The Royal Page: November Issue

the

page

ROYAL

ROLLING THE DICE INTO HHS

Tuesday, November 26, 2013 Volume 32 Issue 3

C-Spread, pg. 6-7 Discussion of altenate paths to arrive at HHS, including transfers from private schools, other conference schools, out of state and international schools

www.hopkinsrp.org

Malika Musa, senior, Josie Brott, junior, and Nyjee Arradondo, Noble Fahnbulleh, and Maray Singleton, seniors, present their ideas at the World Cafe. The district hosted this event on Nov. 12, 2013.

Photo illustration by Maddie Malat with photos by Travis Andries

Student Steering Committee hosts World Cafe to promote engagement

By Naomi Borowsky, Asia Snetter Editor in Chief, Staff Reporter The Hopkins community came together to create a recipe for success at an event titled the ‘World Cafe.’

“The main purpose of World Cafe was to get a conversation going with our parents, with our faculty, with our school board, and with the superintendent,” said Maray Singleton,

senior.

Singleton is a member of the Student Steering Committee for Advancing Student Engagement and Success (SSC) along with Malika Musa, Noble Fahnbulleh, Nyjee Arradondo, seniors, and Josie Brott, junior.

Ms. Patty Johnson, principal and Mr. Tyson Crockett, Academic Dean oversee the group.

“This is a group of passionate, young adults in this building that have gathered together as leaders,” Johnson said.

The SSC started in June 2013 in response to concerns about the relationship between students of color and staff, as well as student engagement at the school. After the student walk-out last spring, the SSC hosted a World Cafe and created a strategic plan with a list of recommendations for the principal and school board.

On Nov. 12, 2013, the district hosted another World Cafe specifically focused on student engagement.

“We’ve really been having conversations for two years about student engagement.

When superintendent Dr. Shultz brought it to our attention that he would like to do the World Cafe around student engagement, it was a nice fit into what we are working on,” Johnson said. “It all kind of fit together well and is pushing us in the right direction.”

Participants rotated from table to table in small groups led

by SSC members. Each table

discussed three different questions: 1. What is your personal vision of a successfully engaged high school in three-five years?

2. When you think about HHS today, what do we need to start, stop, and do more of to increase student engagement in the classroom and create a more welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment at our school?

3. How can we ensure that students, staff, teachers, administrators, families, and board

members are all on the same page when it comes to student engagement?

After discussing, the group came back together and ‘harvested’ information from the small group conversations.

Community members mainly pushed for an increased need for personal relationships between students and teachers and more variety in teaching style.

WORLD CAFE cont. on page 2

Girls basketball works to continue success

A different kind of choir concert

By Eli Badower Sports Editor

By Roxy Krietzman Photo Editor

Dynasty. That seems to be the most accurate word to describe the current state of the HHS girls basketball team.

They have achieved a level of success previously unseen in Minnesota high school girls basketball by winning three straight State championships in the largest class. However, Mr. Brian Cosgriff, head coach and Physical Education teacher at Alice Smith Elementary school, insists that the fourpeat will not be a distraction.

“We don’t talk about the four-peat. We just focus on

trying to be the best we can each and every day,” Cosgriff said.

The Royals are losing four starters from last year’s team, three of which are currently playing Division One basketball.

Included in that is McDonald’s All American Nia Coffey, who was instrumental in all three State championships.

“You can never fully replace players of that magnitude, they were a special group that only comes around so often. Our group this year will be a completely different team. We won’t be as athletic, but our kids have been working very hard because they know the expectations are

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Royal Productions performs fall musical, ‘Little Shop Variety, of Horrors.’

pg. 8

very high,” Cosgriff said.

Molly O’Toole, senior captain, still has confidence that they can continue their success this season.

“I think people question us because we lost so many talented players from last year,” O’Toole said.

GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW cont. on page 10

Bianca Williams, junior, and Taylor Lindquist, senior, scrimage at captains practice. The team started official practice last week.

Photo by Maddie Malat

HHS choir students have taken the stage many times in their career. However, on Nov. 23, 20 HHS choir students took the stage at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium alongside Grammy nominated pop band, Paramore.

Bisrat Bayou, junior and member of Geoff, was excited when he was chosen to perform with the group.

Paramore is a pop trio originally from Franklin, TN. Formed in 2004, Paramore’s music has grown in popularity over the past few years. Their recent single “Still Into You”

climbed to number eight on the music billboard. St. Paul, MN was the 24th stop on their US tour to promote their fourth album, “Paramore.”

“At first, when Mr. Brown told me, I didn’t believe it. I thought it was a joke,” Bayou said.

In addition to members of Geoff and Midori, a small group of concert choir students were also asked to sing.

Kylie Schneider, senior and concert choir member, was shocked when she heard the news that she had also been PARAMORE cont. on page 9

Content on hopkinsrp.org

Girls hockey preview

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver, Greg Jennings, talks “Financial Football” at HHS

Preview of girls varsity hockey season goals and Sports, expectations

pg. 11

RP Tuesday, November 26, 2013

the

2 news

Finding new ways to cheat

By Haley DenHartog Staff Reporter With modern technology, cheating has become a whole new game for some students.

When teachers hand out an assignment, they trust their students to be honest and use their own knowledge to complete the given task.

“Kids that choose to take advanced level classes and cheat are good kids, but they are stressed,” said Ms. Ann Sateren-Burow, social studies.

“It’s even easier to cheat now in the age of technology, with things like the internet and cell phones and Facebook groups.”

“I would hope that students don’t place too much emphasis on an ‘A’ or a ‘B’ because ultimately that’s not who you are.

You’re not an ‘A’ and you’re not a ‘B.’ It’s really about your integrity and once that kid has cheated in class, it’s difficult for me to look at the person the same way anymore. They didn’t have the courtesy to tell

me that they were struggling,” said Mr. Jay Katzenmeyer, mathematics.

For teachers, trust has become an important factor in the classroom when it comes to tests and assignments.

“I left the room one time during a test, and when I came back, there was a group of students in the corner and they had the exact test that we were taking and all of the answers laying on the floor. We had to rewrite everything- all of our exams, everything. We figured if one of them was out there, the rest of them were too.

Cheating just creates a ton of work for people,” Katzenmeyer said.

In many colleges around the U.S., students must sign an honor code for each exam that is given, saying that all of your work is your own and you did not cheat nor witness someone else cheating. If a student fails to sign, they are brought to a larger group of administration to discuss their reasoning.

RP

BRIEFS

Royal Page wins Pacemaker For the first time in nearly 20 years, “The Royal Page” has won the Pacemaker Award. This award is given to a select group of student newspapers in the U.S. by the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA). The award was given at the NSPA High School Journalism Convention in Boston, Mass. on Nov. 17.

“The Royal Page” was last nominated for the award in 2001 and was one of three finalists from Minn. The others were “The Echo” from St. Louis Park High School and “The Viewer” from Mounds View High School in Arden Hills. Ursula Arhart and Lydia Wilson were the editors of last year’s Royal Page.

Paws for Thought rescues animals This year, a new club, Paws for Thought, was formed at HHS. The group aims to raise money for animal rescue organizations and inform students about real-life animal issues.

The club, started by Madeline Warshaw and Hannah Boggess, seniors, was promoting their first initiative last week. During lunch, club members were selling $2 handmade flower accessories for pet collars. The fundraiser has already made over $250, and expects to make even more. The proceeds will be donated to Pet Project Rescue, an organization that brings abandoned dogs from Mexico to Minnesota to be adopted.

Paws for Thought has many other plans for the remainder of the year, including outreach and volunteering at local shelters or pet stores in addition to fundraisers.

“I’m really excited for what we have in store, and I encourage everyone to join,” Warshaw said.

ProStart Culinary visits Le Cordon Bleu On Thursday, Nov. 7, members of the HHS ProStart Culinary program attended a Culinary Boot Camp at Le Cordon Bleu in Mendota Heights, MN. While at the Boot Camp, the Le Cordon Bleu staff taught ProStart Culinary Teams from schools around the state techniques for breaking down an eight-piece chicken and slicing, chopping, and dicing vegetables.

After learning these techniques, the students participated in a mock culinary competition with the teams from the other school. In the competition, the students had to plan and complete tasks with time restrictions.

The ProStart Culinary Program was designed for students who are interested in joining the culinary field in the future. With the curriculum, the students are exposed to real-world culinary situations and learn what it is like to be involved in the culinary workforce.

