Special Edition: Senior Magazine by Northwest Passage

passage

Volume 46 — Special Edition — May 15, 2015

MAGAZINE INSIDE: Destinations } 15 Influential Seniors } 19 This Year in Photos } 25

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LUCAS SILVA

PASSAGE STAFF

SENIOR MAGAZINE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

15 16 DESTINATIONS Here are the places the class of 2015 are going to after graduation PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LUCAS SILVA

SMNW.COM @SMNWDOTCOM The purpose of the Northwest Passage is to relay important and interesting information and concerns of the student body. Outside concerns and activities will only be covered to the community, administration and students of the Shawnee Mission Northwest if they somehow affect the school or students. The Northwest Passage is a 32-page High School. As a newsmagazine, the Northwest Passage will cater to the interests newsmagazine. The paper will be distributed every four weeks during fifth hour.

SENIOR COLUMNS As they end their careers working for The Passage, here are the last words from our seniors PHOTO BY ADDISON SHERMAN

THEN AND NOW Northwest Seniors were surveyed on different trends from to past to present. Presented here are the results. GRAPHICS BY MITCH FEYERHERM

FINAL WORDS Favorite moments, memories and experiences from the class of 2015

09 10

INFLUENTIAL SENIORS

THEN AND NOW

Selected by the senior class, these students have made a positive impact on their classmates and the school as a whole PHOTO BY ADDISON SHERMAN

Northwest Seniors were surveyed on different trends from to past to present. Presented here are the results GRAPHIC BY MITCH FEYERHERM

THIS YEAR IN PHOTOS A compilation of our favorite photos from the past school year PHOTO BY BRYCE REX

26 30 SINCE DAY ONE As Ron Poplau prepares to retire and Van Rose plans to continue teaching, they reflect on their history at Northwest GRAPHICS BY MITCH FEYERHERM

SPRING SPORTS Updates and previews on all spring varsity sports PHOTO BY BRYCE REX

Subscriptions will be available to the community for $25. The Northwest Passage firmly supports arise the editorial board and adviser will discuss the problem to find the solution. In these cases, length and good taste. Letters may attack policy but not people. In no way will ideas or viewpoints the First Amendment and opposes censorship. The content of the newspaper will be determined the editor-in-chief and editorial board will have the say in all decisions. Letters to the editor be changed. The editor-in-chief and editorial board reserve the right to refuse any letter. and created by the entire staff. When questions concerning word choice, legal problems or ethics will be accepted and encouraged. The staff reserves the right to edit for grammatical mistakes,

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HIGH SCHOOL, AND LIFE, IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO FIND YOUR PERFECT PERSPECTIVE

e all experience the world through a certain filter. As conscious beings, we are driven to experience life through our own filter. We can determine objective and empirical truths, but we will all experience and make sense of those truths and data through our subjective minds. One of the most powerful ways this intersects with our daily lives is through the narratives in which we view the world. Now, these narratives are largely determined subconsciously through our childhood environment, the lessons we are taught and the genetic instinct within ourselves. We see injustice in the world and we become cynical, or we see the great wonders of technology and become idealistic, and we confirm those views through the opinion we read. Yet, ultimately, that worldview is constructed in our own minds. Certain narratives of the world are harmful, not in an objective reality, but in the sense that such narratives

lead to personal, subjective discontent. If you believe the world is objectively bad, and the people within it cruel or uncaring, you will be unable to form the meaningful relationships that make life worth living. Alternatively, if you rest your peace of mind on the idea of a just world, anything that goes against that narrative will be psychologically difficult to make sense of. The pessimist and the optimist, they both see the world through a distorted lens. What I have found in high school, is that I do not have to see the world in any certain way. Not to say that our own biology does not often work against us in changing our worldview to one which satisfies rather than depresses us, but that by realizing our unique human ability to reflect, we can grow towards a new subjective experience of our life. This sort of personal philosophy has given my life another dimension, not only can I strive to achieve

material comfort in life, I can also strive to achieve mental calmness, which is more easily attainable, not in the effort that is requires, but in that such as goal is Now, it is much easier to say this than to do this, and so I see high school, and life, as a journey to grow to a mental calmness, or equanimity. Those who see their experience in high school as positive, negative, a waste of time, a chance for growth, a horrific nightmare, or nothing much at all are all correct. Being that they are all correct, I see it as my goal to alter my perspective so that I may reach that elusive calm. Ultimately, such advice isn’t practical for everyday life, but the real, tangible result of this line of thinking is that we can see the world, and our memories of high school and life, as not a dark dreary place, but a place of growth, and progress towards our most true self. When I consider this, I stop, and I breathe, and for a moment, I am.

COMING OUT IN HIGH SCHOOL TAUGHT ME WHO MY TRUE FRIENDS ARE AND ENABLED ME TO LIVE MY LIFE WITHOUT CONSTANT FEAR AND ANXIETY

here is a saying that goes, “Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” This, without a doubt, is the most crucial lesson I have learned here at Northwest. The summer after my sophomore year, I came out as gay. When I did, my selfimage and the relationships between my friends and family changed forever. I learned that some people’s friendship and love was conditional, which was very difficult at first. But looking back as a senior, I see that I never lost any real friends or family. If they left, then they probably weren’t worth caring about in the first place. I now realize how true that little saying really is, about those who do and those who don’t mind. My friends all accepted me, and the response I got from most of of my classmates was more positive

and supportive than I could have ever expected. My parents took it hard at first, but as time went on they became more and more understanding. And now, they are incredibly supportive. There were some negative consequences, though. Some people guarded their words and actions around me for a while, and I would get cringe-worthy questions from random people about my sexuality. I used to be consumed with fear about the prejudiced things my peers said about queer people. But the confidence I have found in myself and the support I have received from the people at this school have made me so much stronger than any cruel words. All the fears I had about coming out seem completely insignificant now. I am writing this not because I feel like the fact that I am gay defines my life or who I am. I am so much more than just

my sexuality. I am writing this for all the closeted LGBTQ+ students of Northwest. I am writing this because when I was closeted, fear and anxiety controlled my life. I was constantly calculating lies to keep myself concealed, and I hated who I was. I hope publishing this can help assure you that there are plenty of other kids like you at this school and every other school. I want you to know that coming out will not make your world fall apart. Everyone’s story is different and some will have more difficult journeys than others. Whoever you are and however you may identify, I hope you have just as much success as I have experienced. Don’t dread these years of high school, and don’t let insecurity get in the way of your happiness. I hope the best for all of you.

towards a different

narrative

Mitch Feyerherm | University of Missouri

sharing my experience

Nathan Henderson | Kansas State University

NW passage | opinion

HOW FINDING A HOME AT NORTHWEST HELPED ME FIND MY PLACE IN THE WORLD

f you’re a part of journalism, you’ve heard the “find a home speech.” The first time I heard it I was in elementary school, sitting in the back of room 151 with my parents as my older sister listened with intent to the prospect of “finding your place at Northwest.” Even before Northwest, I grew up as a journalism kid through the stories of my sister, the short-time photographer, and through my brother, the up-tight design editor. From the very beginning, I became aware that journalism does not have a set definition. Because I am not a writer, nor an investigator, I have always had trouble calling myself a journalist. It was not until later that I discovered that journalism is not writing; it is communication and passion. It is the passion that my brother had for the yearbook, the passion that Mrs. Massy, Cough, has for her students. The niche I occupied in journalism has given me an outlet for my passion, and the necessary tools to develop not only my skills, but my mind. Journalism has taught me how to communicate. I communicate through artwork, because that is what design is to me. I communicate through the hours that I spend

okay, not

perfect

Maddie Grimes | JCCC 06

opinion | May 15, 2015

designing a page, slowly moving pictures and text around until I reach the aesthetic that I desire. Journalism is also leadership. There is nothing more rewarding than watching Maddie Grimes meet all her deadlines, or watching Paden Chesney try something completely different and innovative. There has been no feeling better than when Nathan Henderson created his first layout and sheepishly asked if he could design pages instead of just ads. My desire to communicate keeps me attached to my designers, working constantly to help them grow, learn and discover their own passions. My hope as a leader is that one day they will find their own passions, and occupy their own niche to cultivate those passions. I found journalism in 151, but it did not stop there. I found journalism in a chicken coop in South Africa, because it was the base of a sustainable structure that would provide electricity, food and profit for the community that we built it for. I found journalism in a tattoo parlor, when small figures of Star Wars characters looked down on the artist as he spoke about his love for building computers. I found journalism in Seattle,

when a homeless musician played inspiring melodies on a waxcovered water jug, attempting to collect spare change because his livelihood was taken from him when his wife passed away and he could not pay the bills. The journalism I found in all these places was not written, bound or placed out on a table to buy. It was not online, or as a video for people to watch and move on with their lives. I found journalism in all of these places because I found passion, and was able to communicate with those passionate people. This is my turn. This is what “finding my home” in journalism means to me: I learned how to produce. I learned how to write, design, take photos and be a leader. But what I grew to find was passion. It was not an easy ride. I was pushed, frustrated and challenged time after time. But I was also rewarded, self empowered and remade. I learned to strive for a career of consistent excellence, and gained the determination to stand up in the face of failure. So, I found my home in 151, and the person I became in that room will forever be a part of who I am.

HIGH SCHOOL WASN’T EASY, AND THERE ARE STILL SO MANY THINGS I NEED TO LEARN

or me, high school was a constant battle between two people: who I was and who I wanted to be. While dealing with my anxiety, I continually set myself up for failure by establishing unrealistic goals, even when it was obvious to me that I could never meet them. This internal struggle is exactly what dealing with anxiety is like, a constant back and forth that I thought I could manage. During my sophomore year, I realized that I couldn’t continue to measure myself against the achievements of my peers. I knew that my anxiety would only get worse if I continually put myself down and did not know how to pull myself back up. There’s something to be said for strife: it shapes you. But it can also crush you. I wake up and I work to define what my day will be like and sometimes it doesn’t work out. Sometimes it’s hard to get out of bed and deal with things that

other people seem to handle so well. I really didn’t expect these struggles to engulf my high school career, but they did. I told myself that I could have done better, but I couldn’t have. I did the best I could, for me. I’m still teaching myself that it was okay to not be perfect. It’s okay for me to not be at the top of my class. It’s okay for me to not be an IB diploma candidate. It’s okay for me to not have a 4.0. When I spend all my time comparing myself to others, I ignore anything I’ve accomplished. Focusing on myself was, and is, a huge struggle for me. It’s so much easier to worry about the lives of other people than to fix or work through mine. I’m still working on achieving self-acceptance. I’m trying to grow without feeling like I’m not doing it right. There’s no manual to life, and I’m having to come to terms with the fact that life

isn’t always going to be easy. Because my start to life wasn’t positive, I’m still struggling to accept the fact that I can’t control everything and it won’t always work out for me. There’s one thing I’ll take with me from high school: it’s okay to not be perfect. It’s okay to have

There’s no manual to life, and I’m having to come to terms with the fact that life isn’t always going to be easy. bad days and to not turn in that assignment once in a while. It’s okay to feel like you’re trapped, and it’s okay to seek help when you need it. Let’s aim to be okay, not perfect.

