Freshman Magazine

northwest

VOLUME 45 - FRESHMAN MAG - AUGUST 12, 2013

12. NAVIGATING NORTHWEST

Finding your way through the twists and turns of the hallways, the rooms you need to know and the places you should avoid.

Helpful tips for your first year and your general sanity.

10. 45 THINGS

A running list of each event, fundraiser and show that every student should witness during their four years at Northwest.

9. THINGS I WISH I KNEW

Lessens from the upperclassmen on what’s important, what’s not and things to look forward to as you enter into highscoll and join the rest of the Cougar Pride.

STAFF EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Grace Amundson + Sarah Egger

DESIGN EDITOR Grace Amundson

STAFF DESIGNERS Maddie Grimes

+Nate Compton

PHOTO EDITORS Addison Sherman +Nate Compton

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 GUEST WRITER Kate Jacobsen STAFF WRITERS

ADVERTISEMENTS EDITOR

Atalie Black Alaura Moore Lena Dennington Sarah Egger Haena Lee Shelby Smith Daniel Mirocke

PHOTOGRAPHERS Addison Sherman Kate Jacobsen Nate Compton

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Look at high school as a clean slate and forget all of your old labels. The labels that once defined you don’t necessarily matter now.

Join a new club, make new friends, do something different and make it count.

In middle school, the school was almost completely empty 40 minutes after classes let out, that’s not the case here. Whether it is sports practices, clubs, choir, drama, there are always activities going on hours after the school day ends.

My best advice is to find something you’re passionate about and do it. Find a way to meet people who are interested in the same thing. As important as academics are, they should not solely define your high school experience, make sure to have a little fun along the way. Northwest has

Sarah Egger, co editor-in-chief

This special edition of the Northwest Passage has been designed in hopes that we can help you through your first week of high school.

Although freshmen orientation can seem overwhelming, remember that this day was created especially for you to get to know each other and the school before the upperclassman arrive. The hallways are emptier, so take advantage of this opportunity to find the shortcuts to your classes. See our map on page 12.

Ask questions you have been wondering; most of your classmates are wondering the same thing.

many unique clubs for you to join (page 14).

If you don’t see one you like, you can create one. All you need is a teacher to sponsor it and four students who are also interested in the club.

With the exception of this issue and a special edition for the seniors in the spring, the Northwest Passage is officially a tri-weekly, student-run publication.

We cover issues surrounding the school and community. If you ever have anything to contribute to the Passage, please write a letter to the editor and email it to sarahegger.nw@gmail.com, graceamundson@gmail.com, or bring it to room 151. We always appreciate feedback from the student body.

As you enter your first class, or meet someone new today, remember to enjoy every moment. They say high school is supposed to be one of the best times in your life. Enjoy it. Welcome to high school.

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. 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 newsmagazine. The paper will be distributed every three weeks during fifth hour. Subscriptions will be available to the community for $25.

The Northwest Passage firmly supports the First Amendment and opposes censorship. The content of the newspaper will be determined and created by the entire staff. When questions concerning word choice, legal problems or ethics arise the editorial board and advisor will discuss the problem to find a solution. In these cases, the editor-in-chief will have the final say in all decisions. Letters to the editor will be accepted and encouraged, but will only be published if signed. The staff reserves the right to edit for grammatical mistakes, length, and good taste. Letters may attack policy but not people. In no way will ideas or viewpoints be changed. The editor-in-cheif reserves the right to refuse any letter.

CONTENTS

VOLUME 45 - FRESHMAN MAG - AUGUST 12, 2013

NAVIGATING NORTHWEST

12

Room numbers, academic wings, gyms, and the basement. How to make your way around the school and helpful tips for hard to find places.

18 22 14

A YEAR AT NORTHWEST Snapshots of the most important events each school year starting with the annual bonfire assembly and finishing the year off with prom at the Civic Center.

Get free medium drink with

purchase of any regular sized breakfast burrito 87th & Pflumm Shawnee Mission Prkwy & Pflumm

*Limit 2 per coupon

SPORTS

Each sport listed by season and coach, as well as a advice from an experienced athlete on what to look forward to.

CLUBS

Sponsors, student leaders and need-to-know information for each of the 42 clubs offered at Northwest.

DEAR NORTHWEST }

Your fearless leaders that keep the school running

DR. BILL HARRINGTON principal

l ON

rincipal Dr. Bill Harrington oversees the entire building. He works with the district to confirm that everything is running smoothly within the building. “[I enjoy] anything that allows me to interact with people. It could be staff, it could be parents, or particularly kids, anything that brings me in contact with kids. I think that’s why I like doing what I do at lunch, and why I like going to so many activities at night: I get to see you kids,” Harrington said.

Students can often see Harrington in the Snack Bar handing out ice cream to students who order it during lunch.

“I get to see kids, I get to have fun with them, I get to get to know them a little bit. I

EDDIE LYDAY associate principal

“M

y favorite part about my job is helping young people be successful. Whatever I can do to help young people be successful is my favorite part of this job. Because everybody needs a little help every now and then. It’s not just smooth sailing,” Associate Principal Eddie Lyday said.

Lyday has been an administrator for 17 years at Northwest and was previously an administrator in Blue Springs. He is responsible for freshmen and senior class discipline, and he helps spirit club coordinate the school-wide assemblies. He also helps with StuCo, special education, and athletics.

“This is not middle school anymore. This is high school. Every grade that you get goes on your permanent transcript. So, my main advice for them would be to make sure that they stay on top of their academics,” Lyday said.

Lyday also encourages students to get involved with different school activities.

“There are a lot of things to get involved in around here. Whether it be athletics, fine arts, a club, do something. Time is going to go by really fast and you don’t want to be sitting back four years from now saying, ‘Oh I wish I had done this,” Lyday said.

He would like to reassure students that he is always there to help.

