Northwest Passage 2011 Senior Magazine by Northwest Passage

passage NORTHWEST special edition

INFLUENTIAL SENIORS 08 / DESTINATIONS 12 / EVOLUTION OF TRENDS 14 / TIMELINE 16

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SENIOR MAGAZINE

NORTHWEST PASSAGE/

Issue 16 / Vol. 42 Shawnee Mission Northwest 12701 West 67th St., Shawnee Kan., 66216

14 08 TABLE OF CONTENTS 04 thinking outside of my box

08 influential seniors

A senior staff member learned knowing to make her own decisions was the most important lesson in high school.

Interviews with the top 5 influential seniors of the class of 2011.

04 michael’s column Please be serious for our final moments of high school: graduation.

05 family matters Having two sisters in high school with him was a struggle and a privilege for a senior staff member.

05 see also A senior staff member learned that success isn’t measured in checking goals off a list.

12 destinations Check out this map to see where all your classmates are going next year.

14 evolution of trends Look back on how our favorite trends have changed.

20 SENIOR STAFF Tyler Absher, Wyatt Anderson, Michael Griffin, Pia Heckmann, Josh Meigs, Tessa Miller, Stephanie Spicer

16 timeline Take a look at the most important events of our high school careers.

20 this year in sports The most important and exciting moments in sports this year.

06 change of plans

23 new start

A senior staff member learned to take advantages of the opportunities given.

This year’s senior song was written and performed by Daniel Fry.

photo editor: David Freyermuth ads editor: Claire Marley advisor: Susan Massy cover photo illustration by david freyermuth

The most important lesson I’ve learned is to think for myself. Thirteen years in the making and I’m finally here. Graduation. I can’t explain how good it feels to know that within a matter of days, I’ll be walking across that stage. It’s a rite of passage that I’m pleased to say I never gave up working toward. Of course, it wasn’t easy. I put so much time into essays, “pointless” homework, rumor control, a broken heart, awkward transitions — a lot things tried to get in my way. Recently, however, I’ve discovered that the biggest obstacle was, at times, me. I’ve never been good at making decisions. It’s not that I can’t; I’m just perfectly content to sometimes sit back and have people tell me what to do. When it came to college, it was a no-brainer to apply, but it wasn’t until Christmas break that I realized a four-year college wasn’t for me. I had planned to go to the University of Kansas to study medicine, a path that likely would’ve helped me realize “the American dream.” Awesome. Then, I spent a semester learning what happens when you work hard for something you don’t want, and I realized there was no way that I was going into the medical field. Funny enough, I want to be a baker. If you put me in the kitchen, I’m the happiest girl around. Baking may not be that lucrative, but I

don’t care. I am making my own decision. It’s what I want to do. After weeks of arguing with my parents and researching programs, I came to the conclusion that not only will I not be going into the medical field, but I won’t be going to a four-year university. I am going to take a year off (taking only two classes at JCCC per semester) and work to save up money so the following year I can, loan-free, earn my associates degree of applied science in food and beverage management, followed by a baking and pastry program. I’ve never been happier since I made this decision. When I finally stepped into my own path and found my voice, I discovered I knew what I wanted to do all along. When planning for your future, or even something a little less dramatic, I’ve learned that figuring out what you want is more important than figuring out what others want for you. After all, who knows you more than you? Take your time. Think about what you want to do — what you really want to do. What’s your passion? What do you excel at? Find your niche and see if there’s any way that could become a career one day. Once you have that, talk to people. Don’t let them make your decision, but allow them to help you reach a final decision. Every decision in life is important. Give yourself a clear path and don’t stand in your own way.

/morgan jones

THE ORANGE MILE

Graduation is the final event of high school; don’t make it a joke. Most of you reading this are just a couple weeks away from the highlight of the school year: summer. For the seniors, your last day of high school is here. I’m sure you have all sorts of festivities planned for the weeks, maybe even months, to come. But before we disappear into our own modern-day imitation of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, remember: we still have graduation. Some of you seniors may be thinking, “Oh, whatever, all I have to do is walk on a stage to grab a couple papers and I’m done. I don’t need to be sober for that!” or “Oh man, I don’t know if I can handle walking across that stage with everyone looking at me.” Adults always tell us that graduation is the most important part of your high school career, so don’t be messed up (stumbling up the steps onto the stage isn’t very classy and this IS still a school function) and don’t stress out about it. My suggestion? Just chill out and breeze by the graduation. Just think about what you’ll do after, it’ll pass the time. I bet the speeches will be more entertaining than twiddling your thumbs, or at least different than the “strive to be the best, first day of the rest of our lives” speeches of yore.

most embarrassing moment

Honestly, this whole process of graduation is the last time we need to take high school seriously. It’s the last impression we make on the administrators and all the parents watching, so you may as well finish school on a good note. If you’re thinking of doing something crazy or stupid, just skip the ceremony, for the sake of our class. Rehearsal will be a breeze; it just helps you learn what to do. So pay attention. And be sure to tell the readers how to pronounce your name correctly so you’re not the joke of your friends for a while. It might also help to get rid of some of the nervous jitters you might have walking across that big open stage toward the administrators. Here’s an idea: Why not actually use the day to reflect on your high school years and reminisce with friends? That’s really what this time should be about anyway. Even if you’re not a senior, your time will come. This stuff won’t matter to you now, but just give it a year, or two or three. Maybe it will all make sense then. Maybe it won’t. But for now — take graduation seriously. You’ve got all summer to rot your brain, but at least it won’t be with homework.

BLACKING OUT IN ANATOMY WHILE WATCHING A MOVIE ABOUT BROKEN BONES... LUCKILY I WAS CAUGHT BEFORE I HIT THE TILE FLOOR!” / Hope Wooten

