Statesman dec by LHS Statesman

S tatesman L i n c o l n

H i g h

S i o u x Fa l l s , S D

December 8, 2016

S c h o o l

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” -Abraham Lincoln

Vol. 51, No. 2

W ays to be bold in the Cold Centerspread

teaChers are just like us Page 5

WhiCh Winter CharaCter are you? Page 15

Calling all the Crazies Page 19

PHOTO BY LUCY DEKKENGA

AT BETHEL, WE’RE COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE. But here, excellence means something more. It means taking our faith in Christ and integrating it into everything we learn, into everything we do, so we can accomplish incredible things—in our careers, in our communities, and in our world.

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FEATURE

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

LHS student body acceptive of LGBT community

By ellie lamBeRty The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), an advocacy group for the LGBT community, recently published some troubling statistics involving treatment of LGBT youth in schools. Among them; 4 in 10 LGBT youth (42 percent) say the community in which they live is not accepting of LGBT people, and 92 percent of LGBT youth say they hear negative messages about being LGBT. These statistics might seem high, low or irrelevant to people at LHS, depending on who they are, but should students and faculty at LHS be concerned about how LGBT students are treated? Yes. The LGBT community at LHS has experiences and opinions of how supportive LHS has been, and thankfully those opinions are much more favorable than the national HRC survey. As a whole, LHS has been a great school for a LGBT student to attend. That is positive, because coming out is hard enough, without additional external judgement, and LHS freshman Oliver Merrill is no stranger to the struggles. “It’s freeing being able to be open

to people,” said Merrill. “The hardest part of it for me was working up the nerve and the courage to be able to come out. It’s not an easy thing to do at all.” Most LHS LGBT students report a good reception from family, friends and teachers. Similarly, LHS freshman Bayliss Hall received a positive response after coming out. “Everyone has been very supportive,” said Hall. “Although most of

them don’t really understand it.” Merrill, Hall and senior Emma Bankers have been able to reveal their identities to others, but some have not been so lucky. Some are still concerned about how others might react, but Bankers reassures people who are still struggling to come out. “Whether admitting it to yourself, or admitting it to others, don’t rush,” said Bankers. “Know that your sexuality or gender can be fluid and could

change at some point in time. You don’t need to label anything if you don’t want to, and you don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Love yourself as you are and may become.” Although the LGBT community feels mostly welcome, LHS does not eliminate all bullying, bigotry or bias. “I feel like the school itself is supportive but that certain individuals are not so supportive,” said Bankers. “For instance, certain teachers won’t call my transgender friend by his chosen name or preferred pronouns, and when the GSA first started there was a petition by students to disband it.” As new classes shuffle in and the others shuffle out, so will the ideas and attitudes of those students. The LGBT community hopes to eventually find acceptance in all schools, not just LHS. LHS is in a conservative, South Dakota town, and change is still needed for all lifestyles to feel welcome. “I just basically hope that being LGBT becomes normalized,” said Merrill. “I don’t want it to be some weird thing for teenage boys to fling gay around. It is an insult.”

By Riley Rasmussen Students at LHS have started to make a change. Some LHS students wanted to see change in their community so that is exactly what they did. This led these students to create APC, or Agents of Progressive Change. APC was found by LHS seniors Maddie Lukomski, Sam Babcock, Sofia Haan, Drexton Trantina and LHS sophomore Max Peters. “APC was originally started in response to a conservative’s club from last year,” said Lukomski. “Myself and one of my friends conferred with two other people and we had decided we should start a progressives club so that there would be a place for them to go.” Not many people know about APC and the club’s purpose. APC was made to raise money for charities, initiatives and to help with social changes in the community. Another goal of APC is to

ect. Their fundraiser took place on be able to politically eduJuly 23. The Trevor Project cate the youth. APC is is a nonprofit organitrying to do this by zation that helps prebringing in local vent suicide in politicians to the commuschools for nity. Also, the youth. A P C APC had has alstarted re a d y out as just a thought school a b o u t club but fundraising has led to for differmore. ent causes The founders like povertywant the club to stricken indigrow and gain more atviduals, refugees tention for the change and possibly other and impact they want political instituto make. APC’s motto tions, charities and is “Helping like, the organizations. world and stuff.” “We settled on This summer APC doing things to helped raise money for the Trevor Proj- PHOTO PROVIDED BY APC FACEBOOK PAGE help insite social

change,” said Lukomski. “We try to get connections with initiatives and let people become aware of volunteer opportunities.” However, APC did not come about so easily. Starting up a new club can be tough, whether that be about getting everything organized or even finding people to help support and make up the club. Right now, that is exactly what APC needs. At this point, APC has seven founders and two members. APC is always welcoming and always taking in new members. “I hope we can get everything organized and figured out,” said Lukomski. “We want to figure out a way to include more people and draw more people in.” APC meets after school on Wednesdays in Kim Maass’ room, A331. Stay up-to-date with APC by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter and Instagram at @APCsiouxfalls.

PHOTO BY KARLI SOYLAND

LHS students can attend weekly GSA meetings in Tony Martinet’s classroom on Wednesdays after school.

APC: Making a change in the community

FEATURE

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

Blind Double Date By Sydney RoSinSky and anna BRecht

What is better than a date with an anonymous lowerclassman? A DOUBLE date with TWO lowerclassmen! Not only does the feeling of anticipation set, but also excitement. Could this date be the beginning of a romantic fairytale? Or will a shadow of awkwardness overtake the chances of starting the spark with Prince Charming? Fellow classmate and best friend Anna Brecht, a.k.a. Annie, and I were blessed with the pleasure of finding out what it is like to go on a blind double date. At 6:30 p.m. sharp, Annie swung through and scooped me up from my house. As I got in the car, I could see the nervousness in her eyes and the sweat stains under her armpits. She was anxious. Understandably so, I mean, the underclass of boys here at LHS are all so attractive, anyone would be nervous. I too was a little nervous, Being dragged into a blind double date is not necessarily my idea of fun. It is also not something that I would normally do, so being called upon for this interesting task with my best friend and other Statesman writer, Sydney Rosinsky, caused me to take several steps outside of my comfort zone. I wanted to keep putting this date off because I kept telling myself that I wouldn’t have time, or I was too busy, but thanks to Rosinsky, we ventured to the date on a Friday night. It is safe to say that if it were not for her, I would have never made it to Z’mariks that night. It was not the fact that I didn’t know who my date was beforehand, it was the fact that fellow Statesman staff chose people that we did not know very well, and they told us that. I picked Rosinsky up, and as soon as she sat down in my car I told her that I thought we should cancel. “I can’t do this Syd. Maybe we just shouldn’t go.” I began to second guess myself and my ability to be outgoing on

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SYDNEY ROSINSKY

Junior Grant Loudenback and senior Sydney Rosinsky enjoy their bowl of noodles at Z’mariks restaraunt.

but I never let it show because I had to encourage Annie to ensure she did not bail out. Finally, we arrived at the predetermined location, Z’mariks.

Earlier in the day we were told that my date’s first name started with ‘G’ and Annie’s with ‘I.’ As we walked in and stood in-line, we locked eyes with our dates.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANNA BRECHT

Junior Isaac Woods and senior Anna Brecht cheese over their scrumptious mac and cheese.

a blind date. I am the type of person that seems to be quite awkward the first time that I meet someone, so imagine how I felt about a blind date. On the way to Z’mariks, I worked myself up enough to convince myself that I wouldn’t step foot in the restaurant. Risk-taking is obviously not a skill of mine.

Eventually we pulled in, parked and the heavy breathing started. My eyes may have started to tear up as well from fear of this soonto-be awkward encounter with an LHS junior that I did not know. Being forced to go into the restaurant with Rosinsky, I saw our dates out of the corner of my eye. I saw Grant Loudenback, and

Juniors Grant Loudenback and Isaac Woods were the culprits. The date consisted of mostly small talk and finding out more about our fellow LHS peers. I found that my date and I have similar tastes in music (21 Savage or “murder rap” as he called it) and the same preference in what sport is the best to watch (that being basketball). This double blind date was an experience I will never forget. Who knew that I would be going on a date with someone who lives only a few houses from me. I don’t know about Loudenback, but I definitely felt sparks fly. So I have one question: Prom?*

* Disclaimer: Grant, I am not actually asking you to Prom... then I saw my date, Isaac Woods. I had never talked to Woods in my life, so I did not know what to expect. We walked up to the register, and the two boys came up behind us. Out of nervousness I muttered some words that I do not remember to our dates and pretended to be unreserved. We sat down with our dates, and we all ordered mac ‘n cheese except for Rosinsky. “So, what are your favorite colors?” said Rosinksy, breaking the ice. Once we got to talking, the date was not nearly as awkward as I anticipated, and I learned new things about Woods, like that I student mentor two of his brothers at Edison Middle School. Also, Woods turned out to be one of the nicest boys that I know and left a great first impression on me. In reality, taking several steps out of my comfort zone helped me to grow as a person. Now I know that I am capable of surviving a blind date if the opportunity ever arises again.