EVEN THOUGH WE THINK WE HAVE OUR ENTIRE LIFE AHEAD OF US TO LEARN, WE’VE ALREADY GROWN SO MUCH IN HIGH SCHOOL

hoosing the headline for my senior column was quite a feat. The current headline had nagged me for days. A voice deep down kept saying, “This is it! This is it!” but I hated it, mainly because I hated turning 17. I fancied being a 16-year-old senior for a while – probably just to brag about how I skipped a grade – and after that was over, I wanted to spring right into a “cool” adult of 18 years of age. To be altogether frank, I also hated the idea of typing 17 in numbers everywhere in my column. According to Associated Press style, all numbers more than 10 have to be typed in Arabic numerals, whereas I would prefer they be spelt out to balance the height of the letters without the awkward numbers of “one” and “seven” jutting out in between. The reason I went with it, though, is because I couldn’t think of anything more perfect. Although I hate the number, I’m quite content being 17. I’m only 17, but I’m moving to my fourteenth house this summer. Northwest is my sixth high school. I’ve made several hundred friends and I’ve lived in eight cities. I’m only 17, but I’ve realized the coolest person to ever be is myself. Being new is hard, but adjusting is easy. To adjust, all you’ve got to do is not. Just be you. I’ve tried and failed to blend in too many times to convince you that that is the way to go. Do whatever makes you happy and hang with the people you can truly be yourself with. Don’t be different just for the sake of being different. Just be you. I’m only 17, but moving has taught me to hold on to my family. Throughout it all – selling too many of our belongings, certifying transcripts, buying everything from a sewing kit to new couches – my family members have remained the most stable five beings in my life. I’m only 17, but journalists have taught me to take initiative. I have been involved in journalism – primarily the publication of a newspaper – for seven years now. I learned to be motivated to find the story, because, “no one is going to hand it to you,” as my newspaper adviser, Cough, or Susan Massy, told me. In seventh grade, my first article was published in the school newspaper. I remember flipping to its page and pointing my mother’s gaze to the byline. After undergoing criticism and missed deadlines and experiencing liability issues, I am

now a senior, and I would like to think I appreciate the true meaning of journalism. I learned that if I need to get something done, I better be willing to do it, and I better have the commitment and the dedication to do it every time. I learned that no one cares about my sob story. Life isn’t going to stop just so Deena can get it together, the same way deadlines don’t wait just because Deena had not planned everything correctly.

We each have the responsibility to be the one who speaks out, who pursues the truth and then, is willing to tell the truth. But most importantly, I learned that change begins with me, and not every other person but me. It dawned upon me the responsibility we each carry: we each have the responsibility to be the one who speaks out, who pursues the truth and then, is willing to tell the truth. We must try even when all hope seems to have been lost. And “we” is each of us, every one of us. Not just journalists. I’m only 17, but I’ve been Muslim my whole life. When I try to complain about people to my parents, they only tell me to remember my teachings. “Give your brother 70 excuses,” is one of our prophet’s sayings, and it has taught me that as soon you begin to think of the first, second or third excuse for a person’s actions, you remember your place as an observer and not all-knowing. There’s always more to the story, and being that one different girl that was always on the receiving side of inquiring stares taught me that it sucks to be judged. I’m only 17, but I’ve learned to listen, not just hear. That seems redundant, but think of how many times you’ve spent one of your class periods thinking, “I’m bored,” – it’s incredible, right? I never realized this before writing my column, but we’ve missed so many opportunities to learn something from a teacher that’s not about math or science or history. Teachers are important, and there is no one teacher that doesn’t influence us in some way or another. I’m only 17, but you have taught

me that there’s hope. When we turn on the news, everything seems to be explosive, everyone seems to be reactive. It seems no one can get along. But we did it. We were able to defy all the odds, all the predispositions. We did it in high school, and we can do out there too. As we prepare to leave into the real world, if there’s one lesson we can take with us, we need to remember that we can get along. I’m only 17, but coming to Northwest convinced me that people are the best investment and the best asset. On my first day of school, my mother had just dropped me off at the east doors. It was a typical “first day at a new school” for me, but her honking, waving and picture-taking were just as embarrassing. I dodged between the seemingly hundreds of students milling around the mall, got my schedule and miraculously made it to my first hour without getting lost. “Just keep your head down for two years and no one will notice you exist.” On my way there, that was all I could think: I’m in and out of here in two years; I can do this; I’m not here to make any friends; I just want to graduate and make it out alive. I chuckle to myself whenever I remember I thought everyone at high school would walk into class straight off the set of “Mean Girls” with Starbucks in hand. I was very wrong on the first, but not so much on the latter. Less than 30 minutes into my first hour, Sam Nobrega had introduced himself, and Clara Davison had offered me her phone number in case I needed anything. I didn’t even get to sit alone at my first lunch – Amy Justice offered to be my lunch partner and later, my friend. Students made sure they made me as comfortable as possible. Just over a year later, I walked down the gym in four-inch heels as a member of the WPA court. Although I didn’t trip, my heart did several times. Rumor has it, I’m graduating this year. After so many school changes and equating transcripts and sitting through classes I had already had the opportunity to do, I’m done. With high school, I mean, because there is so, so much more out there waiting for us. I guess it turned out alright. Northwest is really cool. Good luck everyone. It’s been real. No, like actually real. Not Hamlet real.

you’re only

Deena Essa | UMKC NW passage | opinion

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VIDEO GAMES, CONSOLES AND ACCESSORIES: Nintendo, Sega, Atari, Xbox, Playstation CAMERAS: Vintage 35mm film cameras, Polaroid VINTAGE TOYS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: Thomas the Tank Engine, Transformers, G.I. Joe, Star Wars

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Visit smnw.com for video interviews of the influential seniors, extra coverage of the retiring teachers and more.

F O RG E T YOUR C A M E R A?

WE DIDNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T.

CHECK OUT ANY EVENTS T H AT YO U M I G H T H AV E M I S S E D BY G O I N G T O

To wrap up the year, here are some statistics from the Senior Survey based on 366 responses from the senior class. + COMpiled by ben lucier

Most annoying trend in high school:

K-STATE: 12%

5. Booty shorts 4. Crop tops 3. High school drama 2. E-cigs

KU: 25%

pie chart

JOCO: 25% OTHER: 38%

Favorite 90’s Movie & Favorite Disney Movie:

ARMY: 5

MARINE CORPS: 2

NAVY: 1

AIR FORCE: 1

Students who plan to enlist in the armed forces next year

Favorite part of lunch:

1. PEOPLE BLOCKING THE HALLWAYS

Pizza Otis Spunkmeyer cookies Open Lunch Lunch ladies Cheesesteak

How did your parents embarrass you as a child?

Top answer: They didn’t

nw passage | Features

words WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF YOUR PARENTS?

FAVORITE MOMENTS, MEMORIES AND EXPERIENCES FROM THE CLASS OF 2015 + compiled by paige eichkorn

“My favorite memory of my parents was one, when I told them I was a National Merit Semifinalist and two, when I told them I was going to Prom. Both times, they got so excited, and it's nice to see them happy and proud.” – Alex Bohlken

“I don't have one specific memory, but my parents have always shown how they love me in little ways and a few of those stick out. Like my dad knew absolutely nothing about swimming when I started but he did research about it so he could talk to me about it. And my mom put hearts on my door telling me what she loves about me during the month of February for the past few years.” – Haley Sloan “When they walked me down the track on senior night in the fall. It made me really happy that my dad stepped aside from being a football coach for a couple of minutes to show how proud he was of me.” – Katie Coopman “Receiving my varsity letter in wrestling from my dad freshman year.” – Zach Newcomb “When my mom adopted me. That was pretty cool.” – Natalie Martens “I did theatre all of high school, and my favorite memory was always seeing their proud faces looking at me as I left the stage. They always were so proud and happy for me that it made me want to work even harder.” – Ryllie Quesada “My mom has made several trips to Blackdog to come and meet me over the last four years to keep me sane. She's really wonderful, and coffee is too.” - Christina Hayford

feature | may 15, 2015

“My favorite memory of my parents is them coming to all of my soccer and cheerleading events. They are very supportive.” – Korbyn Caswell “I came home from school and I had just turned 16. I got off the school bus and I saw them standing in the driveway with my new car they got me.” – Corey Purdom “A favorite memory of mine is when I told my mom that I got accepted into the Art Institutes International and she had a great reaction and told me that ‘these are the first steps into being an adult.’” – Christopher Gomez

“Freshman year, my whole family printed out pictures of my face and glued them to sticks and then held them up at my soccer game and cheered me on!” – Kristen Mehrtens “I had to ask them a list of questions for a Sociology 2 assignment, and when I asked my dad what advice he had for me for when I become a parent, he just said ‘Costco membership.’” – Heather Chaltas “My 16th birthday party, when they told me how proud of me they were, of how amazing of a young woman I had become. And then surprising me with a car.” – Kyra Thompson “When they were involved with me being on Homecoming court. My mom helped with the dinner and helped me get ready for the assembly. And my dad walked me down the football field which was pretty amazing.” – Abbie Musson

WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF HIGH SCHOOL? “My most memorable would be the moment I realized what a true friend is and that they should always make you feel loved.” - Grayce Navratil “Nothing could compare to being crowned Homecoming Queen. Stating I am honored would be the very least to say. I adore all you students; you lovelies mean the world to me! Needless to mention, spending the fairytale week with 19 other students who I admire made the journey all the more memorable. I cried for various reasons as that tiara was placed on my head by the inspiring Sarah Taylor. You all have been there for me through much of my roller coaster journey and I just want to thank you.” – Maggie Marx “Coach Hibbs getting attacked by a large grasshopper at football summer camp.” – Nehemiah Jones “Finally taking my turn at sitting on the gym floor during the Prom Assembly, tearing up during the Senior Song.” – Megan Clark “My most memorable moment of high school was being chosen to be on the Prom court.” – Jacob Steinle “Going through the Military Entrance Processing Station and becoming a part of the one percent. I joined the military and I think that is something that I will always look back on as one of the biggest decisions [I have ever made].” – Catherine Pellerito “The second day of freshman year was terrifying and exhilarating – moving through the halls, surrounded by hundreds of other people. There is no real way to prepare for it. You just get engulfed by the mass of people moving from class to class. It's incredible.” – Natalie Martens

“My most memorable moment of high school is getting a bloody nose on Freshman Day. I was sitting at the top of the stands when I got a bloody nose and sprinted down the steps in front of tons of new people.” – Tom Green “Watching LaPhonso McKinnis become a [wrestling] state champion.” – Alex Quinn “The privilege of playing the senior song for all of the school and the seniors. My face was red and I was shaking with nervousness, but when it was all over, it felt amazing.” – Ben Johnson “My most memorable moment is waking up at 4 a.m. at Sleep In a Box and feeling a sense of peace surrounded by my friends and the stars. That night, Northwest felt like the safest place on earth.” – Carson Wapp “My most memorable moment from high school was being on Prom Court and winning second runner-up. It was such an awesome experience and I felt so honored to have had such an amazing opportunity.” – Sydney Thompson “Going up to the Poetry Slam microphone for the first time. I was too scared to look at the audience, so I kept my head down and stared at my paper the entire time.” – Spencer Dang “Being on WPA court. It was the coolest thing and a very humbling experience. It showed me that the little influence I have on my classmates lives’ has a huge impact. It was also just fun to get all dressed up with my closest friends.” – Nicolette Metz “The most memorable moment was winning the spirit stick my sophomore year.” - Maddie Grimes

HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED SINCE FRESHMAN YEAR? “Since freshman year, I have become less concerned with what others think of me. I've started to do things outside of my comfort zone and that has made being an upperclassman more fun.” - Tessa Kohler

“I have matured. I have matured physically, mentally, emotionally and, most important, spiritually. I have learned that friends will come and friends will go. I have learned patience. I have learned who I am. I have learned

that it is ok to make mistakes; without mistakes we have nothing to learn from. I have learned to speak out and to express myself. I have learned how to fit in yet stick out at the same time. I have matured.” - Dillon Daubenspeck “I think I accepted my perpetual awkwardness and I own it.” Jessica Kirchner “I'm more outgoing and not afraid to be myself. I realized I can't be worried about what other people think of me 24/7 because that's not allowing me to be true to myself.” - Marlee Bell “Became a better person throughout the years. Learned to be more open-minded and associate with all people. My work ethic has improved tremendously. I've become more ambitious too.” - Ojas Patel

“I have definitely matured. I have gone through many experiences since freshman year and they have shaped me to be me.” - Kiranjit Kaur “I used to worry about having a place in the world, what it takes to be happy. Now I know that with a little smarts, faith, and confidence you can be happy in just being yourself.” - Daniel Louvau “I have lost and gained many friends, and I have realized that I have become a whole new person. I used to be scared to open up and talk to strangers, but now I find myself talking to anyone who is around.” - Taylor Minick “I feel like I've been through a roller coaster of emotions, that I didn't know I could feel back as a freshman. My views on the world have shifted immensely since freshman year.” - Kristi Sengpraseuth

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MEMORY? “When I was on the field alongside my brothers fighting SM South in football. We went down swinging and it was an accomplishment. Am I mad that we had a bad season? Heck, yes. But did I have fun? Yes, I did. And I'll never forget it.” – Brandon Smith “Probably the time track coach Mike Cooper was yelling my name while I was running. ‘Come on, Carney! Go, Carney!’ Believe it or not, that was really encouraging and I ended being faster.” – Rachael Carney “Crossing the finish line of my last cross country meet with a really good friend was the best feeling. I was exhausted and sweaty, but I wasn't alone.” – Audrey Gleason “Junior year, our junior varsity volleyball team had a tri-ball tournament at Blue Valley and we had a volley that went on forever. The other team spiked the ball and we had two errors trying to return it but bumped it facing backwards up through the rafters and ended up getting the point.” - Payton Barbour “Being at football games are so much fun. It's the most exciting thing for them to pull off a win and everyone really comes together while cheering on the team.” – Abrianna Weber

“The Light Show! I'm the flute section leader in the marching band and the light show is the highlight of every marching band member. This year’s show, The Wizard of Oz, made the light show even more awesome because the audience could really follow along and engage.” – Olivia Payne “My sophomore year my boyfriend on the varsity baseball team, and I had the chance to go to some of his games. Sitting with his parents and cheering him on was an experience I wouldn't trade for the world.” – Grace Amundson “When Andre Maloney from SM West passed away. To see all of the schools come together to support SM West, it was awesome to put the rivalry away and be supportive.” – Mia Richard “Junior year, when I was football manager, riding back on the bus when we found out we were going to go to state [was awesome]. Everyone was just really excited.” – Jackie Ball “My favorite high school sports memory is when the gymnastics team got together for a bonding sleepover.” – Lauren Edwards

nw passage | Feature

Shawnee Mission Northwest

1. Junior Reagan Walsh strikes a pose with seniors Riley Wood and Sam Sullivan in the KUGR skit at the first Not So Late Night assembly on Dec. 4 in the Main Gym. The video production students used a mash up of Christmas songs in their performance. The dance was based on a scene from the movie "Mean Girls." "It was kind of out of the blue," Sullivan said, "I had to practice for three days straight to get ready for this."(photo by Bryce Rex) 2. Junior Erica Ecsh helps a Headstart child open a present from the class that adopted her on Dec. 8 in room 120. Adopt-a-tot is held annually (Photo by Emilie Amunatigui). 3. Freshman Aiden Black receives her computer from journalism teacher Susan Massy on Aug. 15 in the Library. Northwest was the first school in the Shawnee Mission District to receive their laptops (Photo by Lucas Silva). 4. Junior

feature | may 15, 2015

Gerrit Prince laughs as the 'We Are Northwest" cheer continues throughout the student body in the main gym during the Bonfire on Sept. 4 in the main gym. The seniors win the spirit stick (Photo by Addison Sherman). 5. Seniors Cole Nelson and Daniel Wood dance to the “Cha-CHa Slide.” Wood and Nelson both dressed as hippies (Photo by Carleigh Whitman) 6. Junior Colin Anthony talks with Senior Jillian Borel during the Bonfire on Sept. 4 on the softball fields. The Drumline leads the student body out to the fields to watch the actual bonfire (Photo by Carleigh Whitman) 7. Senior Audrey Gleason performs her poem during LTAB on Mar. 10. The LTAB tem consisted of sophomores Alex Kendrick, Natalia Kidder, juniors Rebecca Carroll, Jake Honer and fellow senior Spencer Dang (Photo by Nick Kahtava). 8. In the middle of her act, sophomore Ally

Smith carries out a transitions step. Smith danced a contemporary routine to “Take Me to Church” by Hozier (Photo by Nick Kahtava). 9. Junior Ryan D’Silva jumps to spike the ball on Dec. 12 during the Volleyball Powderpuff game in the Aux Gym. Both junior teams made it to the finals (Photo by Lucas Silva). 10. Senior Mo GitongaMbogori plays the tuba with the rest of the pep band during the girls basketball state tournament on Mar. 13 at the Charles Koch Area (Photo by Lucas Silva). 11. Senior Deena Essa smiles while hugging fellow senior Megan Glen during the WPA crowning on Feb. 20 in the Main Gym. Essa won Sweetheart Queen which makes her the first female Muslim on court. "It was unbelievable," Essa said. "I did not see it coming because all the other girls on court are incredibly involved at school and I'm not" (Photo by Addison Sherman).

12. Senior Griffin Robinson yells as he pours a bucket of ice water on himself in support of ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a disease that affect the nerve cell in the brain and spinal cord which controls voluntary muscle movement (Emilie Amunatigui) 13. Junior Nate Jones delivers His poem on April 10. Jones went on to compete in the finals of the Poetry Slam but was disqualified due to time restrictions (Photo by Jordan Absher). Senior Rebecca Whitman places hanging basket on the rack in the environmental classes greenhouse. Whitman is in the second level of the class. 14. Senior Rebecca Whitman places hanging basket on the rack in the environmental classes greenhouse. Whitman is in the second level of the class ( Photo by Reagan Key).

nw passage | Feature

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Des tinations HERE ARE THE PLACES THE CLASS OF 2015 ARE GOING TO AFTER GRADUATION COMPILED BY DEENA ESSA

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LUCAS SILVA

nw passage | Feature

28 38

52 19

46 3

3248 56 21 20 2 23 18 25

6 47

12 15

THE ART INSTITUTE OF COLORADO

Ramon Alvarez

Kendall Spencer Donte’ Colum

ART INSTITUTES INTERNATIONAL: KANSAS CITY

BAKER UNIVERSITY

Chris Gomez

Clayton Drouillard Sarah Herron Maurice Loridon

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Benjamin Calvin

6 7 8

COLUMBIA COLLEGE

Simon Bliss

COTTEY COLLEGE

Grayce Navratil

THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

Garang Ater

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY

Natalie Martens Caylie Tagle

DRAKE UNIVERSITY

Ethan Bowman Vidhi Patel

11 DUKE UNIVERSITY Ojas Patel

EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Kyler Akagi Marlee Bell Mia Creighton Dillon Daubenspeck Tatum Graves Roan McAnerney Natalie Morris Katie Robinson Shelby Russell

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY: TALLAHASSEE Bailey McCrary

FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Brittnee Bailey Jordan Wilson

feature | may 15, 2015

INSTITUTO CANZION

Daniela Centeno

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Kristina Jaderborg

Courtney Hedrick

GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Jordan Absher Laurence Adams Nicole Allison Parker Anderson Zane Andruss Andrew Arey Cass Arnott Luz Barragan Alec Bateman Colton Beaumont Jessica Blasio Caleb Brinckman Sylvia Camacho Kara Carnes Rachael Carney Megan Clark Jordan Cobler Evin Copeland Dana Costes Brennon Covington Aaron Crews Brianna Culey Krystal Currin Matthew Darpel Anthony DeNoon Jack Drummond Sami El-Qadi Michael Ellenberger Miranda Farwell Andy Flack Brett Ferencz Carmelita Garcia- Campos Timothy Gibson Nathan Gladbach Wilberto Gonzalez Linares Kota Gottfried Lilianna Gray Madeline Grimes Kylee Hartl Carlos Hernandez David Hoelting Arielle Jackson Kiranjit Kaur Caitlyn Keach Karli Kegin Mark Kimotho Tyler Kreutzer JaRon Little Harold Lyden Katherine Mahlmeister Logan Meireis

41 Courtney Mendez Austin Mitts Eman Mohamed Tracy Monahan Tyler Moore Erin Murphy Emma-Ruth Myers Corey Neill Tresa Newman Ryan O’Donahue Lydia Ojeda Hannah Palmer Miranda Paredes Emily Parker Lesvia Peña Moreira Breonna Pilkington Corey Purdom Zach Ray Morgan Rheuport Mia Richard Audrey Richmond Jessica Robinson Sandra Rodriguez Xavier Rodriguez Ashley Rogers Taylor Salisbury Jai Sexton Laura Shelley Cheyenne Smith Makayla Smith Andrew Spears Landon Stafford Tatiana Trofimova Parker Truax Hannah Valencia Adam Vanausdall Katelyn Vossen Noah Waller Keegan White Jordan Willson Samantha Wood Kirstan Woodward Breanna Ziebell

19 KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Ashlyn Alexander Ethan Ansell Paul Bachelor Brooke Bennett Mitchell Bolton David Bonham Jillian Borel Jacob Caldwell Brooke Evans Nieko Giesbrecht Megan Glenn Nathan Henderson Brock Hewitt David Hole Mihailo Ilich Morgan Ingram Joshua Karlin Austin Kelly Jonathan Killeen

Artemis King Allison Lancaster Leif Langemeier Anna Modig Carrie Mulder Connor Obertop Carolyn Osbern Nill Patel Cody Plante Ryllie Quesada Richard Rodriguez Kiana Schulze Dariyan Springfield Dalton Stearns Neil Stimach Parker Umscheid Silas Van Hoecke Emma Ware Matthew Weigel John Wells Carleigh Whitman Brandon Wood Graham Wood

LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY

Brad Rider Audrey Gleason Haley Sloan Kali Smith Abrianna Weber

32 33

LONGVIEW COMMUNITY COLLEGE MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY

Tessa Kohler

MID-AMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

Anna Benoit

Damon Ball Walimah Clarke Robert Coyan Mitchell Hodson Gabriella Lorino Delaney Mirocke Regan Ray

SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

Kristi Sengpraseuth

TENNESSEE UNIVERSITY

Alexis Ridley

TRUMAN ST UNIVERSITY

Claudia Becker Mae Kinkade

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAM TUSCALOOS

Savannah Kelly

PARK UNIVERSITY PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY

TEXAS CHRI UNIVERSITY

Patrick Shreve Sam Adams

UNIVERSITY ARKANSAS

Emma Beller Katelyn Brundrett Natalie Zimmerman

Hannah White

MIDWESTERN STATE 35 ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY Griffin Robinson

Jai Sexton

Christina Hayford

Ashlee Robinson

NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY

30 OHIO STATE KANSAS CITY UNIVERSITY KANSAS COMMUNITY Clara Davison COLLEGE Andrew Abarca 31 OKLAHOMA STATE Isaac Banuelos Perez UNIVERSITY Kyle Brewer

Joel Droge Alexander Quinn Mark-Charles Thompson

NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

Lauren King

Marissa Cera Rikita Holmes Brooklyn Wagler Zebulun Marshall

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

Claire Williams

THE KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE

Brianna Culey Parker Kaleko Melissa Knox Katelyn Sigman

UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA BERKELEY

Grace Amundson

UNIVERSITY CENTRAL M

Nehemiah Jones Casey Kelley Jacob McCartney

UNIVERSITY CHICAGO

Gabi Basel

OTHER DESTINATIONS:

ABROAD

9 43

10 17

38 1 44

TATE Y

Y MA: SA

Y OF

Y OF A:

Y OF MISSOURI

Y OF

Leah Lemmerman – Germany Emma Matteazzi – Italy Lena Painer – Austria Maike Roessler – Germany Lise Torvik – Norway Lorita Rama – Kosovo

22 45

JOINING THE MILITARY

Riley Conner – Army Lauren Edwards – Air Force Harrison Fears – Army Will Gray – Marine Corps Hyunje Kim – Army Vincent Lalumondier –Marine Corps Catherine Pellerito – Navy Cody Tidwell – Army Justin Weaver – Army

37 40

31 51

49 13

ISTIAN Y

E STATE Y

BOUND HOME

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER

Sam Nobrega

UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE

Brandon Gomer Nate Reeder

THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Eman Alsadeq Madeline Anderson Tetyana Anisimova Camilla Badocchi Jacqueline Ball Andrew Banks Payton Barbour Brianna Bennett Atalie Black Nicole Blunk Alex Bohlken Elizabeth Box Juliann Branson Tacia Burgin Rachel Carder Korbyn Caswell Heather Chaltas Alexander Chavez Harrison Chen Joe Cloughley Katherine Coopman Samantha Courtney Spencer Dang Julia Davis Jacqueline Denney

Marcus Dixon Sean Dougherty Mary Claire Golubski Tom Green Mark Hanneman Jordan Hardee Saliyah Henderson Emma Holmberg Tessa Kessler Reagan Key Jessica Kirchner Jana Kotzman Rosemary Lam Haena Lee Christian Lynch Daniel Louvau Esvin Maeda Lily Manning Kate Mays Jake Malik Kirsten Mehrtens Miranda Morris Abbie Musson Brooke Nelson Landon Olsen Carley Olson Soham Patel Joshua Patrick Lyndon Rabe Cydney Redmon Miranda Rheuport Denzel Richmond Melody Riddell Jessica Robinson Roya Rostampour Samuel Ryan

Joseph Sabus Molly Sasenick Brian Salinas Fiona Segale Eric Serna Mitchell Slocum Zach St. Clair John Styers Cha’bre Sykes Savannah Taylor Kyra Thompson Sydney Thompson Tue Vu Ciara Walahoski Carson Wapp Tyess Washington Rachael Wilson Riley Winter Daniel Wood Riley Wood Wayne Wood Tsung-Yen Wu

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI: KANSAS CITY

Deena Essa Chandler Finstad Joshua Gregory Sarah Komer Diamond Marable Anthony Nguyen Ingri Linares Paige Umscheid

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA: LINCOLN

Isaac Coleman Anthony D’Amato Douglas V. DeBose II Nicholas Leyden Jacob Rosebaugh Emma Rutherford Adam Schnacker Jonathan Vranicar

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA: OMAHA

Cole Nelson

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

Bradley Rider Duncan Walter

UNIVERSITY OF SAINT MARY

Anthony Abarca Jacob Steinle

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI: COLUMBIA

Mitch Feyerherm Muriira Mbogori

Stephanie Davis – New Zealand, recreational travel Daniel Messick – Tanzania, Youth With a Mission Nicolette Metz – Africa, Youth With a Mission Carolyn Osbern – Austria, Rotary International Maddie Roberts – Italy, Rotary International Rebekah Whitman – various, recreational travel Brandi Wilson – Belgium, Rotary International

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN: MADISON

Ben Johnson

WASHBURN UNIVERSITY

Claire Macek Hannah Valencia

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY

Luke Hansen

WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE

Jacob LeCluyse Sam Sullivan

PURSUING THEIR CAREER

Michael Berry – real estate Tamar Brown – retail Andrew Collene – retail Courtney Decastro – child care Alex Fridley Jordan Gatlin – music Anthony Guzman – tattooing Jake Hansford – motocross mechanics Deserai Jensen – retail Christian Kronawitter – food service Maggie Marx – performing arts Taylor Minick – auto sales Olivia Payne – clerical David Petrosyan – automotive mechanics Diego Pimentel Hayes – food service Robby Skaritka – food service Austin Smith – food service Brandon Smith – film Emma Smith – retail Zach Newcomb – manufacturing

JOB CORPS

Ann-Marie Bister Garrett Franz

UNDECIDED

Juan Barragan Joshua Campbell Serena Clark Elizabeth Cumbia Myles Hightower-Harris Anu Ittycheri Tyler Pace Mitch Robinson Logan Quick Dakota Sanford Tatyana Scales Mark-Charles Thompson Bailey Wendel Brady Utter

EMERGING CHURCH: SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Glyndwr Harris-Webster

*12 SENIORS ABSTAIN

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CLASS OF 2015

Influential Seniors

top row:

Tiger Harris-Webster p. 24

deena essa p.23

middle row:

clara davison p.20

mitch feyerherm p.22

bottom row:

spencer dang p.20

audrey gleason p.23

smnw.com

tatum graves p.24

maggie marx p.21

harrison chen p.22

sam nobrega p.21

check out smnw.com or vimeo.com/user2505869 to watch the recorded influential senior interviews + GROUP PHOTO BY ADDISON SHERMAN

nw passage | Feature

Clara davison WHAT DOES INFLUENTIAL?

MEAN

To be influential is just to impact someone else's life, hopefully, in a positive way. [It’s] to share the truth you know about life with other people. Making one person's day a little better that one time you smiled at them in the hall – that’s being influential. There’s no quantitative measure for that. We’re all influential because we exist.

WHAT WILL YOU REMEMBER MOST FROM NORTHWEST? I think what I’ll remember most is the tremendous community. The moments when I was just really excited about learning something, or everyone was really engaged, or I did something I didn’t think I could accomplish.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR UNDERCLASSMEN AND INCOMING FRESHMEN?

Ohio State University | Business & Art Management

First of all, nobody cares what you look like. So stop caring. Express yourself in your clothes. There will be the spotlight effect where it feels like everyone is looking at you and judging you, but no one is.The other day, I was looking back at the photos on Facebook, looking for graduation party photos. Freshman and sophomore years, especially on the cross country team, I was not

Spencer Dang

WHAT IS ACHIEVEMENT NORTHWEST?

YOUR GREATEST WHILE AT

My greatest achievement would probably be joining the Poetry Slam my sophomore year. It was a big moment for me personally, as I realized that I could use my voice.

HOW HAVE YOUR PEERS INFLUENCED YOU? My peers have influenced me in a lot of ways. I was always a quiet person and being around them let me open up more and brought me out of my shell. Having that circle of friends helped a lot.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE AN INFLUENTIAL SENIOR?

University of Kansas | Chemistry

feature | may 15, 2015

What is the most quintessentially classic Northwest moment

I think it’s really cool that people thought I was influential. I’m not really sure how, maybe I’d have to ask around. I’m still me in my head, but people voted me influential senior and that’s a really big honor.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR YOUR FUTURE? I’ve decided to write a book. I’m not sure what genre, but it’ll probably be fiction. I’ve grown up in the library; it’s always been like my second home. I’ve always been surrounded by books

“WE. ARE. NORTH. WEST. It was a really cool tradition to watch come to life." – Caitlyn Keach

built like other girls. I was not super skinny. I always thought that I was ugly. But I was looking back, and I was like ‘Man, I look really pretty.’ That was a great realization. That’s such an important thing to understand.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AT NORTHWEST? I guess what I’ll carry with me is just being confident. All it takes is to be like, ‘I am confident!’ That’s all you have to tell yourself. Finding what you’re passionate about involves a lot of failure and a lot of crappy things happening to you, but it is a tremendous opportunity to move forward.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO THE CLASS OF 2015? High school isn’t lame. I know it’s like ‘Ha ha, we’re too cool for this, we’re gonna be gone soon, so it doesn’t matter,’ but it does. Everything matters. I think that attitude is really harmful. I know that I’ve acted that way before, but now I’m realizing that it is such a toxic attitude to have toward life. I know that you’re stressed out and you’ve had really dark times, but it was valuable and we learned so much. We definitely grew as human beings.

+ by josh sherfy & photo by carleigh whitman

and having grown up like that I kind of felt the need to contribute back to the shelves. I’ve always been pulling things off the shelves and it would be really cool if I were on the shelf.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST THING YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR FOUR YEARS HERE? I guess I realized that if I was scared of doing something and I didn’t do it, then I would never know if I would be good at that or if I would ever have the opportunity again. I just have to try a lot of things I’m scared of doing.

HOW HAS POETRY IMPACTED YOUR LIFE? A lot of the meaning that poetry has for me is in expression and expressing myself. It’s a really long process for me and I basically think and think and process all these observations about everything around me. I digest it into words so I can communicate it to people. I think the biggest thing is that it’s another form of communication for me and when I get up on stage I don’t try to just read it straight. It’s really me trying to communicate and express something to you.

+ by grace gorenflo & photo by Emilie amunatigui

“When the whole school showed their support for the St. Clairs’ by wearing blue. Not really an "Orange and Black" moment, but that showed that we really are all united and in this together.” – Atalie Black

“Student of the day announcements.’” Natalie Zimmerman

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? I don't think i have a single accomplishment that I am most proud of. I think its mostly a combination of meeting my academic goals, and at the same time, staying involved in extracurricular activities.

ANY SPORTS? I was a co-captain of the soccer team. There were three captains and I was one of the captains. In my position I’ve had an older kid who was in my position paving the way for me and senior year I kinda realized that I had to be the leader. I had to be the kid who stepped up on the defensive line. That was a difficult transition for me, but by midseason i filled his shoes pretty well.

WHY DO YOU THINK YOU WERE VOTED AN INFLUENTIAL SENIOR? If I had to guess why I was voted as one of the influential seniors from the class of 2015, I would say its because I got involved and reached out, made friends and tried to be as kind as I could be. I’ve tried to treat people with kindness. Obviously I can’t do that 100 percent of the time with 100 percent of the people, but Its still something I like to keep trying.

Sam Nobrega

TELL US ABOUT BEING INVOLVED IN [EVENT/ACTIVITY]?

I think soccer and student council have been so important to me because of the sense of community each one provides. They are different in the type of atmosphere they provide. Student council is more of a family atmosphere, while on the soccer field I feel like those guys are my buddies. I am the student body treasurer. As student body treasurer I oversee all the financial transactions that we use and have in student council. If you think about any of the dances or sleep-in-a-box, carnivals, canned food drive, all of the events, I count the money for that event and then I make the deposit with our bookkeeper Susie Evans. I work very closely with her, cutting checks, signing different reimbursements, and just a bunch of different financial stuff. Shawnee Mission needs a student signature on a lot of the funds activities so thats what I do. I was [also] the vice-president [of Business Professionals of America] my junior year and president of the club my senior year. As president I was mostly responsible for orchestrating and organizing the state leadership conference with the BPA sponsor Jan Berg.

+ by jack lynch & photo by emilie amunatigui

Maggie Marx

WHAT LEGACY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE BEHIND?

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE ADVICE FOR UNDERCLASSMEN?

Live life to the fullest. You’re going to face so many struggles, and so many battles but everybody is given a life to live and you want to create a lasting impact.

Get involved in what you love most and don’t embarrassed by whatever that is, because that’s what’s going to make you happiest. That’s what’s going to connect you with the right kind of people, and the right kind of atmosphere that you want to be around.

HOW DO YOU THINK YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED AT NORTHWEST? I am always on the go. Some people say they can’t understand how I have a schedule and not psych out 24/7, but I’m calm about it. I constantly pray that God gives me the peace and comfort to get through it all. Honestly, my advice would be to take one thing at a time. I would rather be super busy with a thousand things, than not have anything to do.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL? My proudest moment was performing as Bonnie in Anything Goes, which was two days after Houston [St. John] passed away. I hoped to prove to others that, regardless of what happens, you should keep going with your dreams and your aspirations. I ended up getting a Blue Star nomination for it and that means so much to me.

+ by shelby beaumont & photo by reagan key

“Experiencing Mr. Gibbens’ teaching junior year. Everyone should experience having an enthusiastic and inventive teacher like him.” – Carley Olson

University of Denver| Business Management

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? I plan to continue in my professional performing career. This coming year I’m going to be doing some professional theater productions. I’ll still be looking into some conservatory colleges, but my overall aspiration is to be on Broadway.

WHO ARE YOUR GREATEST ROLE MODELS AT NORTHWEST? I have so many, but if I were to say one teacher it would be Kelly Rodgers. She has great life advice: just go after your dreams and stay motivated. The inspirational quotes on her wall keep me in the mindset that I can achieve any dream if I keep at it. I would say Deena [Essa] would probably be my number one. Her confidence in herself and her individuality inspire me. She is so friendly and always has a smile every time I see her, and it just makes my day.

“Standing in the opening set of the Light Show while the announcer counts down from 10 until the lights go out.” – Julie Branson

“Cappuccino Day.” – Gabi Basel

Undecided | Performing Arts

“I think assemblies really capture school spirit, and I think the Cougar Coaster is always a cool reminder of unique Northwest spirit.” - Heather Chaltas

nw passage | Feature

Mitch Feyerherm

I was going to do art for my career. I’ve enjoyed art all my life and it’s just been a defining aspect– especially because I’ve had it in my first hour both my junior and senior year. It’s a defining aspect of how I see the school and interact with the student body. I was also the graphics editor for the newspaper, and that’s been a really great way to get my jokes out there in my comics, but also just to get my work out there and find a good community to be a part of.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AT NORTHWEST?

The most important lesson I’ve learned at Northwest is just to be open to things. I think for a long time we just find we find what we think is the best environment, the best group of people that we want to be around. We close ourselves off to all the other options. I still will occasionally go through that type of mindset. You just have to stop and think and self-analyze and say “well, I should open myself up, do this new activity, join this new club.”

HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED SINCE YOUR FIRST YEAR AT NORTHWEST? I think I’ve become more self-analytical. That’s not to the point of being self-critical but just to step back from what I’m doing and try to assess how I’m reacting to a situation and assess how that will affect other people and how that is treating other people. We all say things without stopping and thinking about how it will affect others. I think I’m slowly growing more aware of that and how my actions can hurt other people.

WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST WITHIN THE BUILDING?

University of Missouri| Environmental Science

The most influential senior for me has been Deena Essa. She’s always been a very positive person in my life after she transferred here a few years ago. She’s always positive and tries to not be negative. She’s just always a very positive person and I hope that one day I can be as kind towards everyone as she is.

ADVICE FOR NEXT YEAR’S SENIORS? I think that through my Senior year I’ve sort of seen it all. I haven’t relished in the opportunities that it gives you. Because it happens so quickly it just seems like it’s just one event after another. At the time you don’t stop and think that this will be my last time doing “blank” or my last time doing something else. By doing that you can appreciate it better. You just stop and take a breath and try to appreciate the situation you’re in right now, instead of looking forward to the future.

WHAT NORTHWEST ACTIVITIES DEFINE YOU? My art, even though there’s no club or activity that you can sign up for or any extracurricular for art, IB Art for the past two years has really sort of defined what I’ve done with Northwest and what I want to leave behind. For a time I even thought

+ by keegan dolinar & photo by addison sherman

Harrison Chen

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM BEING STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT? Being in the position of Student Body President, I had to work not only with my peers but my friends and also being in charge of them, which is not fun, it’s not easy. But I think that experience has definitely helped.

WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU?

Hands down, Sarah Dent. She’s one of the most amazing, wonderful people that I’ve ever met, and she’s really like a mom to me. She’s definitely somebody that I’m going to miss a ton next year, because she’s just done so many things that have benefitted me and helped make me who I am.

WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST ABOUT NORTHWEST? Definitely the people. It’s just kind of comforting to know that you’ll wake up every day and get to see the people that you’ve known and cared about, and loved every day and you know they’re going to be there. And that’s definitely going to be something that I’m going to miss a lot.

WHAT ACTIVITY HAS DEFINED YOU? I’d say Student Council has definitely defined my time at Northwest. I mean, I’ve just committed so many hours and different days where I’ve just spent so much time focusing on getting my events done, or going to different events and just helping work them, et cetera. Campaigning and all that. Or just making new relationships and bonds with all the different people that I’ve met throughout my time in StuCo.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED IN HIGH SCHOOL? If I’ve learned one lesson it’s just be comfortable with yourself. It doesn’t really matter what other people think because they’re either going to hate you or they’re not, no matter what you do.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE HOW YOU DID SOMETHING IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

WHAT WILL YOU TAKE AWAY FROM STUCO?

Kansas University| Business

Where to begin, I mean Student Council has just given me really everything. It’s given me a lot more confidence as a person, made me very comfortable with who I am and it’s also definitely helped me become a better leader.

+ by sophie flores & photo by addison sherman

feature | may 15, 2015

What is the most quintessentially classic Northwest moment

“I think the most "Northwest" moment was when Deena Essa won Sweetheart Queen. It just showed the quality I love most about Northwest: we celebrate the people with good hearts, no matter what our differences may be.” – Brooke Bennett

I wouldn’t change a thing. I mean everything has made me who I am, it’s gotten me this far. You just got to take the good experiences and the bad experiences and just go with them. Doesn’t really matter what happens, I mean, it’s happened. I can’t change them, so there’s no point in wasting time on that.

“Probably at the last assembly, when all the seniors came down and sat together to listen to our senior song. I realized that my time here is almost over.” – Ryllie Quesada

“Doing the cougar coaster.” – Adam Vanausdall

HOW DO YOU HOPE OTHER PEOPLE and my social life. To find a balance between SEE YOU BY THE END OF YOUR HIGH being really nice and being selfish sometimes. To find a balance between thinking highly of SCHOOL CAREER? When I look at myself, what I hope to be I guess is someone who smiled at you during lunch when you were sitting alone and having a bad day. I think it’s the small things because so many small things have helped me grow and have helped me through so many difficult situations. I want to be the girl who gives her phone number to the new student and says, ‘Call me whenever you want to.’ It’s those little things that really help people. Even if you aren’t their friend, even if you don’t know them. Sitting down with someone and eating lunch with them because they don’t have anyone to eat with that one day can make them feel like, ‘Hey, maybe I am worth something.’ Because I have always had people to show me my worth, I want to be that one person who helps other people find their worth, because we are all capable of becoming and doing and making. As a society, we should be raising each other up. Sometimes we don’t do that. Other people just find themselves slipping into classes and labels and names. So what I want to do, is make people realize that you can be more.

WHO ARE YOUR ROLE MODELS? My first role model is always going to be my mom. My mom is an angel. I don’t even know how she does it, she just does it. She is perfect, even her flaws are perfect. Everything about her has just influenced me so much. She has taught me to find a balance. To find a balance between school

HOW HAS CROSS COUNTRY HELPED YOU GET THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL? The friends that I’ve made through it like Haley Nugent Junior year and then my group of friends senior year that I always used to run with we always have each others backs. I can tell them anything big or small and it's such a good feeling when you can just go on a run with somebody and you can talk about nothing or you can talk about everything and I just really like that a lot. It just calms me down so much when i’m just stressed out and anxious to go for a run and let it all out that way.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO PERFORM YOU POETRY IN FRONT OF PEOPLE, LIKE IN THE POETRY SLAM? It’s terrifying and awesome being able to share your words with everyone in front of the whole school. In the end when people know you and can see inside you, they can love you more, or maybe they dislike you more. I would rather be somebody who people have strong feelings for one way or another rather than just another person.

WHY DID YOU JOIN CROSS COUNTRY? I had been recovering from my eating disorder freshman and sophomore year and then I started running as a part of therapy. It was really soothing to me. It was a lot better for me than dancing, mental health-wise. Then Carson Wapp convinced me at the end of sophomore year to sign up, and I’m really glad I did.

“Taking down the Chain of Life my freshman year. It’s such a simple symbol that represents something so much bigger. It really shows how everyone matters.” – Brianna Bennett

yourself and, at the same time, being humble. She’s taught me to be hard working but to also be compassionate.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WANT TO SAY TO NORTHWEST BEFORE YOU LEAVE? I think what I would want to say to them is just thank you. And I mean that sincerely. Thank you for accepting me. Thank you for looking past our differences. At the same time I want to encourage. That even after high school, even after an environment where we are sort of forced upon each other, when we move into a larger world where we are more capable of being separated and meeting new people, I want to encourage them to keep being the people that they are. I want to encourage dialogue. To learn more about who we are and who we can be. To take initiative. To be that one person who stands out. To look stuff up. To be that one person who goes on wikipedia really quickly to look something up because they don’t know. To be the person who says, ‘I don’t know, but I do want to know.’ To be the person who asks questions. To be the one who puts themselves in awkward situations. The person who asks me what my scarf means. To keep on pursuing that and to keep on doing what we do best. Be human. That’s what we are good at. That’s what we were made to do.

deena essa

University of Missouri - Kansas City | Communications

Audrey Gleason

WHAT’S YOUR INSPIRATION WHENEVER YOU START WRITING POETRY?

