Issue 2: Fired Up

11. FIRED UP After months of preparation, Spirit Club ran this year’s Bonfire to get the student body excited for the fall season.

10. JUST KEEP TEACHING Teachers Connie Lutz and Randi Platko fight through challenges to continue to teach despite physical health.

Easy steps to help you get ready for the dance and plan out a night you are sure to remember.

northwest

VOLUME 45 - ISSUE 2 - SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

9. HOMECOMING SIMPLIFIED

PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

STAFF

THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE

PHOTOGRAPHERS

MARKETING

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Grace Amundson + Sarah Egger

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

Abby Bird Mitchell Bolton Nate Henderson Misha Ilich Taylor Kangethe *Mo Mboyeri Kelci Scott *Warren Sparks

DESIGN EDITOR Grace Amundson STAFF DESIGNERS Maddie Grimes

Nate Compton Katie Addington Rachel Bateman Paden Chesney

PHOTO EDITORS Nate Compton + Addison Sherman COPY EDITOR Lena Dennington WEB EDITOR Alaura Moore WEB MANAGER Haena Lee GRAPHICS EDITOR Mitch Feyerherm STAFF GRAPHICS DESIGNER Calista Bohling NEWS EDITOR Haena Lee OPINIONS EDITORS Grace Amundson + Sarah Egger FEATURES EDITOR Atalie Black SPORTS EDITOR Shelby Smith ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS Kylee Hartl + Luke Megli STAFF WRITERS Atalie Black

Keegan Dolinar Sarah Egger Paige Eichkorn Sophie Flores Libby Gregor

Kylee Hartl Haena Lee Ben Lucier Luke Megli Alaura Moore Shelby Smith

ADVERTISMENTS EDITOR Daniel Mirocke

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sarah Egger, co editor-in-chief

A

s the assembly comes to a close, Spirit Club brings out the Spirit Stick. They walk around the gym showing it to the classes, first to the freshmen section.

As they get closer, the freshmen cheer, thinking that this might be their chance. Then they bring the stick toward the sophomore and junior stands, each section cheering louder than the last.

As the once high hopes of the underclassman fall with audible sighs of disappointment, Spirit Club eventually motions toward the seniors: They’ve won again.

This is how every assembly

seems to end, with the seniors winning. To be honest, I had never considered the fact that the seniors always win the Spirit Stick, maybe because we don’t have that many assemblies.

Receiving the Spirit Stick at the end of assemblies has become a part of senior year. It’s like open lunch, just another senior privilege.

Every year, my class (’14) has always seemed to cheer the loudest at assemblies, and this went unnoticed. This year, it’s different: We get to be the section that wins the Spirit Stick.

Although it is never specifically stated that the seniors will always win, it is very rare that another section takes the trophy away from the senior class.

We’ve waited three years for this. It may not seem like a big deal, but when we constantly see the seniors cheering and passing around the Spirit Stick at the assemblies, it’s hard not to be envious.

Senior year has just begun, and I’ve already begun to check off things on my high school bucket list. Sept. 12 marked my last Bonfire. And thinking my time

would be better spent relaxing, working or really doing anything except be at school, I regret it.

I mean, we actually had a fire, which is more than can be said about last year’s Bonfire. For more information on Bonfire, see page 11.

I’ve decided that I’m not going to miss out on the rest of this year. This is my senior year, and the last time I’ll be able to participate in high school events.

I just want to make sure I leave with no regrets.

CONTENTS

VOLUME 45 - ISSUE 2 - SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

WELCOME HOME

VMA’s Miley Cyrus’ performance received over

FIRED UP

After months of preparation, Spirit Club ran this year’s Bonfire to get the student body excited for the fall season.

11

306,000

tweets per minute

“This is unacceptable,” a spokesperson for the Parents’ Television Council said response to Miley Cyrus’s performance at the 2013 VMAs. “MTV continues to sexu exploit young women by promoting acts that incorporate ‘twerking’ in a nude col bikini. How is this image of former child star Miley Cyrus appropriate for 14-year-

10

19 16

09 16

JUST KEEP TEACHING

AN ELECTRIC FEEL

HOMECOMING SIMPLIFIED

INFO IN INK

After being diagnosed with medical conditions, teachers Randi Platko and Connie Lutz have both had to adjust their teaching styles while they recover.

The MGMT Electric Feel concert recieves 5 out of 5 stars after their performance at Crossroads KC.

Easy steps to help you get ready for the dance and plan out a night you are sure to remember.

Pop culture and news from around the world.

staff editorial:

‘We can’t stop’ talking about Miley

The staff votes

12 12 The media may be criticising Miley Cyrus for her new single and performance, but she has the right to express herself.

I’m all for expressing yourself, but sometimes it can go a little too far. Especially if it’s on national TV half-naked.

iley Cyrus’ performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards may have contained controversial elements, but we don’t understand why people care so much.

Cyrus has achieved what all artists want: attention. Cyrus can prance around whatever outfits she wants to — that doesn’t mean that we will.

Despite the questionable choices of fashion and choreography, other stars including Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Madonna have gone through similar phases. It’s not as if these stars started out mature and sexy.

“You’re always going to make people talk; you might as well make them talk for like two weeks rather than two seconds,” Cyrus said of her VMA performance in an interview on VEVO. Cyrus’ video on VEVO, “We Can’t Stop,” broke the record of most views in 24 hours, according to VEVO and MTV.com.

“When it hit 10.7 million and broke the record, I was just so excited because this is the first time that I got to come up with a concept of a video, and it was really up to me about finding a director,” Cyrus said in an interview on VEVO.com.

Cyrus’ new video, “Wrecking Ball” has raised eyebrows because of the nudity. Once again we face the conflict, should we give her attention for another single? Yes, in the end, we did. ‘Wrecking Ball’ had more than 19 million views in the first 24 hours after it was released Sept 9. By Sept.

13, the views had soared to 70 million.

Who are we to say it’s wrong that she’s expressing herself and being who she wants to be? She’s doing this her own way. We can’t stop her with

fter Miley Cyrus’ performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, tabloids and social networks can not stop talking about it.

Cyrus performed her song “We Can’t Stop” in a teddy bear-themed leotard and later shed the leotard to reveal a nude bikini. The performance generated more than a few negative reactions.

“This is unacceptable,” the Parents Television Council said in a statement.

“MTV continues to sexually exploit young women by promoting acts that incorporate ‘twerking’ in a nudecolored bikini. How is this image of former child star Miley Cyrus appropriate for 14-year-olds?”

CouponCodes4u.com surveyed 2,407 U.S. parents who all had at least one child over the age of 8 to determine the worst celebrity role models. Cyrus received 68 percent of the vote, and Lindsay Lohan was not far behind.