/michael griffin

JUMPING IN FRONT OF SOMEONE WHO I THOUGHT WAS MY FRIEND, TRYING TO SCARE HIM... WRONG PERSON.” / Seth Kotzman

After four years of high school, my thoughts on life have changed significantly. The four years I’ve spent in high school have seemed like both the biggest waste of time and the most important four years of my life. I’ve grown, evolved and changed more than I ever could have imagined. From the start of high school, I had one goal: get out of Kansas. I had no intention to stay in a place that, at the time, had nothing to offer me. Looking back, I couldn’t have been more mistaken. Freshman year, I spent way too much of my time with a boy who, after a dramatic breakup, I haven’t spoken to in three years. After that relationship, I also lost one of the greatest friendships I’ve ever had. Sophomore year, I transferred schools and spent all of my time resenting it. I was focused on something I couldn’t change, ignoring almost all the opportunities I now had. The one chance I took helped me realize my love of art. From the time I started Photo 1, I never doubted what I would pursue in college. Junior year, I finally accepted that there were going to be things in life that were out of my control, and I took advantage of what I had been given — a new start. Two former “enemies” became my closest friends after we bonded over a mutual ex-boyfriend. Later that year, I was given another reason to think things over: I lost my great-

grandmother, one of the most inspiring women I have ever met. Her death was a reminder that nothing is forever, and everything changes. It also helped me realize that going through hard times in life makes the good times that much sweeter. Another one of those hard times was during the last few weeks of my junior summer, when I lost one of my friends in a car accident. I saw her two weeks before her death. Had I known what would happen, there were so many things I would have said, things I would have done differently. I wouldn’t have taken my time with her for granted. Losing a friend at 17 is something no one should have to endure. Now, it’s the end of my senior year and I refuse to waste any more time. I no longer want to run away from a place that has given me so much. Despite an offer to attend St. Louis University, I’m happy to say I’ll be going to Kansas State. So, in hindsight, maybe I didn’t waste all of my time. I’ve spent my time growing and learning, both about the world and myself. The time you spend in high school is only what you make it. You can choose to waste your time on things that won’t matter come graduation, or you can spend your time taking advantage of the opportunities you’re given. It’s your call.

/tessa miller

FAMILY MATTERS According to the stereotype, being in school with your siblings is nothing but an annoyance, disturbance and inconvenience. For me, however, having two sisters with me in high school was none of those things. Yes, they may be annoying at times. Receiving a call every day after school asking where we parked the car does get a little old, and driving my sister to all the sporting events to take pictures did get on my nerves. But once I got past these minor setbacks, I began to see just how great it could be to have two sisters in school with me. My sister, Hanna, was the one who got me involved in journalism. Had it not been for her, I would not have been able to write for the paper or write this column. Not only did she get me involved in journalism, but she has become one of my best friends, one of the few people I have come to trust with everything. Rebekah, on the other hand, plays a slightly different role in my life. We do not always get along, but she has undoubtedly made high school a more interesting and fun experience for me. Whether it is something she says or something she does, she always manages to brighten my day. She, too, is involved in journalism, and together we have woven the journalism department into the life of our family. It is a truly rewarding experience to be IN CLASS, WE HAD TO DO LOVE POEMS. INSTEAD OF SAYING ‘I AM ENAMORED BY YOUR BEAUTY,’ I SAID ‘...BY YOUR BOOTY.’ THE ENTIRE CLASS LAUGHED AT ME.” / Blaine Ragsdale

Having two sisters in high school with you can be a struggle, but it can also be an privilege.

involved in an organization with both of my sisters. Beyond journalism, we are involved in other organizations together. Though I cannot take credit for my sisters’ involvement in band the way they can for mine in journalism, the experience is no less rewarding. In fact, just a few weeks ago, my 10-year-old brother even had the opportunity to play with my sisters and I in a band concert. It was so interesting to see how our relationship has grown and changed outside the walls of our home. Because people are so busy as individuals, it is often hard to find time to spend together. We may be involved in some of the same activities, but we tend to go our separate ways when the time comes. Although some people may let this damage their relationships, especially siblings, my sisters and I take the opportunity to value the time we have together. It is not uncommon to find us watching a movie or TV together if we are all at home. So, the thing I’ve learned about having siblings in high school is this: They’re going to be annoying. They’re going to get on your nerves and drive you insane. They’re going to embarrass you and basically ruin your image in high school. But, they are worth every second you get to spend with them.

/josh meigs

I SMACKED FACE TO FACE COMING AROUND A CORNER WITH THE GUY I HAD JUST ASKED TO WPA.” / Hannah Young

I always had a plan — you know, the kind in list form full of goals, only few of which got accomplished — always got perfect grades (except in math) and overloaded my schedule until I decided to...

If you strive for straight A’s, are head over heels for honors classes or eat “Perfection-O’s” for breakfast, you should just stop reading. Seriously, get out of here. Check out the intricate map of where all your friends are going to college in an attempt to glean more education in hopes of attaining a decent job to pay off the resulting expenses. This column is for the other kids. You may know me as Lauren Minick. See also: That one girl who wears big glasses, sweatpants and carries a laptop case everywhere. See also: That friend who lives at school in Room 151, according to the “Sorry, I can’t — I have journalism,” text responses on any given occasion. My entire high school career has been focused on being overly involved in school, working two jobs and trying to wake up the next morning after three or four hours of sleep to do it all over again. I’m sure many of you can relate. I’m one of those people whose family dinners usually consist of 20 or more kids from school. Getting home early means stepping into my house at 10 p.m., a mere 15 hours after I left. If my homework isn’t too bad, I can hope to be in bed by 1 or 2 a.m. I used to take all honors classes and strive for a 4.0, but then it hit me. I had an epiphany. See also: A realization See also: Light bulb. The kid next to me copying his math homework in a frantic effort to get his completion grade would get 10 points — just like I would. I, however, spent an hour attempting to figure out logarithms (which, by the way, make about as much sense as Pluto not being considered a planet). The girl who fabricated her entire analysis paper piecemeal from SparkNotes and Google got a better grade than me, and I actually read the book. What it boiled down to was that all my hard work meant nothing because in the world of the iPhone, there might as well be an app for high school. If slackers can make an “A” while those who follow the rules receive lower grades, are they really considered slackers? It’s debatable. I’m about to go to college, and from what I hear, it’s not much different. Here’s a little secret about me, though: I am not an example of a perfect student. I’m just as guilty as the next student when it comes to using SparkNotes. I stopped taking honors classes my junior year and I spent entirely too much time on the computer. You know where it’s gotten me? Everywhere. My final transcript will have a 3.0 GPA and a ACT composite score of 21 (and I’m OK with both of those numbers), a resume full of journalism awards and leadership positions and, even better, I have more professional contacts and opportunities to do what I love than some college graduates. See also: Stellar recommendations from babysitting. See also: A full-time job at Harley Davidson. Getting to know the high school system is as important as knowing your ABC’s before writing. I started out by doing as much as possible — taking summer classes before freshman year and getting involved in as many sports and clubs as I could. My goal was to graduate as soon as possible and move on to what was next in life. It was senioritis at its youngest. Over time, I realized high school is really just about options and decisions. Why are you here? What do you want to do or be? Will you just come to school and slide by with average grades and go home as soon as the bell rings? Or will you be one of those students who everyone knows

