December Issue-2020 by LHS Statesman

Statesman DECEMBER

PATRIOT PUPS lilli eppinga pg. 16

table of contents

statesman

Statesman

features

table of contents

19 PaPer editors-in-Chief: Sara Croghan, Cameron rhode & Carly Wheeler online editors-in-Chief: madeleine Kemper & molly WetSCh

Christmas babies- CLAIRE BROWN

Spruce up your semester- KATE MCCARTNEY

The first but not the last- CHLOE HARTJE

New formal formalities- VERONICA ISEMINGER

New school, new lifestyle- EMMA JOHNSON

feature editors: lilli eppinga & anna engelS

sports 4

The number one QB1- CALEB HIATT & CARTER ERICSON

6 COVID-19 college chaos- GAGE GOHL

7 Winter wrestling- ALEXIS MILLER

entertainment 9 LHS would you rather- MADELEINE KEMPER

10 Vegan for a week- CARLY WHEELER

No Shave November- KADEN FOSSUM & CHARLEY LOCKWOOD-POWELL

Class playlist- LYDIA SARBACKER

14 The season that keeps on giving- BAILY PLOURDE

2020 fashion trends- MADYSON LAWSON

entertainment editors: avery BlaCKman & adySon Sand sPorts editors: gage gohl & CaleB hiatt PersPeCtives editors: daniel BethKe, henry haft, Chloe hartje & Chloe houWman news editor: aBBie deKramer staff writers: olivia BroSt, Claire BroWn, hannah CiSar, anna engelS, Carter eriCSon, mara fendriCh, Kaden foSSum, paige gordon, veroniCa iSeminger, emma johnSon, madySon laWSon, Charley loCKWood-poWell, Kate mCCartney, margaret ann miCKelBerg, alexiS miller, Baily plourde, lydia SarBaCKer, gavin Solomon, Kate tollinger, jamiSon vetter, thompSon WaKefield & CarSon WoodS adviser: Katie Kroeze

about us

Young Progressives Club- KATE TOLLINGER

perspectives 28 The season of ‘SAD’ness- OLIVIA BROST

Six things juniors can do- CHLOE HOUWMAN

Nothing to worry about?- DANIEL BETHKE

The Statesman’s purpose is to inform and entertain with an honest and accurate approach. The opinions of students, staff members and faculty are expressed in a tasteful manner. The Statesman is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association and the Journalism Education Association. The Statesman was awarded a Pacemaker in 2007 and was nominated for the 2012-2013 year. The Statesman has received Superior and best newspaper in the state of South Dakota three years in a row. The editors and adviser take responsibility for the content of the Statesman.

Snapchat despression- AVERY BLACKMAN

The strength of sorry- MARGARET ANN MICKELBERG

Coming up next- PAIGE GORDON

Is media censorship biased?- HENRY HAFT

38 The retail apocalypse- ANNA ENGELS

Don’t forget to bring your teacher an apple- SARA CROGHAN

The “trip” to legalizing psychedelic drugs- THOMPSON WAKEFIELD

One man’s trash- MARA FENDRICH

Twitter: @lhsstatesman Instagram: @lhsstatesman Website: lhsstatesman.com

Biden won; what now for the left?- DANIEL BETHKE

Redefining the latin american music industry- MOLLY WETSCH

16 Patriot pups- LILLI EPPINGA

17 Holiday happiness- HANNAH CISAR

december

photo By Kate tollinger

lhsstatesman.com

STATESMAN

SPORTS

CALEB HIATT

The NFL is full of talented athletes, but the hardest and arguably most important position is the quarterback. Playing a position that requires both physical and mental strength is very difficult, but the best of the best make it look easy. Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes are debatably two of the greatest right now. Comparing elite athletes begs the question: who is the best? Having been in the league for nine years and having won a Super Bowl in his second season, it is no secret that Wilson is an elite quarterback. Wilson has started for the Seattle Seahawks all nine years of his career and just signed a four-year, $140 million extension. Although he has not won an MVP award, he has been in the Pro Bowl seven out of his nine seasons and started in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLVIII over the Broncos with a dominant score of 43-8. Wilson has built up a solid legacy during the first part of his career and his stats show it too. Right now, Wilson is on pace to tie for fourth on the list of most touchdowns in a season with 49. This would shatter his current most and the Seahawks record of 39. Wilson has a career completion rate of 65% and he has never finished a season under 60%. Wilson’s ability to stay consistent year after year is the reason he earned the nickname “Mr. Unlimited.” Part of this success comes from the fact that he spends over a million dollars each year on recovery, according to a podcast interview with Bill Simmons. Wilson also explained that he has a full-time performance team to help him stay at the peak of his physical fitness at all times because he plans on playing “until [he’s] 45, at least.” While Wilson’s days of being an elite dual-threat quarterback may be coming to an end, he still knows his way around the pocket and is can throw consistent accurate passes while rolling out. Wilson’s unique combination of passing ability and athleticism has set him apart from other quarterbacks since he joined the league. His athleticism is accompanied by an elusiveness in the backfield that is hard to find in traditional passing quarterbacks. Obviously, Wilson does not possess the flashiness that Patrick Mahomes does, but with coach Pete Carrol giving him more control of the offense, we can expect more and more greatness to come from Wilson as the years go by. For those that still question Wilson’s greatness, according to the Washington Post, Bill Belichick, who is considered one of the best coaches ever, said he’s “glad [they] only have to play [Wilson] once every four years” after their matchup on Sept. 20.

DECEMBER

CARTER ERICSON

Patrick Mahomes is in his fourth NFL season and has already proven that he is a top quarterback in the league. In his second season, Mahomes was named starting quarterback after the Chiefs traded away quarterback Alex Smith and he did not disappoint. He threw 5,097 yards and 50 touchdown passes, as well as rushing for another two. Those statistics were impressive enough to earn him league MVP. Later that year he brought his team all the way to the AFC championship game before losing to the New England Patriots in an overtime thriller. The following season, Mahomes was yet again on pace to win another league MVP before suffering a knee injury that kept him out for two weeks. However, he used his injury as motivation and led the Kansas City Chiefs to a victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Superbowl LIV. He was awarded Super Bowl MVP, making him the youngest player to ever win the award. The Chiefs saw how valuable Mahomes was to them, so they decided to sign him to a massive extension this past summer. The 10-year deal was worth up to $503 million making it the largest contract in sports history. This will secure his place with the Chiefs until 2031. “If it’s anybody in the world that deserves that much money it’s my homie,” said Chief ’s wide receiver Sammy Watkins about Mahomes’ extension. “Blessings to him and his family. Seriously good humble dude, low maintenance, all about football and winning..!” To put into perspective how much money that is, “Eli Manning will remain the highest-paid player in NFL history until Patrick Mahomes’ 10-year, $500 million contract extension reaches 2026,” according to Grayson Weir of SB nation. Obviously both Wilson and Mahomes have earned every right to be called the best. One with a rich history who does not plan on stopping anytime soon and the other with a highly dominant start to his career and a very bright future. These two will be talked about for years to come, but as for right now, there is no clear answer to the question. DESIGN BY SARA CROGHAN PHOTOS BY JAMIE SQUIRE/GETTY IMAGES

LHSSTATESMAN.COM

statesman

SPORTS

COVID-19 COLLEGE CHAOS by

gage gohl

WINTER WRESTLING BY

DESPITE THE COVID-19 DIFFICULTIES, STUDENTS ARE STIL TRYING THEIR BEST TO GET OUT AND TOUR DIFFERENT COLLEGES.

With fall sports wrapping up and winter sports right around the corner, junior and senior athletes have reached the time of deciding if they want to pursue a college career in athletics. However, circumstances have been more than inconvenient this year for many athletes looking to continue their athletic careers in college. Due to COVID-19, the process of searching for a team, coach and school has been something that many athletes never thought would be so difficult. For many student-athletes, the recruitment process is oftentimes something to look forward to and enjoy exploring. With our country being in the middle of a pandemic, college recruits have found that the recruitment process is not quite what they had hoped. “It has definitely been more stressful than I thought it was going to be,” said LHS senior football, basketball, and baseball player Ty Schafer. “From what I’ve heard it’s kind of [supposed to be] one of the cooler things of your high school career, the recruitment

december

process. It definitely hasn’t been what I was thinking it was going to be.” Whether athletes are hoping to stay in-state or move out-of-state, one of the most important aspects of finding a perfect college is visiting several campuses to get a feel for the college. Some schools have closed all campus tours indefinitely due to COVID-19, having a major impact on several athletes’ college searches. Closures can cause a sense of urgency and panic for many athletes looking to find a campus that suits them. “Colleges are still allowing tours, but I would say that in the past, [it was allowed] to tour any college you wanted,” said Schafer. “But nowadays because of COVID-19, they only allow you to visit if you are serious or if the coaches are talking to you.” Another huge factor in finding what athletic program is best for an athlete is getting to know the coach. Unfortunately, many coaches have not been able to come watch their recruits play and compete for their high school programs with COVID-19. Due to the

Photo Provided by tNJ Staff deSigN by gage gohl

inability for many coaches to travel during the pandemic, many scouts have needed to settle for being virtual. “They couldn’t come out and watch us in person but they could online so we would stream our games,” said LHS junior softball player Gabie McConnell. “Some would reach out to us and find our schedule and then watch us.” This year’s recruits have had a hard time determining their future with how little opportunity there has been compared to previous years. Many are trying to get on top of their college searches earlier than normal due to the unknown future. “I definitely tried to make my decision soon because there were just a lot of unknowns and I didn’t want to be floating out, trying to find where to go my senior year,” said McConnell. With many athletes attempting to continue their pursuit of a future in academics and athletics beyond high school, COVID-19 has brought many hardships to students that nobody thought would be an issue.

ALEXIS MILLER

“Since March 2020, the federal and state governments have implemented emergency orders that have affected all sports and how student-athletes will learn, train and compete, but wrestling is one of the sports deeply affected by the emergency order,” said the National Wrestling Coaches Association. The sport of wrestling dates back to 708 BC and is commonly known as the world’s oldest competitive sport. Through these thousands of years, the sport has changed and evolved, but the year 2020 has brought one of the most substantial changes yet. Athletes around the world have adjusted to their 2020 seasons. Sports teams have chosen to reduce or completely cut fans from their stadiums. Sanitization and healthcare protocols have become a daily routine and life has thrown the global population, and more specifically, athletes, into a whirlwind. LHS coaches and administrators hope to make the 2020-21 season as enjoyable and ‘normal’ as possible for LHS wrestlers. “It is hard to predict how this season will play out,” said LHS Activities Director Joey Struwe. “There are a number of obstacles that could potentially affect the outcome here at LHS and statewide.” Those involved in winter athletics across the nation are struggling to find a new routine, but here at LHS, there is one common goal: to give players the best

possible season during such unfortunate times. “My hope is for these athletes to have a long, healthy season,” said Struwe. “Tomorrow there could be an outbreak and that would be the end of this. But with our safety precautions, I would wish for a great number of tournaments and most of all, the state championship.” These previously mentioned procedures are being implemented in all winter sports, but there are specifics for wrestling. The wrestling mats are to be thoroughly cleaned, athletes will be required to sanitize before beginning a match and masks will be mandated for all wrestlers, coaches and attendees who are not directly on the mat. “Coaches, teachers and students have been awesome about mask-wearing,” said Struwe. “I hope to see everyone keep the good work up; it makes our seasons more manageable and allows a safer environment for everyone.” Although this season may come with trials and adjustments, senior wrestler Colton Bechard remains optimistic for his final year of wrestling at LHS. “I just try and take things day by day,” said Bechard. “We don’t know what will happen the rest of the year, but we can hope for the best. I feel confident in our team as a whole. We have a good leadership of upperclassmen and a lot of young guys that work hard for us every day.” Optimism is precisely what the state of

South Dakota relied on while making the decision to add a girls wrestling team to this year’s roster. “This has been talked about for years,” said Struwe. “But, this year seemed like the right time to produce a girls team. We could all use a little extra fun, right?” Starting a girls team will be a challenge. Finding enough participants, training the newcomers and dividing them into their specific weight class is not an easy task. “We can’t know how many girls we will draw from Lincoln specifically, or even state-wide,” said Struwe. “The goal is to form a big enough group that there will be room for a second state competition specifically for girls. If not, there is a possibility that we will have to intermix both the boys and girls team.” Although wrestling may sound intimidating, both Coach Mark Ernster and Struwe want to encourage girls at LHS to step out of their comfort zones and try something new. “Give it a shot!” said Struwe. “It is one year of your life. If you decide it’s not for you, at least you know you’ve tried your best. That goes for any activity. There is so much to get involved with here at LHS. Find your passion.”

ARTWORK BY CARLY WHEELER DESIGN BY KATIE KROEZE

LHSSTATESMAN.COM

ENTERTAINMENT

statesman

MADELEINE KEMPER. ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Below, you will find the results of six “would you rather” questions regarding different aspects of life at LHS. In addition to sharing responses from the 183 LHS students that responded to our survey, I decided to include my own opinions to see how they compare to a sampling of the student body. As it turns out, I came to the same conclusion as the majority for four out of the six questions. Be lost in the band room by yourself

Eat lunch at the rectangular tables in the foyer

Get barked at by a student on the way to class

Sit on the floor in the hallway before school

I think I would rather be barked at in the hallway because at least it is over once it happens. If you get lost in the band room alone, there is absolutely no guarantee you will ever find your way out.

Have to walk from E to A wing for every period. Have to walk all the way to Arcadia in really bad weather I actually park my car in the Arcadia lot most days because I do not get to school early enough to park in the prestigious E-wing main lot. So, this walk in extreme snow, and sometimes rain, is something I already am accustomed to. Therefore, I would actually rather brave the outdoors than walk from E to A-wing every period — sometimes that staircase is just too much to handle.

I 100 percent agree with the majority on this question; I would much rather eat at the rectangular tables in the foyer than on the floor. You never know what has been on that floor, and I am not willing to take a chance and find out. Be late coming back from open lunch Be swept and sit in the lunch room for the remainder of the period To be completely honest, I have never actually been late coming back from open lunch. When asking other students what this is like in order to make a well informed decision, many had also never been late coming back. Maybe I need to start hanging around with more trouble makers. Ultimately, I think I would rather be late coming back from lunch, that way I can at least go to part of my class. All the kids who have come in late after lunch are still alive, right?

Swim in the pool in the basement

Get called out for 14 days due to close contact to a non-masker

Do water aerobics in the pool in the basement

Get sent to the isolation room for exhibiting signs of COVID-19

Honestly, doing either of these things would be beyond cool. But, I would have to say that going for a good old-fashioned swim in the pool in the basement — which definitely does exist — sounds like the move.

Both of these do not sound fun, but I would rather be sent home for 14 days from close-contact than spend any amount of time in the isolation room. At least I would be able to enjoy myself from the comfort of my own home. ARTWORK BY ADYSON SAND DESIGN BY MADELEINE KEMPER

december

LHSSTATESMAN.COM

entertainment

statesman

i went

vegan

for a week: here is how it went by

My best friend and fellow LHS senior Lillian Derynck is crazy — she is vegan. It started one year in middle school when she gave up meat for Lent. After a vegetarian phase, she decided to go all out: no animal products, no exceptions. She does not eat meat, dairy or eggs, just to name the basics. It leaves you wondering, what do vegans eat? First of all, do not ever ask someone following a vegan diet “what do you even eat?” Trust me, I have learned that the hard way. After years of being baffled by all the different vegan meals Lily manages to come up with, I have finally decided to hop on the train — but only for a week. I like cheese and chocolate too much for this to be long-term. Going into the week, I honestly did not think it would be much of a challenge; Lily makes it look so easy. To be fair, she has a mom who is adventurous and skilled in the kitchen. Classic Thanksgiving dishes, but 100% vegan? No problem. My mom, on the other hand, is not really the cooking type — her specialties include anything she can let cook in the crockpot all day while she is at work. That being said, having to meal prep for myself down to each and every snack was difficult. There was no quick grabbing a granola bar on my way out the door in the morning because there was always the temptation of picking the chocolate chip kind. I also found myself having to modify the meals we had as a family almost too much. At one point, I gave up on trying to “veganize” what my mom had made and settled

december

Carly Wheeler, editor-in-Chief

on a salad. I have a newfound respect for anyone faithfully following a vegan diet; it is difficult, especially when others in your household are not on the same diet. Now that I have gotten all of my complaining out of the way, I will admit there were plenty of positives that came along with going vegan for the week. First, I spent more time thinking about what I was putting into my body. Second, I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried foods I probably never would have had I not been vegan. Finally, and most importantly, I discovered the Starbucks peppermint mocha with oat milk and no whip cream — so good it made the whole week worth it. After going vegan for the week, here are five of my main takeaways:

1. 2.

There are more vegan food options than most may think, you just have to look for them. Concerned about missing out on sweets? Try OATLY! Frozen Desserts. I 10 out of 10 recommend the chocolate ice cream dupe. Delicious and (relatively) healthy. Eating out while vegan is fun, and easier than most would assume. I will admit I was at an advantage with an expert vegan right at my side to give me recommendations. Do not be afraid to look up vegan options at the restaurant of your choice, and again, plan what you would like to order ahead of time. My favorite vegan fast food option from the week was definitely the burrito bowl I got at Qdoba one day for lunch — it was so easy to customize and load with beans, rice and veggies.

3. 4. 5.

When in doubt, fresh produce is the answer. I have always liked to snack on fruit and veggies, but even more so after my week being vegan. My vegan diet cut out a lot of the typical processed “snack foods,” so I found myself gravitating towards easy-to-pack produce like carrot sticks, grapes, apple slices, etc. between meals.

Veganism and vegetarianism are two completely different ball games. I am pretty confident that I could be vegetarian long term; I would not consider myself that much of a meat connoisseur. But being vegan? It cuts a lot more out of the typical omnivorous diet. Including chocolate, and going without chocolate forever just does not sit right with me.

Do not be afraid to try it. Honestly, what is the worst that can happen? You crave mac and cheese and cheat — for the record, I did not cave. I would definitely recommend trying more vegan foods, if anything just for the experience. It was nice to have someone else who was also vegan when it came to meal prep and eating out, so make one of your friends or family members try it too.

If this article happens to inspire you to tackle the seven-day vegan challenge yourself, here is my favorite — and one of the easiest — recipes from my week.

oat milk fruit smoothie ingredients: - Half a cup of oat milk - A handful of crushed ice - Approximately one cup of frozen fruit (I used strawberries, mango and pineapple) - One fresh banana - One Chobani Oat yogurt (I used the strawberry granola crunch) - One tablespoon of flaxseed

directions: Combine all of your ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth — see, I told you it was that easy! design & Photos by Carly Wheeler

lhsstatesman.com

NO SHAVE

ENTERTAINMENT

STATESMAN

WEEK TWO

WEEK ONE

KADEN FOSSUM & CHARLEY LOCKWOOD-POWELL

I started the month off with a fresh shave and an open mind, but I don’t expect to see much growth overtime because I grow very limited facial hair.

I woke up on Nov. 1, my face feeling naked but expecting nothing but perfection. I am known for growing a fantastic beard, and I expect to go above and beyond those expectations in the month of November.

My mustache and chin hair is starting to come in, which is good news and sets me up perfectly for the rest of No-Shave November.

We are off to a solid start, already one week into November and I have some solid stubble. This may go better than I thought it was going to. Stay tuned for week three.

NOVEMBER WEEK THREE

My patchy facial hair has come in looking quite disgusting. I look like I should not be allowed within 100 feet of a school, but give it some more time and I will be rocking a beard very soon...

WEEK FOUR

For the first time in my life I have grown a full beard, a comeback story of the century. I look like I have been stranded in the wild for years while only feeding off of dead animal carcasses, which is exactly the look I was going for. The perfect ending to a month of no shaving.

Woah, my stubble is now almost coming out of its shell and becoming a full-on beard. I cannot wait to see my progress in the next coming week and to see how handsome I will become after this transformation.

Yep, didn't question myself for a second. This came out extraordinary, and I really feel like an old man. I am getting pretty weird looks in the hallway, but it was all worth it.

PHOTOS BY KADEN FOSSUM & CHARLEY LOCKWOOD-POWELL DESIGN BY SARA CROGHAN

DECEMBER

Class of 2021 “Love Hurts”- Playboi Carti “Forever After All”Luke Combs “Hoax”- Taylor Swift “Blind”- Korn “Dior”- Pope Smoke Class of 2022 “Martin and Gina”- Polo G “Sweet Tooth”- Cavetown “Holy”- Justin Bieber “Mr Loverman”Ricky Montgomery “All I Wanted”- Paramore Class of 2023 “Man Of The Year”Juice WRLD “Someone You Loved”Lewis Capaldi “Blinding Lights”The Weeknd “SO DONE”- The Kid Laroi “Golden”- Harry Styles Class of 2024 “everything i wanted”Billie Eilish “positions”- Ariana Grande “Lemonade”Internet Money “Dead To Me”Kali Uchis “BILLBOARD BABY”DaBaby

LYDIA SARBACKER

Displayed below are playlists consisting of five songs for each class based on recommendations from members of each class. These songs have been documented as some of the LHS student body’s favorites of 2020 and are definitely worth the listen!

ARTWORK BY ADYSON SAND DESIGN BY STATESMAN STAFF

LHSSTATESMAN.COM

STATESMAN

The media does a great job of presenting the holiday season as a time filled with the scent of hot cocoa, cozy blankets, laying by the fire and snowy evenings settled in the warmth of one’s home. However, this image of the perfect Christmas is an overwhelming false reality to a large amount of the community. By participating in a volunteer event or simply taking the time to donate what one can, they have the power to greatly impact a family’s Christmas. Donating this winter is one of many ways to get back into the holiday spirit while simultaneously lending a helping hand to those in need.

ENTERTAINMENT

the season that keeps on giving BY

BAILY PLOURDE

toys for tots Founded in 1991 by the U.S. Marine Corps, the Toys for Tots program is a project aimed to help children wake up on Christmas morning with a smile on their face and a toy in their hands. Toys for Tots collects new and unwrapped toys and distributes them to less fortunate children in our community. Beginning in October and lasting until mid to late December, they give plenty of time to stop by and drop off a toy or two. Go to the Toys for Tots website and donate any dollar amount. By spreading this Christmas joy, Toys for Tots has reached over 800 communities throughout all 50 states. 4305 S Louise Ave #200, Sioux Falls, SD 57106

be a santa to a senior Be a Santa to a senior, run by Home Instead Senior Care is an organization meant to give back to elders within our town. Along with the many other difficulties COVID-19 brings, it is no surprise that it has prevented many families from seeing their parents and grandparents that have been quarantined in a nursing home. By choosing to volunteer, you have the power to make someone’s Christmas just a little sweeter. There are positions open to either collect the gifts, wrap them or deliver them. Throughout town, there are many different stores participating in this event. The volunteer’s job is to find a location, pick a bulb off the tree set up there, with a senior’s gift request, purchase the item and place it in its designated box. Since the beginning of Be a Santa to a Senior in 2003, they have enriched the holidays of over 750,000 seniors. Search for a tree in the area or donate at beasantatoasenior.com and/or visit 5421 W 41st St Suite 208, Sioux Falls, SD 57106.

ARTWORK BY ADYSON SAND DESIGN BY BAILY PLOURDE

DECEMBER

the banquet The Banquet is a year-round volunteer opportunity. Its purpose is to offer nourishing, healthy meals to anyone who needs to eat. During the holiday season, The Banquet also offers a donation event in which they collect items to create a care package for people in need throughout our community. To participate this winter, people can volunteer to serve food or simply drop off donations like hygiene items and clothing. 900 E 8th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57103

2020

has been one of the most hectic years many have ever experienced; so much has happened in the world since March. That being said, one can be forgiven for thinking that 2020 autumn and winter fashion trends have been somewhat debatable. Considering the challenges 2020 has presented, the fashion industry has still managed to pull off some amazingly creative looks that have changed the way people perceive fashion, and even the way some dress in their dayto-day lives. The pandemic has given people a fresh perspective on the fashion industry’s relentless pace and desire for newness. It has also reminded people of the most basic idea: at its best, fashion can dress up your day. The countless amount of “lockdown looks” posted on social media in the past months have demonstrated that wearing fashionable clothes can lift spirits immeasurably. With all the extra time during COVID-19, many have had plenty of time to get creative and switch up their styles. “I think my style has slightly changed throughout COVID-19 as I have had more time to create outfits that I think truly represent my style and personality,” said LHS junior Avery Nelson. “I have also been trying to support more local and ethically owned businesses to help as much as I can during these unprecedented times.” While many clothing companies were forced to stall production, the immense amount of creativity shown while the majority of the world was in quarantine was none other than exceptional. Even at

MADYSON LAWSON

the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fashion industry produced a gallery of beautiful looks on the catwalks of New York, London, Milan and Paris during 2020 fashion week. With that being said, there have most definitely been changes in the way people are perceiving and purchasing their clothing. “I think that COVID-19 has greatly changed the fashion industry by making online shopping much more prominent than before,” said Nelson. “It has also caused people to be more cautious with the money that they are spending and so people may be supporting more of the fast fashion businesses.” The 2020 autumn and winter fashion season can be summarized by the saying “all dressed up and nowhere to go” since loungewear was all over the runway this year. So, even if one is locked in their living room, they can still expect some fun with this season’s extraordinary volumes, ranging from balloon sleeves (shown in looks by Chanel and Fendi) to exploding skirts (most fashionably shown by Gucci, Molly Goddard, Off-White and Carolina Herrera). Gold, too, was a remarkable theme on the runways, from Tom Ford’s cut-away number shown in Los Angeles to its full potential on Bella Hadid. A somewhat studious theme has emerged as well, equally suitable for these sobering times. A trend of nerdy knitwear erupted, with cardigans and argyle sweaters paired

ARTWORK & DESIGN BY ANNA ENGELS

with everything from casual denim to dark silks. As did skirt-suits, which were surely the most empowering purchase one could make if planning a back-to-work look when the office reopens. Then there are the classic “just because” pieces that never fail to be a success. Seeking to make one key purchase this season? Make it a hot red dress (shown best on the runway by Valentino). With all this in mind, the fashion industry — despite their minor setbacks and other worldwide issues to put first — most definitely did not disappoint. If anything, the fashion industry has stepped up and produced some of the most spectacular looks we have seen yet. LHSSTATESMAN.COM

STATESMAN

WINNER!