“She’s really freaking talented.

She’s beautiful... She’s cheating herself and she’s cheating the rest of us…She can do what she wants.

People can like it if they want. I’m not going to buy it. She can do better.

I’ve seen her do better,” P!nk said in response to Cyrus’s VMA performance.

A week after her performance, Cyrus responded.

“You are thinking about it more than I thought about it when I did it,” Cyrus said. “I didn’t even think about it when I did it because that’s just me.”

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SEPT. 27, 2013 / OPINION

our biting commentary. Cyrus has made it clear the awful things people say about her don’t have an affect on her.

We weren’t this shocked when Katy Perry performed in the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto last year in a nude bodysuit (and butterfly wings) during her single “Wide Awake.” She removed the wings later to sit down, which must have been a struggle considering the tightness of the outfit in certain areas. After accepting her award for Favorite International Artist, she covered her backside as she exited the stage.

Perhaps it’s because we’ve seen it all before. Even though Cyrus is still young, she is an adult. Yes, Cyrus was a child and on Disney Channel when she was 12 starring on Hannah Montana. Britney Spears and her sister Jamie Lynn were also young when they were on Nickelodeon and Disney Channel. Look how they turned out.

Yes, Miley has changed since her Disney days. Yes, she cut her hair. Yes, we all gave her our attention. That is normal. What was wrong was our response.

“Every time I do anything, I wanna remember. This is what separates me from everybody else,” Cyrus said on the trailer for her new documentary on MTV, Miley: The Movement.

Cyrus says she doesn’t want to be like everyone else. She is trying to grow up, and growing up publicly is the toughest way to do it. She continues to try to separate herself from Hannah Montana, and this is just her latest attempt.

People change, and who are we to judge them for it?

A

Exactly. Shouldn’t some thought go into a performance that the entire country is going to be viewing?

Clearly, the performance was a stunt. Cyrus never cared that the publicity would be negative; she just wanted to be the center of attention.

Her performance sparked 306 tweets per minute, more than the Super Bowl blackout earlier this year.

Her new music video for “Wrecking Ball” has also attracted negative media attention since it was released Sept. 9. One of the most controversial scenes, according to the online buzz, shows Cyrus naked straddling a wrecking ball. Although she is desperately trying to rid herself of the Disney Channel connection, she could at least cover up.

Think this behavior can’t be imitated? At least one student at Grand State Valley University, in Allendale, Mich., has been photographed naked on a campus pendulum sculpture doing his best Cyrus impression.

Soon, so many students followed suit that the school was forced to remove it, according to Fox News.

When Cyrus cut her hair, it signified the official break from the “good girl” image of Hannah Montana. But, her drastic lifestyle changes prove that she is not the same person who started filming the show in 2006.

We expected Cyrus to break away from her cookie-cutter image, but does she have to be naked to do it?

THE RIGHT FIT

BY KYLEE HARTL

The emphasis on size and style.

S

hopping for clothes can be difficult for me, especially since I’m on a budget.

Clothes are either too big or too small.

I have always struggled with finding things that fit me. I’m bigger than most, and at 5-foot-7, I’m also taller than the average girl. I could never fit into Hollister or Abercrombie and Fitch, considering the sizes only go from extrasmall to large. Even at a size large, I think the sizes run fairly small.

There was a point in middle school and the beginning of my freshman year where I was obsessed with my appearance. I often wore Hollister, Abercrombie and Fitch, and I would try to fit into smaller sizes than I really am.

Part of the reason I wanted to wear those brands was because I wanted to fit into the crowd. I had low self esteem and I didn’t want to be considered a loser. I would secretly buy Hollister brand clothes from garage sales and

MY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM

thrift stores because it was so expensive and my family doesn’t have that kind of money. Nowadays I have no desire to wear any of that, not to mention it’s overpriced and I can’t afford most of the clothes there.

I have my own style, and my size and budget also influences it. You’ll probably never see me wearing only eggings or yoga pants or anything that tight fitting, with the exception of skinny jeans. But, I prefer not to wear the kind that take two hours to get off and on.

Models are so thin that I could never even get my leg into a pair of the jeans they wear. I can’t imagine most people being able to wear perhaps a size zero, yet it influences the American idea of being “perfect.”

Tall. Thin. Graceful.

Photoshopped.

In reality, most fashion images are heavily photoshopped before they’re

put into magazines. Sometimes the resulting image doesn’t resemble the model. All unattractive features are removed, the face and neck are made longer and curves and length are added to the body.

We’re such a mix of races and cultures that it’s nearly impossible to fit the idea of being model thin. Not everyone has the body type. So why is it that clothing stores usually focus on one body type?

Another factor is that not only are clothes focused on smaller sizes but they also seem extremely revealing. Low cut shirts tend to be popular and short skirts. It honestly is trashy and people should have much more class than that I know no matter how hard I try, I physically I couldn’t fit into a size small, even if I starved myself. By no means will I starve myself to fit into a pair of Hollister or Abercrombie jeans. That’s just crazy to me. Not only is it unhealthy

but it doesn’t make someone beautiful.

It makes them look pale and sickly.

However, not being thin enough isn’t my only problem.

I can’t fit into plus size clothes.

They’re too big for me, so I’m stuck in the middle which can often be frustrating. I have to choose between clothes that are tight and make me look bigger than I am, and wearing baggy clothes that also make me look bigger than I am.

Overall, I think that we should wear what we want to wear. Unfortunately society really emphasizes on the idea that it’s bad to be “fat,” despite the fact that a large percentage of Americans are overweight, but if you’re comfortable in whatever you’re wearing, then wear it.

You first have to be comfortable in your own skin, and you don’t need to follow the crowd.

BY LENA DENNINGTON

Though there are many ways to surviving academically, these techniques help me thrive.

A

s I enter my senior year, I have managed to keep a 4.7 GPA. However, I have done a few things other than just completing my homework, managing my time, and working hard. In fact, I have learned over the years that going beyond just the simple things teachers tells you can make a significant difference. I am not saying that you shouldn’t complete your homework, work hard, or manage your time, but I have a few habits that go beyond the basics.

I can always do something for homework on the weekends, even when the teacher hasn’t technically assigned anything. I might catch up on things I’ve missed, get a little ahead, or make some headway on a long-term project. This allows me to relax when I hear, “Your paper is due tomorrow.” It also keeps me

from pulling all-nighters. I have yet to need to stay up past midnight to work on a paper, and this is because I use my weekends wisely. Sometimes yes, I would rather watch TV. But, in the long run, choosing to work on a long-term project means I have plenty of time to complete it, and less time to stress over it.

I have to organize to succeed. It’s hard to know what long-term paper is due when if you do not keep some sort of record. In my case, I write in my planner.