I will miss…

THE EXCITEMENT OF SNEAKING OUT WITH ALEXANDRA KAHTAVA ONLY TO DO THE LAMEST, YET MOST AWESOME THINGS.” / John Kaleekal

and stays until late hours of the night working to keep up the N Dub reputation? Consider your options carefully, but don’t be afraid to make mistakes and take risks. That being said, realize that all actions have consequences — whether they be minute changing or life changing. Fortunately, the beauty in our impulsive and young “mistakes” is that OfficeMax sells Wite-Out, bracelets can cover wrist tattoos and, more often than not, the choices that your parents or guardians don’t agree with can be mended with communication, hugs and love. See also: Extra chores. I ended up learning more about people and myself than I did about European History and how to properly lift weights — and I’m OK with that also. I spent entirely too much time falling in love with NW publications and all of the people in it, waited way too long to get to know the people my own age and in my grade, and stayed all four years, even though I desperately wanted to graduate early. It’s hard to appreciate what you’ve gotten out of high school until you realize it’s over. So, I guess here is my advice: Do what you want, be who you want and set your own expectations for yourself higher than normal. This way, when you fall slightly short or let your impulsive and beautiful mistakes get you, you will have still accomplished something. You will have achieved being yourself. See also: A Northwest Cougar See also: A high school graduate.

/lauren minick

HIGH SCHOOL IN GENERAL. I’VE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH TIME HERE, IT WILL BE HARD TO LEAVE.” / Adam Chase

GETTING STUCK IN A BAY IN RADIO & TV” / Wyatt Anderson

influential seniors

Q&A by wyatt anderson and pia heckmann

PHOTOS BY DAVID FREYERMUTH

BACK: Drew Goodger, Hailey Esch, Alec Kremers MIDDLE: Kaitlyn Carl, AJ Spencer, Jacob Lindenlaub FRONT: John Kaleekal, Sara Osborne, Connor Haley, Aaron Thornburg

favorite memory

COMING BACK JUNIOR YEAR AFTER LIVING IN DENMARK FOR SOPHOMORE YEAR.” / Lars Winkelmolen

BEING THE FIRST RECIPIENT OF THE HOPE SPIRIT AWARD IN TENNIS FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND TEAM SPIRIT.” / Hope Wooten

HAILEY ESCH How did being involved in theater change you?

It made me realize how different people can be, because you have to be a completely different person when you are acting; you can’t be yourself. It made me realize that this particular character might not think the same way I think, so it’s hard. You have to try to create a new person.

How do you feel on stage? Everything is rushing in your head. It is almost so much that you forget the audience is there, but you don’t quite because you can see them a little bit. I feel this great energy to do everything right. For me this year, it really transitioned from thinking about the audience to thinking about my character. That really helps with not messing up.

Why theater? I started my freshman year. I was not planning to do it at all. I was doing gymnastics and then two seniors, Sean Hinckle and Douglas Wooldrige, asked me to do it. So, I quit gymnastics and did Guys and Dolls. It was so much fun, beyond what I thought it would be, and I made so many friends.

What is your favorite show? Probably Once Upon a Mattress. It was my senior year, and I got a lead role. That was my first time ever getting a lead role, and I was so excited. Once I found out what the character was like, I got really excited because she is a lot like me. I didn’t have to act that much; I just had to have fun on stage.

Why do you want to study music education in college? I want to do elementary music education, specifically because I love kids and I love music, so the combination kind of fits. I have a feeling that might not work out, which really scares me, because I want to be happy in whatever I do. I am hoping I will be, but if it doesn’t, we’ll see. I know I actually should be thinking about it right now, because it is my future plans, but it scares me to death to try to think that far ahead. I don’t know what I’ll feel like in a couple of years. I could be a completely different person.

AARON THORNBURG example.

What did learn from cross country?

Cross country has been really great for a lot of different reasons. To get a group of guys together where you practice for three hours a day, and you go on trips with them — it just gets a good relationship going. You get to mentor the younger guys, and at the same time be mentored by the upperclassmen when you are a young athlete. That has been really good in terms of relationships. Also, the racing taught me to focus.

According to the class of 2011, you are one of the most influential students. Who influences you? I think my parents have a lot to do in my life, and they have tried to bring me up how they would like to see me act. They have been good examples, as well, so I really have to thank them a lot. In terms of individuals from the school, in my freshmen year, Jared Ellsworth and Chris Morton were good examples on the cross country team. They brought me into the ways of cross country and showed me what it is like to be a good GOING TO TENNIS STATE MY JUNIOR YEAR AND GETTING 11TH PLACE IN DOUBLES WITH AMY MILLER.” / Kathryn Hansen

What is your biggest accomplishment in high school? I’d say I am most proud of the academic things first and the athletic second. Things like the scholar athletic and the HyVee KMC [are] the best of both worlds. I was really happy about that, and being a National Merit finalist, too.

What are you going to study in college? I am going to the University of Tulsa, and I am planning to major in chemical engineering. We will see if that holds up at least for the first semester, and then I am also going to run cross country and track, and keep up some piano as well.

What did you get out of four years at Northwest? I think a lot of friendships have been formed in high school. Also, the environment of being able to learn different things and be able to test a lot of different things has been really helpful for me.

JUNIOR YEAR LIGHT SHOW WITH JOSIAH [ROSELL] AND CHRISTIAN [BULLER]; MAKING SHADOWS BEHIND THE SHEET FOR OUR DRUM MAJOR SALUTE.” / Logan Harrold

BEING A FRESHMAN AND GOING TO SCHOOL WITH MY SENIOR BROTHER, AND BEING A SENIOR AND GOING TO SCHOOL WITH MY FRESHMAN SISTER.” / Logan Roberts

SARA OSBORNE

What did you get out of high school?

Why become the president of StuCo?

Starting high school, I was involved in a lot. I did journalism and StuCo, and I was involved in Club 121 and swim team. I had so much going on, and that was great. My sister was a senior during my freshman year. I remember when she was leaving; all of a sudden she graduated and none of the stuff she did defined her anymore. She wasn’t a member of StuCo; she wasn’t a swimmer anymore. She told me to not let the things you do define you, but let the person you are becoming define you. Specifically, let the relationship with God define you. Her advice has taught me a lot about the definition of myself. Although I love this place, I am excited to leave, because my experience in high school taught me who I am and my relationships with people have taught me who I want to be.

It has been the thing in high school that has really made me excited to be in high school. The relationships I have built throughout the years in StuCo have turned me into the person I am now. Mrs. Dent, as a sponsor, has been someone who has just inspired me to devote myself to the things that I am doing and to be responsible enough to follow through on the things that I started. When it comes to being the president [of StuCo], and my decision to run for president last year, I just see how much of an impact StuCo has made on me and on the school. I wanted to be able to teach other people to be leaders and inspire other people to care about our school.

