January Issue-2023

STATESMAN’S OWN STORYraina marty

STAFF WRITERS- Clara Binstock, Elana Bishop, Kadence Dean, Ella DuBois, Kinley Freese, Betsy Haft, Caroline Hughes, Katie Jensen, Zoe Larson, Fisher Meyerink, Natalie Nolan, Bergen Quello, Addison Remme, Adrienne Revier, Gabe Schmit, Adeline Theophilus, Josie Tollinger, Daniel Valentine, Elysse Weber, Ariahna Wells, Thompson Wakefield, Reagan Wulf

ADVISER- Dr. Katie Kroeze

“Adolescence represents the first rocky point for friendships because it is the first time in a person’s life when they start gaining a sense of themselves.“

A TRUTH ABOUT YOUNG FRIENDSHIPclare heupel 19/

YOGA: STRENGTHENING THE BODY & MINDsarah bomhoff on the cover 10/

southwick

19/ 20/ 26/ 21/ 24/ 28/ 30/

SHE’S BACKkinley freese

36/ 38/ on the cover 10/ 37/ 30

BY DELANEY GRAMLICK

Aiming to bring Sioux Falls youth to the stage and offer a platform for public speaking, TEDxYouth@ SiouxFalls will be held at JHS this March.

The event, TEDxYouth, is simply an opportunity for Sioux Falls teenagers to showcase their talents and interests by giving their own TED talks, performed in front of a live audience. Applying for the event required submitting an idea that was new and engaging and a short TED-like example video of the applicant explaining the idea. 15 performers will be selected, who will move on to receive coaching and speaking lessons. All of this will come together to create one night of TED talks by Sioux Falls high school students.

“TEDxYouth Sioux Falls is an event where we are going to highlight the speaking abilities of Sioux Falls high school students. It’s going to be run just like a TEDx event (it basically is); March 24 we’re going to have 15 students (high school students from Sioux Falls) present their TED talks at Jefferson High School,” said English teacher and TEDxYouth ambassador Meghan Anderson-Finch.

TEDxYouth offers an opportunity for young people to be heard on a platform well-known; after the event, the TED talks given by the 15 students will be posted to the TED YouTube channel.

“[The goal of TEDxYouth] is to have people tell their stories, share their stories, encourage freedom of speech, encourage people to be heard, help guide students who want to do storytelling as a craft… and make them better at it,” said Anderson-Finch.

Not only will participating students gain experience through the TED organization, but they will be coached by staff members of the SFSD.

“[Students] will learn how to write. If they are selected in the initial application process they will have a coach from somewhere in the district who will help them craft and write their TEDx speech and they will be able to grow as speakers,” said Anderson-Finch.

TEDxYouth is, in principle, a chance for young people to channel their passions and pass them along to an audience.

“It’s a really cool opportunity for people to share things about themselves that people don’t already know or to show off their talent about a certain topic… part of their story that we don’t know,” said Anderson-Finch.

4 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

DESIGN BY DELANEY

ARTWORK BY DELANEY

GRAMLICK

Mato

EEach year, Forbes magazine publishes a ‘30 Under 30’ list, naming 30 notable individuals under the age of 30 in a number of different career fields. The 2022 30 Under 30 list for Hollywood and Entertainment featured Mato Standing Soldier, also known as Mato Wayuhi, a member of the LHS Class of 2016 and an accomplished TV and film composer, musical artist and activist.

ach year, Forbes magazine publishes a ‘30 Under 30’ list, naming 30 notable individuals under the age of 30 in a number of different career fields. The 2022 30 Under 30 list for Hollywood and Entertainment featured Mato Standing Soldier, also known as Mato Wayuhi, a member of the LHS Class of 2016 and an accomplished TV and film composer, musical artist and activist.

Standing Soldier was heavily involved at LHS and beyond, participating in football, Dakota Academy of Performing Arts, Creative Writing Club and the local music scene. After graduation, Standing Soldier moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, where he graduated with a BA in Cinema and Media Studies in 2020. Between composing for the Hulu series “Reservation Dogs,” writing, performing and producing numerous independent albums and even performing alongside The Black Eyed Peas and Redbone, Standing Soldier’s resumé boasts numerous musical accomplishments. But years ago, in Sioux Falls, SD, it all began with a JAY-Z song.

“For the sixth grade spring variety show at PHMS, I rapped JAY-Z’s ‘Empire State of Mind’ to a packed crowd of 93 other sixth graders,” said Standing Soldier. “I’ve always loved music and performing.”

Throughout middle school, Standing Soldier was introduced to the music that inspires him to this day, including the discographies of artists such as Tyler, the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt and Frank Ocean, who made him feel as though a career in music was possible.

“[These are] still my favorite artists to this day. That changed everything for me,” said Standing Soldier. “Not only did I feel represented by these artists within the collective, I felt like I could do it too.”

However, Standing Soldier’s journey to his career was not always smooth-sailing. In fact, a large part of its beginning originated in a grounding doled out by his mother.

“In high school my mom caught me ... embarking on some alternative scholastic endeavors,” said Standing Soldier. “She put me in drug counseling and sentenced me to house arrest for months. In this solitary confinement, I [thought] ‘I have a lot to say right now, let me finally start making music.’”

Making music altered the way Standing Soldier viewed himself, his future and the world around him, and that view has not changed since.

LHS ALUM RECEIVES FORBES 30 UNDER 30 AWARD

by Emma ForstEr by Emma ForstEr

they’re both artforms, I use different parts of my brain to dissect, compartmentalize and execute within the realms of music and filmmaking,” said Standing Soldier. “With music, I’m much more protective of my creative expression; my music is my story to tell with the utmost agency. I’m less romantic with filmmaking.”

The Producers Program also led Standing Soldier to his latest job title, as the composer for a new Marvel Studios and Disney+ series “Echo.” While impressive, Standing Soldier does not believe this is his most monumental work, or that which is most representative of himself.

“I’m most proud of my own solo work,” said Standing Soldier. “In particular, this new album I’m working on is what I’m most proud of because it’s my most salient project in regards to who I am and where I come from.”

Film and TV allowed Standing Soldier to create a place for himself and his art in the entertainment industry, but he hopes to pursue his individual musical projects full-time in the future.

“Composing was a successful attempt of getting my pinky toe in the door. I do love doing it and am eternally grateful for what it’s allowed me to do thus far,” said Standing Soldier. “Composing rewarded me [with] artistic legitimacy.”

Standing Soldier’s goal, in whatever endeavor he may pursue, has always been to act as a spokesperson and advocate for Native American communities. In high school, this led him to write a letter, later published in both the Statesman and The Argus Leader, about the negative impact of racist team mascots on Native American communities, his first foray into the advocacy he continues to work for.

“Everything I do now is just an extension of the efforts I was fostering in high school, both in music and community work,” said Standing Soldier. “I’m grateful to have started my path relatively young, with support from close friends and family. I’m still doing the same stuff, just on a grander scale.”

