March Issue 2021 by LHS Statesman

FEATURES

ABOUT THE

Statesman

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.

PAPER EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Sara Croghan, Cameron Rhode & Carly Wheeler ONLINE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Madeleine Kemper & Molly Wetsch FEATURE EDITORS: Anna Engels & Kate McCartney ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS: Chloe Houwman & Adyson Sand SPORTS EDITORS: Kaden Fossum & Caleb Hiatt PERSPECTIVES EDITORS: Avery Blackman, Daniel Bethke, Henry Haft, Veronica Iseminger & Chloe Hartje NEWS EDITOR: Olivia Brost STAFF WRITERS: Sarah Bomhoff, Claire Brown, Hannah Cisar, Bella Engebretson, Lilli Eppinga, Carter Ericson, Mara Fendrich, Emma Forster, Gage Gohl, Paige Gordon, Ella Grimm, Emma Johnson, Allie Kolling, Madyson Lawson, Charley Lockwood-Powell, Margaret Ann Mickelberg, Alexis Miller, Baily Plourde, Morgan Sandess, Jada Sandvall, Lydia Sarbacker, Jorgen Sorum, Kate Tollinger, Autumn Towe, Thompson Wakefield & Carson Woods ADVISER: Katie Kroeze

5 Take two - ELLA GRIMM 6 My likes with Mr. Aukerman - OLIVIA BROST 8 Signing out in style - CARLY WHEELER 9 5 ways to virtually volunteer - KATE TOLLINGER 10 The key to the perfect shot - CHLOE HOUWMAN

SPORTS 13

A quarterback carousel for the ages - CAMERON

RHODE

14 15

Taking down gender norms - ALEXIS MILLER One hurdle at a time - GAGE GOHL

ENTERTAINMENT

16 18 19

605 fashion - MADYSON LAWSON SELFIE WRLD - ALLIE KOLLING & MORGAN SANDNESS LHS open enrollment was more closed than

open this year - EMMA FORSTEr

20 22 23

The bakery we kneaded - HANNAH CISAR Best sweets on our streets - AUTUMN TOWE ‘The Queen’s Gambit’: A binge-worthy chess

series - CHLOE HARTJE

From live music to live streams - EMMA FORSTEr

PERSPECTIVES 24

27 28 29 30

Living in fear - ANNA ENGELS How do you deﬁne you? - BAILY PLOURDE A broken earbud case - MARGARET ANN

MICKELBERG

32 33 34 35

A call for respect - MADELEINE KEMPER

Dear stranger - ADYSON SAND Love is in the air - VERONICA ISEMINGER Not my education - SARA CROGHAN Martin Shkreli vs the world - THOMPSON WAKEFIELD

statesman

TAKE TAKE

Every day students go through the same exact routine of getting to class before the bell rings, turning in important assignments and working to exceed expectations. The school year’s many duties make it easy to get stressed out, but some LHS students still go above and beyond to keep themselves entertained but most of all involved in the LHS community. Whether it be through joining student council, taking AP classes or playing competitive sports, these LHS students take extreme measures to keep their lives thrilling and challenging. Many students enjoy having activities and events after school to keep them busy, but how busy is too busy? LHS junior Leah Derenge keeps her after-school hours filled and eventful with practicing for band, intensely training for the cross country season and keeping up with her multiple AP classes. Derenge enjoys maintaining consistency and keeping her skills a top priority. “I enjoy being in LHS’ band and cross country because it’s nice to do good and excel in things,” said Derenge. Derenge works hard to grow within herself as well to motivate and encourage others. She challenges herself to be the best that she can be by working her hardest to achieve her many goals. For her, when daily practice is involved, advancement is crucial. “I enjoy the various friend groups involved in each activity,” said Derenge. Not only does Derenge challenge herself in performance but she also challenges her teammates and peers to do the same by leading as an example. She appreciates the diversity that comes with her various activities. Being a former marching band member, Derenge has in the past learned to inspire those around her to be the best that they can be. She pushes herself to get better and better at what she does. “In running, we train all winter and all summer and through the off-season, but for band, you’re mostly on your own when it comes to practicing,” said Derenge. Derenge challenges herself with her classes as well as her activities. She works hard in AP physics to be the best she can be. Building and standing up for the challenge of giving all she has got is what keeps Derenge on her toes, pushing herself to do better each day.

FEATURES

ZANDER DYKSTRA

LEAH DERENGE

Zander Dykstra also encourages others to get involved by working hard in track and hockey. Dykstra enjoys keeping busy in order to keep a healthy mindset. He values designating time for the extracurriculars he loves so when it’s time to focus, he is able to. Dykstra works hard to keep his activities and priorities separate from each other so that he is able to keep his head in the game when the time comes time for hockey and track. “It’s about showing up, being there for practice and when it’s game time just making sure you’re in the right mental state,” said Dykstra. Dykstra works hard at both hockey and track, but also his classes, ensuring that he is all around performing to the best of his ability. Getting prepared and ready for anything that can come his way is one way Dykstra strives to set his priorities and establish an effective approach to life. “Activities get your mind off things that may be going on inside your life like school and personal issues. It’s an output for negativity,” said Dykstra. It offers a small escape from hectic life for Dykstra. Being able to get in the zone, advance his own technique and not have to worry about anything else is important to Dykstra. “When I’m at school, I focus on school but when I’m at practice I am able to focus on practice and get my mind off things,” said Dykstra. Through the high school years, students struggle with all sorts of challenges, some possibly being, different family issues, drama within friend groups, and schoolwork, which is why it is crucial that teens have outlets and sources to get their minds off things for a while and do something they enjoy.

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design & photos by Ella Grimm artwork by Carly Wheeler

ELLA GRIMM

LHSSTATESMAN.COM

my likes. STATESMAN

FEATURES

with

OLIVIA BROST

favorite film

“The Life Aquatic”

“I“Ilied, lied,ititwas wasthe the thingIIthought thoughtof of at at thing thetime, time,my myfavorite favorite the actuallyBoba BobaFett.” Fett.” isisactually

favorite Star Wars character

“It’s a surreal take on love and death and life.”

college attended Majors: Education, Political Science and Psychology

favorite stamp stamp favorite

“Collecting all of these things was sort of an accident, it just kinda happened.”

favorite book “It’s the history of all middle earth in ‘Lord of the Rings.’”

DESIGN & PHOTOS BY OLIVIA BROST ARTWORK BY CARLY WHEELER

MARCH

favorite favorite shoes shoes

“These are my favorite shoes because they are what Finn the Human wears in ‘Adventure Time.’”

LHSSTATESMAN.COM

STATESMAN

FEATURES

KATE TOLLINGER

When many hear the word “volunteering,” they think of serving food or cleaning around their communities; as it turns out, there are many more options. With several volunteer opportunities being cut short due to COVID-19, the following volunteer organizations will still allow you to help others while staying safe and healthy.

DESIGN & PHOTOS BY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MARCH

CARLY WHEELER,

TED Translate / Tarjimly: If you have the ability to speak another language fluently, these organizations could use your help. TED Translate and Tarjimly are organizations that allow you to volunteer as a translator. By simply downloading the app Tarjimly, you can help refugees, immigrants and asylees. Translating is an easy task and a great way to use your second language as a way to get your volunteer hours in. Be My Eyes: Through a live video call, you can help blind and low vision individuals read food labels, instructions, distinguish colors or even navigate new surroundings. You can get started with this volunteer option by downloading their free app — “Be My Eyes.” ZSL Instant Wild: For any animal lovers, this volunteer opportunity may spark your interest. This organization has an app that allows you to watch live videos of animals in the wild. With motion-triggered cameras, it makes it easy to detect the animal. Your job is to identify and tag the animal. This helps scientists protect wildlife, secure better biodiversity and increase the conservation for all. Operation Gratitude: This organization collects thank you letters to send to troops, first responders and veterans. This way of volunteering is very simple, yet makes a heartwarming experience for those receiving the letters. Especially in today’s world, writing a simple thank you note to someone that serves our country could make their day. E-Buddies: You have probably heard of the Best Buddies club at LHS. With a virtual spin, E-Buddies is meant to develop connections with people that face intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a volunteer, your task is to write at least one letter every two weeks to your buddy. This would be a great way to volunteer and make someone feel more included. Every volunteer option above is available to complete without leaving your home. With limited face-to-face volunteering opportunities at the moment, these are ways you can give back and brighten someone else’s day. If you find yourself with extra time on your hands, these volunteer organizations would certainly appreciate your help. ARTWORK

& DESIGN BY ANNA ENGELS

LHSSTATESMAN.COM

L E V I STREEDBECK

Streedbeck began his photography career about five years ago, but it was in 2019 that he fully embraced the art. His work includes a plethora of portraits as well as features of antique and unique cars. “[The inspiration behind most of my photos is] creating my own identity as an artist,” said Streedbeck. “I want to be remembered for my work for years to come.” Photography has the ability to capture meaningful moments that are significant to both the observer and the photographer. Photos have the ability to take us back to certain moments of our lives that mean something to us and remind us of who we used to be. “Senior portraits have to be hands down my favorite pictures to take,” said Streedbeck. “I love knowing that those pictures will be looked back on years later.” Streedbeck’s driving force to take photos comes from his family and friends. “I wouldn’t have made it this far without them,” said Streedbeck. “I feel like I have the whole world supporting me, and it’s such a surreal feeling.” Streedbeck hopes to continue to take photos in the professional world. He plans on attending STI (Southeast Technical Institute) following his senior year to pursue marketing. “It is a dream of mine [to continue to take photos for a career],” said Streedbeck. “I’d like to dip more into product photography and grow my videography skills too.” With the widespread ability to take photos in this digital world, it can be difficult for someone’s work to grab the attention of others. “The diversity in what I shoot is what makes me stand out,” said Streedbeck. “I am not afraid of trying new things. Life is about growing yourself, so don’t be afraid to jump outside your comfort zone.”

march

Chloe houwman

Anyone can take a picture, and nowadays it is easy to take out a cell phone to capture a moment. However, it is more rare to find someone who appreciates the art of photography. At LHS, our photography and art programs allow students to explore this art and eventually feature their work in galleries. Two of our very own, junior Emma Campbell and senior Levi Streedbeck, were awarded Gold Keys from The Scholastic Art & Writing awards. This prestigious title means that both pieces will be judged at the national level and could potentially lead Campbell and Streedbeck to gold medals for their work.