It kind of depends. Sometimes I start writing based on a really strong feeling. Sometimes it’s anger or sometimes sadness or pure joy or sometimes it’s based on a person or situation or event. I’ve definitely become a lot bolder and willing to take risks, willing to say and speak my mind and deal with repercussions that follow.

HOW HAS CCC CHANGED YOU? CCC is the best opportunity. You get to see all this good happening. It’s crazy how much one person can do. I see third graders every day and help them with their math. They always say,”Hi, Ms. Audrey,” when I’m there, and it’s so great when you know you're the reason someone else smiled or someone else is just a little bit happier. Then they’ll turn around and give happiness to you, and you can be part of that circle.

+ by Benjamin becker & photo by alexa styers

“When I was in SPED Cadet classes – just being with the Cadets.” – Tyler Moore

Oklahoma State University | Studio Art & Psychology

“During assemblies when all the grades would cheer extra loud and stand up to make the special ed students feel really accomplished, appreciated, and recognized.” – Roses Lam

“Doing the cougar coaster.” – Adam Vanausdall

nw passage | Feature

HOW DOES IT FEEL INFLUENTIAL SENIOR?

It feels cool that I was chosen by my peers to be an influential senior. It is really flattering.

WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN AT NW? Volleyball and basketball: I played for four years. I used to play soccer. I’m in NHS, CCC, FCA and I’m on the Athletic Advisory Council and Ultimate Frisbee Club.

WAS IT CHALLENGING HAVING TO JUGGLE ACADEMICS AND SPORTS? I would definitely say freshmen year was the hardest coming in, having school start a lot earlier and having practice after school was hard. I think having good teachers and utilizing your time to spend with them really helped me.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? I will be going to Emporia State University playing volleyball and basketball. I kind of have an undecided major; I would either like to major in accounting or something in math and I would also like to minor in Spanish.

+ by MAKAILA WILLIAMS & photo by ALEXA STYERS

WHO WERE YOUR MODELS AT NW?

tatum graves

BIGGEST

ROLE

Jessica Johnson was a senior when I was a freshman. I played two of the same sports as she did, so I got to know her pretty well. She’s a perfect example of how you lead by example. Even now, I’ve tried to keep her in my mind and how she played and held herself. My parents too, they are just really good people and role models.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT WHILE AT NW? I would have to say winning fourth at state for basketball this year. I think that was a big achievement. We wanted first as much as anyone else, we wanted to hang a banner, but I think the Lady Cougar Basketball program has not made it that far in state in a long time, and so I think that’s really cool for my senior year season to be able to do that.

IF THERE IS ONE THING YOU WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY IN HIGH SCHOOL WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? I would probably go back and tell myself not to worry so much when I was an underclassman. I spent a lot of my time fretting over school and activities, I think I could’ve enjoyed it a lot more if I wouldn’t have been worrying constantly.

Emporia State University| Accounting

Tiger Harris-webster

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST ROLE MODELS AT NW?

Honestly, everyone who is friendly and nice. I wouldn’t say there’s one person. If someone says “hello” to you or talks to you, they get your day going. You always look up to those people.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? I’m going to go to San Diego and live there for nine months, to do a church program called Emerging. I’m an intern for a church, so I help out with the youth ministry and whatever they need help with. My long term goal, for the next five years or so, is to plan a trip to Europe and backpack around Spain.

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL IN LIFE? To follow God and see where he pushes me, no matter where that goes. I’m really affected by the people around me, so if people around me aren’t happy, I’m not going to be happy. Just helping out society and seeing where I can push people that maybe depressed or not happy and help them find a better path.

IF YOU COULD SAY ONE THING TO THE CLASS OF 2015, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

My passion is traveling, so just seeing new worlds and experiencing different lifestyles.

You know, surf the wave; don’t fight it. Let that wave push you to where you need to go. We are all made for shore. We are not made for the ocean, so God has given us the board to ride into shore. Don’t follow the flow because the flow pulls us out to the ocean and that’s where the predators are. We aren’t able to survive there. Let God push you to where you need to go

WHAT LEGACY DO YOU HOPE TO LEAVE BEHIND AT NORTHWEST?

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR FRESHMAN?

I’m accepting of everyone. No matter who you are, I just love you. It doesn’t matter what social class you are in. Popularity? Whatever. That is all in people’s head. Everyone has a different person who they find on top so it’s really just a fake list. My version of the most popular guy is the person who can go up to anyone and say “hello”

Just be yourself and don’t worry about what everyone else is thinking. That is what people are looking for, is the most confident people, and then they will follow you.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR THE FUTURE?

and everyone gets along with him.

feature | may 15, 2015

San Diego, California | Emerging Church

+ by CADIE ELDER & photo by ADDISON SHERMAN

What is the most quintessentially classic Northwest moment

The 2014 Homecoming Assembly. I just remember the huge sense of school spirit and I loved seeing our entire school coming together and cheering, "We Are North West Cougars!" The marching band was amazing as well and I got so emotional seeing my best friends be on court.” – Nicolette Metz

“The crowd throwing powder at the kick-off of the first football game.” – Mark Kimotho

FAVORITE TV SHOW

THEN and

NOW

THEN

Northwest Seniors were surveyed on different trends from to past to present. Presented here are the results.

NOW

graphics by mitch feyerherm

FAVORITE RESTAURANT

THEN

NOW

DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS

THEN

FAVORITE BOOK THEN

NOW CURRENT EVENTS

NOW

THEN

NOW

*The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (also known as ISIS or ISIL or DAIISH)

nw passage | Feature

Their classrooms share a wall, and their careers, a friendship. Ron Poplau and Van Rose were two of the first teachers to join Northwest when it was established in 1969, and they are the only two that remain in their positions today. As Poplau prepares to retire and Rose plans to continue teaching, they reflect on their history at Northwest.

We’re Staring Over

+ BY HAENA LEE

Although CCC sponsor Ron Poplau will miss teaching, he looks forward to a busy retirement

GRAPHICS BY MITCH FEYERHERM

“I will do my best to withdraw and not cry on the last day,” social studies teacher Ron Poplau said. “I want to walk out. It’s over.” After 46 years, it really is over. This may be the last time students overhear Poplau raving about Woodrow Wilson or his cats. He will no longer deliver the Cougar Community Commitment faculty secret pal gifts, or check CCC students out of the building. Even as it all comes to an end at Northwest, Poplau aspires to keep giving back through volunteering at an animal shelter, thrift store and with his church. “Nobody has a problem with retirement,” Poplau said. “You end up being more busy than you were when you were teaching. I know that I’ll miss it. You’re starting over. We’re starting over.” Poplau taught in Kansas City, Kan., St. Paul, Minn. and in

Brazil prior to joining the NW staff. He has spent 54 years in education. “I actually didn’t want to be a teacher,” Poplau said. Before a principal called him about a social studies teacher job opening, offering Poplau a place to stay and a “generous” salary, Poplau worked at an office. “I said, ‘Sure, no problem, but I don’t want to spend my life in a classroom,’” Poplau said. “He said, ‘Give it a try.’” Armed with just a teacher’s license, the first three months were rough for Poplau, as he didn’t have much experience working in a classroom. “[At the end of my first year,] I remember sitting at my desk saying, ‘I’ve tried everything, I’ll try another year,’” Poplau said. “Another year became another year, and now it’s 54.” Throughout his career in teaching, Poplau has started over more than once. After teaching a variety of social studies classes,

The Chalk Lives On

particularly sociology, he began to develop unique program of his own. In 1992, the CCC program was founded at Northwest, started by Poplau and 17 students. CCC became a model for community services program nationwide, landing Poplau the 2006 Kansas Teacher of the Year award. His motto? “The Doer of Good Becomes Good.” He wrote a book about this philosophy. Today, each semester, six CCC classes of more than 140 juniors and seniors volunteer in and around Shawnee. “Poplau’s retirement is going to affect everyone at Northwest,” CCC Executive Board member Korbyn Caswell said. “He has done so much for this school and for our community. I hope and pray that the students and faculty continue to keep CCC alive. It’s not just a class – it’s a habit. I hope it continues.”

+ BY deena essa

Calculus teacher Van Rose will continue his 46 year young teaching and coaching career “I’m not retiring." It’s true. Advanced Placement calculus teacher and first Northwest cross country coach Van Rose is not retiring. "People here have asked me ‘Why don’t you retire?’” Rose said. "The teachers, the custodians, the secretaries – they’re all really, really nice to me. I’m not going to find people of that calibre – well-educated and just really nice people [anywhere else].” After teaching at SM East for a year, Rose started his teaching career at Northwest as a math teacher and as the cross country coach in 1969 when Northwest was first established. “I knew the influence teachers and coaches had on me,” Rose said. “I’m thinking maybe I could do the same thing, maybe I could impact the kids the same way.” Rose was named a 1995 and 2003 Distinguished Teacher, but the integration of technology into

feature | May 15, 2015

the classroom still stumps him sometimes. “I rely upon my kids [when it comes to technology],” Rose said. “That’s fine, I don’t need to know everything.” After working with students for so long, Rose has a wealth of knowledge and insight, but he still wants more and attends a weeklong AP class every summer. “There’s so much out there, both coaching-wise and teachingwise,” Rose said. “I think once you say 'I know it all, I’ve got it figured out now,' that’s when you want to give it up.” He coached 21 boys’ and 13 girls’ cross country championshipwinning teams, and has been cheering Northwest on both in the classroom and on the field. “Kids start off as noncompetitive athletes,” Rose said. “Then they get this epiphany like, ‘Wow, I can really do this.’ They see it in the classroom and they

see it in athletic areas. Those are some of my best memories.” Rose’s brother, sister, son, daughter, niece and nephew are all NW graduates. “I even got to coach my son,” Rose said. “So, yes, Northwest is a home. Very much so.” Almost every day around 3 p.m., Rose dons his running shoes and takes a couple of laps around the school. "If I went home, I’d just be sitting,” Rose said. "Yeah, I do some things like refinishing furniture – I enjoy doing that. But there wouldn’t be any people around me; I’d be doing that by myself. Just waiting for the end. I don’t want to do that. I want to be active.” Rose tells his students he will only retire when he runs out of chalk. “I bought more chalk,” Rose said. "And I found a second overhead, so I’m okay.”

BUSINESS TEACHER BOB JENSEN WILL RETIRE FROM TEACHING AND COACHING THIS YEAR AFTER TEACHING AT NORTHWEST SINCE 1989 PHOTO BY TARYN SMITH Next year there will be not any SOBs (aka Sweet Old Bobs) at Northwest. Business teacher Bob Jensen will retire joining many other Shawnee Mission teachers taking the retirement package. “I have not really figured what I am going to do in retirement,” Jensen said. “I am not really sure I am going to fully retire. I am going to coach football at SM South next year and that is for sure. We have grandkids all over the country, so we will be visiting them. Right now I am still playing it by ear.” Jensen’s love of business stems trying to avoid running track. “When I was a senior in high school, I was supposed to take physics,” Jensen said. “The track coach was the physics teacher and he wanted me to run track and I did not want to. To avoid him, I found a bookkeeping class. I ended up liking it and doing well in it. I decided that is what I

+ BY MATTHEW OWENS wanted to go into.” Jenson is also the NW sponsor of DECA, a marketing organization. Through this organization, he experienced one of the most memorable moments of his career. “I had a girl who wasn’t very popular. She joined DECA and I had to coach her along a little bit,” Jensen said. “She ended up placing at the state competition. She got up on stage and, of course, people took her picture. She came back and said, ‘Coach Jensen, I have never won anything in my life. Thank you so much.’ That was really a special time.”