This early work for Native American communities has extended to Standing Soldier’s current status as a board member for Wo Ohitike (“To Have Courage” in Lakota), a non-profit that provides social support and Lakota cultural teachings to formerly incarcerated individuals in South Dakota. The organization was founded by Standing Soldier’s father, who passed away in 2020, and whose legacy Standing Soldier hopes to preserve.

“My view of myself changed completely after the day I started making music. This wave of unbridled confidence washed over me… confidence in my abilities and trajectory,” said Standing Soldier. “I thought I was the greatest artist of all time on day one of this whole thing, and I still feel the same. It’s just been a journey of convincing others.”

Although Standing Soldier’s focus is on music, he also found a passion for filmmaking early on, leading him to his career in TV and film composition.

“I took this audio/video course at the CTE Academy, which introduced me to filmmaking,” said Standing Soldier. “I ended up falling in love with filmmaking and decided I would also embark on a career in that, in tandem with music.”

Standing Soldier was a part of the Netflix Illuminative Producers Program Class of 2022, which helped him develop his skills as an artist in both film and music, as well as the different artistic approaches he utilizes for each outlet.

“The Producers Program help[ed] me to realize that, while

“Easing the transition into the outside world, while providing community-based support, is our overall goal,” said Standing Soldier. “We want to provide accountability, while conveying that incarcerated individuals are as much a part of our communities as others.”

This work hits close to home for Standing Soldier, with personal experience and family connection guiding him in his advocacy.

“Wo Ohitike is important to me because my whole life I’ve had family members who were incarcerated,” said Standing Soldier.

“Wo Ohitike is important to me because my whole life I’ve had family members who were incarcerated,” said Standing Soldier. “These racist, exploitative systems are set in place to dehumanize prisoners, locking the cell and throwing away the key.”

“These racist, exploitative systems are set in place to dehumanize prisoners, locking the cell and throwing away the key.”

On all accounts, Standing Soldier should not have ‘made it.’ After all, South Dakota is the last place one expects to see listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30. But despite all barriers, Standing Soldier has succeeded in every venture he has attempted, now becoming an admirable advocate for not only his community, but all other aspiring artists.

“I’m earning my stripes in a different fashion than most,” said Standing Soldier. “I hope other kids see that it’s possible too and that there are several ways to start your art careers. Don’t ever let them tell you that you can’t.”

“MY VIEW OF MYSELF CHANGED COMPLETELY THE DAY I STARTED MAKING MUSIC.”

dEsign

ForstEr photo providEd by mato standing soldiEr JANUARY ISSUE 7

by Emma

“MY VIEW OF MYSELF CHANGED COMPLETELY THE DAY I STARTED MAKING MUSIC.”

JANUARY ISSUE 7

dEsign by Emma ForstEr photo providEd by mato standing soldiEr

BY REESE DUNCAN

In Oct. 2021, “Late Night Boomin” debuted in Sioux Falls with a pilot episode, bringing the ever-growing late-night talk show format to a new setting. Soon enough, Jack Unruh found himself hosting monthly episodes in front of a live audience.

Unruh, a Sioux Falls native, first created the show while in college. He wanted a local variation of the late-night comedy shows with celebrity hosts who have entertained audiences nationwide for decades.

“I was watching some Jimmy Fallon, and I just thought he had the coolest job, so when I went to college, I thought, ‘why can’t we just do it?’ So, I gathered some buddies, and we started filming,” said Unruh.

After the outline for “Late Night Boomin” materialized, Unruh partnered with Zach Dresch, a local comedian.

As co-host, Dresch contributes to the hilarity of the various sketches and interviews that the show entails. This relationship is similar to that of Fallon and Steve Higgins on “The Tonight Show.” The team also found their performance space at the Belbas Theater in the Washington Pavilion, a staple in downtown Sioux Falls. At each taping, there is an audience and live music by a local band formed for the show called the Late Night Boomers. Throughout the past year of developing and taping the episodes, Unruh has discovered how vital a laugh can be to

the community.

“Our goal with LNB is to showcase others and lift people up,” said Unruh. “We hope to inspire people in a fun and lighthearted way and to show that there are so many cool things going on around here.”

After-hours entertainment often clings to populous urban centers, making a smaller Midwestern city like Sioux Falls a more unique choice for a show. However, the growing culture and population of the city allow for a blooming arts community that will welcome projects like “Late Night Boomin.”

“We love Sioux Falls. South Dakota is such a great place for growing and getting connected and involved with great people,” said Unruh. “Plus, we all grew up here. We couldn’t think of a better place to do this from.”

Brand-building and publicity are fundamental aspects of creating any form of entertainment, and “Late Night Boomin” is no exception. When thinking of an attentiondemanding name, Unruh immediately thought of his college experience.

“In college, we always said our dorm hall was ‘always boomin.’ So, when we were trying to think of the name for this late-night show, we wanted to make it just as boomin as our dorm,” said Unruh.

On Sept. 10, 2022, Unruh and the team behind “Late

Night Boomin” announced they would begin airing their episodes on Dakota News Now, a local TV station. With this new development, a multitude of audiences around the state could tune in to enjoy and learn from each episode.

“We pitched the idea to the station, and they saw the potential in what we were trying to do,” said Unruh. “We talked with them about what doing a season on TV would look like, and they were generous enough to give us air time.”

Even with this success in the show’s production, Unruh has faced numerous challenges in getting the episodes from script to air.

“The challenges have been two things: money and time. The show costs a lot of both to produce, and those two things are always the hardest to come by,” said Unruh. In the face of these obstacles, Unruh gained an appreciation for every episode that he and his team could pull together. On top of this, the live audience at each taping contributes to the liveliness of the show, and he enjoys hearing their laughter every time he steps out on stage.

“There are so many different people from so many different parts of life, and seeing all the laughter and joy that it’s brought is what makes it so worth it,” said Unruh.

On Dec. 29, 2022, “Late Night Boomin” taped the season one finale, with a live audience gathered to experience the close to a high-energy season. While a season two is not guaranteed, Unruh is thankful for the connections and experiences he gained through hosting the show.

“We’re just finishing up with season one, looking at hopefully starting season two. It will take a lot of prayer and people to come together to help continue this show,” said Unruh. “It’s been a great experience either way.”

DESIGN BY REESE DUNCAN ARTWORK BY JADA SANDVALL

8 LHSSTATESMAN.COM JANUARY ISSUE 9

PHOTOS USED WITH PERMISSION BY JACK UNRUH Jack Unruh and Zach Dresch converse with former South Dakota Secretary of State and Miss South Dakota 1997 Shantel Krebs. The Late Night Boomers formed their band together to provide live music at each taping of “Late Night Boomin.” Jack Unruh and Zach Dresch form a kickline with multiple Miss South Dakotas, including Shantel Krebs and Hunter Widvey. BY KADENCE DEAN

More often than not, there has been something that needed to be said but was not. Sometimes in a situation, a person can freeze and never say what they want to. Whether it be a confession of love, hate or a question that needed to be asked, these hesitations can cause a loss of friendships, bad decisions and ultimately, regret.