What kind of legacy do you want to leave at Northwest?

What has been your biggest success?

The legacy I want to leave is the same legacy I want to leave in my life: being someone who cares about people and seeks to love other people. I would like to base my life on God and the things that He has done for me. I believe every moment is a grace offering that I have to accept. I hope to be someone who spurs other people on to recognize the graces around them. It’s really easy to go to school every day and not really embrace [life] and not really live it. I want to encourage other people to care about school and the people they are around. I want to encourage people to build relationships that will last.

A.J. SPENCER

I think the events that we put on. We do pretty much the same things every year, and we try to add new things as we get suggestions or come up with new ideas. This year we have done well meeting our goals. But, my biggest success in StuCo as president would be the opportunity to lead the [StuCo] class and the opportunity to explore leadership with individual people in the classroom.

How does the pressure to perform in sports affect you? It pushes me to do well because everybody expects me to be good. I don’t think anybody is getting on me if I have a bad game or anything. If I do have a bad game, I just come back and try my best the second time around. I think the pressure goes away because you don’t think about it anymore.

Why did you decide to play football again this year? I was watching football on TV and went to the games and I realized that I missed it, even though I took a year off to get better at basketball. I did get better at basketball, but I didn’t want to have any regrets when I graduated. I am glad I played; I made a lot of good friends and had a good senior year at football.

Looking back at the last four years, what is the most important thing you have gotten out of high school? The most important thing I have learned from coach Meseke and coach Barnett is to be resilient if something happens to you, like what happened to Meseke with his heart. Even though that happened, he still came back and coached for a year. Even if I had a bad game, I would come back the next game and throw it out of the window. And the other thing: make a lot of friends and meet a lot of new people. Even though they might not be involved in sports, there are a lot of cool people.

Final thoughts for the senior class: I wish you guys a lot of good luck. I know we are going to do great as the years go on.

funniest moment

WHEELING INTO THE PRESIDENTAL TOURNAMENT AS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT IN A WHEELCHAIR. (I WON). ALSO, WHEN ALEX GEIS RIGGED STUDENT OF THE DAY SO I WOULD WIN. (DEC. 17 2009).” / Harrison Schroeder

WHEN MY GIRLFRIEND LOST A BET AND WAS FORCED TO WEAR K-STATE CLOTHES. THANK YOU, LUKE SCHNEFKE.” / Calvin Garland

CONNOR HALEY What influenced your transition from sports to theater? In middle school, I did the musicals and I tried football for the first time. I was still a little unsure about which one I should stay with for the rest of high school, but at the end of freshman year [a senior talked to me]. He said, “If you are pondering whether or not you want to do theater, just go to an audition. You don’t have to do it. If you get a good role, you can stick with it. And if not, you go back to sports.” And I happened to land a decent role in Grease. After that, I was like, “I should probably keep doing this.”

What kind of legacy do you want to leave at Northwest? I found out who I was almost halfway through high school and that some people don’t really know [who they are] until they get to college or after college. Try to find out who you are not, first; that makes it a whole lot easier.

How did being involved in theater influence you? The Thespian Troupe here helped me learn a lot about others and, most importantly, it helped me learn about myself. I learned how to treat others with respect and kindness, and I learned how to respect myself. I learned I was capable of doing [things] I didn’t even think I could.

What would’ve happened had you stuck with sports? I probably would still be goofy but might not be as good a public speaker. I might not have been able to understand what it is like to be other people because, by acting, you transform yourself into someone else completely, totally different from yourself. By doing that, I was able to learn a lot about humanity.

Videos interviews with the other five influential seniors (pictured at the left) can be found on smnw.com.

JACOB LINDENLAUB

WHEN GIRLS MADE AN ‘AMAZON’ T-SHIRT ABOUT ME. I CAN’T HELP MY HEIGHT.” / Kelle Carver

JOHN KALEEKAL

KAITLYN CARL

ON THE FIRST DAY I CAME [TO NORTHWEST], I GOT TO THE SECOND FLOOR AND COULDN’T FIND THE STAIRS AGAIN. I HAD TO ASK SOMEONE.” / Holly Good

DREW GOODGER

ALEC KREMERS

WRITING ‘FREE ICE CREAM’ ON THE CAFETERIA WHITE BOARD AND WATCHING PEOPLE GO ASK.” / Ibrahim Elandaloussi

STEPHEN MANGLESDORF SINGING “BABY” BY JUSTIN BIEBER TO AN ACTUAL BABY FOR JUNIOR PROM SKIT.” / Natalie Lutz

15 37 26

49 60

11 53 12 10 54

72 22

39 66

27 17

30 59

45 33 28 6 16 1 21

4 57

DESTINATIONS 71

most embarrassing moment

I WROTE A POEM FOR ENGLISH CLASS. I THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY HILARIOUS AND READ IT WITH SOME ENTHUSIASM IN FRONT OF THE ROOM. NO ONE GOT IT OR LAUGHED. MY COMEDY CAREER ENDED.” / Kadie Nugent

GOING TO FRESHMAN YEAR HOMECOMING IN A SHORT-SLEEVE BUTTON-UP AND AN UGLY TIE.” / Lars Winkelmolen

DRESSING AS THE MASCOT FOR THE HOMECOMING/BONFIRE SOPHOMORE SKIT AND THE COUGAR HEAD FALLING OFF EXPOSING ME.” / Madelyn Raines

WHEN I BLEW SNOT ALL OVER MYSELF AND DESK ACCIDENTALLY IN ECONOMICS CLASS.” / Paige Stevens

I WAS IN A BIKE RACE WITH ALEX SMITH FRESHMAN YEAR AND LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND BROKE THE SONIC MAILBOX, WHICH STILL HAS DENTS.” / Jennifer Skells

Kristina Risjord

19. FASHION FASHIONINSTITUTE INSTITUTE OF OF DESIGN AND MERCHANDISING DESIGN

Morgan Barton Dane Boring Rebecca White Madeline Cheatham Shannon Thomas

18.EMPORIA EMPORIASTATE STATEUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY 18.

Alexandra Kahtava

17.17.DRAKE DRAKEUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY

Kenneth (KC) Waterman Jake Higbee

16.DEVRY DEVRYUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY 16.

Stephanie Spicer Nastassia Darby

15.DEPAUL DEPAULUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY 15.

Lauren Coleman

14. 14.CULINARY CULINARYINSTITUTE INSTITUTE OFAMERICA AMERICA OF

Gwendolyn Devonshire Christopher D’Silva

13.CREIGHTON CREIGHTONUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY 13.

Austin Hoffman

12. COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF AURORA

Amanda Gossman

11. COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY SITY

Paige Stevens

10. COLORADO SCHOOL MINES OF MINES

Laressa Brooks Chandler Durkee

9. COFFEYVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE COLLEGE

Annie Unruh

8. CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY

Kelle Carver

7. CAMERON UNIVERSITY

Nathan George Brandon Gross Henri-Anna Smith

6. BROADMOOR TECHNICAL CENTER CENTER

Logan Roberts

5. BENEDICTINE COLLEGE

Sara Irick

4. BELOIT COLLEGE

Jordan Maseingale

Holly Thomas Tanner Shelby Emily Stewart Hailey Esch Megan Gumminger Corwin Jones Fahmi El-Qadi Matthew Frazee Byron Lewis-Neff Lorena Lopez Lauren Minick Kyle Rouchka Hardeep Gosal Megan Loomis Amber Gates Julia Clements Allison Cook Megan Gaston Elena Harvey Fred Kropf Matthew Osborne Lindsey Peavler Alexxis Preece Navid Rafizadeh Gregory Walker Alycia Myers Johnathan Roman Madeline Orlt Emily Lallier Ryan Kirkendoll Katherine Taylor Grace Thouvenelle Brian Price Elizabeth Koehn James Richardson Andrew Orser Trenton Partelow Sarah Armstrong Zachary Palmer Sarah Williams Alexandra Alonzo Trevor Hannon Cameron Rogers Matt Legler Tayler Sherrill Damon Steen

28. JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Alec Kremers

27. IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Elizabeth Mullin

26. ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Joseph Schmits

25. HENDRIX UNIVERSITY

MyTalisha Bailey

24. HAMPTON UNIVERSITY

Jens Thomsen

23. GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE COLLEGE

Jenna Felix

22. 22.FRIENDS FRIENDSUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY

3. BETHANY COLLEGE

Lesley Johnson

Tyler Gilliam Antoine Smith

21. 21.FORT FORTSCOTT SCOTTCOMMUNITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE COLLEGE

Phillip Dobbs

20. 20.FLORDIA FLORDIASTATE STATEUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY

2. BAKER UNIVERSITY

Alex Davila

1. AVILA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE

Sarah Briggs Jessie Marcus Kelly Settle Andrew Bennink Matthew Vanausdall Daniel Fry Garrett Tarcha Jacob Ohmes Lauren Rice Cole Rollins Aaron Kenney Payten Mobley Deep Desai Hannah Boland

29. KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Camry Jones Arsen Petrosyan Larry Mckinnis Danielle Shepherd Walker Moberly Mark Sample Storm Sullivan Daniel Demjanik Pidy Tiger Gabrielle Nelson Miguel Carrillo Brian Wyatt John Anderson Janie Queral Dylan Alexander Cristina Tindall Jenna Darrah Sean Jones Mark Reyes Bridget Belluchi Larea Thomas Jessica Tingle Michael Beal Taylor Finstad Keaton Skeels Gurtej Bains Montana Jarman Derek Armstrong Jenna Shelton Luis Hurtado Maddie Niemackl Mehak Sood Harman Singh Jordan McRoy Kaway Secka Andrew ArchuletaDorn Zachary Bundy Andres Medina Morgan Jones Andrew Lopez Zechariah RoweHayden Hannah Young Tyler Absher Vincent Estrada Harsimran Singh Lincoln Bradley Mitzi Ramirez Tereso Lara Hayden Butrick Lauren Burroughs Daniel Sinclair Anthony Kiplagat Daniela Molina Mikaila Wilson Ever Morales-Caballe Robert Urteaga Faega Nassereddine Rosanna Casteel

35. MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Alexander Revis Danielle Morris Caroline Stanchik

34. MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY SITY

Tanner Burton Samantha Moore Blaire Patrick

33. MID-AMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

Stephen Mangelsdorf

32. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY

Trey Fruehling Elizabeth Crase Karla Morales

48. TRUMAN 48. TRUMANSTATE STATEUNIVERSITY UNIVER-

31. KANSAS CITY KANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

52. UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI

=51. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS Joshua Meigs Caroline Stubbblefield Kristina Buchanan Nathan Gray Kayla Morris Evan Neuman Jenna Rotramel Sara Osborne

Julia Stanislav

50.UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITYOFOFALASKA ALASKA 50.

Frederick Wood

49. UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY

Jordan Dillon Lars Winkelmolen Ashton Martin

47. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY 47. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Hope Wooten

Michelle Willard

46. 46.SAVANNAH SAVANNAHCOLLEGE COLLEGEOFOF ARTAND ANDDESIGN DESIGN ART

Francisco Hernandez

45.SAN SANDIEGO DIEGOSTATE STATE 45.

Jonathon Sestak Arjun Kumar

44. 44.SAINT SAINTLOUIS LOUISUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY

Derec Olson

43.ROCKHURST ROCKHURSTUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY 43.

Jacqueline Coronado Madison Watts Stephen Fix Alexander Wood Dalton Tattershall Tyler McGrew Cooper Stephan

42. PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY

Alexander Nurnberger

41. 41.OZARK OZARKCHRISTIAN CHRISTIANCOLLEGE COLLEGE

Mackenna Riley

40.OTTAWA OTTAWAUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY 40.

Morgan Terrill

39.OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMAWESLEYAN WESLEYAN 39. UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY

Samuel Phelps Thomas Verschelden Caela McMillion Harrison Schroeder Calli Weirick

38. OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

Jalen Lewis

37. NORTHWESTERN 37. NORTHWESTERNUNIVERSITY UNIVER-

Matthew Milner Jacob Walters

36. NEOSHO NEOSHO COUNTY COUNTY 36. COMMUNITY COLLEGE COLLEGE COMMUNITY

Cormac Prosser

Katherine Nugent Katherine Keeling

30. KANSAS CITY ART TUTE INSTITUTE

Benjamin Schmitt Nicki Brown Abbey Ehlers Matt Harrison Melissa McCrary Hailey Meeks Jessica Ptak Cara Olson Samantha Rivotto Ashley Sanders Sarah Wilcox Austin Steer Ashley Dollard Abby Reynolds Curtis Roderick Alexandra Klemovich Jacquelyn Miller Elizabeth Cummings Jaden Anderson Jordan McGuinn Ashley Houser Branford Harris Ryen Nichols Bryan Taylor Madelyn Raines Olivia Rezac Josh Vanderleest Elizabeth Hewitt Kyle Moore Dustin Douglas Alexander Smith Zachary Congrove Kelly Iverson Katelyn Schibi Laura Cale Logan Harrold Anna Zarda Christopher Mills Victoria Sears Hannah Sharpe Jonathan Carney Christopher Goodman Matthew Roenigk Kaitlyn Meinert Erica Waltman Ariana Guerin Chelsea Holt-Bates Erica Austin Cindy Luo Ibrahim Elandaloussi Samuel Filsinger Elodia Terrazas Amy Miller Bradley Vonada Wyatt Anderson James Brann Eric Fillmore Jacob Keegan Christian Luna Allison Williams Joy Byrd Brian Davis Jennifer Francisco Mantaj Virk Ji Eun Moon Jennifer Short Alixandra St-Peirre Claire Ochieng Carter Chmielewski Adam Zoellner Haley Lynn Carlos Gonzalez Peter Kang Dylan Thompson Paul Beller Julianne Ibarra Claire Martin Jose Hernandez Adelle Hanson Phillip Billaci Haylee Slocum Dylan Hargrave Brett Noland Chris Manning Holly Good Peyton Smith Jaden Gragg Emily Chambers Derek Skillett Adam Chase Emma Rogers Kathryn Hansen Siobhan Barrett Victoria Clarke Jake Todd Natalie Lutz Chase Quarnstrom Dalton Kissinger Mackenzie Rex Nikki Bisht Matthew Humphrey Sara Prusik Katherine Jackson Michelle Landis Cameron Henry Meaghan Palmer Telese Burgin Jacob Lindenlaub Michael Marcus

56.UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITYOF OFKANSAS KANSAS 56.

Kaiemi Teel

55.UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITYOF OFHAWAII HAWAII 55.

Michael Griffin

54.UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITYOF OFDENVER DENVER 54.

Aaron Peterson

53.UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITYOF OF 53. COLORADO——BOULDER BOULDER COLORADO

Kenneth Mings Ryan Thomas

Addie Evans

71. WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

Joseph Hornstra

70. WESTERN STATE COLLEGE 70. OF WESTERN COLORADOSTATE COLLEGE

Allison Stanchick

69. 69.WASHBURN WASHBURNUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY

Kelsie Taylor

68. 68.UTAH UTAHSTATE STATEUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY

Tyler Jermier

67. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA FLORDIA

Aaron Thornburg

66. 66.UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITYOFOFTULSA TULSA

Connor Haley

65. UNIVERSITY OF —TEXAS AUSTIN — AUSTIN

Khadijah Watson

64. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI MISSISSIPPI

Anna Enderby

63. UNIVERSITY OF DAKOTA SOUTH DAKOTA

Stefanie Tapke

62.UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITYOF OFOKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA 62.

Daniel Robinson Courtney Faber Jonathan Gregory Tori Humiston Rachel Alvey

61. NEBRASKA 61.UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITYOFOF NEBRASKA ——LINCOLN LINCOLN

Jennifer Skells

60.UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITYOF OFMARYLAND MARYLAND 60.

John Kaleekal Shannon Martin Stefano Imperiale

59.UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF OF MISSOURI MISSOURI 59. KANSASCITY CITY ——KANSAS

Kimani Fowler Megan Alpert Elizabeth Hansen Hunter Holman McKenzie Winter David Robinson Kelsey Allen Sara Kuenzi

58. 58.UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF OF MISSOURI MISSOURI COLUMBIA ——COLUMBIA

Mikala Jaderborg Drew Goodger

57.UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITYOF OFMINNESOTA MINNESOTA 57.

Kaitlyn Carl Mitchell Dow Scott Snyder Alex Boeding Dylan Cruse Clarissa Holt-Bates Ashley Martin Brooks Foreman Cathy Vu

Eric Bracken: Army Kevin Cox: Navy Anthony Berry: Army Timothee Ferguson: Navy

MILITARY

Ryan Frost: Junior Hockey Luke Meyer : Travel Christopher Matthews: Year off Larry Davis Blake Covingten

OTHER

Hunter Woodson Adam White Chandler Banks Stephanie Wood James Brazeal

WORK

Claudia Fedorko: Austria Stefan Kumpe: Germany Pia Heckmann: Germany Johanna Kolbeck: Germany Dan Nielsen: Denmark Pernille Bruun: Denmark Kees Lieverse: Netherlands Yuffie Gong: China

RETURNING HOME

Anthony (AJ) Spencer Jordan Perlmutter Maria Hernandez

UNDECIDED

Michael Schnabel

75. YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY

Kylee Elliott

74.WILLIAM WILLIAMWOODS WOODS 74. UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY

Calvin Garland

73.WILLIAM WILLIAMJEWELL JEWELL COLLEGE 73.

Parth Patel Sterling Spencer Megan Treas

72. WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY

Seth Kotzman

EVOLUTION OF TRENDS Music Players

Movies

Disney Movies ELEMENTARY

Pirates of the Caribbean MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Hangover HIGH SCHOOL

ELEMENTARY

RAZR MIDDLE SCHOOL

iPhone HIGH SCHOOL

ELEMENTARY

MIDDLE SCHOOL

iPod (again) HIGH SCHOOL

Nickelodeon Cartoons ELEMENTARY

Nickelodeon (again) MIDDLE SCHOOL

Family Guy HIGH SCHOOL

Social Network Sites

Video Game Consoles

Nintendo 64

Playstation 2

XBOX 360

ELEMENTARY

MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

I will miss…

iPod

Cartoons

Cell Phones

none

Walkman

ALL OF MY TEACHERS THAT REALLY HELPED ME DURING MY SENIOR YEAR.” / Henri-Anna Smith

AOL Instant Messanger

MySpace

Facebook

ELEMENTARY

MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

THE COMFORT OF KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO DO. MOVING ON TO COLLEGE IS A GIANT LEAP TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE.” / Erica Waltman

COACH ROSE’S INSPIRATIONAL TALKS.” / Calli Weirick

Video Games

Ways to Find Music

Radio

LimeWire

ELEMENTARY

CDs

MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

Pokémon

Guitar Hero

Call of Duty

ELEMENTARY

MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

Disney Channel

Jersey Shore

MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

TV Shows

Books

spark notes Harry Potter

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Spark Notes

ELEMENTARY

MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

Full House ELEMENTARY

Toys

Music Artists

Backstreet Boys

Green Day

Lil Wayne

NERF Toys

ELEMENTARY

MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

ELEMENTARY

“BEING ON DRILL TEAM. IT HAS MADE MY HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE WHAT IT IS. I’VE MADE THE BEST FRIENDS AND MEMORIES.” / Haley Lynn

“SARAH DENT AS MY STUDENT COUNCIL SPONSOR. HER LEADERSHIP AND PERSONALITY ARE HOW I WANT TO BE WHEN I’M OLDER.” / Nicki Brown

Scooters MIDDLE SCHOOL

iPod HIGH SCHOOL

“ALL OF MY FRIENDS WHO I DON’T SEE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL, NORTHWEST IS THE ONLY PLACE WE SEE EACH OTHER.” / Pidy Tiger

looking back FIFTH GRADE 2003-2004

THIRD GRADE 2001-2002 Sept. 11, 2001: Religious extremists associated with the

2004: Millions of 11-year-olds nationwide fail to

terrorist group al-Qaida hijack four U.S. airplanes. Two of them crashed into the World Trade Centers, one into the Pentagon and the last crashes in Shanksville, Penn., after intervention of a number of passengers on board (it was speculated that it was heading for the White House). Nearly 3,000 people die in this event.

receive their acceptance letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Instead, they are forced to enter another year of normal schooling.