SPANISH TEACHER KATHY TARBUTTON WILL GIVE UP THE SPANISH BOOK AFTER SHE RETIRING FROM NORTHWEST THIS YEAR PHOTO BY HAENA LEE Adiós, la maestra de Español Kathy Tarbutton or Goodbye, Spanish teacher Kathy Tarbutton. After teaching at Northwest since 1986, Tarbutton will join nearly 200 other Shawnee Mission teachers who will take advantage of the district’s retirement incentive and enjoy her time off. “I want to travel more,” Tarbutton said. “I want to go to more yoga classes, go out to eat more and volunteer to do something with the Spanish-speaking community.” Tarbutton’s love for the Spanish language began when she was began in middle school. “When I was in the eighth grade, we had two exchange students from Mexico,” Tarbutton said. “I fell in love with Spanish after that.” While teaching Spanish at Northwest, Tarbutton also helped start a National Spanish Honor Society chapter in 2001. “Those in Spanish Honors Society are the ones who really want to learn Spanish,” Tarbutton said. “Mrs. Kissane and I started a

As a child, counselor Christy Schmitt loved to play school with her younger brother. Once she got into school, she aspired to be like her teachers. “I knew I wanted to be an educator when I started school,” Schmitt said. “I was destined to be an educator, I think.” Schmitt started out as a high school teacher in Minnesota. Teaching gave Schmitt the time she needed with students to figure out that she wanted to become a counselor. “I decided to go back to grad school,” Schmitt said. “I wanted to help these kids.” Schmitt and her husband moved to Kansas, where she found her first job at Olathe South. When a counseling job opened at Northwest, she applied immediately and has spent the last 17 years here. “I’ve always cared about kids,” Schmitt said. “They are the future. The more people who care about our future adults, the more successful our world will be.” Although she enjoys helping students,

+ BY PAIGE EICHKORN Schmitt is looking forward to more time to herself. “As I get older, it’s harder for me to keep up,” Schmitt said. “I want to slow my life down. When the district offered the early-retirement incentive, that sent me over the edge.” What will she miss the most? The students, of course. “One of my favorite parts of counseling is helping kids who are struggling with grades or in life,” Schmitt said. “That’s my favorite part for two reasons: one, I care; and, two, there’s a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children.”

chapter here so students would have another venue to practice Spanish and to volunteer. It would look good on their transcripts and help them to get scholarships.” Tarbutton’s most vivid memory at Northwest came one morning in her class after she thought a joke was played. “I saw a plastic snake on the floor and I thought ‘What student is playing this trick on me?’” Tarbutton said. “I reached over to pick it up, it moved and I screamed. Next I called the office, and the receptionist called Mr. Pisani and Mrs. Robins. They said ‘Oh, that corn snake, I wondered where he went.’ I will never forget that.”

BETH JANTSCH HAS SKIPPED TO WORK FOR 35 YEARS, BUT LOOKS FORWARD TO SLEEPING PAST 4 A.M.

SCHMITT’S COUNSELING CAREER FOCUSED ON HELPING STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLED WITH SCHOOL AND WITH LIFE PHOTO BY GRACE BUZZARD

+ BY MATTHEW OWENS

PHOTO BY JORDAN ABSHER Beth Jantsch has taught American Government, World History, American History, AP European History, Theory of Knowledge and Student Leadership. In addition she has taught every remedial class in the social studies department and was the Spirit Club and Student Council sponsor during her 37 years at Northwest. “I had two fantastic teachers, a government and a history teacher, who inspired me,” Jantsch said. “I don’t know that they understand how big an impact they had. They were kind, respectful and gave you their time if you just wanted to talk. It was the little things they did.” After student teaching, Jantsch knew that she knew she had chosen the right career. “I thought I could make a difference,” Jantsch said. “I really wanted to help students. I felt I achieved success if students looked forward to class and enjoyed learning about history. I love good historical stories. It’s the original soap opera — you just can’t

+ BY PAIGE EICHKORN make this stuff up.” Jantsch became the head of the social studies department in 1995 and knows that leaving will be tough. “[I will miss] my friends, being with students and my department which is filled with such talented, wonderful people,” Jantsch said. “I was always up early — 4 a.m. — ready to get to school early and enjoy my time with everyone. I never felt like I was dragging myself out the door. That is a sign that you love what you do.” Jantsch plans to spend more time reading, relaxing and working out, but will return part-time as a substitute teacher.

NW passage | feature

GREG AGDERIAN IS RETIRING AFTER 17 YEARS OF TEACHING IN THE DISTRICT PHOTO BY KEVIN THOMPSON During his first semester at Northwest in 1998, football coach and social studies teacher Greg Agderian watched the school win four state tournaments in various sports. “It is hard to pinpoint [my favorite NW memory],” Agderian said. “But [winning] four state tournaments was my first ‘wow’ moment.” Moments like that are plentiful in Agderian’s 17 years teaching geography, history and AP U.S. History, and in the 14 years he coached football. “This is the best place I have ever worked because of the people and the kids and everything,” Agderian said. “Of course, you are going to have down days, but this is the best place I have ever worked.” Agderian first became interested in

+ BY KEEGAN DOLINAR teaching when he was in high school. “I always loved history,” Agderian said. “It is what I always wanted to do. [But] the kids are my favorite thing about teaching. They’re funny, their energy level [is uplifting] and they are very entertaining.” Although the district retirement incentive was introduced this year, it did not influence Agderian’s decision to retire. “It’s just time,” Agderian said. “This would have been my last year no matter what.”

COUNSELOR JIM MOWRY IS STEPPING DOWN AS COUNCILOR AFTER 41 YEARS. PHOTO BY LAUREN EDWARDS Counselor Jim Mowry has been in education for 41 years, while his wife has taught in the Olathe district for 32. Their two sons are also teachers. “I think I am most proud of the fact that we thought it was important to be in education, and our sons also believe that because they are in it too,” Mowry said. While working for the Olathe district, Mowry made phone calls to parents informing them that their children would not graduate. “Sometimes it feels very gratifying seeing people graduate,” Mowry said. “Other times it can be very frustrating with kids making very poor choices. Sometimes you just feel unfulfilled because there are things you can’t do anything about.” After a long day at work, Mowry just lets it all go. “When you get home, you have to just shut the door and not worry about it,” Mowry said.

OUR LIBRARIAN CAROLYN LAFEVER HAS ELECTED TO RETIRE AFTER 18 YEARS AT NW PHOTO BY EMILIE AMUNATIGUI Northwest’s librarian, Carolyn LaFever, has been a familiar face around the school and in her library since 1997. “It is a beautiful, pleasant, open, airy, sunny, comfortable place to be and I hope I have made that known to the kids so they feel comfortable as well,” LaFever said. Teaching is not an unknown occupation in the LaFever family, as Carolyn’s mother, brother, and sister are all currently teachers. LaFever still wanted to work in education, but also wanted to break her family chain with something new. “I thought being a librarian was the best part of being a teacher because I get to work with kids that mostly want to be here,” LaFever said. “I don’t have the same kids every day and I get new books all the time. It’s like Christmas when the boxes come.” Her time here has not been secluded only to her work as a librarian. LaFever also has her hands in several extracurricular clubs at Northwest.

feature | May 15, 2015

+ BY CALVIN LACERTE “I have sponsored Key Club for 14 years, which I’m very proud of,” LaFever said. “I’ve also had SLAB [Student Advisory Board], which I hope the new librarian will continue.” We will all miss her, but after all this time here at Northwest what will she miss the most? “The other teachers and the students are what I’m going to miss, I really will.” LaFever overcame some obstacles this year and resolved it was time to go. “I’m retiring this year because I feel like I conquered the Macbooks and so I can go.” said LaFever.

+ BY KEEGAN DOLINAR “[Otherwise,] it would drive you insane.” After 17 years at Northwest, Mowry decided to retire. “I am getting old,” Mowry said. “I think the younger people need younger people working for them. Physically, I am okay to continue, but with all of this new technology I have been having a hard time.” Mowry will miss Northwest and its people. “The kids work really hard. We have a great mix of kids, and I really like working here,” Mowry said. “I could not work anywhere where we do not have any fun and everyone is serious.”

KAY KASSEN HAS LOVED READING AND WRITING SINCE HER HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH CLASS PHOTO BY HAENA LEE English Teacher Kay Kassen did not sleep the night before her first day teaching, but 25 years later the classroom is her natural environment. “English is so fundamental,” Kassen said. “It’s basic literacy, reading and writing and being a critical reader; focusing on the important material and pulling in good ideas but supporting them. Close reading is so important. If you are a close reader you can take something on the surface and be swayed by untruths.” Kassen has taught senior english every year while at Northwest, and she has been the department’s chair for 14 years. “It is very fulfilling to feel as if you are contributing to the next generation,” Kassen said. “A young person going out in the world cannot be too educated.” Kassen read the same books by Shakespeare in her high school english class that Northwest students do today. Even though Kassen is not reading Julius Caesar or Macbeth as an assignment anymore, Shakespeare is one of

+ BY CADIE ELDER her favorite authors. “Shakespeare is aweinspiring to me,” Kassen said. “I don’t understand how he could’ve been so insightful and brilliant to have done what he did with his writing.” Kassen will miss her students but the excitement of no longer having to wake up at 5 a.m. is setting in. “Overall, when I think back about Northwest, it’s the people I’ve worked with, as well as the students, that is always the most memorable to me,” Kassen said. After her retirement, she plans to spend her free-time traveling with her husband to Florida, Europe, the British Isles, New England and the Caribbean.

DESPITE HIS LOVE FOR TEACHING, MARK SCHIRMER IS RETIRING FOR HIS THIRD AND LAST TIME PHOTO BY LAUREN EDWARDS Woodshop teacher Mark Schirmer is retiring after 10 years at Northwest. But for Schirmer, who has retired twice before, retiring is not anything new. “I only intended to be here five years,” Schirmer said. “When I retired the second time I thought I was done. I found out that I missed being with students so that’s why I came back.” Schirmer’s love for students is not just something he found on his own, but it is something he was born into. “Both [of my] parents were in education,” Schirmer said. “When I went through college I had trouble making up my mind so I ended up with a certification in math, science, business and industrial arts.” Although he is certified to teach many different subjects, Schirmer stuck to woods. He has taught Wood Design 1, Wood Design 2, Wood Design and Fabrication and Computer Aided Manufacturing.

+ BY GRACE GORENFLO “I am most proud of seeing all of my students achieve something that they didn’t think they could do,” Schirmer said. “Something that was beyond their abilities and their skills.” As he switches from working to being a retiree, there are things Schirmer will miss about Northwest. “[I will remember] what a great school this is, with great faculty, awesome students and great parent support,” Schirmer said. “I’m going to miss the excitement and the sheer joy and the sense of pride that I see out of these students as they make some incredible projects.”