A box was placed in the halls of LHS in order for people to get their word in and say what they needed to say, but never got a chance to. Some responses were humorous of course, but sometimes a notecard would have a response that could really make you think. Just a small notecard, with a big word, “no.” This could be taken into account for so many situations, on a wide scale of whether it is something so minuscule or something life-changing. Many cards addressed love and some on the topic of friendship. Either way, students had no hesitation to spill their thoughts into the little red box in the hallway.

This experiment made for a raw and vulnerable experience. The people who submitted took a chance that no other could ever take. A lesson to be learned from this is to never hesitate to say what needs to be said, because you never know what could happen if you don’t. So, tell them you love, hate, miss and care for them. DESIGN BY

DEAN

DEAN 16 LHSSTATESMAN.COM JANUARY ISSUE 17

KADENCE

PHOTOS BY KADENCE

Gabe Schmit Student Number

Assignments Due Today

It’s a commonplace fact that not everyone likes learning in school.

Praying for snow days, day-dreaming of summer and slacking off on your exams are all familiar topics in a classroom environment. Interest into the insight of these topics recently arose as complaints heard through LHS skyrocketed in popularity, with none spared from the seemingly ruthless grasp of a missing assignment. In an effort to ﬁnd the primary source of the overwhelmingly negative responses teachers face on the regular, the Statesman has conducted a survey on LHS students to ﬁnd what went wrong, and what could be done to improve the overall situation, with a total of eight questions to answer in regards to a wide range of topics.

Assignments Due Tomorrow

After conducting the survey, I was more or less surprised at some of the results turned in by students. Despite what I had initially thought from overhearing students pouring on about how much they despised school, many students appear to like it and are doing well in terms of staying straight to the school’s curriculum. Most real changes appear to be quality-of-life, and not pertaining to all subjects. Overall, I think that the district appears to be doing well.

ship-or-dip

LHS Statesman

BY BERGEN QUELLO & REAGAN WULF

Who does not love middle school relationships? Getting asked out over text, hugging after school, getting your friends to videotape it but then eventually breaking up a week later is what they are all about. Most of the time, you didn’t even like the person you were “dating” at the time; you were probably just posted on some ship or dip account together. Throughout middle school, Instagram feeds were flooded with ship or dip accounts. People submitted couples they wanted together to anonymously accounts. Others would comment on the posts either shipping or dipping the couple. We asked LHS students to do the same, so here are some couples submitted by fellow students for you to decide whether to ship or dip them.

The Couples

1. Ashleigh Ericson (11th) and JD Yunag (10th)

2. Rachel Kramar (9th) and Griffin Edwards (9th)

3. Jessie Figueroa (9th) and Preston Marty (9th)

4. Curran Littel-Jensen (11th) and Isaac Smith (12th)

5. Gabby Boucher (12th) and Jack Reilly (11th)

A look Into how w The students Of LHS Feel about Their grades Their environment Their teachers Their challenges Their progress To reflect And improve upon 18 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

PHOTOS BY GABE SCHMIT DESIGN BY GABE SCHMIT

Lincoln

000000 22-23

High School Grade 10

PHOTOS BY BERGEN QUELLO & REAGAN WULF ARTWORK BY BARUDAK LIER VECTORTRADITION SUZINE HEA POH LIN & DMITRIISTARKOV DESIGN BY BERGEN QUELLO & REAGAN WULF

1. 2. 3. 4.

JANUARY ISSUE 19

5.

SBUDS

BY KATIE JENSEN BY KATIE JENSEN

CHAI EDITION

As winter is already underway, a chai tea latte is the perfect drink for any outing during the holiday season. The spiceinfused drink paired with either steamed milk or over ice creates an ideal cozy feel. I have been obsessed with chai ever since my first sip of it around two years ago, and I have indulged in a chai at least once a month if not more since then. In order to fulfill my dreams of finding the best chai, I have scouted out the top local and chain coffee shops in Sioux Falls. I am rating on a scale of 1-10 based on taste, cost and presentation.

STARBUCKS 9999 BOBA CARIBOU THE SOURCE

Full disclosure, Starbucks is the first place I ever tried chai and the place I frequent the most, so I might be a tad biased. I got a venti iced chai with sweet cream cold foam to top it off; surprisingly, it was not as amazing as I was expecting. I am guessing they did not put enough pumps of chai for the large drink, and it decreased the value. This surprised me because as a recurring customer I know they can do better, but for the sake of this story, I will only rate it on this drink because I am only giving the other shops a rating on the one drink they give me. So, although the chai flavor was good, there was a clear lack of it.

Usually, when I venture out to my favorite boba place (9999 Boba), I often go for something more traditional to boba flavors like tiger tea or taro, but I decided this was the perfect opportunity to try something new. My experience at the shop was perfect. When I walked in, I was greeted with a smile and someone ready to help me right away. I honestly did not expect much from this drink and assumed that because chai tea is not a common flavor it was not going to be great, but from the very first sip, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the flavor of the chai very rich and creamy but when paired with the tapioca pearls it creates the perfect pair.

Although I was not expecting much from Caribou, after trying their chai, it makes me never want to return ever again. When I arrived at the drivethrough I was expecting a fast trip considering there was no one else there, but it took around 10 minutes.

For my last stop on the Statesbuds tour, I decided to visit one of the better local coffee shops Sioux Falls has to offer. The Source offers a lovely atmosphere for many activities such as doing homework or catching up with a friend. The Source has a wide selection of drinks to choose from.

Cole Capaldo & Lucas Jorgensen

I finally received my drink which at first glance, somehow has a pink hue. After the first sip, I already wanted to throw up but I continued to persist through my $6 drink. When I finished drinking my swamp water, I was unamused by the overall experience, and I would honestly rather drive five hours to a different coffee shop than be forced down another Caribou chai. Because I am scarred by the disgusting chai I had, and am fearful to ever return to Caribou again. made up for it. -1234567890/10

Although I do love The Source, it is hard for me to rationalize paying $10 for basically one ounce of a drink. The girl who took my order was very nice and immediately went to make my drink after I was done ordering. The drink came in a glass which added points for presentation. My chai was good but pretty mediocre for the price of the drink, but the location and vibes of the cafe nearly made up for it.