5 Statesman

FEATURE

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

They support their school at events!

The Scott Embry was found taking a nap after a long day at school.

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Kim Tollinger was spotted at the LHS volleyball district championship game against WHS. Jim Jarovski represents the Green Bay Packers after facing the harsh winter conditions.

The Statesman is a student newspaper created at Lincoln High School, Sioux Falls Public Schools, 2900 S. Cliff Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57105. The Statesman office is located in room A400. The phone number is 605-367-7998. The Statesman’s purpose is to inform and entertain with an honest and accurate approach. The opinions of students, staff members and faculty are expressed in a tasteful manner. The Statesman is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and is a winner of the George H. Gallup award for “…distinctive achievements in scholastic journalism.” The Statesman was awarded a Pacemaker in 2007 and was nominated for the 2012-2013 year. The editors and adviser take responsibility for the content of the Statesman. Follow the Statesman on Twitter and Instagram with the handle @lhsstatesman and “like” the LHS Statesman Facebook page. Editors-in-Chief: Lizette Wright & Lucy Dekkenga News Editor: Madison Landon Feature Editor: Julia Breukelman

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Opinion Editor: Sydney Rosinsky

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Sports Editor: Megan Landon

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Social Media Coordinator: Sydney Rosinsky Meet the Varsity: Maddi Barness & Anna Boyens Photographers: Baylie Embry & Karli Soyland

Scott Amundson supported his daughter at the LHS freshman volleyball game against WHS.

Steve Blankenship was caught in an Instagram picture posted by Lolo Jones, a popular Instagram user, from Lollapalooza. PHOTOS BY KARLI SOYLAND & BAYLIE EMBRY

Staff Members: Sidney Brower, Jamie Brunken, Summer Ericson, Jack Fehrs, Gage Gramlick, Abbie Griffin, Tanner Hauck, Ellie Lamberty, Oliver Lockwood-Powell, Molly McIntyre, Riley Rasmussen, Emily Whitney and Glory Yount Adviser: Katie Kroeze

FEATURE

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

Homelessness awareness: don’t hide, try to sleep outside By Tanner Hauck The pliable foam conforms to your body. The fluffy pillow caresses your head. The smooth sheets drape over your still body. You’re trapped in a cocoon of warmth and comfort, one that you never want to leave. End scene. You are huddled up on the stiff rocky cement, the wind bites at your exposed skin, the ramshackle newspaper sheets crinkle as you shiver. All your body heat dissipates and your extremities go numb. End scene. I learned these are two vastly different scenes as I spent the night outside for Homelessness Awareness week. Most people can relate to the first scenario; they love their beds, they spend countless hours a day catching Z’s, watching Netflix, doing homework or just taking a breather sprawled across their mattresses. Aside from smartphones, it is arguably one of people’s most valued possessions. Now imagine that the bed is taken away and then the room disappears. Now the whole house has

PHOTO PROVIDED BY TANNER HAUCK

vanished. There is no place to call home and finding a place to lie one’s head for those few hours of essential sleep becomes dramatically harder. According to Housingforthehomeless, roughly 436 people in the Minnehaha county area are without permanent shelter. The count, conducted in January, showed that 156 of these homeless were 18 years of age or younger. This is a problem not only in the Sioux Falls area but across South Dakota and across the nation. To bring awareness to this issue the week of Nov. 12-20 has been dedi-

cated to Homelessness Awareness. People can raise awareness for the homeless by sleeping outside, therefore I took up the challenge. I immediately noticed that it was bitterly cold. Despite bundling up in various layers, the cold found a way to crawl through the crevices and openings in my clothes. Any exposed skin went numb within a couple minutes and it was not easy to find a comfortable sleeping position. Halfway through the night it began to sprinkle. It may be fun to play in the rain, but sleeping in it is another story. Add in

the various background noises that awoke me throughout the night, and it was definitely not the best sleep I have ever had. As I strolled back into the comfort of my home that morning, I thought to myself “how can a person sleep like this night in and night out?” Sleep is essential to one’s motivation, focus and overall attitude. Across Sioux Falls we have different shelters such as the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House that provides temporary shelter for those in need; however, this does not solve the problem. There is still a great deal of people, especially teens, out on the streets with no place to call home. How can you help? Educate yourself, there are numerous websites that go into detail about the problem of homelessness and its cause. Clothing drives are another way to get involved and help those who are on the streets. Many shelter homes allow volunteers; exposure is one of the best ways to learn; go check it out. And lastly, sleep outside!

Sleepless in Sioux Falls: scary stories of somnambulism

By aBBie Griffin Day by day, week by week, students try their hardest just to get their homework in on time, not even worrying if it is right. Slumping through the halls from class to class, clubs to sports, not having time to breathe, like social zombies just waiting until they are able to go home. The reason behind this is the need to sleep. With seven hours in a school day, long hours for before and after school activities and for some, extraneous amounts of homework can make sleep become a thing of the past. According to an article written by Ann Pietrangelo, the effects of sleep deprivation can lead to chronic health problems. While sleeping, the body is helping to replenish mental and physical energy. The more people put off sleep, the more at risk they are for having bad health. Not only is the health of humans affected by sleep but behavior disorders can also originate from the scar-

city of sleep. Somnambulism, also known as sleepwalking, is very common in adults and children that are sleep deprived. According to the National Sleep Foundation, studies have found the typical sleepwalker remains in a deep sleep and when woken up most do not remember the incident. For many people sleepwalking may not only be terrifying but also dangerous. “One night, I was dreaming

PHOTO BY BAYLIE EMBRY

that I was laying in my bed and I heard someone in my bathroom, but I could not get out of my bed to look and slowly someone started walking out of my bathroom towards my bed,” said LHS junior Grant Loudenback. “I jumped out of my bed screaming and they chased me, and I ran out of my basement into the street. When I woke up, I realized it was pouring rain and I was outside but did not go out there

when I was awake.” Sleepwalking is more than just walking during sleep, it is a series of complex behaviors that are carried out through sleep. Symptoms of sleepwalking can range from sitting up, walking around a room or house, leaving a house and possibly driving long distances. “I have a lot of weird sleepwalking stories, from waking up in different parts of the house to moving things around,” said LHS junior Anna Gette. “But I have never been injured. My brother though fractured his foot and woke up with blood all over from a bloody nose.” Bad sleep habits are not something people have to live with forever. Sleep walking and bad sleep habits can be broken by sleeping at least eight hours a night, having a regular sleeping schedule, even on the weekends and eating well so sleep does not have to supply all of the bodies energy.

FEATURE

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

IF I could tell my freshman self anything it would be... By Sidney Brower

(a survey of LHS seniors giving advice to their freshman selves) …just do your homework. Your GPA didn’t deserve to suffer like that. …don’t be those obnoxious, loud freshmen. . . .you will become extremely addicted to caffeine. …it’ll get better, little man. …you’ll be wearing sweatpants every day by senior year, might as well start now. …don’t rely on your partner to all the work. …get a haircut you hippie. …don’t worry about homework. …don’t regret wearing yogas and a sweatshirt every day. …try harder but don’t forget to take a good nap first. …don’t throw your ID in the lunch garbage bin. …don’t get bangs. …you have such beautiful blue eyes. …your friends will change, and that’s okay. …ALWAYS sprint through the hallway with your head down and arms back. ALWAYS! …if you fall in the hallway, it’s fine. I did it twice. …pace your skip days.

LHS marching band; parading their way to the top By ABBie Griffin

PHOTO PROVIDED BY LHS MARCHING BAND

The LHS Marching Band represents LHS all the way from 1,641 miles away, in Hollywood, CA.

This fall season sports, debate and fine arts teams alike made their mark in competitions. One group that has stood out and has marched their way to the top. The year the LHS marching band had gone undefeated up until the Super Regional Competition where they placed in the top one third of all the bands.