THE KEY TO CAPTURING THE PERFECT SHOT

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E M M A CAMPBELL

Like Streedbeck, Campbell has always had a strong interest in photography, and it comes from being able to let her emotions come through in her work. “I have shot here and there throughout my life, but I started consistently taking photos and using it as a way to express myself about two years ago” said Campbell. Most photographers get inspiration from different aspects of life. Be it events that have happened in the past or specific moments they want to capture like a child’s first steps, but others simply have none. “To be honest most of the time I don’t have much inspiration,” said Campbell. “I let it come to me as I’m doing the shoot, or if I do have inspiration, I make sure to write it down. My inspiration for first starting photography was because it was a way to express myself without having to use words. ‘A picture is worth a thousand words.’ I chose to believe that and live by that.” Campbell, however, does not plan to pursue photography full-time in the future. “As much as I love photography, it’s merely a hobby that I’m going to keep up,” said Campbell. “After I graduate my goal is to become a pediatrician, so there’s a lot of school in my future. I do plan on continuing to take photos to express myself.” Photography can be a way for people to speak their minds without the pressure of finding the words to do so. “I want to impress my family and others, but most importantly I want to impress myself by pushing myself out of my comfort zone and really pushing myself to become a better photographer and person in general,” said Campbell. “I want to show myself and others what I can do and what I’m capable of.” Campbell’s photos express something that some people may feel deep down, but are unable to communicate. Her work provides something for everyone to relate to. “To be honest, I am not really sure what makes my work stand out. I would like to think it’s because it’s raw, honest and deep. It’s also about things that I feel like most people on some level can connect with and understand,” said Campbell. design by Chloe Houwman photos on left by Levi Streedbeck photos on right by Emma Campbell

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SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS

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A A A

CAROUSEL FOR THE AGES CAROUSEL FOR THE AGES C R , E -C CAROUSEL THE AGES C R ,E -FOR -C C R ,E - -C BY BY BY

AMERON AMERON AMERON

HODE HODE HODE

DITOR IN DITOR IN DITOR IN

In the coming offseason of the NFL, there is going In the coming offseason of the NFL, there is going to In be onecoming of the craziest quarterback carousels offseason of the NFL, there is in going to be the one of the craziest quarterback carousels in ages. Due to uncertainties, both the 2021 NFL free to be one of the craziest quarterback carousels in ages. Due to uncertainties, both the 2021 NFL free agency period and draft areboth going be one of free the ages. Due to uncertainties, theto NFL agency period and draft are going to2021 be one of the most, if not the, wildest times to be a quarterback agency and draft are going toabe one of the on most, if period not the, wildest times to be quarterback on record. most, record.if not the, wildest times to be a quarterback on There seems to be a couple of tiers based on record. There seems to be a couple of tiers based on just how seems badly each needs new based guy. First There to beteam a couple of aatiers on just how badly each team needs new guy. First are the teams of absolute need, this includes the justthe howteams badlyofeach team needs a new guy. First are absolute need, this includes the Jacksonville the New the New are the teamsJaguars, of absolute need,York this Jets, includes the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New York Jets, the New England Patriots andthe the Washington Jacksonville Jaguars, York Jets,Football the New England Patriots and theNew Washington Football Team. These teams have no choice but to England Patriots and thealmost Washington Football Team. These teams have almost no choice but to get a new quarterback; either their current player Team. These teams have almost no choice to is get a new quarterback; either their currentbut player is not the guy, or they do not have a starting-caliber get new quarterback; either their current player is not athe guy, or they do not have a starting-caliber quarterback. Below arehave the teams that are not the guy, or they that do not a starting-caliber quarterback. Below that are the teams that are probably in need of an upgrade at the position, quarterback. Below are the teams that are which probably in need of that an upgrade at the position, which include the Detroit Lions, the Carolina Panthers,which probably in Detroit need of Lions, an upgrade at the position, include the the Carolina Panthers, the Denver Broncos,Lions, the San 49ers, the include the Detroit theFrancisco Carolina Panthers, the Denver Broncos, the San Francisco 49ers, the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints. These the Denver Broncos, the SanOrleans Francisco 49ers, the Chicago Bears and the New Saints. These teams could be and able to go another year without any Chicago Bears New Orleans Saints. These teams could be ablethe to go another year without any change, but they may not make it that far into the teams could be able tonot go another yearfar without any change, but they may make it that into the postseason. The last tier consists of teams with change, but they may not make it that far into the postseason. The last tier consists of teams with older quarterbacks to beoflooking the postseason. The lastthat tierneed consists teamsto with older quarterbacks that need to be looking to the future. These teams are the Atlanta Falcons, the older to be looking the future.quarterbacks These teamsthat are need the Atlanta Falcons,tothe Minnesota Vikings, the Pittsburgh Steelers and future. These teams are the Atlanta Falcons, the Minnesota Vikings, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This listSteelers does not even Minnesota the Pittsburgh and the Tampa Vikings, Bay Buccaneers. This list does not even scratch the surface of the speculated trades and the Tampa Buccaneers. This list trades does not even scratch the Bay surface of the speculated and opinions of other teams such as the Miami Dolphins scratch the of thesuch speculated trades Dolphins and opinions of surface other teams as the Miami or the Houston Texans. opinions of other teams such as the Miami Dolphins or the Houston Texans. list of teams that may have a new quarterback or The the Houston Texans. The list of teams that may have a new quarterback is at an all-time high this may year: “There arequarterback roughly The of teams a new is at anlist all-time highthat this year:have “There are roughly 10 QBs locked into starting jobs for Opening Day is an all-time highstarting this year: “There are roughly 10atQBs locked into jobs for Opening Day of the 2021 NFL season. This is expected to be 10 QBs2021 locked intoseason. starting jobs Opening Day of the NFL This is for expected to be an unprecedented offseason of is QB movement. My of the 2021 NFL season. This expected to be an unprecedented offseason of QB movement. My Over/Under of teams changing QBs this off-season an unprecedented offseason of QB movement. My Over/Under of teams changing QBs this off-season is 18,” said ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Over/Under of teams changing QBs this off-season is 18,” said ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter. With many quarterbacks switching hands,Schefter. some is 18,”so said ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam With so many quarterbacks switching hands, some teams may be forced to look towards the draft for With so many quarterbacks hands, teams may be forced to look switching towards the draftsome for their caller. for them, draft teamsnew maysignal be forced to Lucky look towards thethis draft for their new signal caller. Lucky for them, this draft class heavy in QB talent. their is new signal caller. Lucky for them, this draft class is heavy in QB talent. Theis number quarterbacks drafted in the first class heavy inof talent. The number ofQB quarterbacks drafted in the first The number of quarterbacks drafted in the first

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HIEF HIEF HIEF

round could tie or break the record. The current round could tie or break the record. The current record of quarterbacks in the first round is round could tie or breaktaken the record. The current record of quarterbacks taken in the first round is six, which was set in 1983. At the time of writing record of quarterbacks taken in the first is six, which was set in 1983. At the time ofround writing this, almost every mock draft has had at least three six, which was set in 1983. At the time of writing this, almost every mock draft has had at least three quarterbacks takenmock in the firsthas round, andleast some even this, almost every had at three quarterbacks taken in thedraft first round, and some even have five or six. Looking back to the last time six quarterbacks taken in theback first to round, andtime somesixeven have five or six. Looking the last quarterbacks were taken in thetofirst three have five or six. Looking back theround, last time six of quarterbacks were taken in the first round, three of them — John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino quarterbacks taken the and firstDan round, three— of them — John were Elway, Jim in Kelly Marino — have been selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. thembeen — John Elway, and DanHall Marino — have selected to Jim the Kelly Pro Football of Fame. With proven resultstolike it is hard to believe have been selected the these, Pro Football Hall of Fame. With proven results like these, it is hard to believe that draftresults will not bethese, great. Withthis proven like that this draft will not be great.it is hard to believe that this draft will not be great.

THIS THIS IS IS EXPECTED EXPECTED TO TO BE BE AN AN THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE AN UNPRECEDENTED UNPRECEDENTED OFFSEASON OFFSEASON UNPRECEDENTED OFFSEASON OF OF QB QB MOVEMENT. MOVEMENT. MY MY OVER/ OVER/ OF QB MOVEMENT. MY OVER/ UNDER UNDER OF OF TEAMS TEAMS CHANGING CHANGING UNDER OF TEAMS CHANGING QBS QBS THIS THIS OFF-SEASON OFF-SEASON IS IS 18, 18, QBS THIS OFF-SEASON IS 18,

JAN. 28 - DESHAUN JAN. 28 - DESHAUN WATSON REQUESTS JAN. 28 - DESHAUN WATSON REQUESTS TRADE. WATSON REQUESTS TRADE. TRADE.

JAN. 31 - LIONS AND JAN. 31 -SWAP LIONSQBS AND RAMS JAN. 31 STAFFORD -SWAP LIONSQBS AND RAMS MATT RAMS SWAPGOFF. QBS MATT STAFFORD AND JARED MATT STAFFORD AND JARED GOFF. AND JARED GOFF.

FEB. 18 - EAGLES FEB. 18 EAGLES DEAL QB- CARSON FEB. 18 - CARSON EAGLES DEAL QB WENTZ FOR PICKS. DEAL QB CARSON WENTZ FOR PICKS. WENTZ FOR PICKS.