Although I do love The Source, it is hard for me to rationalize paying $10 for basically one ounce of a drink. The girl who took my order was very nice and immediately went to make my drink after I was done ordering. The drink came in a glass which added points for presentation. My chai was good but pretty mediocre for the price of the drink, but the location and vibes of the cafe nearly

of

Simply put, a doppelganger is defined as a biologically unrelated pair of people who look exactly alike. Legend has it that every person has one, but if you ask the people at ScienceAlert.com, they will tell you that those chances are actually one in one trillion. Given those odds and the fact that LHS’s population is roughly 1,800 students, it appears that finding your doppelganger roaming around the halls is useless. Nevertheless, these sets of people are as close as it gets to finding the real deal.

10/10 7/10 6/10 EDITION DESIGN BY JADA SANDVALL PHOTOS BY KATIE JENSEN 20 LHSSTATESMAN.COM JANUARY ISSUE 21

Dillon Glover & Brad Infield Cole Capaldo & Lucas Jorgensen Drew Gohl & Matthew Krueger Jessie Figueroa & Kierra Lubovich Kailynn Schjodt & Sophia Stensaas Shea Stein & Matthew Hartmann Mr. Morrison & Dr. Chiarello BY BY PHOTOS

-1234567890/10 10/10 7/10 6/10

I finally received my drink which at first glance, somehow has a pink hue. After the first sip, I already wanted to throw up but I continued to persist through my $6 drink. When I finished drinking my swamp water, I was unamused by the overall experience, and I would honestly rather drive five hours to a different coffee shop than be forced down another Caribou chai. Because I am scarred by the disgusting chai I had, and am fearful to ever return to Caribou again. DESIGN BY JADA SANDVALL PHOTOS BY KATIE JENSEN 20 LHSSTATESMAN.COM JANUARY ISSUE 21

Dillon Glover & Brad Infield

Simply put, a doppelganger is defined as a biologically unrelated pair of people who look exactly alike. Legend has it that every person has one, but if you ask the people at ScienceAlert.com, they will tell you that those chances are actually one in one trillion. Given those odds and the fact that LHS’s population is roughly 1,800 students, it appears that finding your doppelganger roaming around the halls is useless. Nevertheless, these sets of people are as close as it gets to finding the real deal. Drew Gohl & Matthew Krueger Jessie Figueroa & Kierra Lubovich Kailynn Schjodt & Sophia Stensaas Shea Stein & Matthew Hartmann Mr. Morrison & Dr. Chiarello DESIGN BY ZOE LARSON PHOTOS BY ZOE LARSON BY ZOE LARSON BY RAINA MARTY

57 years ago, the school newspaper was as original as it sounds. Black and white. Large paper and small words. The Statesman was founded in 1965 and over time has improved in getting the latest news and trends across LHS, but with an even more creative tactic.

In 1994, many colors were introduced. There is blue, teal, purple and red but the same small text and large paper format as the decades prior. There are still ads and coupons, but less than past issues. There are tanning coupons, prom discounts and Taco Bell ads.

In 2005, red, green, black and white filled pages as pull quotes were brought to print. Ads took up whole pages while there were still coupons and smaller ads in the corners. This included Jimmy John’s and McDonald’s ads. iPods were a big hit and it was the start of handheld technology. The biggest surprise in this issue is the talk on sex ed followed by AIDS and HIV, teaching students dos and do not’s.

In 2015, the 50th anniversary of the Statesman brought all color to the pages. Although there were still a handful of ads, students learned how to do cut outs of objects and wrapping the text around them. Pictures are finally in color, and the size of the newspaper is a little smaller than past issues.

This brings us up to date with our 2022 issue. In today’s generation, picking story topics and ideas are more school news related. Different students and teachers get specific recognition. With detailed artwork and many photos, students use their creativity to fill their pages with visuals that follow their story. The trending magazine look draws more attention to the Statesman and love students have for LHS and each other.

In 1965, the all black and white newspaper had its hint of red here and there but consisted of the same font throughout the issues. It reads “Statesman” every five pages with ads and coupons on every other page. There were ads for Yellow Cabs and included coupons to McDonald’s and Dairy Queen.

In 1973, multiple fonts were used as the Statesman logo changed. With black, white and red, there was an ad or coupon on every page. Those include a Coke ad, Donovan’s Hobby Center ad, The Barrel ad, Genes Studio ad, Wendy’s Frosty coupon, McDonald’s coupon, Pizza Inn ad, Florist ad, Record Store ad and senior picture ads.

In 1987, drawings were introduced to the Statesman. Still with no color, this issue included a few topics that are controversial today. One drawing even included a student reading a Playboy magazine. Pages also include free pregnancy test coupons. There are prom discount ads in this issue following the ad bringing attention to body dysmorphia, quoting, “If you’re 16, it’s not baby fat,” on one of the pages. There are a variety of stories from the past that would not be acceptable to be printed today.

DESIGN BY RAINA MARTY PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LHS STATESMAN 22 LHSSTATESMAN.COM JANUARY ISSUE 23

As December came to an end, students at LHS thought about their New Years' resolutions. When people think of typical resolutions, they might think of eating healthy, working out or drinking more water. However, this year, students are thinking out of the box. Here are some of LHS's most unrealistic New Years’ resolutions.

team.”

2.“I already tried out and was told to go home.”

3. “I know Coach Halseth really needs and wants me on the team.”

Questions:

BY ELLA DUBOIS

1.What is your unrealistic new years’ resolution?

2. What makes it unrealistic?

3. Why did you pick this resolution?

1. “To stop overthinking.”

2. “With the way my brain works and depending on how life goes, it's impossible to stop.”

3. “Overthinking gets annoying and gives me anxiety.”

1. “I want to travel more.”

2. “My schedule is very busy between baseball in the summer, football and school.”

3. “It's something that as a student athlete, you don’t really get to do unless it is due to competition.”

1. “To get all my homework done on time.”

2. “When it comes to homework, I’m very unmotivated.”

3. “I need to get better at getting my work done on time.”

Chloe

11

1. “To start painting.”

2. “I’m the type of person who likes filling my day with stuff in order to feel productive.”

3. “I looked back on some of my drawings and art pieces I had done throughout the years and realized I regretted not giving as much time to art in high school.”

1. “To study for semester tests.”

2. “I can't make myself study for any test.”

3. “I need to do decent on semester tests.”

Taylor Quinn, 11 Cole Capaldo, 12 Zoey Dommer, 11 Jennifer Noutsougan, 12 Bo Bosler, 11 Reeves,

DESIGN BY ELLA DUBOIS PHOTOS BY ELLA DUBOIS ARTWORK BY ELYSSE WEBER

24 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

BY EMMA SOUTHWICK BY EMMA SOUTHWICK BY EMMA SOUTHWICK

Strength, determination and level-headedness are characteristics that many talented athletes tend to portray. But for a few students at LHS, these traits are not only foundational, but also necessary for their sport: powerlifting.