“I’m that guy,” Lyday said. “I’m that guy they can go to. I’m that guy they can trust. I am on their side. I’m on every kid’s side. I’m going to help you get through the good times and the bad times. Sometimes I might look like the bad guy, but I’m going to help you get through it.”

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AUG. 12, 2013 / FEATURES

know it might be dumb to do, but I have fun doing it,” Harrington said.

He encourages freshmen to get involved with extracurricular activities.

“Pick anything you like, find something that you might like and jump into it. And stick with it, and find a way to let that give you a feeling of belonging to this school. I think kids who do that do better.”

Although he seems hard to approach, he wants students to realize he is there to help them.

“I’m here for [the students],” Harrington said. “I can relate to them. I enjoy them and what they’re doing. So, find a way to get to know me and let me help you.”

LISA GRUMAN associate principal

A

ssociate Principal Lisa Gruman works with the sophomore class for discipline and manages scheduling, state testing, and teacher evaluations. She also builds the master schedules that hang in the classrooms.

The master schedules take approximately two months of planning and scheduling to construct.

Gruman has worked at Northwest as an administrator for 10 years and was a math teacher for four years before that.

“If I can make someones life just a little bit better whether it is a class, teacher schedule, if I can fix something, that is a good day. I love working with kids, you guys are actually really fun to work with. I like helping and doing what I can,” Gruman said.

In 2011, Gruman received the Milken Educator Award during a school-wide assembly. The Milken Family Foundation has recognized over 2,500 educators. Each educator receives $25,000 from the foundation.

According to the Milken Family Foundation website, she was honored because she “was always visible in the building and is often described as an administrator who works with students on an individual level.” She worked closely with the students to help improve reading and math achievement.

“It was a tremendous honor and I know it’s because of the great team we have here and the great community we have here, I was just fortunate enough to be the one selected.

It was an amazing experience, and I think it reflects well on Northwest at the end of the day,” Gruman said.

PHOTOS BY KATE JACOBSEN

P

TOM MOSS

associate principal

“W

e really care about kids and we want to see them do well that’s why we started out as teachers and thats why we’re administrators,” associate principal Tom Moss said.

Moss has been at Northwest for 28 years: 14 years as a band director and 14 being an administrator. He takes care of the fine arts department, tardies and attendance. He is also the main supervisor of the cafeteria during lunches.

Being responsible for the juniors for discipline, Moss gets to know the percentage of students that struggle in some way. Ironically, Moss rarely gets the opportunity to know the students that excel.

“It’s kind of sad sometimes, because our school is so big you don’t really get to know all of the kids. You have 400 [students] and I will get to know the kids that are in here in my office all the time. But the other kids that do what they are supposed to do and make wonderful grades, I don’t get to know them.

Unless they are in music and fine arts, I get to know them a little more that way but not really, not like the other kids,” Moss said.

Moss enjoys working with students who are struggling at the beginning and watching them as they grow to become successful students.

“It really makes me feel good to see a kid who is coming in as a freshman who isn’t doing so well, but [by] the time they are a senior, they are on the ball, ready to be successful in their life,” Moss said. “That is the best part of this job.”

Questions for/about the administrators? Tweet us @smnwdotcom for a chance to be in the next issue!

Need other advice?

Questions for the upperclassmen?

Tweet us @smnwdotcom for a chance to be in the next issue!

BACK TOBASICS

Around the School

On Your Own

You get to choose between 30 extra seconds to talk to your friends...........

.......................................... ..................................

. ..

. .. .

. . .. ..

.. ... or a 30 minute wait in line for the tardy table.

USE THE

bathrooms for going to the bathroom Keep them clean and keep it quick

Don’t be afraid to take a few trips down to the

OFFICE

It’s the best place to go when you need help, advice, or are trying to find something you lost.

TALKING TO YOUR TEACHERS is always more effective than

COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ASSIGNMENT

PICK

P

AFTER YO U R S E L F

the janitors are our friends

not our moms

SAVE YOUR PHONES

for between classes and at lunch pick your classes based on what they can

Do For You not just

Who’s Taking It if you ever have to choose, remember that

SLEEP GPA matters more than your

get

INVOLVED

branch out, join a club, play a sport

most importantly - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ais someone BESTFRIEND who makes you THE notHAPPIEST the most popular ---------

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

05

STUDENT POPULATION:

*statistics based on the 2010-2011 school year data provided by nces.ed.gov

TWO OR MORE RACES

WEST

SOUTH

WHITE HISPANIC

NORTHWEST

BLACK

NORTH

ASIAN / PACIFIC ISLANDER

EAST

AMERICAN INDIAN / ALASKAN

TOTAL ENROLLMENT:

GENDER RATIOS:

MALE

WEST

SOUTH

NORTH

EAST

FEMALE

NORTHWEST

2000 1500

1874

1846

1669

1000

1868 1448

500 0

NORTHWEST

06

Freshmen

and tips for

Facts

THINGS TO KNOW:

AUG. 12, 2013 / FEATURES

WEST

NORTH

SOUTH

EAST

“...sleep is actually very important.”

-Reagan Walsh

“...[you should join] more clubs so you could [make] more friends that [you] normally wouldn’t have.”

-Gage Oberheu

I WISH I KNEW...

Gage Oberheu

“...not to procrastinate and spend [your] time wisely.” -Haley Sloan

Haley Sloan

Reagan Walsh

Need other advice? Questions for the upperclassmen? Tweet us @smnwdotcom for a chance to be in the next issue!

“...everything was going to get harder, so might as well make it worth it.” - Kyra Thompson

- Madison Delamore

Madison Delamore

-Jacob Steinle

“...people weren’t joking when they said [freshman year] went by fast.”

Kyra Thompson

“...to become more involved... [join] clubs.”

