MAY 2019
VOL. 53, NO. 9
Lovely Seeds J W DESIGN BY MORGAN MCDONNEL
Poetry is oen viewed as the classic form of venting teenage angst and misdirected rage towards parents, teachers and the like. But poetry also gives many other people the release that they need from the struggles and trials of life and loss. is can be seen in a particular poetry book, “Lovely Seeds.” South Dakota raised R. H. Swaney’s was inspired to write his nature-themed poems based on his experiences growing up in a complicated family, facing racism and living in the midwest. e book has six parts “seed, soil, water, growth, bloom and restore.” Each is based on a step in the process of how a ower lives. e theme of nature is shown throughout the book in nearly all of the poems. e book starts with the iconic poem “Weather Talk,” which compares weather with how we as humans experience emotion. “I wish we could talk about our hearts like we talk about the weather because whether or not we are okay is more important than the chance of rain.” e poem speaks to the true complexity of feelings; we all talk about the forecast but not oen about how we feel inside. Another noteworthy Swaney poem is “A Walk to the Rail Yard” about a time that he went on a stroll and came upon a pair of people, he takes a photo of them together. He nds out that they are homeless and truly realizes how much he appreciates that he has a home each night. “I couldn’t help but wonder where they slept that night as I crawled into my comfy bed.” e nal poem and namesake of the book “Lovely Seeds” shows regrowth and the beauty in the experience becoming new. “is is not an end, it is a chance for rebirth,” we go through all these experiences, we are buried by hate and hurt but we sometimes get a chance for the treasured regrowth.
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“Lovely Seeds” is de nitely a must read for everyone wanting to feel even a little sense of mystic in their everyday triumphs and struggles.
AVERA’S RACE AGAINST CANCER
AN OPPORTUNITY TO CARE You could drive the 750 mile long I-29, travel 383 miles across South Dakota or even workout along the 19 mile bike trails, but who knew that running 10 miles could make the impact of a lifetime? On Saturday May 11, 2019, people of all ages will have the opportunity to come together to make a difference. ey will come from different backgrounds, schools, workplaces and families, but the main cause still remains: putting cancer in the dark for good. 2019 will be the 31st time that Avera has held its annual fundraiser Race Against Cancer. Racers can choose to compete in a 10K run, a 5K run, a 3 mile walk or a 1.5 mile family fun walk. ose registering will get a chance to donate as part of their entry cost. All donations go to local pro t and will help in certain areas such as screening, treatment, research and patient resources. ose who do not wish to run in the race can still donate online or even sign up to volunteer. As far as LHS goes, unfortunately, we will not see many runners being able to participate. e administration requires that all track involved students may not compete in outside athletic activities. at said, the race will de nitely not go unnoticed. Lynn omason is the Latin teacher at LHS and has a long history with the race. e cause itself is something that she is close to. She dedicates herself to making a positive difference and to helping the community in any way she can. “I would hope that the race would have just the ultimate positive impact,” said omason. “at we can all come together for a time to celebrate life, for a time to celebrate those who survived and for a time to honor those who didn’t make it.”
omason has witnessed the disease end in two very different ways over the course of her life. As some LHS students and faculty are aware, the previous Latin teacher Sharon Healy was a victim of breast cancer and passed away in September 2006. One of the pictures in omason’s room is from her rst year of teaching that shows omason with Healy’s students at the race. “I try to do it to honor her,” said omason. “I owe so much to her.” ankfully even in those tough times, she is still grateful for opportunities to see recovery. omason has witnessed both her mother and aunt overcome the battle and become survivors. is year omason is particularly excited for a new participant from within her family to enter. “Our son is running in the race,” said omason. “It’s his rst time and that will probably be my favorite thing.” Moments like these, tragic or triumphant, are reasons for why races like the one held on Saturday are so important. Not only is it an opportunity that will bring the best of times, but it is an opportunity to remember the worst times and overcome them altogether. e only way to defeat the darkness is to shine light upon it, and, in this circumstance, everyone can be thankful that the Sioux Falls community is able to help one another do exactly that. “Unfortunately, this disease is so pervasive, and it can be so devastating to a family,” said omason. “Treatments can sometimes be so difficult and journeys can be long. So it’s a time where we can support each other, and help each other, and walk with each other, and li each other up, and be happy with each other, and breathe with each other and just show people how special they are and how much we care.”
Disclaimer: is article contains spoilers for season one of “On My Block”. For the past 30 years, TV has been dominated by the white rich kid narrative. Shows like “90210,” “Schitt’s Creek” and “Gossip Girl” are easy, instant hits. Nothing is more interesting to today’s teens than the life of the upper class. Or so everyone thought. In March of 2018, Net ix released the rst season of “On My Block,” a show that follows four friends making their way through the struggling, gangridden city suburb of Freeridge, California. e four main characters are charismatic, funny and easy to love. It is easy to see why this show is a hit. e rst season, although mentioning gang-related issues and general teen angst, was relatively light-hearted and easy to follow. e directors and screenwriters managed to both create a comedy and bring up major issues facing low-income
and minority communities. Perhaps the biggest turning point for the season was in the last episode, when one of the main characters, Ruby, and his new girlfriend, Olivia were shot at her quinceñera. Only one of them survived. e shooting was unexpected and shocking, and turned the direction of the show in a 360. Rather than just a show about teens growing up, it suddenly exposed realworld connotations that many middle-class Net ix watchers do not necessarily think about daily. With the second season comes even more gang violence, including other issues like racism and absentee parenting struggles. It is nittygritty and soul-touching, to say the least. e characters worm their way into your hearts in the most unexpected of ways. You see the characters transform from innocent, cheerful teens to people that really struggle with real
problems, and it is truly visceral to watch. Season two showcases the individual talents of each actor while also highlighting their chemistry. Jason Genao really shines with his emotive and nuanced performance as Ruby, and Sierra Capri and Diego Tinoco’s tumultous relationship as Monse and Cesar effortlessly becomes the focal point of the show to all romance lovers. “On My Block” has managed to become an action, drama, romance and comedy show all rolled into one. e show transcends borders set by traditional TV, both through it being a streaming-only show and one that crosses multiple genre lines. If you have not given it a watch yet, make it the next on your binge list. M
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DESIGN BY NYAH THAEMERT PHOTO PROVIDED BY FREEUSE
Out for Blood in Silicon Valley’ dives into scandal and fraud L
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Warning: Spoilers ahead. The word Theranos; a hybrid of the words therapy and diagnosis. Simple, innovative and simply ahead of its time. Similar to its namesake, once revered inventor Elizabeth Holmes’ $9 billion company was set to revolutionize the healthcare and technological industries by storm. The Sundance Festival documentary follows the cautionary tale of Elizabeth Holmes and her quest to develop a more accessible method of testing blood. This method would, in theory, require only a blood sample the size of a jellybean to collect data for “over 200 tests.” The machine was given the charming name, “Edison,” which Holmes ideally believed would some day operate within every home in America. Told through first hand interviews from ex-Theranos staff and journalists (including John Carreyrou, who first broke the story and wrote the book “Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup”), reveals a story almost too good to be true. Previously dubbed as “the next Steve Jobs” and even receiving recognition as “the youngest self-made billionaire” by Forbes magazine, Holmes ran Theranos without significant media attention, until the company’s partnership with Walgreens in 2013. Once in the public eye, the company began to receive legal threats and investigation from the US Department of Health and Human Services. Carreyrou of The Wall Street Journal initiated a several months long investigation after he received a tip from a medical expert who questioned the legitimacy of the company’s blood testing device, Edison, and found that the company was conducting a majority of their tests on commercial analyzers
from third parties. Holmes eventually pushed back, attempting to prevent Carreyrou from publishing his eventual “bombshell article,” the first of several to expose the company’s actions. Later, suspected fraud was also detected by the CMS, or Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, banned Holmes from operating or owning a lab for two years, followed by the FDA shutting down the company’s core invention, the Capillary Tube Nanotainer. Other reported ongoing actions include civil and criminal investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Attorney’s Offi ce for the Northern District of California, an unspecified FBI investigation and two class action fraud lawsuits. Yet, Holmes denied any wrongdoing on her or the company’s part. “I’m interested in the idea that she wanted to do good,” said the film’s director, Alex Gibney. “If you start at the end of the story, she’s a fraud. If you go back to the beginning, you see someone young, idealistic who wants to make a difference. I think you see the danger along the way when the dream and the reality conflict.” The film focuses a majority of the plot on Holmes’ younger years, during her “eureka moment” as a 19-year-old Stanford dropout. When questioned on her motives and dreams for the company, Holmes stated “… that less people have to say goodbye too soon to people they love.” Turning a blind eye to her indictment by a federal grand jury on nine counts of fraud and two counts of conspiracy, ultimately facing 20 years in prison, do we see someone with a simple dream? Or, rather, a rotten scam artist? DESIGN BY KATHRYN SWEETER
Rosalía When you think of pop music or songs that you tend to hear on the radio, you probably think of lighthearted, ear-catching English tunes. Rosalía Vila Tobella, a Spanish artist more commonly known as Rosalía, is redefining that narrative with her most recent body of work. Rosalía’s first LP, “Los ángeles,” released in 2017, had already established her as a force to be reckoned with in the Latin pop
Cuando piensas sobre la música pop o canciones que sueles escuchar en la radio, probablemente piensas en las melodías de habla inglesa alegres y pegajosas. Rosalía Vila Tobella, es una artista española más conocida como Rosalía, está redefiniendo esa narrativa con su obra más reciente. El primer LP de Rosalía, “Los ángeles,” lanzado en 2017, ya la había establecido como una fuerza a tener en
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industry, peaking at #11 on the Spanish charts. She did not slow down or disappoint with her newest project. “El Mal Querer,” Rosalía’s sophomore album, is a firestorm of Flamenco and Catalan influence combined with hard-hitting hip hop beats. The album has not only worked its way to the top in Spanish-speaking countries but has broken its way onto the scene in the U.S. The album is separated into 11 different chapters,
cuenta en la industria de pop latino, alcanzando el puesto número 11 en las listas españolas. No se detuvo ni decepcionó con su nuevo proyecto. “El mal querer,” el segundo álbum de Rosalía, es una tormenta de influencias flamencas y catalanas combinadas con ritmos de hip hop contundentes. El álbum abrió camino en la escena en los Estados Unidos. El álbum está separado en 11 capítulos diferentes, cada
each individual songs that combine to tell a greater story. The first is the sharp, pounding “Malamente.” Rosalía shows off her flowing, nuanced vocals that combine with handclaps and electronic chords in the background, telling the story of desire and warning. Capitulo one is entitled “Augurio.” Rosalía said
canción individual que se combina para contar una historia. El primero es el agudo y fuerte “Malamente.” Rosalía muestra sus voces fluidas y matizadas que se combinan con aplausos y acordes electrónicos en el fondo, contando la historia del deseo y la advertencia. Capítulo uno se titula “Augurio.” Rosalía dijo sobre el tema principal: “Es una premonición, en este momento cuando sabes al
of the leading track: “It’s a premonition— this moment when you know in the beginning of the story how it’s gonna end, but even then you go and do it.” One lyric particularly stands out among the rest:
principio de la historia cómo va a terminar, pero todavía vas y lo haces.” Una de las letras especialmente destaca entre el resto: “Antes de caerse al suelo, ya sabía que se rompía.” Para aquellos que entienden español, quizás la canción sea más fácil de escuchar y cantar, pero incluso para los monolingües de inglés, claramente contiene todos los ingredientes de un solo golpe. La primera
“Antes de caerse al suelo, ya sabía que se rompía.” To those who understand Spanish, perhaps the song is easier to listen to and sing along with, but even to monolingual English speakers, it clearly contains all the makings of a hit. The first track is only a taste of how Rosalía effortlessly and fluidly combines her traditional Spanish culture and vocal training with modern pop.
canción es solo una muestra de cómo Rosalía combina su cultura tradicional española y su entrenamiento vocal con el pop moderno sin esfuerzo. “Pienso en tu mirá,” la tercera canción del álbum, es una canción paranoica y personal que encaja con el tema de Capítulo tres: Celos. Rosalía canta sobre ritmos de sintetizador
“Pienso en tu mirá,” the third song on the album, is a paranoid, personal song that fits with Capitulo three’s theme: Celos. Rosalía croons over synth beats and continues her nod to Flamenco music by using handclaps as her main driving force of the song. The shouting background vocals of the chorus are pleasing to the ear in a way that makes it perfect for radio. The lyrics are relatable and intelligent, with themes of
y continúa su guiño a la música flamenca usando los aplausos como su principal motor de la canción. Las voces del fondo que gritan del coro son agradables al oír de una manera que lo hace perfecto para la radio. Las letras son buenas, con temas de paranoia y celos a los que muchos en una relación pueden identificarse “Me da miedo cuando sale / Sonriendo pa’ la calle. “ La canción es muy pegajosa y fácil de seguir y, sobre
paranoia and unnecessary jealousy that many in a relationship can connect to. “Me da miedo cuando sale / Sonriedo pa’ la calle.” The song is catchy, easy to follow and most of all, confirms that modern music is evolving. The song does not follow the traditional construct of a hit- Rosalía was influenced by a Bulgarian choir and her Spanish roots to construct the primary melody of the song. Despite its incredible success in other countries, it has proven to be difficult
for Spanish to break into the American music scene in an impactful way. But as we have seen recently with the mounting success of “Despacito,” remastered and remixed by Justin Bieber, and in the past with classics like “Macarena” and “La Bamba,” it is possible. With this powerhouse of an album, Rosalía has proven herself to have not only the talent but the tenacity to become the world’s next princess of pop.
todo, confirma que la música moderna está evolucionando. La canción no sigue la construcción tradicional de un éxito. Rosalía fue influenciada por un coro búlgaro y sus raíces españolas para construir la melodía principal de la canción. A pesar de su increíble éxito en otros países, ha resultado difícil para el español entrar en la escena musical estadounidense de manera impactante. Pero como hemos visto
recientemente con el éxito creciente de “Despacito,” remasterizado y remezclado por Justin Bieber, y en el pasado con clásicos como “Macarena” y “La Bamba,” no es imposible. Con esta potencia de un álbum, Rosalía ha demostrado no solo en tener el talento, sino también la tenacidad para convertirse en la próxima princesa del pop mundial. DESIGN BY CARLY WHEELER
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ROLLING STONE, PITCHFORK, BILLBOARD AND THE NATION
L DB Over Spring break, some of the online Statesman staff members (Caroline, Cathleen, Riley, Slater and I) went to Savers to go thri shopping. e overall goal of the experience was to nd some out ts we would wear in our daily life and have an entertaining time doing so. As a new thrier, I was surprised by my experience. e variety of clothing and the good deals one can nd while simultaneously helping recycle previously used clothes made me rethink my traditional way of shopping for clothing. While on my thriing journey, I found many interesting pieces of clothing, such as shirts and pants I couldn’t imagine wearing in my daily life and others that I was surprised I would nd in a thri store. Looking around for interesting pieces of clothing for Caroline and me to wear was a fun trip while hanging out with friends, but the one downside to doing so was how time-consuming nding the right items was. In a normal department store or while shopping online, picking out clothes to purchase is easy and time efficient because you generally have an idea of what you are looking for before shopping. However, I feel as though the time
spent searching in thri stores adds to the “magic” of thri shopping. Spending long periods of time siing through clothes to revive rejects was a soothing process, and when you nd an out t for a price that is much less than normal retail price, it is even more satisfactory. I ended up purchasing two quarter-zip jackets -one tan and the other navy blue- priced at $8.99 (tan) and $4.49 (navy blue). ese two articles of clothing are ones that I can see myself wearing as winter comes to an end and spring begins because of the windy, semi-cold, but slowly rising temperatures. I feel as though the two items I purchased were well worth my money and I will be able to put them to good use. e shopping experience was exciting; however, the best part of going thri shopping was going with friends. Some of my favorite moments of the trip to Savers stemmed from inside jokes of the Statesman staff or comments that Slater and Caroline made while looking for clothes. I would de nitely go back to thri stores around the city to nd some everyday clothes and some pieces of clothing I could wear to sporting events or school dress-up days. I was surprised to nd what I did and am excited to see what else I will encounter on my next trip thriing.
C S Prior to the Statesfam’s thri shopping extravaganza, I had only gone thriing a few other times; however, the shopping day proved to be successful and thriing is de nitely an activity I want to partake in again. At the beginning of our shopping journey, I had many doubts as to whether or not I would be able to nd anything I actually enjoyed and wanted to wear, but aer a couple of well-spent hours at Savers, I was able to nd a few items I de nitely think will become practical additions to my wardrobe.
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With the help of my many fashion consultants, primarily Cathleen and Riley (sorry Landon and Slater), I was able to not only look for pieces of clothing that would be practical to wear now, but pieces of clothing that would be fashionable to wear in the future, if I were to tweak them a bit. One of the best aspects of thriing is how it allows shoppers to be creative with their purchases. When one thris, they constantly have to be thinking about ways they could change a piece of clothing slightly to meet a preferred style. For instance, a common phrase we said while shopping was, “You could just crop it!” Currently, high waisted pants are pretty popular among females, so as a result, cropped shirts, sweaters, jackets and sweatshirts have also become popular. e convenience of cropping clothing items yourself is that you get to decide exactly how short or long you want to make them, instead of relying on companies and stores to make that decision for you. Another thriing hack I discovered was to shop in the men’s section in addition to the women’s section. I know it sounds a little unlikely, but two of the items I ended up purchasing were from the men’s section. In my opinion, the men’s items are easier to adjust to meet your needs and tend to be in
colors and designs preferable for a lot of current shoppers. e rst item I found while shopping was a pair of sneakers I saw by chance, or, as some would say, fate. I was walking through the men’s shoe section with Cathleen and Riley, looking for some shoes to bring Landon to try on when I spotted a pair of adidas Superstar sneakers. I picked up the shoes to check their size, when I realized that, yes, they might be in the men’s section, but they happened to be the equivalent to my size in a women’s shoe. What was previously a $70 sneaker, I had managed to come across for just $14.99. I was pretty ecstatic. e second item I decided to purchase was very simple, but a solid nd nonetheless. Cathleen found a plain black turtleneck from the women’s rack. I was happy she came across it because I had been wanting to purchase either a plain black or white turtleneck, so that I could pair it with pieces of clothing I already owned. e turtleneck only cost $4.99, which I thought was a pretty good deal. e third and nal item I decided to purchase was a sweater. is was the second piece I found in the men’s section. When Riley rst held the sweater up, Landon thought it was for him. Landon tried the
sweater on, but it t him too tight through the shoulders, so he ended up tossing it over my stall for me to try on next. Surprisingly enough, I ended up liking the sweater and decided to purchase it for $7.99 because I tend to wear a lot of sweaters and long sleeves during the winter. Another unexpected gi to the Statesfam occurred because we had been looking through items of clothing so carefully and for so long. A manager handing us some coupon cards for choosing to spend our aernoon at Savers. is gave us an additional 30 percent off of our total spendings. In the end, I de nitely recommend thri shopping, especially for the typical broke high school student. I also suggest bringing a few friends as your own “fashion consultants” and trying clothes on before buying or discarding. riers would be surprised at what looks good and what does not. Another bene t of thriing is that it makes us more sustainable consumers, which in turn makes us more environmentally friendly and environmentally conscious. Although thriing takes more time than traditional shopping, you de nitely nd super unique pieces for super low prices.
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DESIGN BY KATE FEHRS
The first full trailer for ‘The Lion King’ live action has been released L B
Over the last few years, Disney has made some of their most popular movies into live action lms. Among these lms includes, “e Jungle Book” and “Beauty And e Beast.” It was once Walt Disney’s vision to remake some of his most famous lms, and Disney is now giving fans a taste of the live action version of everyone’s favorite lms. is powerful trailer gives fans a small look at the CGI magic that makes these remakes so special. e lm is set to hit theaters in July following the release of “Dumbo” which was released in March and “Aladdin” which will be released in May. e trailer includes an invoice by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who plays Scar. e trailer showcases a young Simba growing up in
the wild with the guidance of his animal pals. Simba, played by Donald Glover is guided by his father Mufasa as the trailer includes the famous line, “Everything the light touches is our kingdom, a king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king.” e lm also includes footage from the heartbreaking scene every fan knows where Simba loses his father to a pack of wildebeests. In the trailer, we also get a rst look at Scar, the villain of the lm, as well as both adult and young Nala, played by Beyonce Knowles. e 2019 version of the lm is a remake of the original version released in 1994. e new lm includes a very realistic look that
makes the lm come alive. e cinematic experience will most de nitely leave viewers and Disney fans in awe. Director, Jon Favreau has once again created a cinematic masterpiece. e lm world could not be more excited for more live action lms to hit theaters. In the years to come, Disney has announced the remake of classic Disney favorites, such as “Mulan” and most recently, “Lady And e Tramp” Disney is set on giving an unforgettable experience to each movie-goer as well as a new way to experience the classic Disney magic.
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From Hulu to Amazon, HBO and Apple TV, Net ix has many competitors in the TV and movie streaming business, but another streaming platform will be added to that list: Disney. In late 2019, Disney will launch a new streaming service appropriately titled Disney+. is service will contain many popular Disney movies and shows from the past, along with brand new Disney original shows and movies. e entertainment giant is severing ties with streaming services like Net ix, which explains why some people’s favorite DCOMs (Disney Channel Original Movies) and shows have been removed from those other platforms. is content will now only be available through Disney+. As for new shows and movies, Disney has already given the green light to lms and TV shows based on some of its more popular existing franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar. ree shows based on Star Wars will be among the extensive content on Disney+. A number of Marvel heroes and villains will also be making their way from DESIGN BY NICOLE SCHMITZ
to launch new streaming service theaters to TV screens. Disney is exploring a potential series based around Anthony Mackie’s Falcon and Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier, and one about Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch. As for the world of Pixar, Disney+ plans to start an animated series set in the world of “Monster’s Inc.” and a live-action series inspired by “High School Musical.” ey also plan to make a live-action remake of “e Lady and the Tramp,” with Tessa ompson and Justin eroux voicing the main characters and a new version of “e Sword in the Stone.” Disney+ will not contain any R-rated lms or shows, so it will be completely family friendly. Disney+ will soon be ready for families to use all over the world, starting in late 2019.
PHOTOS BY DISNEY
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Last Saturday at the Harrisburg Invite track and eld meet, LHS junior Hunter Merkley broke one of LHS’ long-standing track and eld records, as he broke the 35-year-old record for the long jump with a leap of 23 feet 0 inches. Merkley’s record-breaking jump surpassed former Patriot Bill Mattingly’s record jump of 22 feet 9 inches, which Mattingly completed in 1984. Merkley is a multi-sport athlete who also competes in football and basketball alongside track at LHS. ere are many bene ts of being a multi-sport athlete, such as staying in good physical shape year-round and, more speci cally, working different muscles of the body through competing in different sports. “Jaws always talks about how doing different sports works different muscles, so [being in multiple sports] helps,” said Merkley. Preparing for track season is no different, as the majority of the training that Merkley does throughout the year is not focused solely on one sport, yet it is essential to performing well in any sport. “I don’t just focus on long jumping, but I’d say that playing basketball helps with jumping and other things,” said Merkley. Although Merkley does not focus primarily on jumping, there is a speci c routine that he and other members of the LHS “ ight crew” (the self-proclaimed name of the LHS long, triple and high jumpers) go through before meets. “e practice before a meet we usually do run-throughs, where you nd where you’re going to start and try to hit your mark on the board so you don’t scratch,” said Merkley. With this goal of Merkley’s recently accomplished, he is now looking to try and surpass his next goal. “My next goal is to beat the state record which is 23 feet 8 inches,” said Merkley. Merkley would like to further his jumping career in college as well. With Merkley’s recent feat, college coaches are sure to be on the lookout to see what Merkley can do the rest of the track season. Aer dethroning Mattingly atop the record books, Merkley is also now the clear frontrunner for the long jump individual state title. Up to this point, Merkley’s furthest jump is over a foot further than the next bestrecorded jump by a competitor. ere are many expectations for Merkley this track season, but he is just hoping to just jump right past them. S
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‘Us:’ Jordan Peele’s newest masterpiece X
Director Jordan Peele made his mark on the world with his debut lm “Get Out” in 2017, and he is already back at it with his newest horror/thriller “Us.” “Us” follows the Wilson family on their vacation to a beach house where Adelaide, the mother, grew up. When strange coincidences start to occur, Adelaide becomes increasingly suspicious and worried about the safety of her family. eir getaway takes a turn for the worst when four mysterious strangers dressed in red and wielding golden scissors descend upon their house, forcing the family to ght for their survival. As time goes on, questions arise, secrets are revealed and bizarre occurrences continue to take place. Peele really knocked this one out of the park. e lm has a little bit of everything in it: horror, action, a great and original story and even comedy. As a matter of fact, “Us” turned out to be incredibly funny, despite its dark tone. It gives the movie a fun-thriller vibe, creating both chilling and intense scenes, while also balancing it out with funny and lighthearted moments, all thanks to Peele’s brilliant writing. e humor in the movie is generally tting; however, at some points, it did feel a bit out of place. Some of the funnier moments did somewhat take away from the overall seriousness of the movie, but that isn’t necessarily bad. Besides, the scarier, more intense scenes did what they were supposed to do: they built suspense and really brought the audience to the edge of their seats. e more intense scenes were elevated by
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the movie’s incredible imagery and interesting and engaging shots. Another great element of the lm that made it so engaging was its ominous and beautiful score, composed by Michael Abels. e music captured the tone of the movie very well and wonderfully complimented the lm. e most memorable part of the score accompanied the opening credits, which perfectly established the movie’s eerie, unsettling tone without skipping a beat. Watching this movie really did feel like a one of a kind experience because of its engaging and interesting story. e immersive and imaginative world that Peele creates on screen is so interesting to watch that the viewer feels like they have to completely digest every second of the movie in order to really feel satis ed. It is the brilliant actors who brought the characters to life, however, that took the story to the next level. Winston Duke and Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o both gave fantastic performances and shared great on-screen chemistry. Peele once again proved to the world that he truly is a master of cinema. Granted, he only has two lms that he has directed thus far, but at this point, it is hard to imagine that he could put out a movie that is anything less than amazing. If you want a good time at the theatre while also getting to experience a fun, scary and interesting thriller, “Us” is the perfect movie to go see. DESIGN BY PARKER HIBBARD
How many
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e LHS boys tennis season started March 13, with all eight of the courts covered in snow and water. e boys set to work shoveling the courts so they could begin playing challenge matches to set the lineup. LHS has been the team to beat in recent years, as they have won ve state titles from 2014-2018, their second ve-peat in team history (one from 1995-1999 as well). With yet another strong lineup, the guys are expected to win yet again, completing the longest streak of boys tennis State championships in history. In the old gym, the boys tennis banner does not even have enough space to put all the years they have won. Last year the boys won with Rapid City Stevens around 100 points behind, with the number one ranked Patriot, Sam Dobbs going for his second straight title at number one. “We only lost one member in the top six to graduate and got lots of middle schoolers who are lling the empty spots. Our team looks just as strong, if not stronger than the year before,” said Preston Koski, a sophomore member of the tennis team. As the years go on, LHS proves to be a powerhouse with boys and girls tennis winning championship aer championship. Even as players cycle through and leave as LHS graduates, up and comers on the team are always striving to ll the spots fast. Even though LHS is the team to beat, Rapid City Stevens and OGHS are formidable opponents and oen the runner-ups at State. “OG is probably our toughest competition. ey played well against us last year and retained all of their top players. We are looking forward to playing them again. Go Pats!” said Koski.
is year the State Tournament is in Sioux Falls from May 16-18 and the LHS boys tennis team would love some support from their fellow Crazies for all their hard work throughout the year.
PHOTO BY JOHANA BROWER DESIGN BY BRITA QUELLO
senior caiden capaldo spoke about his faith as his talent.
the canidates danced to a number coreographed by senior reyna gomarko.
junior johnathan smith was crowned “mr. lhs”. he lipsynched a song as his talent.
junior slater dixon made it to t candidates.
the dance was a mash-up of several songs, such as “soulja boy.”
junior court anderson used his theater background to entertain his audience.
senior jared jaros
junior devin vasa
senior ian ward
junior archer hoffpauir
the top 3
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER night was full T he of tasteful comedy along with laughter throughout the LHS auditorium. Senior Ian Ward and juniors Johnathan Smith and Slater Dixon placed in the top three of the competition. After their last act, Johnathan Smith was named Mr. LHS for the 2019 year.
PHOTOS BY RILEY RASMUSSEN
is about to get a whole lot better E B
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owntown Sioux Falls is already one of the most popular places to go all year round, but especially in the summer months. Now there will be another reason to spend summer evenings in the most lively part of the city. A new concert venue will be open for business this summer, hosting free concerts every week. The Levitt Shell near Falls Park is currently under construction and expected to be completed this spring. The Levitt concert series that will be hosted there will kick off with a show in mid-June and be followed by about 30 other free concerts. The Levitt Shell is expected to host about 50 shows per season. The cost of building the venue is budgeted at $4.6 million. The nonprofit that led the effort to bring the Levitt series to Sioux Falls, Friends of Levitt Shell, has invested more than $1.85 million toward the project, including a $500,000 grant from the national Levitt Foundation. The organization will also provide more $500,000 in professional lighting and sound equipment. Lloyd Companies chipped in with approximately 10,000 cubic yards of dirt and fill material valued at around $100,000. Everist has donated boulders and other landscaping material valued at approximately $250,000. The design of the shell includes wave-like structures above the stage, meant to resemble the movement of the nearby Falls. The lawn area where people will gather to watch the concerts is expected to hold up to 5,000 people and will include walkways that will feed into the existing trail system of the city. In addition to providing design and site development, the city of Sioux Falls will retain ownership of the land and venue and provide maintenance to the site. The Levitt Shell will be yet another downtown activity for the whole family to enjoy.
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President’s Bowl 5k C
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DESIGN BY CHLOE HARBAUGH
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he annual President’s Bowl Fundraiser is kicking off this June 21st. Runners, walkers and fun-havers of all ages are invited to attend and help out with the important fundraising cause. Proceeds from the President’s Bowl Fundraiser are transferred to a collection of money that is generated from other fundraising events which occur throughout the year. For instance, there is a President’s Bowl football game every year on a chosen weekend during September. The total fundraising money produced is then divided evenly between the three public schools located in Sioux Falls: LHS, RHS and WHS. Once the money has been divided between the three schools, each school can choose how they wish to divide the money amongst all of their extracurricular activities. Typically, LHS divides its fundraising money by giving activities with the most participants the most money and a smaller amount of money to activities with fewer participants. This year’s 5k will be at Riverdale Park, located at 2000 E 24th Street in Sioux Falls. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. and there will be food trucks present; although, I
I S : F R A N E U D would highly recommend not indulging in the food until after the running event has been completed. However, most runners do not compete with very high intensity. In fact, a majority of participants are just at the event for a fun time and are purely participating to support their chosen school. Every year, the school with the most participants is announced. Last year, RHS had the most participants of any school. RHS even brought their cheerleading squad along with last summer in order to support the runners as they competed. The President’s Bowl 5k will also involve a traveling trophy awarded to winners and soft Bella Canvas t-shirts which all runners will receive automatically after registering. It is important for all people signing up or considering signing up to understand the little to no pressure in actually running in the race. The main mission is not to make you exhausted from racing, but to get you involved in fundraising for your school, through an engaging activity with family and friends. Students and employees at LHS, WHS and RHS will receive a discount when they sign up for the President’s Bowl 5k. All people interested in participating are welcome and the more people that are signed up, the more money will go towards each school at the end of President’s Bowl fundraising. PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE GREAT AMAZING RACE FACEBOOK PAGE
Future of Journalism
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News broadcasting is an ever-changing eld. To be a good journalist in 2019, one needs a new skill set that they may not have need a decade ago. e world is evolving; so must our writers and truth seekers. For a journalist to not get laid off in 2019, they need to write the story that will get the most views. ey need clickbait to survive. “Your audience determines what is newsworthy,” said Augustana Journalism Professor Jeffrey Miller. “What do they want from you and what do they need from you? Today, headlines are written to get clicks. Clickbait is what your audience wants, not what they need.” Journalists are mocked for writing about Kylie Jenner’s baby instead of the war our nation is in or human trafficking that is happening right in front of us. It is our fault, it is the readers fault. “We provide more of what people want than what they need, which is causing some damage,” said Miller.
Last night, I tapped on a blatantly yellow journalism headline: “Did this Family Vlogger’s prank go to far?” I watched as Cole and Savannah LaBrant told their daughter Everleigh that they were going to sell her brother as an April Fools prank. at was it. at was the breaking news story that I read instead of writing this story. In recent years, the Argus Leader has undergone a major staff cut, from 75 to 18. How can a staff of 18 cover the community enough to compete with the clickbait being put out by bigger news networks? “e one thing that will keep news a oat in this area of the country is the weather,” said Miller. “It’ll still be there and people will still watch it. What do people need and what do people want? People need and want to know their weather.” Local news may fade away, but it will not completely disappear. Journalists who adapt and learn to utilize social media will thrive in their ever-changing work environment. DESIGN BY CHLOE ROBINSON
LHS goes viral L DB
Before the four-day break for Easter weekend, the LHS track and eld team headed to Fargo, ND without a clue in their minds that their trip would create a viral video viewed by millions of people worldwide. e meet produced a large amount of LHS winners in a variety of different events, but none of the victories were more impressive than the LHS win in the coaches medley race at the end of the meet. e LHS coaches team consisted of Trey Naasz who started the race off with a powerful 100 meter dash, then Naaz passed the baton off to Jim Jarovski who also ran the 100, next Jarovski passed the baton to Marshall Byrd who ran the 200 meter leg and nally the baton was handed off to Jordan Strand as the anchor leg. Strand made up a huge gap between the LHS coaches relay team and the other competition. Together, the squad successfully brought home the gold medal. Strand’s 50.9 second 400 was essential to the crew earning this miraculous comeback for LHS. e victory for the LHS coaches was well-earned and helped pad their con dence. “[Being in a viral video] feels awesome. I knew we could win,” said Naasz. “We are the fastest coaches in the country… it makes sense it went viral.” As the race was unfolding, LHS student Braedon Treadway pulled out his phone and videotaped the majority of the race. Aer the medley ended, the video captured was posted to the LHS track and eld Twitter account (@PatriotTrack) where it proceeded to amass 1.72 million views and counting with many comments centered around the idea of wishing that the commenters’ very own track and eld programs could compete in such events like a coaches relay. With the video gaining such a buzz on social media from the LHS track and eld Twitter account alone, many media outlets and accounts devoted to track and eld picked up on the race. One such media outlet was the widely known sports media account House of Highlights. House of Highlights posted the video on their Instagram page, and it has received close to 1.9 million views so far. Other than House of Highlights, Sports Illustrated has Tweeted out the video and has gained 150 thousand views. Former Olympian Carl Lewis’ Twitter comments on the video have helped gain even more attraction towards the already viral video as well. “I think [the video] received such positive reactions because Strand ran a sub 51 second [400] and Jaws gave it his all… everything was good,” said Naasz. With the overwhelming support the video has gained, many want a coaches race to be included at the end of all meets, whereas many others think exactly like Lewis. Lewis responded to the idea of having coaches relays at the end of every meet by tweeting, “No thank you.”
DESIGN BY EMILY SHANK
IAHSB announces rating system based on personality *satire S D This is a big win for women. On Monday, the International Association of High School Boys (IAHSB) announced that they are finally replacing the old 1-10 rating system based on physical attractiveness. The new scale will be gradually rolled out to group hangouts and locker rooms throughout 2019. “We took a good long look at our organization, and we thought: ‘Is this really what we want our sons looking up to? There is so much more to a girl than just how she looks,’” said the Council in an official statement. “For that reason, the new scale will rate women based on their personality.” Unlike the old system, the new one throws another axis into the mix. The x-axis measures Basicness, and the y-axis measures Niceness. These two personality variables were
chosen after over three months of deliberation. “It took us a long time, but ultimately, we settled on the most important traits. The first is Basicness. The left represents having too much personality and personal opinions, while the right represents basic Juice Stop girls,” said the Council. “On the y-axis, positive variables represent being nice, while negative values signify being mean.” According to the Council, the best score a girl can get is (0,0), the exact center. This score represents a nice girl who is not so nice that you would feel super guilty about wronging them, as well as one with just enough personality to be interesting, but not overbearing. The IAHSB plans to partner with other male organizations, including Chads United, the Man Initiative and the Just Joking Project in order to get the new system out of just
high schools and into frat houses and bars across the country. Some men, however, disagree with the new changes. “Is nothing sacred anymore?” wrote one Twitter user in a lengthy thread. “Men have been rating women since the beginning of time, and it’s sad to see harmless traditions go away in the name of making women feel better.” The IAHSB, however, stood firm in their declaration. “We believe that this is the best solution for countering the so called ‘toxic masculinity’ women are always whining about,” said the Council. “A girl can’t be measured by a single number; she needs to be measured by two. Our system encourages men to get to know a girl before assigning a numerical value to her worth.”
Dang, Melanie is at least a (1,3)
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SUMMER TIME PLAYLIST
At long last, the breezy and hellish winter storms have come to an end, bringing with it the familiar scent of spring. As we all get ready for long drives with the windows down and picnics in the park, I think that it’s important that we get out of our winter moods and remember what it’s like to be outside. Summer break is on its way! If there is one thing that makes summer really feel like summer, it is the music that people choose to listen to. The following is a collection of songs that I think reflects the brilliance of summer, enhancing the wonderful experiences and memories.
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YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS PART 1: THE FLAMING LIPS This song is a perfect summer jam. Its chill vibe and lightheartedness make it a great song to sing along to with friends.
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TIME AWAY FROM HOME/DRIVING TO HAWAII: SUMMER SALT Summer Salt’s unique and vibrant sound perfectly characterizes a warm August breeze. If you are looking for a song to play on the beach, any one of Summer Salt’s songs will do.
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BLUE BOY: MAC DEMARCO Blue Boy’s wavy guitar lines and groovy bass help solidify it as a fantastic summer time song candidate. Mac’s beautiful harmonizing vocals and warm, inviting tone help enhance the summer atmosphere.
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CALIFORNIA: CHILDISH GAMBINO If you haven’t blasted this song while driving to the beach, then have you really experienced summer? The opening electric guitar and piano creates a wonderful and happy tone that will surely brighten anyone’s day.
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DIAMONDS ON THE SOLES OF HER SHOES: PAUL SIMON Paul Simon offers another great summer track by mixing both Western and South African music seamlessly into a very unique song. The song features a South African male choral group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, as well as several different percussion instruments, making it a great upbeat tune to relax to.
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UNDER AFRICAN SKIES: PAUL SIMON One of the greatest parts about this song is the beautiful imagery it depicts. No matter where in the world you may be, Simon’s tune really does paint a vivid image of a lush African Sky, using the harmonizing vocals and light guitar lines to paint a perfect picture.
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FLORIDADA: ANIMAL COLLECTIVE FloriDada may not be for everybody, but it is definitely a great hype song to listen to on the road. Its crazy layered techno sounds and incredibly fast vocals make it a ton of fun to jam out to.
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HERE COMES THE SUN: THE BEATLES A real classic. This tune is an absolute standard in terms of summertime music. Nothing can get you out of a winter mood better than George Harrison’s mesmerizing guitar playing.
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FEELS LIKE SUMMER: CHILDISH GAMBINO A groovy beat, great vocals and tasty acoustic guitar lines solidify this song as another great jam to get you in the vacation mood. Talk about a song that makes you want to soak up the rays.
MISCHIEF: 10 MIND TAME IMPALA This song can only be described as one thing: a total banger. The song features some really incredible drumming, as well as a high energy psychedelic guitar hook and psychedelic vocals that soar over song beautifully.
plight.
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Our generation is one of rebellion. We see the world not as it has always been, but as what we will change it into. e world of tomorrow is a place where identity is celebrated, where our differences are celebrated. However, in the world of today, I have no choice but to squash my identity into society’s box for who I should be. ose of us who grew up wealthy know what it’s like to be pushed to the sidelines. Poor people seem to be unaware of the invisible injustices that we ght every day. And yes, I do use the word poor. If you get to label all of us as just “the rich” at your “inequality protests” then I think that we are allowed to call you “poor.” In fact, the very inequality that you protest is most dramatically applied to the
upper class. You may not see it, but I notice the difference in how I’m treated every day. I get sarcastic eye rolls from nearby kids when I talk to my friends about the new lake house we just bought. I get nervous inviting certain people to group hangouts at my house because they might be intimidated by my house. Sure, some things are ignored with enough time. I no longer care about the looks people give me when I pull next to their 2004 Toyota Corolla with my car which my family just bought. But some things are impossible to ignore. I will always be aware of the little things. A poor person has never had to worry about the loud clang that only a Hydro ask can make. For me, this is every minute of my life. I hope to t in, but in the end, I am alone: just me and
the dozens of guys I have met at sports camps throughout the years. e discrimination surrounding wealthy people isn’t exclusive to our city. For months the internet mocked wealthy people for being able to afford Airpods. Twitter users claimed that using Apples super convenient headphones made you pompous. is classic example of wealth shaming le me doing an all-too familiar activity: hiding the sign of my wealth by taking my Airpods out when I get to school. Why does society force me to be ashamed of my culture? Despite all of the efforts for so-called “equal rights”, nothing has been done for the smallest (and most overlooked) minority of all: the top 1%.
DESIGN BY MARYAM RAUUF
The worst thing about America E B
SATIRE Disclaimer: Some reading in fact, I ate it plain. An the title may think this action I now regret. With article is controversial and preservatives galore and politically charged. While ingredients most people possibly controversial, it is cannot pronounce their in no way political. rst try, this cheese might e worst aspect as well be made of plastic. of America is not our is summer, my government or the brother conducted an impending threat of nuclear experiment. He took one war (sorry for that dismal of the American singles note). No. It is something from our fridge still far worse. American cheese. wrapped in its plastic When I say American and put it outside on the cheese, I mean speci cally, deck. Aer a week of the mass-produced, single sitting in the same place packaged, one molecule in 80 plus degree heat and away from plastic sorry direct sunlight, it had not excuse for cheese. changed. We also have American cheese is a outside cats; they didn’t staple of most people’s touch it, and neither did childhood; it is convenient our dogs. No animals and inexpensive. Grilled would take it. If this cheese and other cheese doesn’t speak to the sheer related dishes oen appear crime that is American on many people’s dinner cheese, I don’t know what tables. does. I do not in any way is may seem like intend to offend anyone an overreaction, but not with this article; the cheese only is American cheese you enjoy is none of my grossly arti cial, it just is business and whatever not good. I apologize if you choose to put on your you feel strongly against sandwiches is completely this fact, I am mostly sorry your choice. Even I that your taste in cheese is regularly enjoyed American inferior. cheese when I was younger;
DESIGN BY GEORGIA CONLIN
SOUTH DAKOTA GOVE MANDATES THAT “IN TRUST” BE DISPLAYE PUBLIC SCHOOLS According to Pew Research, 1/3 of U.S. adults believe in a higher power of some kind, but not as God is described in the Bible. Do you believe in God or not?
YES: 80%
56% Believe in God as described in the Bible
NO: 19%
23% Believe in some other higher power/spiritual force
9% But do belive in some higher power/spiritual force
10% Do not believe in any higher power/ spiritual force
ERNOR N GOD WE ED IN A bill signed in late March by Governor Kristi Noem requires schools to prominently display the national motto “In God We Trust” in all South Dakota public schools. “The display may take the form of a mounted plaque, student artwork, or any other appropriate form as determined by the school principal. The display shall be easily readable and may be no smaller than twelve inches wide by twelve inches high,” according to the bill. In the Sioux Falls School District, the bill will be accompanied by civics lessons that will teach students about the national, state and local government. “We’ll talk about how the capital of our nation is in Washington, D.C., the population of the United States and President (Donald) Trump being the current president of the United States,” said District Superintendent Dr. Brian Maher, according to the Argus Leader. South Dakota will join several other states who have passed bills that require schools to display the national motto. Advocates argue that these initiatives signal a return to America’s founding values. “Our history and our heritage is incredibly important, making sure that we as a nation remember our roots, remember where we came from,” said Arkansas state Rep. Jim
Dotson in reference to a similar bill from his home state. The presence of religion in schools has been widely discussed recently, partly fueled by a tweet by President Donald Trump in which he voiced support for state bills implementing “Bible literacy” programs in public schools. The phrase “In God We Trust” became the national motto in 1956 under President Eisenhower, whose administration also urged Congress to add the line “one nation under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. Some South Dakotans, though, are opposed to such phrases being involved in government. “…religion at its core is a personal pursuit…The trouble occurs when it is thrust upon those with different beliefs… The day we make those people feel less a part of society is the day we lose track of the values that our country was built upon,” said the Argus Leader Editorial Board. Dr. Maher, however, claims that the district’s implementation of the policy will focus on inclusion. “I don’t think this has to be an exclusionary topic. Hopefully, we can make it as part of an inclusive topic in our schools,” said Maher.
DESIGNED BY KATIE KROEZE
Whoever said Kim Kardashian couldn’t become a lawyer was ‘seriously disturbed’
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When you hear the name Kardashian, what do you think of? Actually, do not answer that. We see them every single day, whether you read the news or not; your day isn’t complete without the daily dose of the Kardashian-Jenner drama on your feed. is week, while I was scrolling through Instagram, a headline caught my attention. I’m certainly not the biggest Kardashian fan. nor do I watch their show, but this news was interesting. “Kim Kardashian-West wants to become a lawyer.” At rst, I laughed to myself but then I thought, why couldn’t she? Okay, okay, hear me out on this one. Do not click away just yet. e Kardashians can come off a bit fake; some of their motives are a bit questionable, but who is to say they do not have their good moments too? In an interview with Vogue, Kardashian-West revealed that she expects to take the bar exam in 2022 and plans to do what she can to reform the criminal justice system. California is one of four states that does not require a law degree to take the bar exam; instead, those interested in becoming a lawyer can apply for an apprenticeship. is news is not that surprising since Kardashian-West’s father, Robert Kardashian was an attorney most famously known for his work in the O.J Simpson trial. In 2018, Kardashian-West involved herself in the high pro le case of Alice Marie-Johnson. When Johnson was sentenced to life in prison without parole due to her conviction of federal drugs and money laundering charges, which she pleaded guilty to, Kardashian made it her priority to give the mother and convicted felon a chance. e case rst gained attention to the cruel nature and only grew when Kardashian-West became involved. In June of 2018, Kardashian met with President Donald Trump, who agreed to grant Johnson. Kardashian-West was later seen in an episode of KUWTK being thanked by Johnson in her hometown of Memphis. Say what you want about her, but Kardashian-West rightfully used her success to help someone in need. As a notorious social media in uencer, she is capable of harnessing her power in order to bene t the greater good. So, why would it be so hard to see her as a lawyer? Well, some are blaming her privilege and sexual identity, and of course the fact of Kardashian-West’s tv personality and acquired wealth, and her continuous involvement in scandals. ough, with all the negativity, many forget that it is not right to tear one down and stereotype. For those who still cannot see her achieving her dream and doing what she can to reform the criminal justice system, seriously need to rewatch “Legally Blonde”. If Kardashian-West wants to become a lawyer, then why should we stop her? In the words of Elle Woods, ctional lawyer, and fashionista, “Most importantly; you must always have faith in yourself.”
DESIGN BY CHLOE CRISSMAN
The charity dilemma L
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Just the other day, I dared to venture into an unknown territoryFM radio. Indecisively turning the dial, switching between static and talk shows, I nally reached MPR. e rst words that come out of the broadcaster’s mouth are ‘opioid crisis,’ an upset to the sweet nostalgia the steady broadcasting stream had provided me with. e opioid crisis was just the tip of the iceberg on this particular Minnesota Public Radio program. I was introduced to the large pharmaceutical company, Purdue Pharma, owned by the extremely wealthy Sackler family. e patriarch of the clan, Raymond Sackler, invented the highly addictive painkiller, Oxycontin, back in 1996, and has since faced scrutiny over the product’s role within the opioid crisis in North America.
DESIGN BY KATIE OSMUNDSON
e impact that the family has within not only the pharmaceutical and medical industries, but certainly society, will continue to raise questions surrounding the epidemic. Arguably yet another moral predicament surrounding the phantasm of their wealth is their philanthropic contributions. e Sackler name is synonymous with several cultural and educational institutions, both domestic and international, including but not limited to; the Guggenheim, Metropolitan, Smithsonian and Louvre Museums. ese institutions now face a dilemma – keep the money given by the now-tarnished donor or return the tainted funds. But returning the funds may be easier said than done. e Sacklers have invested large sums in establishments that are some of the most renowned institutions for the preservation and promotion of culture. Given that the museums have accepted the generous gis, what obligation and affiliation do they have to the donor’s name and reputation? What is the
moral status of money from a immoral source? Dirty money: many of us jump to conclusions about the family and their grand scheme, acts of manipulation, etc. While the family’s donations come from their fortune, made from fueling a corrupt industry that pro ts off of selling addictive medication to vulnerable clients, this money is being put to use by institutions that are bene ting the greater good in some monumental ways. In 2018, the Louvre saw 10.2 million visitors come through its doors, and has become a leader within the art world, speci cally for the research and preservation of many of its in-house pieces. One member of the Sackler clan, Jillian Sackler, feels that the family has “a moral duty to make it right,” and that by donating to notable causes, they are in turn repaying their moral debts. e majority would believe that accepting this money would be wrong, and maybe just as immoral as building a fortune off of it. I would disagree, as so many other organizations have ties to corrupt acts of some sort.
It’s plain and rather not so simple, however money is money. While some non-pro t institutions return the funds that they are gied, a more moderate solution would be a compromise of sorts. Remove the surname from the list of donors and title, but choose to keep the gi in order to fund the hospital, school, or in the Sackler family’s case, museum. Of course, this depends on the degree to which the source is involved. Simply a donor, not a stakeholder or chairperson, can be removed and disassociated from the institution with ease. Funds can never completely undo or wipe dishonest deeds from the conscience of those involved, however the benefactor still leaves a positive mark on the organization, whether it was their intention from the beginning or not. On a much smaller scale, think of a time you received a gi from someone that you weren’t quite fond of. Did you deny the gi and return it to the gier, or instead decide to keep it? Sorry, but I’m keeping the gi. Why should I return something that
was given to me? I might like the gi a lot; it could be used to help me and make my life easier in the long run. e same is true for many charities, especially if they have already used the funds within the organization. e Guggenheim is unlikely to return the funds that they dedicated to build a new exhibit, because now they are le to pay for that expense with money that was intended for another use. I have already worn the sweater that I bought with the money that my annoying, arrogant aunt had given me, therefore I
am not returning it. Each side exhibits some moral dilemmas, however, charities should serve the central purpose of aiding society. Nonpro ts are gied in order to advance their agendas with the best interest of the greater good at heart. While funds received many be products of dishonest business, philanthropic organizations shouldn’t feel particularly obliged to return funds intended for advancing such agenda.
PHOTO CREATED BY LAUREN TELLER
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On Friday, March 15, a helmet-mounted camera began recording on Facebook Live. “Alright,” a male voice echoed, turning the clutch into drive with one green-gloved hand, “Let’s get this party started.” Following a ve-minute drive, he pulled into a parking lot and arose from the driver’s seat, leaving his Subaru running. e camera shook as he stepped down and readied his graffiti-littered ri e. Some of the scrawling included names of mass shooters. “WELCOME TO HELL,” another read. Footsteps sounded in an ear-ringing echo against the silence of the neighborhood. He approached an arched mosque entrance and proceeded to the stop of the steps; the barrel of the gun ascended into the frame. “Hello, brother,” a worshiper’s voice greeted, his back to the camera. e gunshots commenced, merciless and deafening, and in that moment, hate won. e livestream of last Friday’s infamous Christchurch shooting, along with the gunman’s 76-page manifesto, spread like an infestation of hate and violence. Major social media standings such as Facebook faced criticism on a higher level than ever before for not removing the video efficiently enough. e corporation rushed to remove the hundreds of thousands of copies like a twisted whacka-mole. Amongst the waves of hatred clashing at all sides as a result of Facebook’s awed system, I had a different pressing thought that couldn’t be le unanswered: what drives people’s infatuation with this footage? Firstly, there’s a sense of rebellion in knowing we’re doing what authority tells us not to, like rushing out into the halls of LHS to witness a cat ght despite the incessant protests of teachers. But beyond that, it’s built into our biology. Humans crave the shock factor, something that can give us an emotional high, whether it’s good or bad. ere’s a whole community on the dark web that gets a kick out of seeing massacres, cannibalism and hate crimes. Having an audience that craves increasingly shocking violent content pushes these mass-shooter types into creating that content and making their mark w ey almigh childre e F footage e pro acknow
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within the community. ese killers want fame. y want to be gawked at, to be discussed on national news and go down in history as powerful and hty. And, by releasing the mosque shooter’s manifesto, by uttering his name and ogling at him like en at a zoo animal, it made me realize that it’s not about Facebook. It’s about our culture. French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) is now suing Facebook and YouTube over the mosque e. Is it deserved? Maybe. But before we unleash our pitchforks, we must rst look in the mirror. oblem doesn’t start with the downfall of social media corporations; it starts with how we should wledge the attackers within that media. Better yet, we don’t acknowledge them at all.
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Following the passing of Sioux Falls-born artist Emily Groth, her family has created an art exhibit entitled “Emily’s Hope: Paint the Skies,” now showing at the Washington Pavillion through June 2. e exhibit includes artwork from both Emily and her sister Abby, a senior at LHS, who has created a multitude of pieces based off the Opioid epidemic. With overdose now being the leading cause of death in Americans under 50, “Emily’s Hope” aims to spread awareness towards the problem and its road to recovery. Angela Kennecke is Emily’s mother and a local gure, known for her work as a KELOLAND news anchor. In the past year, she has opened up about Emily’s passing and the underlying crisis. “When I found out what she’d been doing-the cause [of death]-it was unbelievable to me,” said Kennecke at the exhibit’s opening night. “e fact that my daughter would be using heroin and needles-my beautiful daughter who was very privileged, had every opportunity in life to have a great life-had gone down this road. It was shocking to me.” As the Groth family has proven, the opioid crisis in America is not exclusive to one demographic; it is an issue that affects everyone. “ere are a lot of stereotypes that all drug addicts are a certain type of person, but the truth is that it can be anyone,” said Abby Groth. “We need to stop punishing addicts and start thinking of it as more of a disease.” As Abby creates both in and outside the walls of LHS, her sister continues to be a source of inspiration and passion. “Her art was so unique and so different that watching her grow up and evolve as an artist was a big inspiration for me,” said Groth. “Right when my sister died, my mom wanted to show her art to people because it was so amazing and [she wanted] to spread awareness.” Awareness for America’s opioid epidemic is, in large part, in relation to fentanyl poisoning. Fentanyl is a drug related and oen mixed into heroin as a cheap way to get high, and there is an extremely ne line between a relatively safe dose and a deadly one. “at fentanyl killed her almost instantly aer she injected it,” said Kennecke. “No matter what happens to [the people responsible], no matter who’s charged or if anybody is charged directly with her death, while they say they know who she got it from, nothing will ever bring her back.” Despite the tragedy, the Groth family has taken the opportunity to create something beautiful to inspire a true change, whether it be in the community or on a larger scale. “If just one person hears me, if just one person does one thing to save a life, then I don’t care about a million naysayers or people who don’t understand,” said Kennecke. “I just care about that one mother that I can stop from experiencing the pain that I have.” e art provided are six geodes that Emily did about seven months before her death on May 16,2018. Her mother, Angela Kennecke had them framed all in one piece with a white background. PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMILY’S HOPE WEBSITE
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At the forefront of my childhood memories is a quaint little picnic ground affectionately coined the Auburndale Cove by the small East Coast town in which it’s situated. The Cove has a particularly notable place in my heart; there, under a purple-pink-orange painted sky, accompanied by an everpresent scent of smoke and BBQ, was where I created some of my fondest memories. Time came to a standstill at Auburndale Cove. There, it was so easy to be a child. There, I tossed out scraps of bread to the mallard ducks floating in the lake. There, I explored and excavated sand dunes that seemed to tower over me and everyone else in my vicinity. I climbed across monkey bars; I searched for sticks to roast marshmallows and make s’mores; I traversed the forest behind the picnic tables and watched my friends reach the
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top of trees that I was always too daunted to climb. The memories I have attached to Auburndale Cove are blurry sepia snapshots, invoking a sense of childhood longing, but of fuzzy quality at best. If I think about it hard enough, some of my memories make no logical sense. The sand dunes likely weren’t all that tall, and neither were the trees, which probably weren’t located in any sort of forest, and the steel slide that seemed to reach the clouds definitely didn’t reach the clouds. If I were to return to Auburndale Cove today, I, in all likelihood, would not be impressed, and even at the time, I doubt I had as much fun there as I remember. When I look back at Auburndale Cove, I remember it how I want to remember it: through rose-colored glasses, driven by a wistful longing for what my nostalgia dictates was a simpler time.
Nostalgia is a tricky entity. It seeks to make the past seem glossier and happier than it truthfully was. It makes us remember only the highlights of the past, and, when faced with tragedy and hardship, we want to return to those pictureperfect moments of childhood innocence. We want to feel safe and comfortable, and nostalgia presents us with safety and comfort. It’s the phenomenon of ‘the good old days:’ the freedom of the wild west, the roaring ‘20s, the economic boom and nuclear family of the ‘50s. Nostalgic propaganda is presented by everyone, from parents to politicians. Our current president won on the slogan ‘Make America Great Again,’ demonstrating the vast power that nostalgia holds.
DESIGN BY MARGARET MEIERHENRY
But nostalgia only paints half the picture. Nostalgia forgets about death rates and discrimination, riots and rampage, poverty and disease. When discussing the ‘good old days,’ nostalgia conveniently omits Japanese Internment Camps, slavery and anything else that doesn’t fit into its rosecolored vision. We can and should hold onto our happy memories. We should look back at them fondly and let them propel us into a happier and more optimistic future. But the past isn’t always better, and we should stop insisting that it is. The past was just as bleak as the present is. The only difference is that we’re not living it.