Powerlifting is a unique sport where the athlete’s ultimate goal during competition is to lift as much weight as they can for a single rep for three different exercises: squat, bench press and deadlift. With that being said, it is no surprise that strength training is the foundation of the lifters’ success. Each member of LHS’s powerlifting team, which consists of approximately 10 members, has their own ways of preparing during the offseason to ensure they are ready to succeed come the beginning of the season. While staying consistent with workouts is a very important aspect of the off-season, there are many other factors that come into play.

Strength, determination and level-headedness are characteristics that many talented athletes tend to portray. But for a few students at these traits are not only foundational, but also necessary for their sport: powerlifting. Powerlifting is a unique sport where the athlete’s ultimate goal during competition is to lift as much weight as they can for a single rep for three different exercises: squat, bench press and deadlift. With that being said, it is no surprise that strength training is the foundation of the lifters’ success. Each member of LHS’s powerlifting team, which consists of approximately 10 members, has their own ways of preparing during the offseason to ensure they are ready to succeed come the beginning of the season. While staying consistent with workouts is a very important aspect of the off-season, there are many other factors that come into play.

“There are a lot of things that come into play when preparing for the season. Many people need to bulk up or cut weight depending on their weight class for the season,” said junior powerlifter Luke Jerstad. “Many lifters will gain weight intentionally during the off season to facilitate strength gain and muscular development, and then cut down when the season begins.”

on a lift or [to set a number for] how many meets they want to attend.”

One of the unique features of the powerlifting team is that each lifter can progress independently and create their own specific goals. Many lifters strive to reach a certain weight for each event, which helps keep them motivated during the season. Having something to ‘chase after’ gives the lifters a reminder that success cannot come without effort and dedication.

One of the unique features of the powerlifting team is that each lifter can progress independently and create their own specific goals. Many lifters strive to reach a certain weight for each event, which helps keep them motivated during the season. Having something to ‘chase gives the lifters a reminder that success cannot come without effort and dedication.

“Many of the goals we set as powerlifters are numbers that we keep chasing in our heads each training session,” said Jerstad. “It really helps keep us motivated and hungry.”

Because of the nature of the sport and the constant stress that it puts on the lifters’ bodies, it is normal for them to have “off days” just like any athlete can have. However, because their main goal is to be able to lift more and more weight as they continue to practice, it can be upsetting for a lifter if they are not performing as well as they have done previously. Luckily, many of the LHS powerlifters have been able to find ways to see the positive when these situations occur.

“There are a lot of things that come into play when preparing for the season. Many people need to bulk up or cut weight depending on their weight class for the season,” said junior powerlifter Luke Jerstad. “Many lifters will gain weight intentionally during the off season to facilitate strength gain and muscular development, and then cut down when the season begins.”

After staying committed to improving and being consistent with their training during the off-season, the LHS lifters were ready to start their 2022 season in October. The beginning of the season is meant for the lifters to learn the basics of the sport and to create personal goals for the season.

“My goal for the lifters in this club is that they learn proper technique and then rules of competition,” said LHS powerlifting coach Elizabeth Dimitrievich. “I like them to set goals for themselves, for example, to achieve a specific weight

Because of the nature of the sport and the constant stress that it puts on the lifters’ bodies, it is normal for them to have “off days” just like any athlete can have. However, because their main goal is to be able to lift more and more weight as they continue to practice, it can be upsetting for a lifter if they are not performing as well as they have done previously. Luckily, many of the LHS powerlifters have been able to find ways to see the positive when these situations occur.

Because of the nature of the sport and the constant stress that it puts on the lifters’ bodies, it is normal for them to have “off days” just like any athlete can have. However, because main goal is to be able to lift more and more weight as they continue to practice, it can be upsetting for a lifter if they are not performing as well as they have done previously. Luckily, many of the LHS powerlifters have been able to find ways to see the positive when these situations occur.

“When I have a bad or off lifting day, I try to stay consistent with what I’d do on my good days,” said junior powerlifter Mo Timmer. “I stick to my workout [but] maybe just don’t go as hard as I usually would. Things like listening to more upbeat music and the people I lift with help too.”

One of the main reasons why the LHS powerlifters agree that having an “off day” can be frustrating is because as much as powerlifting is a demanding physical activity, it is also a mental game. Being a powerlifter requires a certain level of mental strength in order to find success, especially on the “off days.”

“My goal for the lifters in this club is that they learn proper technique and then rules of competition,” said LHS powerlifting coach Elizabeth Dimitrievich. “I like them to set goals for themselves, for example, to achieve a specific weight

One of the main reasons why the LHS powerlifters agree that having an “off day” can be frustrating is because as much as powerlifting is a demanding physical activity, it is also a mental game. Being a powerlifter requires a certain level of mental strength in order to find success, especially on the “off days.”

“Going into your workouts, you have to be in a good

“Going into your workouts, you have be in a good

headspace to achieve the results you want,” said Timmer. “When you have the mentality, you can blow through the challenging workouts like they were nothing.”

The most important aspect of the “mental” side of powerlifting for the athletes is being able to recognize when they are having a bad lifting day and remember that they are still improving, even if it does not seem like it.

“You have to realize that day to day, a bad training session may happen, that’s just being human,” said Jerstad. “However, over the months and years of training if you’re doing everything right you will see progress, which definitely gives peace to someone who’s had a bad day at the gym.”

Although powerlifting is an individual sport when it comes to the meets, the team aspect of the sport is part of what inspires the athletes to push themselves. Some days, all the lifters need to perform well or have a good workout is the support from their teammates.

“Team workouts are always really fun because even if you’re not in the best headspace at first, everyone hypes everyone up,” said Timmer.

As for the rest of their season, the LHS powerlifting team will continue to compete in meets during January, and will attend a sanctioned USA Powerlifting high school meet on Feb. 18. A few of the LHS lifters will compete to achieve the qualifying totals for the national championship in March, and the State meet will also occur around the same time frame although dates have not been announced.

As for the rest of their season, the LHS powerlifting team will continue to compete in meets during January, and will attend a sanctioned USA Powerlifting high school meet on Feb. 18. A few of the LHS lifters will compete to achieve the qualifying totals for the national championship in March, and the meet will also occur around the same time frame although dates have not been announced.

This talented team of powerlifters will continue to put in the work to achieve not only their own accomplishments, but also the continued success and growth of the LHS powerlifting team.

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DESIGN BY EMMA SOUTHWICK PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KELLY JERSTAD 28 LHSSTATESMAN.COM JANUARY ISSUE 29

The real Hoopers of LHS pt. 2

by Adeline Theophilus & lucAs hiATT

IMG Academy:

The Hi-Y basketball program is a recreational basketball league put on by the YMCA. Hi-Y allows girls and boys, grades 9-12 to put teams together and play eight regular season games. There are two leagues which teams can sign up for: a competitive league for upperclassmen and a recreational league for underclassmen. At the end of the two month season, the YMCA hosts a final season tournament to determine the winner of the league.

