March 2023 Issue by LHS Statesman

Josie

PERSPECTIVES

National Women’s Day: Who inspires you?

Full Circle Book-Coop: Fostering connection

Delaney Gramlick

PAPER EDITORS-IN-CHIEF- Sarah Bomhoff, Morgan Sandness & Jada Sandvall

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

FEATURE EDITORS- Anna Anderson & Vanessa Timat

ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS- Delaney Gramlick & Emma Southwick

PERSPECTIVES EDITORS- Laura Heckenlaible & Clare Heupel

SPORTS EDITOR- Lucas Hiatt

NEWS EDITORS- Reese Duncan & Kate Matthes

Reese Duncan Let’s

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATORS- Raina Marty & Ellen Merkley

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

ADVISER- Dr. Katie Kroeze

CONTENTS 11 FEATURES ENTERTAINMENT NEWS PERSPECTIVES

Statesman Student activists fight back against House Bill 1080 Reese Duncan & Kate Matthes Miss Teen South Dakota Elana Bishop & Caroline Hughes A taste of the world Josie Tollinger & Elysse Weber National Women’s Day: Who inspires you? Delaney Gramlick Full Circle Book-Coop: Fostering connection Reese Duncan Let’s talk about hostile architecture Sarah Bomhoff 4 E-hall pass: digital pass system takes on LHS Zoe Larson 5 Computation over completion Gabe Schmit 8 A guide to LHS’s new courses Grace Miner & Katya Surendran 12 LHS student teachers Anna Anderson & Emma Southwick 14 STUCO’s great faces Betsy Haft & Ariahna Wells FEATURES (cont.) 18 Morgan Leslie: Climbing the corporate ladder Kinley Freese 20 St. Patrick’s Day traditions Samantha Zeeck 21 Would you rather: LHS edition Ellen Merkley 25 Book talk: Statesman staff picks Reagan Wulf What is the best classroom at LHS?- Bergen Quello ENTERTAINMENT (cont.) 32 LHS fact sheet Fisher Meyerink 34 Gentle parenting Daniel Valentine 35 Generation of the influenced Kadence Dean 36 Our obsession with youth Kate Matthes 38 The state of our state Jada Sandvall 40 Flashlight: Overcoming anxiety as a teenager Laura Heckenlaible 27 Unique Bagel Boy orders Emery Bishop 22 29 30 Awards for LHS artists Clare Heupel 26 LHS’s Bagel Boy orders Adeline Theophilus 6 16 42 28 CONTENTS 11 FEATURES ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Statesman

activists fight back against House Bill 1080 Reese Duncan & Kate Matthes Miss Teen South Dakota Elana Bishop & Caroline Hughes

Student

the world

A taste of

Tollinger

Elysse Weber

talk about hostile architecture Sarah Bomhoff 4 E-hall pass: digital pass system takes on LHS Zoe Larson 5 Computation over completion Gabe Schmit 8 A guide to LHS’s new courses Grace Miner & Katya Surendran 12 LHS student teachers Anna Anderson & Emma Southwick 14 STUCO’s great faces Betsy Haft & Ariahna Wells FEATURES (cont.) 18 Morgan Leslie: Climbing the corporate ladder Kinley Freese 20 St. Patrick’s Day traditions Samantha Zeeck 21 Would you rather: LHS edition Ellen Merkley 25 Book talk: Statesman staff picks Reagan Wulf What is the best classroom at LHS?- Bergen Quello ENTERTAINMENT (cont.) 32 LHS fact sheet Fisher Meyerink 34 Gentle parenting Daniel Valentine 35 Generation of the influenced Kadence Dean 36 Our obsession with youth Kate Matthes 38 The state of our state Jada Sandvall 40

Overcoming anxiety as a teenager Laura Heckenlaible 27 Unique Bagel Boy orders Emery Bishop 22 29 30 Awards for LHS artists Clare Heupel 26 LHS’s Bagel Boy orders Adeline Theophilus 6 16 42 28 CONTENTS 11 FEATURES ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Flashlight:

PERSPECTIVES

is the best classroom at LHS?- Bergen Quello ENTERTAINMENT (cont.) 32 LHS fact sheet Fisher Meyerink 34 Gentle parenting Daniel Valentine 35 Generation of the influenced Kadence Dean 36 Our obsession with youth Kate Matthes 38 The state of our state Jada Sandvall 40 Flashlight: Overcoming anxiety as a teenager Laura Heckenlaible 27 Unique Bagel Boy orders Emery Bishop 22 29 30 Awards for LHS artists Clare Heupel 26 LHS’s Bagel Boy orders Adeline Theophilus 6 16 42 28

What

Let’sface it, we live in a world that relies so heavily on technology that the number of daily tasks that do not require it can be counted on one hand. As much as technology facilitates the workload of humans, it can be overwhelming to keep up with the constant changes made to further progress. In the business of education, being up to date with technology is imperative to make the long school day most efficient for students.

The newest development that LHS is working to add is a new system for hall passes. Paper passes will soon be a thing of the past as hall passes are making a switch to become digital. E-hall pass is a program that is accessible to students via Class Link or a downloadable app that will completely replace paper passes that have been used since LHS opened its doors in 1965.

Danyelle Brown, the assistant principal of LHS, is working to oversee the implementation of this new system.

“E-hall pass is an electronic hall pass system. It is just like the old planners and the blue passes, just done electronically which enables staff members in the building to know where students are and where they are going. Teachers can create passes for students and students can also create passes that teachers will approve,” said Brown.

Rather than writing the time and destination on a pass, LHS staff can communicate with one another on the website, and it is efficient in the way that it automatically time-stamps the time out of class, making it easier for teachers. Since it is an entirely new program, teachers and staff are being trained on how to use the new

system, starting with those who work with freshmen.

Joshua Smith, the freshman academy coordinator, works to help students transition from middle school to high school to effectively earn credits and be academically prepared to become sophomores. Since they are new to high school, the introduction of the E-hall pass makes sense to start with students who are not already accustomed to the old hall passes.

“I think that what we’re doing with Freshmen Academy is a good way to work out all of the kinks, because we have 15 teachers and administrators who are using it on a daily basis, and there are a few other

in these places, the system will not allow another pass to be created, effectively reducing the loitering problem that is so prevalent in the LHS hallways. Also, teachers can add their out-of-office hours so students can know when they are able to come into the classroom and ask for help.

On paper, the E-hall pass system seems like a dream come true; however, an experienced user of the system explains that there are more flaws to it than what meets the eye. Since the beginning of the school year, RHS has used the E-hall pass system, and a Spanish teacher at the high school, Stacy Svendsen, believes that even though we are only weeks into

otherwise used for learning,” said Svendsen. “The other way to create a pass is for the teacher to create one. I have to stop my entire lesson, go to my computer and create a pass, find which bathroom they want to go to, and then okay it. When they are done and back in the room, I have to mark that they are back in the classroom. This is often something that I forget to do. This leads to inaccurate information on the E-pass log. So, either my class is being distracted by me creating or marking a kid ‘back to class’ or I have inaccurate information recorded in the system.”

Computation over completion.

It appears that our legroom for a time between human productivity and homework machine has run short.

teachers and systems that use it throughout the school as of now. It’s allowing us to figure out how to train the kids and teachers to use it efficiently,” said Smith.

Since starting the system, Smith has already noticed fewer students out in the hallway roaming around. Additionally, he believes that the system will make students more attentive to how much time they spend out of the classroom, allowing them to optimize their time in the classroom. Other benefits to the E-hall pass system include limits on persons allowed in the hallways and bathrooms at once. If there are more than the allotted number of students

the second semester, students are still having a hard time adjusting to the new change.

“I think everyone is still adjusting to using it. Change is hard for people,” said Svendsen. Aside from the new system being a big change in students’ lives, Svendsen believes that it has a few errors that need to be fixed.

“One big issue that I have with this system is that if a student has to go to the bathroom, they have to take their Chromebook out to create a pass. If my students don’t need to have computers for the lesson, I don’t want them to have them out as a distraction. It takes time that should be

Ideally, the E-hall pass system would extend the amount of time that teachers can use to teach, but since the system requires a pass to be requested and approved manually, Svendsen claims that it actually takes time out of her lesson. She also claims that it is getting easier for students to find loopholes around teachers asking them for proof of a pass when they are roaming around the hallways. Rather than showing said teacher a physical hall pass, students can just tell them that they have an E-hall pass, and since the system is primarily used on chromebooks, teachers cannot easily verify this claim, as most students do not carry it around the hallways.

With LHS starting the E-hall pass system in the freshmen academy, the hope is that it will create a better avenue for communication between students and staff. Even though there is no actual timeline for when the system will be fully implemented into LHS, everyone in the building should work to learn how to use it so it will reach its full potential.

GPT-3 is a recently popularized AI renowned for its ability to have accurate human conversations between a computer and its human operator. Created by the OpenAI foundation, GPT-3 can be interacted with via OpenAI’s ChatGPT website by giving a question or sentence and having the model use GPT-3 to find a logical response. GPT-3 is the third variant of the GPT model created by OpenAI, which descends from GPT-2 and GPT respectively.

One of the more popularized concerns with GPT-3 is the model’s ability to write reports and essays on various topics, which many of those associated with language fields of education fear of the future. With the easy-to-use interface of ChatGPT and its understanding of natural language, GPT-3 can write papers with nearly 100% accuracy toward a genuine piece of text. This has led to some fear and speculation that AI could help students gain an unfair advantage on tests by plugging in their assessment questions to the website without ever learning anything on the topic. Several districts, among the most prominent being NYC, have imposed a district-wide ban on the service, along with others that provide similar abilities.

Although GPT-3 was a pioneer and is widely considered the most effective at text generation, other models have become increasingly popular for developers wishing to add text generation to their projects and could surpass GPT-3 in the future. Bloom, created

The machines are here.

Are

you ready?

by Gabe Schmit

by BigScience, is a multi-lingual model that can operate similarly to GPT-3, with support for 46 different human languages and 13 programming languages. Like GPT-3, it can use text generation to create new materials from old sources, using datasets it has incorporated into itself. However, unlike GPT-3, Bloom does not have an official web program that can interface with it or fetch relevant information from online sources, so it still has a while before it is ready for production use.

In addition to text generation, GPT-3 can also create artwork. Via DALLE-2, a service similar to ChatGPT, users give prompts to the model, which then attempts to recreate a scene containing as many elements specified in the image as possible. This has already created a lot of backlash regarding the digital art community over the effort reduced by simply putting in a few words instead of spending hours perfecting digital works, with many users also having their art scraped and added to the datasets that are now being used to create new pieces. In addition, these “prompts” have become increasingly popular to the point where they can be sold on markets for money, which raises suspicion as to how authentic a string of words and letters can be. Educators, creators and artists alike are fearful for the future of computing; is the dawn of a Skynet-like electronic brain closer to us than we could have imagined? Or, will we simply become lost in the collective merging of all of our creativity?

Time will tell, soon enough.

by Zoe Larson design by Zoe Larson artwork by Zoe Larson Canva/sathapokhrutpo 4 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

photo by Gabe Schmit de Gn by Gabe Schmit MARCH ISSUE 5

After the introduction of House Bill 1080 in the state of South Dakota, LHS students Elliott Morehead and Ayden Gage took a stand against the state legislation which affects the transgender community in South Dakota.

HB 1080 was introduced in Jan. 2023 by District Nine Representative (R-Sioux Falls) Bethany Soye. The bill makes it illegal for health professionals in South Dakota to perform “certain medical and surgical interventions on minor patients,” as well as “prescribe or administer to a minor, any drug to delay stop normal puberty,” thus banning all gender-affirming surgeries, hormones and puberty blockers for all minors. Any minor using these prescriptions is required to terminate their use by Dec. 31, 2023.

HB 1080 was introduced in Jan. 2023 by District Nine Representative (R-Sioux Falls) Bethany Soye. The bill makes it illegal for health professionals in South Dakota to perform “certain medical and surgical interventions on minor patients,” as well as “prescribe or administer to a minor, any drug to delay or stop normal puberty,” thus banning all gender-affirming surgeries, hormones and puberty blockers for all minors. Any minor using these prescriptions is required to terminate their use by Dec. 31, 2023.

Morehead, a junior at LHS, immediately knew that this bill would deeply affect the transgender community in South Dakota. They are passionate about protecting the LGBTQ+ community from legislation like HB 1080 because they are a part of this very same population.

“I am a genderqueer, transgender student here at LHS. I’m very passionate about activism and human rights and all advocacy work. When HB 1080 came out, I knew that I had to advocate against that because it affects so many in my community,” said Morehead.

HB 1080 has received backlash across the state since its introduction including protests in Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Brookings, South Dakota. Proponents of HB 1080 claim that it is necessary to prevent gender-affirming surgeries like this from happening. However, those who oppose, including much of the transgender community, state that these surgeries are simply not happening to the extent that many think and that surgery and puberty-blocking drugs are not easily accessible. Morehead acknowledges the state’s reasoning behind the bill but is unconvinced that South Dakotans should be concerned about this issue.

Morehead acknowledges the state’s reasoning behind the bill but is unconvinced that South Dakotans should be concerned about this issue.

“We’re not trying to oppose this bill because we want surgeries to happen. I believe personally that no one should have their surgery until they’re fully grown because damage can happen,” said Morehead. “I’m not mad about that part of the bill, but you also have to realize no one’s doing it. It’s not a bill that we need; that doesn’t happen.”

LHS senior Gage often partners with Morehead in advocacy efforts, and they agree that the emergence of these bills follows in the footsteps of other states that have already banned gender-affirming care such as Utah, Texas and Tennessee.

“These bills are coming out because [legislators] want these controversial bills so that they can get a bigger name. If you propose a controversial bill, everybody in the nation will hear about it. That gives you a name,” said Gage. “These people are working to try to make it into our federal government instead of our state government.”

“These bills are coming out because [legislators] want these controversial bills so that they can get a bigger name. If you propose a controversial bill, everybody in the nation will hear about it. That you a name,” said Gage. “These people are working to try to make it into our federal government instead of our state government.”

National influences aside, South Dakota has a history of proposing bills regarding transgender youth. In 2022, Governor Kristi Noem signed SB 46, which banned all transgender women and girls from playing sports within their gender division at schools and colleges. HB 1005 was also introduced in 2022 which proposed to prohibit transgender students from using the school bathroom consistent with their gender identity; this bill was passed in the House but defeated in the Senate.

Joined by Gage, Morehead gave testimony on Jan. 31 in front of the House Health and Human Services Committee in hopes of persuading them to vote against the bill. In their speech, Morehead included their personal experiences, including how long it took them to get a letter from a mental health professional to start hormonal therapy, also known as an HRT letter.

“It took me six months to get my HRT letter, which only gets me to start talking to a physician, and that would be months later. And then months later I might be able to start talking about gender-affirming treatment and receiving that,” said Morehead.

Even after this effort, the bill passed 11 to two. It continued to pass in

the House, Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the Senate. On Feb. 13, Governor Noem signed the bill into and it will take effect on July 1, 2023. Now, Morehead and Gage feel as if the discrimination that they experience in public has traveled into the Capitol.

the House, Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the Senate. On Feb. 13, Governor Noem signed the bill into law and it will take effect on July 1, 2023. Now, Morehead and Gage feel as if the discrimination that they experience in public has traveled into the Capitol.

“If you’re LGBTQ+ in South Dakota, you’re used to being called slurs. You’re used to having looks,” said Morehead. “Now with this legislation, not only are you struggling being bullied by your peers, now your legislators are doing it too. That deteriorates kids my age, and I’m not gonna stand for that. That’s why I went to Pierre to show the legislators that we’re not going to back down.”

Although this might be seen as a setback, Morehead and Gage know that this is only the beginning of their advocacy efforts and nothing will keep them from fighting for their community.

“This is why politics are so important. I know it’s a struggle. I can validate why someone would not [participate], because it’s a lot, especially if you’re marginalized,” said Morehead. “But as a general population, if we focus on the values we hold in South Dakota, and actually incorporate those into passing the right bills, then we will make progress.”

This type of legislation can sometimes push LGBTQ+ individuals to other states where they often feel more accepted; however, Morehead is passionate about staying within the state to advocate for their community.

“At first I [wanted to move away from South Dakota], but then I realized that I love advocacy, I realized that where my roots are is a place where I can make the most change…I’m not going to leave the next generation behind. And it does feel harsh in this community, but there are organizations and people always around you just have to look for them,” said Morehead. “I am the founder of South Dakota Youth Activism, which is a nonprofit, soon to be 501(c)(4), that is building up a coalition of teens and young people around the state to start bringing a youth voice to activism in our legislation.”

“At first I [wanted to move away South Dakota], but then I realized that I love advocacy, I realized that where my roots are is a place where I can make the most change…I’m not going to leave the next generation behind. And it does feel harsh in this community, but there are organizations and people always around you just have to look for them,” said Morehead. “I am the founder of South Dakota Youth Activism, which is a nonprofit, soon to be 501(c)(4), that is building up a coalition of teens and young people around the state to start bringing a youth voice to activism in our legislation.”

Morehead and Gage want people to know that anyone can make a difference, no matter their age or promoting youth activism will While this change might Morehead and Gage how hard it may seem, support even in the most “If you are afraid to realize that you will find you won’t expect,” said always be support. No who you are.”

Morehead and Gage want people to know that anyone can make a

design by e mma F orster photos provided by a yden g age , e lliott m orehead & v alor e spior C reations 6 LHSSTATESMAN.COM MARCH ISSUE 7

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6 LHSSTATESMAN.COM MARCH ISSUE 7

by Kate matthes & reese dunCan by Grace Miner & Katya Surendran

All eight new classes coming to LHS next year have something unique to offer each student from an outlet to express their creativity, to an invitation to discuss the world around them.

Length/Credit: One Year, 1 credit Science Elective, Lab Science

Prerequisite: Biology, Open to grade 9-12

Real World Science covers everything from household chemistry to the dynamics of motion. This class goes over the real-world applications of both physics and chemistry, covering how historical and scientific discoveries impact our lives. Real World Science is a great option for someone who does not feel ready to take chemistry or physics. By dipping into both subjects, this course helps students discover the types of sciences they are interested in.

Length/Credit: One Semester, 0.5 credit

Prerequisite: Open to grade 9-12

Fashion Design, taught by Kali Sloup, allows students to learn about fashion trends, create innovative designs and develop valuable sewing skills. As a result, it will increase the student’s creativity, as they will hand-sketch some of their own designs, learn how to operate a sewing machine and create their own products. This course also opens students up to a variety of job opportunities the fashion industry provides, along with teaching them how to utilize the skills they learn both inside and outside of the classroom. “There’s a lot of fun things to be able to do both on the machines and by hand, and I also just think it’s a very relaxing practice,” said Sloup.

Length/Credit: One Semester, 0.5 credit Meets World History requirement

Prerequisite: Open to grade 10-12

AP European History, taught by Matt Daly, covers the events that took place from the Renaissance to modern times. It allows students an opportunity to improve their reading, writing and critical thinking skills while gaining an advanced understanding of historical events that occurred in Europe throughout history. Students will learn about the Renaissance, Age of Exploration and the World Wars, along with numerous other historical events that have transformed Europe into the place it is today.

Length/Credit: One Semester, 0.5 credit

Prerequisite: Open to grade 11-12, Human Anatomy taken concurrently

Athletic trainers, physical therapists and a variety of other occupations that are rooted in sports medicine can discover a basis for their education in Intro to Athletic Training. Taught by LHS’s athletic trainers, Katy Lardy and Austin Mueller, this course allows students to learn about the history and careers available in sports medicine, along with anatomy, common injuries, rehabilitation and general medicine. Additionally, the course provides an opportunity for all students to become CPR certified. Students will be able to discover more about this career path through hands-on experiences combined with increased knowledge of the body.

Length/Credit: One Semester, 0.5 credit Science Elective, Lab Science

Prerequisite: Biology, Open to grade 9-12

From creating miniature volcanoes to figuring out if they are faster than a dinosaur, Mesa Jacobson teaches her students about everything that is not alive on the earth. Through labs and other activities, students will get a chance to view scale models of dinosaurs and look at actual rocks to learn about their environment and all the different uses for the natural parts of the earth. Though only a semester long, Earth Science gifts students a better understanding of the world around them. “I am so excited to teach [Earth Science] . and help students learn more about what they’re standing on,” said Jacobson.

Length/Credit: One Semester, 0.5 credit Life Science Elective, Lab Science

Prerequisite: Open to grade 10-12

In this class, students will perform experiments, evaluate new technologies, and acquire more knowledge about the human body. Through the use of critical thinking and scientific procedures, Basics of the Human Body is a great class to learn more about the way we function. This course is perfect for students who wonder about the structure of the human body and inner workings of themselves.

Length/Credit: One Semester, 0.5 credit Science Elective, Lab Science

Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra, open to grade 10-12

Throughout the semester Charnelle Wooledge will teach her students problem-solving life skills while they step into the shoes of a crime scene investigator. Learning with photographs, current case studies and a variety of hands-on activities, students will participate in labs such as fiber analysis and DNA profiling. In addition, this course will cover a myriad of topics relating to Criminal Investigations as well as Forensic Science and Observation. From discussing careers in the field to famous investigations, Forensics has it all.

Length/Credit: One Semester, 0.5 credit

Prerequisite: Open to grade 9-12

The ability to travel from outer space to the deep trenches of the ocean within moments can be achieved virtually through computer gaming design, along with all other unimaginable feats. Charnelle Wooledge will help students to utilize creativity and problem-solving to learn about the history, design and graphics of video games. Students will be able to use coding and design software to create and run their own video game by the end of the semester while achieving a strong base to pursue the growing career path of computer gaming. “I am most excited to dive in and see how the video games start. . what comes 1st, what comes 2nd, what comes 3rd, what comes 4th and then you see the whole thing put together,” said Wooledge.

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MISS TEEN SOUTH

by Elana Bishop & Caroline Hughes

DAKOTA

Pageants have been around in America since 1880. In the past these contests have been known as “beauty pageants,” but more recently they tend to judge more on character than beauty. What teens do for their community can really tip the judge’s decisions. Local teen, Bella Welker from Harrisburg, South Dakota, claimed the title as Miss Teen South Dakota this past year.

She also ran for the title of Miss Teen USA but has not yet claimed that title. Her experience has taught her a lot of lessons and gives her the credibility to give advice to young women with big goals.

Pageantry piqued Welker’s interest early in her life, but one of the first reasons she got involved was her neighbor Shelby Specht, Miss South Dakota Teen USA 2019, who she really looked up to as a young child.

“She has a sense of confidence and bubbliness that I just adored and I knew I wanted to carry those qualities someday as well,” said Welker.

Another reason for getting involved in pageants was the opportunities that came with the experience. She has been able to encounter an entirely new social network with people that she has met while traveling due to her sash, taking her to five different states. While traveling, she encountered many learning moments and will have these connections for the rest of her life. Not only has she been able to meet new people, but just being a part of the company has helped her receive scholarships for college and improved her college applications by showing intelligence and dedication.

Like anything in life, Welker faced struggles throughout her journey. As Welker entered the pageant girl environment, she had her concerns with starting a new chapter in her life.

“I started getting really nervous about the girls being nice and if they would live up to the typical stereotype of pageant competitors,” said Welker. She ended up relieving her stress about the toxic environment after learning that it was just a stereotype and not true at all. Although this stress was taken off her shoulders, her biggest fear was going home and telling everyone that she lost. She feared the embarrassment that she would feel doing this.

“Going into the pageant, you have to remember that no matter the outcome you must be proud of the steps you took to compete on that stage,” said Welker. Welker’s experience has taught her how to overcome the obstacles in her life. One of the main pieces of advice that she has taken away is to not care about what other people will think. Once that is accomplished, it is way easier to be confident in who you are as a person and proud of what you have been able to do.

photo provided by b ella W elker design by e lana b ishop & C aroline h ughes MARCH ISSUE 11

BY E MMA S OUTHWICK

As many have come to realize, teachers are some of the most influential people that students come across during their lifetimes. Though the job may seem simple to some, teaching requires a lot of practice and a multitude of different skills in order to be successful. Many aspiring teachers take the opportunity to become student teachers within their last year of undergraduate school to help them ease their way into their future teaching careers.

As many have come to realize, teachers are some of the most influential people that students come across during their lifetimes. Though the job may seem simple to some, teaching requires a lot of practice and a multitude of different skills in order to be successful. Many aspiring teachers take the opportunity to student teachers within their last year of undergraduate school to help them ease their way into their future teaching careers.

Emily Peichel is one of LHS’s many student teachers and is a senior at the University of South Dakota studying secondary English education. Peichel will be graduating with her Bachelor’s of Science in Secondary Education, as well as minors in K-12 ELL teaching and K-12 Spanish teaching this May. Peichel comes from a family of teachers and has always known from the start of her own school career that she would like to be a teacher someday.

“Both of my parents are teachers, so I grew up around it, and my sister is also a teacher,” said Peichel. “Teachers are my whole family. I went to Kindergarten and I came back and I was like, ‘I’m going to be a teacher’ the very first day, and it stuck through all my life.”

Peichel’s student teaching experience as a high school English teacher has helped her prepare for her desired career. Being able to help out and learn through observing Meghan Anderson-Finch’s English classes has been a great way for Peichel to build her own teaching strategies for the future as well as gain the confidence that is needed to lead a class.

“The main thing that I am working on right now is just to build strategies that I can then use later on, and to build my confidence,” said Peichel. “I came in having very little practice, and so I was nervous and shaking the first time I came up in front of the students, and now it’s just ‘okay, you can do it,’ so confidence is really the main thing that I’ve learned.”

“The main thing that I am working on right now is just to build strategies that I can then use later on, and to build my confidence,” said Peichel. came in having very little practice, and so I was nervous and shaking the first time I came up in front of the students, and now it’s just ‘okay, you can do it,’ so confidence is really the main thing that I’ve learned.”

A unique aspect of student teaching is that it allows prospective teachers to see what being a teacher is really like and helps them to get an idea of what to expect out of their future position. On the other hand, without student teaching, education students are only able to learn through their college courses. While taking those classes and learning in a classroomstyle environment is important and required to complete their studies, Peichel believes that student teaching is preparing her way more than if she were to solely take classes to receive her education.

“I think it’s really hard to effectively teach someone how to be a teacher if they’re just sitting in a classroom, like my classes at USD,” said Peichel. “Being here I can be hands-on, actually able to do it through trial and error and learn that way. It’s much better than someone just [telling me what to do]. This gives me a chance to actually [see what teaching is like].”

Peichel’s main hope for her own teaching career is that her positive attitude is able to have a lasting effect on her students.

One of Peichel’s favorite parts of being a student teacher are the relationships she has been able to build with her students, which ties into the impact she would like to have on her students once she is a full-time teacher. Peichel’s main hope for her own teaching career is that her positive attitude is able to have a lasting effect on her students.

“I think building the relationships with my students [is my favorite part of student teaching], because I have some students from last semester that I don’t have now, and I see them in the hallway and they’re like ‘hey Miss Peichel!’ and I think that’s really awesome,” said Peichel. “I just want to be positive. I would hope that everyone who comes into my classroom will have a positive experience.”

To be an educator is by no means an easy job, but it has been proven over the years that the job is so incredibly needed. Teachers not only are responsible for educating our youth but also for inspiring, protecting and encouraging children of all ages and in all walks of life. As the need for teachers across the nation continues to grow, so does the devotion amongst many college students searching for a high demand career in education. As many of these young adults begin to wrap up their final year of their schooling, opportunities are offered to them in schools nearby to give these aspiring teachers a chance at experiencing day-to-day classroom life.

Tobe an educator is by no means an easy job, but it has been proven over the years that the job is so incredibly needed. Teachers not only are responsible for educating our youth but also for inspiring, protecting and encouraging children of all ages and in all walks of life. As the need for teachers across the nation continues to grow, so does the devotion amongst many college students searching for a high demand career in education. As many of these young adults begin to wrap up their final year of their schooling, opportunities are offered to them in schools nearby to give these aspiring teachers a chance at experiencing day-to-day classroom life.

Casside Smilloff is majoring in studio art with a specialization in education at South Dakota State University, and is hoping to graduate this May. Smilloff has always had a desire to teach and believes it is in her calling to help others as much as she can.

“I have always wanted to be a teacher because I really like helping people,” said Smilloff. “Even when I was in high school I would help out doing tutoring, and I always had the urge to want to teach people new things.”

Smilloff has had previous experience student teaching before coming to LHS. Last year, she was able to spend time teaching art in an elementary school which she thoroughly enjoyed and hopes to pursue more of in the near future. However, to gather more experience under her belt, Smilloff will be student teaching in art teacher Susan Waagmeester’s room where she hopes to gain more knowledge and strategies on how to handle kids of an older age group.

Smilloff has had previous experience student teaching before coming to LHS. Last year, she was able to spend time teaching art in an elementary school which she thoroughly enjoyed and hopes to pursue more in the near future. However, to gather more experience under her belt, Smilloff will be student teaching in art teacher Susan Waagmeester’s room where she hopes to gain more knowledge and strategies on how to handle kids of an older age group.

“Having experience with kids of all ages helps you figure out what each day looks like and how you go about different situations or scenarios when dealing with different age ranges,” said Smilloff.

Some distinctive benefits of student teaching include offering the best possible introduction to the teaching field by easing soon to be graduate students into the classroom. This forces them to learn and to adapt to the ins and outs of a classroom that sometimes just cannot be taught by instructors. Student teachers are also able to get to know kids on a deeper and more personal level and get to see them grow across the course of a semester which Smilloff enjoys being a part of.

“Being out in the field and in a classroom is totally different then all the other classes [college] teaches you, like lesson planning and standards but actually being in the classroom is completely different,” said Smilloff. “Being out in the field gives you an advantage on how school will look when you’re on your own.”

BY CLARE EMMA classes

education. like [see what teaching is like].” she

her

BY A NNA A NDERSON

ARTWORK BY CLARE HEUPEL DESIGN BY EMMA SOUTHWICK out taking trial she a have experience teaching of

BY A NNA A NDERSON

BY E MMA S OUTHWICK

ARTWORK BY CLARE HEUPEL DESIGN BY EMMA SOUTHWICK to to coming Last like part

As the second semester commences, the current seniors’ leadership roles get switched to next year’s seniors. One of these crucial positions is Student Council President. Currently, the President is senior Katie Jensen but soon, this job will be passed down to Arthur Tao. Tao is an active LHS Crazie who represents LHS’s values and has shown inclusivity in his everyday interactions.

“Connecting with people across all backgrounds is something I love, and as a result, I hear so many great ideas,” said Tao.

Tao plans on implementing new ideas into the student body. This involves a calendar to avoid time conflicts within club meetings so students can be a part of multiple clubs. He also wants to encourage joint fundraisers between LHS clubs.

“I want to incorporate stronger inter-club communication. Furthermore, joint fundraising efforts can produce a greater turnout than many isolated fundraising attempts,” said Tao.

After a speech and vote by Student Council

members, Tao was nominated President. His reputation amongst his peers along with his extensive list of extracurriculars gave him a leg up on others. Tao is active in many activities offered inside and outside of LHS. Last year, Tao was number five on the LHS boys’ tennis team and plays the violin in the LHS orchestra. He continuously works on his tennis and violin skills outside of school too.

“Violin taught me to stay disciplined and the importance of consistency,” said Tao.

When filling a leadership position, it is important to have traits such as discipline, consistency and decisiveness but also being able to listen to other’s ideas and incorporate them into his. Although many ideas will be put into motion, Tao believes that much of what already exists is great and will not need changing. Tao’s experience with upperclassmen and their leadership and impact were reasons to get up in front of his peers and speak about what he believes in.

“Upperclassmen encouraged me to run, and it helped me improve my leadership skills. I hope to help others the way others helped me,” said Tao.

Tao was inducted as president on Feb. 13, and his duties started immediately and continue into next year. Jennifer DuBois, student council’s adviser looks forward to working with Tao in the coming year.

“He’s organized, compassionate, motivated, inclusive, and committed to being successful,” said DuBois.

by ariaHna Wells

Every year, a group of new leaders takes the reins of LHS’ Student Council. The job of vice president is not taken lightly, but LHS’ new Student Council vice president is up to the task.

As a member of the LHS soccer team, Young Prog ressives Club, Symphonic band and playing club soccer, Falco Gerling is a part of a wide variety of activities that aid in keeping a wellrounded view along with staying involved in the community.

“Being in different activities and meeting so many different kinds of people allows me to hear all sorts of important perspectives and opinions from LHS which is essential to good leadership. It also helps me be a well-rounded and responsible leader,” said Gerling.

Holding the title of STUCO vice president is a challenging job to acquire. Not only does one have to be elected onto Student Council as a freshman or sophomore by their classmates, but it is also through the impact and examples they have set throughout previous years that aid in getting the council’s votes. With this job, it is important to remember why one ran in the first place.

“In short, I just wanted to make a positive difference in the school. I wanted to leave LHS better than I found it. For me being a part of the Student Council means carrying the responsibility of being a leader in our community,” said Gerling. “The Student Council not only does so much good work in our school community and our community as a city, but it is also a way to develop valuable leadership skills.”

LHS’ Student Council has a wide variety of kids with ranging interests and ideas. Because Gerling has a well-rounded view of many different clubs and activities at LHS, it is very important to him that he allows for everyone’s voices to be heard along with bringing positive change.

“As vice president of Student Council, I’d like to ensure not only the representation of all students on the council but also ensure the inclusion of the student council in our community,” said Gerling.

“In the past year, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the work we do with and for our community because I find

our service projects so important whether they are school or community service projects.”

Every good leader is able to realize weaknesses that could hinder their performance; however, it is how that weakness is dealt with that shows how good of a leader they truly are.

“Personally, I can be quiet sometimes, so it may be a challenge for me to speak publicly with confidence but that is something I plan to overcome in order to communicate effectively and productively which is what I promised,” said Gerling.

One new aspect that is being introduced to the council as the reigns are passed on is a quote of the week from Gerling. This quote is meant to serve as an inspiration and a motto for the week ahead.

“I want to show people new perspectives on leadership and the world because I think it’s important and fun. Certainly, not every quote will resonate with everyone, but if one quote resonates with one person that is enough incentive for me to do it,” said Gerling.

The first quote of the week is from Maya Angelou, who was a popular poet and civil rights activist.

“The first quote of the week is a quote from Maya Angelou and it says, ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ I think it’s an important quote about the importance of treating people with respect,” said Gerling.

by betsy Haft

design

artWork

14 LHSSTATESMAN.COM MARCH ISSUE 15

by ariaHna Wells & betsy Haft

by Josie tollinger

A collection of six charcoal drawings, LHS senior Ella Ratliff’s portfolio earned her a Gold Key for each of the artworks included. From individual themes like identity, young relationships, divorce and growing up, Ratliff’s portfolio focuses on aspects of life that she believes have led to people today’s general fear that the world is “falling apart.”

“I found it’s because there are these psychological needs that we have as children that we need to have fulfilled, and people aren’t getting those needs fulfilled. So, each piece within my portfolio is dedicated to a single one of those needs,” said Ratliff. Spanning from the beginning of the summer to December when they were submitted, Ratliff worked tirelessly on her pieces and on crafting a meaningful and relatable theme for her portfolio. Though she takes pride in every piece, Ratliff is especially fond of her portrait titled “Identity of Inner Workings,” for which she additionally received an American Visions nominee.

“I’ve always felt that I know who I am. So, for that piece, I asked my family about what objects they associate with me and I incorporated those into this self-portrait, to show where I got this strong sense of identity from,” said Ratliff.

The creativity, personality and time invested into these pieces are just a few reasons for the success of Ratliff’s portfolio and will likely bring her much more accomplishments in the future.

In January of this year, three LHS students were announced as Gold Key recipients by the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for their outstanding creativity and talent.

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is a national competition for students of grades 7-12, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, a nonprofit organization. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious scholarship and recognition programs for artistic teenagers in the U.S. Recipients of awards such as Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions and American Visions nominations are announced at the Regional level of the competition, of which around 200 creative South Dakota students were announced as winners this year. The ceremony and reception of these awards took place on Feb. 19 at the South Dakota Regional Award Ceremony and Exhibition at the University of South Dakota.

Following the regional portion of the competition, all Gold Key recipients’ pieces are sent to New York City for the international level of the competition. Here, the pieces are judged by professors from Pratt Institute and Parsons School of Design, along with many other respected New York artists. The works of art could potentially receive a Gold Medal, in which case they will be displayed in a gallery and the recipients attend a ceremony at Carnegie Hall. Receiving a Gold Key in this competition is an incredible honor and it not only shows proof of impressive artistic capabilities but also opens doorways for scholarships and other exciting opportunities.

LHS senior Meron Gebremariyam portrays an essential part of her identity through this vibrantly crafted piece. Created entirely through digital media, Gebremariyam’s piece reflects her character as a selfless person and how she became so over the years.

“The question for my portfolio was about the effects of selflessness. So, at the beginning of creating my piece, I wanted to show what event made me into who I am today, as someone who gives a lot,” said Gebremariyam.

The process of putting the drawing together took around five hours and included many steps along the way.

“Getting the values correct was very difficult. I’m so used to not caring about whether colors are dark or light enough because I’m used to using pencils and highlighters and anything else I can find in my notebook bag,” said Gebremariyam. “When you make a portfolio like this, it’s key to make sure it has symmetry, value and all those aspects of art that we learn about in class, so including those was pretty difficult.”

Though the process of putting it together required significant thought and planning, Gebremariyam asserts that the final product of this eye-catching piece was worth it.

This incredibly detailed micron pen drawing was brought to life entirely from LHS sophomore Jacalyn Bechard’s imagination. The piece showcases Bechard’s skill of utilizing perspective, an art technique that creates the illusion of 3-D dimensions on a 2-D surface with carefully drawn lines and shading. The house depicted in the drawing belongs to a character of Bechard’s creation.

“I went to a pre-college art program in Kansas City, and one of the classes I took was about perspective,” said Bechard. “Our final assignment was to build a house based on a character that we designed, and my character was supposed to be a Mafia boss.”

With only a character as inspiration and a technique in mind, Bechard found difficulty when first putting her vision onto paper.

“I had to trace the perspective about five times before I made my final piece on the final copy, and that took a long time,” said Bechard.

Despite the tedious process of perfecting the perspective technique, Bechard enjoyed the final steps of adding detail and personality to the manor, which contributes to the reason this piece is so unique and worthy of attention.

“The Bigger Picture” by Ella Ratliff “Only Possession” by Meron Gebremariyam “Mafia Manor” by Jacalyn Bechard

design by Clare Heupel pHotos provided by ella ratliff JaCalyn beCHard & saraH WintersCHeidt 16 LHSSTATESMAN.COM MARCH ISSUE 17

Clare Heupel

hen LHS junior Morgan Leslie interviewed for a job at Pizza Ranch in December of 2020, she would have never guessed she would be where she is today. Leslie started working at Pizza Ranch when she was 14 years old. In May of 2022, she earned the title of Assistant Manager at the 41st street location of Pizza Ranch in Sioux Falls.

“When my boss offered me the position, I was so overwhelmed with excitement,”

Leslie’s job entails making sure people on her staff are in their appropriate positions while on their shifts, confirming carry-out orders, along with cutting pizzas and keeping the buffet line stocked. Although there are still managers above her, she still has the

“I can watch over and ensure that everyone is staying up to

She also has the job of training new employees, which can be challenging due to the amount of skills she needs to teach along with keeping up with her managerial duties. She trains new cooking staff in the kitchen, serving etiquette and how to close the store. Leslie credits her working relationships to her success, along with why she enjoys her job. For Leslie, some of her best friends are at Pizza Ranch. Another unique part of her job is that she is above her brother who also works with the company, so she is able to have some leverage

“I can watch over and ensure that everyone is staying up to She also has the job of training new employees, which can be challenging due to the amount of skills she needs to teach along with keeping up with her managerial duties. She trains new cooking staff in the kitchen, serving etiquette and how to close the store. Leslie credits her working relationships to her success, along with why she enjoys her job. For Leslie, some of her best friends are at Pizza Ranch. Another unique part of her job is that she is above her brother who also works with the company, so she is able to have some leverage

“I have met some of my best friends through Pizza Ranch, and without them being there, I do not know if I would still be there,” said Leslie. Leslie is looked up at by her employees who just so happen to be her peers

“I have met some of my best friends through Pizza Ranch, and without them being there, I do not know if I would still be there,” said Leslie.

Leslie is looked up at by her employees who just so happen to be her peers

Leslie knows a thing or two about dedication as Leslie works almost 40 hours each week, and she works three out of the five days in the school week and on weekends she works from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Leslie holds an honorable GPA, while she

“I think Morgan was the most deserving for the job, she has a work ethic like no other, and her positive attitude really passes on to everyone around her when she is working,” said LHS sophomore and employee at Pizza Ranch, Kaitlyn Krier. Leslie knows a thing or two about dedication as Leslie works almost 40 hours each week, and she works three out of the five days in the school week and on weekends she works from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Leslie holds an honorable GPA, while she

“It is definitely hard with maintaining a social life and keeping my grades up while working pretty much all the time, but I make it work,” said Leslie. Leslie’s drive and passion for what she does at Pizza Ranch ultimately won her the

“I remember my boss calling me into his office and just saying how I am an important part of his staff, and how he believes that I am deserving of a higher role, With her hardworking demeanor and love for job, Leslie aspires to one day get the

design by Kinley freese artWorK by Zoe larson & daniel valentine

Kinley freese artWorK by Zoe larson & daniel valentine

design by Kinley freese artWorK by Zoe larson & daniel valentine 18 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

You have most likely been asked a “Would you rather?” question at least once in your life. We decided to spin these questions to fit the community here at LHS. Below are the results of six LHS altered “would you rather” questions… go through and pick which one you’d rather.

tradition, but do we really understand the history behind it? Is it the mythical belief one will be invisible to leprechauns if they wear it (and avoid being pinched)? Or, is there more to it? The colors of the Irish flag are green, orange and white. The green is a symbol of Irish nationalism, the orange a symbol of the Orangemen of the north and the white a symbol of peace. On St. Patrick’s Day, we represent

Eating corned beef and cabbage is another common tradition on St. Patrick’s Day in America.

However, this is not traditionally the case for most Irish people. In Ireland, they often had bacon as their meat choice with cabbage. It was not until immigrants came to America that corned beef became a part of the tradition. Corned beef was less expensive than bacon, which made it an easier purchase at the time. Eventually, eating corned beef instead of bacon became a part of the celebration.

significant symbol of St. Patrick’s Day. We use them to decorate, wear them to celebrate and even add them to our food for the season (like the “Shamrock Shake” from McDonald’s). So, how did the shamrock become such a prominent part of the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day? Legend says that Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to others while converting the Irish to Christianity. Historically, shamrocks have also been used as an easy and accessible way to dress up outfits for church.

To top it off, the shamrock has been the unofficial national flower of Ireland for centuries.

Sioux Falls St. Patrick’s Day events:

Thursday, March 17: Saturday, March 19:

- St. Patrick’s Celebration of Traditional Irish Music - 5-7:30 p.m. at the Old Courthouse Museum.

- St. Patrick’s Day at Full Circle Book Coop - live music at 8 p.m.

- 42nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade - at 2 p.m.

deSign by Samantha Zeeck

by EllEn MErklEy

GET POSTED ON LHS SLEEPERS

GET POSTED ON LHS BAD PARKERS

HAVE TO ALWAYS PARK IN ARCADIA HAVE TO WALK FROM A TO E WING EVERY OTHER CLASS

TRIP GOING UP THE E-WING STAIRS

GET BARKED AT IN THE HALLWAY

GET DR. RAEDER’S FACE TATTOOED ON YOURSELF

GET PULLED OVER BY OFFICER DRAEGER

RIDE IN MR. MEYER’S PLANE

RIDE MR. RICE’S HORSE

CHECK IN WITH MR. HALSETH IN THE MORNING

BE LATE COMING BACK FROM OPEN

LUNCH

Wearing green is one of the most common and well-known St. Patrick’s Day traditions. Many of us participate in this and celebrate Irish heritage. We wear green because it is a symbol of Irish nationalism and shows our support of them. artwork provided by canva 20 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

design by ellen Merkley MARCH ISSUE 21

artwork by ellen Merkley

Living in America our whole lives and not having the opportunity to travel outside the country before, we both have felt that we have been missing out on all the different cultures around us. Growing up on pizza, hamburgers, hotdogs and steak, we thought it was time to expand our horizons and try some authentic food from around the world at restaurants right here in

Located in our local downtown Sioux Falls area, is the popular CH Patisserie. This is a small bakery that serves many desserts originated in France. Something interesting that caught our eye was a dish known as “The Chocolate Dream.” The dessert was filled with creamy chocolate mousse and was topped with a shiny outside chocolate coat in the shape of a dome. We also thought it was necessary to pick up a classic chocolate macaron. Both of these desserts were nothing like we have seen before; they were so fancy which also explained the price. These desserts were very decadent and rich, so they were perfect to get rid of our sweet tooths after all the savory dishes we had.

Next we tried “Lalibela,” the number one rated Ethiopian cuisine in Sioux Falls. The food here was very different than anything we have ever tried before. We decided to get the Beef Key Wot which included a delicious beef stew, with spicy sauce and other spices. It was also served with salad on Ethiopian injera. The injera had very distinct textures, it was almost like a spongy pancake. The food was very unique, and we loved opening our horizons to all the seasonings they use such as ginger, coriander, cardamon and paprika. The overall price was $14, which was very reasonable for the amount of food served.

The next place we stopped at was Boki European Street Food, a popular place here in Sioux Falls. One of the most popular dishes in Europe is gyros, which is exactly what the waitress recommended to us. The gyro consisted of a soft piece of bread called pita filled with lamb meat that was cut right off the bone. Then we chose to top it with cucumber, lettuce, feta and their signature tzatziki sauce. At first we were a little hesitant because we both had never tried lamb meat, however we both loved the freshness of this meal. The lamb had great flavor and a hint

tomato and butter sauce known as “makhan.” The vegetable samosas consisted of an outside crust filled with potato, peas, chilies and ginger. The butter chicken was served with a delicious garlic naan in. From prior knowledge we were expecting a flavor overload, however we both thought that overall the dishes were kind of bland and were missing a little more seasoning and spice. Although this single meal did cost $27, the portions were

looking bread on the outside. It was filled with circular teriyaki pork and lettuce. Surprisingly, the flavor was immaculate; however, Josie was not a fan of the texture since the steamed bun was very different from the baked bread she was used to. Elysse, on the other hand, devoured hers in three seconds. This is a good after school snack and was very affordable for what it offered.

lysse Weber

design and arTWork by Josie Tollinger & elysse Webber

22 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

BY REAGAN WULF

Laura Heckenlaible: “Anxious People” by Fredrik Backman. This book follows a group of people from all different backgrounds, with all different experiences. They are from all different walks of life, but are thrown together when they are taken hostage by a failed bank robber who has very real struggles of his own. As the plot thickens and everything begins to unravel, the hostages begin to suspect that the criminal mastermind holding them hostage might be more in need of rescuing than they are. I recommend this book even though it is outside the normal realm of romance that I read, but it is still one of my favorites.This is easy to come back to and read in between other books. As the Washington Post puts it, the book “captures the messy essence of being human.”

Clare Heupel: “Daisy Jones and the Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This book is about this made-up band in the 70s and how they come together and the songs that they write. Daisy Jones is an independent artist that joins them. It talks about how the band started and eventually broke up. It is in an interview style, so each of the characters in the band is in an interview throughout the book, and they talk about what it was like getting together and what it was like breaking up. So, it is from their own different perspectives. I would recommend this book to someone because it is very easy to read, and the interview style makes it really fast-paced. The TV series for it is coming out on Amazon Prime in March, so if you were wanting to watch it, I would recommend reading the book before that.

Dr. Kroeze: “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” It is about this famous actress and she wants an author to write her life story, so she gives her all these details about her life story, specifically the events that she has experienced with her seven husbands. She talks about her life and all these different intricacies and what is going on with her life and what happened with all these men and how they affected her career. There is a shocking twist at the end. I think it is a good book for not only people my age but also high schoolers. I have given it to a lot of students to read and they have really enjoyed it. There is something for everybody in it.

Ellen Merkley: “Call Me By Your Name” by André Aciman. It is about a 17-year-old boy named Elio, who lives in Italy. His family lets people come and stay with them for internships. The family takes in a new intern named Oliver and Elio falls madly in love with him. Elio is scared though because not only has he not yet come out to his family, but Oliver is also 24 so there is a seven-year age gap. The story follows them as they fall in love over the summer but the story ends with how the two have to deal with Oliver having to go back to the United States. I would recommend this book because it is an emotional roller coaster, and I just love a good love story. So if you do, you should definitely give it a read.

Ari Wells: “100 Days of Sunlight” by Abbie Emmons. It is about a young blogger, Tessa, who gets in a car accident and loses her eyesight temporarily so her grandparents hire someone to write what she says, because writing will help her heal but Tessa does not want the help. Then, Tessa meets a boy named Weston. Weston lost both legs in an accident when he was younger and wants to be treated like a normal person, so he does not mind that Tessa is being rude to him. Since Tessa is blind, she still does not know that Weston does not have legs, and Weston is afraid Tessa will like him less if he tells her even though they have both fallen for each other. I really like this book because it shows how everyone has a battle they are going through and something they are struggling with, so it is important to treat everyone with kindness and realize people are going through things that may or may not be visible to the public.

Kate Matthes: “Have I Told You This Already” by Lauren Graham, an actress who is best known for her role as Lorelai on “Gilmore Girls.” In this book, Graham shares a collection of personal essays about her life and experiences. She includes stories about her failed spa getaway trips, life as an actress and her job working at Barney’s in New York, among others. Graham balances humor with life lessons. I would recommend this book because it is fast-paced and a quick read if you need something light-hearted to keep you occupied. Anyone who is a fan of Lauren Graham or “Gilmore Girls” will love this book (plus you get an inside look into the acting industry).

will

MARCH ISSUE 25

ARTWORK BY GSTUDIOIMAGEN & ELLEN MERKLEY DESIGN BY REAGAN WULF by Adeline Theophilus by Adeline Theophilus

emery bishop

by emery bishop

Bagel Boy on Minnesota Avenue is a go-to spot for LHS students. Founded in 1994, this locally-owned business provides delicious, fresh-baked bagels for the city at an average price of $4 per bagel. Not only is it affordable for broke high school students, but the workers can also always be seen with a smile on their faces. Bagel Boy offers a variety of cream cheese and bagel options, allowing you to add customizations to create your perfect bagel. If you have not tried Bagel Boy yet, many LHS students highly recommend stopping by to give it a try. I am rating LHS students’ unique Bagel Boy orders on a scale of 1-5 based on taste.

BACON/SAUSAGE BREAKFAST BOY

The breakfast boy is a top two pick for LHS students for many reasons. The breakfast boy fits any meal time, breakfast, lunch or afterschool snack. The bacon version of the sandwich is the more popular preference amongst the two choices. With your choice of bagel and choice of cheese, this bagel totals out to be $3.50; a reasonable price for high school students looking to grab a cheap meal.

CINNAMON CRUNCH BAGEL PIZZA BAGEL BACON/SAUSAGE BREAKFAST BOY

CINNAMON CRUNCH

BAGEL PIZZA BAGEL

Bagel Boy has been a staple in Sioux Falls, SD, for over two decades and is an essential lunch spot for many LHS students. A survey was sent out to the student body to depict which orders are superior. The results were far from shocking considering everybody loves Bagel Boy. For all of the savory lovers, the pizza bagel will fulfill your cravings. The pizza bagel is a bagel of your choice toasted with marinara sauce, cheese and a choice of pepperoni. Many students love this bagel because it provides something other than cream cheese and is a unique choice. For the (relatively) high price of $5.30 the pizza bagel is an easy top three pick.

For all of the savory lovers, the pizza bagel will fulfill your cravings. The pizza bagel is a bagel of your choice toasted with marinara sauce, cheese and a choice of pepperoni. Many students love this bagel because it provides something other than cream cheese and is a unique choice. For the (relatively) high price of $5.30 the pizza bagel is an easy top three pick.

BACON BREAKFAST BOY ON CINNAMON CRUNCH BAGEL

EVERYTHING BAGEL WITH VEGGIE CREAM CHEESE, SMOKIN FISH AND ONIONS

GARLIC BAGEL WITH TUNA MELT

The number one most sold bagel at Bagel Boy. This is a fan favorite not only for the taste, but for the price of $2.60. Rightfully so, the cinnamon crunch bagel was surveyed as by far the most ordered bagel. It is typically served with plain or strawberry cream cheese, and can be either toasted or not toasted. Everybody prefers a different combination of either.

“The cinnamon crunch bagel is definitely the most sold, along with the pizza bagel, breakfast boy and blueberry bagel,” said a full time Bagel Boy employee.

“The cinnamon crunch bagel is definitely the most sold, along with the pizza bagel, breakfast and blueberry bagel,” said a full time Bagel Boy employee.

For some, this order might be appetizing; however, it did not live up to my standards. This unique order consists of bacon, egg and cheese on a cinnamon crunch bagel, and adds up to a total of $4 without tax. If I had to compare it to something, I would say it reminds me of the maple waffle sandwich from Scooter’s. The Bacon Breakfast Boy is one of the most popular orders at Bagel Boy, so I wanted this combination to work out. But unfortunately, the sweetness of the cinnamon crunch bagel overpowered it and made it taste like a sweet egg. Overall, I probably will not be ordering this again, giving it a final rating of 2/5.

For some, this order might be appetizing; however, it did not live up to my standards. This unique order consists of bacon, egg and cheese on a cinnamon crunch bagel, and adds up to a total of $4 without tax. If I had to compare it to something, I would say it reminds me of the maple waffle sandwich from Scooter’s. The Bacon Breakfast Boy is one of the most popular orders at Bagel Boy, so I wanted this combination to work But unfortunately, the sweetness of the cinnamon crunch bagel overpowered it and made it taste like a sweet egg. Overall, I probably will not be ordering this again, giving it a final rating of 2/5.

First off, I had very low expectations for this bagel order. This unique order consists of the smokin’ fish, which is raw salmon, with veggie cream cheese and onions on an everything bagel, and adds up to a total of $8 without tax. I knew I was setting myself up for failure before I even took a whiff of this bagel. If you are a huge seafood fan, then you might end up liking this bagel, but I will never comprehend how this is someone’s go-to Bagel Boy order. This bagel tasted like straight up dead fish, and unfortunately I will never be ordering this again. In conclusion, I rate this a -10/5.

Although tuna would not be my first option, the “Tuna Man Melt” on a garlic bagel did not seem terrible. This unique order consists of the homemade tuna salad with a slice of melted american cheese, served on a garlic bagel. This order adds up to a total of $7 without tax. At first glance, the bagel did not seem appetizing. However, after the first bite, the taste grew on me. I think the garlic bagel nicely balanced out the flavor of the tuna, creating a powerful combination. Although this would not be my daily order, this is a good healthy option when making a stop at Bagel Boy. I rate this bagel a 3.5/5.

design by Josie Tollinger

ArTwork provided by CAnvA/ThArnThip 26 LHSSTATESMAN.COM MARCH ISSUE 27

design by Josie Tollinger

ArTwork provided by CAnvA/ThArnThip 26 LHSSTATESMAN.COM MARCH ISSUE 27

by bergen Quello

Some teachers have switched up the school stereotypes of traditional and plain classrooms. They have made their rooms their own space and been very welcoming to the students, creating the best atmosphere. Students have taken notice and here are some of their favorite classrooms.

Many kids say there is a fun vibe in Dr. Mondon’s classroom which pulls many kids to spend time in the new teacher’s room.

by Delaney Gramlick

Celebrated on Mar. 8, National Women’s Day serves as a major part of the women’s rights movement, which focuses on issues of gender inequality, reproductive rights and violence against women. Additionally, the day provides an opportunity to celebrate women, which is certainly something the world could use more of.

“[Malala Yousafzai] inspires me because she fought and is still fighting for girls’ education,” said Nora Geffre.

With snacks ready for all the kids, comfy chairs, space for everyone to have their own area and inspirational quotes on the walls, you will always find a bunch of students in his room.

“Eva Adams inspires me to be my very best every day, and inspires me to live life to the fullest.

[Adams] has always been supportive of everything I do, and is pushing me to do the things I feel like I can’t do,” said Graci Sheriff.

Hardie does not have an average classroom but actually teaches in the mini-theater, so kids can relax and enjoy the big, comfy chairs.

A Rubix cube display, collectibles, cutouts in the window and low lighting in the art room set Aukerman’s room apart from the others.

“My mom and my sister inspire me because they are the ones I go to right when I need help… [they] have impacted my life through always reminding me that I am my own special person, and no one can change that. Being myself and not afraid of what others think of us helps us get out of our comfort zone and leads us to what we enjoy,” said Anna Leuning.

“Often, I relate to [Liza Koshy] because she loves hanging out at home and relaxing. I often looked up to her as a big sister, which helped me to be more creative and enthusiastic,” said Jillienne Loss.

Meyer is known for her great atmosphere, cool desk, lovely posters, maps she uses to decorate her room and embracing kids when they spend time in her room.

“Nicki Minaj inspires me because she doesn’t care what others think and only does what she wants and what’s good for her while still contributing awesome things like music back to the world. She slays. [She] has made me confident in myself through her humor and her music. It’s so fun to listen to and really hypes me up for anything,” said Xara Bennett.

“Anu Garg inspires me because she gives me suggestions on what to do and what not to do,” said Atrayu Garg.

Travis Aukerman Scott Amundson Brian Hardie Regan Meyer

photos

design

artwork by andres parisians karyagrafis & sketchify

by bergen Quello

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MARCH ISSUE 29

DesiGn by Delaney Gramlick photos proviDeD by atrayu GarG & anna leuninG by Kate Matthes

The fear of aging seems to have us all in its grip these days, but is achieving that youthful look becoming an obsession?

The anti-aging market is predicted to be worth $120 billion by 2030, according to GlobeNewswire, with some of the top brands being L’Oréal Paris, Revlon and Estee Lauder. Products from eye creams to face masks, to moisturizers and serums are marketed to aging adults promising a youthful glow and the disappearance of those dreaded wrinkles. In fact, commercials will tell you it’s never too early to start your anti-aging regime packed full of hyaluronic acid, peptides and collagen.

Social media apps such as TikTok have popularized antiaging products like “anti-wrinkle” straws to reduce lines around the mouth, overnight patches that stretch your skin and even special pillows that allow you to sleep on your side without squishing your face. Along with these, there are probably about a dozen other habits you have that give you wrinkles such as chewing gum or resting your face in your hands. These products all have the same goal: making your face look as smooth and creaseless as possible. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that Botox injections became the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure in 2020 and that the top five cosmetic procedures were nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, facelift, liposuction and breast augmentation.

These days looking at ourselves has become a favorite pastime. Social media allows us to look at ourselves more than ever. We post pictures and videos online carefully examining our faces and bodies and comparing ourselves to the endless other people on our feeds. Our phone screens and TVs are crowded with celebrities that seemingly never age, wrinkle or gray. With icons like Paul Rudd and Jennifer Lopez maintaining their looks into their 50s, it’s hard not to wish we too might age so gracefully. All of this has created an expectation of youth that is more unachievable than ever, making us feel worse about aging. In fact, pop culture has taught us to be insecure about virtually every physical change that comes with age, changes in your arms, legs, neck, hands and face, and the appearance of gray hair, crows feet, smile lines, forehead wrinkles and other things you didn’t know you needed to worry about.

Of course one of the most recognizable indicators of age is gray hair. It is a tedious task to try and cover up gray hair, requiring routine visits to the hair salon for root touch-ups and a cost that adds up over time. However, there is an ongoing trend of people who have decided not to dye their graying hair but rather to embrace it. Celebrities such as Salma Hayek, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jamie Lee Curtis along with male celebrities like Kevin Hart and Keanu Reeves have all decided to stick with their natural hair, gray and all. The decision not to hide the gray may be catching on, after all, the average age to start going gray is in your 30s according to Penn Medicine.org, and for some the process may begin at as early as 20 years old.

According to the National Library of Medicine, “older adults who are insecure about aging may have lower well-being and negatively biased social cognitive patterns.” Many people feel that the physical symptoms of age are something they should hide or be ashamed of, these insecurities are especially prevalent in women. Many fear that in showing their age they may incur judgment from others or that they will be regarded as “too old” or obsolete. These concerns are not unfounded, nearly 80% of older employees say they’ve seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace according to a survey from AARP.

Of course, many people fear getting older and the hardships that come with age such as losing mobility, loved ones, physical and mental ability or memory. Wanting to hold on to the benefits of youth is perfectly reasonable. But, as with other beauty standards in our society, maintaining a youthful look forever is simply unattainable. Looking older is not something we should fear, it is just as inevitable as growing older. While society tells us we should hide our age and be ashamed of it, it is something we should embrace. These features are an achievement, an indication of how long you’ve spent on this earth. While people fear the oncoming signs of age, we often forget that we are lucky to see them. Life expectancy has grown enormously throughout human history, it wasn’t too long ago that people were lucky to live long enough to see gray hairs, in fact they still are. Truthfully, there is beauty in age, even when it seems like looks are fading.

artworK

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design by Kate Matthes

by Zoe Larson

Early mornings, several pots of coffee and free food are all elements that make the S.D. State Capitol function. However, never once did I think that I would ever be a factor in this equation.

However, the excitement I had while writing this was not my initial thought as I was packing my life away for two weeks on the day of departure. As the anxiety began to sink in, I realized what position I was actually in. No time to sit on TikTok, my friends still at home and missing two weeks of school was definitely not my cup of tea. Although, this would end up being one of the best opportunities I had ever received.

The Paging program was introduced several years ago as an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to sit in on the legislature for two weeks. The legislative session itself is 40 days long which is separated into five paging terms. In each term, a group of students is split amongst both chambers, the House and the Senate. Along with 23 other students from across the state, I was a term two House page (the best term). However, the excitement I had while writing this was not my initial thought as I was packing my life away for two weeks on the day of departure. As the anxiety began to sink in, I realized what position I was actually in. No time to sit on TikTok, my friends still at home and missing two weeks of school was definitely not my cup of tea. Although, this would end up being one of the best opportunities I had ever received.

When I arrived at the Capitol, every work day began on the first floor going through security, to the fourth floor to drop off my coat, to the basement to drop off my lunchbox and lastly, to the third floor to convene with my adviser. At 7:15 a.m. sharp, both the House and Senate pages would huddle together and come up with a word of the day; some days, pickles, others Carpediem. These words both fueled and began our days on a high note.

My mornings began bright and early at 6 a.m. as I cracked open my liquid fuel, energy drinks. Whether it be a Monster or a Bubblr, the only thing that seemed to get me through my long hours was a little pick me up early in the morning. My daily outfit consisted of the same blue button up and black dress pants. I slapped on a face of makeup and by 6:45 a.m., I was out the door. When I arrived at the Capitol, every work day began on the first floor going through security, to the fourth floor to drop off my coat, to the basement to drop off my lunchbox and lastly, to the third floor to convene with my adviser. At 7:15 a.m. sharp, both the House and Senate pages would huddle together and come up with a word of the day; some days, pickles, others Carpediem. These words both fueled and began our days on a high note.

After our full group discussion, each page would disperse to their assigned duty. Whether that be aiding in Joint Appropriations or receiving phone calls from angry citizens, there was always something to look forward to when reading the schedule each morning. Since my future plans are to enter into the medical field, my personal favorite was aiding in House Health and Human Services.

When not in committee meetings, my mornings were spent either in the post office or my adviser’s office talking with fellow pages and eating the free breakfast that vendors provided. Spending 10 hours a day with the same group of 23 individuals,

together, it felt almost impossible to believe that we had to leave each other so soon.

During lunch, every day was a bit different. Some were spent listening to keynote speakers, others in the House minority caucus. Within these experiences, I was able to get preemptive information about bills being introduced in the chamber that day and what the legislators were working on during their last weeks of introducing new bills to committees.

At 2 p.m. is when the real action began, when the chambers convened. As representatives began to flood into the room, the chatter disappeared once the gavel was banged. Every day was a little bit different; at times, the chamber would take three hours, other times 30 minutes. Being a part of the discussion and sitting on the floor directly was something unforgettable that showed me the typical day of the people who run our state. After each session adjourned, the day was finalized by the distribution of calendars to both the House and Senate.

When I returned to my host family, I ate dinner and caught up on my countless stacks of homework. Then, I laid out my same button up and pants to restart the routine. However, there is no other way I would rather have spent my time in Pierre.

Looking back on the two weeks, I would have never expected this experience to be as impactful as it was. Not only is it great to put on resumes, it allows you to make lifelong friends and learn a little bit more about the S.D. government. The application process is quick and easy, and I urge every junior and senior to apply for two weeks of the best experience I have ever had.

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design by Jada sandvall photos by Jada sandvall

38 LHSSTATESMAN.COM MARCH ISSUE 39

design by Jada sandvall by Laura HeckenLaibLe

Ashumans, it’s instinct to try and hide our insecurities. It seems easier to paste on the generated smile and try to forget about what is going on within. For myself, a large percentage of the LHS students and the bulk of the human population, we face the ongoing and everyday tug of war with anxiety and all the different symptoms that follow suit.

I was recently diagnosed with anxiety. I believe my diagnosis took so long because I wasn’t willing to admit that I was struggling. When I went to the doctor and was asked to fill out the mental health questionnaire, I lied and checked all the wanted boxes. When the doctor promoted me to talk about anything else that I needed, I again was not truthful. I choked up the robotic response “I’m fine.” I ignored the signs from my body that seemed to scream that something was wrong. I would develop rashes across my neck from the built-up stress. I picked at my skin and peeled my nails until I couldn’t anymore. It seemed easier to fake it than to face it.

This feeling of isolation is common in all stages of anxiety but especially the stage of denial, such as the one I went through. Many believe that they are by themselves in this struggle. That they are struggling with anxiety alone. It is easy to look at others and be jealous of what you see. The smiles, the laughs and the seemingly carefree nature. It is as easy to wallow in that jealousy as it is to forget that those smiles could be forced and the free nature could be faked. Perhaps like you and like me, the reality may not be what is seen on the outside.

Unlike the common misconception, anxiety is not just worrying about a single test or an event. Anxiety is stress that feels neverending. The worry is not something one can pinpoint. Anxiety is an overwhelming amount of thoughts and feelings that cause various bodily responses. Through a survey among students at LHS willing to answer questions about their personal anxiety and anxiety in general, some symptoms stated

include: overthinking, nausea, shaking, lack of motivation, heart racing, sweating, headaches and so much more. 64.3% of the surveyed students stated that anxiety and the following symptoms affect their life every single day.

When I finally faced the anxious thoughts and acknowledged I needed help, though it has been a slow process, my life began to change for the better. Through being open with others including my teachers, family and friends as well as getting into therapy and taking medicine, I learned that I was able to handle this. I realized that I have people behind me who are rooting for me. I found out ways to cope.

To combat my recurrent anxiety, talking about what I am stressed about in the moment is helpful. I also learned that sometimes I need to step back and have some alone time to take a break from the task at hand and allow time to go on my phone, read a book or just lay in bed and relax. Therapy and medications have also been a huge help. Being able to get an outside expert opinion has allowed me to see challenges differently. With the medications, I have seen mood changes. I don’t lash out when I’m stressed, and I don’t have to deal with as many waves of irritability and gloominess. LHS students had similar responses. Students mentioned tools like positive thinking, deep breathing,

refocusing, reasoning, listening to music, journaling and also finding that time for themselves.

While having anxiety is not close to being ideal, having to not only struggle but also to persevere, valuable lessons can be attained. LHS students have various examples of these lessons, such as becoming more empathetic, learning that their mind is not always correct and finding patience as well as confidence and true support from those closest. A response that stood out read, “I’ve gained a love for living in the moment, knowing that life might not go how I want it to go.” I have learned that living is much more than what is going on inside your head. Anxiety is real and the thoughts and feelings you have are valid. Learning to cope and work with challenges allows one to truly live and enjoy every genuine laugh and smile.

When I created the survey, I expected it to get the normal amount of responses, between 10-20, but to my surprise, I got over 40. Each day as I would check I seemed to get more and more. While it was difficult to realize that so many people have to face anxiety, it was a reassurance to me that I was not alone. I felt seen in a way unlike before.

My goal for those reading is for you all to remember that you are not alone. That every day so many others are facing similar challenges, and that what you are facing, while extremely difficult, can still coexist with truly living. Real smiles and belly laughs are possible. I was going to quote the saying and remind you that “there is a light at the end of the tunnel” but I realized that anxiety is not something that will end. A better way to put it is that while at times

the expansive tunnel of life may be dark and tough to navigate, you always have the choice to grab a flashlight. You don’t have to always be the light but you can always possess it, so choose to turn on the light. I encourage anyone who is dealing with their anxieties to reach out and normalize the conversation about anxiety. Talk to your friends, to your doctors, go to therapy, take the medicine and keep on pushing. And if no one has ever told you, don’t forget that I am proud of you for waking up and walking through the tunnel and maybe occasionally turning on your flashlight.

design by Laura HeckenLaibLe artwork by Zoe Larson

40 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

by Sarah bomhoff by Sarah bomhoff

are now. Reserving certain areas for the homeless population to live creates the illusion that homelessness is a smaller issue than it actually is and it diminishes the problem entirely. As mentioned before, if members of the general public do not have to physically see the problem in their daily lives, it lifts a weight off of their conscience.

from the community.

Street decor in larger cities as of recently incorporates spikes lining the edges of walkways, metal bars placed unnecessarily in the middle of benches and flashing colored lights that serve no purpose. The reality is, these elements are not to enhance the atmosphere of cities nor are they decorative pieces, but instead subtly exclude the homeless population. This concept is referred to as hostile architecture or exclusionary design, and it has left traces around the world.

In 2020, it was reported by the United States Census Bureau that there were 580,466 people experiencing homelessness and this number has risen by approximately 2,000 since last recorded. 1,058 of these individuals are right here in South Dakota. Homelessness is a major problem, and many communities are doing nothing to counteract the problem, but instead ignoring the issue at hand. Street decor in larger cities as of recently incorporates spikes lining the edges of walkways, metal bars placed unnecessarily in the middle of benches and flashing colored lights that serve no purpose. The reality is, these elements are not to enhance the atmosphere of cities nor are they decorative pieces, but instead subtly exclude the homeless population. This concept is referred to as hostile architecture or exclusionary design, and it has left traces around the world.

What is the harm of hostile architecture? The mission behind hostile architecture is to prevent public spaces from being utilized in ways deemed “undesirable,” but it also allows the general public to entirely ignore the idea of homelessness by removing the reality of homelessness from sight. Removing the visual representation of homelessness does not remove the root of the issue nor does it improve the quality of life for those living on the

street, but instead it makes their situation even worse.

Most people have heard the phrase “out of sight, out of mind” referring to when someone forgets about something because it is not presently visible to them. This is the same mindset that hostile architecture projects onto the homeless population as it allows the general public to more easily forget about the homeless population by completely removing homelessness from the picture. Although exclusionary design impacts many groups of people, the homeless population is the biggest victim. In Seattle, WA, many people experiencing homelessness were living in tents under the highway bridge until 18 new bike racks invaded their homes. The reality is, these bike racks were not placed for the cyclists in Seattle, but to force the individuals experiencing homelessness out from under the highway bridge, one of few dry places in the rainy city of Seattle. Forcibly removing the homeless population from certain areas allows the general public the luxury of ignoring the problem of homelessness. This concept allows city planners to “clear their conscience” by not having to think about where those people

“Unpleasant design removes the need for human surveillance and intervention,” said Selena Savic, co-editor of the book Unpleasant Design in an interview with The Guardian. Hostile architecture not only strives to remove the very prevalent problem of homelessness from the public eye, but it also throws away thousands of dollars doing so. A primary example is the Camden bench which is definitively created to be nearly impossible to sleep on or sit on for extended periods of time. The Camden bench is a 3,900 pound chunk of concrete that is angled in such a way that users cannot fully sit down on it, but it is designed more to be leaned against. Additionally, the Camden bench is impossible to successfully skateboard across due to the odd angular shape, and it is also harmful to the disabled population due to the level of difficulty it requires to sit on and to stand up off of. Not only is the Camden bench publicly harmful to multiple populations, but the price tag is hefty as well, each bench ringing up to $5,000. For every Camden bench made, the $5,000 could have been spent helping the homeless, but instead is used to further isolate them

The Camden bench is only one example of architecture utilized to purposely neglect people experiencing homelessness, but there are even more subtle examples such as loud music playing outside of 7/11 gas stations, blue lights in public bathrooms which makes finding a vein more difficult for those using intravenous drugs, which increases the risk of infection and flashing lights through windows of business during the night. There are even traces of hostile architecture found right here in South Dakota. Two examples I found were benches at bus stops with ridges in the middle in order to prevent laying down and park benches typically found at playgrounds created specifically with tiny holes so that wind can pass through them making it colder to sit on for long periods of time and sleep on. Hostile architecture is right in front of our eyes and it is a problem that must be addressed.

The unfortunate reality is that masking the root issue of homelessness will not make it go away. Hostile architecture is only catering to a symptom of homelessness, not the entire problem, but there are ways that we can help. A few examples are contacting local city planners and requesting the harmful pieces of architecture to be taken down, (the same way the bike racks in Seattle were removed), taking initiative to remove bars separating benches and donating to homeless shelters in order to provide more space for those experiencing homelessness to live, avoiding hostile architecture entirely.

deSign by Sarah bomhoff

42 LHSSTATESMAN.COM MARCH ISSUE 43

photoS by Sarah bomhoff A park bench found in many playgrounds around the Sioux Falls area. This bench is made specifically with holes that allow wind to pass through them and make the bench itself colder, therefore it is harder to comfortably sleep on or even sit on for long periods of time. Hostile architecture is evident in Sioux Falls and is working to dehumanize individuals right here in our home town. A bench at a bus stop off of 41st St. in Sioux Falls. The unnecessary ridges in the middle of the bench make it uncomfortable to sit or lay on.

deSign by

photoS by

42 LHSSTATESMAN.COM MARCH ISSUE 43

Sarah bomhoff

A park bench found in many playgrounds around the Sioux Falls area. This bench is made specifically with holes that allow wind to pass through them and make the bench itself colder, therefore it is harder to comfortably sleep on or even sit on for long periods of time. Hostile architecture is evident in Sioux Falls and is working to dehumanize individuals right here in our home town. A bench at a bus stop off of 41st St. in Sioux Falls. The unnecessary ridges in the middle of the bench make it uncomfortable to sit or lay on.

Statesman

NO. 5 MARCH 2023 ISSUE

LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL

ISSUE