SEVENTH GRADE 2005-2006 August 23, 2005: Hurricane Katrina hits the Gulf Coast, devastating Louisiana and Alabama in its path. At least 1,836 people die.

Feb. 4, 2004: Mark Zuckerburg launches thefacebook. com. This site later becomes Facebook and the largest social networking site thus far with 600 million users.

FRESHMAN 2007-2008 April 16, 2007: Seung-Hui Kills 32 fellow Virginia Tech students and wounds 25 others before taking his own life. 2007: Cross Country wins its 14th consecutive championship. 2007: Janice Baker retires from coaching after 35 years with the girl’s gymnastics team. She coached the team to seven state championships, eight second-place state championships and 26 individual state champions. 2007: The football team has a record of 9-2 and wins the Sunflower League Championship with an 8-0 record in league play. 2007: Construction begins on the new music wing and auxiliary gym. Renovations were made to the science classrooms, art classrooms and auditorium.

most valuable lesson learned

IT DOESN’T LAST LONG, SO MAKE THE MOST OF IT, GET INVOLVED, DO SOMETHING NEW. AND REMEMBER THERE IS NO TIME FOR PETTY, BAD MOODS. BE POSITIVE, ALWAYS.” / HOPE WOOTEN

PEOPLE CHANGE. DESPITE HOW HARD YOU TRY AND HOW GOOD OF A PERSON PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE, YOU CANNOT PLEASE EVERYONE. YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE AN OPPOSING FOE, LITERALLY OR FIGURATIVELY.” / Kevin Cox

SOPHOMORE 2008-2009 2008: The IB (International Baccalaureate) program begins at Northwest to give the school a “signature” program and attract new students. 2008: Semi-block schedule is implemented for the first time at Shawnee Mission Northwest. Students welcome the block system while many teachers are skeptical at first. Aug. 9, 2008: Former technical education teacher and sponsor of the robotics team, Ed Provost, dies of a heart attack. 2008: Sharyn Gassman, a family and consumer sciences teacher, dies of cancer. 2008: Cross country comes in second in the State Championship, ending it 14-year winning streak. 2008: Freshman Christopher Mochorros is hit and killed by a drunk driver during winter break. He was helping push a broken down car on the 18th St. Expressway when he was struck. He was rushed to the hospital but later died from the injuries. Jan. 20, 2009: The first African American president, Barack Obama, takes his place in office. June 25, 2009: Pop icon Michael Jackson dies. This Is It, a documentary-concert created of Jackson’s final moments preparing for a tour with the same name, was released October 28, 2010.

JUNIOR 2009-2010 2009: Art wing, auxiliary gym and other new facilities open for the first time. This gave students new resources to be better athletes, artists and musicians. The auxiliary gym would get its first real use during a pep assembly when Northwest became the first KCTV5 “Cool School”.

Spring 2009: H1N1 (“swine flu”) becomes the first condition since the Hong Kong flu (1967-1968) to be deemed a global pandemic. January 12, 2010: A magnitude 7.0 earthquake shakes Haiti killing an estimated 250,000 people, injuring around 300,000 and leaving more than 1 million without homes. 2010: Basketball coach and math teacher Ben Meseke receives a new heart and returns to teach the following school year. April 20, 2010: An oil rig belonging to British Petroleum explodes in the Gulf of Mexico. About 205 million gallons of oil were released into the ocean. After about three months, the leak was finally stopped.

SENIOR 2010-2011 2010: Jenny Nelson has a brain tumor. The Northwest student body rallies behind her with fundraisers to support her and her family during her illness. Jenny made a full recovery and is back in classes at Northwest.

2011: An 8.9 earthquake hits Japan, releasing a 30 foot tsunami in its wake. Flooding, uncontrollable fires, radiation leakage, power outages as well as many more issues plague Japan well after the event including issues with the nuclear reactors. Were an explosion to take place with them, it is speculated to release devastation greater then that of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 in Ukraine.

2011: The senior class graduates.

GET TO KNOW AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE NO MATTER WHAT AGE OR ANYTHING.” / Olivia Rezac

DON’T COME TO SCHOOL AND JUST GO THOUGH THE DAY WAITING FOR THE FINAL BELL. COME TO SCHOOL AND DO SOMETHING. SINCE YOU’RE GOING TO BE SPENDING FOUR YEARS HERE, YOU MIGHT AS WELL FIND YOURSELF A FAMILY TO GO THROUGH THE FOUR YEARS WITH. YOU WON’T REGRET IT.” / Alex Boeding

DON’T JUDGE PEOPLE BASED ON WHO THEY HANG OUT WITH — ONE OF MY FORMER ‘ENEMIES’ IS ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS NOW.”

/ Jennifer Skells

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camera?

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With the sports year winding down, here are a couple seasons from the eyes of the senior class.

THIS INYEAR

SPORTS /michael griffin

PHOTO BY HANNA MEIGS

GIRLS’ SOCCER

The girls’ bowling team overcame the loss of four graduating members last season, placing fourth in state. Returning members, like senior Hope Wooten, knew they had a lot of work to do with so many new teammates. “[We] knew that most of the varsity team would be new to such a competitive level,” Wooten said. “Our main goal was to focus on working as a team and develop a strong team chemistry.” Standout bowlers included both the Queral sisters, senior Janie and freshman Cassie, who averaged 189 and 195, respectively. The two girls also set new school records in high series, game and league average. The team went undefeated in the regular season with 18 wins and one tie. The girls were the favored Kansas City team in the state tournament, but placed fourth behind multiple Wichita schools, the heavy hitters of Kansas high school bowling. “[We had] an undefeated regular season,” Wooten said. “[We were] district champions, Sunflower League champions, regional champions and the fourth best team in the state. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

most valueable lesson learned

BOYS’ BASKETBALL The boys’ basketball team fell short of expectations this season, losing in the first round of substate to BV West and ending its regular season 9-10. “Our loss in the first round was disappointing for the team,” senior Sam Phelps said. “It was a bad end to the year, especially for the seniors.” The team played with five starting seniors, who expected to go to state. They had issues coming together, but figured out how best to work as a team by the end of the season. “The game against Lawrence High was the highlight of the season,” Phelps said. “At that point, we really started playing like a team.” Head coach Ben Meseke returned to after an absence due to heart transplant surgery, just as the team had gotten used to coach Mike Rose. “Meseke coming back to coach the team affected us in positive and negative ways. We were getting used to the fact that Rose was going to be coaching us this year,” Phelps said. “The different coaching style was hard to adjust to quickly. But he also brought back a lot of experience, and several us had been coached by him in the years before.”