IMG Academy is an all-around team full of some of LHS’ greatest Y-ball prospects. Fans across the school should look out for their star player Jake Vander Feen throughout the season as he is one of the key components that will lead this team to victory. Besides their star player, the roster is stacked with some of the class of 2024’s most talented athletes including some of their two-way athletes Sawyer Mindt, Ryan Hirsch and finally, a fan favorite Brycen Mitchell. Even with their all star lineup, the team still has some weak points in terms of their roster.

“[One of our weaknesses is] Preston because he doesn’t really know what basketball is, and he’s wearing eye black to a basketball game,” said Mitchell.

Hustlin’ Hunnies:

Secondly, there is the Hustlin’ Hunnies. They are led by coach Elliot Whitney and manager Eli Olson. This team, just like any other, has expectations to win the “chip.” To do so, the Hustlin’ Hunnies are reliant on their team MVP, junior Tim Nunn. Nunn uses the footwork that he uses as a lineman for LHS football in order to dominate in the paint.

“You should look out for Nunn, he’s too nimble,” said Hustlin Hunnies team member, Tallen Dobson.

The team is very prepared and not nervous at all to match up against older teams, considering they have intense 4-6 hour practices daily. The team’s only weak point would be the recurring injuries. You can catch the Hustlin’ Hunnies on their court dripped out in eyeblack and chains persevering to get the dub.

The lads:

The Lads, one of LHS’ recreational teams, is composed of sophomores and freshmen. The Lads are a young and hungry team ready for any competition thrown their way. With their players’ experience on the JV LHS soccer team, their athletic process cannot be denied. This is an all-around team who can finish the job even without their full roster as they won their first game without any subs against a West Central team. They make up with their lack of size in other departments as their shorter player, Adam Odens uses his soccer experience to make steals at any opportunity. To add, their star player Ayden Russell has a player composition similar to Bill Russell with his astounding scoring average. “[Look out for] our main point guard Ayden Russell, last year he almost got 30 points every game,” said Noah Dean, the team’s manager.

BY KINLEY BY KINLEY FREESE

Excitement and anxiety rushed through LHS junior Anna Leuning. Her name was called as she returned to vault competitively for the first time in two years.

Leuning has been a gymnast since she was five years old. When she was in fourth grade, she decided to start club gymnastics and hardcore training. She then started competing at the club level until seventh grade. In her seventh grade year, she decided she would start competing for LHS, and from that moment she never looked back.

Throughout seventh and eighth grade, she competed at the Varsity level for LHS and made lifelong friendships with her teammates.

Leuning has been a gymnast since she was five years old. When she was in fourth grade, she decided to start club gymnastics and hardcore training. She then started competing at the club level until seventh grade. In her seventh grade year, she decided she would start competing for LHS, and from that moment she never looked back. Throughout seventh and eighth grade, she competed at the Varsity level for LHS and made lifelong friendships with her teammates.

Leuning made the choice to leave high school gymnastics in her freshman year.

“I left two years ago because I’ve been doing gymnastics forever, and my body has been wearing down because of the crazy athleticism gymnastics requires,” said Leuning.

Gymnastics also had a wear and tear on Leuning’s mental health when it came to the fear of competing and the longterm physical consequences of competing as a Varsity athlete at such a young age.

“I was just getting to the point where gymnastics was draining

and the expectations were piling up,”

and the expectations were piling up,” said Leuning.

As Leuning started to get older, she realized that the odds of getting hurt or having an accident were getting higher. She decided to come back to the sport she loves almost two years after leaving, but the decision to come back was a very unexpected one. She was walking out of LHS and briefly stopped by the gymnastics room to say hi to some of her friends and ended up getting talked into practicing so she did.

to by

“I fell in love again at that practice,” said Leuning.

To say she was sore after the first day of practice would be an understatement.

“I forgot how gymnastics felt and the different type of sore it gives you,” said Leuning.

“I forgot how gymnastics felt and the different type of sore it gives you,” said

After the first week of practicing, she started getting back into her old routine and her talents started to shine again. In the end, Leuning made the choice to come back but it was because of the bonds she had with the entire team and not only a sportsbased decision. For Leuning, the gymnastics part is just a bonus; the real reason behind coming back was the friendships she had with current seniors on the team.

“Being back with the girls is the best feeling and competing is just an added piece,” said Leuning.

back

Now that Leuning is back, she hopes to qualify for State gymnastics, and meet her own personal goals this season.

Leuning. the personal goals

30 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

phoTos provided by lhs sTudenTs design by Adeline Theophilus & lucAs hiATT

JANUARY ISSUE 31

DESIGN BY KINLEY ARTWORK BY JOSIE said Leuning.

JANUARY ISSUE 31

DESIGN BY KINLEY FREESE ARTWORK BY JOSIE TOLLINGER name LHS did. own BY ADDISON REMME

All athletes, especially those who play high contact sports, have one thing in common: A fear of injury. For Addie Roths, this nightmare became a reality when she tore her ACL

On day three of tryouts, Roths was running a one-on-one shu e step drill. While performing her shu e step, her knee caved in and blew out, tearing her ACL. A er this incident, Roths’ 2022-2023 athletic season would turn out to be extremely di erent. A er consulting with her doctor, Roths was told she could not engage in full-contact sports for at least nine months. Consequently, being a two sport athlete, she will no longer be able to participate in basketball or so ball.

“I won’t be able to participate in anything until September. is is making me miss out on varsity basketball season, varsity so ball season and summer so ball season,” said Roths.

Although she is not able to be on the court, she is still trying to stay as connected with the team as much as possible.

“I do little things around the team like sitting on the bench, going to practices, running clock for our team and just having a social connection through that,” said Roths.

Despite the fact that she is trying to stay connected to the team, her absence on the court has had a signi cant e ect on the team.

“It was a tough hit to us. We’re a team that lacks a little bit of length compared to other teams so it hurts when you lose that length and athleticism, along with the fact that she was a very vocal athlete and she had a lot of good leadership qualities that would have helped us out this year,” said Matt Daly, the varsity basketball head coach.

Roth’s absence has also had an e ect on the vibe and overall energy of the team while on the court.

“Addie is a really high-energy player so it [her absence] brings down the energy on the court. She was always cheering everyone on,” said Charity LeMier, LHS senior and one of the team captains for varsity basketball.

Roths’ absence has been evident all throughout the team and has resulted in a couple of changes in the team. Girls playing on the varsity team have had to adjust to a season without Roths and make accommodations in order to adapt to a new team environment.

“We had to move some players around, some girls had to play positions they’ve never played before,” said LeMier.

Despite the fact that Roths is not able to join her teammates on the court or the eld this season, she is hoping to make a full recovery and get back to playing the sports she loves next season.

“I’ll be an upperclassman next year so I’ll most likely be a starter for both [basketball and so ball], and I’m hoping we get another so ball State championship this year so we can three-peat my junior year, and I hope to make a run for the basketball State championship,” said Roths. Roths has a long journey ahead of her, with physical training and getting her knee back to 100% in time for next season. An ACL tear is a tough recovery to come back from, but everyone is rooting for her recovery and cannot wait to see her return to the court and the eld next year.