FEB. 23 - TEAMS FEB. 23 -BEGIN TEAMS CAN FEB. 23 -BEGIN TEAMS CAN FRANCHISE CAN BEGIN FRANCHISE TAGGING FRANCHISE TAGGING PLAYERS. TAGGING PLAYERS. PLAYERS. MARCH 17 MARCHNEW 17 Another reason this year will be intense is all of LEAGUE Another reason this year will be intense is all of MARCHNEW 17 LEAGUE theAnother uncertainty of the draft and the opt-out situation. YEAR, FREE reason year will all of LEAGUE NEW the uncertainty of this the draft and be theintense opt-outissituation. YEAR, FREE a player deciding notsituation. to play AGENCY BEGINS. the‘Opting-out’ uncertaintyrefers of theto and the opt-out YEAR, FREE BEGINS. ‘Opting-out’ refers todraft a player deciding not to play AGENCY in ‘Opting-out’ the 2020 season duetotoa COVID-19. While refers player deciding notmost to play AGENCY BEGINS. in the 2020 season due to COVID-19. While most

college quarterbacks played this season, the number in the 2020 season due to COVID-19. While most college quarterbacks played this season, the number of games they were able to play took a hit. college quarterbacks played this took season, theCollege number of games they were able to play a hit. College football saw several functioning at of gamesalso they were able teams to playnot took a hit. College football also saw several teams not functioning at full strength due to players opting-out of the season. football also saw teams not functioning at full strength due several to players opting-out of the season. This makes the draft a moreopting-out high-risk solution to full strength due to players of the season. This makes the draft a more high-risk solution to quarterback concerns. This makes the draft a more high-risk solution to quarterback concerns. Ultimately, most of these NFL teams are going quarterback concerns. Ultimately, most of these NFL teams are going to Ultimately, need to address quarterback concerns in mosttheir of these NFL teams are going to need to address their quarterback concerns in the near future. Almost all of these teams will find to need address their all quarterback concerns the neartofuture. Almost of these teams will in find athe quarterback the beginning of the 2021 NFL near future.by all of these teams will find a quarterback byAlmost the beginning of the 2021 NFL season, but question the offseason whoNFL will go a quarterback by the of beginning of theis: season, but question of the offseason is:2021 who will go where? season, where? but question of the offseason is: who will go where? LHSSTATESMAN.COM LHSSTATESMAN.COM LHSSTATESMAN.COM

APRIL 29 - 2021 APRIL - 2021 NFL 29 DRAFT APRIL 29 - 2021 NFL DRAFT BEGINS. NFL DRAFT BEGINS. BEGINS. SEPT. 9 - 2021 SEPT. 9KICKOFF. - 2021 SEASON SEPT. 9KICKOFF. - 2021 SEASON SEASON KICKOFF. design by Cameron design by Cameron Rhode Rhode artwork Carly design by by Cameron artwork Wheeler by Carly Rhode Wheeler artwork by Carly Wheeler

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DESIGN

& PHOTOS BY CARLY WHEELER

MARCH

ONE HURDLE AT A TIME

SPORTS

STATESMAN

ALEXIS MILLER

“[Lita] was the only girl in [my] training camp with 15 other men,” said Dory Funk Jr, a professional wrestler. “Nothing was easy. She earned their respect by working hard and asking no privileges just because she was a girl.” This is the exact mentality of the female wrestlers here at LHS. This year, the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) decided to implement girls wrestling as a sanctioned high school sport. Girls around the state of South Dakota will be allowed to participate on a female wrestling team or an intermixedgenders team. At the beginning of the season, two LHS freshmen took a leap of faith and joined the wrestling team, unsure of what to expect. Girls in high school stereotypically join sports such as dance, volleyball, cheer, gymnastics, etc., but LHS freshman, Maria Larson, has a particularly unique story. “I knew going into high school that I wanted to find something different,” said Larson. “Specifically, I wanted to be involved in something that girls usually aren’t. One day, I heard the announcement that they were looking for girls for the wrestling team, and that was that.” Larson has been known to break down the barriers of division; she enjoys doing what others may not have the courage to do. This first began in eighth-grade and has become a trend in many of her extracurriculars. “I went to Edison Middle School,” said Larson. “In eighth-grade, I wanted to get involved, and so I did. I joined the football team and started as a left tackle.” Although she decided to discontinue her time with football and not play for LHS, Larson will forever remember her time as a player as the beginning of her journey to integrating women and men on coed-teams. Larson has been proud to see other girls getting involved in girls wrestling. Her teammate, Betsy Martinez, joined wrestling after watching her brother, Francisco Martinez, and all of his success.

“I decided to join because my older brother had shown me a few moves,” said Martinez. “I knew he would be able to help me at home and get me ready for the team” And he has done just that. Martinez found a home on the team and is thankful she had previous connections and wrestling experience. “Honestly, they just treat me like one of the guys,” said Martinez. “It’s been cool to not have much division.” The word division was thrown around a lot, but surprisingly, every player used this verb in a positive sense. It seems as though the wrestlers have accepted the recent change. Both girls felt ‘at home’ thanks to their teammates and coaches. “Girls can do anything that the guys can,” said the LHS Head Wrestling Coach, Mark Ernster. “Be a trailblazer and you might find a sport that you never thought you would love.”

ith the LHS Track and Field teams unable to complete their 2020 season last spring, there is all that much more anticipation for the up and coming season. Although some may not know what successes the LHS Track and Field program has had over the years, there are many athletes and coaches that are more eager than ever to get back to competing and coaching this season. While most of the Track and Field coaches at LHS have been coaching for several years, this year’s preparation for their athletes will be like no other. With COVID-19 guidelines in place to protect students, there have been many complications with the preparation for this year’s season. “This year has been a lot different in the fact that winter conditioning was taken away from us due to the COVID restrictions. We typically start winter conditioning with a lot of numbers coming out, and we meet twice a week and we haven’t been able to do that,” said coach Kaaren Huber. “So, us as coaches are going to need to adjust how we are going to get everyone into shape.” Like all team sports, one of the biggest keys to success is having quality leadership from upperclassmen. With the last Track and Field season happening nearly two years ago, the leadership of upperclassmen will be more important this year than ever before. “We have been away for two years so we are going to have to expect some of those sophomores that were in track [who are now seniors] to take more of a leadership

ANDREW

role more than any other year we’ve ever had because it has been so long,” said coach Eric Rice. Like in other situations in life, one strategy for many young people is to look up to the veterans who have done something before. Everyone knows that the seniors are going to need to step up, but taking on two new classes to the Track and Field team is definitely easier said than done. “I think they are ready. I think they have matured. They know that something so sacred as a season was taken and it has never happened before. They are looking at it as, I have to prove myself,” said Huber. Senior hurdler Andrew Martens will be one of the many seniors who will be looked up to for leadership by all of the younger athletes looking to learn what LHS Track and Field is all about. “We will for sure [need to be leaders], especially since last year’s freshmen weren’t able to go out and they don’t know what their first year of track would be like. We definitely need to step up and help them,” said Martens. An up-and-coming season always brings the question of what strategies and lessons the team will need to build off of from last year. Unfortunately, coaches and athletes will need to find different ways to prepare for this upcoming season and find what strategies will work in order to be

GAGE GOHL

successful. “I think the coaching strategies will have to change because we will have to start from ground zero more than we ever do. I do think we are going to have to change as coaches and make sure we are developing all our athletes from the ground up because we have really relied on our upperclassmen to take the underclassmen under their wings and help them along and that’s also gonna be important this year,” said Rice. With Track and Field being the most populated sport at LHS, it is never a problem getting kids to go out for Track and Field. However, finding the right fit for everyone who participates this year is what is going to make this season successful. “We have about 200 plus student-athletes that go out for our sport; they can find their niche someplace. Not everybody likes to run, but they can learn a lot of things about themselves and become a very strong piece to our puzzle of Track and Field,” said Huber. Although a year off of Track and Field was not ideal, the same winning mindset is a constant motivation for this spring’s Track and Field season. One might say this was just a small hurdle in the middle of the race for the Patriots. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ANDREW MARTENS DESIGN BY

GAGE GOHL & SARA CROGHAN

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MADYSON LAWSON

o you ever find yourself pacing the mall, unable to find clothing you like? The solution to your issue is closer and less crowded than you may think. Locally owned businesses are on the rise and fighting harder than ever to keep their stores open. All the boutiques featured in this article are locally owned and could use your support now more than ever.

Leela & Lavender is located on 69th Street and Western Avenue. The boutique specializes in women’s fashion and is always ahead of the game when it comes to what is in style. “We were a lot more cautious [when COVID-19 first hit],” said store manager Vanessa Anderson. “We did close for over a month because of business being so slow, but online has really helped us. During this time if we didn’t have online, I don’t know if we’d still be open. We’ve really been taking the precautions we needed [since we have] reopened to make sure everybody felt safe and secure, being sanitary and having hand sanitizer, making sure everyone wears a mask and just making sure everyone felt safe while shopping. But business was definitely affected. Just the way shopping has changed has been very eye-opening for us.” The environment inside of Leela & Lavender is unbeatable. The staff is more than welcoming and eager to help with whatever you may need. The music and decor gives the boutique more of a playful and fun aura, and that makes it hard to want to leave. “Our friends are jealous of our careers,” said co-manager, Hadley Egland. “We get to have fun every day, helping women feel beautiful, inspiring them, meeting new people everyday and hearing their stories. Making those connections is really cool.”

207 S Phillips Ave, Sioux Falls, SD Mint + Basil is located on Phillips Avenue downtown. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted with a warm welcome from the employees. The store itself provides an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere with its natural lighting, fresh scents and soft music. The boutique not only sells quality clothing at reasonable prices, but anything else you need ranging from mugs to accessories to shoes. Mint + Basil should not only take pride in their clothing, but in their store as a whole. In the midst of a global pandemic, expectations are not high, assuming most people are choosing to stay home in order to keep themselves and others safe. Fortunately for Mint + Basil, business has been better than ever. “When we first had lockdown, obviously we didn’t have much business, but that made our online store flourish a lot more,” said Saylor Austin, an employee at Mint + Basil. “Then when we opened back up, I think we were closed for about a month and a half or so, but we had probably the best business we’ve ever had in six years.” Mint and Basil is the perfect place to stop by when shopping; they are always staying on top of the trends and bringing them to the next level. “It’s definitely more of a family valued place and we all just love to have a good time,” said Austin. “It’s fun to hang out with everybody.”

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5019 S Western Ave #140, Sioux Falls, SD j.ella is located off Western Avenue in The Bridges At 57th. Unfortunately, COVID-19 took a large toll on j.ella, hence it is currently in the process of closing its Sioux Falls location. When walking into the boutique, the staff is quick to welcome you with a warm smile. While shopping around their stunning collection of items, you can listen to the calming background music, try on clothing in their beautiful dressing rooms or even take a seat in their lounge area located right next to the dressing room. And although j.ella is closing, you can still shop their collection at the Brookings location, as well as on their website. “I think [COVID-19 is] one of the main reasons the Sioux Falls location is closing,” said Kyle Steiner.

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Selfie WRLD has taken over the country within a few months. Selfie WRLD started in Des Moines, Iowa back in March of 2020 and now has locations all across the country with more opening every week. We decided to check it out for ourselves to see if the hype is deserved.

Selfie WRLD is in the Sioux Falls Empire Mall and opened recently on Dec. 1, 2020. Founder Ashley Wilkerson is a photographer that was highly affected when COVID-19 began to spread. Therefore, Wilkerson wanted to make a DIY selfie business for people to be able to take pictures on their own for the price of $17.

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Selfie WRLD is hard to miss. At first sight, we were greeted with bright lights and colorful backdrops. The bright colored booths all have different styles with a unique twist. Setups included throwback diner scenes and different seating, such as a throne to sit on. Some backdrops consisted of complex artwork, made by hand, and some contained a simpler look.

Ring lights are set up at each booth, to ensure the best lighting. Phones connect through Bluetooth that gets set up upon arrival so images automatically go into the customer’s camera roll. Overall, our Selfie WRLD experience was worth the time because of the atmosphere in the store. Between the nice workers helping with any questions along with the fun and open space to get creative, this experience was definitely a positive one.

& photos by Allie Kolling MorgAn sAndness

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ost students at LHS did not spare a thought at the opening of Jefferson High School in the 2021-22 school year. That is, until it forced many current students to leave LHS. Almost everyone can name someone they know whose open enrollment got denied for the 2021-22 school year. Whether it is a tale of being on just the wrong side of the dividing street or miles outside the new boundaries, students feel the same pain. Open enrollment was much different this year than any in the past, with the new variable being JHS. To fill the population of the new high school, the rejection of open enrollment applications was much more dramatic. “We were unable to accept any current freshmen and sophomores for open enrollment,” said LHS principal Dr. Laura Raeder. In addition to filling the capacity of JHS, the refusal of open enrollment students at LHS is also an effort to decrease the overall populace of the school. “It is to decrease our population and by doing that, you increase Jefferson’s,” said Dr. Raeder. “They would like all of the [high school] buildings to have a similar population size.” With JROTC, Latin, AP Art and the most available AP courses, LHS is a magnet school in numerous ways, making this transition a rough one for many high school students. But the school’s administration was prepared for this DESIGN BY

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change and there is a solution. “If you go to Roosevelt but you want to continue to take Latin, you can do that, you just have to drive here to do that. Same with ROTC,” said Dr. Raeder. “There are some programs that, since they are only offered here, you have to drive here to take it.” Not only will this drastic change affect students in their academics but their personal life as well, impelling them to leave behind friends, teachers and coaches. “It is really sad. The issue is, we are really good at building relationships [at LHS],” said Dr. Raeder. “Those are the things that do not show up on that neat map. “ While the emotion behind the issue

is much less than simple, there is truly nothing that can be done in this unfortunate situation. Administration and staff want nothing more than to fix the problem for everyone, but that is not the reality. “You want to have empathy, but on the other hand, that is where the line is. It is very helpless,” said Dr. Raeder. “We are used to fighting for kids, but this is something that it does not really matter how hard you work, it is what it is.” Although there are many downsides to this change in open enrollment, the truth is that the Sioux Falls School District is changing. And as the community evolves, new traditions and opportunities will arise.

“It is really sad. The issue is, we are really good at building relationships [at LHS], those are the things that do not show up on that neat map.”

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The bakery that everyone kneaded The bakery that everyone kneaded

HANNAH CISAR

Over the years, Bagel Boy has become one of the most popular breakfast and lunch destinations for many high school and college students around Sioux Falls. With one location on 33rd and Minnesota, Bagel Boy sits right in the middle of LHS, OGHS, Augustana University and the University of Sioux Falls, making it a very popular spot for before, during and after school gatherings and meals. “It’s the perfect location, so we try to keep our prices down because we want the young people to keep coming in,” said owner Mike Dinsmore. “Good food at a good price and a great place makes it successful.” Although many people find Bagel Boy as one of the more popular places to eat, many do not know the background behind the bakery. Bagel Boy was originally opened in 1994 and was soon after taken over PHOTOS BY DESIGN BY

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by its current owners, Mike and Brenda Dinsmore, in 2000. After meeting in Sioux Falls while Mike was on a business trip for the TV industry in LA, Mike and Brenda moved to Pennsylvania where they owned a bagel bakery. They later moved back to Sioux Falls, close to Brenda’s family, and bought the Bagel Boy company. “I went from show biz to dough biz,” said Dinsmore. “We bought both stores, Minnesota and 26th street stores. We added bagels, tweaked the coffee and added salads and soups. We’ve had it for 21 years now. You do what you know...I knew bagels.” The unique posters and articles around the bakery draw a lot of attention as customers walk into Bagel Boy. The significance of these comes from Mike Dinsmore’s background in entertainment and TV before he became the owner of Bagel Boy. “[The posters] come from my days on TV.,” said Dinsmore. I worked in LA, on the ‘Cosby Show,’ ‘America’s Funniest People,’ ‘Roseanne’ and I was fascinated by movies, and so I kind of have a theme going on with the place.”

Although Bagel Boy’s “There’s nothing like owning Although Bagel Boy’s nothing like owning popularity has grown your own“There’s place, the enjoyment popularity haspast grown your own place, the enjoyment immensely over the 25 and success of watching over the past 25 something and success of watching years, immensely it has not always been you’ve started years, it has not always been something you’ve started easy. About 10 years ago, the 20 years ago build up,” said About 10 years 20 years up,” said wheat easy. and flour prices wentago, the Dinsmore. Youago havebuild awesome wheat and flour prices went Dinsmore. You have up, causing the bakery to have employees and it seems likeawesome every up, causing the bakery to have employees and it seems to increase their bagel prices. year Bagel Boy is doing a littlelike every to increase their bagel prices. bit better yearand Bagel Boy is doing a little This was especially hard for the better.” This was especially hard for the bit better and better.” business considering the fact business considering the fact that they go through over 3,000 that they go through over 3,000 pounds of flour in just a week. of flour just a week. “Ourpounds flour and wheatinprices “Our flour and wheat went up from $12 to $34 for a prices wentbag,” up from to $34 for a 40-pound said $12 Dinsmore. 40-pound bag,” said15,000 Dinsmore. “We make approximately “We make approximately bagels per week or 1,250 dozen 15,000 bagels per week or 1,250 dozen per week..” per week..” Owning a business has its Owning a business ups and downs, but a place has its ups and downs, a place like Bagel Boy brings but much like Bagel Boy brings excitement and pride for themuch excitement Dinsmore’s when and theypride look for at the Dinsmore’s when they look at how far the business has grown how the Even business has grown the past 21far years. in the the past 21 years. Even in the past year, COVID-19 has had an year, COVID-19 has had an impactpast on Bagel Boy. COVID-19 impact on Bagel Boy. COVID-19 complicated Bagel Boys’ sales complicated BagelinBoys’ sales by decreasing the sales decreasing bagelsby and coffee by the oversales 50%.in bagels and coffee by over 50%. However, due to the loyal staff However, duewere to the loyal staff and clientele, they able and clientele, they were to make it through. Dinsmore able make it through. Dinsmore claimsto that is one of the joys of claims that is one of the joys of owning Bagel Boy. owning Bagel Boy.

HANNAH CISAR SARA CROGHAN

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has been in downtown Sioux Falls since 2008. This bakery focuses on using local goods and making their sweets of the finest quality. The historic vibestatesman of the building made the bakery feel like home. Here, I tried the Mixed Berry Turnover that was Best sweets on our streets priced at $5. This fresh pastry had a crisp croissant-like by Autumn towe outside with a sweet, yet tangy berry center. While the has been an aesthetic breakfast, brunch and buttery and fruity flavors complement each other, I found lunch spot for years in Sioux Falls. The coffeehouse and that this item lacked a unique taste that would make it café got its name from Josiah Philips, who founded Sioux in 1857. When I asked for their must-try item, they different from other turnovers. It was tasty and would Falls insisted I get their caramel roll. For just over $4, it was good-sized roll. A fun fact: if you go the next day, you satisfy any sweet tooth craving, however, this baked by good Autumnamight towebe able to snag their caramel rolls from the day before for half the price! Their soft bread with the crisp comes in second place.

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[Best sweets on our streets]

and sticky caramel throughout makes this treat number one. While I would have liked to say another bakery took the cake, considering Josiah’s already established popularity, their goods confirmed why they are so popular among Sioux Falls residents.

has been diversifying its products has been an aesthetic breakfast, brunchinand recent years.forThey relocated 69thcoffeehouse and Western.and lunch spot yearsjust in Sioux Falls.to The The owner, David Napolitano has been upping his game has been in downtown Sioux Falls since 2008. This bakery focuses on using local café got its name from Josiah Philips, who founded Sioux with his authentic bread, pastries, pizza and pasta dishes. goods and making their sweets of the finest quality. The Falls inthey1857.suggested When Itheir askedcaramel for theirrollmust-try item, they historic vibe of the building made the bakery feel like Here, as well. At around home. Here, I tried the Mixed Berry Turnover that was insisted get their carameltheir roll.roll Forwas justabout over $4,halfit the was priced at $5. This fresh pastry had a crisp croissant-like the sameI price as Josiah’s, outside with a sweet, yet tangy berry center. While the a good-sized roll.flavor A funoffact:a sourdough if you go theandnext day, you The unique caramel glaze buttery and fruity flavors complement each other, I found size. that this item lacked a unique taste that would make it mightthis be able their caramel the day kind made roll toverysnagflavorful, however,rollsnotfrom my favorite different from other turnovers. It was tasty and would satisfy any sweet tooth craving, however, this baked good ofbefore flavor. rankedsoftthird this baked good, forWhile half theBreadico price! Their breadforwith the crisp comes in second place. Iandwould hesitatehas tobeen return tomakes explore ofnumber their stickynotcaramel throughout thisitssome treat diversifying products in recent years. They just relocated to 69th and Western. other optionswould such ashave pizza, salads. bakery one. While likedpasta to sayand another The owner, IDavid Napolitano has been upping his game with his authentic bread, pastries, pizza and pasta dishes. took thetheycake, considering established Here, suggested their Josiah’s caramelalready roll as well. At around the same price as Josiah’s, their roll was about half the popularity, their goods why they are so popular size. The unique flavor confirmed of a sourdough and caramel glaze made this roll very flavorful, however, not my favorite kind When trying the best of these local bakeries, I noticed theSioux talent that is hereranked in Siouxthird Falls.forFrom among Falls residents. of flavor. While Breadico this baked good,

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would not hesitate to return to explore some of their cakes to bread to authentic Napoli baked goods, youIother really cannotsuch go wrong withpasta picking up a treat options as pizza, and salads. from any of these quint bakeshops. better, you can feel good knowing you are supporting local has been inEven downtown business whilethesatisfying your local sweetbakeries, tooth. So,I noticed go pick the up atalent sweetthat for isyourself today, you will be When best of these here in Sioux Falls. From Sioux Fallscakes sincetotrying 2008. This bakery focuses on using local bread to authentic Napoli baked goods, you did. really cannot go wrong with picking up a treat glad you

any of quintofbakeshops. goods andfrom making theirthesesweets the finest Even quality.better, The you can feel good knowing you are supporting local business while satisfying your sweet tooth. So, go pick up a sweet for yourself today, you will be & vibeAof the t building made the bakery feel likeglad you did. historic home. Here, I tried the Mixed Berry Turnover that was 22 22 priced at $5. march This fresh pastry had a crisp croissant-like outside with a sweet, yet tangy berry center. While the design photos by utumn owe design

‘The Queen’s Gambit’: a bingeworthy chess series BY

CHLOE HARTJE

Released in late October of 2020, “The Queen’s Gambit” became Netflix’s unlikeliest hit of the year, nearly topping “Tiger King” in viewers. “The Queen’s Gambit” reached the top 10 in a matter of weeks, being the most-watched mini-series to date. With only seven episodes, each about an hour in length, the show is undoubtedly binge material. Set during the Cold War era, “The Queen’s Gambit” follows the life of Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphaned chess prodigy and her journey to the top of the chess world while masking her drug and alcohol addiction. “The Queen’s Gambit” develops themes of feminism, coming-of-age, addiction and loss. While the series is fictional, it is based off of the 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. Tevis wrote the novel with an understanding of the next century because back in the ‘50s and ’60s, chess was mostly male-dominated.

At the age of 12, Beth was adopted by the Wheatleys in suburban Lexington, Kentucky, who divorce soon after she moved in. She wins her first chess tournament despite having no prior experience in competitive chess and playing against men twice her age, never wavering in confidence. Her adoptive mother, Alma Wheatley, was a miserable housewife, but when she discovered that Beth’s talent could bring money, fame and Very few females were turning to chess international travel, the two became business during this time, but Beth assumed she was partners. While Alma did not understand equal and overlooked her female identity. chess, she introduced her daughter to She looks to chess as an escape and a way cosmetics, classical music and her first beer. of avoiding her inner demons; she feels in Beth develops a liking for fashion and uses charge of her life when she is moving the her prize money to buy glamorous dresses pieces across the board. and blouses. She grows out her childish, Beth has flashbacks throughout the series blunt bangs and embraces more of a feminine of her childhood with her unstable mother, look, transforming herself into a star of the who killed herself by crashing a car while press. Beth was in the backseat. After her mother’s Along the way, Beth learns new chess death, Beth is sent to an orphanage called moves and strategies, including The Queen’s Methuen Home for Girls where she meets a Gambit, a chess opening where white offers lifelong friend and fellow orphan, Jolene. It is a wing pawn in exchange for better control here where Beth becomes addicted to green of the center. She also meets and develops tranquilizer pills — it was common in the close relationships with fellow chess players ‘50s for orphanages to give the children like Henry Beltik, one of the best players in tranquilizers to make them easier to Kentucky, and Benny Watts, an arrogant yet handle. Beth would save the pills for very intelligent chess prodigy. They both the night, as instructed by Jolene, give Beth advice and help train her for her so she could hallucinate chess match against the Russian champion, Borgov. games on the ceiling. Growing up, Beth became her own She began sneaking antagonist and was self-destructive towards away from classes at the her talent; she struggles on the fine line of orphanage to play chess being insane or being a genius. in the basement with the This leaves viewers wondering custodian, Mr. Shaibel. He was if she can overcome Beth’s first real connection, her obsession with the only person who winning and survive understood her. Later in the her addiction to series, Mr. Shaibel actually drugs and alcohol. sends Beth money so she can While the end of the enter into a chess tournament, series is inconclusive, which she forgets to pay back “The Queen’s Gambit” before his death. is wildly captivating and Beth’s magnetic character turns chess into a world of drama. DESIGN

& PHOTO BY CHLOE HARTJE

& photos by Autumn towe

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At the start of the pandemic, every musician’s tour seemed to be rescheduled, delayed or canceled. But with concerts obsolete, something unexpected came along to replace them. As COVID-19 closed schools and locked the public inside, teenagers across the world looked to the social media app TikTok to fill their now empty schedules. From dancing to “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion to making montages of life before COVID-19, it is easy to say that for many teens, TikTok consumed the months following March 2020. While for most, this change of pace brought boredom and a longing for normality, this was the beginning of

something amazing for musicians across the world. Boasting over 1 billion users, TikTok clearly dominates the social media landscape. What some may not consider, however, is its extreme impact on the music industry. From Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” and its record-breaking virality to Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight” charting over 30 years after its release, one of TikTok’s most impressive impacts may be the hold it seems to have over the top music charts. For many, a scroll through the TikTok ‘For You Page’ is a video representation of a glance at the Billboard Hot 100. Even more beneficial for musicians than its grasp on the charts, although, is the ability the platform has to give small artists an audience. “TikTok has definitely helped me push my songs out there and it has made it a lot easier because people are really into TikTok and are constantly on it,” said Jack Mahon, a musician whose TikTok account is now followed by over 260,000 users. “It is very easy to grow your account and be successful with it.” Mahon started his TikTok by posting covers of songs by his favorite artists and once his videos began to gain traction, posting his own original content. Eventually,

Mahon released his debut single, “Christmas Miracle,” which has generated 75,000 streams on Spotify alone since its release on Nov. 28 of last year. “Without TikTok I do not feel I would be at the same level of success that I am at now,” said Mahon. While the platform has been advantageous for numerous artists, some feel that while assisting them in the promotion and giving them a start, the abundance of talented creators on the app has made it difficult to sustain popularity. “It is definitely difficult to prolong that success,” said Emmett Mulrooney, an artist with over 150,000 followers on TikTok and over 1 million streams of his most popular song “Sunset Wife” on Spotify. “You see a lot of people go from nothing to something and back down to mediocre.” Another major concern of musicians is the potential the app

holds to produce a mass amount of one-hit wonders. With the ‘For You Page’ constantly customizing users’ feeds, it is less than guaranteed that when one video goes viral, that artist’s next video will see the same fame. “Right now there is a lot of potential for one-hit-wonders,” said Mulrooney. “I think it is up to the artist and their team to make sure that those listeners become fans.” Live music is undoubtedly one of the most important and most engaging aspects of the music industry. With its absence since the pandemic began, artists have been unable to interact with their fans. TikTok became a source for the more personal artist-to-fan connection concerts have been unable to provide. “The industry is so much different right now because no one is playing shows,” said Mulrooney. “A lot of artists did not have an opportunity to connect with their

fans [before TikTok].” TikTok has also given musicians a chance to connect with music labels and higher-ups, something most independent artists would never get the chance to do. This is an opportunity that will enable artists to continue their momentum once COVID-19 has run its course. “You start getting connected to some powerful people in the music industry when they see that spark of success on your page,” said Mulrooney. When the pandemic has finally subsided and live music comes back, it is hard to say if TikTok will continue to dominate the music world. Regardless, it is clear to see that due to COVID-19, the music industry, from the artists to the charts, has changed forever.

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a call for respect BY

remember a day two years ago when I arrived home from school and parked in front of my house, just like always. There was a house across the street from mine that was undergoing remodeling, so there was a construction crew working outside. As I turned around to lock my car, I heard one of the workers call out to me, “Hey there, kitty; go inside now, sweetheart,” followed by some purring sounds. Terrified and very unsettled, I hurried up my steps and into my house as fast as I could. At 15, I was no stranger to these sorts of comments, as they had happened before, but I remember this instance with distinction because I had never felt so uncomfortable in my own skin before. From that day on, I became very cognizant of the issue that plagues young women just like me daily. Unfortunately, as I got older, I continued to hear these kinds of comments and a more recent interaction led me to wonder how this issue affected other people at LHS. Surprisingly to me, I received an overwhelming number of responses that all began with “I was at a gas station.” “The most recent time, I was at a gas station and a man told me to pull down my mask and show him my smile. I quickly left the building and he called me back while I was leaving,” said an anonymous LHS student. Upon receiving additional responses, I found more experiences with a scene similar to this one. “I was just walking into a gas station wearing leggings and a tighter shirt when a guy called out saying how ‘hot’ the clothes made me look,” said another LHS student. As the responses kept coming in, the gas station stories continually made a reappearance, leaving me to wonder what, if any, correlation there is between what I experienced and those stories. When I think about the situation I was in two years ago in comparison to a lot of the experiences of other LHS students, there are a few noteworthy differences. For one, my experience was during broad daylight, and I was in my neighborhood, an environment familiar to me. However, when examining the fundamentals of what occurred in both encounters, there are a couple of key similarities. Most, but not all, of these situations happen when younger females are alone, or in small groups, because this makes them appear more vulnerable. Second, and perhaps the most obvious, is that all these girls

MADELEINE KEMPER, ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

were simply there; for whatever reason, some older men see this as opportunity and they take it. In a study conducted by Cornell University, it was found that 67% of women who live in the U.S. have experienced harassment before the age of 14. As sad as it is, this number is actually lower than I was expecting it to be. It has seemingly become a trend that girls are becoming sexualized at younger ages. This form of attention is not flattery, nor is it a compliment. “It’s hard to feel safe when things like this happen,” said another LHS student who wished to stay anonymous. “Yes, it seems like just a comment, but the stories we hear about comments turning into much more frightening behavior makes me wonder about what this man is intending when he makes a comment. Is he going to follow me? Is he going to try to hurt me? How should I react in order to not provoke something else? Every time it happens I just want to hide; I feel exposed and vulnerable.” When the student posed the question, “How should I react in order to not provoke something else?” it hit me hard. This exemplifies everything that’s wrong with how society has taught us to view unwanted negative attention from anyone. It has become so easy to wonder “What did I do wrong?” or “What can I change in order to avoid these kinds of interactions in the future?” because the culture that most of us grew up in never taught us to think any differently. Truthfully though, it is not the recipient’s responsibility to shoulder the blame for this kind of unwanted attention. Honestly, I think the culture that has created this widespread behavior began as early as elementary school. I’m sure many women can attest to the memory of being told by adults that being teased and harassed by boys was a sign that they had a crush on you. While it was mostly understood that their behavior towards girls was harmless and there was no real danger present, that mentality has big consequences on how women view themselves as they mature. I’m not saying that adolescent boys teasing girls at school inherently creates the next generation of predators. Rather, it is the semi-toxic way that children are taught to view themselves and how they receive attention from the opposite gender that creates the environment we live in today. The one in which we feel like it is

normal to receive negative or unwanted attention, because that is how someone demonstrates that they like us. Another key component to understanding what creates the cat-calling culture is the misguided idea that schools need to enforce a stricter dress code on females so that they will not be too “distracting.” When I was in the 7th grade, all the girls in my grade were kept after lunch one day to discuss proper spring attire. The conversation eventually evolved to have one female teacher remind us to contemplate what our male classmates would think about our shorts length, because “after all, boys will be boys.” I, along with many other classmates, found this conversation absolutely appalling. I understand that as a school, it is their job to provide a safe and conducive environment to foster education and development, but telling girls to tailor their attire to help boys control themselves is not an appropriate way to do so. It was not our job as 13-year-olds to be responsible for something like that. Women should be comfortable enough to wear what they want without the fear that it will illicit inappropriate comments and then made to feel like it is their fault for choosing to dress that way. The bottom line is that we shouldn’t have to change our clothing or have simple day-to-day activities such as getting gas be hindered by the fear of being verbally harassed. We shouldn’t let that fear alter anything in our lives, because we do not deserve to bear the burden of these rather uncomfortable situations. We cannot let fear control us. Regardless of what the intentions of comments, whistles or hollers are, they’re classless and disrespectful. Moving forward, what we can do is teach — teach children to not objectify and to treat everyone with dignity. Teach them to know that not all forms of attention are positive, and that someone wasn’t “asking for it” based on their clothing choices or physical appearances. Most importantly, it’s time to stand up and assert that it’s not right to normalize this problem. Everyone deserves more respect than that and to understand that you do not bring that kind of unacceptable behavior on yourself. This does not get said enough, so for anyone who needs to hear it: you were not asking for this kind of attention. It is not your fault. Only when we accept this can we truly begin to change the culture. DESIGN BY

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MADELEINE KEMPER CARLY WHEELER

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STATESMAN

Free-falling from 10,000 feet above the ground, Olivia Engels takes a leap of faith and checks another activity off of her bucket list: skydiving.

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BAILY PLOURDE BY BAILY PLOURDE BY BAILY PLOURDE The stereotypical “perfect The family” stereotypical “perfect family” BY

The stereotypical “perfect family” is something we are is programmed something to we are programmed to is something we are programmed to desire from the day desire we are able from the day we are able to desire from the day we are ableand to first understand first relationships understand and As I have grown older, relationships I have first understand relationships and familial constructs. familial During the early constructs. During the early As able I have grown older, I have been to self-reflect on some of familial During the early of been years ofconstructs. our lives, years our definitions our lives, able prominent to self-reflect on Looking some of our definitions my most traits. years of ideas our lives, our definitions of these areof formed. these Whether ideas are formed. Whether my most prominent traits. Looking deeper into my past years of familial of formed. Whether we these learnideas theseare things we from lear family, n these things from family, deeper myalways past years of familial chaos, Iinto have questioned my we learnorthese family, friends lovedthings friends ones, from we are our or loved ones, we are our chaos, have always chosenI path in life questioned (thus far). my By friends or loved most ones,selves we are ourimpressionable most impressionable during selves during chosen in oflifewhat-ifs (thus far). By creatingpath a list in my been a distinguishing influence mostthese impressionable selves during years of adolescence. these years of adolescence. creating a list of what-ifs in my mind, I am constantly thrown for a distinguishing influence in been my maturing and knowledge of these years of adolescence. mind, constantly thrownwhy for a loop Iasam I attempt to uncover in my maturing knowledge of safety. He is myand symbol for love This being said, these This years of being said, of aI loop as Iway attempt to What uncoverwould why these am the I am. safety. He If isyears my symbol for met, love and trust. they had never said, these effects years of ourThis livesbeing have everlasting our lives on have effects on Imyam the way be I everlasting am. would aspirations if I What still lived in If they and Itrust. had never hadhad himnever as a met, part our haveaseverlasting on wholives we are people. who Noteffects onlywe do are as people. Not only do my aspirations be ifI still I still in California? Would be lived playing andmy I had never had himI as part of childhood, would stilla have who we are as people. Not only do our experiences have our a great impact experiences have a great impact California? Would I still be playing volleyball if my family did not of my childhood, I still have the same ideas of would vulnerability and our have a greatofimpact on experiences our understanding on our this understanding of this volleyball if to myfollow family did not encourage me my dreams? the same ideas of vulnerability and resilience? on ourbutunderstanding oflargely this but world, our relationships world, relationships largely encourage me tomyself follow my dreams? Would our I allow to be more resilience? world, relationships largely shape but our our own shape perspectives and our own and Would I allow beperspectives more vulnerable if I myself had not tobeen faced I’ve grown up in a home not only shape our own perspectives and perceptions as well. perceptions The argument as well. The argument vulnerable if loss I had beenThese faced with so much in not my life? I’ve grown in a home not only blended but up transformative. The perceptions as well. The argument of nature versus of nurture nature comes versus comes with so much loss my never life? These are questions thatinwill havenurture blended but dynamic transformative. The parent-child is neither of versus nurture comes intonature play here asinto we compare play our here as compare our are that will never we have any questions definite answers, nonetheless, parent-child dynamic formal nor distant. As ismyneither direct into play here our biological statusasbiological towe ourcompare experiences status to our experiences any definite nonetheless, the hunger foranswers, their answers drives formal nor distant. Asmymyparents direct figures of authority, biological status to our experiences growing up, surrounding growing culture up, surrounding culture the for at their drives me hunger to look myanswers relationship figures of parents allowed me authority, to develop my by forming growing surrounding culture and other up, environmental and variables. other variables. me to environmental look at my my relationship dynamics involving parents. allowed to develop forming my ownmethoughts andby opinions. and variables. It isother oftenenvironmental met It in discord iswhen often met in discord when dynamics involving my parents. They are arguably the most crucial my own athoughts andpushed opinions. Creating space that me It is often these met discussing intwo discord when discussing influencers these two influencers They are arguably thein most crucial relationships I have terms of Creating a space that pushed me to challenge the norm aided my discussing these two influencers whether each side whether lends a hand a hand relationships in terms of lends the each influencingI ofhave myside development to challenge the to norm aided my forging journey discover whether eachourside lends a hand in forming in most prominent forming our prominent the influencing of my throughout the development years. most forging strengths journey toanddiscover my greatest truly begin in formingsuch ourfeatures most prominent features as personality, such as personality , throughout the years. greatest truly begin to knowstrengths myself. and Without these featuresgestures such andasbehavior. personality, gestures andmet behavior. My mother and step-father to knowof myself. WithoutI would these aspects my childhood, gestures and behavior. My Imother and step-father when was around three years met old, aspects of my these childhood, I would not be having revelations as when I was around three years has old, and ever since, my step-father be having these revelations as Inottravel into the next chapter of and ever since, my step-father has Imytravel into the next chapter of life and grow out of this stage my development. life and grow Iout of this stage of hope to thrive of these development. I hope thrive in next years as I to continue in embrace these next years as of I continue to each stage life and toembody embrace of myself. life and theeach best stage form of embody the best form of myself.