Jacob Steinle

COMPILED / PHOTOS BY ADDISON SHERMAN

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

07

Making friends isn’t easy, but it’s harder when you are the quiet kid.

W

MAKING MEMORIES

by Haena Lee

hen the beginning of year started I felt like I lost the majority of my friends because I didn’t stay in touch with them during the summer.

And the ones I had left weren’t in any of my classes, which made me feel lonely.

During the first couple of school weeks I heard about the announcement that there would be Student Council elections coming up soon. I thought to myself, “Why not?”

It would have been the easiest way to make friends and get to know more people. When elections came up I panicked.

My legs shook as I walked up to the podium and I stuttered throughout my speech. At 2:15 p.m. I waited at the library along with the other candidates to hear the results.

I didn’t make it. I was disappointed, embarrassed, and felt like a complete fool for even trying. How could the girl who was unknown to more than half of the freshman

class until she gave her speech compete with the more popular candidates. Later I tried to think a bit more positively.

Now at least, most people knew my name and I wasn’t the only candidate that didn’t get elected.

My first hour elective during second semester was what actually helped me make the friends I have today. That class was Beginning Journalism.

I originally signed up for that class because I needed a replacement for gym, which I had taken over the summer.

That class actually sparked my interest in journalism.

A newspaper student came in and talked about the newspaper class. She told the Beginning Journalism students how everyone in newspaper was a close group of friends and it was like a family. When enrollment for next year came, I knew I wanted to join the newspaper.

During the beginning of

my sophomore year, I didn’t really talk to anyone. With all the crazy and great people in that class, it didn’t take long for me to start talking.

I became friends with the amazing people in that class.

I remember when I traveled to San Francisco on crutches with other journalism students. I even used a wheelchair most of the time, so I wouldn’t slow the group down. I felt guilty making people wait for me and pushing me around. But the people I depended on eventually became close friends of mine.

Joining the newspaper staff changed my high school experience. Every freshman should become a member of a club or sports team. You will never know where you will meet some great people. Step out of your comfort zone and search for the people that make you feel like you belong there.

It’s the first step to fitting in at Northwest.

The struggle to start completely over in high school was hard, but turned out rewarding in the end.

T

LUNCH LONER

by Atalie Black

08

AUG. 12, 2013 / OPINIONS

he beginning of freshman year was a huge source of anxiety. I had no idea what to expect considering I moved over the summer before my freshman year, which limited my pool of friends substantially.

Over the summer I was worried about which classes I would take and what my teachers would think of me.

Most of all, I was worried about what others would think of me, or if I would be able to make new friends quickly.

I would have never guessed that the biggest struggle for me my freshman year would be finding someone to sit with at lunch. Anyone will tell you that lunch is brutal when you don’t have friends to sit with. At the beginning of my freshman year I had only one friend at Northwest, and we didn’t have the same lunch.

I found that making friends was going to be more difficult than I initially thought. I was an introvert; slow to start conversations, and quick to end

them. I was labeled as weird, shy and quiet.

Week after week I would sit in the same corner of the lunchroom. I would get weird looks from people who would walk by with their friends.

I only felt worse when they stopped giving me weird looks because I knew they’d grown accustomed to me sitting alone.

Being alone just brought back the reminder that things would have been different if I hadn’t have moved. Some days I even hated going to school.

Even if a day had started off great, lunch would sink me back down.

I would long to go home and forget about school altogether.

I would come home and tell my parents how much I hated being alone, and how I wanted more than anything to move back. I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t making friends as easily as I had in middle school.

I most likely would have gone the entire school year eating alone in my corner at

lunch, had it not been for an upperclassman who saw me.

He invited me to come sit with him and his friends. He told me he had seen me sit alone for a long time, and he understood why I was alone when I told him I didn’t have any friends in that lunch.

Although what that upperclassman did for me was just a small act of kindness, it boosted my confidence more than anything. I had finally found someone to sit with at lunch. I wasn’t as alone as I had once believed, and I also found that my introvert personality was what was hindering me from making friends. In other words, I didn’t have to be lonely all the time. Northwest is filled with awesome people, I just needed to find them.

I learned that not everyone was going to seek me out like that upperclassman had done at lunch; I had to step way beyond my comfort zone in order to find lasting friendships.

The best

What class are you most looking forward to be in? Tweet us @ smnwdotcom for a chance to be in the next issue!

class I ever took was...

Ever since the first day of middle school, every student wants to skip to the freedom of high school. Supposedly, that’s what highschool is all about: new freedoms. Driving. Dances.

Clubs. Jobs. There’s more to high school, though, than the partying, getting a car, and dismissal of school being an hour earlier. The actual “school” part is what makes high school the time of your life. The best aspects of high school can be found in the least expected places. The best of the new freedoms just might be the classes taken in high school. COMPILED BY SHELBY SMITH

“CCC because its not like any other class. I love going back to the elementary schools and working with younger kids and just getting to help people through the community service projects.”

—Senior Taylor Kangethe

“Foods with [Cindy] Swarner because that class was fun and we got to eat our projects.”

“[I loved] Algebra 2 with [Anthony] Kinney because he is a great teacher who made class fun, but now he teaches Geometry so a lot of freshmen will have him.” —Junior Regan Ray

“

[My favorite class was] probably Honors Biology freshmen year. My teacher, [Debra] Brewer, was awesome and I had a lot of fun coming to class everyday and learning from her. Science is my favorite subject and I loved being able to do hands on labs and experiments. It was hard work but really fun at the same time.” —Junior Anna Modig

“My favorite had to be science; we did interesting things in science class. I’m the type of kid who likes to do weird stuff and try out experiments.”

—Senior LaPhonso McKinnis

—Sophomore Michaela Singleton

“[My favorite has to have been] woodshop. I learned a lot of cool things and met a lot of cool people.”