I also give myself phone reminders through my calendar. When I find out a project is due in five weeks, I put a reminder once a week on my phone. This means that at least once a week, I will be getting a reminder about the project — before I need to freak out about it. But, it

also motivates me to work on the project, so I can turn the notifications off. When it comes to the week the project is actually due, I can relax knowing that I am either almost done, or really close to being done, rather than just beginning.

I also talk to my teachers. I have built great support with my teachers because I initiate a relationship at the beginning of the year. By going in for help as soon as I need it, teachers see that I care. Whenever I have a huge paper due, I always ask my teacher if he/she will proofread it before it needs to be turned in, and because I have built that relationship at the beginning of the year, more often than not, they are thrilled to help. I also have a great relationship with my counselor.

Contrary to popular belief, counselors do more than just change your schedule.

In fact, they are a great resource for college help and for any type of stress you may be experiencing. And again, the better relationship you have, the more likely they are to be willing to help you.

Through relationships I have formed with my teachers and counselors, I have found that succeeding in school isn’t as hard as I thought it would be.

Of course, working hard, doing your homework, and managing your time are all keys to succeeding academically. I don’t want to minimize their importance. But, don’t kid yourself.

These, by themselves, aren’t enough.

Sometimes you have to ask for help. Your counselors, your teachers and, you may be surprised by this, your parents can be your best support system.

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

05

1

2

1: Junior Brooke Bennett laughs after having shaving cream smeared on her face by fellow junior Gabi Basel. Students threw shaving cream, mud, flower, and water over the course of the night.

2: Sophomore Rex Johnson struggles to keep fellow sophomore Reagan Walsh from spraying shaving cream in this face before the official start of Muckfest. Students supplied their own shaving cream to use during the event.

3: Closing his eyes, senior Sam Gross winces as junior Abbie Musson rubs mud into his hair. Gross and Musson knew each other through Stuco.

4: Making a face, sophomore Zachary Ziegenhorn wipes shaving cream off of his face. Students paid $2 to get into Muckfest, and the proceeds went to sponsor more Young Life events.

3

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SEPT. 27, 2013 / FEATURES

ALL

MUCKED UP SM students participate in Young Life’s annual Muckfest.

BY LENA DENNINGTON

PHOTOS BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

I

n the seconds before the horn blast sounded on Sept. 4 in Shawnee Mission Park, students picked their victims and jockeyed for position. What started with nearly 500 relatively clean students from the five Shawnee Mission high schools ended in muck.

Muckfest is sponsored by Young Life, a Christian organization that reaches out to high school students. The event, which is held annually after the first Young Life meeting of the year, is designed to generate interest in the organization.

After students smiled for pictures, with shaving cream in their hair and mud on their faces, the students piled in their cars and left the park.

“Muckfest was the best thing thing and will definitely be something I will not forget,” senior Sam Arnold said. “Did you see my truck bed?”

Arnold had filled his truck bed with water and placed a tarp on the bottom. After the event was over, many students went to Arnold’s truck to relax and clean off.

“There were like 15 people in the back of his truck,” senior Joshua Van Auken said. “I thought the back of his truck was going to sink into his tires, but it was so worth it.”

DOMINANT: Covered in shaving cream, senior Nate Sterns smiles at fellow senior Mirell Molder during Muckfest on Sept. 4 at Shawnee Mission Park. Students from all of the kickstart event for the organization Young Life, “Muckfest helps get students pumped up for the year and gets infor about Young Life out there,” Sterns said. “Young Life meets on Wednesday, Every meeting is still from even if you don’t get dirty.”

ABOVE: Students stand under the spray of water coming from the fire truck at the end of Muckfest. The fire truck was late but arrived just before the majority of the students left.

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

07

ASky LA DERIVA Zone’s Concert Series Sept. 7 featured the band Making Movies.

“This is stupid fun. I remember why kids do this,” bassist Diego Chi said while jumping on a trampoline trying to dunk a basketball.

Band members from Making Movies killed time at Sky Zone, Kansas City’s only indoor trampoline park, before their set for the venue’s second Concert Series Sept. 7.

“Do that again,” keyboard player Juan-Carlos Chaurand said.

“I want to take a picture.”

Chi sprinted back to the other side of the trampoline to get a running start before dunking. He ran toward the basket and jumped into the air landing two feet in front of the basket, missing the shot.

“Well, that was graceful,” Chaurand said trying to control his laughter.

Chaurand quickly grabbed another basketball, determined to prove to Chi he could dunk better. With a running start, Chaurand jumped, dunked the ball and dangled from the rim of the basket.

After attempting to dunk several more times, it was about time to set up for the concert.

The Concert Series at Sky Zone was an to attempt to gain more business, according to manager Kevin Graven. Three local bands play at Sky Zone at each 16 and over show. “[The music] adds more value for our guests.” Graven said.

“Again selfishly, I love live music, and I obviously love my company. So combine the two, and I think it just adds more for our 16-25 year olds for Sky Zone.”

The second of the three-concert series featured Kansas City band Making Movies. The band recently released their second album A La Deriva, which translates to “adrift,” in March. It features eight songs written in Spanish, and three in English.

With less promotion than the first Concert Series, about 130 people attended the concert, down from the more than 200 who attended the August concert.

The next concert will be tomorrow featuring the band She’s a Keeper. Anyone over the age of 16 is allowed to attend the concert for a five dollar entry fee. BY SARAH EGGER Diego Chi, Enrique Chi, and Juan Carlos Charaund, members of Making Movies, play at Skyzone on Sept. 7. The band embraced the usual setting and even played a round of basketball.

PHOTO BY KATIE DEWITT

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SEPT. 27, 2013 / FEATURES

Homecoming SIMPLIFIED

Checked the calendar lately? The Homecoming dance will be held from 8-11p.m. in the cafeteria next Saturday. The theme is There’s No Place Like Homecoming.

You have one week until the Homecoming dance. But now what? Sure, you have some of the details taken care of. Group together? Check. Date to the dance?

Check. But what about the rest of the essentials?

BY LIBBY GREGOR

Where should I get my dress?

Where should I get my hair done?

Where should we go to eat?

Deb:

A Shear Thing:

Romano’s Macaroni Grill:

Location: Oak Park Mall Price range: $30-90+

Nordstrom:

Location: Oak Park Mall Price range: $48-100+

JCPenney:

Location: Oak Park Mall Price Range: $20-50+

Half of Half:

Location: 8800 Marshall Dr, Lenexa, Kans. 66215 Price range: $5-30+

Macys:

Location: Oak Park Mall Price range: $45-120

Location: 9292 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, Kans. 66212 Food Type: Italian Entree price range: $10-18

Location: 12213 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee, Kans. 66216 Price Range:$25-45

Jose Peppers:

Great Clips:

Location: 16605 Midland Shawnee, Kans. 66217 Food Type: TexMex Entree price range: $7-15

Price range: $30-55 Location: 12213A Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee, Kans. 66216

Sakura:

Haircuts Plus:

Location: 7474 Nieman Road Shawnee, Kans. 66203 Entree price range: $8-25 Food Type: Japanese

Location: 15131 West 87th Parkway Lenexa, KS 66219 Price range: $65-90

Where should I get my nails done?