While technically the band’s competition season ended with the Bands of America Super Regionals in St. Louis the band was able to take a trip to California to march in the Hollywood Christmas Parade. “Our competitive season ended in late October after the Bands of America Super Regional in St. Louis, but we continued to rehearse in preparation for the parade,” said junior Tim White. “The 2016 season is officially over now that we have returned from Hollywood.” The band left for Hollywood on Nov. 23 and arrived on Nov. 25. After a 43 hour bus ride there and weather delays hindering the trip. The band arrived at around 2 a.m. and had to get up and perform a standstill performance at an amusement park later that day. This was no competition though; the band traveled the distance as

one of 16 bands from around the country to perform in the parade. With the outstanding record the LHS band has, they were chosen to be the last band in the parade. This meant they lead in Santa himself as the parade came to a final close. “While no band was given any awards at the parade, our band was the talk of the town after our performance and that was better than trophy,” said junior Jack Sargent. After a Thanksgiving break filled with memories and fun, the band made a 37 hour bus ride back. Because of the weather, the interstate was closed in Wyoming and the bus had to turn around and drive two hours back and over all lost about eight hours in total. The parade will air Friday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. on CW and Wednesday, Dec. 21 at p.m. on the Hallmark Channel.

LHS

HALL CONVOS “Don’t you love the sounds of killing penguins with spoons?” “Good news, I’m not pregnant.” “You smelly pumpkin.” “My mom told me I was pretty before she dropped me.” “I’m not a flirty person, I just like to flirt a lot.” “There are rumors that Harambe is still alive.” “We need a designated day to make pancakes.” “Some hipsters are nice.” “I could be a professional potato cutter.” “It’s like a neck sleeve.” “I’m going to push this button and you’re going to die.” “Shooweebop, my man!” “Be there, be a potato.” “Get in the sandwich and make me a kitchen.” “It’s too early to look at his ugly face anyways.” “No that’s not my girlfriend. That’s my sister.” “SQUAREHEAD!!!!”

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

FEATURE

Draeger and Larsen: Wasting time yet stopping crime

BY EMILY WHITNEY

Serving as resource officers at LHS for the past four years, Jason Larsen and Bob Draeger have turned their separate personalities into a strong working relationship while keeping students safe. They proudly refer to their friendship as a “bromance” while keeping life interesting as they patrol the halls of LHS. “They say opposites attract,” said Draeger, an 18-year veteran of the Sioux Falls Police Department. “His desk is nice and clean and mine’s a mess. When we joke around, he’s got a really good poker face and I don’t.” The combination of the two work well while they work as resource officers to maintain security while also providing students with friendly faces that they can trust during the school day. “I’m the serious one,” said Larsen, who has been on the force 13 years. “Bob would probably describe me as obsessive compulsive, because I have a very strong desire for cleanliness

and order. But it’s good that we get along well and can bounce things off each other.” Before arriving at LHS, the officers knew each other through the police department. In fact, Draeger’s wife was Larsen’s girlfriend in middle school, though the friends did not know each other then. They havefound common interests after working together at LHS and they enjoy activities outside of work. In addi-

tion to evening workout sessions in the school weight room, Larsen and Draeger enjoy remote control cars, hunting and boating, which they describe as playing with their “boy toys.” When one officer is not at school, staff members tease them about separation anxiety. For example, officer Larsen was absent for a week of training and Draeger quickly became lonely while he sat alone in

their office for two. “People make fun of us like, ‘How are you holding up, Bob? Do you miss him?’” said Draeger. Of course, they face many serious moments as well. One time, the officers brought two students down to the office for fighting. “The student was in the principal’s office and decided he wasn’t going to stick around. He ran away but didn’t know I was in the nurse’s office, so I confronted him and he turned and jumped over the counter at student services. I managed to grab his arm and I kept asking where Officer Draeger was with the handcuffs. He happened to be in the bathroom at the time.” Everything ended up fine with that episode and the bromance continued. Safety maintains as a priority as the two friends continue to exemplify their important, yet fun, roles in LHS. “He’s usually bad cop and I’m good cop,” said Draeger. “But we switch it up sometimes.”

nior, who works at Journeys Kidz in the mall, has experienced what it is like to work during the busy holiday season. “People are always in a rush or they do not know what they want, so they hold the line up,” said Christensen. “The store I work in is very small so when it’s holiday or back to school, it gets crazy with all the strollers and the little kids. There have been many times where kids have pushed me or have gone into the storage room, and I have had to chase them and get them out.” Grocery stores are another home for reckless shoppers during the holidays. Burke Maurer, LHS junior, works at Fareway, and has seen everything while working there. “One time this man was in with a service dog and this lady walked up to me and told me to kick him out because he was lying about his dog being a service dog,” said Maurer. “So I told her that I knew it actually was a ser-

vice dog and walked away. Then she stomped up to me and demanded I get a manager and said that I was a bad employee. Before I could get a manager she left and said she was never coming back.” Employees encounter rude customers every day. Some retail workers have also had customers get physical with them. LHS teacher Megan Anderson-Finch, who has previously worked at GAP, has also experienced the craziness of the mall during the holidays. “The craziest thing would be when a customer was returning a clothing item,” said AndersonFinch. “There is a deadline for returning clothing, and a customer brought something in that was past the deadline. They got so angry at me when I told them they could not return it, that they threw it in my face and walked out of the store.” LHS junior Zach Erickson, who works at Lewis Drug, has had a few battle wounds from some

impatient customers. “A customer threw a package of glass bottles at me because it was labeled a dollar more than it actually was,” said Erickson. “It shattered and I kind of just stood there because I could not do anything about it.” Although these encounters sound more like acts of bullying, employees continue to have to deal with verbal abuse and assault by “holly jolly” shoppers. Many people overlook the hard work that these employees put into their job, and do not realize that it is not their fault that they do not have a shopper’s specific size in a shirt that they so badly need. Whether people have witnessed the wrath of customers towards employees or not, it happens very often. The crowded stores, uncontrollable children and impatient customers are what makes the mall, other retail stores and grocery stores have their own one of a kind holiday spirit.

PHOTO BY BAYLIE EMBRY

Resource ofﬁcers Bob Draeger and Jason Larsen embrace their closeknit friendship and bond.

‘Tis the season: Shoppers go cray cray during the holidays

BY SUMMER ERICSON

Do you hear what I hear in the malls during the holidays? Screaming children and unhappy shoppers? The holidays are considered the happiest times of the year for many people. These times can be a bit stressful for everyone. Whether it is on Black Friday or the day before Christmas, retail workers experience customers that seems to have to lost their humanity because of one mission: to find the perfect holiday gift. The attendance at the mall reaches an all-time high during the holiday season. With this mass amount of people comes a mass amount of impatient customers. These demanding customers came for a reason and will do whatever it takes to purchase their item. But many do not seem to remember the people who are truly behind the shopping madness. It is the retail workers who deal with the unpleased, short-tempered customers. Aurora Christensen, LHS ju-

OP/ED

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

All the Wright things

The thoughtfulness of gift giving: appreciating the season for what it truly is By lizette wRight, editoR-in-chief

PHOTO BY LYDIA HOOKER

While I still get giddy about the holiday season, which for me entails hot cocoa, decorating the Christmas tree, much needed quality time with family and friends, Christmas light gazing and a whole lot of “Elf ”, I know that is not the case for everybody. When I was younger, the

As I got older, I didn’t mind answering the question as much. Somehow my mom always made it work. No

matter how much we were struggling financially that year, she made sure I didn’t go without a gift. I would have understood if I didn’t get one. I understood our lifestyle couldn’t be an expensive one, yet I really came to appreciate the thoughtfulness of gift giving. Some of my favorite gifts I’ve received are those that seem rather plain and simple, but are priceless and irreplaceable to me. One gift in particular is a gift I received for my 15th birthday. The night before, my mom had apologized and told me that she would not be able to afford a gift for me that year. Truthfully, I was okay with it. On the night of my birthday, when my family had filtered out of my house for

the night, my mom pulled out cylinder shaped gift with glistening eyes. As I ripped open the wrapping paper I found that the gift was a plush blanket. “Sorry, it’s not much,” she apologized. Truth be told, it was the best gift I’ve ever received, not because of what it was, but because of the thoughtfulness and meaning behind it. Even in times of struggling, my mom still strived to make my birthday special. I think it’s important to be knowledgeable that there are kids who don’t experience their holidays the same as some of your friends might. You have probably been told time and time again, but this season is not about gifts. It’s about the thought behind them. Happy holidays LHS.