—Graduate Kyle Zarda

“Definitely Choir because its not all singing down in the classroom, you become a family and make long lasting relationships. Plus [Scott] Schwartz teaches you life lessons and makes the class so much fun. I look forward to coming back to that class every year and look forward to the class everyday during school.”

—Junior Jordan Cobler

“

I would say Sociology 2. We learned about more than just the textbook. We learned about what’s going on in the world and shared our opinions about it and had class discussions everyday. The class was so laid back and I learned easier in that kind of environment.”

—Graduate Emily Utech

“Japanese because the teacher is awesome, you meet a lot of friends, and you have a lot of fun while learning.”

The best class I’ve ever taken is probably IB English. I know it’s not an elective or anything but I still looked forward to going every day. I love reading and that was the core of the curriculum in IB. We didn’t do too many worksheets; even the tests were simply writing. In class we just talked about the book and read. So I loved it!”

—Senior Grace Freeman

—Sophomore Anna Lewis

“The best class I ever took was Honors Physics with [Joe] Thimes because there were only 12 kids in there and we did experiments all the time.”

—Senior Amanda Hoelting

“[I loved] English 10 with [Marc] Gibbens because he engaged the class in a way that was extremely fun and interesting, but while it was enjoyable, I’ve never learned more in any other class.”

—Junior Daniel Messick

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

09

Which of the 45 things are you most looking forward to this year?

Tweet us @smnwdotcom for a chance to be in the next issue!

THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU GRADUATE COMPILED BY ATALIE BLACK

IN HONOR OF NORTHWEST’S 45TH YEAR, HERE ARE 45 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU WALK ACCROSS THE STAGE

1

4

2

5 6

3

7

If you’re brave enough, get up in front of the school and perform an original spoken word poem at this year’s Poetry Slam; if not, be a part of the audience and volunteer to be a judge.

Purchase cappuccinos, hot chocolate and cookies on CCC’s Cappuccino Days to benefit various local causes throughout the year.

Try each one of the flavors of smoothies from Smoothie King.

Smoothies are sold at lunch every Wednesday; you can find them in the snack bar and the a lá carte line.

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AUG. 12, 2013 / FEATURES

Buy a rose for your crush on Valentine’s Day. Purchase one in the mall, write a note and have it delivered to them.

Go to at least one game for every sport. This is one time to join the crowd!

Submit poetry, artwork or short stories to the student literary magazine Penpoint.

Dress up every day for each spirit week; look your best supporting the Cougars on Cougar Crazy Day Friday for every spirit week.

8

Participate in the Talent Show, or support your favorite performers by cheering from the audience.

9 10

Get coffee or breakfast with friends on a late start day.

Respond to an article or bring up a topic that you want covered in the newspaper by tweeting us @smnwdotcom. You can also bring a signed letter to the editor to room 151, or email it to sarahegger. nw@gmail.com or graceamundson@gmail. com.

11

Get a photo booth picture of you and your friends in the index of the yearbook. In the spring, the yearbook staff will set up a booth in the mall, and any student is welcome to get their picture taken and possibly featured in the book.

12

Be the crossword puzzle winner by picking up a crossword in the library every morning, completing it and returning it. A winner will be drawn each week from the pile of completed puzzles.

13

Lead an elementary school class on a tour of the environmental lab during the Environmental Education class.

14

Adopt a tot and throw a party for them with your fourth hour class; you will give a local child in need food, a welcoming environment, presents and holiday memories they will never forget.

2

7 21 28 30 41 43 44 15

Be a part of the tradition and attend the NW bonfire.

16

Walk through the art gallery and down the art hallway to see some of the school’s best student works.

17

Go to an orchestra, band or choir concert, as well as a forensics competition.

I

NW

23

Prepare to get dirty at Muckfest, every fall at Theater in the Park. Toss shaving cream, fling mud and chuck water balloons at all of your closest friends at this event sponsored by Young Life.

24

Enjoy the music and donate money at Coalition’s Big Event to benefit Invisible Children.

30

Sleep in a box for one night at StuCo’s event to benefit the Shalom House, a homeless shelter in Kansas City, Kan.

31

Participate in Coalition’s The Walk to raise awareness of unfit conditions in other countries.

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25

32

19

26

20

27 28

33 34

Hang around to congratulate the cast of the play after you enjoy the show.

Comment and make your voice heard about a story on smnw.com.

Attend the College Clinic at Shawnee Mission East in October to learn about many different colleges in the area.

21 22

Volunteer to help with the Halloween Carnival.

Help your fellow classmates create a Homecoming float that will outdo all the other classes’.

Dance along with the drumline on the mornings that they march and perform throughout the hallways.

Buy as many NW shirts and spirit wear as you can.

You can never have too much Cougar pride.

Write a speech and run for Student Council office.

Junior or senior year, sign up to participate in Powder Puff football (for ladies) or volleyball (for guys).

Take a College Now class. If you pass the class with a B or better, you can receive college credit.

Opt. out of a final during your senior year by getting an “A” in the class.

35

29

36

Find the paw print with your name on the walls, windows and lockers during Prom Spirit Week and claim the prize.

Persuade a teacher to conduct class outside.

Round up students and a sponsor, find a cause and create a club.

Find the 49 Waldos in the murals along the walls of the academic wing.

37 38

+

Attend the drill team’s Spring Special.

Become friends with the foreign exchange students. You can learn a lot about their cultures.

39 40

Perform in a class skit at an assembly.

Go to the last home football game of the regular season to see the Marching Cougar Pride’s Light Show performance.

41 42

Tryout for a sport, Your own abilities may surprise you.

friend.

Go to every school dance. Either with a date or just a

43

Give blood at the fall and spring blood drives, benefitting the Community Blood Center.

44 45

As a class, win the spirit stick at an assembly.

Show the school your videomaking skills and sign up to participate in the KUGR intro show.

