March 2nd

page

www.royalpage.org

theROYAL

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Volume 30 Issue 7

inside the RP

Partying and the dangers (P. 8) - C-Spread New vision for technology (P. 2) - News The value of a book (P. 5) - Opinion A taste of Mexican food (P. 7) - Variety

Maidment heading to the Army (P. 10) - Feature Baseball spring preview (P. 13) - Sports

Don’t miss our special 8-page winter sports section inside!

One family, Priscille and Domitille Biehlmann brush up on their US history to prepare themselves for citizenship.

Rachel Alter Staff Reporter Priscille Biehlmann, senior, and her sister Domitille, junior, were born in France but have lived in the United States for over 10 years.

Even though they have lived in the U.S. for more than half of their lives, they both feel strong ties to their French heritage.

The Biehlmanns moved to the U.S. in 1999 when Priscille and Domitille’s father, Christopher, received a job offer. But even in America, they never stray far from their French roots.

“We speak French in our house, even though we all know English fluently, and my parents have the same expectations and rules for us as they did in France,” Domitille said.

The transition for Priscille and Domitille’s parents went fairly smoothly because they already spoke English fluently. But for Priscille, the move was a bit more of a challenge.

“I didn’t know that there was any language other than French,” Priscille said. “So when we moved here I got a little picture book that helped me get around until I was fluent in second grade. If I needed to find the bathroom, I would just point to the picture in the book and people

two countries

Photo illustration by Rachel Alter

would know exactly what I was talking about.”

While maintaining a strong connection to their French birthright, the Biehlmanns have begun the process of becoming naturalized American citizens.

Applying to become an American citizen involves sending in an application, taking a written exam about U.S. history and government, and swearing several oaths of allegiance to the United States. Before someone can apply for citizenship, an applicant must have lived in the United States for at least five years.

“The hard part for me will probably be saying all the oaths, because they're going to ask me if I would be willing to go to war and fight for the U.S if they need me to. I have to say yes, but that's pretty much dishonest,” Priscille said.

The Biehlmann family applied to become citizens last November.

Priscille, Domitille, and their younger sister didn’t have to fill out their own applications because they were under 18 and would receive citizenship automatically if their parents became citizens.

However, Priscille turned 18 in January, which complicated things.

- BIEHLMANNS continued on page 11

This winter season has been incredible for our teams and athletes. Eight teams advanced to state tournaments or sent individual athletes. This full color 8-page insert is a unique venture for The Royal Page. We wanted to celebrate our great success this winter as well as showcase some excellent photography from throughout the tournament season. We hope you enjoy this celebration of our winter athletes.

Jason Showers and Sarah Ungerman -Sports Editors Ryan Levi and Marlee Gotlieb -Editors-in-Chief

Correction: Ms. Bobbi Pointer was misquoted in our March 2 story “High schooler faces pregnancy” on page 10. Her quote, “Pregnancy just happens,” should have been removed as it was not properly used in context. The Royal Page regrets the error.

2 news

the

RPWednesday, March 28, 2012

Hopkins District pursues a new vision for technology with more funding Isaac Fisher Staff Reporter For the past two years, there has been a noticeable trend towards anything new and hightech which can improve the learning experience at HHS. The District as a whole is well on its way to becoming one of the most technologically advanced in the area.

“The kids of this generation are ‘digitally native’”, said Ms. Terri Osland, technology integration specialist at HHS. She said that technology has become a part of almost everything students do, and that this trend is only going to continue. Osland believes it is important to provide students with technology that is up-to-date so they can develop important skills they will need in almost any career they might choose.

In addition, the Hopkins District has made a conscious effort to develop and promote the use of technology for teaching purposes.

The majority of classrooms now have interactive whiteboards with the capabilities to be written on and also display multimedia images. Handheld student response systems are available for teachers, which have features like voting and text responses.

Like many other public schools, the District has a long-standing relationship with Apple, whose computers are

used in most departments. The entire inventory of Apple laptops at HHS was replaced last school year, and many teachers prefer the Apple product for their own use.

Apple’s newest product, the iPad, has appealed to educators everywhere because of potential for learning. The District has introduced an iPad pilot program to experiment with the possible uses in the classroom.