ferent perspective on the real world than generations closer to my age. If anyone were to compare society during the ‘60s and ‘70s to today, it seems almost like night and day. The way the world has changed since merely 40 or 50 years ago has both shown detrimental and amiable affects. When I say changes, I am not necessarily talking about innovations and technology, but more so the way we act when it comes to differences. Whether it has to do with race, ethnicity or sexual orientation, people always seem to disagree. Now, people have always disagreed, that is just human nature. The problem is not disagreeing, because everyone is entitled to their own opinion, the problem lies in how we handle our disagreements. Wars, riots and violence have become all too familiar in the world we live in. Violence

has been happening in places we once considered safe. Movie theatres, schools and even airports used to never be a concern for attack. Nowadays, security is tight in almost any public area.This would not be the case if we could just learn how to deal with opinions that oppose our own. The world is made up of so many types of people, ethnicities, religion, races, etc. The diversity is what helps make our world the way it is today. Difference in opinion is a positive notion and should be praised instead of taken in a manner that creates violence. Some people like chocolate ice cream, some like vanilla and some even like strawberry. These different taste preferences do not stir up emotion or violence. Obviously taste in ice cream flavor is not a big global issue, but it all boils down to the same thing: difference in opinion. It is good to have a variety of

tastes in the world. If everyone always agreed on everything, the world would be boring. If we could take more serious differences such as Republicans vs. Democrats, or Christianity and Islam, in the way that we take difference in flavors of ice cream and realize that not everyone is going to be the exact same, then the world would be more at peace.

holidays were always bittersweet. I loved the festiveness of the season, but I always felt a little defeated when kids would eagerly ask “What did you get?” Often times, they would be little, humble gifts that I appreciated, but when compared to the glistening new toys of the other kids, they seemed like a weak comparison. I would find myself dreading the question each year. “I understood our lifestyle couldn’t be an expensive one, yet I really came to appreciate the thoughtfulness of gift giving.”

Difference in opinion: why we should praise it instead of hate it By Sydney RoSinSky After this year, reality will hit and I will officially be on my own. Since I was little, I have always been independent and could not wait until the day I was able to play by my own rules. But now that the time is inching closer, I cannot believe that I am almost there. Especially considering I still feel like (and look like) my 12-year-old self. “Difference in opinion is a positive notion and should be praised instead of taken in a manner that creates violence.”

I have had various discussions with my parents and other adults that went through the transition from high school to college and into the real world. After talking to these adults, it seems to me that the older generations have a much dif-

“As I grow up and am thrown into the real world, I want to be able to speak my mind without having to worry about stirring up violence.”

As I grow up and am thrown into the real world, I want to be able to speak my mind without having to worry about stirring up violence. I hope that as I grow, so does the world, and people become more understanding of the idea that it is okay for everyone to have different viewpoints.

OP/ED

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

Why the media’s representation of romantic relationships is inaccurate By Glory Yount, Staff Writer The songs on the radio bombard me with somber ballots of the over-told tale about two starcrossed lovers that weren’t meant to be, or a fairytale romance gone rogue, often sounding like the depressing poetry that you find scratched into bathroom stalls. Movies and TV shows don’t tell you that power couples such as Edward and Bella or Harley Quinn and the Joker are involved in manipulative and abusive relationships. It even fails to inform us that the abusee probably has a severe case of Stockholm Syndrome, most likely destined to be forever plagued with recurring themes of abuse throughout their life. The typical storyline that involves an unlikely couple falling in love despite the circumstances has been exhausted. Plots like these do nothing but set unrealistic expectations about love, until that term has been twisted and misconstrued beyond recognition. Romantic relationships are

well-meaning and an important part of life, but it isn’t the most important part of life. However, the media effectively convinces us that it is. The media, in fact, has managed to persuade a number of us that finding our “other half ” is our ultimate calling. “Romantic relationships are well-meaning and an important part of life, but it isn’t the most important part of life...”

My entire life, I’d always held an understanding that the purpose of life was to find your “soulmate,” and then live happily ever after or whatever. I can trace this belief back to the books I’ve read, TV shows I’ve seen, music I‘ve heard and the movies I’ve watched, which all plays a role in shaping our naive childhood beliefs. A repetitive theme was “love.” The main character is always pining after a boy or girl, or trying to heal himself/herself of

heartbreak, which can ultimately lead impressionable children to believe that relationships are the most important aspect of living. Because children are so susceptible, it’s vital that the youth aren’t exposed to such skewered ideas of love because it only leads to failed relationships and unfeasible presumptions about how relationships work in the future. The media has not only butchered what the definition of love and acceptance is, but it has also lead us to believe that finding a significant other would ultimately solve all of our problems. The problem is that it influences individuals to develop a dependency on their significant other and they will never learn to love and accept themselves, but instead will only feel like they’re valuable as long as they have somebody constantly reaffirming them that they are. Oh, you can’t see the issue here? Most people I know use relationships like an amputee uses a prosthetic limb. Sure, it helps them as long as they’re wearing it, but what happens when they

take it off? They’re still missing their leg. They’re limping along between relationships, an emotional amputee. A relationship cripple, stumbling along to the next crutch presented to them that looks shiny and new. And honestly, it’s pathetic. It almost depresses me when I see people that only seem to be happy when they’re in a relationship but then fall back into the shadows of self-loathing and petty bitterness as another relationship ends unsuccessfully. I can only imagine a world in which romance wasn’t a common theme in the media, and how differently society would think and feel. Children wouldn’t be raised with the belief that finding a soulmate is the most important aspect about life. Members of society would probably seek self-actualization rather than seeking somebody to tell them all of the cliché lines that boost their self-esteem. Instead, the reliance of partnership has been drilled into our brains and we carry this burden of thinking that we exist to find a theoretical “missing half.”

Patriot Views

Do you believe that one of the main goals in life is to find your significant other and marry them?

“No, because you can find other ways that can make you happy.” -Abby Allen, 9

“Yeah, because love can make you happy.” -Reyna Gomarko, 10

“No, because I feel that there are other ways to be happy besides finding your significant other.” -Dylan Haddock, 11

“No, because that deters them away from their ambitions.” -Vanesa Arapovic, 12

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016 OP/ED LHS holiday wish list: stumping Santa By GaGe Gramlick, Staff Writer

Disclaimer: This is merely for fun. The intention of this story is to create some lighthearted humor in a stressful time of the year.

A number of students from a freshman and senior adroom were asked to write down three things they wanted for the holidays. 87 percent of the students wrote that they wanted a new president, 56 percent said they wanted a ticket to Canada and 99 percent of all responses had something to do with Mrs. Fox and/or Yeezys. Here are a few of the responses:

1. Life size barbie #whenyounever wanttogrowupsoyoucopebysurroundingyourselfwithobjectsthatremindyouofyouryouthandthenyoubecomemoredepressedbecausetheobjectsonlyremindyouofyourinevitablejourneytodeath and #weirdfetish

2. A time machine Me too. I would go back and stop my parents from having me, the biggest mistake ever… Sorry, that was dark. 3. A penguin with a suit that is well-trained First off, I appreciate the specificity. Second, WHAT THE FREAKING FRAKING FUDGE MONKEYS?! Is the suit well-trained or the penguin?

4. Equality for races, sexes and religions That’s sweet. Good luck with that.

5. Friends Yikes. I hope you mean the collective DVD package of all ten seasons. If not, I suggest you stand in the hall with signs that say “Looking for friends? Sign-up here.” That always helps. 6. A Holiday wish list I hate you. 7. Some good food Now this is what I’m talking about. We need more people who think like this; the world would be a much better place; less life sized barbies and more good food. Question for the person who wrote this: Looking for a friend? Sign-up here.

8. Viagra Dude, you’re in high school. You better get that checked out. 9. Squirrel juice The future of America right here. More concerningly, though, why? And how does one achieve squirrel juice? Is it a milking process? Is there machinery involved? Does the squirrel live through it?

10. Another type of machine (written by the same person who wrote time machine) And the vague award of the year goes to… So, could this be like anything that is mechanical like a robotic ant that massages your insides, or a razor specially designed for cats with three legs, or perhaps a squirrel juicer?

Trump’s presidency: what does America have in store? By Summer ericSon, Staff Writer

“The effects that Trump might have directly are unclear, but people are worried that

the amount of hate

crimes will increase because of Trump normalizing racist behavior.”