Where should I get my corsage/ boutonniere?

The Nailery:

Flowerama:

A Shear Thing:

Location: 10211 W. 75th St.,Overland Park, Kans. 66204 Price range: $9-20

Dream Nails

Location: 13550 West 63rd Street, Shawnee, Kans. 66216 Price range: $10-25

Location: Oak Park Mall Price range: $15-30 Location: 12213 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee, Kans. 66216 Price range: $25-30

Hy-Vee:

Location: 12837 W 87th St Pkwy, Shawnee Mission, Kans. 66216 Price range: $15-30

Hen House:

Le Le Nails

Location: 15000 West 87th Parkway, Lenexa, Kans. 66215 Price range: $10-20

Location: 13843 W 63rd St, Shawnee, Kans. 66216 Price Range: $15-30

NORTHWEST NORTHWESTPASSAGE PASSAGE

09

JUST KEEP TEACHING After suffering from a torn rotator cuff, Apparel teacher Connie Lutz is left teaching with one usable arm

PHOTO BY CLARA DAVISON

As the bell was about to ring, Apparel teacher Connie Lutz tried to grab everyone’s attention for one final announcement.

“I know it’s the first day of school, but you guys have a homework assignment,” Lutz said. “I want you to go home and try to get ready tomorrow morning only using one of your arms. Then you will know how I’m feeling with this dumb shoulder immobilizer on.”

Students around the room giggled at the request.

“No, guys, I’m being serious,” Lutz said. “I want you guys to know what I had to go through this morning in order to be here today.”

Because of a torn rotator cuff, Lutz had to have surgery over the summer. The rotator cuff is located at the shoulder and allows the arm to lift upward and twist. Her doctor said the best-case scenario would be having to wear a sling, and the worse case would be having to wear a shoulder brace for six weeks.

“I couldn’t wear normal clothes because you couldn’t stretch your arm to put them on,” Lutz said. “Before the surgery, I went to the thrift store and bought two extra large men’s Hawaiian shirts. You just don’t think about what you can’t do. It’s not my dominant hand, so you’d think it wouldn’t be a big deal, but it is a big deal. You know you need two hands to function, not one and a half.”

According to WebMD, a torn rotator cuff is triggered by one significant event or continued overuse.

“There was a time when I lifted something off of the cabinet and I remember thinking my shoulder hurt and I probably shouldn’t have done that,” Lutz said. “The pain didn’t last for a long time, but I’m forever schlepping

around sewing machines and sergers. It [happens to] baseball pitchers, football quarterbacks and me. What a dumb thing to happen.”

Because of the shoulder immobilizer, Lutz was unable to use her arm to teach her sewing and apparel classes.

She had the brace removed a few weeks ago, but is still not able to use the arm. Years ago, Lutz made the decision to combine all four levels of her apparel classes into one.

“At the time, I thought it would be a really nifty way for kids to learn faster and to help each other, but you have to trust the journey that is your life,” Lutz said. “When I made that decision, 25 years ago, to start teaching clothing that way, it was so this year would work. It truly was. I think it has forced my kids to do better and be better. You have to look for the goodness in every situation, and I think that’s what’s happening here. It’s a good thing, I’m just a little bent, a little broken.”

By deciding to combine the more advanced sewers with beginners, Lutz is able to let some of the students take charge in physically showing others how to operate the machines while her arm recovers.

“For most people, sewing is either a hobby or your job.

But, for me, it is like everything, and I think I overdid it,” Lutz said. “I have a lot of really amazing quilts at home; I just hope I can make some more.”

Although it will take two years before she gets full mobility back in her shoulder, she looks forward to being able to sew again.

“I have to get better, I have a little granddaughter who I have to teach how to sew,” Lutz said. “I will. It will just take a little time.”

BY SARAH EGGER

Math teacher Randi Platko was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Sept. 13, 2010 and yet continued to teach as if nothing was wrong.

PHOTO BY SAVANNAH KELLEY

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SEPT. 27, 2013 / FEATURES

Listening to her doctor report the results of her magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) about her ocular migraines, which affect her vision, math teacher Randi Platko discovered she had a brain tumor.

“The first words out of my mouth were ‘is that bad?’”

Platko said. “After shock, it was fear because I lost a couple friends to brain tumors.”

Platko was diagnosed with a Grade II oligoastrocytoma tumor in her left parietal lobe Sept. 13, 2010. Although to students she was just a math teacher, Platko was facing issues that many students were unaware of and yet continued to teach.

Room 218 filled with chatter as the bell rang. Only a few moments would pass until Platko would enter the room with her cart full of books and papers.

“Hey, guys,” Platko said with a smile.

The room quickly settled, and students shifted their attention to their teacher.

“Good morning, Mrs. Platko,” one student said.

According to the American Brain Tumor Association, oligoastrocytomas are part of a type of tumor called gliomas, tumors that originate from the glial cells in the brain. A Grade II oligoastrocytoma tumor is a less severe tumor that grows at a slower rate than a life-threatening Grade III tumor.

“I don’t want people to think that what happened to others will happen to me,” Platko said. “I try not to believe that. But, there is also reality to this situation at this time, in this world, brain tumors are scary.”

After monitoring the tumor for approximately two years, Platko knew it was time to think about surgery. She needed a craniotomy, a procedure in which the surgeon cuts a circular shape out of the skull and removes all the visible parts of the tumor.

“I know quite a few people that have had some major surgeries,” Platko said. “They were my role models and leaders throughout the surgery. So, when I woke up at 4 a.m. on that Thursday, I thought of my two friends that have been through tough things, and they were my motivation.”

After the successful surgery June 6, Platko felt moderate pain while remaining medicated in the ICU. After the surgery, however, she also experienced spatial and organizational issues.

“For example, when I [went] to brush my teeth a couple days after the surgery, I would look at the sink and I wouldn’t know whether to get the toothbrush or turn the sink on,” Platko said. “Once I had the toothbrush, I didn’t know whether to get my brush wet or put toothpaste on it first. It wasn’t a natural feeling to brush my teeth.”

Platko felt as if she was a 16-year-old again when she was relearning how to drive.

“I was afraid to push the gas pedal and the brake,” Platko said. “Sometimes I would forget if my foot was on the gas or the brake [pedal]. They have all come back, and everything seems to be fine.”