It plans to increase the number of iPads by several hundred each year.

In order to support the large increase in technology, the Hopkins District upgraded its wireless network system this past summer.

A second guest network was added to accommodate students who want to connect to the Internet with their own devices, like smart phones.

The source of these improvements across the District is a referendum that was passed two years ago by local voters.

The referendum increased the district’s budget for technology and curriculum spending from $2 million to about $6.5 million dollars a year.

Mr. Sid Voss, director of educational and technology information systems for the Hopkins School District, said that the referendum was desperately needed. Voss said the wireless and telephone systems were aging, and a new vision for

technology required a significant increase in funding.

“Technology is a way to connect with kids in a way that is relevant to their lives, and meet kids where they’re at,” Voss said. His goal is to help decide how the money is spent and to make sure, in the end, that the education of the students is always kept in mind.

“We’re in a pretty good spot compared with other districts,” Voss said.

He attributes this success to funds like the referendum: “Our community supports its schools by supporting technology.”

Voss also said that because of its well-trained teachers, the use of technology in the Hopkins School District is better than most. Teachers in all departments regularly take place in workshops and classes, many on holidays such as last President’s Day. The Hopkins School District was one of the first in the area to partner with Google Apps, which is at the forefront of technology in the classroom.

Hopkins collaborated with Google to create its very own Apps account, which is provided by Google for no cost to HHS and maintained by district staff.

The Google Apps program has created a safe, secure, and easy system in which teachers and students can share docu-

ments, presentations, emails, and a host of other Google Apps programs. A small amount of teachers, including Osland, have become Googlecertified trainers through a long training program.

Mr. Ben Friesen, science teacher at West Junior High, was the first teacher in the district to become Google certified.

“It was a 3-step process with very difficult tests throughout,” Friesen said.

Along with developing the Google Apps program, Voss has more plans for the future.

He says that the concept of digital textbooks is close to becoming reality, and that Hopkins hopes to take part in it. Conventional textbooks are limited by size and weight and the high cost of replacing them with new editions every few years.

The Hopkins District purchases new editions about every 7 years, which means that many students are stuck with older, sometimes irrelevant textbooks.

Digital textbooks, however, could be updated continuously.

Students could not only read about a subject, they could interact with the text, and view multimedia demonstrations as well.

Voss says that for now iPads are the most suitable device to act as a digital textbook. He hopes that some day every HHS student will have an iPad with all of their textbooks, planner, notes, and flashcards, downloaded on one device.

The District has not yet set an official plan or timetable for this idea yet.

strong STEM leader in the community since 2010, with a plan of integrating math and science emphasized courses into the Hopkins School District.

STEM will begin in the elementary and junior high schools, with classes such as Intermediate Algebra.

“I think by engaging in scientific thinking, reasoning, and problem solving at an earlier age, the students are being better prepared for more advanced course work in high school and college,” said Mr. Matt Kappel, Science.

Beginning in the fall of 2012, STEM will be fully im-

plemented into HHS classes.

“As STEM becomes fully implemented at HHS, more changes in courses will result,” said Mr. Brent Hering, Math.

“Students that are exposed to STEM projects will experience the thinking process of an engineer. They will also start to learn what engineering is about.”

Currently, STEM courses are emphasizing engineering in elementary school classes such as Design, Architecture, Modeling, Electricity, and Electronics.

“I think by engaging in scientific thinking, reasoning, and problem solving at an earlier

age, the students are being prepared for more advanced work in high school and college,” Kappel said.

Although STEM is designed to help students master math and science, history and english are still skills that are not emphasized through the STEM curriculum.

“I don’t think math and science should be emphasized more than any other area,” Kappel said. “It should be emphasized as much.”

Although STEM is meant to integrate math and science at a younger age, the learning environment in history and english classes should not change.

With STEM becoming more noticeable within the next few years, students will begin to feel the difference.

“I think STEM would help me, and other students, for the future because it gives us a class that focuses on science and math in a different light,” said Emma Schroer, junior. “A lot of classes are just focused on test results, and I think that STEM will help move away from teaching and learning for a test, and move towards teaching and learning for the future.”

STEM is not meant to highlight general science and math; rather it is a way for

schools to prepare their students in the best way possible for the future.