The 2016 presidential debates have been the most notorious, confusing debates in the history of America. With Donald Trump winning the presidency, people are fearful of what America has in store. Many millennials have gone to social media to voice their opinions of both candidates. The LHS Statesman set up a poll on their website and on Twitter asking who students would and are voting for in this election. With 178 votes total, Hillary Clinton won 53 percent of them. The actual results of the election allowed Trump

to win with 279 electoral votes and Clinton with 228. People were divided over which candidate would be the better choice and many concluded that the only way to decide would be to pick the “lesser of the two evils.” Clinton’s deleted email scandal caused controversy and gave her the title of “Crooked Hillary,” but Trump’s racist, sexist and derogatory comments about people gave reason to think he would be the most unprofessional president America has had in centuries. After his win, the question of what will become of America with Trump in office arose. People have heard the words of Trump claiming the U.S. needs change. People have also failed to understand how Trump really is going to “change” America for the better. The effects that Trump might have directly are unclear, but people are worried that the amount of hate crimes will increase because of Trump normalizing racist behavior.

Trump has called Hispanics rapists, claimed a judge was biased because he was Mexican, refused to condemn white supremacists who voted for him, claimed Barack Obama was not born in the U.S. and even justified the beating of a Black Lives Matter protester by supporters at a rally. These are just a few of the disrespectful actions Trump has done. After Trump’s election, there have been accounts of kids being terrorized at school by fellow classmates. In York, Pa., students were celebrating Trump’s win by chanting “white power,” and a Hispanic student even recalled how her other friends of minorities were spit on, according to Erica Euse from VICE. “A gay student was told ‘You better turn straight if you want to survive in America,’ and another gay student was followed by white girls as they chanted, ‘Trump, Trump, Trump,’” said Maureen Costello, the director of the SPLC’s Teaching Tolerance project.

Although Trump did not say these comments to kids of minorities, his supporters did, probably because the remarks seemed, in a way, justified by Trump. His horrible comments from the past have spawned people to believe what he is saying is ok. Trump did have a response to the hateful things being said and done towards minorities. “Trump said he’s seen ‘a very small amount’ - including ‘one or two instances’ -- of racial slurs being directed at minorities, particularly in largely white schools, since his election,” according to CNN.com. With the continuing disrespect from Trump supporters and the uncivil remarks from our own President of United States, expecting more hate crimes does not seem like a foolish prediction. Hopefully, Trump will encourage his hateful supporters to stop their racist ways and minorities will not have to worry about their safety here in America.

Skate, tube and ski through town By Riley Rasmussen

Even though the harsh and cold South Dakota weather can be a pain, some good can come from it. As winter approaches so do some of our favorite winter activities. These activities make the non-enjoyable weather more enjoyable. Bundle up, grab a sled and head to the steep hills in Sioux Falls. A couple of places to go and sled are the top of upper Tuthill Park and Spellerberg Park. Each place is free with no charge, just bring a sled and have fun. Another place that would be possible to sled, or in this case tube, is Great Bear Recreation Park. Hours and prices for Great Bear vary so be sure to check first before going. Lace up those skates at some of the Sioux Falls ice skating rinks. Some places to go ice skating this season are McKennan Park, Frank Olson Park, Campus Park, Memorial Park, Sherman Park and the lower Tuthill Park ice skating rink. All Sioux Falls ice skating rinks cost $1 per youth and $3 per adult and are open from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. Some other fun activities to do this season are skiing and snowboarding. Great Bear Recreation Park is a great place to go for each of these activities. Again, hours and prices may vary for Great Bear.

Holiday styles bring many smiles By anna BRecht

Uggs- Uggs have seemed to be a winter trend for years now, keeping feet warm while trudging through the snow. The Ugg boot obsession has now switched ways to Ugg sneakers, which many people have recently become owners of. Vests- Puffy vests are one of the warmest ways to look like a fashionable marshmallow in what seems like the tundra of U.S. during winter: South Dakota. Carhartt hats- A fluffy stocking cap has always been a winter trend, but recently Carhartt hats have become a new fad, especially for boys. Timberlands- Timberland shoes paired with an oversized flannel is an outfit that many students master during wintertime, giving off the stylish-lumberjack vibe. Flannels- If people are looking to go for a warm and stylish look this winter, warm flannels paired with jeans is the perfect go-to look. Baggy sweatpants/sweatshirts- On a sluggish and freezing cold winter day, sometimes it is too tiring to try and squeeze into jeans. Baggy sweatpants or baggy sweatshirts can be made to look cute and cozy, especially if the sweatpants are paired with a Nike dri-fit zip, and the baggy sweatshirt is paired with some leggings or joggers.

Peanut Butter Blossoms (Bird in a Nest Cookies)Makes 4 dozen Ingredients ½ cup butter ½ cup peanut butter ½ cup white sugar ½ cup brown sugar 1 unbeaten egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 ¾ cup flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt 4 dozen chocolate kisses Directions Mix butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and white sugar in mixing bowl. Add egg and vanilla. Add all other dry ingredients. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, then roll in sugar. Bake in the oven at 350° for 8 minutes. Take cookies out of the oven and press kisses into the top. Return to oven for 2 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown.

Dreaming of a bright Christmas By lizette wRight

Peppermint Hot Chocolate (Martha Stewart) - Serves 4 Recipes found By megan landon Ingredients ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 quart milk ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips (3 oz) 7 peppermint sticks; 3 crushed into ¼ cup, 4 wholePinch of salt Directions Place cocoa in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk until cocoa has dissolved. Add chocolate chips and crushed peppermint; simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate and peppermint have melted, 8 to 10 minutes Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Add salt. Ladle into mugs; serve each with a peppermint stick.

We’ve all experienced the winter boredom that seems to set in relatively early due to our prolonged snow packed winters. Holiday light-gazing can postpone that awful winter boredom. With the coming of winter, holiday lights inevitably make their way onto houses, trees and even whole neighborhoods. This is especially true for Sioux Falls. Throughout Sioux Falls there are over 13 different designated lanes that require the tenants living within the area to elaborately decorate their houses with holiday lights starting after Thanksgiving. Maps and directions to the lanes can be found on dakotaholidays.com. This is a great way to spend time with family and friends on a winter evening. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, throw on some holiday music and enjoy the scenery of the season. In addition to the holiday light lanes, Falls Park is hosting their annual Winter Wonderland in which they intricately decorate the Falls with holiday lights. Falls Park’s Winter Wonderland is unique in that they have a radio station that plays music corresponding to carious motioning lights. Winter Wonderland started Nov. 8, 2016 and goes on until Jan. 8, 2017.

Holiday movies bring forth the spirit of the season By Jamie BRunken

With the holiday season comes colder weather, spending time with family and watching timeless holiday movies. There are dozens of classics, some of them include “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Elf” and “The Polar Express.” Each one brings the holiday season to light, embodying what the season is all about. “Rudolph” is one of the most well-known and classic holiday movies of all time. It follows a reindeer named Rudolph, who is a little different from his friends, being that he has a red nose and it glows. Throughout the movie Rudolph comes to realize that it is okay to be unique and he accepts who he is. “Elf,” another favorite, follows Buddy (Will Ferrell) who was transported to the North Pole as a baby and was raised by the elves in Santa’s workshop. Once he finds out he is not like them, and is actually a human, he sets out to find his father in the big city of New York. “The Polar Express,” also a family favorite, takes viewers on the journey, following the adventure of a young boy who travels to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, where he discovers that the happiness of life does not have to fade as long as he truly believes. Each of these movies embodies the true meaning of the holiday season, brings the entire family together and creates the spirit that makes the season magical and memorable for years to come. So sit back, get a bowl of popcorn, cozy up to the fireplace and enjoy the best season for movies.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BAYLIE EMBREY, KARLI SOYLAND, LIZETTE WRIGHT AND GOOGLE PUBLIC USE

ENTERTAINMENT

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

Four trends from the ‘80s that are coming back in style By Glory yount

Although most fashion from the 1980’s should never see the light of day ever again, some styles are making a comeback and hitting the fashion industry hard. Mullets and scrunchies are most likely a thing of the past, while jean overalls and denim jackets are coming back in full force.

Crop Tops

Doc Marten Boots

Iconic films such as Dirty Dancing (1987) can be credited to the increased demand of crop tops in the ‘80s, which was originally adopted as workout attire. The trend never went out of style and can be seen anywhere from everyday wear to the red carpet.

Like most great things of the 80’s, Doc Marten boots originated in Britain and were introduced to the West Coast, which is when the popularity of the classic eighthole lace up boot became trendy in the US. Millennials are once again bringing back even the grungiest staple pieces of the era.

Denim Jackets

High-Waisted Jeans

Sometimes but not limited to being heavily decorated with buttons, pins and patches, denim jackets seem to be a timeless piece that can be paired with virtually anything; from flannel shirts to lace dresses to graphic tees. Judd Nelson’s character John in The Breakfast Club (1985) sports a red flannel layered underneath a denim jacket throughout the film.