Briefs by Hannah Boggess and Haley DenHartog

“There are going to be consequences for not using your own work, and whether you are caught and it’s a consequence of losing points or expulsion at the collegiate level, or in the work world maybe the consequence is that you go into a meeting for your job and you are expected to speak on something that you are supposed to have researched, and you didn’t actually do any of that, then the consequence is there. You look like a fool,” Sateren-Burow said.

While cheating options continue to expand for students, teachers are working harder to prevent it from happening.

Over the past few years, teachers have had students submit many assignments electronically through websites like turnitin.com. On that particular site, the assignment is run through the system and mechanically searched for plagiarism. Teachers look for high percentages of similarity

According to plagiarism.org, 80 percent of high school students around the U.S. admit to cheating. 51 Photo by Roxy Krietzman percent of those students said they do not think it is wrong.

and take further steps from there.

“I want to say teachers should trust their students but, honestly, I know most kids google a lot of answers.

They probably shouldn’t leave their students alone in a roomthat’s probably one of the big

ones,” said Afsana Umutoni, senior.

While taking the easy way out is appealing to select students, others agree that being honest in your work means more than just a grade.

“I wish kids would understand, eventually, ten to fifteen

years from now, whether you got an ‘A’ or a ‘B’ in Pre Calc, people won’t care. But, ten to fifteen years from now, you’re going to look back on it and think, ‘Wow, these people don’t trust me anymore.’ And I think that means more than the ‘A’ or the ‘B,’” Katzenmeyer said.

AP Macroeconomic students experience the stock market in an online simulation

By Joe Greene Front Page/News Editor It’s impossible to grasp the principles of economics with just textbooks, PowerPoints, and lectures. Students in AP Macroeconomics go beyond these standard tools and simulate what they learn in a virtual stock exchange game available through the Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch.

“The stock market game is a lot more interactive than a textbook. I feel like I’m getting real world experience, and I am more prepared if I want to be in a financial field.” said Griffin Meuwissen, senior.

In this virtual stock game, students invest stocks in real companies, such as Apple, Google, Kraft Foods, and Kellogg’s. Each student starts off with $100,000 in the game to invest in whatever companies they choose. As competitors, students learn that it’s crucial to keep up with current news and company trends to maintain an edge in the game.

“I recently invested in Lionsgate because I am anticipating that the movie “Catching Fire” coming out on Nov. 22, is going to make the company a lot of money. Already I see many people buying tickets in advance worldwide,” said Kaley Inman, senior.

Recognizing the value of this hands-on learning for his students, Mr. Dale Stahl, AP Macroeconomics teacher, has used the stock market game with his classes for ten years.

Stahl sees the game as a highly effective learning tool, not only because it deals with real companies, but also because it shows students the volatility of the market in real time.

“Recently, Apple’s stock went down dramatically because of a mistake they made in real life with selling cheap iPhone merchandise to thirdworld countries. It was funny to see how it affected the class.

Many student’s rankings went down a lot as a result.” Inman said.

In addition to watch-

ing how the news affects the market and their rankings, students learn how investing in different types of stock has consequences.

“I’ve seen a lot of kids being successful because they deviate from the long term investment strategies Mr. Stahl taught us such as investing in Blue Chip companies,” said Jordan Barry, senior. “Instead, kids short sell Penny Stock companies over and over again and make a lot of profit. This is very risky because you could lose all your money at once.”

Stahl emphasizes to his students how unpredictable the stock market can be in the short-term, and the danger of making irrational investments.

“In past financial crashes, people would invest and take loans, and when stock prices fell, they would buy too many stocks and have too much confidence in them. It’s because of the 2008 financial collapse that the state now mandates that schools require a financial literacy class. I hope my stu-

dents are excited about saving but can also minimize risk,” Stahl said Stahl believes that what makes the stock market game effective is that students can apply textbook theories of macroeconomics in the simulation and bring those concepts to life.

Inman agrees that the textbook is useful to a point, but sees the stock market game as a necessary component to the class.

“In order to get an accurate idea of what the stock market is like in real life, I have to also actively do it. I learn better when things are tangible and I can apply it to real life.” Inman said.

“One of the biggest things I want kids to learn is to save at a early age and use the stock market to invest. They’ll learn that there are risks involved in the stock market. But because they are young and have time, they have the potential to come out on top,” Stahl said.

Student Steering Committee hosts World Cafe WORLD CAFE Continued from page 1 The discussion of student engagement also focussed on the achievement gap and creating an environment where every student feels welcome.

The World Cafe symbolizes that as people create their lives, organizations, and communities, they are, in effect, moving among ‘table conversations’ at the World Cafe.

Currently, the SSC is working on recruitment since four of five members are seniors.

“We don’t want this to be a one time thing or a one year thing so we’re choosing an application process on who we want to be on SSC,” Brott said.

The administration also hopes to spread the progress happening at the high school to the whole district.

“We’re looking at how to carry out this work and institu-

tionalize the good work that’s going on at the high school K-12, across the district,” Johnson said.

Since attending the first World Cafe last spring, Fahnbulleh has committed to this cause.

“I want to make sure that people wake up in the morning and want to come to school, and when they do come to school, they feel comfortable, and they do well,” Fahnbulleh

said.

The SSC plans to host more World Cafe events in the future and welcomes the whole community to join in on this discussion.

I want to make sure that people wake up in the morning and want to come to school.

-Noble Fahnbulleh, senior

news 3

the

RP Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Vaping on the rise in teens

By Ellie Maag News Editor

DeAndre Boyd, senior, wakes up everyday at 5:50 am. After he gets up, he grabs an e-cigarette, often mango or strawberry flavored, and presses the button a few times to warm up the nicotine. He smokes it for a while, then gets ready for the day.

E-cigarettes are electronic smoking devices that use liquid nicotine instead of harmful substances like tar to simulate the act of smoking.

Boyd isn’t the only one smoking this new device. In recent years, “vaping,” or the smoking of e-cigarettes, has become more popular among U.S. citizens. Teenagers have recently joined in on the fad.

“I’ve seen a lot of my friends do it, and it’s becoming more relevant to more people. When cigarettes went up in price, everybody started getting e-cigarettes. You can smoke indoors, and the smell doesn’t follow you,” Boyd said.

Even though it is illegal for minors to use e-cigarettes, teen e-cigarette usage is increasing in popularity.

According to the most recent National Youth Tobacco Survey, the percentage of teens who have tried e-cigarettes was up to 10 percent in 2012

Studies are still being done to discover the long term effects of vaping. Students said that they smoke e-cigarettes as a “healthier” alternative.

Photo by Roxy Krietzman

from 4.7 percent in 2011.

Overall, 1.78 million middle and high school students tried e-cigarettes in 2012.

Many professionals are alarmed by these statistics, especially because there has been little research done on the effects and safety of these

devices.

Sometimes, e-cigarettes are marketed as ways to help people quit smoking even though, according to a scientific study

by The Lancet, a British medical journal, only 7.3 percent of people quit smoking 6 months after trying e-cigarettes.

New to HHS

“They’re not proven to have bad side effects, but, that’s what people said about cigarettes. No one really knows,” said Justin Tran, senior.

The Hopkins City Council also has questions about ecigarettes.

This summer, an e-ciga-

rette retailer, Vaping Studio, approached the Hopkins City Council to ask for a license to sell e-cigarettes in Hopkins.

After granting the store a year to operate, the city council passed a moratorium on all future e-cigarette stores.

“We had a number of ques-

tions staff could not answer since this is a relatively new phenomenon. Rather than deal with it quickly as more applications for licenses came in, we decided to put a halt to it to learn more,” said Jim Genellie, Assistant City Manager for the Hopkins City Council.

Kids under the age of 18 cannot buy e-cigarettes directly. Just like other tobacco retailers, Vaping Studio is subject to random compliance checks where the police department sends in an underage kid and sees if the store lets them sample or buy e-cigarettes.

However, the question about use of e-cigarettes among teens remains. “It is something we take very seriously and one of our main concerns moving forward,” Genellie said.

Students have reported seeing other students smoking e-cigarettes in class. E-cigarettes are odorless and produce water vapor instead of smoke, making it harder for teachers and staff to notice.

However, the administration stated that it has not had problems with e-cigarettes in school so far. “I would just tell students to respect school policy. School is not the place for substances,” said Traci Meyer, Dean of Students.

Throughout the year, the Royal Page will be introducing new staff to you. These are the third set.

What got you into becoming a band director?

I always liked good teachers of any subject, so I knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I did not know what I wanted to teach. My most inspirational teachers were my English teachers, but my hobby was music. Then I realized these two things can combine, and that is how I became a music teacher.

Mr. Ross Wolf, Music

What is your favorite HHS band concert?

I am really excited about the POPS concert in February.

It is like a variety show and band concert mix. You will hear movie music, some jazz music. We will be playing songs that normally you won’t hear bands play.

What is your favorite genre of music to conduct?

I really like jazz. It is probably my favorite music to teach. I am not really conducting jazz as much as you might see me in a concert band. It is more fun for me, and it is more fun for the kids. It is much more upbeat and moving. I think the kids really relate to it better than just the band music.

What is your favorite art class to teach and why?

Ms. Rebecca Meyer, Art

My favorite thing to teach is my ceramics class, which I teach at the junior high. Here at HHS, my favorite class to teach is Drawing and Painting. I love to teach both of them. They are just very different types of practices. I love the hands aspect of ceramics But, I love drawing and painting and how much you can really see your students grow.

What is your favorite art to see your students create?

I really like seeing students’ paintings. I love seeing their color mixing, and how they put color combinations together. The students grow a lot in Drawing and Painting. They can begin by picking up a paintbrush and not knowing what to do with it. But, after a few classes they can really get the hang of painting, so they can become successful very fast. I think that is fun for them to see.

Interviews by Jacob Ungerman

Results from the Winter Week Polls

Student Government conducted a poll to discern students’ opinions on the Winter Week dance.

Infographic by Isabella Weisman

RPTuesday, November 26, 2013

the

4 opinion

Rethinking ‘pics or it didn’t happen’ idea The staff editorial represents the viewpoint of the Royal Page.

Social media began as a way for people to occasionally share pieces of their lives and learn about the lives of others.

People, for example, posted pictures from their vacations, stated their opinion on relevant topics, and let people know when they were out of town.

However, over the years,

social media has transformed from a way for people to share a little bit about their life into a network that consumes the lives of teens. Some people no longer base their social media on their life, but instead base their life around their social media.

Some people use their “likes,” “favorites,” and “followers,” as a means to measure their self worth. They lose a realistic view of how others perceive them, and believe

social medias reflect other peoples’ opinions of them. For example, a person with a large following on Twitter may have an artificially high self esteem, while someone who is less prominent on social media may feel unpopular.

Instagram is another form of social media where people can post pictures. While sharing some pictures may be fun, many people have taken it to an extreme. People may post hourly pictures of insignifi-

cant things for the sole purpose of getting “likes,” such as themselves on “Selfie Sunday.”

Look, we aren’t saying that picture of you and your dog in your room isn’t cute, but we already saw it last week. And the week before.

Also, while sites like Instagram allow people to post a picture of the good times they are having, some people are more interested in taking pictures that make it look like they are having a good time,

instead of actually having one.

They may even base their activities around what they think will result in good pictures. For example, many students show up to sporting events dressed in blue, but they are too busy taking pictures and tweeting to actually pay attention to the game and cheer their team on.

And lastly, please be mindful of your followers before you tweet too many irrelevant things. You wouldn’t want them to do the same. Just

remember the golden rule: tweet others the way that you wish to be tweeted.

As technology becomes more prominent in society, it is understandable that people use their phones and other technology more often than in the past. However, we would like to encourage those reading this to just enjoy the moment without having to capture it and make everyone else aware of your experiences.

Are contact sports worth the risk? The hairy tradition lives on

By Sam Hromatka Web Editor in Chief My high school football career came to an end due to leg injuries, just like many other high school athletes have experienced in their respective sports.

Although it was a very emotional experience sitting out for the majority of my senior season, it was somehow a blessing in disguise because of another injury looming in my past.

In the last three years, I have suffered three concussions. Two of these happened within half a year, the second being the worst.

I’m not the same person I used to be prior to my head injuries.

T

op 10

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

:

I find myself more irritable than I used to be, and people around me have noticed as well.

School has become more difficult for me; after three concussions, subjects that used to click no longer do.

So what’s the point to this, other than me going on a rant?

Simply put, protect your brain.

I love football, and everything about the game. It was one of the most enjoyable things of my childhood. However, if I were to do it all over, I may not have played.

Nine years ago when I was approached with the prospect of playing football as a fourth grader, I’d have definitely reconsidered playing if I knew what it could lead to.

Sure, football isn’t the only sport where concussions are prevalent; more and more athletes suffer from them every year.

I’m not saying you are going to get a concussion, but it is definitely a high possibility in any contact sport.

I’m also not discouraging anyone from participating in sports that could end with a concussion, but athletes must weigh everything out and think about the long term effects.

I have a long life ahead of me, hopefully one unaffected by my concussions in the long run.

Worst things to mention

on a college application

I’ve only gotten one felony and it will probably get wiped from my record I have a six-pack

I single-handedly talked my way out of getting a minor I can dunk I stayed in Spanish 5 for a whole week I give, like, no effort and still get decent grades I beat Guitar Hero on expert I get at least 100 likes on Selfie Sundays

I look cute in your school colors I have zero cavities

By Paul Vogt Staff Reporter November is the worst month of them all. Not just because it’s cold, which it is.

Not because I’ve already eaten all my halloween candy, which I have. Nope. November is the worst month of the year for one reason: I cannot grow facial hair to save my life.

“No-Shave November” has dated all the way back to the renaissance. The tradition has been going strong for centuries. Today, it promotes awareness for prostate cancer. But in high school, it proves who the alpha male is. It separates the men from the boys. And every year I fail to succeed in growing anything on my face.

I have done numerous studies and extensive research as to why I cannot grow a beard, or even a little mustache. I have learned it is hopeless and that I will forever be hairless. I tried everything.

I came across one idea while watching my Saturday morning cartoons. During Pokemon, an ad interrupted

my show: Chia Pet. Amazingly, I learned those animals were able to grow fur at an astonishing rate. So I ordered myself a chia pet hoping they could tell me their secrets. Immediately, when my token to facial hair came in the mail, I did not hesitate to act. I read the instructions. Then, I sprinkled the “magic grow seed” on my face. It said water three times a day, so I made sure I watered my face six times a day for good measure, while keeping light on it at all times by taping a flashlight to my forehead.

After a week, still no improvement. Two weeks went by.

Nothing. I realized this wasn’t working.

I wasn’t giving up though.

I thought to myself, “maybe I can trick people to think I can grow a mustache. Then I’ll fit in.” I went online to www. fakemustache.com/mustache and purchased the MegaStache 3000, the supior of fake staches. At first, it was life changing. Until I tried to eat my Lucky Charms. Every time I took a bite, the marshmallows got caught in my Super-

Stache 3000. It was a marshmallow magnet. I looked on the box where, in big red letters, it said “WARNING: DO NOT CONSUME LUCKY CHARMS WHILE WEARING THIS PRODUCT.” After three days of not eating anything and losing 18 pounds, my mom made me get rid of it.

Once again, my lip was as bare as a hairless poodle. I was down to my last option.

I went to Petsmart and visited their rodent section.

There I found five, average sized, light brown hamsters: Squeakers, Carmel, SnickerDoodle, Princess Cupcake, and Josh. After I purchased them, I asked the lady at the desk if she could help me tape them on my face. Minutes later, I was escorted by security out of the store. They took them all.

Even Squeakers.

I had no hope. I will forever be cursed. I had failed yet again. If anyone reading this has any information or advice as to how to grow facial hair, please contact me as soon as possible.

the legitimate feeling of loss as the screen fades to black for the last time.

As some philosopher once said, “all good things must come to an end.” If you had asked me to affirm this statement after the final episode of Breaking Bad, I may have punched you in the face. That television show made me feel like I was living on the edge while in the comfort of my own home.

Television and movies are extremely prominent in our lives. The theme for our homecoming week was Netflix.

Countless tweets mention how someone is just going to stop doing homework and watch T.V. instead.

I connected to Breaking Bad because it seemed radical, about a topic I had never really explored in school. We use T.V. shows to explore foreign concepts and people.

Today, the hours we spend alone and attached to a screen often end up creating community connections. But, the

next day, instead of discussing the weather, students are heard analyzing a T.V. show.

We are part of the first generation to grow up with television ingrained in our lives. Our parents played Baby Einstein infront of our fresh and mushy brains, hoping it would increase our IQ’s. Theories are all over about the effects of screen time on our brains. If you believe that television is too ingrained in our daily lives, I believe you just haven’t found the series for you.