32 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

DESIGN BY A DDISON R EMME PHOTO PROVIDED BY A DELINE R OTHS

BY CLARE HEUPEL

Millions of Americans spend billions of dollars on Valentine’s candy and flowers each year. As a Valentine myself, I have authority to judge this stupid Hallmark card holiday.

It is agreed that Valentine’s Day is a holiday made up for profit. There is no denying this fact. Couples are being preyed on by these big corporate companies only to purge all of their money for this red and pink holiday. The chocolate heart boxes are definitely laced with something to make the entire population of the U.S. obsessed with this moronic day. All of the mushy gushy cards are designed with siren songs to lure and trap men and women alike into buying their partner something to prove their love. Aside from being made up, this holiday doesn’t make any sense. Why should there be pressure as a society to make grandiose gestures to a loved one? Why must single people feel so excluded on one specific day? Why can’t couples just appreciate each other all of the time? The history of Valentine’s Day doesn’t clarify at all why people should celebrate their partners — Saint Valentine being martyred doesn’t exactly scream romance. How does a feast commemorating some dead guy become roses and chocolate? Corporate greed. Believe it or not, but capitalism is what drives this holiday. Nobody cares about buying red

BY DANIEL VALENTINE

roses any other time of the year except for freaking February. 250 million roses are grown every year and most of them are imported into the U.S., according to Acee. org. They are imported from several countries in South America by plane. The trips from Colombia to Florida alone use about 30 mil gallons of fuel. 36,000 tons of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere as well. And that’s just the roses! Many chocolate manufacturing companies rely on child labor to harvest cocoa, big ones including Mars, Nestlé, Hershey, Cadbury and Mondelez, according to the Slave Free Chocolate Organization. There is no way that Valentine’s Day is ethically the right holiday for Americans. Don’t even get me started on the poor waste of dead trees those corny cards are. The absolute worst part about Valentine’s Day is that I know people are going to partake in it anyway. It wouldn’t matter if it were screamed that it sucks from the rooftops, it will happen regardless. Flowers will be sold and cards will be bought. I’m guilty of this, myself and many others buy chocolate to cope with being single during this couplecentric season. But this year, I am going to take a stand and boycott Valentine’s Day by not buying any ridiculous gifts or cards or flowers!

roses any other time of the year except for freaking February. 250 million roses are grown every year and most of them are imported into the U.S., according to Acee. org. They are imported from several countries in South America by plane. The trips from Colombia to Florida alone use about 30 mil gallons of fuel. 36,000 tons of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere as well. And that’s just the roses! Many chocolate manufacturing companies rely on child labor to harvest cocoa, big ones including Mars, Nestlé, Hershey, Cadbury and Mondelez, according to the Slave Free Chocolate Organization. There is no way that Valentine’s Day is ethically the right holiday for Americans. Don’t even get me started on the poor waste of dead trees those corny cards are. The absolute worst part about Valentine’s Day is that I know people are going to partake in it anyway. It wouldn’t matter if it were screamed that it sucks from the rooftops, it will happen regardless. Flowers will be sold and cards will be bought.

I’m guilty of this, myself and many others buy chocolate to cope with being single during this couplecentric season. But this year, I am going to take a stand and boycott Valentine’s Day by not buying any ridiculous gifts or cards or flowers!

The years of adolescence are a difficult time for maintaining friendships. Though a characteristic of this age is fluctuating relationships with friends, it is also a stage of life where immense personal growth occurs. Friends are one of the most essential parts of a happy life. Unlike family members and significant others, the relationship between friends is unique in its structure. Friends can go weeks and even months without seeing or talking to each other. Yet, in the moment of reunion, it will be as if no time has passed. Unfortunately, as people age and gain spouses, children and busier lives in general, the portion of their life spent with friends shrinks. This doesn’t mean that friendships become less important as a person ages, it only means that they must occupy a different role in life.

Adolescence represents the first rocky point for friendships because it is the first time in a person’s life when they start gaining a sense of themselves. Before this stage, children form friendships based on superficial reasons such as who they enjoy playing with at recess. Beginning in their preteen years, a child discovers new interests

and new things about themselves. This development also provides the child with a new-found curiosity for meeting new people due to their expanded awareness of themselves and the world.

As stated by The Atlantic, Williams Rawlins, a Stocker Professor of Interpersonal Communication at Ohio University, asserts that young adulthood is likely the best time for making friends. During this age, friendships become stronger and more meaningful because people are more secure with their identity and will seek out those with similar interests and beliefs. The increased independence in new environments like college also facilitates the formation of new friendships for people at this age. Following these years, life gets busier for adults and this explains why many have maintained the strongest friendships with those that they met in young adulthood.

Though accepting a lost friendship is a daunting task, it is not always indicative of

faults in either person. Psychologytoday.org claims that a person’s friends provide a mirror to their identity because friends imitate the qualities that they appreciate in one another. This idea suggests that people choose some of their best qualities because of who they choose as friends. Some friendships may end on bad terms, and others may slowly disappear. No matter what happens, friendships mold the personalities of those they touch so that they become better people. Once again, it is shown that the personal growth that people experience correlates with those they have as friends.

Every high schooler has probably experienced the fear and regret of losing friends. From Freshman year, when a large portion of students have lost friends with the switch to a new school, to Senior year, when the thought of leaving high school friends for college hasn’t even set in. Whether people like it or not, as the years of adolescence present everoccurring evolution to one’s identity, they are also accompanied by changing friendships. Nevertheless, growth is an essential aspect of being human, and trust should be held that life will continue bringing those that will help people become the best version of themselves.

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BY DANIEL VALENTINE

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ENCODERXSOLUTIONS

BY SARAH BOMHOFF BY SARAH BOMHOFF BY SARAH BOMHOFF

of yoga, one usually envisions room LED lights lining the ceiling, workout sets, yoga studios heated to 100 with instructors giving directions over a but this has not always been how yoga has the exact start date and place of origin and have contradicting theories of yoga and meditation, many speculate practices to have started in Northern Starting around 2,700 BC, is considered the Preperiod because most of the practices from the Rigveda, a very sacred text Hindu culture containing Vedic according to the Yoga Journal. At time, the way people would was by going to a “rishi” translated to “an enlightened who guides them in teachings exercises based on the In the classical period of yoga, from 500 BC to 800 eight-step known as was formulated by Patanjali, as the founding father Within Hinduism, one the six schools of meaning it is an essential the Hindu religion. During post-classical period between 800 AD, yoga was developing focus of yoga was being shifted more on improvement of on the mind practices like Tantra yoga and Hatha The period of yoga began when teachings being brought to America and masters. Yoga has the years and as way to increase both

WhenWhenWhenthinking of yoga, one usually envisions a dark room with LED lights lining the ceiling, matching workout sets, yoga studios heated to 100 degrees with instructors giving directions over a microphone, but this has not always been how yoga has looked.

thinking of yoga, one usually envisions a dark room with LED lights lining the ceiling, matching workout sets, yoga studios heated to 100 degrees with instructors giving directions over a microphone, but this has not always been how yoga has looked.