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

11

NAVIGATING

NORTHWEST

Still having trouble finding your way around the school? Tweet us @smnwdotcom for a chance to be in the next issue!

GRAPHICS BY CALISTA BOHLING / KATE JACOBSEN BRIEFS BY HAENA LEE

127

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129

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118 o

g

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13

107

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/ 104

105

155 156

nurse

Office

J ATTENDANCE OFFICE

CAFETERIA

KITCHEN / 10

12

11 GYM 3

LIBRARY

154

THE MALL Y

GYM 1

GYM 2

153

163 162

LOCKER NUMBERS

103B

102

115

151 152

157

109 108

116

138 137

o 338 1

101

517 516

LOCKER NUMBERS

110

111

136

o

126

692 339

113

869 868

LOCKER NUMBERS

139

122

150

124

130

131

FL

1054 693

112

POOL

134 133 132

123

Math 5 Science # Business E Physical Education H FACS ; ELL r Special Ed / Elevator U

135

125

V English w Social Studies b Foreign Languages A Fine Arts

13

AUDITORIUM

LITTLE THEATRE

14 15

16 18 17

STAGE 4 19 30 32

7B

9

8

7

7A

6

g

34

31 33

36

GYM 4

1st Floor

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/ 37 38

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THE MALL Y

ATHLETIC OFFICE J

TEACHER OFFICES o

The mall is the general area between the back entrance and the main entrance, in front of the cafeteria. It is where many students talk to their friends before school starts and during lunch.

This room can easily found next to the attendance office. Just use the door with athletic office on it.

This is where you can find a teacher if he or she is not in their usual classroom.

The Social Studies office is rooms 125 and 123. The World Languages office is rooms are 112 and 110. The English office is located at rooms 118 and 136. The Math office is rooms 220 and 222.

AUG. 12, 2013 / FEATURES

J

Boys’ Locker Room

POOL

I /

Girls’ Team Locker Room

d

Girls’ Locker Room

D

N M

WRESTLING ROOM

L

K

E

G

RECEIVING ROOM

BOILER ROOM

C A

F

AA

Basement 2nd Floor

Boys’ Team Locker

232

232

229

230

2108

222 o

220

219

224

225

218

217

216

1732

212

209

213

SHORTCUTS

236

1565 1564

239

208

207

206

g

Instead of walking around the corner to the class in the next hallway use the bathrooms to simply avoid hallway traffic. Also can be easier to use the stairs in the artwing to go to the basement instead of the stairs in the mall.

203

204

241 1233

LOCKER NUMBERS /

g

238

237

240

1055

202

234

215

214

1400

201

g

235

LOCKER NUMBERS 211

210

1900

223

1401

233 1901

LOCKER NUMBERS

1733

221

226

227

228

1232

205

243

242

ROOMS I, K, AND L d

ELEVATORS /

All these rooms are often called by what they are used for. Room I is often called the Weights room.

Room K is known as the ISS room and room L is the Copy room.

The elevator found in the first hallway goes only to the second floor. To go to the basement use the elevator next to the kitchen or next to room 37.

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northwest

Clubs COMPILED BY SARAH EGGER

Academic Decathalon — Cathy Morrison — TBA —Students study all aspects of a historical period and then participate in competitions over the material.

Animal Alliance

— Lindsey Demke — Mathilde Guglielmi —Members raise awareness for various animal causes. They discuss the types of animal abuse and what they can do to prevent it from happening.

Beatles Club

— Fran Koenigsdorf — Kirsten Nilges —Members meet to watch music videos and movies including “A Hard Days Night” and “Help”.

They also participate in Beatle questionnaires and other games within members of the group.

BPA

— Jan Berg — TBA — Most of the activities are done outside of the meetings.

Students compete in different business competitions ranging from Entrepreneurship to Broadcast News.

Meetings are spent by having the club leaders communicate deadlines, as well as check competition entry progress and suggest ways they can improve their projects.

Photo by Sarah Dean

AUG. 12, 2013 / FEATURES

Sponsor Student Leader Description

Which club are you most excited about joining? Tweet us @smnwdotcom for a chance to be in the next issue!

Book Club

— Kristen Berning — Carly Benjamin — Members discuss a book that was selected at the previous meeting.

Prompt cards are provided by the sponsor to suggest topics to discuss during meetings including point of view, narration, and other literary prompts.

Photo by Alexa Styers

14

Club Name

Photo by Kate Jacobsen

Photo by Carleigh Whitman

Photo by Mikala Compton

Categories — Cathy Morrison — TBA — Members practice for a televised competition similar to jeopardy.

They ask each other many different trivia questions on all subjects.

They compete against other area high schools in general knowledge competitions, filmed at districts indian Creek studio. The shows are aired on local cable television.

Club 121

— Ken Summers — TBA — Members discuss the bible and other Christian topics, sing and play interactive games.

There is no pressure on members to believe in anything they are uncomfortable with.

They also connect with local churches and youth groups.

Club 8

— Fran Koenigsdorf — Courtney Saylor + Darielle Criss — Members socialize and play games such as apples to apples, and card games encouraging everyone to participate, have fun, and make new friends.

Coalition

— Beth Jantsch + Sara Schaufler — Lena Dennington + Brooke Bennett — Members raise awareness for human rights causes including Save Darfur, Love 146 and Invisible Children.

CUBS

— Susan Hartman — TBA — Members give tours around Northwest to new students throughout the year. Before school starts, members meet the incoming foreign exchange students to give them a personalized tour around the school before other students arrive.

Photo by Kate Jacobsen

Photo by Kate Jacobsen

Photo by Nate Compton

Photo by Aaron Messick

Photo by Kate Jacobsen

DECA

— Bob Jensen — TBA — Members participate and learn to market and present products for competitions.

Disc Golf

— Melissa Terryberry — TBA — Meetings tend to be short. Members discuss where and when they plan to play disc golf next.