Whenever I see a teacher about to turn on a movie, I can literally feel my brain going somewhere else. Relevant YouTube clips and different movies are shown in nearly every class and are an impactful learning tool, often making a concept seem more human and relatable.

The amount of television I watch won’t change anytime soon, and maybe that’s for the best. But what do I know? Maybe my brain has already turned to mush from too much screen time.

The end has come: Breaking Sad

By Lily Goldfarb Variety Editor One of the reasons I was excited for Chemistry was to learn how to manufacture crystal meth.

I wanted to be in Small Business Management to learn how not to end up in a room with a drug lord, and I found myself in Engineering to learn how to fix a broken mobile home.

These choices were influenced by my consistent Sunday night plans. At 8:00, I could be found disregarding my homework and completely immersed in Breaking Bad. Many teenagers have experienced a similar total obsession with a television series. After spending countless hours on Netflix with our favorite characters, we start to feel real emotions for them. We go through heartbreak when Jim and Pam on The Office got married and feel genuinely ripped off at the end of the Lost series.

These connections lead to

feature 5

the

RPTuesday, November 26, 2013

The lives of four students tackling college math UMPTYMP and PSEO offer math experiences beyond the high school classroom

By Isabel Hall Staff Reporter

Bo Peng, junior, poses with a physics equation he recently learned. The last class Peng was enrolled in at the University of Minnesota was multi-variable calculus.

a great learning experience for advanced math students.

“It’s great to have some challenging experiences at a college and work at the top of my capabilities with other teenagers like me, but at the same time, math is by far the most stressful part of my week in school. The additional work and tests outside of school can be rough, but I truly appreciate the class and the challenge it presents me,” Zhou said.

“As to how my accelerated classes have affected my social life, it’s a lot less of an effect than you’d think. I don’t know

what other people are talking about when they complain about high school teachers, but beyond that, I’ve made more friends than I’ve lost through math,” Peterson said.

Bayer has had similar experiences.

“Honestly, the direction my math career took has enhanced my social life so much.

Being a part of the UMTYMP program has led me to meeting a variety of new people, some of whom are now my closest friends,” Bayer said.

Although these students put a great deal of time and effort

into their math courses, not all of them want to pursue with a mathrelated career.

“It’s a bit of a running joke in my circle of UMTYMP friends that I should have dropped after Calc I, since my projected career plans currently all include language arts,” Bayer said.

Others intend to use their math experience in their future fields of study.

“I will most likely be going into engineering, which is an extremely math intensive field,” Peterson said.

For these students, math is more than a class in school. It’s

from gluten sensitivity. HHS students struggle everyday to find foods that accommodate their intolerances.

“Maintaining a gluten free diet has changed my life in many ways because it’s a lot harder to find things to eat,” Rhodes said. “I always have to watch what I eat because I don’t want to get sick by being cross contaminated.”

Gluten is a staple among the majority of the population

of the world. There are various strands of gluten intolerance, but the most common intolerance is Celiac disease.

Rhodes was diagnosed with Celiac during her freshman year.

“When I was diagnosed with Celiac, part of me was relieved because I knew that I would feel better, but I knew that I wouldn’t be allowed to eat most of my favorite foods,” Rhodes said.

Noa Parker, senior, has also been gluten free for a year.

“I’m gluten free because I have a thyroid disease called Hashimoto’s,” Parker said.

In the long run, if Parker ate gluten, her stomach would not be capable of digesting it so she would gain weight and her small intestine would start to rip.

Parker’s father also has the thyroid disease and her whole house, for the most part, maintains a gluten free diet.

“Being gluten free actually gave me more energy, and I lost a lot of weight. I felt like my lifestyle had changed. I wasn’t as tired and it was easier to play sports,” Parker said.

Jumping into a gluten free diet can be a difficult transition.

“At the beginning I refused to do it. I thought that it was crazy and would break it all the time,” Parker said.

Nicole Dewitz, sophomore, was gluten free for two years without being diagnosed with a specific disease.

“I would get really bad headaches from eating gluten because those foods are really bad for you,” Dewitz said.

Dewitz said that being gluten free took out all of her favorite foods from her diet, including pizza and bread.

Lunds, Byerly’s, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s grocery stores stock gluten free choices and offer recipes on their websites.

“At the beginning, it was difficult finding foods to eat, but my mom asked the doctor what brands we could buy,” Parker said.

Local restaurants have also caught on to the need for gluten free options.

Pizza Lucé, Big Bowl, Original Pancake House, French Meadow, and Noodles and Company also have a section of their menus dedicated to gluten free options.

Despite the accessibility of gluten free options, HHS has yet to offer them in the cafeteraia.

something they’ve committed their time to for years. Peng likens his devotion to math to a football fan’s obsession with the game.

“Why are people who know math called “nerds?” There are plenty of people who care

Photo by Maddie Malat

about football but don’t play it, and yet spend hours of their time watching it, researching it, memorizing statistics, talking about it, or thinking about it, and yet they aren’t a football nerd?” Peng said.

RP

the

To most students this looks like a foreign language, but to Christian Peterson, senior, it looks like a basic homework problem.

Peterson has been in accelerated math since second grade.

“I don’t view myself as ‘gifted’ so to speak, but more as just a normal person who happens to have an aptitude for seeing patterns in numbers,” Peterson said.

The class he is currently taking is Cryptology, the study of codes and number theory.

It is a 5000 level course at the University of Minnesota: generally for juniors and seniors in college.

Peterson hasn’t taken a math class through the Hopkins school district since 6th grade. He first took classes through UMTYMP (University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program), but now he is a PSEO student at the University of Minnesota.

Estelle Bayer, junior, and Andrew Zhou, sophmore, are also part of the UMTYMP program.

Nearly 900 students test into the program annually during March/April. In 201112, UMTYMP enrolled over 500 students in 26 classes: 12 high school level and 14 college level classes.

The classes can be time consuming, but they produce

Stay up-to-date with

Gluten intolerance: not just an allergy

By Ruby Krietzman Staff Reporter

Abigail Rhodes, sophomore, can clearly remember the last meal she ate that contained gluten: it was margherita pizza, and it made her extremely sick.

Rhodes has not eaten bread, bagels, pasta, or any kind of wheat product in the past year.

She is one of 18 million people worldwide who suffer

Infographic by Julia Jallo and Ruby Krietzman

@THEROYALPAGE

Interconference Students

Students have come to HHS from

one of our four conference schools—

Wayzata, Edina, Eden Prairie, or Min-

netonka—at various times in their high

school career. They changed for a va-

riety of reasons, including academics,

athletics, or social life.

2 private school 7 out-of-state 7 international schools 32publicin MN

Kelly Gabriele

senior Keyshawn Morgan, junior

“By switching schools, I learned that sometimes change is good. I also feel more comfortable at HHS, diversity wise.”

Junior class transfers in

0 private school 3 private school New to HHS out-of-state 2 out-of-state sophomores 5 48 0 international 8 international juniors schools 23 public schools 18public in MN 29 seniors 15 in MN

Senior class transfers in

Private Schools Many students at HHS start at a

private school with a completely differ-

ent style of learning. HHS, as a public

school, can be a very unfamiliar atmo-

sphere to students who have never experienced it before.

Sophomore class transfers in

“By moving from out-of-state, I learned that meeting new people and having friendship skills is really important.”

148

charter schools in Minnesota

214

public high in Minnes

Sam Kiefer, senior

One year hiatus and back to HHS After attending Hopkins schools for her whole life, Kelly Gabriele, senior, made the decision to switch to Minnetonka High School (MHS). However, after just one year there, Gabriele returned to HHS. MHS and HHS are very close in terms of proximity and size, but to the students, there are palpable contrasts.

“The biggest difference between the two schools was the way students treated each other. No one at Minnetonka is inviting unless you have the right clothes or are hot enough,” Gabriele said.

One thing Gabriele noticed at MHS was their well-known strength in academics. Minnetonka has 21 Advanced Placement classes in addition to an International Baccalaureate program.

“Minnetonka might have a better reputation, but I would pick HHS hands down,” Gabriele said.

Overall, she felt that HHS had a more welcoming environment, and that was a determining factor in her return.

“I couldn’t be happier with my decision,” Gabriele said.

Rolling the

into

e c i d

HOPK

Fine transfers from MJDS and Fair

Sydney Fine, senior, didn’t have a typical junior high or elementary school experience. Instead of making crafts or playing four square, Fine became an expert in Judaica and the fine arts.

For elementary school, Fine attended Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School. Students at HMJDS study core materials in addition to Judaic Studies and Hebrew.

Fine then switched to the FAIR School in Minneapolis, which focuses on integrating the fine arts into academia.

After spending time at these two private schools, Fine made the decision to switch to Hopkins West Junior High.

“I had the choice between North, West, or Saint Louis Park. Even though I knew a lot of people going to Saint Louis Park, I knew Hopkins was right for me. It would provide me with the best education possible,” Fine said.

She completed her freshman year at West and has continued on to HHS since then.

“One of my favorite things about HHS is its focus on academics. Where I had been immersed in a certain sector of learning—initially Jewish studies and then the fine arts—HHS has given me a wider range,” Fine said.

“I’ve really appreciated the variety here. There are a huge number of classes and extracurriculars offered, so everyone can find a niche,” Fine said.

Most students at HHS h district since Kindergar students have taken alt get here. This section ex who have transferred fr schools, other schools i of state schools, and in Travel around the edge students share their sto HHS.

Dice image provided by Creative Commons. Artist not specified.

Sydney Fine senior

62,146

students open enrolled to nonresident districts

Michael Cera, Junior “Hopkins has taught me valuable lessons in diversity since I went MJDS I wasn’t used to people from so many different cultures.”

489

non-pu schools Minnes

1,580

schools residents attending another district sota

Many HHS students have migrated to Minnesota from a different state.

Whether it’s across the country or just a state line, students who have moved have a unique perspective on HHS.

students are nonpublic previous year gradutates

5.6%

transfer into Hopkins district

“At my old school, we didn’t have any sports teams, so when I came to Hopkins, I experienced greater school spirit.”

Ida Ramic, junior

“Hopkins has given me greater challenges than my old school, but at the same time it is a fun experience.” the world.

students are homeschooled in Minnesota

hosts a number of students from all over

16,081

4,404

completely different experience. HHS

“There is a lot of diverse opinions at Hopkins, which makes me more patient with other people and can even learn from their opinions.”

school in an entirely new country is a

Melina Sotro, senior

scary enough, but to start at a new high

By Alex Felemovicius and Hannah Boggess C-Spread Editor and Staff Reporter

To start at a new high school is

Fatou Kebbeh, senior, spent the first 14 years of her life living in the smallest country in Africa. Kebbeh lived in Banjul, the capital of Gambia, until her freshman year of high school.

Since her birth, Kebbeh’s parents had lived in Minnesota while she stayed in Banjul with her grandmother.

“I knew I would come to Minnesota, but I ended up at HHS because my dad knew it was the best school for me,” Kebbeh said.

She started at North Junior High for her freshman year and since then, has continued at HHS. “Here, the teachers force you to be independent. In Gambia, teachers had no patience and didn’t care about actually helping the students learn,” Kebbeh said.

“The biggest difference is that here, you can be who you are and still succeed. Students have the opportunity to show their true selves and are accepted,” Kebbeh said.

In Kebbeh’s school in Banjul, students had to wear uniforms. There was a heavy emphasis on being unified in terms of appearance and education.

“When I came here, I thought everyone would be mean to me, but I can’t think of a time where anyone has ever made fun of me, and that’s my favorite thing about HHS,” Kebbeh said. “People want to help each other and like to work together. It’s just a really good community.”

4.3%

A whole new world for Kebbeh

Pao Xiong. sophomore

Though Sophia Showalter, senior, spent half of her life in Connecticut, she still considers HHS home.

Showalter lived in Golden Valley and attended Meadowbrook Elementary School until 4th grade, when she and her family moved to Canton, Connecticut.

She lived in Connecticut until just before her sophomore year, when she returned to Minnesota and started at HHS. “Hands down, HHS is better than my old school,” Showalter said.

“I loved living in Canton, but HHS is a better fit for me. My old school was a public school, but there were fewer than 150 total students,” Showalter said Going from a school with only a fraction of HHS’ nearly 2,000 students widely broadened Showalter’s scope of interests.

“My opportunities there were really limited just due to the size, so I’m happy to be spending high school here.

I’ve been able to participate in a lot of different activities that I love,” Showalter said.

Showalter is involved in a wide range of activities at HHS. She is the president of the Earth Club in addition to being a captain of both the girls’ basketball and lacrosse teams.

“The school was strong academically, but I prefer HHS, especially for its student body. Coming from a tiny school with only white students, the diversity here is great, both in terms of race and just people in general,” Showalter said.

“I miss Canton, but I’m glad that HHS is where I’ve ended up,” Showalter said.

Fatousenior Kebbeh

From Connecticut to Minnesota

transfer out of Hopkins district

senior

have been in the rten, however, some ternate paths to xplores students rom various private in the conference, out nternational schools. es of the board to see ories of their journey to

ublic s in sota

nonresidents attending Hopkins

Sophia Showalter

KINS

9

1,336

International Students

4

Out-of-State Students

8 variety The Royal Page 2013-2014

Editors in Chief

the

RPTuesday, November 26, 2013

Little HHS ‘Horror Shop’

Naomi Borowsky Josh Gallop

By Olivia Newman Staff Reporter

Front Page Editor

A hungry, man-eating plant has taken over the HHS Royal Production company, and a floral shop employee might be to blame.

HHS Royal Productions presented their first show of the year, Little Shop of Horrors, this November. Little Shop of Horrors is a Broadway musical that spoofs the classic horror and science fiction movies of the 1950’s, combining horror, rock music, and comedy into one award-winning performance.

“It’s a pretty unique show, just by itself—the whole concept is this murdering plant that eats people,” said Anne Meisner, junior and stage manager.

The story revolves around a floral shop employee named Seymour Krelborn who raises a mysterious plant that he names Audrey II, after a co-worker and long time crush. The plant doesn’t grow from water and sunlight like normal plants—it lives on blood. Soon, the plant grows into a strong, bloodthirsty monster with only one goal in mind: world domination.

The musical first premiered in the 1980’s and ran for over 370 performances on Broadway and around the world. Now, many communities and schools put on productions of the play.

The production at HHS is home to over 50 people, one of the largest groups the Royal Productions has ever had.

“There were just as many people in the crew as there were in the cast,” Meisner said.

Among the HHS cast is Molly Senser, senior, who plays the female lead of Audrey.

“My character, Audrey, has this innocence I really like about her,” Senser said. “She just has the best intentions for herself and everyone around her.”

Some of the well known pieces that were brought to life include “Skid Row (Downtown)”, “Somewhere That’s Green”, and “Suddenly, Seymour.”

But it is not only the actors that work on the musicals. The tech crew, the directors, the stage managers, and the other needed backstage roles are also important to the performance.

“The tech is fantastic at Hopkins, and I really like how we are very inclusive of our tech and our cast, because it really is a team effort,” Senser said. “We recognize all those who work hard.”

The musical was directed by Natalie Foster. “She is so good at what she does, and she really prepares us and teaches us the things we need to learn about acting in general,” Senser said.

Royal Productions has performed other award-winning musicals and plays in the past as well, such as Into the Woods, Don’t Drink the Water, and Our Town. The atmosphere of the theatre has served to be a fun, inspirational setting where actors can challenge their skills and develop their voices as young artists.

“There are so many great things about theater. The environment and the people are all so friendly and inclusive,” Senser said. “I really love theater because you are able to delve into a completely different character, and you’re able to forget about all your own stuff.”

Joe Greene

C-Spread Editor Alex Felemovicius

News Editor Ellie Maag

Opinion Editor Ryland Dorshow

Feature Editors Phoebe Cohen Callan Showers

Variety Editor Lily Goldfarb

Sports Editors Eli Badower Hillary Donovan

Back Page Editor

Tobie Soumekh

Photo Editor

Roxanne Krietzman

Business Editors

Kyle Makey Brian Yu

Web Editor in Chief Sam Hromatka

Staff Reporters Hannah Boggess Will Cohen Zach Condon Haley DenHartog Anne Goodroad Isabel Hall Imann Hodleh Julia Jallo Sam Kaminsky Bradley Kaplan Ruby Krietzman Josh Margolis Erik A. Nelson Olivia Newman Austin Oakes Lucy Pierro Dan Sheldon Asia Snetter Jacob Ungerman Paul Vogt Isabella Weisman

Royal of the Month

Adviser

Mr. Kocur The editorial represtents the opinion of the newspaper staff. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the administration, the student body or the advisor. Signed viewpoints represent the view of the writer. The Royal Page operates as an open forum student publication, and student editors make editorial decisions regarding content.

Advertising information available by mail, fax and phone Annual Subscriptions available for $20.

are

The Royal Page encourages letters to the editor. Letters are not guaranteed publication, are subject to editing for content and length, must be signed and meet deadlines.

Compliments and suggestions are also welcome.

Adam Tarshish, senior What class has pushed you the hardest?

“Pre-calc, because it moved very, very, very fast.

Or Anatomy and Physiology because it’s a college course, and you have to learn a lot on your own through the textbook, and there’s not as many lectures as normal classes.”

What is the most difficult thing about being a scholar?

“Managing your time because you really have to make sure that you’re balancing your time , using it wisely and balancing extracurricular activities and school.”

What class or teacher has pushed you to become a scholar?

“Mr. Rexroth in AP Euro. I really had to learn higher level study habits for advanced placement classes.

It really forced me to manage my time better.”

Top: The cast of Little Shop of Horrors rehearses before their performances. The musical was written with “doo-wop girls” who act as a chorus.

Bottom right: Leon Hedstrom, senior, appears in the production of Little Shop of Horrors as Orin Scrivello. Hedstrom has been involved in HHS’ theatre productions for his entire high school career.

Bottom left: Brennen Ohlemann, sophomore, has the lead role in the musical. He was chosen to play Seymour Krelborn, an employee at a florist shop who discovers a strange plant.

Photos by Maddie Malat

variety 9

the

RPTuesday, November 26, 2013

Saudi story comes to America

By Callan Showers Feature Editor

Wadjda will be up for an Academy Award on Sunday, February 24, 2014. It is the first film ever directed by a Saudi Arabian woman.

Illustration by Maddie Malat

A different kind

of choir concert PARAMORE Continued from page 1 selected.

“At concerts, I see kids onstage with other bands, and I never thought it’d be me,” Schneider said.

During the concert, the students repeated a four line verse of backup several times throughout the song “Ain’t It Fun”. Even before being released, the song charted at three on U.K. Rock charts.

The students were arranged in the formation of a small choir and wore robes provided by Paramore. The song’s chorus possessed a gospel feel, and it included influences from funk and soul genres that Paramore is not typically associated with.

Before their tour began, Paramore teamed up with the Grammy in the Schools Foundation.

Together, they began looking for backup singers from local high schools to accompany them onstage.

The Grammy in the Schools Foundation provides opportunities for high school students to work with music professionals. The program allows these students to receive real-world experience and advice about how to have a career in music.

“The Grammy Foundation has done this with Paramore on different occasions where they’ll bring in kids from different high schools to sing with them,” said Mr. Mark Czech, Music.

Czech was contacted first about the opportunity because of his relationship with the Grammy Foundation.

“Hopkins has an extremely accomplished choir program so I think that’s why they chose us,” Schneider said.

Last year at the Minnesota State High School League Region 6AA Solo/Ensemble contest, Geoff, Midori, and Chamber choir all received superior ratings from the judges, superior being the highest out of the four ratings.

“We have some of the best directors. We have some of the best students. Our music program is no doubt one of the best in the state of MN,” Czech said. “What the students are able to produce on a daily basis is second to none.”

In weeks leading up, nerves set in among the singers. There was very little preparation that took place before the performance. With only two weeks until the concert date, the singers had yet to rehearse their part or even learn of the title of the song they were performing.

The students attended a sound check the afternoon before the show.

“It’s going to be in front of a ton of people, and we’re singing with a famous band that has won awards,” Schneider said. “It’s way, way more nerveracking than singing at school.”

Czech believes singing with Paramore is a learning experience for the students.

No matter how big their part was, it will be an experience they will never forget.

“You’re singing with a Grammy winning band.

There’s pressure making sure you do it right. All the lights are on you,” Czech said.

Haifaa al-Mansour spent five years inside a van, on a walkie-talkie, trying to get the perfect shot.

On the streets of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, al-Mansour cannot be seen or heard by men in public. She cannot drive or vote.

This is the case for all women in Saudi Arabia. Yet, al-Mansour was determined to tell Wadjda’s story.

While men shot the scenes, she was a passenger in a van, who had to crane her neck to see the action. Yet, she was the brains behind the whole movie. al-Mansour is the director of the 2014 Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Film, Wadjda.

The film was the first film to ever be fully filmed in Saudi Arabia. Futhermore, it was the

first ever directed by a Saudi Arabian woman.

Wadjda is an 11-year-old girl who gets scolded for wearing high-top converse sneakers, listening to American top 40, and wearing a headscarf that constantly slips off when she runs. She also really, really wants a bike.

The simplicity of Wadjda’s plot was one of the reasons Ms. Angela Wilcox, AVID and IB coordinator at NJH, enjoyed the film so much.

“It was very humanizing, like, ‘Oh, that’s right.’ They have normal day to day lives, and they paint their toenails and do the same things we do,” Wilcox said.

The film’s paramount plot line is based around Wadjda’s desire for a bike. This plot line, however, is not as onedimensional as it may seem.

It wasn’t as easy as just purchasing it or even putting it on a birthday list. For Wadjda, it

was a problem of her oppressive culture.

In Saudi Arabia, girls just don’t ride bikes.

Her friend, Abdullah, was her ally in the pursuit of the bike.

Throughout the film, he lets her ride his for practice, gets her a helmet to wear when she falls, and finally confesses that he hopes to marry her one day. He was a genuine boy who saw Wadja as a human, not just a girl.

Wadjda’s mother was a passive bystander at the beginning of the film. She was shown anxiously trying to please her husband who ended up taking another wife.

Her husband’s betrayal was, symbolically, what finally made Wadjda’s mother listen to her daughter’s story.

Wilcox believes that this message is on that is particularly relevant.

“Listening to and paying

attention to peoples’ stories matters,” Wilcox said.

This is not just something to be heard, Wilcox believes, but to be acted on, especially here in the HHS community.

“It’s something we’re actively talking about and thinking about at Hopkins,” Wilcox said. “How do we start seeing each other as whole humans instead of groups of people or in conflict with each other?

How do we tell each other our stories and hear each others’ stories?” al-Mansour didn’t produce a scathing review of Saudi culture, even though she is the victim of its oppression. She just made a movie about a girl who wanted a bike.

Wadjda can be seen at the Lagoon theater in Minneapolis. Whether or not you go see Wadja, listen to someone’s story today. You never know what history they could be making.

Some of the students pairing with Paramore

RPTuesday, November 26, 2013

the

10 sports

Royals look to return to excellence

After not making the State Tournament last season for the first time since 2008, the HHS boys basketball team looks to return to the peak of Minnesota high school basketball

By Dan Sheldon Staff Reporter This year, the hype around HHS boys basketball hasn’t been quite as high as previous seasons. Without a State championship in two years and a loss in the section finals last year, the Royals are in a unique position to bounce back and prove Minnesota wrong.

For many high schools across the nation, last years record of 21-8 would have been considered a quality season. The Royals have been known as the pinnacle of Minnesota basketball teams, and that record was a stark contrast to recent years.

This years team is eager to prove that last year was an anomaly.

“We feel like we have a legitimate shot at winning the State title this year. We are returning a lot of players that played last year, we’re gelling as a team early, we play defense for the most part, and we like to run a lot and most teams don’t like to run so I feel that’s an advantage that we have,” said Kamali Chambers, senior captain.

Last year’s team finished their season with a loss to Edina

in the section finals. For Mr. Ken Novak Jr, head coach and Social Studies, the lack of focus and consistency was something that he feels hurt the team’s performance last year.

“I don’t think we competed as hard as we should have competed. We had a tendency to be very up and down. We’d play some possessions very well and some possessions very poorly. If you want to be good, you have to play every possession. Every time you get the ball, every time you get a defensive stop, you have to treat it like it’s the last one in the world,” Novak said.

Novak also fears some weaknesses of last years team could carry into this year if they are not careful.

“My guys are really nice guys, they’re lowkey guys, they’re not necessarily as competitive as they should be. Their intensity doesn’t stay at a high level as much as it should,” Novak said.

Since the departure of Marvin Singleton in 2011, the Royals have struggled with rebounding and size in the paint.

This affects the Royals fast paced offense, because without

a rebound, they cannot run the fast break and get up the floor quickly.

“We have to make sure we board because we don’t have a natural rebounder, and we have to keep our intensity higher. We run the floor and play a very fast paced game and if you do that, your margin for error decreases exponentially, you have to be more precise,” Novak said.

Despite these potential weaknesses, Hopkins has a chance to restore the norm and return as one of the top teams in the state.

“This year, we are fighting for one goal, and that’s State.

We are underrated and have a lot to prove with our ranking.

My confidence is very high.

I feel that we can do a lot of things that people don’t expect,” said Treyvon Edwards, senior.

This years matchups between Apple Valley (12/10) and Osseo (2/11), two of the top teams in Minnesota, are viewed as the two biggest games of the season.

“I look forward to playing Tyus Jones [Apple Valley] just because it’s a good matchup for

me personally and for our team.

Osseo has a couple good guards and that’ll be a good matchup to see who we are,” Chambers said.

Apple Valley has made the national preseason top 25 as the 23rd best team according to maxpreps.com. They also have the fourth best player in the nation in the class of 2014, Tyus Jones, according to ESPN. Jake Wright, senior captain, has been playing against Jones since sixth grade and has been his teammate the past three years in AAU. Wright is looking forward to competing against Jones this season.

“Tyus is great. We’ve joked a little bit here and there. It’s just fun, nothing serious,” Wright said.

The Royals have a whole different demeanor to them this seasin, and are looking forward to showing the state who they really are.

“Truly, I look forward to every game. I don’t play against the opponent, I really do try to play against ourselves. I do think we do have something to prove a little bit. Normally people look at us as the standard, the bench-

Kamali Chambers, senior, shoots a layup. The Royals finished last season with a record of 21-8.

Photo by Maddie Malat mark of what has to be done. I think Apple Valley, Osseo, and a couple other teams are that benchmark this season. Hopefully they’re good, because if they’re really, really, good, then

it will motivate us to chase greatness or perfection a little bit more. We want them to be as good as they can become,” Novak said.

New coach, new start, new expectations

By Julia Jallo Staff Reporter

When the HHS boys hockey team was in need of a new coach, they did not have to look far.

Dan Johnson, athletic director, hired the St. Louis Park high school assistant coach, Mr. Cory Peterson.

Jimmy Copouls, senior captain, and Matt Hines, junior assistant captain, were thrilled when they found out Peterson was their new coach. Not only were they excited for a former professional hockey player to coach them, but they are hoping for more wins this season.

“I’m looking forward to the new coach,” Copouls said. “He’s a pretty good guy. I knew a little bit about him before he came,

and definitely knows what he is doing, so I am really excited for him to be our coach.”

In addition, Hines said, “I didn’t know much about him, but after looking him up, it really made me excited for the season, and there will definitely be more games won.”

Peterson’s career did not start with coaching. After high school, Peterson was drafted by the Dallas Stars in 1993, but continued his hockey career playing for junior teams in the Ontario Hockey League and the United States Hockey League.

A deflected slap shot above his right eye caused him to lose his peripheral vision, forcing him to end his hockey career.

“I did try to come back, but as a defenseman, I could not see

the ice and left myself vulnerable, and at that level, I knew I was done,” Peterson said.

After retirement, Peterson still had the urge to stay in touch with the game. By volunteering to coach youth hockey, he continued to participate in what he is passionate about.

“Hockey has and always will be fun for me, so now you add in helping younger players and seeing them enjoy the game, it's what keeps me coming back to the rink,” Peterson said.

Peterson had always wanted to be a head coach and when the HHS position opened up, he was eager to take the job.

“I talked with Dan [ Johnson, Athletic Director] and saw the schedule along with meeting some of the youth association

members, and I knew it would be a good fit,” Peterson said.

With a long offseason of preparation, and a lot of excitement surrounding the team, Peterson is ready to take the ice.

"I'm most excited for the season to start, and I’m now getting that nervous excitement like I used to get when I played," Peterson said.

Peterson is not the only one craving the ice. Copouls is ready to go as he takes on the role as the 2013 captain. By taking a leadership role and welcoming Peterson to the team, Copouls is ready to make this season as successful as possible.

"I will, of course, act as a leader, and hopefully perform well, and serve my role as top varsity player by scoring more

Girls basketball works to continue success Girls basketball Continued from page 1 Despite their continued success, the Royals are ranked second in the state to start the season, behind Eastview. This is an unfamiliar setting, but O’Toole says that it will not affect them this season.

“I feel like preseason rankings should not be dwelled on.

The only thing that matters is the actual season, and it will come down to who has worked the hardest and who wants it the most,” O’Toole said.

The Royals play Eastview on December 13th, a matchup that Nia Hollie, junior, is looking forward to.

“I’m really looking forward to playing against Eastview.

That’ll be a good game. Seeing that we are ranked under them gets me even more excited for December 13th,” Hollie said.

Inexperience is one of the Royals’ weaknesses this year, as O’Toole is one of only three key players that are returning from last year’s team. Hollie and TT Starks, junior, are the others.

“I believe, even though we

are young, that the team is already at the varsity level. All returning players will need to make sure that we have intensity, attention to detail, understanding of our plays, and commitment,” O’Toole said.

Even though it is not talked about, Hollie says the four-peat is in everyone’s mind.

“Well, yeah we do all feel the pressure of completing a four peat. So going into this year I feel pressure about everything because we’re the team everyone wants to beat. But even though the big goal is the State tour-

nament and the championship game, we’re just looking at the schedule and taking it one game at a time,” Hollie said.

Overall, expectations are going to be high for a team that has only known great success.

“My expectations are to make it to the State tournament, and then win it. As a team, we hold each other to that standard.

We view it as unacceptable for anything less, and we will do whatever it takes to achieve our goal,” O’Toole said.

goals, and be a pump up man by pumping the team up before games," Copouls said.

Not only does Copouls hope to play at a top level, but he has faith in the younger athletes and believes they will also play a role in the team’s success.

“I’m looking forward to all the returning younger players who were on the team last year.

They scored a lot of the points, and I think they will be even better this year,” Copouls said.

Hines believes this season will differ in a positive way because of the new coaching style.

"Coach Peterson is more hands-on and definitely knows more about hockey, and he's more of a friend too, not just a coach," Hines said.

Copouls added, “Our old

coach was a lot more strict, and about defense. I think our new coach will bring a lot more offense.”

After losing in the quarterfinals to Wayzata last season, the Royals are ready for change as they prepare for a more competitive season.

Hines has hope that this season will bring more of a challenge, along with wins by the help of their new coach. Even Peterson likes their odds of winning more games this season.

“I think this season will be much different than last due to the coaching staff and our coaching style. We have a high energy staff and a team that works together and is hungry to win. I like our odds,” Peterson said.

sports 11

the

RPTuesday, November 26, 2013

Girls hockey eyes State tournament

By Erik A. Nelson Staff Reporter After they won 17 out of 25 games last season, the HHS Girls Varsity hockey team is setting different expectations for their season. One of them is making the state tournament.

The core of the roster is in tact, consisting of mostly seniors and juniors. Only two players from last year’s team graduated, and most of the line combinations are the same.

“We have the same team coming back from last year. A lot of the kids on the team know what to expect. They know what I expect as a coach, they have high expectations for themselves, and they’re experienced,” said Mr. Vincent Paolucci, head coach and Physical Education.

Last season, Nina Rodgers, senior captain, led the team with 27 goals. Corbin Boyd, junior, finished with a team-high 54 points. Erin O’Neil, senior captain, recorded 17 wins and had six shutouts, with a goals against average of 1.67 and a save percentage of .929.

As a team, the Royals scored 100 goals and allowed 42, finishing with a goal differential rating of plus 58.

The last team at HHS to make it to the state tourna-

Corbin Boyd, junior, fights for the puck during a game against Champlin Park. The Royals won their first six games by a combined 25 goals to start this season.

Photo by Roxy Krietzman

ment was the 2010 squad, who finished in third place. A HHS varsity hockey team has never won a state title.

“The toughest part about playing in Hopkins is probably getting people excited to go to games because a lot of other

schools where hockey is big get a lot more support from their fans. Girls hockey isn’t as big at Hopkins, so we have to promote it,” said Jillaine DeYoung, senior captain.

There are obstacles that the team is addressing for this

season. One of them is winning during sections, especially against rival teams that are more successful at hockey.

“It [our section] is strong with a lot of very good teams.

We would like to beat Minnetonka and any of our Lake

Conference teams, as well as Benilde-St. Margaret’s,” Boyd said. “State is the goal for any high school team, and it’s a goal anyone wants to reach because you get to play at the Xcel Energy Center in front of a bunch of people.”

‘Cos’ continues outstanding success

By Hillary Donovan Sports Editor Ever since the fourth grade, Mr. Brian Cosgriff, girls varsity basketball coach andPhysical Education, knew what he wanted to do: coach basketball.

Cosgriff came to the Hopkins Schools District in 1984 with the goals of becoming a Physical Education teacher and a basketball coach in reach. In 1987, Cosgriff became a PE teacher at Alice Smith Elementary and in 1989, Cosgriff became the assistant coach of the boys varsity basketball team.

“I learned how a great program could happen if you had players that wanted to work hard and stay dedicated. Novak’s teams were and are the model for great execution, dedication, and strong fundamentals,” said Cosgriff.

Coaching under Mr. Ken Novak Jr., Social Studies and boys varsity basketball coach, Cosgriff learned a successful way to coach. Before coming to HHS, Cosgriff was the head coach of the boys basketball team at Breck High School.

“He’s always been a very good coach. He’s always had great energy, worked hard, and he understands the game,” said Novak.

After nine years of coaching under Novak, Cosgriff became the head coach of the girls varsity basketball team.

“When he went with the

girls, it was a no-brainer that he was going to do well,” Novak said.

Entering his 15th season as head coach at HHS, Cosgriff is ready to take on the new year.

“Cosgriff uses a technique that involves a strong work ethic that starts with him and runs all the way throughout the program. He can break down an opponent and put a game plan together in helping his team be successful. He can evaluate talent in people and bring that out of them. Probably the biggest strength he has is his will to work until the job is done,” said Mr. Dan Johnson, Athletic Director.

Cosgriff has built a powerhouse out of the HHS girls basketball program. From all of the summer camps he puts together for girls in elementary school all the way up through high school, Cosgriff has built something great, but gives all of the credit to the players.

“Its all about the players, and if you have great players you have a shot a having a good program. My goals for our team is to work as hard as we possibly can, stay fundamental, and play with passion. I try to teach life long lessons, and hopefully provide them with positive memories that they can one day share with their children,” Cosgriff said.

Throughout Cosgriff ’s 15 years at HHS, he has had only

four season with seven or more losses, and a record of 364 wins and 54 losses. Making it to the state tournament eight times, and winning the state title five, Cosgriff has developed a tradition for HHS girls basketball.

“I don’t think that any of our coaches get enough recognition for the work that they do.

In Cos’ case, he is at the top of the heap among girls basketball coaches in Minnesota. He has developed the Hopkins girls basketball program into something that is a source of pride for the school and community and he should get the credit for doing so,” Johnson said.

Cosgriff ’s team has always been held to a high standard.

“The girls have done very well, and part of that is that his expectations are extremely

“Cos is one of our longest tenured head coaches, and is involved in a lot of things around the district and the community.

He and his ‘crew’ of coaches are parts of the football program as they run the chain gang at varsity home games. He is part of the coaches bible study group that meets on Saturday mornings. He coaches volleyball and other activities at Alice Smith through the community education programs,” Johnson said.

Cosgriff continues to praise the players, loving every moment of being in the program.

“I have truly been blessed to be able to work with such wonderful ladies over the years. I can honestly say I would want my daughter to grow up and be just like the players that played for me,” Cosgriff said.

high, and anytime you create high expectations, kids have a tendency to rise to it. His girls concentrate and they focus very well, and that doesn’t just help his team, that helps every other team,” Novak said.

Although Cosgriff coaches and teaches phy ed., many think he is teaching more than that.

“He teaches you teamwork and the whole aspect of what a team really is. He has been talking about how this all affects later on, how this creates discipline. Mr. Cosgriff really has motivated me and he gives great advice and he is easy to talk to,” said Molly O’Toole, senior, captain.

Entering his 29th year in the Hopkins School District, Cosgriff is involved throughout the community.

Go Figure

956-138 +25 0

Conference wins for the HHS boys hockey team over the last three seasons.

Spotlight Athlete

Shortie Sheran Grade: 12 Sport: Hockey

Combined number of wins and losses for Ken Novak Jr. and Brian Cosgriff since they took over as head coaches of the boys and girls basketball team’s, respectively.

Goal differential in the girls hockey team’s first six games.

Another obstacle is that games are played at Minnetonka Ice Arena, which is located about four miles away from HHS. “We have to drive quickly to get to the rink,” said Shortie Sheran, senior.

Rodgers believes the games will be interesting and competitive.

“They’re energetic and filled with lots of passion. Fans are going to have fun,” Rodgers said.

In the team’s eye, they have high expectations, but success isn’t necessarily winning games.

As with academics, process and learning new information is sometimes more important than results.

“We look at each practice and the process of getting better. If you always worry about the result, that is not a very good judge of whether you’ve been successful or not,” Paolucci said.

The coaching staff also emphasizes team unity and hard work, which develops positive team chemistry.

“We need production from everybody. Everybody should feel like they can produce,” Paolucci said. “We want to be consistent, and we want to create an identity that says ‘Hopkins’.”

36

Wrestling matches an athlete can compete in during the regular season.

Infographic by Kyle Makey

Pre Game Routine: “Blast my iPod really loud and sing by myself.”

Favorite Memory: “When coach Paolucci drove away from the rink with a traffic cone stuck to the back of his car, and he didn’t know until he got home.”

RPTuesday, November 26, 2013

the

12 backpage thelangues Sprachen

LANGUAGE invasion IDIOMAS 语言

Photo By: Maddie Malat

Mr. Eric Thompson, Spanish, poses in front of his Juntos Spanish class. Thompson has taught Spanish at North Junior High since 2004.

XINXING EXPANDS When it was time for Sophie Frank’s, junior, family to decide where her brother, Charley, would go to elementary school, they chose XinXing Academy.

“My parents sent Charley to XinXing because they thought that a language immersion experience at a young age was a great opportunity and that knowing Chinese would open so many doors for him in the future,” Frank said.

Starting next school year, students like Charley will be the first class from XinXing to Chinese immersion at WJH. So far, 36 students from XinXing are enrolled at WJH, and they will take one to three Chinese immersion core classes.

Over the past two weeks, Mr. Adam McDonald, associate principal, has traveled to China to gather information about how these classes will work.

McDonald is spreading his enthusiasm throughout the district. “Not only are the teachers and administration in favor of the program, but also a lot of parents and families,” said Ms. Lixia Shi, fourth grade teacher at XinXing.

Frank believes that her brother can only benefit from the transition.

“He will probably be almost as fluent in [Chinese] as he is in English. That’s a skill that will give him an edge on college applications and resumes,” Frank said.

Ms. Yang Gao, XinXing teacher, helps a student learn Chinese.

XinXing Academy has been a program at Eisenhower Elementary School for six years.

Photo by Maddie Malat

By Tobie Soumekh and Isabella Weisman Backpage Editor and Staff Reporter

/

HHS Student Class Distribution STUDENTS LANGUAGE

211

129

849 205 *One man equals approximately 8.2 students taking that language

THE

IMPACT

As Spanish and Chinese continue to expand and grow, the French and German departments question how these changes will affect their futures.

“I think it will be interesting to find out if it means that students take Spanish because they are really comfortable with it, or if they take Spanish in elementary school, and they say, ‘I want to try something different’,” said Ms. Kelly Dirks, German.

Madame Amy Miller, French, does not feel threatened by these progressions in the Spanish and Chinese department, but rather believes that they are beneficial for her students.

“I think students choose a language for a certain reason so we will still have students that have always wanted to learn French or always wanted to learn German, and so they will start in junior high in 7th grade despite having some Spanish in elementary school,” Miller said. “I think the Spanish in elementary school works really well as an introduction to language learning in general, and I think for some kids they’ll fall in love with Spanish and others will break off.”

Photo by Maddie Malat

SPANISHHEADSTART Two years ago, Spanish courses were introduced at the elementary schools.

Sam Ostenso, junior, feels she has missed out on an opportunity that could have been beneficial.

“I wanted my parents to send me to a Spanish immersion school, but they wouldn’t send me,” Ostenso said.

Now elementary students will be able to become culturally diverse at a younger age, making studying a language in high school easier.

“The School Board has set aside money to make sure that everyone experiences world language in the elementary program,” said Mr. Adam McDonald, associate principal. “Not a lot of schools have elementary world languages.”

Today, more jobs involve foreign languages in a variety of ways.

Because international business is becoming so popular, Kristina Myankova, junior, believes learning a language earlier would help with applying for jobs.

“I think the more language years a student has, the better he or she will be after graduating high school,” Myankova said.