Although the exact start date and place of origin is unclear and historians have contradicting theories on the exact lineage of yoga and meditation, many speculate yoga practices to have started in Northern India. Starting around 2,700 BC, is considered the Preclassical Vedic period because most of the practices were derived from the Rigveda, a very sacred text in Hindu culture containing Vedic hymns according to the Yoga Journal. At the time, the way people would practice yoga was by going to a “rishi” which is translated to “an enlightened person” who guides them in teachings and breathing exercises based on the Rigveda. In the classical period of yoga, (approximately from 500 BC to 800 AD) the eight-step process known as “ashtanga” was formulated by Patanjali, who is known as the founding father of modern yoga. Within Hinduism, yoga is one of the six schools of philosophy, meaning it is an essential part of the Hindu religion. During the post-classical period between 800 to 1700 AD, yoga was still developing and the focus of yoga was being shifted to be more on one’s improvement of physicality instead of on the mind practices like Tantra yoga and Hatha yoga. The modern period of yoga began in the 1800s when yoga teachings started being brought to America and Europe by yoga masters. Yoga has evolved immensely over the years and is now seen as a way to increase both

relaxation and flexibility while reducing stress. A common misconception is that yoga itself is a religious practice and some refrain from practicing yoga because of this. Yoga focuses on breathing, strength and flexibility, but there is also a spiritual aspect that certain groups of people incorporate when practicing yoga. Although yoga is practiced in some religions around the world as a form of worship and connecting with one’s spirit, the concept of yoga itself is not a religious practice, but it focuses on aligning body, soul and mind. Some may consider yoga as a spiritual practice which is different from a religious practice as the spirituality aspect is not connected with any religion. Using yoga as a spiritual practice works to unite the mind, body and spirit and to awaken oneself in order to realize one’s highest potential.

is a prime example of the healing yoga brings. Huber has been incorporating yoga into her own schedule outside of school for the past few years and making it a part of her and her family’s lifestyle. In fall of 2020, Huber suffered a hip injury and was bound to crutches for six weeks before having surgery. Despite her injury, Huber continued to stretch and perform yoga poses, finding a happy medium of stretching and balancing without further injuring herself. Huber was rewarded greatly in the long run because of her determination to put in the work and continue practicing yoga to the best of her ability prior to surgery.

is a prime example of the healing been incorporating yoga into own outside of school for the past few years and making a and her family’s lifestyle. In fall 2020, suffered hip injury and was bound to six before having surgery. Despite her injury, continued stretch and perform yoga poses, a happy medium stretching and balancing without further Huber was rewarded greatly in the run because determination to put in the work and continue yoga to the best of her ability prior to surgery.

“Even my doctor said ‘What did you do prior to surgery?’ and it was all yoga,” said Huber. “I had a very very fast recovery because of it.”

“Even my doctor said ‘What did do and it was all yoga,” said Huber. “I had recovery because of it.”

order to measure the growth throughout the course of the semester. Alongside practicing yoga, Lifetime Wellness & Yoga at LHS additionally promotes the mindful aspect by incorporating a time each week to reflect on the week and how we can be more mindful throughout the week. The week is finished off with meditation which allows students to clear their minds and reflect on themselves. Enrolling in Lifetime Wellness & Yoga is just one way that students can involve themselves in living a more mindful and physically active lifestyle through yoga and meditation, but other ways are going to classes at a studio or listening to meditations independently.

Practicing mindful yoga and meditation is also proven to have major benefits for those experiencing chronic pain and illnesses.

In a study by the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, participants completed eight weeks of a mindfulnessbased stress reduction program and spent 2.5 hours every week in a training session which encouraged mindfulness and the practice of Hatha yoga, a form of yoga that focuses on breathing and posture. They were also instructed to repeat these techniques for 30 minutes every day throughout the week. Nearly 90% of the participants in the study recognized that the process helped them to find alternative and more effective ways to cope with their chronic pain, rather it be mental or physical.

In addition to the physical benefits of yoga and meditation, its benefits for mental health are just as rewarding. In comparison to individuals who practice yoga and those who do not, MRI scans of the brain reported a thicker cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Yoga is also proven to improve mood and decrease stress. According to Harvard Health,“It can affect mood by elevating levels of a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is associated with better mood and decreased anxiety.”

In addition to the physical benefits of yoga and meditation, its benefits for mental health are just as rewarding. In comparison to individuals who practice yoga and those who do not, MRI scans of the brain reported a thicker cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Yoga is also proven to improve mood and decrease stress.

According to Harvard Health,“It can affect mood by elevating levels of a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is associated with better mood and decreased anxiety.”

In addition to the physical benefits of meditation, its benefits for mental health are just as comparison to individuals who practice yoga and those who do not, MRI scans of the brain reported a thicker cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Yoga is also proven to improve mood and decrease stress. According to Harvard Health,“It can affect mood by elevating levels of a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is associated with better mood and decreased anxiety.”

Lifetime Wellness & Yoga is offered at LHS as a one semester class which counts as a gym credit or an elective. This class is a great way to get acquainted with yoga poses, breathing techniques and meditation. In this class, students learn how to perform a variety of yoga poses and record progress with photos in

“However, mindful yoga and meditation can help improve the structure and function of the body, which supports the process of healing,” said Cynthia Marske, DO, an osteopathic physician who analyzed this experiment.

Kaaren Huber, who has been practicing yoga on her own for about six years, is in her fourth year of teaching yoga at LHS and

38 LHSSTATESMAN.COM JANUARY ISSUE 39

LHSSTATESMAN.COM JANUARY ISSUE 39

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S LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL Statesman ISSUE NO. 4 JANURARY 2023 ISSUE

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January Issue-2023

CONTENTS

entertainment

TEENAGERS TAKE ON TEDXdelaney gramlick features

perspectives

Statesman

ONLINE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF- Emma Forster & Kate Tollinger

Mato

Mato

LHS ALUM RECEIVES FORBES 30 UNDER 30 AWARD

LHS ALUM RECEIVES FORBES 30 UNDER 30 AWARD

Assignments Due Today

Assignments Due Tomorrow

ship-or-dip

LHS Statesman

The Couples

SBUDS

SBUDS

STARBUCKS 9999 BOBA CARIBOU THE SOURCE

STARBUCKS 9999 BOBA CARIBOU THE SOURCE

Questions:

The real Hoopers of LHS pt. 2

IMG Academy:

Hustlin’ Hunnies:

The lads: