first tournament at the Kansas City Country Club on March 28 against 24 teams. Juniors Cooper Newkirk and Eric Bachtle shot 82, while sophomore Brandon Moore shot 89 and freshman Luke Albertson shot 97.

“Don’t waste time worrying about the bad shot or hole you had, forget about it and move on to the next one,” senior Keith Springer said.

Girls’ Swim

It’s safe to say that girls’ varsity swim is among the smallest teams at each meet, but that hasn’t stopped them from staying consistent with their training. This is what lead them to score a 121 at their last invitational on April 3.

“We have a lot of variety

Running down field, senior Samantha Lockett prevents her opponent from stealing the ball March 23 at the SM Soccer Complex. The Cougars beat the Wildcats 3-1. “When the other team tries to take the ball from me I think about who I am going to pass it too next,” I have to be physical and push them back when they push me to not lose the ball.”

photo by Annamarie Torres

Track and Field

On April 1, Henry Born placed second in the 3200 meters and breaks the school record with a time of 9:05.44. Kelvin Achempong placed first in triple jump on April first, jumping 43’-9”.

in swimmers and some people have come really far since they first started,” freshman Delilah Moles said.

Overall, the team has high expectations for their next invitational on April 11. at Lawrence Free State High School.

Boys’ Tennis

On March 29 varsity boys’ tennis won their match against Olathe North, finishing with a score of 7-2. Every athlete had a win.

“Everyone’s watching each other and supporting their teammates,” senior Nico Jurani said. “It’s pretty cool and everyone’s doing their own thing.”

Halfway into the spring season, our sports teams are not slacking off

Sophie

Ready for take off, sophomore Tyler West kneels March 22 on the NW track. As a sprinter, West competes in the 100m, 200m and 400m and was ranked in the top 25 runners in the state of Kansas after competing in his first meet. “Ever since I was a kid, I knew my gift was being fast,” West said. “I’ve never not done top three in a meet.”

NOT A QUITTER

Sophomore Tyler West’s hard work paid off after not quitting

You’re not a quitter.

His mother had told him his freshman year, after West confessed he wanted to quit track.

And why not? West was a football player, soon to be a baseball player. Plus, track was boring.

With the first meet a whole month away, all he was doing was running. Why stay?

But West is fast. His coaches urged him to join in the first place.

Listening to his mother and his coaches, West begrudgingly stayed on the track team.

And it paid off.

West always knew he could run, that it was his gift from God, but he hadn’t understood how fast he was until he joined track. He made a name for himself, and not just at Northwest, but in the district. It was time for West to meet the freshmen from other schools.

Each year, Northwest hosts the

freshman meet, which is attended by schools from all over the state. The meet allows coaches to compare their freshmen with others. West, however, had been injured prior to the meet and couldn’t compete. But that didn’t stop him from getting recognized by other freshmen. West was a topic of conversation.

Hey, you hear about that kid Tyler West?

You see what he runs? He’s crazy.

“That put a huge smile on my face,” West said.

He wasn’t just recognized by his peers. West was ranked among the top 25 runners in Kansas after competing in his first meet.

Then, it was time for regionals.

He was nervous. He had never been in this situation before, but he understood how winning would give him bigger and better opportunities. Winning meant state.

The pressure caught up to him and he was trapped in his head. He tried to

breathe to calm himself.

The gun hadn’t yet shot but…

He took a step.

A false start. He was disqualified from that event, but that wasn’t the end of the competition. West recalls his coach coming up to him afterward.

“Hey, you got two more races,” track coach Mike Cooper had said. “Go all out. Give it all you got.”

And so he went to the next event, and set himself up.

The gun shot,

He knew what to do.

Pass him, one down.

Pass him, two down. Don’t get tired, keep going.

You’ve got to push, you’ve got to go.

West crossed the finish line, and fell on his back.

“I’m going to execute my race to the best of my ability. And the only lane that matters is mine.” - Torri Edwards, American sprinter.

by Zadie Tenpenny

photo by Evan Johnson

MONTH IN PHOTOS MONTH IN PHOTOS MONTH IN PHOTOS MONTH IN PHOTOS

Launching himself off the board, junior Parker Pavlik competes in the long jump event March 25 in the sand pit. Pavlik chose to compete in both long jump and javelin since they practice on opposite days. “ They both are very different so they give me a chance to use different muscle groups than I did the day before,” Pavlik said. photo by Sydney Jackson

Senior Jordyn Mace comes up for air March 23 at SM Aquatic Center. Mace placed 3rd in the 50 yard Free with a time of 40.87. ”It’s max speed and effort the whole time,” Mace said. “[Good form means] don’t slap your hands on the water, keep your fingers together, point your toes, [and] breathe to the side.” photo by Evan Johnson

PHOTOS PHOTOS

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 13

Prom Assembly

Celebrate prom in the Main Gym during seminar. Class themes are based on music genres.

April 13

Rep Show

Come see Antigone in the Little Theater at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5, or free with a student I.D.

Prom April 15

Upperclassmen can attend the dance at Children’s Mercy Park at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per student.

Sanding a cutting board, freshman George Thornton works on the final touches of his project March 22 in Room G. One of the last steps of completing a cutting board is sanding the wood. “The sanding was nice,” Thornton said “I feel like I did a good job because I got a lot of compliments.” photo by Addison Griswold

April 22

April 27

May 1

StuCo Garage Sale

In the Cafeteria, all morning selling donated items from Northwest families.

Spring Mainstage Play

7 p.m. in Auditorium. Tickets are $10 or free with student I.D.

Honors & Awards

Recognize students in Honor Roll at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium.

Spring Band Concert May 4

Come see NW Area bands perform at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium.

1: Junior Erick Bachtle putts the ball April 3 at Sycamore Ridge Golf Course. When putting, golfer’s need to consider whether the putt is going uphill or downhill and what speed to swing at. “Before my putt, I think about which way and how much it is braking towards the hole so I can aim it,” Bachtle said. photo by Brody Carlson

2: Senior Jamon Beck pitches the ball March 30 at 3 & 2 fields. Pitcher determine the pace of the game based on when they pitch. “[My] favorite thing is having the ball in my hand and being able to control the pace of the game,” Beck said. photo by Ashley Broils

Spring Special May 5 7 p.m. in the Auditorium.

Come see the Cougar Classics perform at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium.

Spring Orchestra Concert May 9

by Kara Simpson

W P W P

When I’m about to pitch I just think about hitting my spots, throw strikes and let my defense work behind me. -Shane Neumer, junior

Junior Shane Neumer pitches the ball March 28 at 3&2 fields. The cougars won the game against the Olathe West Owls 2-1. Photo by Ashley Broils