Fashion Club — Cindy Swarner — TBA — Meetings were basically eating donuts and talking about the fashion show, ordering t-shirts and just hanging out.

FCA

— Mike Cooper — Amanda Hoelting Same Arnold, + Meghan McCluskey — Meetings usually start with a game. Someone is chosen to say their testimony. Other members analyze what was said in small groups.

French Club

— Leslie Ransdall — Mathilde Guglielmi — Meetings consist of watching French music videos and discussing fundraisers such as the crêpe sale. They also discuss French culture and language.

FTA

— Cindy Swarner — Jessy Volker — Members vote for teacher of the month and plan parties for student teachers. They plan on having a school supply drive in the fall.

German Club

Key Club

Girl Affect

Latin Club

— Karen Masenthin — Grace Gregory + Gwen Cody — Members watch movies from German Pop Culture and eat German food.

— Debra Brewer — Olivia Broome — Girl Affect focuses on boosting the confidence of high school girls.

The previous year, they placed Post-It Notes in the Women’s Restrooms sharing encouraging messages. Every spring they participate in a fashion show featuring their members. At meetings they watch videos about women in foreign countries, usually focusing on sexism.

GSA

— Jennifer Quick — TBA — This is a close-knit group of students who talk about what is going on in their lives. All members are supportive of the LGBTQ community, both locally and globally.

Guitar Club

— Robert Stewart — Dillon Daubenspeck — Members share songs and music with each other. Free guitar lessons are offered to anyone who does not already know how to play or wants to get better.

Interact Club

— Jan Berg — Abby Zimmerman — Members participate in a variety of volunteer activities. They fundraise to help members pay to go to Guatemala for mission work. Meetings consist of discussing upcoming service opportunities, fundraisers, and ways to connect with the community.

— Carolyn LaFever — Tatiana Darby — Participants discuss different community service opportunities to partake in throughout the year.

— Joe Gehrer — Mallory Wilhite + Emily Petersen — Meetings consist of Latin activities about language or culture. Every April there is a Latin convention in which students dress in togas and compete in Latin sight reading, oratory, art, and costumes.

Math Club

— Jessica Barger — Tyler Bienhoff — Members take a five question, 30 minute math quiz, then discuss their answers to prepare for upcoming math competitions.

Mural Club

— David Hunt — TBA — Students care for the school’s murals in the hallways. They repair damage and discuss new mural ideas to fill blank walls.

Penpoint

— Melinda Heaton — Emma Perlmutter — Each year Penpoint produces a Literary Magazine that focuses on Northwest students’ creativity. At meetings, members choose the stories, poetry, photography, and artwork that will be published.

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Prom Committee

SADD

— Sara Schaufler — Maggie Mulich + Jennifer Smith — At the start of the year, members look through prom themes and start suggesting decorations including centerpieces and prom souvenirs. They also make posters for prom and hold various fundraising events including the rose sale and the candy cane sale.

— Susan Hallstrom — TBA — Members spread awareness about young adults abusing drugs. At assemblies, they share statistics about drugusers and distracted driving. They promote alcohol and drug-free events and create the Chain of Life that hangs in the Mall.

Photography Club — Melinda Heaton — TBA — Members are assigned photoshoots based on specific categories then they share the photographs and suggest ways the photographers could improve them.

Ramen Club — Bill Sanderson — Anthan Swearingen — Meetings are mostly spent planning Ramen parties. They also take turns sharing stories of how Ramen Noodles impacted their life.

— Ziba Vossoughi — Dustin Gansenbom — Members participate in various regional mechanical, electrical, electronic and scientific competitions. They meet once a month to check on study progress and answer questions anyone might have concerning the competitions.

Skills USA — Howard Newcomb — TBA — Students compete in events of technology and problem solving to create a better workplace in the future.

SLAB — Carolyn LaFever — Simrun Hundal — Members plan book fairs and drives throughout the year. Members also select books for the recommended shelf and books to purchase for the library.

Photo by Bella Tunisi

Clubs 16

AUG. 12, 2013 / FEATURES

Photo by Carleigh Whitman

Photo by Kate Jacobsen

Science Olympiad

Robotics — Jason Hallowed — Philip Ruo — Members plan and build a remotecontrolled robot to compete at the regional competition. The robot must complete a variety of tasks sometimes including climbing, and frisby throwing.

Photo by Brittany Bonsignore

Photo by Nate Compton

Photo by Mikala Compton

Spanish Club

Woodworking Club

— Alicia Roberts — TBA — Members play cultural games and learn dances as well as discuss the language and the culture.

— Mark Schirmer — TBA — Most members are also involved in a Woods class and would like extra time to work on projects. They also discuss different woodworking techniques.

Spirit Club — Sarah Dent — TBA — Members plan class skits for upcoming assemblies.

Thespian Troupe 888 — Keli Rodgers — Elizabeth Brooks — Members plan fundraisers and advertise theatre productions as well as participate in other acting, singing and improvisation events.

Ukulele Club — Drew Magwire — Kelly Sharpe + Emma Perlmutter — Members learn how to play songs together on the ukulele.

They also prepare for performances at assemblies and other events. Ukuleles are suggested but not required.

Young Democrats

— Rebecca Anthony — TBA — Members support democratic leaders in both the community and country. Students discuss campaign opportunities in order to take part in local and national elections.

Young Republicans

— Tina Griggs — TBA — Members support republican leaders in both the community and country. Students discuss campaign opportunities in order to take part in local and national elections.

Youth In Government — Christin Lamouri — Lena Dennington — Members talk about bills coming up for the big meeting in november/ what bills are.

COMPILED BY ATALIE BLACK AND HAENA LEE

Do not block others from getting to their lockers

R U N

minimum no one wants to see that

Do not stand in the middle

assembl es

of the hallways

Do not pass notes

Be respectful of the speakers

Do not stand on the bleachers

Keep track of when your assignments are due

Bring your own school supplies

Do not leave trash on the ground Be respectful during the national anthem

Respect

Do not use your phone during class

Sit in your assigned seat

Walk at a quick pace

Use “indoor” voices

Do Not

It’s nice to apologize after bumping into someone

Keep PDA to a

hallways

Walk on the right side of the hallways

Questions about the rules of the school? Tweet us @smnwdotcom for a chance to be in the next issue!

the

Keep quiet and respectful during class skits

class that EARNED SPIRIT STICK Do not push on the stairs or bleachers

Respect and support the band

Do not blurt out answers Keep quiet during class

Classtime is not naptime

Keep quiet when someone has the microphone

Do not put your gum under the desks Raise your hand and answer questions. Many classes have participation points

the

Show your support and participate in the class chants

SENIORS

JUNIORS

Sit in your class section PARENTS

SOPHOMORES

rules

of northwest

FRESHMEN

classroom

YOUR TEACHER’S MAIN PURPOSE IS TO HELP YOU, DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR GUIDENCE NORTHWEST PASSAGE

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A YEAR AT NORTHWEST All the best dances, performances and can’t-miss events

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

1

4

8

PHOTO BY CLARA DAVISON

e begin the year with the bonfire assembly to kick-off the upcoming sports season. Each grade, as well as some of the NW clubs, performs a skit. 1 At this assembly, senior Kris Geis raises his hat as he plays Mario in the Thespian Troupe’s club skit “Mario Kart”. “To hear the sophomore section chanting ‘Go Mario’ as I road by was surreal,” Geis said. “I felt like I was in a cartoon... In a good way, of course.”

To kick-off the upcoming school year, Young Life holds Muckfest at Shawnee Mission Park. This event gives you a chance to throw

18

AUG. 12, 2013 / FEATURES

7

mud, flour, water balloons, etc. at the opposing schools. 2 S e n i o r Megan Johnson gives senior Kelci Scott a piggyback ride as they tried to throw flour on other students at Muckfest on Sept. 12. Although Scott balanced a cup of flour while Johnson carried her, it was too hectic to aim at any specific person. “We’ve been friends [since freshman year] and it seemed like a good plan to team up. It was a bonding thing for all the schools,” Scott said.

During the week of homecoming, there is an assembly and a parade before the dance. At the assembly

PHOTO BY KATE JACOBSEN

you have a chance to be introduced to all the candidates before you v o t e . 3 Former student Caitlin Chen stands arm in arm with former student Clark Anderson at the Homecoming assembly on Sept. 28. Anderson and Chen won Homecoming King and Queen. “I was so excited for [Clark],” Chen said. “Honestly, I was screaming inside because I was just so happy for him.”

The annual Walk happens in September, starting at 6:30 a.m..

The Walk is an event organized and led by the Coalition that recognizes humanitarian organizations. 4

9 On the corner of Pflumm and 67th street, junior Skyler Jackson cheers with Coalition members on Sept. 27.

“I think [The Walk] is a really good idea to get people to be aware of things the affect people all over the world,” Jackson said. “We got a lot of cars honking and a lot of people asking about our duct tape Xs once we got to school.”

5 Close to the end of the football season our light show is performed by the marching band and the drill team. At SM North District stadium, sophomore Gage Oberheu plays the xylophone during the light show on Oct. 26. Members of the marching

Which event are you most excited to attend? Tweet us @smnwdotcom for a chance to be in the next issue!

2

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

PHOTO BY LUCAS SILVA

10

PHOTO BY MONICA CASTELLON

band decorated themselves and their instruments with glow sticks so that they would be visible when the stadium lights were turned off.

“It was very different from regular shows because we were a lot more relaxed. We had more fun with it,” Oberheu said.

Every year we have a blood drive held in the gym. This gives students a chance to donate their blood. 6 Former student Grace Stutheit cringes as the nurse inserts the needle into her arm.

Stutheit was unable to complete her donation because she fainted.

“Helping someone out and possibly

6

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

saving someone’s life was a great feeling,” Stutheit said. “I only got to give blood for two minutes, but I was happy that I at least got to try.”

Every year during the holiday season, we have adopt-a-tot. Each classroom “adopts” a family and that class provides presents for that family. 7 Crouching on the ground, junior Brooke Bennett arranges presents along the wall after school on Dec. 4 in her fifth hour classroom. “I love kids and Christmas, so naturally it’s a good fit. I got really into it this year, helping buy gifts and keeping things organized.”

3

The talent show held in the auditorium gives a chance for students to show off their talent.

8 Senior Kate Jacobsen and junior Kristi Sengpraseuth perform “Sunday Morning” by maroon five. This was Jacobsen and Sengpraseuths’s first time performing in the talent show.

“I was really nervous on stage but I kinda just went for it,” Sengpraseuth commented.

9 Junior Spencer Dang performs in the 2013 annual poetry slam in the library on April 12. This was Dang’s first time participating in the event. “I was wasn’t nervous,

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

5

just exhilarated by the feeling of it all,” Dang said. “I was definitely inspired by my dad and his story telling. I wanted to share his story with people.”

10 Prom is held and former student Laura Assman is shocked after being announced prom queen while former student Mikala Compton cheers her on, April 20 at the Shawnee Civic Center. Former student Tyler Sliva was crowned prom king while former students Jackson Gulick and Tiffany Jordan were crowned first runners up.