Platko and her husband flew back to Minnesota Sept. 12 to check the results of the surgery. She held her husband’s hand as she listened to the results. After the three tense years of waiting, all visible traces of the tumor were gone.

“Having a tumor or any ailment regarding our health makes you look at the world through different eyes,” Platko said. “Once you go through something really scary and in some way your life is in risk, you really start to appreciate the little things. You start to not worry so much about things you don’t have immediate control over. Nobody knows about tomorrow; we just need to get over today.”

BY HAENA LEE

FIRED UP After months of preparation, Spirit Club ran this year’s Bonfire to get the student body excited for the fall season.

PHOTO BY CLARA DAVISON

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

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PHOTO BY EMILIE AMANATIGUI

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

PHOTO BY KATE JACOBSEN

DOMINANT:

Dancing to the Guitar Club’s performance, the cougar plays the air guitar during the Bonfire Assembly on Sept. 5 in the main gym.

ABOVE LEFT:

Senior Sam Gross hugs senior Connor Johnson while performing the senior skit during the Bonfire on Sept. 5 in the NW gym. As they pretend to cry the song “In the Arms of the Angel”

by Sarah McLachlan played.

ABOVE RIGHT:

Springing off their seats, seniors Nate Stearns and Coltan Allen start chanting “We” in the ‘We-Are-North-West’ chant.

BOTTOM:

Performing a twirl, sophomore Danielle Rehor dances with the Cougar mascot during the Bonfire Assembly on Sept. 5 in the Main Gym. Rehor portrayed the Disney Princess Belle as a part of Thespian Troupe #888’s skit. “Belle has always been my favorite princess, so it was amazing to get to be her for a night,” Rehor said. “My mom made the dress, so it was fun to get to work on a project with her. It’s always a great experience to create something as a student and see it really come to life.”

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SEPT. 27, 2013 / FEATURES

PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

The cheerleaders sat frozen, cross-legged at the foot of the bleachers. One at a time, they turned their heads to the middle of the floor and began to clap...

Side conversations fell away, replaced by an overwhelming roar of excitement. The bleachers began to tremble and the swish of cheerleaders’ pom-poms signaled the beginning of the chant: “We! Are! North! West! … We! Are! North! West! … We! Are! North! West!”

The chant made its way around the room, beginning with the seniors screaming, “We,” and ending with the freshmen chanting, “West!”

Spirit Club held Northwest’s annual Bonfire Sept 5. “[We want] to get everybody fired up for the upcoming fall sports season,” Spirit Club co-vice president Izzy Williams said.

StuCo, Guitar Club, Thespian Troupe #888, cheerleaders, drill team and band performed at Bonfire.

“We really want to support everybody,” sponsor Lisa Morstadt said. “We would like everybody to be together for spirit. So, when you go to a basketball game, you can’t sit, and at a play, [the auditorium] is full. We want our students to work together and be [unified] instead of in little groups.”

Spirit Club organized the Bonfire assembly, and the Football Booster Club helped set up the fire. Sponsors Morstadt and Morgan Johnson preapproved all skits in the assembly, but Spirit Club members did much of the leg work.

“It took a lot more time than I was expecting when I first came into Spirit Club.” Tummons said.

In the months leading up to the event, Spirit Club members designed shirts, planned class competitions, contacted the fire department, solicited group involvement, organized the

schedule, rehearsed skits, and held tryouts for the cougar mascot.

“We have the job of making shirts with[in] certain criteria,” co-vice president Tori Tummons said. “We have to meet all the criteria of the principals and vice principals, which is hard sometimes.”

The week before Bonfire, Spirit Club organized Spirit Week and sold Bonfire T-shirts, the proceeds of which will be used to fund future events. However, because of the Labor Day holiday, T-shirt sales started earlier than usual.

“I don’t think kids were prepared,” Morstadt said. “A lot of people asked for shirts [who] did not get them because they missed the sale.”

Despite T-shirt sales being down from 244 shirts sold last year to a little over 200 this year, the gymnasium bleachers were still overflowing with students. The crowd’s spirit was clear: the emcee had to yell over them.

Guitar Club performed the first of three skits in the assembly. As they waltzed out to the middle of the floor with their guitars strapped over their shoulders, leaning back with their heads banging, they entertained the audience by strumming along to their prerecorded music of “Johnny B. Goode,” “Meant to Live,” “Free Bird” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”

“We did this to show [Northwest] what hard work, practice and dedication did for the famous guitar players,” Guitar Club president Dillon Daubenspeck said, “We had to play songs that [the audience] would know.

[We wanted to] keep them interested and to make sure we got our name [and] our club out there.”

Thespian Troupe #888 performed

the next skit, a satire sorting Disney princesses into NW clubs. Sophomore Danielle Rehor played Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

“Belle has always been my favorite disney princess,” Rehor said. “It was fun to dance with the cougar, [step] into her character and bring her into a school setting.”

Student Council seniors served up the last skit of the night with highlights including Anna Kendrick’s “Cup Song,” Nicki Minaj’s “Starships” and a dramatic rendition of Sarah McLachlan’s “In the Arms of an Angel” (from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals commercials).

Cheerleaders, drill team, and band, along with fall sports teams introductions, filled in the blanks between skits. Football coach Linn Hibbs concluded the assembly with a pep talk for the upcoming season and introduced the seniors on the varsity football team. He then handed the microphone over to a Spirit Club emcee as the students, staff and families flooded out onto the old baseball field for the fire.

The student body congregated around the fire, talking among each other and taking pictures. The fire lit up the orange and black spirit wear and radiated warmth on the brisk night.

Twenty minutes later, they slowly filed out to the parking lot in groups and headed home.

“I think that we just want everybody to be close,” co-Spirit King Donte Colum said. “Not only classmates in school, but more like a family and involved around our school in activities and sports.”

BY SHELBY SMITH / SOPHIE FLORES

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Steps to prepare the NW bonfire:

14 25 36

BY ATALIE BLACK / GRAPHICS BY MITCH FEYERHERM

Northwest must get a permit which states that they can hold only three bonfires per year. The permit must be renewed each year for the event.

A site-plan needs to be made which includes a drawn map of where the fire will be in relative location to the school and other houses around Northwest, as well as a planned date for the event.

Wooden pallets, portable frames used for moving goods, are used for the actual bonfire.The use of pallets requires special permission from the fire department because they produce a larger flame.

14

SEPT. 27, 2013 / FEATURES

The wood pile must be less than 25 feet in diameter and caution tape must be set up around the perimeter so that students are at least 25 feet away from the flames.

A member of the fire department must inspect the pile to determine whether it meets the requirements of the permit.

The school must have a means to extinguish the bonfire after the event is over.