DESIGN BY

BAILY PLOURDE

PHOTO BY ANNE WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHY DESIGN BY BAILY PLOURDE

28 28MARCH MARCH 28

PHOTO BY

MARCH

SHOPPE

ANNE WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOPPE

PERSPECTIVES

ear is an emotion that her live her life, waiting until Once my fears were exposed, on these farcical thoughts, consumes the human she could tell me every detail I recognized what they were leaving me with little to no body with distress upon of her adventure from that day. holding me back from, and what sleep and sacrificing my mental grown older, have experiencing As a physical Ior have I got my exhilaration through I was missing out on by running Iand physical health nightly. I been able to self-reflect on some of emotional stressor. most Undergoing wondering what came next in away traits. from my perception ofLooking a had to concede that there are my prominent deeper into my past years of familial fear is recurring and unavoidable, her stories, while always she got it from situation. I had to understand vile peoplemy that enact violence chaos, I have questioned chosen life (thus far). 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Holding yourself They are arguably the most crucial ear is an emotion that her live her life, waiting until Once my fears were exposed, on these farcical thoughts, relationships have terms of I followed the rules,theneverhuman took lived a different versiondetail of I recognized I lived inin a what perpetual bubble consumes she could tell me I every they were hostage leaving mefrom with experiencing little to no the influencing of my development body with distress upon of her adventure from that day. holding me back from, and what sleep and sacrificing my mental risks and neverastepped out oforthroughout lifestyle,” and Iofthe overthinking and and life isphysical inhumane. Younightly. will getI experiencing physical Iangot“unhealthy my exhilaration through wasanxiety, missingyears. out on by running health emotional stressor. Undergoing wondering what came next in away from my perception of a had to concede that there are my zone. My sistermother Iherstrived change. 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She towerebecome a result my past,of other precautions inwitheveryday life Instead, You can’tI regulate Take it infrom a 17-yeartheof narrator these comfortable a phobia accepted everything. the things old girl that had lived in fear for experiences and not the listener. and truly comprehend where I couldn’t control and focused looked forNotthestepping danger onin sewer every people’s my itis originated often necessary some on Thatthebeingthings said, you 17 years. When experiences most people’sor New from. for Although thatcan I choose could. covers, not going in the ocean Years’ resolutions were to eat it felt unfeasible, I looked No matter how you are aspectmissing of life and off of healthily own, embracing them wasmine just past standard safety,bybutadopting taking living, whetherlearn to drown yourself in and out thrived on once-in-aor exercise, my offears from my mistakes; lifetime opportunities, due to was to start living the life I a growth mindset, trusting it is never too late to take charge the adrenaline gavelimits. her. want the beginning. Acknowledging it to theandextreme where the ofthe your “what-ifs” flooding yourself the back my inability torush test itmy to tell my children. I myself killingisthe excuses. life. Holding I followed the rules, never took lived a different version of I lived in a perpetual bubble hostage from experiencing I wentandtonever schoolstepped as sheoutwent what“unhealthy I was scaredlifestyle,” of felt and like ofproblem lies. overthinking That’s where and my life of your mind or You embrace the risks of an anxiety, is inhumane. will get my comfort zone. My sister I strived to change. It began constant panic, and it cost me hurt, you will get heartbroken skydiving, I took herof pictures as anwitheasy firstWhether step, butmyI fears soon problem lied. nights. After doubleof life’s possibilities. was the definition the “polar myself. many sleepless Taking essence and you will fail, but that's life. opposite” in this situation. 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conquer them, it’s a step towards living the life that you deserve.

leaving me with LHSSTATESMAN .COMlittle to no29 LHSSTATESMAN.COM sleep and sacrificing my mental and physical health nightly. I

in sa a a o th

b p fo fi a m C to fo g to a n I m o in to

statesman

perspectives

A Broken Earbud Case by

Margaret ann Mickelberg

DeSign

& PhotoS by Margaret ann Mickelberg

Sage DuMarce-White Walking into SHS, the hallways are not too crowded as only about 300 students are trying to make it to class on time. The school day is pretty typical; SHS offers many online and traditional classes. Inazin is knocking out his senior credits this year while also having some fun playing dodgeball in gym class like most seniors, while DuMarce-White is packing his junior year full of honors classes and computer programming on Khan Academy. Overall, students say that even if they do not like high school, they are encouraged by parents, teachers and themselves to get good grades and graduate to live successful lives in college or the workforce. “The prominent attitude that everyone wants for anyone is to have a good education,” said Barse. “I hardly ever hear ‘I’m going to drop out.’ The parents and teachers are always supportive and willing to help if needed because they want what’s best for their kids.” Although, the drive to graduate varies greatly for every student at SHS. Some students have parents that want their kids to have more educated lives than the previous generation had. “My parents have never been to college and one of them hasn’t finished high school,” said DuMarce-White. “So, they want me to go to college and graduate.”

march

he Lake Traverse Indian Reservation spans across northeastern South Dakota with its corner just barely reaching into North Dakota. The tribe’s population is 14,000 people in total, most of which live on the reservation. Right in the center of it all sits the town of Sisseton, with 2,500 people in total, including these three Sisseton High School (SHS) students willing to share their unique stories about life on the Lake Traverse reservation: senior Kaycee Barse, senior Wakanyan Inazin and junior Sage DuMarce-White. These students’ days start out with early mornings, something that all high schoolers hate. Then they head to school. SHS has a short school bus ride or students can drive themselves, which is less common because most families cannot afford cars for their teens. Barse and DuMarce-White both take the bus to and from school most days, and they do not mind because the ride is a short and sweet five minutes. However, Inazin is allowed to drive his mother’s boyfriend’s car to school and have some alone time.

Wakanyan inazin There are other reasons that students want to leave for college, which many LHS students might relate to in our relatively small city of Sioux Falls. “It’s not cool here, there’s nothing to do,” said Inazin. “There’s very little opportunity to do anything here,” said DuMarceWhite. Still, some students like Barse have found a calling in Sisseton and plan on immersing themselves further in it. Barse has always had to watch her siblings and cousins, one of the reasons why she could not stay and get her picture taken for The Statesman, but she never complains about her situation. “I grew up babysitting and watching my siblings,” said Barse. “Getting older and learning about college and jobs made me start thinking about what I want to do in the future. It wasn’t until one summer when I worked at a daycare that I knew that childcare is what I want to do.” Finding motivation is frequently tiresome on the reservation. The three students agree that there has been a decline in expressing Native American culture due to deeply rooted issues and Lakota history, which causes many Sisseton residents who are Native American to become less hopeful for the future of their culture. “Our culture is still important but

now it’s not seen or expressed as often as I remember,” said Barse. “Which is sad because we have a beautiful culture.” There has also been a decrease in community spirit. “It’s sad to live here,” said Inazin, “there’s really no motivation other than motivation to get out.” DuMarce-White wants to stray away from Sisseton because of the alcohol and drug use within the community. The depression in the area causes people of all ages, including DuMarce-White’s sister and dad, to turn to substances and lose themselves in the process, which has personally affected DuMarce-White and his family’s well-being. All three students have ideas of where they want to be after graduation. DuMarce-White really enjoys computers and video games and wants to go to Dakota State University. Barse intends to continue pursuing her passion for childcare and Inazin just wants to be out of the house and at Black Hills State University. They all are very thankful for the lives they have lived because, they agree, they have learned a lot about life and their culture. Naturally, there has been bad alongside the good, but regardless of past struggles or pain, SHS students still have a burning desire to keep moving forward while accepting and appreciating the present. “Life on the reservation is like my earbud case,” said DuMarce-White. “It’s a little bit broken and the zipper falls off, but it still holds my earbuds. It works, not the best, but it works.”

lhsstatesman.com

STATESMAN

STRANGER,

ADYSON SAND

DESIGN BY

ADYSON SAND

PERSPECTIVES

Letters to Strangers is an organization created to destigmatize mental health and offer a platform that provides participants the ability to share anonymous letters. The letters typically outline personal vulnerabilities and spread words of encouragement with strangers across the globe. For the past eight years, Letters to Strangers has extended its network of support and sanguine to over 35,000 people, because “no one’s identity should be buried beneath statistics.” The liberation of this process drew me to draft a letter of my own. Here it is:

SATIRE DISCLAIMER: THIS STORY IS JUST FOR FUN, SO DON’T TAKE IT TOO

Addressing a letter to no one in particular proved itself to be more difficult than I initially anticipated. The boundaries of this letter were non-existent and left me grasping for a suggestion that would point me towards a letter crowded with an extensive list of answers to someone’s impending inquiries of life. But as I sifted through my unfinished, rough-cut stanzas, I realized my writing doesn’t have the punch to do that, so instead, I fell back on simply writing a letter encased in thought and suggestion. In this letter, I will attempt to write to you with the humdrum that has persisted in the far corner of my mind for quite some time. These are the words that I have lacked the courage to share with those promoted to being more than just strangers. The sense of security that came from the anonymity of this process was the exact push I was looking for. Although we are strangers, solely interconnected by the syllables mushed together on this page, these words have the potential to platform an understanding of each other deeper than most acquaintances. The sense of disclosure in a letter like this one opens up a gateway to complete transparency. I may have passed you in the hallway yesterday or walked the same sidewalk as you. I do not know you and you do not know me, yet I can write my subsisting thoughts and feelings, and maybe somehow you’ll run with the nonsense that I fumble through. In fact, running into these words by coincidence, preached by one with ground-level significance, might have a shot at hitting the mark. I found a quote today that managed to cling to my constantly flushing brain, and I felt it pertained in this instance quite perfectly: “Our stories have the power to break down barriers.” This quote condenses the backbones of this process and is a silhouette of the idea that we are foreigners to one another until we unfasten the bundle of stories that we all carry with us. I could tell you I’m good at holding grudges, I like my voice to be heard and I worry too much about things I can’t control, but I can hide my candidness beneath the proposition that I won’t have to face you outside of these paragraphs. My personal turmoil tends to consume me, making it easy to disregard the bigger issues occurring outside of my peripherals. It’s hard to fathom the taxing events that you may be dealing with in the confinement of your own headspace, that the common passerby will never encompass. We all reside under the same sky and many personalities will still go untouched. This process was a large stride at accepting the lack of veracity we experience amongst one another, and realizing that there is so much more to life than what seems predominant in my sheltered bubble. After coming to terms with the unconsciousness I have for the people around me, I was opened up to the opportunity that lies in each of us. Compliment someone, hold the door, say thank you and appreciate the medley of personalities that are intertwined into this world of struggle. Regardless of what you are wrestling with right now, take the time to notice the tenderness we all possess beneath the preconceived connection between strangers and unfamiliarity. Whoever you are, you deserve to be heard by anyone that will listen, even if it’s someone you’ve never met.

VERONICA ISEMINGER

SERIOUSLY!

I’ve decided to write this in light of the season of love among us. Valentine’s day has especially touched me this year considering I have found the love of my life and since I did, so can you. Some people say that real high school relationships aren’t like those in the movies. That there is no happily ever after in high school, and you should give up any hopes of that ever coming true, curl up into a sad lonely ball and cry over your perpetual singleness. But, I’ll let you in on a little secret: it’s not true. You’re only told that so you stop looking, when in reality, your soulmate may be in your Algebra II class all along. The people that tell you these horrible things like “wait until college,” or encourage you to lose hope in your high school relationship, are a part of a group of “Cupid Killers.” Their main goal in life is to prevent you from meeting the love of your life. Why else would movies glorify high school relationships if they weren’t meant to be? How do you think movie producers got the idea to portray high school relationships in that way if it wasn’t from TRUE real life experiences? Take movies for what they are. It’d be a crime for them to release false expectations to young minds. In a world of growing technological access, one has even more possibilities of finding their true love in high school than any other generation before us. Snapchat and Instagram can instantly connect you to possible matches.

By accepting those “quick adds” and follow requests you open yourself up to the hands of opportunity. Notice how often your peers post their significant others; it’s because they’re not limiting themselves into a close-minded box by believing the corrupt stereotype that high school relationships never last. One rumor you’ll hear “Cupid Killers” throw around is that of the horrible, dreaded, “talking stage.” That once you get in this stage, you’ll be engulfed in an endless tornado of emotions and be spit out onto the curb. They’ll tell you it’s best to just avoid attempting this stage at all costs, but don’t listen to them! If anything, the “talking stage’’ is a vital step towards finding your high school soulmate. Think of it as a video game with a set of different levels. Some will be more difficult than others, but that’s a given. Each level gets you closer to the end of the game. This also goes for the whole “friendzone” issue. Some of us take a major halt at that word, considering all of the disappointment it typically brings. You develop a huge crush on someone only to hear their intentions are strictly platonic. It stings, but sometimes that’s the gateway to the next level. Don’t quit at the first signs of struggle. Who’s to say there’s not a special someone waiting for you? Maybe it’ll take you a few tries, but don’t plug your nose, love is in the air.

VERONICA ISEMINGER KATIE KROEZE

ARTWORK BY

MARCH

DESIGN BY

LHSSTATESMAN.COM

not my education

statesman

Disclaimer: This is a satire and is not meant to be taken seriously (maybe)

Sara Croghan, editor-in-Chief The San Francisco Board of Education just passed a measure (6-1) to rename 44 public schools that are currently named after any historical figures who have “engaged in the subjugation and enslavement of human beings; or who oppressed women, inhibiting societal progress; or whose actions led to genocide; or who otherwise significantly diminished the opportunities of those amongst us to the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Some of the names that fall into this category and that are up for renaming are Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Sound familiar? Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Sioux Falls School District (SFSD). The SFUSD, which is the San Francisco Unified School District, is obviously different from the SFSD. Firstly, the extra U in their acronym stands for “Unified”, or better, Uncompromising Usurpers against Unequalites. Am I allowed to throw Unintelligible in there? Now, I may be getting a little aggressive over just a name; who am I to weigh their pitfalls over their successes? Frankly, I don’t think the problem lies just within the SFUSD, but perhaps it is an issue of national significance or, dare I say, it is

a systemic issue! But, back to the matter of the corruption of our education by “Those-whomust-not-be-named.” Maybe J.K. Rowling was on to something after all, however we mustn’t talk of her either, that’s a matter I’ll let the Usurpers deal with. Instead, I’ll stick to referencing Pink Floyd, as his song “Another Brick In the Wall,” seems to explain the current situation nicely. The song goes: “We don’t need no education We don’t need no thought control No dark sarcasm in the classroom Teacher, leave them kids alone” Naming the buildings that house our CHILDREN for more waking hours than our own homes after figures such as Abraham Lincoln is indeed some sort of dark sarcasm. But I’d like to focus on the idea I find most pertinent: thought control. It seems this idea, or at the very least the ingraining of questionable ideals and values of members of certain groups, is all around us. These practices in particular appear to be the root of many “systemic” issues. And if I’ve learned anything from being on social media since June, we don’t need no systemic (insert social justice issue here). Frankly, I think the naming conundrum brought to light deSign

march

& photo by Sara Croghan

by the SFUSD reveals one of these systemic issues. For without names, what are we? (I can tell you one thing, it’s NOT people.) In an America where we so bravely and galiantly preach the gospel of don’t-letanyone-else-define-you, it’s a refreshing change of pace to pay attention to something’s name, something’s label! It’s breaking the norm of the (now) current system, and of course all resulting thought control. Being able to focus all of our energy on labeling, especially labeling the institutions that our children attend, is the clarity we all need amidst this pandemic. In fact, I applaud the SFUSD for recognizing this and rightfully prioritizing the renamings over any plans to get children back into school. (Sorry, did I forget to mention that?) What’s the point when they’d be returning to a building named Lincoln, or the obviously much worse Washington! In conclusion, I think the SFSD (with NO U!) needs to think long and hard about its priorities. Because, I for one, “don’t need no education” if it’s happening in classrooms in buildings with names like these. I won’t stand for it. Not my education. An additional note from the Editor: Watch out Lincoln, NE, you’re next.

not my education

MARTIN SHKRELI VS. THE WORLD

PERSPECTIVES

magine there is a feud at LHS between two people named Joe and Jane. Joe is seen as an outsider; he does not have many friends, he acts abnormally and students just find him overall unpleasant. Jane, on the other hand, is very popular; She is rich, she has many friends willing to back her up and she always gets what she wants. Depending on who you ask, you will hear different stories about how the feud started. A few students claim that Joe began to notice that Jane was quite a mean person, but she was never getting punished for her misdoings. This made Joe angry, and being the peculiar person he is, he decided to mirror the actions of Jane to bring attention to the issue. Most students, however, claim that Jane had nothing to do with how Joe started acting, and that Joe only did the things he did out of pure

DESIGN

selfishness. In the end, most people only hear Jane’s side of the story, due to how popular she is, and Joe becomes the bad guy. This is the story of one of the internet’s favorite punching bags: Martin Shkreli, AKA Pharma Bro. Former C.E.O. of Turing Pharmaceuticals, Shkreli quickly became notorious for raising the price of the life saving and toxoplasmosis treating drug Daraprim from $13.50 to $750 per pill in 2015. Then, in 2018, Shkreli was arrested for and convicted of defrauding investors and conspiring to manipulate shares in a separate drug company. From the mid-to-late 2010’s, Shkreli was constantly appearing in the news, only to be met with seeminglydeserved criticism (to say the least). Not only did he do something many people would consider to be the epitome of greed, but he is also just very odd. From showing absolutely no remorse

for his actions to having his one-of-a-kind $2 million Wu-Tang Clan album confiscated upon his conviction, Shkreli stands out from the hundreds of other pharmaceutical company C.E.Os that have made similar price increases. All these conditions combined seemed to make Shkreli the face of corporate greed. Pharma Bro, however, refuses to accept the public’s opinion of him. Shkreli claims his Daraprim raise was a stunt, intended to draw attention to what drug companies do every week in America without repercussions. Shkreli backs this by saying he only increased the price for insurance agencies and never actually made individuals pay $750. In addition, Daraprim users who couldn’t afford the new price and didn’t have insurance would be able to purchase the drug at $1 per pill. Although this is Shkreli’s main defense, it is by no means his only one. Without showing

THOMPSON WAKEFIELD

a tad of regret, Shkreli also claims that the price increase was good for users in that it allowed for more research, and that he deserves the money because he saves these people’s lives. Shkreli also claims that most people don’t know his side of the story because Big Pharma funds propaganda to defame him. If it wasn’t obvious, Person A is Shkreli and Person B is Big Pharma. All the research in the world couldn’t tell someone whether Shkreli really had good intentions and was the victim of a smear campaign by Big Pharma, or if he was just another greedy C.E.O. who pushed himself a little too far into the spotlight. Although the case of Pharma Bro will likely never be solved, it’s important to remember that whether it’s a high school feud or a national controversy, every story has two sides.

& PHOTO BY SARA CROGHAN

LHSSTATESMAN.COM