NW PASSAGE
The New Phone Policy is What We Needed
The Board of Education approved a new phone policy
Photo by Kara Simpson
Left - Elementary student gets handed back a piece of paper Jan. 27 in the Art Wing.
Photo by Andie Berg
Above - Sophomore Holly Cox and junior Camila Mendoza work on signs for the upcoming musical “Chicago” Jan. 30 in Room 6.
Photo by Finn Bedell
Left - After placing third in the breaststroke competition, freshman Caleb Barikmo shakes swim coach Ryan Lee’s hand Jan. 11 at the SM Aquatic Center. A breaststroke competition is held every year at the Will Ensley Invitational. “I raced my heart out,” Barikmo said. “I was trying to beat the guy right next to me.”
Photo by Cooper Evans
Below - An elementary student votes on an art project Jan. 27 in the Art Wing.
Nights that make me forget about the unfinished homework that was due yesterday | By Sophia Ragan
The Northwest feeder art showcase and what it has to offer | By Sophia Ragan
Northwests theater, dance and orchestra departments gear up for teen rendition of Chicago in late February | By Sofia Ball
WINTER- TAINMENT
Winter break was extended by three straight days this year, so what were students doing in their free time | By Hope Hunt
What It Takes To Heal
A er two devastating injuries, Level-10 gymnast Tessa Brocker is ready to go back | By Harper Ward
PUBLICATION OVERSIGHT
Editor-In-Chief Grace Rau
Managing Editor Bella Alvarado
Copy Editor Sofia Ball
Design Editor Greta Grist
Photo Editor Addison Griswold
Photo Editor Kara Simpson
Online Manager Bella Alvarado
WRITERS DESIGNERS
Grace Rau Bella Alvarado
Emma Wyckoff Kennedy Woolf
Jesus Lara Rivera Greta Grist
Hope Hunt Grace Amador
Sage McCarthy
Sofia Ball ADVISER
Sophia Ragan Chris Heady
Harper Ward
Brynna Elmer
Annabel Hall
Cover by Kara Simpson
Shawnee Mission Northwest Highschool, 12701 W 67th St, Shawnee, KS, 66216
Burning Burning
Pages Pages
Story by Grace Rau | Design by Grace Amador
This year, teachers are using paper faster than usual
Freshman social studies
teacher Jennifer Mattson has eight units in her world regionals class. Eight units, each with a notes packet containing about seven or eight pages.
In total, Mattson has 137 students. Which means she will use around 8,000 pieces of paper each year — and that’s not including tests or copies she makes for students who lose their notes.
Paper is an essential part of school, and both students and teachers use it every day. This year, though, Northwest has seen a surge in paper usage in comparison to years prior.
On December 18, Shawnee Mission Northwest principal Dr. Lisa Gruman sent an email to staff saying that the school is “running through [the] copy budget at an alarming rate.” The email stated that, by the end of November, the school had already used 44% of the yearly paper budget.
When teachers like Mattson want to give their students anything on paper, they are encouraged to use the school’s print shop — PaperCut MF. But the print shop may take weeks to deliver copies to teachers, especially at the beginning of the year.
“Other teachers were saying the print shop was a month behind,” English teacher Ben Pabst said. “So I just didn’t even think about using it.”
Sometimes orders don’t arrive on time, or teachers need copies right away. When this happens, they use the building’s printer.
“There was a concern that we were going through the budget too quickly,” Mattson said. “We have to be, you know, a little more
conservative this semester so that we don’t over-extend our budget.”
But why the uptick in paper usage?
Mattson thinks that, for her class in particular, it’s important for freshmen to have physical notes to use instead of devices. While MacBooks are useful and could replace paper, she finds a common issue with them.
“Here’s the problem: a lot of kids don’t charge their devices, or they forget their device,” Mattson said. “You can’t really have them just sitting there.”
Paper copies work whether students have a full MacBook battery or not. She also finds that they keep students engaged, and on-task.
“To complicate this whole thing, there’s AI,” Pabst said. “And there’s a tremendous amount of cheating that happens on the computer.”
Assignments on paper can help prevent this, and, with the rising push to move away from technology in the recent phone policy, paper copies may be more present than ever.
“I honestly see Canvas work as antithetical against our mission, against my mission,” Pabst said. “I try to keep it analog as much as I can.”
Gruman doesn’t know if the uptick in paper usage is because teachers are reverting back to physical assignments rather than digital. She reassures that the re is enough funds in the school’s paper budget to last the year, but teachers have been still told to use their paper wisely.
“Just know we’ll be okay with the paper,” Gruman says.
Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now”
This message appeared on millions of American TikTok user’s’ screens on Jan. 18, 2025. A few days prior, the United States Supreme Court upheld a ruling against the company in a free speech suit, and TikTok temporarily went offline for barely over 12 hours before returning to Americans’ phones.
TikTok was facing a bill that gave ByteDance — TikTok’s Chinese parent company — until Jan. 19 to sell the company under fear of it sharing users’ data with the Chinese government. TikTok has denied any claims of this.
On Jan. 20, newly-elected president Donald Trump
The Shawnee Mission School District has allocated $2.6 million — 0.54% of the SMSD 2024-25 budget — to the purchase of and training for wearable bluetooth “panic buttons.” Buttons will be located on teacher’s badges and, when pressed three times, it alerts administration that help is needed. When pressed eight times, it warns of serious danger, and the school will be locked down and law enforcement called.
The Shawnee Mission school board unanimously approved the purchase last fall. After the five year contract with the company Centegix, the district will pay $500,000 annually.
issued an executive order on his first day in office to grant a 75-day extension on the TikTok banning decision. The extension will end on April 5. The government will then be forced to make a decision regarding TikTok’s status.
At a rally on Jan. 19, Trump suggested that the United States own 50% of TikTok in what he called a “joint venture.” Others, such as Jimmy Donaldson, also known as MrBeast, and Kevin O’Leary, a “Shark Tank” investor, have also expressed interest in buying TikTok.
As of now, there have been no public and formal offers made for the purchase of TikTok, and the app’s future remains uncertain.
TIKTOK’S future remains uncertain... TIKTOK’S District Purchases $2.8 Million Panic Buttons
In 2024, the year of the school board’s decision, there were a record-high of 83 school shootings in the United States that left 38 dead and at least 116 injured, according to CNN. Gun violence is now also the leading cause of death for both children and teens, according to the CDC. Centegix’s website says that, when pressed, panic buttons “instantly [reach] administrators and responders, displaying a map of who needs help and where they are located.”
Shawnee Mission Northwest principal Lisa Gruman has not received any additional information as to when training and implementation of panic buttons will occur.
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AND HEAD FOOTBALL COACH RETIRES
Both athletic director Angelo Giacalone and head football coach Bo Black announced their retirements recently on social media and in an SMSD Board meeting.
Giacalone has worked at Northwest for 17 years, 13 of which were spent as the school’s athletic director.
“I believe in the black and orange,” Giacalone said. “Both my kids grew up [and] went to Shawnee Mission Northwest, and I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity.”
Administration began reviewing applicants for the athletic director position Jan. 27, but as of now, no one has been selected.
Black will be leaving his position as the head football coach of ten years. Though his coaching career at Northwest had a “rough start,” the varsity Cougar football team were regional champions this season, and finished with an 8-3 record. This is the third regional
championship the Cougars have won since Black took his position as head coach.
“I’m proud of how we got the football program turned around and moving in the right directions,” Black said. “I’m really proud of a lot of kids that have come through here and grown up, moving on to be successful past the hallways of Shawnee Mission Northwest.”
Black has coached at a total of four different high schools over a span of 29 years, and is now retiring from coaching. He will be returning to teach Northwest’s weight class.
Kurt Webster, Cougars offensive coordinator this year, will be taking over as head football coach in the 2025 season.
Story by Grace Rau
During the first assembly, Athletic Director Angelo Giacalone gives a speech to northwest students Aug. 22 in the Main Gym. Photo by Cooper Evans
SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST VARSITY WRESTLING TEAM TAKES SNOW DAY DETOUR
On Jan. 2, the boys and girls varsity wrestling teams went to Allen, Tex. for a meet, with the girls team placing sixth out of 32 schools and the boys team placing 15th out of 37.
Around the middle of the meet on the fourth, the team realized they might not make it home because of the snow storm and road closures.
They eventually decided to make part of the drive and ended up in Miami, Okla., where they were stuck for an additional two nights.
“There was a little bit of excitement because I thought it would be kinda fun,” freshman Raegan Irwin said. “But also it was a little bit nerve wracking cause, my parents were like ‘what’s the plan, what’s going to happen?’ So I was more go with the flow, let’s see what happens and we’ll get there when we get there.”
During those two nights, the wrestling teams stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, where they had four to six kids to a room which occasionally resulted in tension.
“At one point I just locked the room door and colored in one of the coloring books,” junior Cadence Dearing said. “I just needed my personal space.”
They had a team meal at Braum’s, and, thanks to previous fundraising, the cost was not a major issue.
“The school ended up helping us out because it was an emergency situation.” wrestling coach Zachery Davies said.
Aside from the inconvenience, the setback became a great team bonding experience.
“I think it was definitely a fun and good experience overall and could have helped the team to bond closer together,” senior Luke Gregory said.
The wrestling teams played card games and Among Us. They made several runs to a Dollar Tree located near their hotel, buying more games and coloring books for entertainment. The boys team also bought several scratch-off tickets: no one won big.
The teams went to the hotel pool.
“At one point we had like, 20 people in the hot tub,” senior Adam Hageman said.
The team returned home on Jan. 6th, once the major roads reopened.
SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST
SWIM TEAM SETS NEW RECORDS
Twins Max and Gabe Cavin are home-schooled seniors who swim varsity at Shawnee Mission Northwest. They and their teammates broke several school records at recent swim meets.
The new record for the 200-yard Free Relay is 1:27.08. The Cavins swam with team members Mac Herbst and Trey DeHaven to break the previous record on Jan. 26. This is the second time the team has broken the record this season.
On Jan. 13, at the Will Ensley Invitational meet, named in honor of the former SMNW swimmer who died in 2023, Max Cavin went on to break another school record in the individual 100-yard butterfly with a time of 51.60; the record stood for 24 years at 52.09.
“I mean, I was really happy,” Max said. “I’ve been trying to go for that record for a while now and that’s kind of my ultimate goal, but now that I’ve got that it’s really whatever I want now.”
Swim coach Ryan Lee expressed how proud he was of Cavin’s dedication and work ethic prior to breaking the record in the 100-yard butterfly.
“There was this one Saturday, we did a 75 butterfly, where we had the goal, the target was the record, and he absolutely smashed it, and I just, I walked away from that practice knowing it’s done, it’s over,” Coach Lee said.
Cavin now aims to win state for both the 100-yard butterfly and his 50-yard freestyle.
“I wanna win state,” Max said.
Story by Brynna Elmer
Story
by Brynna Elmer
SMSD Board of Education Passes New Cell Phone Policy
Story by Jesus Lara Rivera
On Jan. 13, 2025, the SMSD Board of Education met in the Center for Academic Achievement where they officially approved a new board policy that prohibits the use of cell phones and non district issued electronic devices during instructional time.
Access to devices is only permitted during passing periods and inside the cafeteria.
Cell phones, smart watches, music and media players, headphones, earbuds, speakers and gaming devices have all
been named in the policy. This also applies whenever students are on field trips or schoolsponsored activities.
Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action, ranging from informal talks with teachers or administration to in-school suspension. The Board of Education has been planning, remaking and editing the policy for the last two years. The vote was 6/1.
The policy went into effect Feb. 3, 2025, and will apply to every school in the Shawnee Mission School District.
New E-Hall Pass System Enacted
Story & Design by Grace Rau
At the start of the semester, Shawnee Mission Northwest fully-converted to E-hall passes. This fall, administration began converting to e-hall passes in seminars, and now they have fully replaced the paper pass system that was in place before. The school is now using Securly Pass, an online site that describes itself as a “cloudbased contactless digital hall pass system,” which students access through Classlink.
“It was just a way to monitor who’s in the halls, how long they’re in the halls, how many people are out all at the same time and manage some of that traffic,” Northwest principal Lisa Gruman said.
The passes track where students are headed and how long they have been out of
the classroom, which allows administration to pinpoint students who are misusing passes.
“It allows the building to see how often kids are missing and how much time they’re missing from class,” associate principal Britton Haney said. “So when we have parent meetings [and] a student is struggling, we can kind of point out that always during math they take 25 minutes off during the class period to go to the restroom.”
Associate principal Britton Haney is overseeing the new program. According to Haney, the E-hall pass system has been a success. He says that E-hall passes are now being used across the school district.
As far as Gruman knows, the E-hall passes are here to stay.
The New Phone Policy Is WHAT WE NEEDED
The Board of Education approved a new policy, but is it going too far?
On Jan. 13, 2025, the Shawnee Mission School District Board of Education officially approved a new board policy that prohibits the use of cell phones and any non district-issued electronic devices during instructional time.
Not every student is going to agree with the policy, the Northwest Passage believes the policy is actually a good thing.
SMSD joins Olathe, DeSoto, Blue Valley and Mill Valley school districts who have already passed some sort of phone policy that bans or restricts their use in class. According to a research poll by researchers at KFF (an informational organization), since Jan. 17, eight states have officially passed statewide bans or restrictions on cell phones, including California, Florida and Minnesota.
Phones are a distraction from class. They constantly ring with notifications from apps like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. They have multiple addictive games that pull your attention away from class.
Each teacher only has about 45 to 90 minutes with each class, which means every minute needs to be used wisely, something that is hard to do when students are immersed in their phones.
By putting phones away, students lower
the amount of distractions at their reach, allowing for more class engagement and likely more social interactions between peers.
According to The Derek Bok Center For Teaching and Learning, a faculty support resource by Harvard University, about 80% of students agreed that multitasking, whether that be texting and taking notes or listening to two things at once, decreased their ability to focus, and so test scores typically took a hit. Phones might be fun, but they are a distraction that hurts learning more than they help.
The phone policy contains many good points that could make the Northwest community stronger and more connected by preventing in-class distractions, increasing student involvement and creating more opportunities for socialization.
Phones might not be the sole reason for anti-socialness, phones still hold some responsibility. Many students find it more comfortable to scroll through social media rather than interact with their peers. By removing phones, students may be pushed to talk with others around them, something that could strengthen the Northwest community
While the policy is pushing to make things better, there are a couple notes that would
The Vote
A staff editorial is an opinion piece crafted by a single writer and voted on by the entire staff of the NW Passage. It is not an unbiased news article, but an opinion piece tackling a major issue. Here is how the NW Passage voted on this editorial.
14 / 2 / 0 disagree
Design by Greta Grist
make it more accessible and approachable. Seminar, a period meant to be a study hour, isn’t always used like that. The phone policy could help students who have missing assignments or things to study get on task and concentrate, it takes away phones and earbuds from the students who are doing just fine.
During seminar, students aren’t receiving needed class instruction, which means that during this period phones would not be impeding any sort of learning. Seminar is a study period for a reason, and while phones might be distracting, students should have the choice to use their phones during this period.
The policy might not be perfect, the idea behind it is good and well meaning. A policy like this one is attempting to make class time more interactive and more productive. Phones are a distraction and should be put away during class, having an education is a privilege not everyone has. As students, we should do our part and take advantage of it. Having phones might be all fun and games as students, we need to realize that putting them away is actually a good thing. Class time should be used for class time, not scrolling on your phone.
I think it’s ultimately going to make having our phones out more tempting.
- Zadie Tenpenny, Junior
I think it’s a good idea in theory but they are going about it wrong.
- Vera Roos, Freshman
F o r m a l w e a r A l t e r a t i o n s B y S h a r o n C O U T U R E A L T E R A T I O N S
T h i s s m a l l b u s i n e s s i s l o c a l a n d
S h a r o n h a s 1 5 y e a r s o f e x p e r i e n c e
i n a l t e r i n g .
C o u t u r e A l t e r a t i o n s h a s a l o n g
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a n d f a m i l y f o r m a l w e a r a n d l e t t e r
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C o n t a c t : 9 1 3 - 6 3 4 - 4 9 9 6
L o c a t i o n : 1 1 9 6 1 J o h n s o n D r , S h a w n e e ,
Forks Down: COMFORT FOOD EDITION
To celebrate the colder months, we asked students to submit their favorite comfort foods to our Instagram. Two of our staff writers attempted to make these recipes at home.
Story by Sofia Ball & Grace Rau | Design by Sofia Ball | Photos by Finn Bedell
Our twice baked potatoes were creamy and cheesy, and would pair nicely with a warm stew. This recipe is a nice twist on your traditional baked potato, and adds a richness that would otherwise be lacking.
While we didn’t have any bacon bits to sprinkle on top, we used fried ham, which was a good substitute. We also had to swap cheddar for mozzarella, since all our cheddar was used in the baked mac and cheese! Cheddar would have brought a stronger flavor, but it still tasted nice with mozzarella.
The recipe didn’t call for it, but to add more flavor, the potatoes could be coated in olive oil and salt before being baked in the oven.
We added dill, but sprinkled chives would also a great garlic-y addition to contrast with the sour cream.
This mac and cheese was lacking in nearly all departments.
First off, it should call for more salt and another cup or two of cheddar. The top layer of noodles were crunchy, not crispy, and could have been boiled for a few minutes longer to reach tenderness.
And shredded cheese also should be sprinkled on top for a gooey crust. It’s really hard to mess up mac and cheese, yet somehow we did.
Straight out of the oven, there was no cheese pull and it was really tough to serve up. This is probably because our milk, egg and butter mixture congealed on the pan’s bottom and sides, forming chewy, flavorless barriers between shell noodles.
This dish had good overall visual appeal, but was ultimately bland and disappointing. Next time I’d skip the fancy oven baked stuff altogether and stick to Kraft. Or find a better recipe.
MisoSoup
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese dish made with fermented soybean paste broth. Our miso soup came in a packet from Sprouts.
We added diced tofu and green onions to the powdered soup mixture, which already contained seaweed. This soup was really easy to make, but it mostly tasted like salty water, and separated easily. We could have used less water than the packet called for, since it was diluted and grainy.
MacnCheese
Not Love Island
My first trip to a foreign country, Belize
Story & Design by Emma Wyckoff
Of course I went to a foreign country with my ex-boyfriend. What 16-year-old wouldn’t?
Every year, my church, Crest Bible Church, goes on a mission trip to Belize. But for the first time, they offered that to the youth group.
Two years ago, I was looking forward to it so much. I had never been out of the country before. The plane tickets were bought, money was saved up, and I had already taken off work.
But the week before, I was stressing because me and, let’s call him “David,” had just broken up.
I was packing until 1:00 a.m. and at the airport by 4:30 a.m. in the freaking morning. The whole group was already waiting in front of the United Airlines gate.
I stood as far from him as possible. I said goodbye to my mom, went through security and we were in the air, on our way to Belize.
Eleven days with him in Belize. Great.
I’ve known David my whole life from church. He was best friends with my cousin and brother, and I always tagged along because I thought they were cool.
months, always at the church. He and his grandpa cleaned the church every week, and David invited me. After that, every Saturday, that’s where I was, cleaning the church with him and his grandpa. We almost always went to Sonic afterwards for ice cream.
On one of those days, in a hallway, he finally asked me to be his girlfriend at the end of July. ***
The first three days in Belize were great. Riding the bus, I could face the window and look at tropical trees, run down buildings, taco stands, homes, hundreds of stray dogs and horses. Everything was so different, and I wanted to soak it all in.
It didn’t even matter that he was 10 feet away from me. I was fine ignoring him.
The plan was to get to know the families we were staying with and “become Belizians.” We were going to perform a skit of the Bible story “Daniel and the Lion’s Den” and help with the kids ministry. There was a three-day conference at the end of the trip. That was our main reason for going. Us youth led small groups with the kids, while the leaders preached about Creation, save a few older youth.
don’t know how that would work. I mean, I can’t even look at you.”
I notice the last few adults looking and waiting for us to leave.
“We gotta go,” I say, and immediately walk towards the bus.
This time, instead of taking in how amazing Belize is, I stare blankly out the bus window as tears silently stream down my face.
Since that conversation, I couldn’t focus. My mind was stuck on everything that went down between us and how pissed I was because he wanted me to forget everything he did so we could be besties.
His parents weren’t any better.
They saw this trip as an opportunity to push us back together.
This was a mission trip for goodness sakes. Not love island.
So, of course, David had to come talk to me on the fourth day.
We had finished the skit and at least 50 kids were all playing around the little pavilion in the 100-degree heat.
“Hey Emma, can we talk?”
I nod, follow him over to the side of the stage, and sit on the sandy concrete ledge, making sure there’s a good distance between us. I kept my eyes on a large group of young boys kicking a soccer ball around while he talked. I can’t look at him. Every time I try to, I cringe and look back at the kids.
He’s telling me he wants to be friends.
Why would I want to be friends? We literally just broke up.
Instead, I mumble something like “Yeah I get what you’re saying but I
I’d literally never felt so alone in my life.
My mom, the only person who would understand, was 2,000 miles away in another country. The only people I felt I could talk to were my cousin and his girlfriend, but I didn’t want to be that awkward third wheel.
My cousin’s girlfriend Ivanna and I lived together, so she was my rock, and I spilled my guts to her about everything. I don’t know what I would’ve done without her.
The whole trip wasn’t horrible, though. My host family was so sweet, kind-hearted and loved and relied on the Lord to provide for them. I loved going to church on Sunday and listening to the people worship God. But I had no idea what they were singing because it was all in Spanish.
I’m glad the drama didn’t dampen any of the other positive experiences I had or the relationships I made there. The people there were like another family to me and were truly the best part of my trip.
So yeah, my trip was sort of ruined but that’s okay. I’m still going again next year.
SNACK SHAK
PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY
“Don’t just take senior photos, lets capture memories that will last a lifetime”
99¢ Fountain drink with SMNW ID
99¢ Fountain drink with SMNW ID
99¢ Fountain drink with SMNW ID
Sip A Beer Sip A Shirley
Story & Design by Sophia Ragan
Nights that make me forget about the unfinshed homework that was due yesterday
My dad leaned over and said to me in his version of a whisper: “Those two are either on their first or second date.”
“Definitely first,” I said, turning and smiling up at him.
Red Door was pretty empty — not super surprising considering it was 8:30 p.m. on a Wednesday.
My dad wanted to take me out to celebrate my birthday, the big 16, despite having volleyball practice from six to eight — prime dinner time. I would have been perfectly happy anywhere, but going to Red Door and sitting at the bar instead of a table made it so much better.
It’s our thing: people-watching while he sips a beer and I sip a Shirley Temple.
Almost like an unspoken tradition.
The “tradition” usually isn’t at Red Door, though. Most of the time we walk across the street from his house to Jerry’s Bait Shop, which despite having a fish logo, is a place for beer not bait.
Jerry’s has been a staple in our family for as long as I can remember. Jerry’s porch has a mural wrapped around its walls — a big Jerry’s sign, fish and all, severely cracked with age, along with palm trees and halfnaked women. The bar's walls are full of liquor advertising, like the random Jack Daniels surfboard. Christmas lights are hung throughout the whole bar, and on some nights, they shine a dim light on local bands who play on the stage at the front of the bar. On Wednesdays and Thursday nights, jam night, you can barely get a seat, and personal space is out the window.
Jerry’s is where my dad bartended for seven years before I was born — and started to again recently.It’s where my parents met.
It’s where I’ve been told, “Wow, you’ve grown so much since I last saw you!”
Or, “You probably don’t remember me — I haven’t seen you since you were this tall.”
Or, my personal favorite: “Oh my god, is this your kid — you look exactly like your dad.”
All by the people who hug my dad or shake his hand whenever we go, and people I swear I’ve never met.
Since my parents split, my dad has always tried to make living at his house the best it can be even if my sister and I don’t care how we’re living as long has we get to be with him. The problem with that, though, is he always wants to know everything about anything — which I understand but also I have a ton of homework piling up and I don’t really like talking about really deep stuff with anyone. That’s why I love going out to Jerry’s.
I get to see another side of my dad that I don’t see often enough, when he’s having fun seeing his friends and getting to introduce me to people, and I get a chance to be by his side without having to worry that he’s going to want to talk about something really important that’s going on.
At Jerry’s it's just music and faces I’ve never met.
I mean seriously, there are people picking up and getting hammered at this bar who are
gray and wrinkled — it’s comical, and a great place for me to go with my dad. But there are also nights when a random group of twentysomethings come in and have no idea what they’re getting into — or they’re forced to come with their friends.
That happened one night when my dad and I went. There were two girls and I can’t remember how many guys. The first girl was there for a little bit before everyone else showed up, but then her friend got there.
She was in a lime green top and jeans — very glammed up and had loads of makeup on and chatting with the guys. Her friend, though, was sitting at the bar just listening to the conversation.
I leaned over to my dad, pointing to the girl in lime green, and said, “She made that girl come tonight and she only came because that girl made her.”
He laughed and agreed.
Every time, without fail, we do this. Our perfect little tradition.
Sophomore Sophia Ragan laughs with her dad Christian Ragan Jan. 22 at Jerry’s Bait Shop.
Photo by Finn Bedell
No Touching
The Northwest Feeder Art Showcase and what it has to o er
Story by Sophia Ragan | Design by Bella Alvarado
Crowded into the Northwest art hallways on Monday, Jan. 27, parents, kids, grandparents and teachers filed in to see art from Broken Arrow, Mill Creek, Benninghoven, Ray Marsh, Shawanoe, Trailridge and Shawnee Mission Northwest.
Wading through the two hallways, the sounds of whispers and hushed tones and “no touching” bounced off of the oil paintings, drawings, and sculptures.
The Northwest Feeder Art Showcase is a chance for the elementary schools and the middle school that feed into Shawnee Mission Northwest to come together and showcase art collectively. The hallways were set up with a view of all the elementary schools in the hallway without classrooms and Trailridge and Northwest in the other. The show is meant to bring the schools together and for all of the art to be seen and appreciated.
The art classrooms were being used as well. One of SMNW art teachers Kimberly Ruttan’s room had coloring, origami and
scratch art. Another Northwest art teacher Stephanie Kates’ room was being used for pendant making and students from the ceramics class could teach the kids how to spin clay.
“We have interactive activities so all the visitors can have fun and experience making art,” said Kates.
Northwest art students, like seniors Lily Klein and Sophie Delaney, freshman Halley Ledbetter and many others, volunteered to help out with the kids and in the different art rooms throughout the night.
Walking down the hallways, the different colors are eye-catching, contrasting to the dark black background they all lay on, and the types of art on the wall. Some are whimsical, vibrant and bright and then there’s the silly and cute elementary art.
In the Northwest and Trailridge section, “oohs” and “ahhs” reverberate off of the walls from the kids and grandparents around.
Of course, the kids’ parents also praise their child’s work — or their friends’.
“Well, we’re here to look at some art,” William Crosbie said as his daughter, Wilson, pulled him toward another section.
Almost every person has a little rainbowslotted paper and pen to vote on the art as they walk around.
There will be a first and second-place winner for the elementary schools, middle school, and Shawnee Mission Northwest. First place will get a certificate and art supplies, second place will get a certificate.
The elementary winners are: first-place, from Benninghoven is Milo Rummans for “Great Wave Milo’s Version.” Second-place, from Mill Creek, goes to Pepper Thorton for “Paper Relief.”
The Trailridge winners are: first-place is awarded to “Crumble Cookie.” Second-place is Jeryn Eskew for “Neurographic Art.”
And finally, the Shawnee Mission Northwest winners are: first-place goes to Otto Byrds for “Weeping Goddess.” And second-place is Lily Klein for “#185”.
Senior Gillian Shockley draws at the art fair Jan. 27 in Room 9. Shockley volunteered for the art fair through NAHS. “I liked seeing everyone come into the origami room and the coloring room area and seeing the kids enjoy all the art in the room,” Shockley said. “As well as people voting on the art which I thought was a good way to cause interaction between the artwork and the people who were looking at it.”
Photo by Maddi Roof
Helping an elementary student, junior Esther Santana Perez puts both hands on the clay Jan. 27 in Room A. Santana Perez was helping with ceramics for the art show. “,” Santana Perez said. Photo by Andie Berg
Elementary student flips through voting papers for the art show Jan. 27 in the Art Wing.
Photo by Andie Berg
Senior Otto Brynds’ artwork named “Manipūra Āga.”
Senior Otto Brynds’ artwork named “The Weeping Bubbles”.
Senior Otto Brynds’ artwork named “Starlit Reverie.”
Story by Sofia Ball Designed by Kennedy Woolf
28 Days
On Jan. 22 students filtered into the auditorium for after-school rehearsal.
Some plopped their backpacks down and leaned against the red theater seats.
Others were running back and forth between the dressing room.
About two dozen teenagers lined up on the stage in neat-ish rows doing high knees, butt kicks and jumping jacks.
Someone was tinkering with sound; the speaker wasn’t working.
“Be so for real right now — I’m gonna lose it,” a choreographer shouted.
Costumes were not ready.
The pit had not yet been put in.
There were still dances to be learned.
Only 28 more days.
Chicago is one of the most recognizable musicals in theater history, and debuted on Broadway in 1975. This cult classic is set in the Chicago jazz age, and was chosen by director and theater teacher Shawnasea Holst last year mid-semester.
The story — based on true events — centers around Roxie Hart, a conniving housewife, and Velma Kelly, a renowned vaudeville star. The rivals meet in jail while awaiting the trials of their alleged murders. This musical is a satirical take on how celebrity culture and scandal-driven media have corrupted the criminal justice system.
“It’s murdery,” Holst said. “And it’s notoriously provocative, which we’re trying to minimize because these are children on stage.”
Thespian Troupe 888’s rendition of Chicago is the teen version, which has been altered to include less sexual innuendo, drug use and inappropriate language for younger talent and viewing audiences.
Fosse — created by American choreographer, dancer and director Bob Fosse — is a major style of dance being implemented that is also widely associated with Chicago. It’s typically known for its use of sensual angular movements, finger snapping, jazz hands, bowler hats and more.
“I’ve done three shows now at Northwest, all musicals,” senior Luke Dent, who plays the male lead, Billy Flynn said. “Every time it seems like the singing or acting are taking precedence, but Chicago is the biggest dance heavy show we’ve done since I’ve been here. It’s a massive undertaking because we now have two choreographers, very difficult choreography and long songs. So the majority of our time has been put towards learning all these dances and cleaning them up.”
Even though the musical gained popularity in the 1970s and again after the 2002 movie adaptation, a lot of well-known songs stem from Chicago, like “We Both Reached For the Gun” and “All That Jazz.”
Rehearsals began after Thanksgiving break. Since then, students have been busy working on tap routines, designing sets and memorizing lines.
“We have 50 years worth of history in this building and we’ve done some risque shows here –Cabaret, which is, you know, Chicago plus Nazis – but Chicago has not been among them,” Holst. “We have close to 100 students involved in the production, and it’s not just theater, it’s so many different departments coming together. We’ve got choir kids, dance team band and orchestra students working together. That’s the coolest thing about it.”
Northwests theater, dance and orchestra departments gear up for their rendition of Chicago
“ I’ve
always been into fashion, and Barbies as a kid, so this job feels fitting to me.
Chicago’s debut will be on Feb. 20-22 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium.
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”
Junior Raegan Estes
2/20 2/21 2/22
Sophomore Reagan Estes, one of the head costume directors, has been working on, and upcycling a lot of the costumes for Chicago. She finds costumes to be more of a hobby, and her first show working on and making costumes was last year, for Puffs the musical. Her favorite costume for Chicago is the red dress sophomore Louisa Bartlett wears.
Winter - tainment
Winter break was extended by three days this year, so what were students doing in their free time? Story by Hope Hunt | Design by Greta Grist
Last year the Shawnee Mission School District lengthened winter break by three snow days. Due to the blizzard most students were stuck at home, here’s what was the most popular media consumed.
Sophomore Bruce Bustamante dug deeper into old tunes during winter. His favorite was the English rock band, Pink Floyd.
“There’s not really a band that’s like them. The albums they’ve put out don’t have any bad songs. The chord progressions are very nice,” Bustamante said. His top three songs from Pink Floyd are:
MUSIC
Breathe (In the Air) | Us and Them
The Great Gig in the Sky
MOVIES
Freshman Vera Roos watched the marvel movies in chronological order during her break with her dad. Her favorite was “Avengers: Infinity War.”
“It was really interesting, and it was one of those movies that demonstrates ‘time flies when you’re having
fun’ because it keeps you on the edge of your seat making guesses about what will happen next,” Roos said.
Avengers: Infinity War
TV SHOWS
Sophomore Wendy Vazquez Pena saw a variety of shows over break. “I watched ‘Squid Games’ when we got snowed in and it was a lot better than I expected,” Vazquez Pena said. She also watched some anime.
“There’s a new one called ‘Dandadadan,’ it’s very
silly. I like the story behind a lot of them. I also love the animation style, they are all special in their own way!”
Dandadadan | Squid Games
VIDEO GAMES
With free time during break, junior Jax Szerwinski played a lot of video games. His top three games are:
1: “Ready or Not”
2: “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor”
3: “Super Smash Bros Ultimate”
His favorite was “Survivor,” a sequel to “Jedi: Fallen Order.”
“I feel like survivor brings a lot of features to the game that makes it feel like a perfect upgrade to the previous game,” Szerwinski said. He really enjoys the combat, because there were new enemies and weapon types.
or Not | Star Wars Jedi: Survivor | Super Smash Bros Ultimate
tainment BALLOONERISM REVIEW
On Jan. 17, Larry Fisherman released Mac Miller’s seventh album called Balloonerism.
This album was recorded a little over a decade ago in 2014 with unfinished songs. It was released three years after Mac Miller’s album “I Love Life, Thank You”, the fourth fulllength album released since Miller’s unfortunate passing. When Mac Miller’s team said that they were dropping an album from him this year, I was shocked.
Balloonerism is such a versatile album, opening with “Tambourine Dream.” I have to say my favorite song on the album is “DJ’s Chord Organ”, featuring SZA. This piece is so calming, yet has a beat that keeps it from getting boring. Listening to it feels almost euphoric in a way. I might be a little biased about this being my favorite because SZA was my top artist last year, but their voices and the way Mac Miller sings blends so well.
This album reminded me a lot of SZA’s EP called “Z,” which was released in 2014. Balloonerism has a way that makes you feel immersed in the music, like you’re in the song. That’s one thing about this album that I really enjoy.
Another song that I recommend is “Funny Papers.” Music is more appealing to me when it tells a story. “Funny Papers” is definitely one of those songs, but you could also say that about any of Mac Miller’s music. I felt like Miller was trying to remind us that music connects everyone in “Funny Papers.” He sings about the people he sees, and how they all come back to music. I think that a message is carried in “Manakins.” The lyrics “we are what we believe in” is sung halfway through in the piece. What I took from this is that people have so much out of reach in their life, and it drains them at the end of the day. I recommend this album for many reasons, one being the fact that each song can be interpreted differently depending on the person.
As someone who hasn’t gotten super into Mac Miller’s music, I think that this album is amazing, and I’m thankful it was released.
THE ERAS OF
Trisha Paytas, social media’s controversial queen, has recently announced that she will be going on tour. Similar to Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, she is calling it “The Eras Of Trish Tour.”
She’s even got the outfit down to the T, wearing the “Lover” bodysuit Taylor wore.
The first performing date will
be Feb. 20, and she’s coming to Uptown Theater located in Kansas City, MO on May 29. Known for her arguable opinions, Trisha has been “canceled” several times over the years. After having her two children, Malibu and Elvis, she has decided to reinvent herself and become a positive platform.
TRISH TOUR
Photo from Spotify
What It Takes To
After two devastating injuries, Level 10 gymnast Tessa Brocker is ready to make a comeback
Story by Harper Ward | Design by Bella Alvarado & Greta Grist
Freshman Tessa Brocker le the first gymnastics meet of her 2025 season limping.
Her Achilles tendon had been bothering her for a couple of years, but it was starting to hurt worse and worse.
Her doctor recommended a platelet-rich plasma procedure, during which they would take blood from her arm and inject it into her Achilles.
But with four more weeks before her second meet, Brocker was starting to have doubts it would even work.
She had to keep herself healthy — another injury like the fracture she had three years ago could be career ending, and she couldn’t afford that. She’s a level 10 gymnast — which means she’s among the best of the best. The only place to go is up: which is a Division-1 college team, then the Olympics.
Thirty hours a week of constant practice, leaving school early just so she could drive out to Gage gym in Springfield, Mo. to receive the best possible training. That was her life then, and she never wanted to give it up again.
“Do you know what your name is?” a coach yelled.
People were starting to crowd around her. The shock of hitting the ground stunned Brocker, then a sixth-grader, into silence.
Then the pain started shooting up her neck.
Days prior, in March 2021, Brocker arrived in Las Vegas, ready for her next gymnastics competition — a warm-up meet to prepare for nationals later that year.
She and her mom shopped and explored the city. They walked past the flashing lights of the Las Vegas Strip and ate at a Mexican restaurant. Brocker sat in their hotel room while her mom slicked back her hair into the perfect bun. Then the whole team met up to carpool to the competition.
“I wanted to go first, to get [my bar routine] out of the way,” Brocker said.
Her first swing went perfectly, her body smoothly twisting around the bar.
The second swing was different. She had just learned a new skill, a blind change into a front giant, a 360-swing over the bar.
This was the first competition it would be used in.
“When I went to the back, my grip slipped,” Brocker said.
Brocker’s coach tried to catch her, but wasn’t quick enough.
She flew head-first toward the ground. Brocker’s face slammed into the blue mat first, body flipping over, contorting her into a backwards C.
An immediate pain shot through her neck, and she felt completely paralyzed.
A coach asked if she knew her name, and concerned spectators crowded around.
“Can I come down there?” Brocker’s mom yelled from the audience.
“Yes, get down here now,” her coach said.
A er a couple of minutes of deliberation, that’s when Brocker heard it.
“
- Freshman Tessa Brocker
“ It was always something I knew I could do. All of a sudden, I had to figure out what else I could do.
They weren’t going to call the ambulance.
“Whenever you have a meet with high levels, you’re supposed to have a doctor, but the meet was so small they didn’t have one,” Brocker said.
She was told the gym didn’t want to get in trouble for it, so they wouldn’t call the ambulance.
So Brocker and her mom le the meet and took an Uber to the hospital.
It wasn’t until they were in the car she realized there was still a piece of the mat stuck in her teeth.
***
Brocker’s mom held her head, trying to keep it steady while the car threw them back and forth. Brocker sobbed. They were being rocked up and down while flashing lights bombarded the windows. It burned her eyes.
At the hospital, Brocker was guided into the nearest wheelchair and told to wait while they prepared some medical tests.
First it was an MRI scan, then she was carted back and forth from tests to waiting rooms to doctors. During a particularly long waiting period, Brocker stood up from her wheelchair to go to the bathroom.
“We don’t want her standing,” a passing nurse said. “She has a neck fracture.”
The news was dropped so casually.
Brocker’s mom immediately started crying. A neck fracture was enough to put a gymnast out for good.
Brocker fell asleep that night in a hospital bed held by her mother, her body tightly packed into a metal brace.
***
The next morning, they booked a flight back to Kansas City. On the plane, the brace dug into her shoulders.
She was able to see a spine doctor and learned that she fractured the C3 bone, the best bone to fracture, they said, if she wanted to continue doing gymnastics.
“I was really happy because it was a sport that I had done my whole life and was good at, so I didn’t want to give it up,” Brocker said. “But I was also terrified of all the bad things that could have happened, [it] just kept going through my head. There was a time my mom wanted me to quit. I kinda wanted to quit.”
Because she was going to be out for a while, Brocker decided to take time to decide if she would continue on with gymnastics.
Six-weeks a er the fall, Brocker attempted her first real practice. She was finally able to go upside down. Still, in the back of her mind was that unrelenting fear, that even though she was progressing and healing, she would never be as good, and she would lose the sport she fell in love with at six years old.
“It was always something I knew I could do,” Brocker said. “All of a sudden, I had to figure out what else I could do.”
Some months later, Brocker was asked to try the skill she failed in Vegas. Shaking, she approached the bars and grabbed the steady wood poles and swung herself upside down.
All she had to do was keep her body straight, then the landing would go perfectly. She let out a long breath and quieted her mind.
Brocker released her hands from the bar
To HEAL
and her feet landed so ly on the mat when her teeth had once sunk into one before.
“That’s when I thought, ‘Oh yeah, I’ll keep doing gymnastics.’” ***
Three days before the second meet of her 2025 season, Tessa was rigorously running her floor routine.
Flipping backwards, her feet pushed into the mats out of her back handspring, and it felt as if the floor underneath her shattered. Whirling through the air, Tessa completely lost where she was and slammed into the tumbling mats below.
The pain was always there, but now it was
blazing up her leg. She was stuck, unable to move as her coach picked her up, and ran her to the ice bucket.
The doctors started with an ultrasound to check for tears, but her ankle was too swollen to tell, so the next step was an MRI.
Then the news came swi and concise, she had torn her Achilles tendon and required surgery.
“When I went to the doctor, he said he’s never seen a 15-year-old tear their Achilles all the way before,” Brocker said.
The fear piled onto Tessa’s shoulders. This would be her first surgery, and recovering from it would be a nightmare, but finally her
Achilles would be fixed and she wouldn’t be in as much pain.
Now, Tessa would be leaving gymnastics for the second time, with a fully torn Achilles tendon. Which means she would be out for six months; the rest of her season.
No more state, no more regionals, no more nationals. She’d be walking on crutches until summer.
She still has hope beyond the doubts and fear.
“I know how fast, and how much better I came back from my neck,” Brocker said. “I know that I’ll be able to come back even stronger from this.”
Freshman Tessa Brocker claps her hands together Nov. 19 in Room 151. Photo by Finn Bedell
MONTH IN
- An elementary student begins painting Jan. 27 in Room 8. All elementary and middle schools were invited to the Art Fair to share
Below -Tackling an opponent, junior Kenzie Etim performs a “head and arm” move Jan. 22 in the SM South Gym. Etim’s goal for the match was to work her moves and get a pin. “I won this match,” Etim said. “I felt good winning this match knowing I was helping my team win the dual.” Photo by Andie Berg
Right - Senior Julie Wheatcroft takes advice from her coach before going out to bowl Jan. 17 at Royal Crest Lanes. Wheatcroft is nearing the end of her first bowling season. “I wish I joined sooner,” Wheatcroft said. “[Bowling] has been really fun.”
- Junior Rowan Bartelt does a double leg on his opponent Jan. 15 in the SM East Gym. A double leg helps wrestlers take down their opponents faster. “I noticed my opponent was not defending his legs,” Bartelt said. “So I [took my] shot and picked him up for the takedown.” PhotobyAndieBerg
Photo by Colin Cummings
Right
Right
their art and do fun activities hosted in different rooms.
Photo by Lindsey Tola
IN PHOTOS
Left - Senior Taytum Hollingsworth stands on top of a pyramid Jan. 17 in the Main Gym. Hollingsworth gets placed on top of stunts because she’s a flyer. “I love being able to engage with the crowd and do fun skills [as a flyer],” Hollingsworth said. PhotobyMaddiRoof
Below - Sophomore Peyton Denton watches her team Dec. 17 in the Main Gym. Denton looks forward to supporting her team as they play. “[When I’m on the bench] I pray for and encourage my teammates,” Denton said. “ I’m hoping they don’t get hurt and hoping they play to the best of their abilities.”
Photo by Haylee Bell
Left - Gabe Cavin checks his swim time Jan. 13 at the SM Aquatic Center. Cavin PR’ed during the 100m backstroke with a time of 55.80, although the school record for the 100m backstroke is 55.22. “I was happy, but also a little disappointed because I wanted the school record that day,” Cavin said. “I was .58 of a second away from it.” PhotobyJackPischke
N W P “ N W P “
“Coach Patterson was teaching me a move to flatten someone out before my next match.” -senior Amelia Roberts -senior Amelia Roberts
“Coach Patterson was teaching me a move to flatten someone out before my next match.”
Seniors Amelia Roberts and Elissa Green listen to their coach Jan. 22 at SM South. Warm-up is about thirty minutes, which gives them time to loosen up and practice.
Photo by Andie Berg