PHOTO BY DANIEL MAGWIRE

TRACK+ FIELD

PHOTO BY PAIGE WALTMAN

ALWAYS SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES. IT IS FAR BETTER TO TRY SOMETHING AND REALIZE IT’S NOT FOR YOU THAN TO ALWAYS WONDER IF IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.” / Jordan Dillon

The track and field team is still going strong, having recently won two important meets and setting its eyes on the state championship. Varsity track won the Kansas Cup at the KU relays, which is given to the team with the highest overall score for the meet, which is a good inclination of the team’s performance at state.The team also won the Blue Valley and Topeka Seamen relays. “The track team has performed amazingly so far this year,” senior hurdler Seth Kotzman said. “We won our last two major meets, including the North Relays, which is a competition of 35 teams from around the area.” Even now, the coaches are doing all they can to ready the track and field team for state. “Coach [Mike] Cooper has pushed me to be the best runner I can be,” Kotzman said. “He has prepared me and the team to compete to the highest of our abilities.” The track team has high hopes for the state meet, and the team members’ past performances show they are ready to compete for the state title. “Come early June, watch the newspapers,” Kotzman said. “NW track will be all over them.” IF YOU WANT SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR IT. THINGS ARE MORE REWARDING WHEN YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TRIED YOUR HARDEST.”

/ Caroline Stubblefield

PHOTO BY PAIGE WALTMAN

CROSS COUNTRY After a two-year drought of state championship wins, NW cross country reclaimed the state title at Rim Rock Farm this year. “Our story has been all around the state [championship]. Since we didn’t win state our sophomore year, we have been striving to be at the top at Rim Rock,” varsity senior Harry Schroeder said. “Aaron Thornburg and the rest of the team pushed us every day to work harder toward our goal.” The cross country team dominated the regular season, placing first in both league and regional races. In an impressive showing, the boys placed third in September at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota. “It was a huge accomplishment to take third at Griak,” Schroeder said. “There are three times as many people in that race than any other race in the season. That’s when we realized we had a pretty phenomenal team this year.”

GIRLS’ BOWLING

PHOTO BY DAVID FREYERMUTH

FOOTBALL With a rough start to the season after losing several games in a row, the varsity Cougar football team fought for the title of regional champion. “At the beginning of the season, we weren’t playing together like an actual team,” senior fullback Tyler Gilliam said. “About the fourth game in, we started playing like the teammates and brothers we really are.” After climbing out of their rut, the Cougars won multiple back-to-back games, including one against rival SM West, which qualified the team for the regional finals. The team won the nail-biter 14-10. Senior quarterback Stephen Mangelsdorf helped lead the team to a close victory. “We were down for most of the game against West,” Mangelsdorf said. “We came back and got a touchdown in the fourth quarter to become regional champions.” With the end of their last season for NW football in the fall, the seniors had time to reflect on their final games as Cougars. “I’m going to miss all of the coaches and managers,” Gilliam said. “It was amazing meeting so many people and making friends I can rely on.”

LISTEN TO YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT BOYS. THEY ARE NORMALLY RIGHT.” / Kathryn Hansen

PEOPLE REMEMBER YOU MORE FOR YOUR KINDNESS THAN YOUR MISTAKES OR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT. OR MAYBE THAT TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT YOU NEED TO BE AGGRESSIVE.” / Elizabeth Cummings

PHOTO BY HANNA MEIGS

DON’T RUN TOO CLOSE TO PEOPLE IN THE BASEMENT WHILE TRYING TO MAKE IT TO CLASS ON TIME. YOU WILL FALL AND IT WILL BE MORTIFYING.” / Siobhan Barrett

DON’T SKIP POPLAU’S CCC CLASS — HE WILL ALWAYS FIND OUT.” / Sara Prusik

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forgot your camera? we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. check out:

PHOTO BY SHEA DRUMMOND

new start

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

written and sung by Daniel Fry

In just a month and a couple days We’ll be left and gone all our separate ways And if truth be told, no matter what I say I’m gonna miss this place and the friends I made I hate good byes, it means cutting ties with old friends But not this time, this goodbye is not the end. A new start’s awaiting me but there’s no place I’d rather be Than sharing these last memories with you. The time has come for us to part, but you’ll always hold a place in my heart. Well I’ve made mistakes and lost friendships too But I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of you I hate goodbyes, it means cutting ties with old friends But not this time, this goodbye is not the end. A new start’s awaiting me but there’s no place I’d rather be Than sharing these last memories with you. The time has come for us to part, but you’ll always hold a place in my heart. So here’s to you and the rest of your lives And I wanna thank you for being a part of mine

I’m looking forward to…

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.” / Kaitlyn Carl

THE NEW EXPERIENCES THAT COLLEGE WILL BRING.”

/ Courtney Faber

LIVING OUT MY DREAMS” / James Brann

1 PHOTO BY BRITTANY BONSIGNORE

THIS YEAR IN PHOTOS PHOTO BY SARAH DEAN

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

4 PHOTO BY DANIEL MAGWIRE

PHOTO BY BAILEY KOPP

PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

PHOTO BY MICHELLE STUESSI

PHOTO BY DANIEL MAGWIRE

7 8 6 PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

1 Junior Ty Thompson / 2 Senior Navid Rafizadeh / 3 Seniors Claire Martin and Hailey Esch in Once Upon a Mattress. / 4 Senior Olivia Rezac / 5 Sophomore Mitch Nolan / 6 Senior Daniel Fry in the talent show / 7 Orchestra director Jef Bishop / 8 Butterfly tagging Environmental Ed / 9 Girls’ swim practice / 10 Freshman Zoe Ziegenhorn in marching band / 11 Sophomore Clayton Henderson PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON

9 10 11

PHOTO BY ARA CHO