GYMNASTICS COACH AND GYM TEACHER JANICE BAKER IS RETIRING AFTER 42 YEARS OF TEACHING

PHOTO BY KEVIN THOMPSON Janice Baker has decided to retire after teaching physical education along with coaching a variety of sports including dance, aquatics, tennis, track and field, cheerleading and her notorious sport gymnastics for 42 years. “I liked P.E.,” Baker said. “In fact that’s probably why I’m a P.E. teacher because I had some pretty good P.E. teachers. My gymnastics coach also inspired me.” Baker plans on traveling and moving houses after her retirement, but won’t forget her physical activity. “Hopefully I am going to exercise,” Baker said. “And spend more time with my husband. Maybe judge gymnastics or teach in a club if I get bored and do gymnastics with little kids.” Gymnastics has been a passion of Baker’s life since she was a child. “I started when I was ten,” Baker said. “And went all through college, so 12 years. I coached and worked around gymnastics for 42 years.

AFTER 24 YEARS TEACHING AT NORTHWEST, SPANISH TEACHER SUSANNE KISSANE HAS DECIDED IT’S TIME TO RETIRE. PHOTO BY KEVIN THOMPSON Looking back on the early years of her career, Spanish teacher Susanne Kissane reminisces on how she first fell in love with teaching. “I always knew I wanted to teach,” Kissane said. “In college I took several interest inventory surveys that were supposed to predict what kind of career you would best be served in. On those surveys, teaching was hardly ever my first preference by the way I answered the questions.” Kissane pushed aside what the results had told her, and she went for it. In her 33 years of teaching, Kissane has found that there is no greater joy than watching a student start to understand the material she teaches. “[The greatest thing about teaching is] being in the classroom and just watching kids start to get it.” Kissane said. “There’s no better high than watching their eyes light up and for them to be able to put it together.” In college, Kissane was first majoring in English, but her interest in Spanish grew. She switched her major to Spanish and

+ BY SHELBY BEAUMONT graduated with a double major in both languages. Before Kissane began teaching in the Shawnee Mission school district, she spent six years as a stay-athome mom. “Other than being a mom, I don’t think there was [a second career choice],” Kissane said. She enjoyed the years she got to spend with her family and kids, and hopes to do the same with her free time that will come with retirement. “What I’m looking forward to most is spending more time with my granddaughter who is about to turn nine months old. I’m hoping to have a lot more weekends with her,” Kissane said.

+ BY MAKAILA WILLIAMS [Northwest] won seven state championships, so that was fun watching them get that trophy.” Baker has taught over 15,000 students in her teaching career. “When you have kids who don’t like P.E. and turn around and tell you they do,” Baker said. “That’s an accomplishment for me that they enjoy exercising, taking care of their body and learn about the sports we do.” Baker may be retiring, but hopes for students to keep exercising. “I just want to have people that enjoyed taking care of themselves, learn to love your body and learn to enjoy exercise and make it a part of your life.”

THE DISTRICT’S RETIREMENT INCENTIVE CONVINCES MATH TEACHER KEN SUMMERS THAT IT’S TIME TO LEAVE PHOTO BY KEVIN THOMPSON After 45 years, 17 at Northwest, math teacher Ken Summers is retiring. “I’ve taught low-level math here all the way up to Calculus 3 and IB math,” Summers said. He felt the calling to be a teacher from a young age and never gave up on it. “From the time I was in junior high, I thought I wanted to be a teacher,” Summers said. “I was good at math so I decided to do that.” Summers has coached boys’ varsity swim, track, girls’ basketball, girls’ volleyball and was the sponsor for Club 121. His favorite memory, however, was with the boys’ track team. “In 2001, we won the boys’ state track championship on the last event,” Summers said. “It was very long and tiring — but that was pretty exciting.” Although he has many fond memories of Northwest, he decided that this year would be a good year for him to retire.

+ BENJAMIN BECKER “I’ll be 67 and it’s tiring,” Summers said. “My wife is retired, so it’d be nice to spend a little more time with her and the grandkids. Probably what tipped me over the edge was the fact that they offered a financial incentive this year.” Summers may be leaving but he hopes his students’ and coworkers’ will not forget him and who he was as a person. “[I want to be remembered as] someone who worked hard to try to get things accomplished,” Summers said. “I was willing to do things for people and help people no matter what. I had the willingness to get things done.”

NW passage | feature

PHOTO BY EMILIE AMUNATIGUI

BASEBALL

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PHOTO BY EMILIE AMUNATIGUI

he varsity baseball team swept Leavenworth High School away at their senior night baseball game 12-1. Within three innings, the Cougars led 11 to nothing with runs batted in from seniors Nate Reeder, Anthony Abarca, Paul Bachelor, Brett Ferencz. Senior Brandon Gomer pitched four innings, only allowing two hits. “I want to leave a legacy behind,” pitcher Brandon Gomer said. “It would be really nice to say, ‘We went to State and won it my senior year.’ It would just be a good way to end my career here at Northwest – playing the game I love and doing it well and succeeding at it.” Former coach Richard Kuzydym’s number 15

GIRLS’ SWIM AND DIVE

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The conclusion of the Shawnee Mission Northwest Girls Swim and Dive season is approaching fast. The girls are preparing for Varsity League, and are aiming to land a third or fourth place spot. “We had fewer swimmers this year, but the girls are great about branching out and trying new events that we need to fill in to get more points,” head coach David Pfortmiller said. The girls recently hosted their senior night dual meet against SM West. Senior Claire Williams

SOFTBALL

PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN

placed first in both the women’s 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle. Senior Jessica Kirchner placed second in the women’s 100 breaststroke and, and senior Carolyn Osbern placed second in the women’s 200 individual medley. “Freshman and sophomore year, we had more girls on the team than we do now, but now we still have managed to remain second in district,” Osbern said. “Everyone wants to be here and wants to do well, and that’s why I love being here.”

+ by CADIE ELDER

arsity Head Coach Anthony Kinney is not concerned with how many wins his players have for the season, but how the players are working together. “The girls overall have improved in working as a team,” Kinney said. “They have worked on their team chemistry which helps improve hitting and fielding and the mental part of the game.” Their record for the season is 6-10. The Cougars started off a little shaky, but in previous weeks they have dominated the field. “We have gotten better with communication and that is what has helped us the most,” senior Megan Glenn said. Kinney’s favorite game of the season was April

jersey was retired at the April 30 game commemorating his 31-year-long career in coaching. “It’s really humbling,” Kuzydym said. “I feel really honored they would do something like this." The Cougars wrapped up their regular season this week and will compete in Regionals starting May 18. Follow @ smnwdotcom for updates on the Cougars’ season.

sports | May 15, 2015

25 against Blue Valley North. The girls persevered and by the end of the game the scoreboard read 10-8. “We had an amazing come back with great hitting and we held our ground in the field,” junior Katie Born said. Kinney said it is always hard to lose seniors because you have to fill their positions for the upcoming year. “I’m kind of burnt out of the sport, but knowing I’ll never play with them again kills me,” senior Jordan Cobler said. “Megan Glenn and I have been playing together since second grade so having that come to an end breaks my heart.”

PHOTO BY LAUREN EDWARDS

FORGET YOUR CAMERA? WE DIDN’T. visit smnwphotos.com for photos of sports and events

TRACK AND FIELD

PHOTO BY BRYCE REX

arsity track and field’s season is winding down with only a few meets to go including the Kansas 6A state championships. May 29 and 30 the team will travel to Wichita State University Cessna Stadium. “I would say overall I think we are doing pretty good,” hurdler Mitchell

Hodson said.“There are some events that I wish we were doing better in and some that have surprised me.” The boys’ team has gained many top five finishes, countless individual winners and podium members on their way to try to win their fifth state title in school history. “We’ve worked hard to get where we are now,” sprinter Sam Sullivan said. “We’re hungry for state.” The girls’ team is small but powerful. They

have achieved team top five and individual podium finishes. “I think the girls’ track team have been working really hard,” pole vaulter Olivia Williams said. “The team has done best in cheering each other on.” The team has not finished the season; they will compete in with the varsity Sunflower League Regionals and the State championship.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

PHOTO BY NICK KAHTAVA

his Spring’s season was one of rebuilding for the Lady Cougar Varsity soccer team. When the year began, Head Coach Todd Boren and assistant Drew Perkins knew that results may prove hard to come by. “Coming into the season, we knew it would be a year of rebuilding and regrowth, because of the number of seniors we lost last year,” Boren said. The season started off poorly, with the team losing each of the first six games, but as the year wore on, positive performances became more frequent. “Since the seventh game, the girls have

+ by JOSH SHERFY

really started to demonstrate the type of soccer they are capable of playing,” Boren said. “We’ve started to put together quite a few games with good performances against good competition.” said Boren. Boren stressed the importance of growth and player development this season. With major contributions from underclassman, the Lady Cougars outlook for the next few years is bright. But not all hope is lost for 2015 just yet. With a few weeks remaining, and positive momentum, a postseason run isn’t out of the picture.

BOYS’ TENNIS

PHOTO BY ADDISON SHERMAN

he Boys Varsity Tennis team’s season is coming to a close and senior Kyler Akagi is proud of the past season. “Overall, I’ve been satisfied with the team’s performance over the season,” Akagi said, “We’ve won most of the matches we were projected to win, and [we] still played well even when the other team played better.” The team has had a winning year, and is grateful for the support it recieved.

PHOTO BY KRISTI SENG

PHOTO BY BRYCE REX

o far, boys’ golf has had a successful season after winning and beating SM East by three strokes in the Olathe North Invitational. The team also finished second at the SM South Invitational, third at the SM East Invitational and fourth at the Topeka West Invitational. How they placed at all of these tournaments pushed them into second place in the league. “I couldn’t be more proud of them,” coach Jim Bamburg said, “[They] have really worked hard and it shows in their play.” Junior Blake Allen has moved up and is now tied for first place in the Sunflower League, while freshman

+ by JACK LYNCH

“It has been a great year and we really appreciate the student support we’ve received,” co-captain Nill Patel said. The team is now 6-6-1, and with all of the seniors leaving, it is up to the underclassmen to step up their game. “Two of my top three will return and I’ve heard that we might be getting a good freshman,” Coach Ken Clow said. “ The JV [team] got stronger this year and I think that they can help us a lot next year.”

BOYS’ GOLF

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Christian Ghilardi is in fourth place. The team also has freshman Kellen Cross in seventh and senior Mitchell Bolton in eleventh place, but they are all still training for State. State will be held in Hutchinson, Kan. this year after the Regional tournament. “We hope [to] play well at our Regional tournament, and to qualify as much of the team we can for that special event,” Bamburg said. This year’s Regional Tournament is being hosted by SM Northwest at Canyon Farms in Lenexa, Kan. on May 18, 2015.

NW passage | sports

IT'S BEEN A LONG WHILE, GUESS WE SHOULD’VE THOUGHT ABOUT TIME AND HOW IT SLIPS AWAY SO FAST. LONG NIGHTS, CHASING THE BLACK SKY, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW I LET THIS LIFETIME PASS. AND THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, I’M GONNA BE A LONG WAY FROM KANSAS CITY, BABY. WAS I MEANT TO STAY? WERE WE MEANT TO STAY HOME? chours of senior song + ben johnson & kota gottfried PHOTO BY CARLEIGH WHITMAN