WIN

Photos provided by Dog Owners Design by Lilli Eppinga

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

1st

HANNAH CISAR

Age: 9 months Gender: Female With the holiday season right around the corner, coffee shops are Withoffering the holiday season all right sorts around the of corner, holiday coffee shopsspecials. are offering all sorts For of holiday those specials. looking For those looking forfor Favorite treat: Grilled 2nd a warm drink to get them through the cold winter days, there are many a warm drink great to get them options through the cold at winter several days, there local are many coffee great options shops at severalin localSioux coffee shopsFalls. in Sioux Falls. Whether you are a coffee fanatic or a hotchicken/steak chocolate addict, warm holiday Whether youdrinks are a coffee fanatic always or a hot bring chocolate addict, people warm holiday joydrinks during always bring the people cold joy during winter the cold winter Age: 9 months Special skills: Jumping days. After trying out multiple holiday drinks from some well-known days. After coffee trying out shops multiple holiday around drinks from Sioux some well-known Falls,coffee here shopsare aroundthe Sioux Falls, drinks here are you the drinks you Gender: Female through hula hoop need to atry this holiday season. need to try this holiday season. Favorite treat: The pig ear Owner: Maleah Lunders dog treat Holiday Drink: Flannel Frenzy Holiday Drink: Flannel Frenzy Special skills: Walking on her hind legs Owner: Justin MuellerThe Source is a walk-in only coffee shop that is designed to bring The a cozy Source isand a walk-in welcoming only coffee shop that atmosphere is designed to bring a cozy toand all welcoming of its atmosphere customers. to all of its customers. TheThe

LILLI EPPINGA

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APOLLO

SCOUT

Holiday Drink: Holiday Pumpkin Spice

La Luna is a cafe that has recently opened in the downtown area of Sioux La Luna offers different drinks along with La Luna is a cafeFalls. that has recently opened in the downtownmany area of Sioux Falls. La Luna offers many different drinks along with a variety of holiday specials. The Pumpkin Spice drink had a stronger taste coffee drinks. This a variety coffee of holiday specials. Thethan Pumpkin some Spice drinkother had a stronger coffee taste than some other coffeedrink drinks. Thiswas drink was a mix of both coffee and a thick chocolate, which made the drink have very addicting unique flavor. This drink a is a a mix of a both coffee and a thick chocolate, and which made the drink have a very addicting andholiday unique flavor. This holidayis drink must have; the strong savory flavor of pumpkin spice putsmust you even more a holiday have;in the strong savory flavor ofof pumpkin spice puts you mood. in even more of a holiday mood. Although these are just three of the many drinks that coffee shopsAlthough advertise these are just during three of the the many drinks holiday that coffeeseason, shops advertisethere during theare holidaymany season, there options are many options out there for anyone who is looking for a go-to holiday drink out there forduring anyone who isthese looking forcold a go-to holiday days. drink during these cold days.

ROLO

MAIZIE Age: 5 Gender: Female Favorite treat: Apples & beef sticks Special skills: Shake & lay down Owner: Mara Tiede DESIGN

Age: 2 Gender: Male Favorite treat: Ice cubes Special skills: Opening door knobs & making friends Owner: Shea Stein

HANNAH CISAR

HARVEY Age: 3 Gender: Male Favorite treat: Table scraps/snow Special skills: Running into things Owner: Grant Pederson

Honorable mentions // Honorable mentions // Honorable mentions

DECEMBER

DESIGN BY HANNAH CISAR

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17 17

Christmas

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Every year there are two days that the majority of the people look forward to the most: their own birthday and Christmas. Imagine what it would be like having only one day to look forward to for the celebration of both occasions. 9 out of 10 Americans celebrate Christmas every year, making Christmas the most celebrated holiday in the United States. At LHS, there are more students and staff than one may realize that have birthdays a few days away from or on Christmas Day. “Christmas babies” are people born on Christmas day or a few days before or after. They often get less attention on their birthdays because those around them are so preoccupied celebrating Christmas. The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year, which makes it hard for many people to fit in an extra celebration for someone’s birthday. Close relatives are typically better at making birthday celebrations a priority, but many people cheat Christmas babies and focus more on the holiday. “My family is good about separating Christmas from my birthday, but other people not so much; it is just such a busy time,” said LHS junior Marisa Weinzetl, born on Dec. 23. A common assumption about Christmas babies is that they get double the presents, but that is not

Joey Struwe Born on Dec. 24

Cynthia Putney Born on Dec. 25

FEATURES

BABIES BY

always the case. The more generous people get Christmas babies a present for Christmas and a present for their birthday, just as if their birthday was not on Christmas. But, those who like to cheat the system will just give Christmas babies one present for their birthday and Christmas combined. Many people almost forget about birthdays near the holidays and just remember Christmas. “I get one present wrapped in Christmas paper and then they are like, ‘Oh yeah, Happy Birthday,’” said LHS staff member Cynthia Putney, born on Dec. 25. Many Christmas babies do not get the opportunity to celebrate with their friends on their actual birthday since they are with their families for Christmas. Some try to incorporate their birthdays into the Christmas celebration and some simply wait for a time that works for them to celebrate. Many places are closed on Christmas, so they cannot go anywhere to celebrate either. Most years, Christmas babies spend their special day doing Christmas festivities instead of birthday festivities. “I am usually with my family celebrating Christmas, but I will find another weekend to celebrate with my friends,” said Weinzetl. Many Christmas babies enjoy having their birthdays during “the most wonderful time of the year,” and others wish they could have their birthday in a different month. If

CLAIRE BROWN

their birthdays were in another month they could have more people focusing on them on their special day instead of just the holiday. They also would not have people cheating them on presents, and they would receive presents on two occasions, not just once a year. “I would want my birthday on May 27 so people could focus on my birthday rather than Christmas,” said sophomore Jayden Raak, born on Dec. 25. Even though they are hard for some to recognize, there are many advantages to having your birthday right by Christmas. Christmas babies rarely have to go to school or work on their birthday because of the holiday break. They also get to spend their day doing mostly whatever they want, unless they have Christmas festivities, but generally, Christmas festivities are entertaining. “I have never had to go to school on my birthday; I have never had to go to work on my birthday,” said LHS athletic director Joey Struwe, born on Dec. 24. No matter what events take place on your birthday, it is still your special day. Even if their birthdays fall on one of the most celebrated holidays in America, Christmas babies can still celebrate their special day however they please.

Jayden Raak Born on Dec. 25

Marisa Weinzetl Born on Dec. 23 PHOTOS BY KATE TOLLINGER DESIGN BY CLAIRE BROWN

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PHOTOS BY KATE MCCARTNEY, CARTER BROST, SARA CROGHAN, ABBIE DEKRAMER & THOMPSON WAKEFIELD DESIGN BY KATE MCCARTNEY

Astronomy/Meteorology

is the perfect elective class for science students wanting to discover more about the Earth and what surrounds it.

intro to vehicle systems & maintenance is a

“This class provides students with a basic understanding of astronomy and meteorology. Astronomy is the study of the moon, sun, planets and stars. Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere, weather and climate,” said Jennifer DuBois, LHS Astronomy/Meteorology teacher. Anyone grades 10-12 interested in astronomy or meteorology is eligible to take this course, no matter their scientific background. “I love that it’s an elective and students get to choose to take the class. Astronomy is always fascinating, but honestly, the meteorology part of the course is fun to teach,” said DuBois. “I want students to gain a better understanding of the objects that make up our solar system and our universe; I want them to learn how to read weather maps and make observations of weather patterns across the United States.” Former Astronomy/Meteorology student and LHS junior Hannah Miller shares the knowledge gained from her experience in such an interesting class. “I think anyone who is somewhat passionate about either Astronomy/ Meteorology should do this class,” said Miller.

outdoor adventures

Although fulfills the semester credit for physical education, it is certainly not the typical gym class setting. This 90-minute block course is offered to seniors at any SFSD high school, and is great for students looking to try new activities in the environment. “Our class meets at the Outdoor Campus at Sertoma Park and we are outside every day possible from the beginning till the end of the semester,” said Andrew Krueger, LHS Outdoor Adventures teacher. “Students get to participate in everything from kayaking, fly fishing and archery when the weather is nice, to skiing and snowboarding at Great Bear when we have snow on the ground.” Outdoor Adventures provides students with the opportunity to enjoy a break from the classroom and become more physically active. “The biggest takeaway that I want for my students is that they have a better appreciation for the outdoors once they have completed this class,” said Krueger. “I think high school students today have more stressors than ever in their lives, so just being able to disconnect for a little bit and get outside can have huge positive benefits on their health and mood.”

Native American Connections & Indigenous Studies

is a social studies elective course that strives to educate students and provide insight to Native American history, which is especially relevant living in South Dakota. “Native American Connections & Indigenous Studies is totally based on a curriculum of Native American History of the Oceti Sakowin (The Seven Council Fires). These are the people before Reservations, Tribes and Capitals made up of the Dakota, Nakota and Lakota peoples,” said Janet Fleming-Martin, LHS Native American Connections & Indigenious Studies teacher. Grades 10-12 are eligible and encouraged to take Native American Connections & Indigenous Studies for either a semester or a full year. “This class should be taught to all students as a separate history class,” said Fleming-Martin. “With this knowledge, Native students can understand the issues that faced their people and the role that history played into breaking the backbone of this extremely competent society. Our students will be prepared to educate anyone willing to take the time to listen.”

DECEMBER

KATE MCCARTNEY

window into the real world of cars and one of the most practical classes that LHS offers. This semester long course will teach you everything there is to know about vehicles and how to maintain them. “Intro to Vehicle Systems & Maintenance is basically the foundational knowledge of the automobile, so if a student wants to move on to be an automobile technician or if they just want to know generally more about their vehicle, they should take this course,” said Ryan Kortemeyer, LHS Intro to Vehicle Systems & Maintenance teacher. Intro to Vehicle Systems & Maintenance is an essential course for any driver to take, as the list of potential car problems one might encounter is endless. “You learn what to ask for when you go to the auto shops for a repair,” said Kortemeyer. “If you don’t know anything about cars, you’re more likely to get scammed which happens a lot in the automotive world. Understanding what’s going on under the hood is very important.” This class teaches students many lessons that go beyond the autobody shop, specifically the importance of perseverance. “Being a prior mechanic, I used to work on cars, but now that I teach it I still get to work on cars and I can show students what I know too,” said Kortemeyer. “Just like when you do anything, the third time is going to be easier than the first and second times, so this class helps students build up their problem solving skills with hands on, creative learning.”

Going to see a live performance is always entertaining, but what gets overlooked is all that goes on backstage. covers everything from carpentry to lights, and is an engaging experience for every student. “What’s cool about it is that it’s an in-road to the arts and it’s really just a huge variety of cross-curricular ideas put into application backstage,” said Brian Hardie, LHS Play Production teacher. “Play Production is everything that is the technical side of theatre. We’ll do sound design, lighting design, carpentry, scenic painting, construction, building and so much more.” For students looking to obtain half of their fine arts credit non-traditionally, Play Production is the ideal hands-on class. “Art and the creation of art requires a lot of skills from different areas and places,” said Hardie. “When you watch a film, the tip of the iceberg is the cast list. Then for the next eight minutes you see names of artists that have used those individual talents to create something that we all now get to enjoy and get to see; it’s those bodies backstage that make that happen. There’s a lot more to the production of theatre than just singing and dancing on stage.”

play production

Sports & Society

Debut course is the perfect combination of athletics and history. This brand new class is taught exclusively at LHS, and aims to teach students about sports and their impact throughout the past. “Anybody who likes history, sociology or sports should take this class,” said Trent Dlugosh, LHS Sports & Society teacher. “Students should know though that it’s not debating who’s the best quarterback or comparing stats; Sports & Society is really looking at sports through the lens of history. We explore how sports impacted the women’s rights and civil rights movements, times of war and patriotism.” Sports & Society is passionate about breaking the common stereotypes seen in athletics and the class highlights the importance of finding the hidden explanations for events in history. “Sports are never just about the games, there’s always a deeper meaning,” said Dlugosh. “Through athletics, we’re able to explore gender identity, racial identity and ethnic identity, it’s always about something else.” This course is open to all grade levels and fulfills the social studies elective requirement needed to graduate. “In normal history classes we just talk about what happened and that is that, but in Sports & Society we talk about how [history] affected [people’s] lives, plus what sports they played and why,” said LHS junior and Sports & Society student Kyra Knudtson.

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FEATURES

the ﬁrst but not the last

CHLOE HARTJE

These attributes are accredited to the first female Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris,¨ said Sarah Winterschedit, LHS photography teacher. ¨The beautiful mix of diversity and ethnicity in the White House gives us all hope for the future.¨ Whether one agrees with her policies and promises for the next four years or not, Harris has undoubtedly made history. While immigration, COVID-19, abortion and other hot topics may be subjects to debate, empowering women should not be. She has broken the glass ceiling as the first woman and woman of color to hold the office of vice president; she has risen higher in our country’s leadership than any woman ever before. Several other women have previously vied for vice president, including those of color, but Harris is the first to make it to office. However, she will not be the last. “Women who fought so much for equality and liberty and justice for all, including the black women who are often, too often, overlooked, but so often prove they are the backbone of our democracy,” said Harris.

NEW

Formal

FORMALITIES

VERONICA ISEMINGER Although COVID-19 is ruining the lives and spirits of many, one thing it can’t stop is the annual LHS winter formal. If you were under the impression that winter formal, along with the homecoming dance and Spinsters, were cancelled, you would be sorely mistaken. The LHS student council has taken it upon themselves to make the best out of this year’s circumstances. Though initially hesitant about the idea of a formal, they know how much winter formal means to the student body. Plus, the number of sad high schoolers’ faces upon hearing formal was cancelled was just too overwhelming and heartbreaking for student council to look past. After several top secret meetings with the district, the principal and others responsible for school dances have decided on certain regulations to be put in place for a safe and successful dance. The biggest item includes who you are allowed to attend with as your “date”. If you plan to attend formal, your date must be someone you sit by in one of your classes, in order to keep up with close-contact protocol. Another regulation will be the “hoola-hoop rule”. Hoola-hoops will be spaced 6 ft apart and each couple will be assigned a colored hoola-hoop which will serve as their dance circle for the night. Next, routine floor cleanings will be enforced in 30 minute intervals to clear any lingering germs from dancers who may have infected the area. To those concerned about food and drink for the night, they will be provided (with purchase, of course) throughout the dance on square gym class scooters connected to string to prevent the spread of the virus. Now you may be thinking that the dress tucked away in the back of your closet will suffice, but this year formal attendees are encouraged to get creative. There may not be an exact theme this year, but outfits must cover the hands and face. Maybe look towards your Halloween costumes for inspiration, astronaut helmets, underwater snorkelers and surgeon costumes will be extremely popular and helpful in lessening the danger. The last regulation, though sparking some controversy amongst student council, is the enforced hazmat crew. Any student or couple who show symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes or bad dance moves will be immediately apprehended by the hazmat crew and enclosed in a clear, plastic, “quarantine box” until they able to be brought outside or sent home. Don’t let this winter go to waste, get closer than ever with your seat partners and form never ending bonds with those you once cheated off of for an easy A, get out there and make this formal one to remember!

PHOTO BY BRYNN ANDERSON DESIGN BY CHLOE HARTJE

As U.S. Vice President-elect, Kamala stand on their shoulders.” Harris has overcome many firsts: the Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan first woman vice president, the first black Harris, inspired her significantly as an vice president and the first South AsianIndian-American immigrant, civil rights American vice president the U.S. has activist and breast cancer researcher. ever seen. Political beliefs aside, this is a Shymala taught her daughter lessons of monumental moment in U.S. history that perseverance and became her greatest shows just how far women have come. source of influence, raising her children No matter what side one is on, Harris mostly as a single mother. Harris’ father, represents the growing diversity of this Donald Harris, a Jamaican-American country and the widespread notion that immigrant, was also an activist and is anything is possible now an award-winning Stanford in America. professor. Harris’ parents even took During her recent her to protests as a young child; “But while I victory speech in they strongly believed in the motto may be the first of taking action instead of sitting Wilmington, DE, woman in this around and complaining. Harris spoke about this breakthrough Harris has broken several other office, I won’t to a cheering and be the last,” said barriers as the first black woman to honking crowd be elected District Attorney in San Harris. “Because Francisco and Attorney General outside of the every little girl of California. Prior to the election, Chase Center. watching tonight Harris also served as a senator for Harris continued to speak about hope California — she was the only black sees that this and perseverance, is a country of woman senator at the time. Harris specifically has dedicated her life to fighting possibilities.” addressing the injustice and unraveling broken younger generations systems, and she promises to and leaving many continue that work as the next people feeling emotional. vice president of the U.S.. “And to the children of our country, Originally, Harris had regardless of your gender, our country run for the Democratic has sent you a clear message: dream with nomination for ambition, lead with conviction, and see presidency, but she yourselves in a way others might not see was later selected you, simply because they’ve never seen as his running it before. And we will applaud you every mate. Both Biden step of the way,” said Harris. and Harris She also recognized her mother and share ideals the generations of women of all races and values; who paved the way for this moment. however, Dressed in an all white pantsuit, Harris they come paid tribute to the suffragists who often from a very wore the color white for marches. Harris different set of was not alone in this movement; in recent backgrounds. years, many other women in politics have Biden has stated also been wearing white clothing as a that he is looking political statement. forward to learning “I reflect on their struggle, their from Harris’ unique determination and the strength of their experiences. vision, to see what can be, unburdened Ï see inspiration, by what has been,” said Harris of the foundation and hope powerful women that came before her. “I for the year 2021.

Disclaimer: This is a satire, meaning its intent is to entertain and should not be taken seriously.

DESIGN BY VERONICA ISEMINGER

DECEMBER

LHSSTATESMAN.COM

statesman

features

NEW SCHOOL NEW LIFESTYLE

BROOKS HOUWMAN by

Emma Johnson

The 2020-2021 school year differs drastically from the past. Freshman received the short end of the stick in adjusting to a new school, among other struggles to worry about. Masks have become a daily garment, desks have been distanced and monitoring symptoms before arriving to class has become the norm since the COVID-19 pandemic struck. People around the world have had to adjust their typical lifestyles to protect themselves and the ones they love. Being a student during these times is hard, especially arriving at a new school. Whether middle schoolers made the jump to high school or LHS graduates started their college journeys, new challenges have risen, but they are willing to tackle them head on.

LAURA HECKENLAIBLE Shifting schools can be a difficult process, let alone switching schools in the middle of the pandemic. However, LHS freshman Laura Heckenlaible was excited to start the new school year. At first she was nervous, but she warmed up to LHS quickly. “I thought I wasn’t as nervous as I was going to be, but when I got to school, it was a lot different, especially this year with all the masks and everything,” said Heckenlaible. “I thought it was going to be fun and different. I was ready to leave middle school and I thought it was going to be cool.” A good way to get involved in a new school is joining different clubs and activities to explore your interests. Heckenlaible is involved in choir and is planning to join track this spring. Her favorite part of the school year so far is meeting new people. “I’ve met a lot of new people and made a lot of new friends,” said Heckenlaible.

december

“I talk to people as much as I can, and I like talking to teachers and coaches and getting involved with things.” Pandemic aside, the hardest part of getting used to high school is finding the balance between schoolwork and everyday life. It took Heckenlaible some time, but she was able to adjust. “I have my runs I have to do, and then I have homework and it’s a pretty significant amount more than middle school, so I have to balance everything I’m doing,” said Heckenlaible. “This year, it’s different from middle school because I knew what I had to do and what I could do. Now I just have to figure out all the rules and stuff like that.” As much as it has been a struggle to adjust to LHS, Heckenlaible prefers high school to middle school. “I feel like it’s more unified,” said Heckenlaible. “In middle school, everyone didn’t seem to like the other grades, but now everyone is chill with each other.”

Like Heckenlaible, starting at a new school in the midst of a pandemic was nerve-wracking to LHS freshman Brooks Houwman. Based on how the previous school year ended, Houwman was apprehensive about how this year would play out. “It was kind of weird because the end of last year was so strange,” said Houwman. “I was kind of worried that I wouldn’t know what I needed to know and wearing a mask and all of those other different things that we needed to do.” Since starting high school, Houwman has found ways to become involved at LHS. He has joined the Environmental Ingenuity Club and made many new friends. However, Houwman has had to adjust to the homework load as well. “In middle school, I didn’t really have to try as much as I do now,” said Houwman. “I had to learn to study and try harder than I usually did.” Due to COVID-19, teachers are not able to bond with students normally and form a connection right away. Houwman misses not being able to have that bond. “I feel that you can’t connect with [the teachers] as well as you could in elementary or middle school,” said Houwman. “I feel they just don’t have the time for it.” While most students will ditch their masks the second a mandate is not suggested in South Dakota anymore, Houwman is not getting ready to ditch the masks yet. Even when masks will not be mandated, Houwman still plans to wear the protective garment. “I’ll probably still wear one because I go around my grandparents a lot,” said Houwman. “I would hate if that was on my conscience if I killed someone who got it.”

SUCCESS SUEHNE

ISAAC SARBACKER Multiple guidelines have been set in place since the pandemic started. Starting college in a new state can be difficult, especially when interaction with other students has been cut down. For 2020 LHS graduate Isaac Sarbacker, the University of Michigan has enforced several specifications for campus. “Michigan has very uptight regulations, so everything from our classes to our dining hall has changed,” said Sarbacker. “Honestly, everything you can think of has changed.” One of Sarbacker’s worries going to college was if he would be able to connect with other students. Even with all of the guidelines that students must follow, Sarbacker has been able to meet new people in his dorm. “I didn’t know a lot of students here, so I really needed to be able to meet people socially. A lot of people haven’t moved in which is hard, but

I also have some friends who go here from South Dakota which has helped,” said Sarbacker. “We’ve made the most despite the situation.” Going to college out of state and trying to figure out life is a massive shift from living with your parents. While Sarbacker is adjusting to figuring out what he wants to do with his life, he misses certain aspects of high school. “I miss the small numbers of high school. When you get to a university with this many people, you can’t get to know everyone like high school,” said Sarbacker. “Having that small group is great.” As wild and crazy as high school seems, Sarbacker wants freshmen to enjoy their time at LHS. “It’s insane for me to think that I will never be a student [at LHS] again,” said Sarbacker. “Enjoy every second you get because before you know it, it’s over and you’re on to a whole new adventure.”

Photos ProvidEd by Laura hEckEnLaibLE, brooks houwman, isaac sarbackEr & succEss suEhnE dEsign by katiE kroEzE

Despite the struggles of starting her freshman year in college at the height of COVID-19, LHS alum Success Suehne has found positives during the current situation. Shortly after arriving at the University of Minnesota, Suehne fulfilled a dream that she had been wanting to achieve for a while. “I started a podcast called ‘9PM CURFEW’ and it’s been an amazing journey,” said Suehne. “I’ve always wanted to start a podcast, but I never really thought I would have anything interesting to talk about, but going to college in a pandemic, what better content do you need?” The idea came to Suehne from a regulation that was set in place on the U of M’s campus to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “[The idea originated] from the 9 p.m. curfew that was given to us at the beginning of the year, although the curfew doesn’t exist now,” said Suehne. “It was there to prevent the spread of COVID-19 so people would be inside and not mingling with others.” Ever since the podcast took off, homework still has to be done. With all of the Zoom meetings and classes, Suehne’s struggles with her work have been an adjustment. “In general, [the hardest parts] have been doing chem labs online and just being a STEM major,” said Suehne. “I feel like the professors just don’t understand how difficult it is when you can’t really ask for help on tough labs.” Even though Suehne was ready to leave LHS, she wished she would have known that embarrassments will not last past high school. “Sure, you might feel it in the moment, but honestly, high school is just a small part of life,” said Suehne. “When you actually just go for all the things you want, you won’t regret anything, and you will be able to move on to bigger and better things.” lhsstatesman.com

STATESMAN

features

YOUNG PROGRESSIVES BY

CLUB

KATE TOLLINGER

Through the Young Progressives Club (YPC), LHS students with a passion for politics have found a way to voice their opinions. Club President Daniel Bethke recruits members, ocassionally gives presentations at occasional meetings and coordinates the club’s schedule. The club gets together every Wednesday after school at 3:30 p.m. in Regan Meyer’s room. Members often participate in activities outside of school as well, such as cleaning up litter or helping around the community. YPC has around 63 members that openly express their points of view on politics. LHS junior Al Deak has been an active member of the club ever since his freshman year. “I got into it through debate and lots of my friends were joining, so I thought why not give it a try,” said Deak. Deak recommends this club to anyone who has an interest in politics. “[YPC is] really open to anyone

and we talk about general political ideas and where we are at in the world right now,” said Deak. This past election marked monumental political involvement from high school students, and the members of YPC joined in. YPC allows students to feel informed about local and national politics and make their voices heard. “This is a club that really encourages people to talk about what they think about an issue,” said Deak. Topics that are brought up during the meetings vary, but the election has been a main topic this year. “The election has been really big seeing as it’s still a little murky with Trump not conceding,” said Deak. Joining a club is one thing, but committing to a club is another. YPC is a club at which active participation and engagement is key. Students will find that committing their time to this club will ensure learning and expanding in knowledge. Deak commits to YPC so that he can

stay informed and know what other peoples’ opinions are. “One of the problems today is that I don’t think we get enough exposure to other ideas,” said Deak. Another member involved in YPC is LHS junior Ian Kelly. Kelly, who has been a member for a year now and actively participates every Wednesday. “I have a general interest in politics and activism,” said Kelly. Kelly commits his time to the YPC for several reasons. “I participate to better society and to find ways to make it better for people in general; there is also free food,” said Kelly. LHS students that want their voices and opinions heard should look into joining YPC. Club members always try to be as open and friendly as possible, allowing members to feel respected. If there is one thing our political world needs, it would be more educated and respectful young people.

PHOTOS & DESIGN BY KATE TOLLINGER

DECEMBER

lhsstatesman.com

STATESMAN

The season of 'SAD'ness BY

OLIVIA BROST

As the days draw shorter and the sun sets sooner, a recurring feeling associated with this time period begins to creep closer for certain individuals. With each changing season comes new weather, but also a new state of mind and flow of life. Mayo Clinic describes Seasonal Affective Disorder as “a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons.’’ Ironically, this common disorder is abbreviated to SAD. As the weather outside begins to change, mindsets do as well. SAD is creeping up on many students, and considering the times we are currently living in, it is important to bring awareness to it. SAD begins and ends at about the same time every year, according to Mayo Clinic. Contrary to popular belief, SAD is not only common in the winter months but in any changing season — the colder seasons are just found to be the most common. The majority of people with SAD notice their mood decreases and symptoms begin in fall and continue through the winter months. Common causes for SAD include changes in one’s biological clock, a drop in serotonin levels and a change in melatonin levels, all relating back to the change in hours of daylight. “SAD typically does not start showing up until late November, early December when we do not have a whole lot of

PERSPECTIVES

seasons. daylight out there and everything is grey and dreary,” said LHS counselor Matt Meyers. “I think there is a little bit of an uptake just due to COVID-19 and how students are reacting to that.” With the difficult year everyone has had, it is expected for students to struggle this winter. While we are in the midst of a pandemic and lockdowns around the world, SAD has the potential to increase for a number of reasons — mainly because people are not able to get outside and socialize as often, which naturally can result in mood swings or negative feelings. People with SAD also have an underlying vulnerability to difficult times during the late fall and winter months. “Anyone dealing with depression experiences normal everyday activities beginning to suffer and a lot of the things people find enjoyment in they don’t find that same feeling anymore,” said Meyers. “Usually the first indicator that a student is suffering is that their grades begin to drop and sometimes attendance starts to get poor.” SAD can affect adults, teens and children. It is estimated that six in every 100 people experience SAD, according to TeensHealth. The specific people who experience SAD vary from region to region; those who live further from the equator are more likely to experience SAD compared to people who live in warmer climates with longer daylight hours. This statistic supports the theory that SAD is heavily related to the lack of light exposure during the winter months. “Each set of students all have their own unique things that they are dealing with or going through,” said Meyers. “Freshman year is a big year to transition from middle school to high school. Senior year is also a big transition going from high school to whatever lies beyond high school and sophomores and juniors are worried about grades and tests, so

I wouldn’t say I notice an exact group that it affects but it just kind of affects everybody.” SAD tends to develop between adolescence and early adulthood, in other words, around high school. Students are put through many stressors during the school year, one of the many side effects of this could be SAD. The feeling of going to school before the sun rises can start the day off with a lack of sunlight and a negative mood. The amount of work given by teachers can cause a student’s brain to go into overload and begin to shut down from the stress but also the lack of energy and dissociation caused by SAD. Another way SAD affects students is through their immune systems. A person’s brain controls everything that internally happens to their body, and when the mind is affected by stress and negative feelings, there can be physical symptoms. One’s body could begin to “give up,” in tandem with the individual’s feelings toward life. When it comes to treatment, it is extremely important to reachout to professional mental health experts. Attending therapy through a virtual call or seeing a school counselor can help one to identify their individual needs and coping strategies. An effective possible treatment can be making sure one receives enough sunlight every day or adding brighter lights to darker rooms. One treatment therapists commonly recommend for SAD patients is called light therapy, which consists of sitting or working near a light therapy box that gives off a bright light to mimic natural light. Having SAD is nothing to feel ashamed about. Many teens experience SAD and do not realize because they brush it off as regular depression. Nearly eight in every 10 children aged 3-17 with depression have received treatment, and six in every 10 children in the

same age range have received treatment for anxiety, according to the CDC. This is just one representation that shows mental health among the students in your day to day class that you may not know about. There are six counselors at LHS and each of them is assigned to a student section by last name. If you are unaware of who your counselor is, a quick stop in the counseling office can help you find your assigned counselor and get you the help that you might need. (Sylvester (A-C), D. Myers (D-G), Dorman (H-K), M. Meyers (L-N), Geppert-Anderson (O-Sq), Thomas (SrZ)). This is a difficult time for everyone and no one deserves to go through it alone. Don’t feel pressured to brush off SAD symptoms as the yearly feeling of the blues; take the necessary steps to keep yourself stable throughout the seasons.

ARTWORK & DESIGN BY OLIVIA BROST

DECEMBER

LHSSTATESMAN.COM

statesman s i x things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can dosixthings juniors can do six things juniors can dosixthingsjuniorscan do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors c a n do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six things juniors can do six

perspectives

Chloe houwman

With the end of high school in sight, there are many tasks that juniors complete this year to prepare themselves for the future. ‘Future Talk’ is usually reserved for seniors, however, taking these steps can make one’s senior year less stressful and more enjoyable. LHS counselor, Becky Thomas, provides six useful tips. *Author’s note: Although this article focuses on what juniors can do, the advice is applicable to any students wanting to get ahead.

There are various paths that one can take following high school; students can pursue a higher form of education, take a gap year, serve one’s country or jump straight into the workforce. “The most important thing to think about is that you have options and that you should find out what makes the most sense for you and your situation,” said Thomas. “Be sure to utilize the LHS counseling website, www. lhscounseling.com. It has a wide variety of information that can help you outline your options.”

THI NGSCANDO

Exploring colleges may look unusual this year due to COVID-19, but that does not mean there are no other options. Many colleges are conducting virtual visits that will give students an overview of the campus, available courses, social opportunities and the application process. This year, LHS is also conducting virtual visits during WIN time. “College representatives are visiting LHS weekly-virtually in the chorus room during WIN,” said Thomas. “Check out the LHS counseling website or the announcements sent to your k12 email address to find out which school will be visiting next.”

juniors

december

Standardized testing may seem like a daunting task, but preparation and organization will ultimately lead to success. There are many testing options available for students regardless of the path they may choose after high school. “[Some of the testing options include] the ACT, SAT, Accuplacer or ASVAB,” said Thomas. Test preparation resources are accessible in the counseling office in addition to numerous resources available online. Students can expect to excel by laying out a schedule of one’s study plan and following it day by day to ensure the best results.

A large part of the college application process is submitting letters of recommendation. To make the writing process easier for the recommender, the LHS counseling office provides a ‘recommendation request form.’ “Completing a student profile for requesting letters of recommendation is helpful,” said Thomas. “Start tracking your involvement in activities, community service/volunteer opportunities and any awards received.” It is imperative to submit these forms in advance to ensure your letters are in on time.

Planning out one’s senior year in advance is always a good idea because there are countless colleges that require courses for acceptance. The Sioux Falls School District provides many opportunities to assist each student plan their collegiate experience. “Consider Advanced Placement courses, Dual Credit options, Avera Academy, Career Connections and Career & Technology Education Academy courses to challenge you and help you make the most of your final year as a high school student,” said Thomas.

NothiNg to worry about?

Daniel bethke

2021: an opportunity to start fresh and release ourselves from the idiosyncrasies of an action-packed 2020. Yes, 2020 has been… unique, replete with a once-in-a-century pandemic, an assassination-based war scare, an economic recession, major protests, global wildfires, the hectic 2020 U.S. presidential election and more. But soon, our suffering will be over. We have a new president coming to Pennsylvania Ave. in January, meaning that most problems facing the U.S. will soon go away. No longer will the country face a derelict infrastructure, nor will corporations continue to reap the benefits of worker labor and promote detrimental policies in relentless pursuit of profit. The U.S. will no longer kill innocent civilians overseas in the name of ‘stability,’ we will no longer allow thousands of our own to die at the hands of rapacious health insurance companies and we will no longer have systemic inequalities. Yes, President-elect Joe Biden, Governor Kristi Noem and the City of Sioux Falls will solve all of these problems.

It is easy to get caught up in the stress of a heavy course load, but it is crucial to also enjoy one’s time as a high schooler. Get involved and explore your interests, because before you know it, that time will vanish. “Attend a club meeting, step out of your comfort zone and meet someone new,” said Thomas. “Show your school spirit and support your classmates by attending extracurricular events when possible. Represent Lincoln High School with pride-- Go Pats!” Design by Chloe houwman

Furthermore, what we have heretofore viewed as a mass pandemic of cataclysmic proportions will soon dissipate. After all, the CDC, World Health Organization and other health groups agree: tepid encouragement of mask wearing in public is the best way to combat the situation. Joe Jamerson, a nonexistent Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention official, expressed this belief in a recent press release, noting how staying on our current track can only lead to great results. “A mask mandate without penalty is a really great idea; you encourage people to wear masks and have a concern for others’ wellbeing without alienating the others,” said Jamerson. “The mandate without penalty is a great compromise (something we need in a pandemic) that shows our serious commitment to public health over private profit. It’s sure to bring cases to zero, locally, in no time.”

Based on our current trajectory, experts say, there will be several bright sides in the end, one of which is climate. Jamerson, in his press release, elaborated on this idea. “The marginal climate improvements we have seen recently due to a slow in consumer activity are significant enough to change the world without any further action needed, regardless of corporate emissions,” said Jamerson. Congress and the President also have yet to deliver a second stimulus check or package to the American people. But the millions of unemployed, furloughed or fired-because-of-thepandemic individuals will be fine in the end without another stimulus; the market will sort it out. We just need to give a few (leverageable) trillion to various corporations, and it will trickle down via the job creation of the wealthy. Since this plan pays for

itself, we can obviously and easily afford it, but it’s just common sense that sending another direct cash payment is unfeasible. After all, this is a slippery slope to communism, and we all know the problem with that: countries that have tried it always run out of essential goods such as toilet paper, a phenomenon completely unknown in the American free market system.

Other non-pandemic problems will also be expeditiously solved come 2021. Sure, Biden says he will veto universal healthcare and a green infrastructure deal, but he only says these things because it helps get him Republican votes! And that strategy clearly worked, especially considering how unpopular Trump is within his own party and how many votes thereof Biden garnered. Thanks to Biden’s election and the myriad Democratic legislative gains, the American body politic has reached its peak and can rest satisfied with the completion of their electoral work. Now, the most pressing issues facing our country will quickly be resolved, no additional policy-pushing needed. Yes, everything will be fine. Just fine.

Disclaimer: This article is a satire and is not meant to be taken seriously.

Design by Daniel bethke Photos ProviDeD by aFP, Matthew abbott

lhsstatesman.com

statesman

perspectives

The idea that social media is harmful to

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Avery blAckmAn

the mental health of teenagers is certainly not a novel one. Yet, as social media users become more aware of its damaging effects, their addiction only seems to grow. Which platform is the largest culprit of such? Snapchat. According to Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel, “As of April 2020, Snapchat reached 90% of all 13-24 year-olds and 75% of all 13-34 year-olds in the U.S.” However, these numbers aren’t necessary to prove that Snapchat is quite present in the majority of young adult lives. Walk into a movie, restaurant or classroom and you will surely see teens with their noses in their phones, rapidly tapping through snap selfies. Spending a Friday or Saturday night at home can already be difficult enough for a high schooler when they are faced with inescapable interrogation from their parents and inhibited by a short attention span that doesn’t allow more than 15 minutes of consecutive TV-watching at a time. What can make these nights so much more unbearable is that every time a teen opens Snapchat, they are bombarded with selfies of their friends, or more likely mere acquaintances, which were taken while out and seemingly having the time of their lives. FOMO (fear of missing out) is unavoidable. It doesn’t matter if a person is swiping through stories, responding to individual messages or checking Snapmap — the reminders that their peers are hanging out without them are everywhere. In this situation, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that they have been intentionally left out, and this notion can be especially devastating to any teenager already feeling immense social pressure to fit in. This elicits feelings of self-doubt and insecurity that only continue to build over time. Now, to address the other side of the screen: the story-posters. Every Friday and Saturday night, there is an unspoken pressure to prove one’s social worth. What better way to do that then post a selfie on their Snapchat story? The mantra seems to be that if someone is going to go through the effort of getting ready for a party, they might as well let everyone know they’re out and having a fantastic time. So, the minute one gets out of the car they’re concerned with who to take pictures with, what their captions should be and if the pictures will be “real story worthy” or “just for the private.” Is it even possible for someone to enjoy themselves if they are entirely unable to live in the moment, hindered by a constant worry about their social media presence? As if the pressure of posting on one’s story wasn’t enough, a relatively new feature on Snapchat has perpetuated this necessity to prove to one’s “friends” that they’re a social person: Snapmap.

For those who are not aware, if a user chooses to share their location with their friends, their Bitmoji (the emoji version of themselves) will pop up on a literal map of the world, updating whenever they open the app. The “last seen” feature displays how long it has been since a person with their Snapmap turned on has used Snapchat. If there is a party or larger friend gathering, everyone on Snapchat will know exactly where it is, and will be able to see at least a handful of people who are there. This may be a form of validation for those who are at said hangout. There is a sort of satisfaction for someone in knowing — or at least believing — that the knowledge of where they are prompts a reaction from their peers. On the other hand, the feeling of FOMO is once again heightened for those watching their acquaintances or friends get together, with real-time updates of where they are. In addition, the knowledge of when a friend last checked Snapchat allows people to see when they are being ignored, which can be a painful realization. The fast-paced nature of Snapchat has turned the app into a social crutch for its frequent users. The issue of social anxiety when in a public or large-group situation can be sidestepped by turning to Snapchat as a way to divert your attention and avoid any discomfort. Any period of time, which is either lacking in stimulation or just too painful to be entirely present in, may be filled by swiping through stories or clicking through snaps. Once someone gets in the habit of opening Snapchat whenever they’re bored or uncomfortable, it’s difficult to stop themselves from doing so instinctively. As a result, frequent Snapchatters may often find themselves snapping other people while hanging out with their friends. It is not difficult for someone to become emotionally disconnected, even when surrounded with their closest friends, when they are constantly reminded of what their Snapchat friends are doing. For an app whose goal is to improve communication between friends, it certainly doesn’t do much for strengthening the foundation of close friendships. I don’t expect anyone to delete Snapchat from their phone after reading this story. I, myself, will not be doing any such thing. However, I do believe that acknowledging how unhealthy Snapchat can be is helpful in realizing how truly insignificant the app is. An individual platform should not possess the power to determine one’s social status and hold such control over their emotions, yet, it is too easy to allow Snapchat to do just that. Perhaps a future generation of teenagers will collectively decide not to elect Snapchat as the dominant form of social media communication. I, for one, cannot wait for that day to come. Design by Avery blAckmAn

december

lhsstatesman.com

STATESMAN

PERSPECTIVES

THE STRENGTH IN “SORRY” BY

MARGARET ANN MICKELBERG

COMINGP UP NEXT... G BY

AIGE

ORDON

2020 was a rough year. Australia went up in flames, COVID-19 took over our lives and then there were murder hornets, locusts and sandstorms. It truly felt like the end of times was fast approaching. But now, it is time to look to the future and start to imagine what 2021 has to offer us.

CALIFORNIA WILL SELF DESTRUCT What are the chances of California being set ablaze by another gender reveal party gone wrong? Hopefully, they are pretty low, but we all know California’s forests will spontaneously combust at least once in 2021. Aside from wildfires constantly bombarding the state, California’s location on the San Andreas fault makes it much more susceptible to earthquakes along with other natural disasters. Given its luck so far, California might just sink or float off into the Pacific Ocean, becoming an independent island-nation with terrible traffic and extremely high rent rates. Now that is the California dream.

COVID-19 WILL CAUSE STRANGE SIDE EFFECTS Mistakes happen. As human beings, we are bound to mess up. For many people, it seems easy to mumble “sorry” after doing something insignificantly troubling, like bumping into someone, taking a parking spot or stepping on someone’s heel in the hallway. According to the BBC, people say this one simple word at least eight times a day, and sometimes as often as 20 times. So why does it seem so difficult to apologize — or to receive a genuine apology — for more emotion-oriented mistakes? An apology is the most powerful way to resolve an offense, according to scientist Karina Schumann of the University of Pittsburgh. That being said, offenders may hold their apologies to avoid hurting their self-image. In general, people see themselves as good, moral human beings. Doing something wrong threatens this personal image, and admitting the action was wrong brings attention to the transgression along with bad feelings. Apologies can reduce feelings of shame and guilt after the fact, but transgressors may not anticipate these effects as much as the mainstream humiliating and stressful feelings society typically associates with the aftermath of an apology. In our current culture, where there is little

“in-between” in any philosophy, apologies and admitting to wrongdoing are becoming less common. People have been trained to think of apologies as weak, or as admitting they are a bad person. The truth is that everybody knows people slip up and hurt each other. The sooner we all recognize this behavior as human, the sooner we can own up to and mend our wrongs. There is strength in admitting that there was a mistake made in a moment, and in realizing that one instant doesn’t define a person as malicious. A certain kind of gentle strength is required for effective forgiveness. If the transgressor does not start by forgiving themself for a human mistake, they will never apologize out of fear that they are calling their entire being a failure. Further, if the transgressed doesn’t forgive, the hole in the relationship will never be patched up. The involved individuals will be weakened by bad blood and hurt feelings that could inhibit them from growing as people, together. Apologizing is not forsaking power. Allowing yourself to forgive is not allowing yourself to be pushed over. It takes strength to let our pride go to repair weaknesses with others. Suck it up and apologize because there is strength in “sorry.” ARTWORK & DESIGN BY MARGARET ANN MICKELBERG

DECEMBER

COVID-19 has caused quite a bit of chaos this year, and despite all the science and technology around us, there is still much we do not know about the virus, including its after effects. Some doctors have reported that certain symptoms such as the loss of taste or smell linger a bit longer compared to others, but what if more ‘unusual’ symptoms started to appear? Mutations in viruses are relatively common, so is it possible that COVID-19 will bring about mutations in humans? With so many unknown factors surrounding the virus, we could have a possible zombie outbreak on our hands.

THE SECOND CIVIL WAR In addition, and because of all the unfortunate events this year, many Americans have been at each other’s throats. Now, after what seems like one of the most polarizing elections in U.S. history, the divide has only become more apparent. In between arguments about police reform, riots, and aggressive Twitter feuds, we may be on the brink of a second Civil War.

POTENTIAL ALIEN INVASION

HELP!

In September of 2019, the people of the Internet came up with the brilliant idea to storm Area 51 solely based on a joke. No one took it too seriously, but that did not stop some dedicated alien lovers from showing up. If the 2020s stick with the trend 2020 has set, it is not too far-fetched to assume pending an apocalypse, people will attempt to raid the area for resources. There are three possible outcomes: after dismantling the government and raiding the base, humanity will release alien captives that had been held for decades. If not an alien jailbreak, a black market of alien war machines will surge. Or desperate people will try and snag the base’s toilet paper supply after being unable to find any.

Regardless of how 2021 pans out, it is important to be optimistic, so remember to try and have a positive outlook when disaster unavoidably strikes.

Disclaimer: This is a satire, meaning its intent is to entertain and should not be taken seriously. RTWORK BY PBY AIGE ORDON DESIGNED BY PAIGEAG ORDON& DESIGN PHOTOS CG ANVA

LHSSTATESMAN.COM

? STATESMAN

perspectives

IS MEDIA CENSORSHIP

BIASED

HENRY HAFT

Media censorship and confirmation bias have become a larger and more overlooked problem in the recent decade. People like to interact with other like-minded individuals to satisfy themselves and hear what they want to hear. The truth is, the U.S. media outlets are biased towards left-wing politics in America and conservatives are victims of media censorship more often than one may think. YouTube demonetizes Trump-supporting conservative channels. For example, YouTuber Soph who was completely banned on YouTube after expressing her right-wing opinions and the LowderWithCrowder channel that was completely demonetized and was speculated to make $5,500 a day and $2 million a year. Twitter kills trending conservative hashtags and bans right-wing media outlets such as SVNewsAlerts on accounts of violating policies against “coordination” and “inauthentic behavior.” Facebook bans outspoken conservative users such as InfoWars, and all this is done even while there are no threats being made to anyone. But when a left extremist makes a death threat to President Trump and his family, their posts are not deleted and their accounts are not banned or demonetized. I’m an advocate of free speech, and in the case of the Internet, speech is supposed to be free. It is dangerous when certain political views get silenced simply because they are

deemed as lies or are opposed to the political views of popular left wing media outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, New York Slate, PBS, BBC, Buzzfeed and etc. Who gets to decide what information is truthful and what information is a lie? Who gets to decide what is fake news? Clearly, both sides of the aisle are calling each other fake news. When one side gets the upper hand and the power to silence the other, free-speech no longer exists. That’s why conservatives are pushing for an Internet Bill of Rights, where social media and search engine companies, such as Google, will be regulated to ensure that everyone, no matter their political affiliation, gets to disseminate their views on the Internet equally and fairly with no bias. It is essential for people with different political

beliefs to talk to each other. This interaction can allow them to get a more well-rounded view of each other’s beliefs and positions. If people choose not to interact with people of different political beliefs, they would only be exposed to one perspective and would be tunnel-visioned. Experience is a crucial part of identity, and interacting with those who have had different life experiences is one of the best ways to reach mutual understandings. Both sides should be allowed to disseminate their views, but in a world controlled by the media, right becomes wrong and wrong becomes right, the truth becomes lies and lies become the truth and only one side gets to disseminate their views. Nevertheless, we must all stand together against wrongful media censorship. DESIGN BY SARA CROGHAN

DECEMBER

lhsstatesman.com

STATESMAN

PERSPECTIVES

ANNA ENGELS

“. . . between 20 and 25%

“

Since the idea was originally conceived in 1979 by Michael Aldrich in the UK, online shopping has slowly started to take over walk-in stores throughout the world (Wikipedia). The COVID-19 pandemic has recently exacerbated this phenomenon and is leading inperson shopping into extinction. It is hard to say when this day will come, but a profusion of abandoned buildings and better technology seems to be in the future. It is no shock that 2020’s electronic commerce is at an alltime high because of COVID-19 related adjustments. However, even without the pandemic, online sales still surpassed in-store purchases in 2019. The overall retail revenue from online shopping in 2019 skyrocketed to 56.9% in comparison to the 43.1% of revenue generated from in-store purchases, a stark contrast to previous years (U.S. Department of Commerce data). These statistics indicate the rapid incline of people shopping online and foreshadows a possible extinction of in-person shopping venues, including many stores and malls. Large retail corporations that have dropped in popularity over the years, such as Sears, J.C. Penney and Macy’s, have been making drastic cuts to their stores around the country. According to a recent article in USA Today, Macy’s claims that “shutting [down] weaker stores in lower-tier malls will enable it to focus on locations with stronger sales as well as its online operations.” For Macy’s, these cuts included closing nearly one-fifth of store locations in the U.S. within the next three years. As reported in Business Insider, a study done by Credit Suisse in 2017 stated that between 20 and 25% of malls will close by 2022. These big-name stores were a staple in many malls, and in their absence, are leaving gaping holes that many malls around the nation cannot refill. In contrast to clothing stores taking a plunge, other marketing enterprises such as grocery and convenience stores are having an opposing effect upon purchases online. Hy-Vee is one company using online shopping to their advantage this year. The release of “Aisles Online” is one way Hy-Vee is helping consumers, who are unable to leave their homes, get groceries by ordering online. Instead of closing their doors like many companies, Hy-Vee is using the plethora of people shopping online to contribute to their profits.

of malls will close by 2022.

“Our online shopping has definitely increased since the start of COVID-19 due to people not eating out as much, people buying in bulk, the uncertainty and more family members at home,” said Hy-Vee manager, Lisa Carlson. “Our online shopping accounts for 10% of our business.” Carlson believes that if they did not provide the option of online shopping, “customers would have reached out to private companies like ‘Shipit’ and ‘Instacart’ more,” possibly resulting in Hy-Vee losing that 10% of business and a chunk of their profit. Other companies are trying to make up for the lack of in-person retail by making the online shopping process easier and more efficient. Companies have implemented helpful features such as new sizing methods and free shipping in attempts to keep their customers active with their business. Some clientele may be thrilled by the extra tools made to enhance the online shopping experience, but others are dismayed by the fact that department stores could become lost for good. “Even with online shopping, I think there will always be a need for stores. The convenience of shopping in person is something many people won’t or can’t give up. Some may not have the ability to shop online because they don’t have access to the internet,” said LHS junior, Grace Adler. While customers may be attracted to online shopping because of its efficiency, many do not consider the negative effect online shopping has on the retail industry. People are choosing to cyber-shop for various reasons, but in doing so, they are weakening the prosperity of in-person retail. Shopping is a time for people to gather, spend money, gawk at over-priced clothes and a way for wives to keep their husbands at home. In-person stores have been a crucial aspect of American living, but recent changes in the retail market and the world may officially cause department stores to be rendered obsolete. These days, grocery stores are flooded with personal shoppers instead of customers, and malls all over the world are becoming utterly silent and empty. The extinction of stores may not appear visible as of right now, but the downfall of in-person business is creeping up and chipping away at colossal stores, making a lasting effect.

DESIGN BY ANNA ENGELS PHOTO PROVIDED BY GETTY IMAGES

DECEMBER

LHSSTATESMAN.COM

STATESMAN

PERSPECTIVES

DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR TEACHERS AN APPLE BY

SARA CROGHAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Big secret: school is different

this year. Students wear masks, socially distance (kind of), face the possibility of being close-contacted, have different looking sports seasons; I needn’t go on. What about teachers? To start, they also face the possibility of having to self-quarantine upon exposure, they wear masks and most have extra sanitizer on hand. They have been recording lectures, streaming classes, answering emails, posting notes, assignments, answers; I’m not a teacher and can’t even get close to listing all of their added duties this year. No matter if you’re a student or a teacher, we’ve all had to deal with a little (or a lot) more. As a student, regardless of this year’s changes, the goal still remains the same: go to school, take classes, do the work and pass the class. For teachers, amidst the pandemic or not, student absences greatly disrupt the typical order o a class. It’s not a given that students miss school exclusively due to COVID-19 exposure, but ask any teacher, and it is practically guaranteed that teachers will have multiple students absent because of exposure throughout their day and classes. While student absences are not a new byproduct of COVID-19, the sheer number of absences is. The E-Wing parking lot’s relative emptiness can attest to this. So, let’s focus on teachers;

DESIGN BY SARA CROGHAN

DECEMBER

they’ve had to make their class material accessible and learnable for any students stuck at home. “I spend an extra couple of hours on Sundays at school making sure Google Classroom has handwritten notes, video to match the notes, the assignment and the answer key for each day,” said LHS math teacher Heidi Dykstra. If you’ve ever taken an AP Physics class, come COVID-19 you may have thought to yourself “Newitt was ready for this all along.” I know I have. However, even “Mr. Newitt’s Webpage” has required changes in these times. “I have tried to create a website that allows students to do everything that we do in class from home if they have to,” said Brad Newitt, LHS AP Physics teacher. “It is taking some tweaking this year to make that all work, but I think I’m getting to a point now where I have a pretty good system in place.” Most teachers are having to do more work to remedy student absences. One could say “well, it’s their job,” which engages the debate of teacher salaries, a debate that COVID-19, arguably, should only intensify. Given the

scope of this article I won’t try to tackle the salary issue, personal beliefs aside, but instead I will ask you, my reader, to try and empathize more deeply with the teachers around you. With all the extra work this year has brought, it has become increasingly clear that for most of them, it’s not just a job. Administration has not sat idly while the number of close-contactings and positive cases rise; they have hired two extra staff members to aid students in the catching-up process. But these “COVID mentors” can only do so much, leaving plenty still to be done by the teachers. The administration staff, having to deal with balancing student needs and classroom demands, has instructed teachers to approach the situation of absent students case by case and in a way that does not put pressure on students. “The only guidance we have gotten from administration is that students have as long as they need to catch up. We cannot pressure or stress students out if they come back without work finished,” said Dysktra. For students unfazed by the pile of work growing daily during a quarantine period, a close contact call from the Department of Health is comparable to winning a free cruise: it’s a one way ticket to a two week

“coronacation.” Teachers, however, have gone to great lengths to make sure that absent students can keep up if they are inclined to do so. “The

responsibility is ultimately on the student [to stay caught-up], however, as a teacher I feel like it’s my responsibility to set up a structure that they can be successful in getting caught up when they’ve been gone,” said Newitt. If it was easy to keep up in school without actually being in school, it seems attendance wouldn’t be mandatory. Whether a student has kept up with work or not, classes aren’t structured to have students miss two weeks or more at a time. This becomes even more difficult in classes that rely on cumulatively-built knowledge for every new lesson, where it’s hard to jump back in. “While I understand how overwhelming being out of school for two weeks can be for students and their mental health, it is also frustrating when much of my material scaffolds on previously learned material,” said Dysktra. “ I do not know how to balance the administration’s guidelines

and my scaffolding issues, so I work really hard to keep my Google Classroom organized so it is easy for students to keep caught up.” In these issues the problem lies; there is no winning for teachers, students or administration. While some students are able to stay caught up while absent and minimize the

detriment of scaffolding issues, students who are not caught up in these circumstances, for whatever reason, are then at a major deficit. There is little teachers can do to prevent these deficits besides putting out resources and accommodations for absent students. Thanks to the elimination of quarter grades this year, we have yet to see how the increase in student absences will affect the pass rates of classes, but one can already assume. For a student operating at a two week deficit, the amount of work only grows, even upon returning to school. For students that struggle with self discipline this amount of work may seem insurmountable, and result in a lack of effort and potentially the failing of a class, or a significant drop in grades. Given the current policies, there is not much a teacher can do to prevent this from happening outside of what most are already doing. Should teachers have the ability to set deadlines/ requirements for absent students during their absences to proactively try and prevent these situations from developing? On the other

hand, teacher and administrative pressure could only worsen a student’s situation and taskcompleting abilities. Which should we worry about more: a student’s well-being or academic success? The current teacher instruction automatically favors student well-being, and it is hard to fault administration for doing so. But this approach also gives students the option to fall behind. If teachers were able to set absence expectations, this could be eliminated. This approach, however, could result in students easily becoming overwhelmed. When a student misses two weeks of five to six academically heavy classes, there’s much to make up. Both students and teachers have to find time to make sure the absent student’s understanding is up to par, make up tests, quizzes, labs; the list goes on. There is no doubt this is a mountain of stress for the student, and a scheduling nightmare for the teacher, especially when they have multiple students absent. Not to mention the extra hours of work new to this year. No-pressure instructions give students the benefit of the doubt (assumes students will keep up to the best of their ability), but potentially leave teachers helpless if students willingly fall behind. This may reflect poorly on teachers; isn’t it easy for a student (who has already been given the benefit of the doubt) to blame their failure on the teacher? Allowing teachers to “pressure” their absent students would give teachers the benefit of the doubt (assumes teachers will set reasonable, case-by-case expectations), but requires students to communicate if they are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, which can seem daunting to students. In some situations, students don’t need to be pressured to succeed, while in others they do. Either way, it’s not an easy time to be a teacher. So, whether you’ve been gone or in class this whole time, you might want to bring your teacher an apple (or stay caught up to the best of your ability; they’d probably appreciate that more). LHSSTATESMAN.COM

statesman

perspectives perspectives

The “tr ip by

Thompson Wakefield

”

The 2020 U.S. election did much more than just determine the 46th president and the 116th Congress; it also created unprecedented progress in recreational and medicinal drug legalization nationwide.

Although marijuana legalization has become more common in the U.S., psychedelic substances such as psilocybin, LSD (acid), mescaline (peyote) and DMT (Ayahuasca) are still relatively unfamiliar to many Americans. Misconceptions surrounding these

Advancements such as four states, including South Dakota, voting to legalize recreational cannabis; two states, also including South Dakota, voting to legalize medicinal cannabis; and Oregon becoming the first state to legalize psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”) and decriminalize drug possession in small amounts have left Americans both excited and concerned. Marijuana legalization and decriminalization has become a popular idea in the U.S., first starting with Oregon in 1973. As of this past election, cannabis is only fully illegal in six states. Arguments for the legalization of marijuana range from physical and mental health benefits to stopping the prisonindustrial complex and creating revenue for the U.S. government and small businesses.

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psychedelics, along with their research being illegal, has made it difficult to garner public support for legalization. In addition to this, users often state their experiences as “indescribable”, making it hard for nonusers to really understand the effects of psychedelics. Hallucinations, euphoria, introspectiveness, loss of self-identity and epiphanies commonly take place during a “trip,” or psychedelic experience. There are many different reasons why a person may take a psychedelic drug. Whether they want to treat their depression with psilocybin mushrooms, enhance their experiences at concerts with acid or practice religious traditions with Ayahuasca, the war on drugs has made these rather harmless actions nearly impossible.

The benefits of psychedelic usage and the negatives of criminalization are the two large factors in legalizing psychedelic drugs. The former argues that psychedelics have the potential to greatly help people in various ways, while the latter states that it is immoral and irrational to incarcerate people for using these drugs. One of the supposed

well wellasasmaking makingpeople peopleallall around aroundmore morecalm, calm,happy happy and andkind. kind.According Accordingtoto this thisarticle, article,these thesedrugs drugs work workbybyslowing slowingthe the brain’s brain’sdefault defaultmode mode network, network,which whichisisthe the part partofofthe thebrain brainthat thatisis responsible responsiblefor fora aperson’s person’s habitual habitualthinking thinkingand and obsessions. obsessions. Another Anotherbenefit benefitofof psychedelic psychedelicdrug druguse useisis the thelong longlasting lastingmood mood boosters boostersthat thatresult resultfrom from them. them.According Accordingtotoanan article articlebybyHealthline, Healthline, studies studieshave haveshown shown that thatimprovements improvementsinin mood moodand andfeelings feelingsofof social socialconnection connection caused causedbyby

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benefits of psychedelics is their ability to help with mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) as well as addiction. According to an article by John Hopkins Medicine, studies have shown that psilocybin “produced rapid and large reductions in depressive symptoms” as well as “significantly relieved existential anxiety and depression in people with a life-threatening cancer diagnosis.” The Washington Post wrote a similar article about the positive effects of LSD on the brain, including helping alcoholics drink less and terminal patients ease more gently into death, as

god-like god-likefigures figuresand andfeel feel more morespiritual spiritualconnections connections totothe theEarth. Earth.This Thisininturn turn can cancreate createa asense senseofof purpose purposeininindividuals individualsand and make makethem themmore moremotivated motivated totostrive strivefor forhappiness happinessand and virtue. virtue. Although Althoughpsychedelic psychedelic drugs drugsdodohave havemany manyproven proven benefits, benefits,the thereasons reasons against againstcriminalization criminalization are areeven evenmore moreconvincing convincing totothe theaverage averageperson. person. Psychedelics Psychedelicsare arerather rather hard hardtotocomprehend comprehendtoto individuals individualswho whohave havenever never participated, participated,but butmost most people peoplecan canunderstand understand economic economicfactors factorsand andbasic basic ethics. ethics.

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psychedelic psychedelic use usecontinue continue even evenafter afterthe thedrugs drugs wear wearoff. off.Drugs Drugslike like According Accordingtotothe theCenter Center methamphetamine methamphetamineand and for forAmerican AmericanProgress, Progress, heroin heroinproduce produceshort, short, the thewar waronondrugs drugshas hascost cost grand grandhighs highsthat thatleave leavethe the the theU.S. U.S.$1$1trillion trillionsince since users usersacutely acutelyaddicted addictedwith with itsitsstart startinin1971, 1971,ororasasofof long longterm termnegative negativeeffects. effects. 2015, 2015,$9.2 $9.2million millionevery every Psychedelic Psychedelicdrugs drugsprovide provide day. day.With Withlegalization, legalization, longer, longer,less lessgrand grandhighs highs psychedelic psychedelicdrugs drugscould could without withoutthe therisk riskofofdeath death greatly greatlyhelp helpthe theU.S. U.S. from fromoverdosing. overdosing.People People economy economybybyopening openingupupanan have havebeen beenusing usingnaturally naturally entirely entirelynew newmarket. market.Micro Micro occurring occurringpsychedelic psychedelic Small SmallCap Capresearchers researchers drugs drugsallallover overthe theworld world predict predictthat thatbyby2027, 2027,the the for forthousands thousandsofofyears years psychedelic psychedelicdrugs drugsmarket market ininceremonial ceremonialpractices. practices. could couldgenerate generate$6.85 $6.85 This Thisisisattributed attributedtotothe the billion billionjust justfrom frommedical medical hallucinogenic hallucinogenicproperties properties sales. sales. that thatcome comewith withpsychedelic psychedelic Regardless Regardlessofofthe the drugs. drugs.InInlarge largeamounts, amounts, economic economicfactors, factors,it’s it’s users usersare areknown knowntotovisualize visualizedifficult difficulttotoargue arguethat that

citizens citizensshould shouldbebemarked marked asascriminals criminalsfor forsubstances substances that, that,according accordingtotoa a2017 2017 Global GlobalDrug DrugSurvey, Survey,are are reported reportedtotobebemuch muchsafer safer than thanalcohol. alcohol. The Thecriminalization criminalizationofof psychedelic psychedelicdrugs drugsled ledtotothe the arrests arrestsofofcountless countlesspeaceful peaceful Americans. Americans.InInthe thesame samevein, vein, the thewar waronondrugs, drugs,which which began beganininthe the1970s, 1970s,heavily heavily targets targetsblack blackAmericans Americans and andother otherminorities. minorities.The The same sameCenter Centerfor forAmerican American Progress Progressarticle articlefinds findsthat that despite despiteequal equalsubstance substance usage usagerates, rates,black blackAmericans Americans are arenearly nearlysix sixtimes timesmore more likely likelytotobebeincarcerated incarcerated for fordrug-related drug-relatedoffenses offenses than thanwhite whiteAmericans. Americans.The The legalization legalizationofofpsychedelics psychedelics would wouldbebea astep stepininthe theright right direction directiontowards towardsending ending institutional institutionalracism racisminin America Americabybydecreasing decreasingthe the racial racialdisparities disparitiescaused causedbyby drug-related drug-relatedarrests. arrests. When Whenaccounting accountingfor forallall the thefacts, facts,ititisiseasy easytotosee see that thatpsychedelic psychedelicdrugs drugshave have their theiradvantages advantagesand andthat that the thecriminalization criminalizationofofthese these substances substancesisisunethical unethicaland and nonsensical. nonsensical.America Americaisis making makingprogress progresswith withthe the legalization legalizationofofcannabis, cannabis, but butthere thereisismuch muchmore more that thatneeds needstotobebedone. done.ItIt isistime timetotoput putaside asideyour your preconceived preconceivednotions notionsabout about psychedelic psychedelicdrugs drugsand and learn learnthe thetruths truthsabout aboutthe the vast vastpotentials potentialsofofthese these extraordinary extraordinarysubstances. substances. design design by by abbie abbie dekramer dekramer

december

lhsstatesman lhsstatesman .com .com

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STATESMAN

perspectives

MAN’S

TRASH:

ONE

Over this past year, the clothing reselling app Depop has gained a cult following, especially among young Americans. In theory, the app is groundbreaking. But its market, with as little corporate interference as possible, is a beast in the jungle of retail. Described as a mix of Instagram and Ebay, Depop implements a “social first” strategy in their feed. Sellers, who manage their stores from the comfort of their own homes, have an advantage on larger brands because of their more personal approach. In a 2018 interview with Forbes, Depop’s CEO Maria Raga explained what sets her company up for success in the current and future markets. “There are three things that make Depop’s community unique,” said Raga. “First, Depop’s users are digitally native. They’re extremely connected to one another. They trust their social media circle and influencers more than they trust any brand.” Back in 2018, her statement was accurate. The community did have a special connection in its personalized digital style. As of this year, however, that era is dead and gone. As shipping rates have increased, along with the size of the community, sellers are pricing their items higher than ever before. Sweatshirts from popular brands

THE WORLD OF DEPOP’S SECONDHAND HYPE

MARA FENDRICH

like Nike, or even knockoffs of the brands, can sell for upwards of $100. Authentic Nike sweatshirts are often bid upon, ending with a price as high as $250. “Sweatshirts from popular brands like Nike, or even knockoffs of the brands, can sell for upwards of $100. Authentic Nike sweatshirts are often bid upon, ending with a price as high as $250.” As some would argue, that’s just plain consumerism, right? And the answer is yes, this issue is common among similar apps and does not represent the app singlehandedly. The issue comes in when Depop’s proclaimed values are put into consideration. “Second, Depop’s brand purpose,” said Raga. “Being environmentally positive is way more important for Depop users than it is for older generations.” It is true, Generation Z has made a significant push for ethical production, but many are unaware of what it really means to shop ethically. Because of this, some sellers are taking advantage of the recycled, eco-friendly aesthetic Depop prides itself on by reselling whatever cheaply bought items they can get their hands on. One of the worst practices on the app is dropshipping, in which a seller

buys their advertised items from a separate factory or source to be shipped directly to the customer who bought it. These items are often bought from sites like Shein and AliExpress, which sell much closer to the production cost. There is a reason these sites can sell for so low, however. The companies use unethical sources of labor, most notably sweatshops. Even less damaging alternatives to dropshipping, such as reselling secondhand clothes, have their own implications. Because of apps like Depop that feed into thrifting trends, second hand shopping is at an all time high. For those who shop secondhand out of necessity, high quality clothing secondhand clothing is in high demand and more quickly picked over, taking away important opportunities for these individuals. Some popular sellers have even purchased baby clothes and remarketed them as “rare” and “vintage” releases from brands in high demand. Even with its flaws, there is a clear potential for Depop to rule the next age of shopping with its convenience and sociability. Its problems are not entirely the fault of the Depop community as a whole, nor are they entirely solvable by the company. So, for now, the community has no better option but to govern itself with ethical standards. It may be the only way for Depop to survive. DESIGN BY MARA FENDRICH

DECEMBER

lhsstatesman.com

STATESMAN

PERSPECTIVES

BIDEN WON; WHAT NOW FOR THE LEFT? BY

DANIEL BETHKE

After an arduous and lengthy campaign season like no other, former Vice President Joe Biden has been declared the winner. While Democrats were predicted to take the Senate and keep their wide House of Representatives margin, it seems that they probably won’t get the Senate and that their House margin has shrunk substantially. Democrats across the country, most notably Sara Gideon, Theresa Greenfield, Amy McGrath, Joe Cunningham and Collin Peterson, all lost races in which they could’ve been victorious. Even Biden significantly underperformed. Why? As a Democrat, both as a candidate and as a politician, you have to stand for something other than just being an alternative to the status quo. If you don’t vigorously advocate a specific yet debatable policy, your base’s turnout and therefore victory is not guaranteed. When a Democratic candidate runs on a vague, Blue Dog platform, even in an ostensibly conservative region, it should be no surprise that they will fail to generate as much support among more ideologically left, younger voters than they might garner with older voters. Because of how common this is, in 2016, according to the U.S. Elections Project, most 18-29 year old eligible voters didn’t vote at all. Meanwhile, 70 percent of age 60+ eligible voters casted ballots for the same election. Therefore, because of this disparity in turnout, a campaign should focus more on turning out younger, ipso facto left-leaning voters, devoting more time to the issues they care about. The voters can see through power-grab campaigns; they don’t want a candidate that nominally supports beneficial policies but won’t strive to enact them. But this is too often what the Democratic Party offers—candidates on the other side

of the same coin as their Republican opposition—and this is too often why they lose. As President Truman said, “If it’s a choice between a genuine Republican, and a Republican in Democratic clothing, the people will choose the genuine article, every time.” Of course, establishment Democrats always bemoan the prospect of ‘losing the middle’ by going ‘too far left.’ They say things like, “If Democrats can move enough to the middle, they will win.” However, the existence of a large moderate bloc that is swayable is a myth. Many people are registered Independents or like to call themselves moderates… granted. But they fall all over the ideological map, with most of them being partisan too! Congressionally speaking, this partisanship is also true; President Obama’s conservative healthcare plan, originally proposed by Newt Gingrich and Chuck Grassley, got not one Republican vote and was instead smeared as radical by its original proponents. The John Kasichs and Biden Republicans did not win this election, nor do such types of voters ever manage to. Kasich couldn’t even deliver his home state of Ohio! It was the Rashida Tlaibs, as Common Dreams noted, and other such organizers that won the key states for Biden due to their voter registration and turnout efforts. Conversely, in 2016, Hillary Clinton lost the Rust Belt, including Michigan. Why? Not because she went too far left. Clinton lost, even among many former Obama voters, because she was perceived as too corporate and not populist enough by voters in the Rust Belt, who were willing to take a chance with Trump. The Republicans never play this game. The Republican Party never worries about alienating the nonexistent middle; they simply cater to their base. The Democratic Party, meanwhile, caters to… whom? Not

their base—the establishment Democratic Party, with few exceptions, is the worst enemy of its own base. They brought Trump’s victory on themselves. Progressive policies are undoubtedly popular: a recent Fox News poll found that 72 percent of respondents supported a government-run health care plan.” In fact, as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez noted, “Every single swing-seat House Democrat who endorsed Medicare For All won re-election,” whereas several who didn’t support the policy lost. Voters across the country, even in states Trump won, chose to enact a living wage, legalize certain drugs and establish paid leave. It’s just that, due to the previously mentioned issues, the Democratic Party isn’t viewed as palatable, and part of that is their insincere, tepid support of such popular progressive policies. Democrats must become fierce advocates for progressives and truly left policies. They must never stop pushing Biden to fight for the policies to which he paid lip service on the campaign trail. They must call him out if he reneges. They must be fearless of the labels that conservatives will inevitably attach to them: socialist, radical, etc. As shown with the passage of the conservative Obamacare plan, Republicans will ascribe such labels to all Democrats no matter what they do. We don’t need business as usual. We don’t need Biden’s ‘return to normalcy.’ That would be doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, or, in the words of Albert Einstein, insanity. In fact, as Nina Turner said, Biden’s return to normalcy would only be “a circuitous route back to Trumpism.” If Democrats don’t do something now to take back the party from status quo capitalism and bring it back to pithy labor advocacy, they will continue to pay the price electorally.

redeﬁning the

latin

american music industry BY

MOLLY WETSCH, ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

What do Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Pitbull have in common? Short answer: They’re all Latin-American musicians. Long answer: They’re all Latin-American musicians who primarily create music in English. For years, although Spanish is the U.S.’s second most spoken language, these artists have had to write and perform English songs to succeed in the notoriously impenetrable American music industry. Although songs like “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee and “Échame la Culpa,” also by Fonsi, have recently become incredibly popular, they’ve required a certain niche to rise to chart success. That niche? American artists. “Despacito,” popular in the Spanish-speaking world, did not fully reach American audiences until it featured popstar Justin Bieber. In the same vein, “Échame la Culpa” features Lovato singing a few verses in English. While it is a triumph that these songs charted, it’s hard to deny the pattern that emerges. A song in Spanish has trouble breaking into the top charts unless it has some residual clout (like a pop singer) following it. Of course, the U.S.’s primary language spoken is English; it would make sense that most popular songs are in the language. However, when you take into account the enormous Spanish-speaking population (41 million U.S. residents, according to CNN), it’s inevitable that at some point Spanish music would fight its way to popularity.

Most recently, the American Music Awards created several new categories: Favorite Male Latin Artist, Favorite Female Latin Artist and Favorite Latin Song. In addition, Hispanic artists Jennifer Lopez and Maluma performed two songs at the event, “Pa Ti” and “Lonely.” So, if one award show can create inclusion for music in Spanish, have others done the same? The answer is complicated, and usually lies in the fact that many award shows have a ‘Latin’ version of the event; there’s the Latin Grammys, the Latin VMAs (or Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica) and the Billboard Latin Music Awards. All of these are award shows entirely tailored to a Spanish-speaking audience, with presenters and performers hailing from countries like Mexico and Venezuela. Some award shows like the Grammys also have a Latin award section for the main ceremony, usually not announced live alongside major awards like Album and Artist of the Year. The issue then lies not within representation, but equalization. According to YouGov, over half of Americans listen to music in a language other than English. 52 percent of those people listen to music in Spanish. It has become all too common to put Latin music into its own category, instead of on the pop or R&B charts. Some songs could fall into those genres, but because they are in a different language, they are considered ‘other.’ Whether or not you personally listen to music in Spanish, it is impossible to deny that the music has become a force in the American music industry. So, instead of regaling it with its own award show, separate from the ‘American’ version, create space for these artists within the industry they’ve found success in. Nominate Spanish songs for Song and Record of the Year at the Grammys. Give Spanish music videos awards at the VMAs. These songs and artists have become as intrinsic to American culture as Beyoncé, Madonna and Prince. If you haven’t yet taken the plunge and listened to artists like Bad Bunny, Luis Fonsi or Becky G, it’s time. DESIGN BY MOLLY WETSCH

DESIGN BY CAMERON RHODE

DECEMBER

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“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” AbrAhAm LincoLn