The denim brand Guess successfully executed a marketing campaign in the ‘80s that contributed to the rise in popularity of high waisted jeans. For the past couple of years, high waisted jeans have been regaining popularity. Acid wash, ripped, rolled cuffs, boyfriend jean style, dark and light; high-waisted jeans come in almost every fashion.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GLORY YOUNT AND GOOGLE PUBLIC USE

‘Scarlet Letter’ to the cast and crew: Cast receives an ‘A’+

By GaGe Gramlick

The combination of a classic book adapted to stage, a director’s 100th show and a cast so talented that it emanates awesomeness is LHS’s “The Scarlet Letter.” The show began before the actors even entered the stage, with a set so breath-taking the show was guaranteed to be spectacular. Tiered platforms rose above the intimate Little Theatre stage and themes of black and white were evident. The bulk of the set was lit dimly, but in the middle was a square of tube lighting that, when illuminated, was bright enough to be seen for miles. This contraption was used to separate the actors who were currently talking, from the actors on the flanks of the stage who were part of the scene, but not the central focus. This worked brilliantly and was highly ingenuitive for a stage that is so cozy. The actors enter with a talk-

PHOTO BY GAGE GRAMLICK

The LHS theatre department presented “The Scarlet Letter” Nov. 15-19 and received positive reviews.

jazz monologue, and the talent level of the cast is immediately made apparent. This is necessary with such a complex script. “It’s about a woman named Hester Prynne who becomes pregnant with a child of the town minister who keeps his identity secret despite many people trying to get her to reveal who he is,” said Ella Olsen who played Hester Prynne. “She is a very

powerful woman, very feminist. It would have been pretty hard to defy religious norms, social norms and political norms.” Olsen is a sophomore at LHS and excelled in her role as Hester Prynne. She acted with a maturity and grace that is rarely seen by such a young actress. “It’s a lot different to play Hester Prynne than it is to play an Ewok, that I played last

year,” said Olsen. “People come in with pretty high expectation with a classic, so that adds to the pressure. But I kind of enjoyed playing [an adulteress]. She did really love the person. The show makes a point that a love felt so deeply shouldn’t be construed as sin.” The mastermind behind the entirety of the show was LHS director Lance DeRoos, alongside his trusted assistant director Grace Gordon. The script came with many challenges, but paid off. “This is my 100th show as a director, so I wanted it to be something unique and different,” said DeRoos.“When you think about the stance that Hester takes, that she would say no to the Puritans. That’s really significant. Those are still themes now more than ever. It might be an old story, but it won’t be something you expected.”

By Sidney Brower

My go to holiday drink is ... homemade hot chocolate

I wear _________ to bed on Christmas Eve. specially purchased festive PJs

normal PJs

My go to holiday music is... None, I do not like holiday music.

Michael BublĂŠ

Do you believe in Santa? Yes

the usual Starbucks coffee

I like to _________ presents. give

receive

My free time is spent... playing games with family

watching holiday movies

My tree is... fake

real

ENTERTAINMENT

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

The Weeknd’s new album, ‘Starboy,’ receives mixed feelings By Tanner Hauck

2016 has been a fantastic year for pop culture artists. Beyonce, Kanye West, Drake, Rihanna, Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean and Zayn Malik all released albums in the most recent calendar year. The latest addition to that impressive list is Canadian native Abel Tesfaye, otherwise known as The Weeknd. Coming off his wildly popular album “The Beauty Behind the Madness,” The Weeknd looks to continue his success with his newest album “Starboy,” which made its debut Nov. 25. “Starboy,” Tesfaye’s third studio album, features the likes of Daft Punk, Lana Del Ray, Kendrick Lamar and Future. The album retains The Weeknd’s signature dark and gritty R&B soul sound but adds a new layer of smoothness drawing Michael Jackson comparisons. “Starboy” is unmistak-

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GOOGLE PUBLIC USE

ably a product of Tesfaye, filled with his dark imagination and techno undertones. However, the record does feature some new sounds not previously seen in Tesfaye’s music. The album, comprised of 18 tracks, covers a variety of topics but focuses especially on Tesfaye’s favorite themes; intoxication, women and paranoia. Some of the key songs on the album include: “Starboy,” “I Feel It Coming,” “False Alarm” and “Sidewalks.” “Starboy,” the hit single and title track, quickly climbed the radio charts upon release exciting

fans and letting them dip their toes in the pool that is “Starboy.” “I Feel It Coming” shines with Daft Punk influence and carries a lighter tone than the usual Weeknd production. “False Alarm” surprised a great deal of fans when Tesfaye burst out screaming a large portion of his lines. The track was not widely accepted but was appreciated by his dearest fans who fell in love with him for his aggressiveness and unpredictability. The Weeknd returned to his roots in “Sidewalks.” The collaboration with Kendrick Lamar discusses the absence

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of father figures, the hardships of the streets and the path to fame. The album borrows a lot of retro sounds especially from the ‘80s and ‘90s. The work in its entirety fulfills its purpose as a mainstream, pop culture, headbanging sound track. However, as a musical masterpiece it is lacking the necessary refinement. It feels slightly rushed and disjoint. Some of the tracks will definitely find a place on the charts but it will most likely not see the same success as its predecessor. Along with the album, Tesfaye released a short film and has even hinted at a possible comic book in the near future. Until then grab a pair of headphones and go check out The Weeknd’s newest album “Starboy” available on Spotify and Apple Music. The music video has had over 278 million views since it was released in September.

THE PLACE FOR POSSIBILITIES

ENTERTAINMENT

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

Dive in and wayfind your way to ‘Moana’

By Megan Landon

In the latest Disney movie, “Moana,” it had been told for generations that a goddess named Te Fiti created all of the Pacific islands, including the island of Motunui where a girl named Moana’s indigenous pacific tribe lives. Te Fiti went to rest after her life brought prosperity to the many islands in the Pacific Ocean as well as made the seas safe to voyage. Then, a demigod named Maui was storied to have stolen Te Fiti’s heart and lost it, causing many islands to fall into a dark, crumbling state. Because of this, sea monsters were awakened and the waters of the Pacific became unsafe to travel. “Moana” features a teen named Moana Waialiki, the daughter of the Chief of Motunui. Ever since she was little she felt drawn to the water. Her obsession started when she was a toddler, listening to her grandmother tell the mythical tale of how the Pacific islands of Oceania were created. She snuck out to the waterfront and

More than

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GOOGLE PUBLIC USE

Moana finds her destiny by traveling to Te Fiti with Maui to restore the heart and rebalance creation.

found a seashell that opened up the water to her, along with something that had been lost for many years: the heart of Te Fiti. When Moana grows up, she is expected to rule over Motunui as Chief, but her father disapproves of her passion for the ocean and believes that the land is sufficient enough. After several years, though, Motunui has begun to change. The island starts to experience the darkness that envelops everything in the ocean, and Moana must go on an unforgettable journey to find Maui,

58o

return the heart of Te Fiti and make her way back home in order to save her tribe. “Moana” is sweet, lively and an interesting story to watch unfold. Moana, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, automatically captures the audience with her can-do attitude, bravery and desire to find herself through her passion of the water. Her grandmother claims that ‘the water chose her’ and that is why she has always felt so drawn to it, and their relationship fits the plot well. Dwayne “The

Rock” Johnson voices Maui, a character that is easy to hate at first, but viewers grow to love. The way that Maui and Moana interact makes the movie light as they learn new values from each other. This Disney film as a whole does a nice job of keeping culture and tradition a prevalent theme, especially in the music, and the mythology and culture is mixed well. In some scenes, Moana experiences flashbacks to her ancestors that were voyagers and wayfinders, and it ties the movie in perfect with the ending. Overall, “Moana” is an entertaining movie about the courage a young islander has and what she is willing to go through to save her people. Despite popular belief, she is not a princess; she is the next Chief of Motunui, and with her confused chicken by her side and the help of the demigod Maui, she accomplishes the impossible. No matter the audience’s age, “Moana” is sure to warm the hearts of all and is a must see movie this winter.

academic scholarships awarded annually.

UPCOMING CAMPUS PREVIEW DAYS AND FINE ARTS SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS Friday, October 21 4 Friday, November 11 4

(Fine Arts Scholarship Auditions)

Monday, January 16

(Fine Arts Scholarship Auditions and Accepted Student Day)

4 4

Monday, February 20

(Fine Arts Scholarship Auditions and Accepted Student Day)

Friday, March 10 4 Friday, April 21 4

Schedule your personal visit at usiouxfalls.edu/admissions. Register to audition at usiouxfalls.edu/finearts-q.