SPIRIT CLUB PRODUCTIONS Sept. 28:

Homecoming Parade Clubs, grade levels, and activities make floats and perform at the parade.

Oct. 4:

Homecoming assembly Homecoming candidates are introduced and voting takes place afterward.

Oct. 5:

Homecoming dance Spirit club runs the crowning of the Homecoming king and queen.

Dec. 6:

Winter Tailgate This event is held to kick off the winter sports season.

April 25:

Prom Assembly Spirit club members help run the nominations and voting.

April 26:

Prom The prom king and queen are crowned.

STEPS TO SAVE Coalition is walking towards their goal to change the world.

Holding a sign, senior Milad Ghasempour sits on fellow senior Ben Higginbotham's shoulders during The Walk on Sept. 19 on the corner of Quivira and 67th Street. Students met before school for the Coalition sponsored event to raise awareness for various charities such as Invisible Children, Love146, and UNICEF Tap Project. “It’s a great experience. You really get to feel like you’re apart of a movement,” Ghasempour said. “You get so much joy when a car honks to peace as it drives by because you really get to see the influence the movement is having.”

BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

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“

The first coming-home

The drill team is made up of

“

celebration was held by

Baylor, Illinois & Missouri

in

1910

to bring students & alumni together including: speeches parades rallies & dances

+

BY ATALIE BLACK / GRAPHICS BY CALISTA BOHLING

WELCOME HOME

The homecoming parade

will be held tomorrow,

23 23 dancers With a permit from the fire department

[

[

which must be renewed each year

Northwest is able to have up to

3each year

including

bonfires

6 floats

made by students @

During the East Coast airing of the

VMA’s

Miley Cyrus’ performance received over

Northwest 306,000

tweets per minute

“This is unacceptable,” a spokesperson for the Parents’ Television Council said in response to Miley Cyrus’s performance at the 2013 VMAs. “MTV continues to sexually exploit young women by promoting acts that incorporate ‘twerking’ in a nude colored bikini. How is this image of former child star Miley Cyrus appropriate for 14-year-olds?”

00 16

Sept. 27, 2013 / NEWS SEPT. 27, 2013 / NEWS

released

its sixth album

[ the LP MGMT [ on Sept. 17

northwest news a PHOTOS BY ADDISON SHERMAN

NEW SUPERINTENDENT MEETS NW COMMUNITY

BY SHELBY SMITH

N

SPIRIT CLUB HOSTS HOMECOMING PARADE

ew Shawnee Mission superintendent Jim Hinson held a meet-and-greet with members of the NW community Sept 16. Students, staff and parents from across the district were invited to attend.

“My goal is to listen to you and [to] what you want to tell me,” Hinson said. “What are our strengths? What challenges do you see? What [topics] do you want to be addressed?”

The topics of greatest concern to the audience included boundary lines, classroom sizes, staff-to-student ratios, technology, school security and middle school sports. Hinson spent the majority of the time listening to what the people had to say in an attempt to become familiar with the concerns of the district.

On the topic of technology, parents suggested the introduction of newer software and iPads into schools.

Complaints centered on outdated

HIGH ALERT

BY HAENA LEE

T

he Homecoming parade will start at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Reformed Presbyterian Church at 69th Terrace and Pflumm, and it will end in the student parking lot.

“All the candidates for Homecoming will be [driving] by in their cars, and so that’s really fun to go by and see them,” Spirit Club copresident Mikala Modiri said. “It’s just been the time where clubs will come together and do something for the school.”

The parade will feature six floats. Each grade and a few clubs

have created floats. In addition, the Homecoming candidates will be presented, and some of the fall sports as well as the Cougar Marching Pride will participate.

“We are] just trying to get the school to care about all the organizations important to [the school],” Modiri said. “We are in our busy season right now. We appreciate volunteers helping us out because we are just trying to support all the organizations, too.”

technology and limited internet access at home for many students. Parents also thought that newer technology for the teachers was more important than newer technology for the students.

School security was another big topic of discussion. The option of buzzing people into the school was an idea brought to Hinson’s attention, as well as increased safety measures in new buildings that may be added to the district in the future.

Other topics of student interest included middle school sports, open lunch for seniors and student accountability.

Hinson is on an 87-day listening tour of the schools to get a better feel of the issues within the district. The tour began July 1 and concludes Sept 25, the day of the SMEF Foundation annual breakfast when he plans to address his goals for the school year.

A

BY HAENA LEE

ll school officials were under high alert on Sept. 9 after receiving a notice from the Overland Park Police Department. The police department received a vague threat between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. this morning.

“A person got in a fight with some people in Olathe and was upset about the result of the fight,” officers Michelle Koos said. “[That person] was going to come back to a school, no specific school and was going to settle the score.”

As a precaution, gym classes as well

as sports practices were held indoors.

During the day the school locked all entrances and posted teachers at each main exit.

“We try to take everything real,” officer Mark Coenen said. “The time if you take a threat and treat it as if it is not real then something is going to happen. So any type of threat that comes in we treat it as a real threat. If it turns out not to be then we just air on the side of caution.”

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FUSE Keith Urban released Sept. 10, 2013

BY PAIGE EICHKORN

Photo Courtsey of Pixel Nymag

“W

ish I could take a cab down to the creek/ And hang a disco ball from an old oak tree,” Keith Urban sang in his new single “Little Bit of Everything,” which recently reached No. 2 on Billboard Biz’s Country Airplay. The single is part of Urban’s album Fuse, which debuted Sept. 10.

This album has just about everything, including a mix of soulful and upbeat songs. Fans who enjoyed past hits like “Kiss a Girl” and “Better Life” will enjoy this high-powered project.

Urban moves out of his comfort zone in ways that bring a new energy to this album. “Even the Stars fall 4 U” is representation of the livelier songs, with its catchy beat and infectious, sing-along lyrics. Urban also includes more heartfelt songs like “Come Back to Me,” in which he sings, “Try the whole world on if you feel the need/ Then come back to me.”.

Urban’s longtime studio producer Dann Huff, who has worked with stars like Hunter Hayes and Taylor Swift, collaborated on a few of his tracks, but Urban took the opportunity to branch out with this album.

In duet “We Were Us,” country star Miranda Lambert sings, “Rearview crosses/ Railroad ties/ Oh Hail Marys/ Friday nights/ Heartbeat baby/ Low-beam lights/ God, I miss when you/ Were mine.” With a flowing harmony and emotional hook, expect to hear this song on the radio.

This album is a new classic for me, because I listened to Urban growing up. My mom would crank up the volume whenever one of his classics, like “Sweet Thing” came on, and we’d sing our hearts out.

The collaborations with Lambert and fellow star Eric Church are two of my favorites. Urban also delves into the more heartfelt side of himself in my some of my favorite songs on the album: “Somewhere in My Car,” “We Were Us,” “Come Back to Me” and “She’s My 11.”

Fuse is a fine title for Urban’s seventh studio album, but “Short Fuse” might have been better. There’s little to burn before fans get to the heart of this high-intensity sound, set to a contemporary country beat. It seems that Urban has learned that sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone is the best way to find yourself.

THE WALKING

IN BETWEEN released Aug. 20, 2013

BY LENA DENNINGTON

Photo Courtesy of Itickets

18

SEPT. 27, 2013 / ENTERTAINMENT

F

ollowing a long seven years opening for bands and singers such as Needtobreathe and Colbie Caillat, Ben Rector is finally headlining a tour of his own.

Although Something Like This peaked at No. 4 on iTunes overall chart, Rector has already succeeded at grabbing the attention of even more people with his latest, The Walking In Between.

Whether you’re looking to dance with your friends, roll down your car windows and jam or you want a heartfelt ballad, Rector has a song for you.

Being an autobiographical album, Rector reflects his happy life. Being incredibly in love with his wife, Rector hopes The Walking In Between will inspire and connect with many. As Rector wrote in his blog, “I hope you enjoy the record and that in some small way it becomes a part of your life.”

Personalizing the album, Rector had individual hopes for each song, “I hope that you’ve loved someone long enough for “I Like You” to make sense and make you smile, and if you haven’t, I hope you just think it’s catchy.” He hoped that “Beautiful” would be blared on replay and that you dance under beautiful lights while listening to “Forever Like That”.

The Walking In Between is what one might expect from Rector, replete with the standard acoustic guitar, mellow bass and muted drums, but shifts throughout to foot-tapping, hand-clapping songs that feel like summer. The album shows Rector as a maturing musician moving toward mainstream recognition and away from alt-folk.

Rector will be in Kansas City, Mo., at the Uptown Theater on Nov. 2, with special guest Tyrone Wells.

A

an electric feel

MGMT @ the Crossroads KC

BY MITCH FEYERHERM Photo Courtesy of Coup de Main Magazine

s the sunset lapsed into twilight Sept. 7, hundreds of fans packed into the CrossroadsKC and eagerly awaited the appearance of MGMT. Headed by lead singer Andrew VanWyngarden and accompanied by assorted touring band members, the band took the stage and electrified the crowd with “Flash Delirium,” from their second studio album, Congratulations.

The audience was understandably grateful after the disappointment of two opening bands, Black Bananas and Kuroma.

Kuroma, headed by lead singer Hank Sullivant, suffered from grating vocals and poorly written lyrics. However, the mediocre quality of the band was shrugged off as “just an opening band,” a concession not granted to Black Bananas. Lead singer Jennifer Herrema almost immediately lit a cigarette and began drinking, an ominous sign of the set to come. Her set consisted of her screaming incoherently into the microphone, with equally incoherent guitar and electronic backing. At one point, as if inspired, Herrema even placed her microphone next to the guitar, to the confusion of anyone still listening. Their lackluster set ended with cheers when the crowd realized it was finally over.

MGMT opened strong, mellowed out a bit, played their hit singles, mellowed out again, and ended with songs from their new album. There were no bad feelings in the crowd, due in part to the large amount of drug use and in part due to the mellow music put out by the band. However, there

were a few instances of jumping around and general tomfoolery, especially during their more exciting songs, like “Time to Pretend,” but the atmosphere was mainly a mellow sway punctuated by the heat of the night. Accompanying the band were visuals on a screen in the background.

These visuals were not ordinary visuals, these visuals were MGMT visuals, and as such, they included a myriad of patterns, colors, flashing, strobing, strange creatures, normal creatures, shadowy figures, and more! The visuals combined with the music created a truly unique viewing experience.

MGMT’s setlist included songs from their albums Oracular Spectacular and Congratulations, as well as many singles from their upcoming self-titled album, MGMT. Highlights included their opener, “Flash Delirium,” which livened up a jaded crowd; “Your Life is A Lie,” a song from their new album that featured a crowd-pleasing giant cowbell; “Time to Pretend,” which incited a frenzy; and “Kids,” the played-out hit single that MGMT doesn’t often play at live shows.

As the show ended, and the fans began shuffling out, there was a sense of complacent satisfaction that settled over the sweaty and most likely hungry fans.

MGMT provided a unique and satisfying concert experience that gave off good feelings lasting well into the night.

Kansas City was the last stop on MGMT’s summer tour. Their new album, entitled MGMT, was released on Sept. 17.

REST>RT released Sept. 10, 2013

BY LUKE MEGLI

T

he Newsboys have gone through many changes since forming in 1988. But ever since Michael Tait stepped up to the microphone as lead vocalist in 2009, the band has been redefining their sound with each new album. From Tait’s debut rock album, Born Again, to their relaxed worship album, God’s Not Dead, and now Restart. “The best Newsboys record we’ve ever penned and recorded.” says drummer, Duncan Phillips.

In God’s Not Dead, it seemed that The Newsboys had slowed things down a bit, but they were only getting started. When I first heard opening track on Restart, “That’s How You Change The World,” my expectations were completely blown away.

That track had a danceable element unlike anything The Newsboys had done before.

This new sound is echoed throughout the rest of the album in tracks like “Restart” and “Go Glow.” After the first couple tracks, the album’s shifts into “That Home,” a slower song driven by the piano and Tait’s emotional vocals. One of my favorite tracks is definitely “Fishers of Men,” which echoes that rock sound of the radiofavorite album Born Again. Finally, the album wraps up with the worship song “We Believe.”

In the Christian rock genre where most artists rarely seem to grow and adapt

Photo Courtesy of Jesus Freak Hideout

their music, The Newsboys stand out. In Peter Furler’s era as lead singer, the band focused more on their worship sound with singles like “He Reigns,” “Blessed Be Your Name” and “Wherever We Go.” But when Tait took over, the band struck out in a new direction. Tait’s up-beat rock vocals were and still are a strong contrast from Furler’s relaxed pop voice. “Getting a new lead singer is a stretch, going from a bald white guy to a black guy with hair,” Phillips continues, “Michael (Tait) is such a world class talent, he really allowed the band to go forward and to kind of do a record like Restart.”

Overall, Restart has a great sound, and this is by far Tait’s best work with the group. Although the album may be more crowd-pleasing, lyrically it seems to fail in comparison to their other works due to the underutilization of Tait’s songwriting skills. It seems as if the producers just handed pop songs to Tait leaving the Tait we knew from DC Talk (Tait’s band from the 90’s) lost in the beat of the drums.

Otherwise, the album is great. This is their “coming-out” album, the album that redefines everything that The Newsboys puts out next. This is truly the band’s Restart.