BY KATE JACOBSEN NORTHWEST PASSAGE

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O T S L E N A P R E B M E M E R

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 by Mitch Feyerherm

4 8 2 6 7 9

7 2

9 4

5 7

1 3 6

3 9

7 5

1

9

9 8 5 1 5 8

DAILY SCHEDULE:

SPIRIT OF NORTHWEST by Isaac Coleman OF A HIGH SCHOOLER

FRESHMAN

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AUG. 12, 2013 / ENTERTAINMENT

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

SENIOR

HOUR 1 HOUR 2 HOUR 3 HOUR 4 HOUR 5 1: passing 11:20-11:25 lunchlunch11:25-11:50

7:40-8:30 8:35-9:30 9:35-10:25 10:30-11:20 11:25-12:50

HOUR 6 HOUR 7

12:55-1:45 1:50-2:40

passing 11:50-11:55 class 11:55-12:50 lunch 2: passing 11:20-11:25 class 11:25-11:50 passing 11:50-11:55 lunch 11:55-12:20 passing 12:20-12:25 class 12:25-12:50 lunch 3: passing 11:20-11:25 class 11:25-12:20 passing 12:20-12:25 lunch 12:25-12:50

HOW TO TRYOUT FOR

SPORTS

1

Get your physical and other paperwork done. Turn the forms in to Mrs. Horseman in the athletic office next to the attendance office. All papers can be found in the main office.

3

Go to conditioning. It helps you get in shape for tryouts and allows you to get to know some teammates.

5

BY HAENA LEE / GRAPHICS BY MITCH FEYERHERM

2

4

Attend all the Informational meetings. Coaches will talk about tryouts, the things you will need before tryouts start, etc. If you cannot attend one of the meetings, it’s best to talk to the coach prior to the meeting you will miss.

Tryout. It is what you have been preparing for the past few months. After tryouts you are assigned to a team or cut.

During the season of any sport, keep your grades up. All athletes are required to carry and complete an orange card. An orange card allows your coach to monitor your grades and behavior in each class. If a teacher is dissatisfied with your behavior or if you have an unsatisfactory grade, you will not be able to participate during the next week. The state allows players to participate in a game with an F, but each coach is different. They may not even allow players to play with a D.

What sport are you trying out for this year? Tweet us @smnwdotcom for a chance to be in the next issue!

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

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Photo by Mikala Compton

Photo by Aaron Messick

Photo by Nate Compton

Photo by Nate Compton

GIRLS’ TENNIS

BOWLING

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

BOYS’ SOCCER

GYMNASTICS

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

WRESTLING

CROSS COUNTRY

VOLLEYBALL

BOYS’ SWIM

Linn Hibbs

Todd Boren

Van Rose

GIRLS’ GOLF John Reiff

22

Photo by Sarah Dean

Photo by Aaron Messick

FOOTBALL

AUG. 12, 2013 / SPORTS

Ken Clow

Cindy Beason

TBA

TBA

Mike Rose

TBA

Jeff Dickson

Howard Newcomb

BECAUSE OF SPORTS

Throughout my years at NW, my views on sports have changed.

It has had its highs and its lows. Mostly, it has created some memories and relationships that will last a lifetime.

Baseball

Boys’ Tennis

Boys’ Golf

Softball

Girls’ Swim

Track

Rich Kuzydym

Jim Bamburg

TBA

Ken Clow

TBA

Mike Cooper

Photo by Brittany Bonsignore

Photo by Nate Compton

Photo by Brittany Bonsignore

SPRING

S

by Lena Dennington

ports: the practices are long, the games are exciting, and there seems to be a sport to fit almost anyone. Whether you’re a swimmer, a runner, a tennis player, or a bowlerNorthwest has a team for you. But as I come upon my senior year and reflect on my sports experience, there are a few things that come to mind.

What makes sports most appealing? I’d like to think it is the thrilling moment when the ball hits the back of the net or a 3-point shot makes it through the hoop. But I think high school sports has taught me that it’s not about those moments—although they are awesome. It’s about the people.

It’s the game day where the entire team is wearing their coordinated t-shirts and jackets with complimentary logos and sayings that only the team would understand. It’s the team dinners the night before, which get you out of practice early and let you eat good food. It’s getting to leave class early because you have to be in Lawrence by 2:45 p.m.

There are some important things you should know about playing high school sports: your grades are vital. If you do not keep your grades up, you won’t be playing a sport. That’s why anyone who has not proven academic availability, which includes all freshman, will have to carry an orange card for two consecutive weeks to demonstrate academic eligibility.

Sports in high school, while they are fun, are not the main focus. Keep in mind, nearly all the coaches are teachers first, so the first thing on their agenda is your performance in the classroom. That means, if you have to come late to a practice for a test, nearly all coaches will accommodate that.

It’s also hard work. Nearly all the games cut into your night, as well as practices.As a result, most athletes find themselves doing homework on the bus ride to and from the games. Athletes need to find a balance between academics and sports, with academics being the most important.

So how do you find your sport if you haven’t grown up playing one your entire life? I never played tennis before I came to high school. But now I play for varsity. So how did I find tennis was right for me? I found a sport, talked to the coach about how I could improve, practiced, and then made the team. Talk to the coach if your unsure if you should tryout. Generally, junior varsity teams have one person who just picked up the sport that year. I promise the coach will be thrilled to talk about joining the team.

However, sports are for fun! If you stop having fun, you don’t have to keep playing the sport after the season is over.

Play because you love it, not because you feel obligated.

That being said, sports have created of some of my favorite high school memories. It’s the endless inside jokes that team members share. It’s the ability to have friends in every grade level when you’re a freshman. It’s the smile that you share with a teammate between classes that helps you get through the rest of the day. It’s knowing you can join a teammate’s lunch table rather than sit alone. And most of all, it’s the support. Being on a high school sport makes you feel a part of not only the Northwest family, but a family. A family of tennis players, a family of soccer players, a family of cross country players, a family of bowlers. Although all the sports are different, almost every athlete will tell you the same thing: their team is their family. I encourage you to try out for a sport that you believe will fit you because Northwest has one. You’ll make great memories.You may even find a family.

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