“This is the way our world is moving,” said Seth Gellman, senior. “If you obtain a degree in either fields, especially with an emphasis on technology, you are highly sought after.”

Gellman’s sentiments echo students and teachers as HHS attempts to move towards the future.

“We are not preparing our students for jobs that already exist,” Kappel said. “We need to prepare them for jobs that do not yet exist, and adaptability and problem solving is critical in that process.”

Photo by Isaac Fisher

Students use technology that the Media Center provides. These devices are becoming commonplace at HHS.

Better education STEMs from new learning program Sam Bloomfield Staff Reporter There is a new learning environment in Hopkins elementary schools, featuring a strong emphasis on math and science through the STEM curriculum.

STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, is the integration of math and science related courses. In 2011, the Hopkins Public School System was acknowledged by the Minnesota High Tech Association for its implementation of the STEM curriculum and program.

Hopkins has become a

the

RPWednesday, March 28, 2012 news 3 MCA preparation sessions provide time for review Ryland Dorshow Staff Reporter

While seniors slept in on Monday, March 19 and will sleep in again Monday, April 16, sophomores and juniors attended MCA test preparation sessions.

HHS has held MCA reviews sessions in the past, but

these are the first sessions that are mandatory for all students.

“We want to make sure we give every single sophomore and every single junior a chance to review,” said Ms. Patty Johnson, principal.

Sophomores were separated into multiple rooms to prepare for the MCA II Reading exam,

a test required for graduation.

Two to three HHS language arts or reading teachers were in each room.

Juniors were in other rooms preparing for the MCA II Math exam with math and science teachers.

Mr. Adam McDonald, associate principal, said these ses-

sions will serve as a “refresher course.”

Students were able to review material that they may not have practiced for a long time that could show up on the test.

One purpose of these sessions is to build students’ confidence and make them more comfortable when taking the

real exams.

They allow students to recognize what they struggle with and get questions answered before the test.

“Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know,” McDonald said.

According to McDonald, these sessions also introduce “a host of resources for students to go to outside of class,” to prepare for the test. This way, students can choose what resources they want to use in preparation for the test, depending on their confidence.

Ideally, these sessions will improve the overall test performance of the school.

Last year’s junior class was only 51 percent proficient on the Math MCA exam, a 9 percent drop from the previous year.

“There are a lot of students that make naive mistakes on the test and then regret them later,” said Ms. Dawn Hansen, Reading.

According to Johnson, MCA exams are very important because “the results of the exams help tell educators the areas of

need to support students’ learning in the classroom.”

Also, students need to succeed on them to graduate high school, and they are structured similar to ACT and SAT exams, which are important for applying to colleges.

The actual sessions are each two hours long, starting at the beginning of a normal school day.

During this time, seniors had the option of sleeping in. If they chose not to, they couldcome to school at the usual time and study, where there were areas set up for them. The rest of the day was like a late start for all students, starting at 9:47pm.

“Our hope is to continue these sessions in future years,” Johnson said.

According to Hansen, the sessions may not be necessary for every student, but they will likely help many, and they can’t hurt.

Many students do not have outside access to preparation.

“It’s hard for kids to get the preparation they need, and this is one way we can provide it,” Hansen said.

Photo by Ryland Dorshow

Sophomores prepare for their MCA II Reading exam during the late start. They will have one more session on April 16 before school as well.

APUSH to the advanced placement student finish line Joe Greene Staff Reporter

Soon, many HHS sophomores will be completing their first Advanced Placement class - AP US History (APUSH).

Many of those students have enrolled in AP classes next year.

Other sophomores will be experiencing AP classes for the first time next year as juniors.

Worth exploring is if taking APUSH as a sophomore gives a student an advantage going into AP classes junior year.

APUSH is the only AP class offered to sophomores at HHS. This class is rigorous and challenging for some students, particularly because this may be their first experience with an AP class.

“The first time you take an AP level class, it’s a big shift, in the speed, the difficulty, and the course load,” said Ms. Sara Garcia, AP Coordinator at HHS. One clear demand of APUSH is the large amount

of work assigned to students, according to Mr. Erik Swenson, APUSH teacher. “There is a large course load. Students need to be self-motivated. Kids who procrastinate in this class struggle,” Swenson said.