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PANELS TO REMEMBER DO YOU WANT TO SUBMIT A COMIC?

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.

WORDS AND INK / MITCH FEYERHERM

LRSKY COMICS / SKYLR HECK

LAME FUNNIES / JORDAN ABSHER

COUGARMAN / ISSAC COLEMAN

20

SEPT. 27, 2013 / ENTERTAINMENT

Santee Floral Designs New location, same great personalized service.

Corsages and boutonnieres made one of a kind just for you.

Order online, by phone or in store.

9904 College Boulevard Overland Park, KS 66210 (913) 642 - 7800 www.FlowersKC.com

Get free medium drink with purchase of any regular sized breakfast burrito 87th and Pflumm Shawnee Mission Prkway & Pflumm

*Limit 2 per coupon

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fall sports UPDATE Last Game NW beat West 1-0 Current Record 4 - 2 Next Game Tues, Oct 1: 7:00pm Lawrence Free State High VS Lawrence Free State Player Quote "We can do better, but I think over all we've done pretty well. We just have to start scoring more. It's a tough season ahead and I think if we work really hard we'll be surprised." - JV Captain, Bailey Jarrett PHOTO BY GINNY BOHLING

Boys Soccer

Last Game 28-21 SMS Current Record 0-3 Next Game Thursday, Oct 4: 7:00pm @ Shawnee Mission North VS. Lawrence Player Quote "Our aggressiveness and discipline [has made our defense tough]. We have found the strength of our team and it is our defense." -Senior, Jake Hoskins

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

Football

Current Record 2nd in SMSD schools Next Game Wed, Oct 2: 3:00pm @ St. Thomas Aquinas VS St. Thomas Aquinas Player Quote "The team this year has gotten off to a slow start because we have only played once and [we weren't] able to finish. We are working to improve our short game to cut down on some strokes." --Junior, Megan Glenn

PHOTO BY KATIE DEWITT

22

SEPT. 27, 2013 / SPORTS

Girls Golf

Last Game SMS, Match 1:18-21 SMS / Match 2:9-25 SMS Current Record 4-3 Next Game 9/28/2013 8am, tournament @ Tonganoxie VS Tonganoxie Player Quote "We are doing really well. We have such a good team dynamic this year, i wouln't trade them for anything."-Senior, Gaby Riggs, Captain

Volleyball

PHOTO BY SARAH DEAN

Last Game West Invitaional/2nd Place Next Game Wed, Oct 2: 6:00pm @ SMNW VS All SMSD Highschools Player Quote "The team has grown so much in the past two weeks. And [our scores] should go up once we throw in our new vault scores."--Senior, Grace Gregory

Gymnastics

PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

Player Quote “The stakes are high for us varsity

runners because coach will be taking the top six runners for the Griak race in Minnesota next weekend.” -Senior, Hayley Nugent

Cross Country

PHOTO BY KRISTEN SMITH

Next Match Sat. Sept 28: 8:30am @ TBD VS TBA Player Quote "We have such a strong team this year.

Some days [at practice] we do drills to work on some weak points in our game, but most of the time we play matches against each other becasue that's really the best thing you can do to prepare.” -Junior, Brooke Bennett

Girls Tennis

PHOTO BY NICHOLAS KAHTAVA

BY THE NUMBERS

6.7 v

cm is the apporxitmate diameter of a tennis ball.

total number of football players on a football field.

I never really thought there would even be a chance of making it to the top. BY Shelby Smith By sixth grade, Dad didn’t coach anymore and I had moved up to playing competitive softball. With nearly 120 games per summer, I improved every day. Practices were three days each week, hitting lessons once a week and tournaments every weekend. The more I played, the more I wanted to play. I needed to be in my uniform in the dugout with a bag of seeds. I moved up two more spots to the four-hole.

Freshman year, high school softball and my traveling tournament team became my next milestones. I had made it to the level where high school softball was merely practice for my traveling team. Playing in out-of-town tournaments exposed me to possible college recruiters, the gatekeepers for the pinnacle softball.

Although it seemed outrageous at first, my dream of becoming a college softball player is even more of a possibility than I could have imagined from the T-Ball field 13 years ago. As I watch some of last year’s seniors on the varsity high school team go on to play college softball, there is even more tangible proof of the possibility of my dream coming true.

Right now, I’m just a sophomore in high school. I play competitive softball, and I’m currently sitting at the three-hole in the lineup. Over the next two years, my focus is to take those final three steps and work my way to the top of the lineup. It’s about taking the initial step and sticking with it to achieve the big dreams that once seemed nearly impossible to achieve.

‘

G

rowing up, I had one childhood dream since I was three years old: to play college softball. Hoping for a future of a dirt diamond, tan lines and polyester pants might sound weird, but the idea of working with a team centered around a highlighteryellow ball seemed like the coolest thing I could do with my future. It’s a far-fetched dream, especially when you begin at the bottom of the line-up. But I’ve learned that nobody starts with perfection.

The nine softball players in the batting lineup start with the best. When I started out as the only ponytail on an all-boys T-Ball team, I was in the nine-hole: the last batter.

In a game where the ball doesn’t move, I still couldn’t always make the batting roster. Not being good enough was a difficult way to begin the pursuit of a dream.

After my first season of T-Ball, I was still stuck squarely in the nine-hole. I felt like I hadn’t progressed. If I couldn’t play with the same skill as the boys, I didn’t want to play at all. In fact, I wanted so badly to quit.

But, when I stopped and thought about it, I knew that if I quit my dream would never come true. I was 5 at the time and could have done so many other activities, like soccer or Girl Scouts, but this game was different. I had more fun playing on the dirt than I did anywhere else.

For the next six years, my dad became my softball coach. Nearly every day we would go out in the yard just to play catch and work on the fundamentals. Softball became a passion. As I improved my playing abilities, quitting became even less of an option. I slowly made my up three spots in the lineup to the six-hole.

7 1/8

‘‘

STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM

22

inches is how high a volleyball net is from the gorund.

100

the number of rushing yards Senior Jacob Gilliam wishes to exceed in his next football game.

14

the number of days until the homecoming football game

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PHOTO BY KRISTI SENG Junior Clay Droulliard is consoled by trainer Kodi Bauer after spraining his ankle at the SMN stadium on Sept. 13. The cougars lost to Lawrence Free State 3-20.

PHOTO BY LUCAS SILVA Junior Kylee Winters rehearses her floor routine on Sept. 9 in the NW stage gym.

PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA Senior Mallory Wilhite goes for a half on half off on September 10 at Shawnee Mission West. Wilhite got third place on vault with a score of 8.6. “It was surprising, we went into the meet with low expectations, and winning the meet fired us up for this year.”