(605) 331-6600 || usiouxfalls.edu

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

ENTERTAINMENT

How-to wrap a present By Julia Breukelman

What you need:

1. Wrapping paper 2. Scissors 3. Tape 4. Ribbon

1 2 Cut the wrapping paper to the size that will be needed to fully cover the present. TIP: it is better to have too much than too little. Common mistake.

Fold the wrapping paper over the present and tape it to the box. Then, fold the wrapping paper again over the box and tape so the present is fully covered by wrapping paper.

3 4 5 6 Fold the left side towards the middle to fold into a triangle and repeat on the right side.

Fold the two triangles up and tape.

Repeat steps three and four on the opposite side.

Wrap the ribbon around the present and tie a bow.

L H S S TAT E S M A N . C O M

Sports DEC. 8, 2016

LHS STATESMAN

By the Numbers 51

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POints aver-

.9 3 2

aGed By seniOr

anna Brecht last BasketBall seasOn

seed the vOlleyBall team went

state tOurnament

intO the

Calling all the Crazies In the past 51 years, LHS has had traditions that come and go. Entering with one generation, and leaving the next, there are no timetable expiration dates on what can happen through the hallways, the classrooms, in the lunchroom and also after school activities. One thing for sure is that the tradition of the Lincoln Crazies is here to stay. During the 2016 fall athletic

By Oliver lOckwOOd-POwell activities, LHS has been through ups and downs with wins and losses. The spark that keeps LHS moving as a well-oiled machine are the Lincoln Crazies, a group of fans that give their time, heart and passion to LHS no matter what the circumstance. They will bleed red, white and blue until they cannot hear themselves talk after the games. So far this year, there have been a few stu-

dents that have really stood out and have taken on the job as the biggest Lincoln Crazies. Through thick and thin, they have represented LHS to its fullest. They come to almost all sporting events. They yell at opponents and calm the Pats. They are the ones who do the dirty work, get the crowd going, yell at the freshmen if needed. They are, the Crazie seniors.

What makes you have so much pride for your school?

What are some things that a Lincoln Crazie does constantly?

What advice do you have for the younger ages of Lincoln Crazies?

Joe Sudbeck, 12

days until the first Girls and BOys BasketBall Games

Upcoming EvEnts

“The best school in the state and I want to support it in anyway that I possibly can.” “Pass…” “If you’re trying to show your school spirit, try to go to Jacob Alvine’s level, then take it a step further. Just kidding that’s impossible.”

Elma Sahuric, 12 “It is a great school, love the people.” “We. Go. CRAZIE.” “Be loud and proud, and just have fun.”

Saturday, Dec. 10

Varsity Boys Basketball vs. RHS @ LHS

Tuesday, Dec. 13

Varsity Wrestling Triangular vs. BVHS and OGHS @LHS

Saturday, Jan. 7

Varsity Gymnastics vs. Brookings @BHS

Logan Mueller, 12 “Because it’s foggy.” “Personal hygiene. You always need good personal hygiene.” “Scream until your ears bleed. There is no holding back, you just have to give it your all.”

Jacob Alvine, 12 “All the things that LHS does for us just makes me feel like we have to give back and show our love.” “Wash our hands.” “Kinda just try to be like me. Try and be the best person you think you can be, and when you get to that point, try harder to be more like me.” PHOTOS BY BAYLIE EMBRY

SPORTS

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

Richardson lifts her way to the top of the competition

By Jamie Brunken

The halls of LHS are filled with many different kinds of people. There are artists, musicians, scholars and athletes. One athlete in particular, senior Natalie Richardson, is making herself known in the sport of powerlifting and trying to become one of the best in not only the weight room of LHS, but also in the nation. Although Richardson is one of the best powerlifters in the U.S., she did not always have the passion for the sport that she has now. Here at LHS, a gym class is required, which could have been fate for Richardson, as that is where her love for the sport all began. “I took basic strength here at Lincoln,” said Richardson. “And I was like ‘wow, I’m really good at this.’ So after that class was done, I started with a personal trainer and he got me started on actual powerlifting. Then he retired, so

PHOTO PROVIDED BY NATALIE RICHARDSON

Senior Natalie Richardson competing at the USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals in October.

I switched to just a powerlifter trainer, and he’s really strong and has helped me a lot.” Being the best comes with a lot of training, and she prides herself on preparing for each meet. “A lot of the preparation is mental,” said Richardson. “So before your meets you will go into the hall and put some music on and try to block out everything. Other than that it is just a lot of

training and being consistent in your diet.” All of this preparing and hard work has paid off for Richardson, as she just placed in one of the top spots at a national meet that she attended in Atlanta, GA back in October. “I went to Raw Nationals this last weekend,” said Richardson. “I got second in the teen division, where we squat, bench and dead-

lift. Getting ready for this meet was different because we started training five months ago for this competition, which is a lot longer than normal. We also have programs that peak you for your meets, so you do five reps and then four reps and then three and so on, so I have been training for a long time.” Competing is not the only reason Richardson has a passion for the sport. Being surrounded by other lifters creates an atmosphere she hopes others can enjoy too. “My favorite thing about being a powerlifter is the community of lifters,” said Richardson. “At the meets we always have so much fun and everyone is really supportive, which is sometimes not the case for sports. I hope more people get into powerlifting to see how fun it is. We have a club here at LHS, but I would like to have a team that would be fun and everyone could get involved in.”

Defensive specialist Boyens breaks LHS volleyball records

By madison Landon Defensive specialist Anna Boyens has been playing volleyball and attending camps at Augustana University since she was in kindergarten. Now, as a senior and a thirdyear varsity starter, her love for the game has only continued to grow, pushing her to success at LHS. Boyens recently broke two school records for season digs and career digs. A dig is when a player keeps the ball from hitting the ground after the opposing team hits or spikes it over the net, so it is all defensive plays. The old record for season digs was set in 2006 of 530 digs, and the record for career digs was 1,084, set from 1999 to 2002. Boyens set new records with 887 season digs and 1501 career digs. With more than a month of the season left when she originally broke the records, Boyens was able put some distance between her new records and the old ones. This accomplishment was possible with the support of her coaches and teammates. “Our focus is playing together

PHOTO BY KARLI SOYLAND

Senior Anna Boyens breaks records for both season and career digs in her four years at LHS.

as a team, and that’s a huge part of volleyball,” said Boyens. “You can’t have one person do everything because three different people touch the ball on every play. The community of our team is awesome and our coaching staff does a really good job of pushing us to get the results that they want and they know that we want.” Like many athletes, Boyens does not play for the awards and records,

she plays because she loves the game. As a libero, Boyens is not the one scoring most of the points, so it feels good to have some records of her own. “Coming into Lincoln as an athlete it wasn’t even on my radar, and it wasn’t even last year but then we started to add up my stats and realized that was actually possible,” said Boyens. “It’s nice that my hard work has paid off in a way, and you hear

all the big names with the hitters, but it’s nice to get a little recognition as a defensive specialist sometimes.” Getting to the state tournament is a goal for every team at LHS, and volleyball is no exception. Boyens and the seniors had not made it into the state tournament in their whole careers so it was tough, but with excellent play by Boyens, LHS made it to state as the No. 8 seed. “Making it to state has been our goal all season and the moment that was achieved is a moment I’ll never forget,” said Boyens. “The road to state wasn’t easy as we had to play the max amount of district games to get to state, but it was worth it. I couldn’t have asked for anything more than end my senior season with a win at the state tournament. When the final whistle blew we didn’t jump up and cheer, instead it was hugs all around and tears began to fall. The memories made and the relationships formed will always be a part of me. Thank you Lincoln volleyball for everything you have done for me.”

SPORTS

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

Fall sports season overview; the ups and downs

BY JACK FEHRS

Girls Cross Country

The girls ran all over the competition this year. They placed first at state and brought home the hardware. Seniors Katie Patrick, Mandy Neff, Julia Breukelman, Sarah Flanagan, Lydia Hooker and Audrey Lortscher led the team. Courtney Klatt, a junior, placed first overall for the girls at state and Patrick placed 18th overall and fifth for LHS to lead the team to victory.

Cheer and Dance

Girls Cheer this year placed ninth at state through the leadership of seniors Hannah Best, Kayla Cox, Megan Doherty, Jaden Javers, Madison Lather and Olivia West. Dance also competed at state and placed sixth overall, led by senior Katlyn Davis.

Girls Tennis

This year, the LHS girls varsity tennis team was dominant. Led by seniors Brooke Lovrien and Sidney Brower, the girls went 25-0 and took home the state championship, the first time in 14 years at LHS. Next year will be just as competitive with many returning players.

Boys Soccer The boys won five games, tied three and lost four this season. They clawed their way through the state tournament to the quarterfinals but lost to OGHS. Seniors Trace Dobson, Shara Adana, Daniel Murillo and Blake Hustrulid, becoming the manager after sustaining an injury, all contributed to the team’s success.

Boys Cross Country

This year the varsity boys placed first in all of their meets in South Dakota and dominated the competition at the state meet. Senior Gabe Peters crossed the finish line first at state and Henry Klitzke, also a senior, crossed the finish line eighth. Seniors Eric Feng and Daniel Gertner also contributed to the team’s success during the regular season.

Football

Girls Soccer

The girls soccer team fought hard all season finishing with a record of 8-7. They were ranked eighth going into the playoffs and defeated Brandon Valley before losing in the final minutes to the number four seeded Rapid City Central. Seniors included Kennedi Keller, Madison Landon, Megan Landon, Michelle Lounsbery and Sydney Johnson.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LHS SPORTS TEAMS

The fall sports teams dominated the ﬁeld this season by bringing home three state titles and one second place title.

Volleyball

The volleyball girls had a good season and fought their way to the state tournament defeating Harrisburg in the first round of districts.They placed 7th in the state championship. Seniors Anna Boyens, Angie Lee, Maddi Barness, Anezka Szabo and Tominee Sorenson led the team. Boyens and Szabo broke school records this season.

Boys Golf

This fall, boys golf placed second overall at the state tournament in Aberdeen. Seniors George Mickelson, Bronson Vasa and Tyler Westra placed fifth, eighth, and 12th respectively. Senior Jack Koester and others competed throughout the season as well. Next season, the boys hope to again fiercely compete in the state tournament.

This season, varsity football went 3-7 with victories over OGHS, Rapid City Stevens and Brookings. On offense, wide receivers Eric Looby, Cole DeBerg, Stan Larson and running back Corey Fichter were threats. Trent Naasz played tight end and on the offensive line, Ben Schilling, Joe Sudbeck, Jack VanVeldhuizen and Tucker Hall blocked. Seniors Harrison Backer and Ben Boehrns played defensive line. The Patriots hope to improve and come back better than ever.

Girls Softball

Baylie Embry, Monique Renville and Alexis Smith paved the way for this year’s varsity softball team. The girls improved their record from last year significantly, from 4-20 to 1517. They ended up tying for seventh in the state tournament and look to keep improving through next year.

Standing Patriette

Another no-call interfering with crucial moments

BY MOLLY MCINTYRE

Every NFL season, fans find new reasons to complain. In the past there was the question over whether scoring plays and turnovers should be reviewed automatically rather than the team using one of their precious challenges. Now, every scoring play and turnover are reviewed in New York before being added to the scoreboard. But this isn’t good enough for the fans. There have been many who believe that pass interference should be reviewable via a challenge. The latest tip of the iceberg came on Oct. 16 when the Atlanta Falcons lost the game on a fourth down play. Julio Jones, one of the best receivers in

the league, was held up by Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks. In the heat of the moment, I was not able to see the contact. However, via the instant replay it was very obvious that Sherman had a hold on Jones. Falcon coach Dan Quinn was furious about the no-call, and he has every right to be. The NFL pulled out their printing press and wrote Atlanta a heartfelt letter apologizing for the gap in their officiating that game. As long as the printing press is out, the NFL might as well add another rule to their book. Pass interference calls should be reviewable via a challenge. They should not be treated like scoring plays and turnovers, where it is

reviewed every time an official isn’t sure if there was some sort of contact preventing the receiver from catching the ball. That would slow down the tempo of the game. But if a coach gets two challenges a game, three if they get their two correct, why are they not able to have an official go under the hood to see if their player was held up? This way the tempo of the game is not slowed. I do not think I could tell you how many games I have watched that have been decided by a defender hinder the receiver’s ability to catch the ball, or a receiver impeding a defender from making a game sealing interception. And the crazy thing is, half of these crucial penalties are not

called or are called inadequately. Every time my Chargers get jipped by one of these plays, I blame the officials. But it is not a problem of officiating. I understand how hard it is to catch moments like these in real time. Adding this rule will help out the officials without slowing the tempo of the game. Pass interference calls should have the ability to be challenged so there are not crucial games being decided by the wrong calls or no-calls. I promise you that if my Chargers make it to the Super Bowl someday and are outfoxed by the wrong or no call, there will be hell to pay. It is time to make the fans happy and make some annotations to the rulebook.

MEET THE

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

CHOIR Aiden Berdahl, 12

Who would play you in a movie and why: Myself, in the documentary they’ll make about my life in 60 years Hidden talent: Speed skating, it’s so hidden I don’t even know about it Musician that best portrays you and why: Ice Cube, because he doesn’t have a French accent

Liam Swart, 12

Who would play you in a movie and why: One of the “Horseman” from “Now You See Me.” I love magic tricks and heist movies Hidden talent: “Perfect Pitch” Musician that best portrays you and why: “Weird Al” Yankovic. His personality is very similar to mine

Nick Peters, 12

Who would play you in a movie and why: Tina Fey, she just gets me, you know? Hidden talent: I’m kind of psychic. I have a fifth sense. It’s like ESPN or something Musician that best portrays you and why: Meghan Trainor; because I’m all about that bass

Graham Ferguson, 12

Who would play you in a movie and why: Guy Fieri (from Food Network,) because Food Network stays lit Hidden talent: Pen tapping Musician that best portrays you and why: DJ Khaled…“Don’t ever play yourself ”

Maren Schultz, 12

Who would play you in a movie and why: Emilia Clarke, because I’m the Khaleesi (bow down) Hidden talent: Tolerating freshmen Musician that best portrays you and why: Hannah Montana, because I go back and forth from blonde to brunette all the time

Bekah Bollin, 12

Who would play you in a movie and why: Daniel Radcliffe, because I am the real Harry Potter Hidden talent: My ability to sleep instead of being productive Musician that best portrays you and why: Phil Collins, because “I don’t care anymore”

Holly Fitterer, 12

Who would play you in a movie and why: Melissa McCarthy. Humor is not the only thing we have in common… Hidden talent: Being an actual princess Musician that best portrays you and why: Fat Amy. We are awkward but it works for us

ORCHESTRA

Ben Wentzel, 11

Who would play you in a movie and why: Donnie Yen, because he’s awesome Hidden talent: Playing the didgeridoo Musician that best portrays you and why: Itzhak Perlman is who I aspire to be like

Abby Falconer, 11

Who would play you in a movie and why: Chiarello, because he likes to make fun of people and is always tired Hidden talent: At any given moment I cannot care about anything Musician that best portrays you and why: Kelly Clarkson, because everybody’s got a dark side

E VARSITY

STATESMAN | Dec. 8, 2016

BAND

Becca Johnson, 12

Who would play you in a movie and why: Mary Frances Coyne, because we share a love of civil infrastructure Hidden talent: I can brush my hair by holding a brush between my feet Musician that best portrays you and why: Rick Astley, because I’ll never give you up

Jenna Christensen, 11

Who would play you in a movie and why: Anna Effinger, because I aspire to be as cute as her Hidden talent: Making Megan LeMaster short Musician that best portrays you and why: Ruquia Mulamba, because we always have fun when we’re not supposed to

Anna Effinger, 12 Who would play you in a movie and why: Jenna Christensen, because she’s cute Hidden talent: Power naps Musician that best portrays you and why: Emily Liberko, because we’re usually both screaming

Tim White, 11

Who would play you in a movie and why: Tom Hanks, because our first names are almost exactly the same Hidden talent: I can recite the digits of pi up to 2 decimal places Musician that best portrays you and why: Nick Jonas, because we are both diabetic

STUDENT COUNCIL Tanner Hauck, 12

Who would play you in a movie and why: Matthew McConaughey, because he’s mad good at those Lincoln Car commercials Hidden talent: Tying knots with pull apart licorice, cherry...not strawberry. That stuff’s gross Musician that best portrays you and why: Lil Yachty, his music is trash but his hair is fine

Emma Thoelke, 12

Who would play you in a movie and why: Elma, because she’s so loud Hidden talent: Being untalented Musician that best portrays you and why: Rihanna, because she’s a baddie

Kenna Decker, 12

Featured in next issue: Basketball, Oral Interp, Gymnastics, Debate and Wrestling

Who would play you in a movie and why: Emma Watson, because I love her Hidden talent: Chubby bunny Musician that best portrays you and why: Taylor Swift, pre snake era

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