“Regardless of what grade you get in the class, the class will help you as a student” says Swenson. “These skills include management and motivation.”

“APUSH gives you confidence. It’s a rigorous environment and it forces you to gain skills. You need to be able to adjust to the rigor,” Garcia said.

“Struggle breeds growth.

Unless you are forced to struggle, you will not be forced to grow,” Garcia said.

According to AP World History teacher, Ms. Jennifer Heimlich, the skills you learn in her class are new for all students coming in.

“With learning the entire history of the world, you need to be able to organize and cat-

egorize information. You need to be able to access information effectively - not with memorizing people and dates, but rather broader concepts,” Heimlich said.

AP Euro teacher, Mr. Rick Rexroth doesn’t think students who take APUSH have an advantage in his AP Euro History class. While he is aware that APUSH students have experienced the demands of a large course load, he believes that after about a five to six weeks, it evens out.

Saul Chavez, junior, did not take APUSH because he was intimidated by the workload, but he chose to take AP European History as a junior. The course load was like “a kick in the face,” Chavez said. While he acknowledges that APUSH students have an advantage at the beginning, he believes that everyone adjusts to the same workload.

Carolyn Francis, junior, did

not take APUSH, but chose to take AP World History because she wanted to challenge herself.

The challenge of an AP class was not new to Francis, having taken AP Statistics. “APUSH students have an advantage knowing what’s expected with writing and projects,” Francis said.

According to Garcia, the differences between sophomores and juniors entering AP classes are worth noting.

“Juniors are more mature,” Garcia said. “A year makes a difference. Juniors don’t go through as tough a transformation.”

Swenson agrees. “It’s not that bad as a junior. Good students figure it out. Going from sophomore year to junior year entering an AP class is a much smaller and less difficult a jump than a ninth grade student entering an AP class as a sophomore for the first time,” Swenson said.

2.

Photo by Joe Greene

Swenson lectures his APUSH class. He believes the course is important for students whether they continue in AP classes or not.

4 opinion

the

RPWednesday, March 28, 2012

Point: Marvelous, magic, Counterpoint: Original, magnificent March sports overjoyed October sports Comrades, I’m afraid the end is near. Global warming is here and it’s bad.

Normally, March begins with Ryan frigid air, low temperatures, and a Levi landscape covered by a thick blanket of snow. As the month progresses, the rain washes away the snow, the temperatures rise, and by the time the calendar turns to April, spring has arrived.

But not this year. This March, we’ve had single digits and snow just days removed from 70s and sun, with a heavy dose of the latter.

But no matter what havoc global warming is wreaking on our weather, we can rest assured that the thrilling combination of MLB spring training, NBA basketball, and NCAA March Madness have once again made March the best month on the sports calendar.

Let’s start with the dark horse: spring training. For some, this just means that baseball season is just around the corner. But for many fans, the coming of spring training means the season has already begun.

Spring training is one of the most unique events in all of sports. The games are absolutely meaningless but the fans may be even more engaged then they are during the regular season.

It is a time of unbridled optimism for baseball fans that allows every teams’ supporters to believe, perhaps foolishly, that if the chips fall just right, this could be their year.

And the games themselves, worthless as they are, are simply a blast.

There’s a carefree atmosphere that makes the games a pleasure to attend. The players are laid back, gladly giving autographs and taking photos with fans of all ages. And to top it all off, it all goes down under the brilliant Florida and Arizona sun.

According to the Arizona Republic, 1.59 million fans took in a spring training game in Arizona’s Cactus League last year. Does any other sport’s preseason elicit this type of excitement? I don’t think so.

And now on to NBA basketball.

For the past several years, this has been one of the few smudges on the otherwise pristine facade of the March sports landscape, as our hometown club, the Timberwolves, were beyond dreadful.

But this year has been different. They’ve gone

from atrocious and borderline unwatchable to exciting and perhaps playoff bound. The loss of the Spanish stud Ricky Rubio stabs at my heart but this is still a fun team to watch and is an excellent part of the fantastic March lineup.

Even if the Timberwolves weren’t playing well, the NBA is as good as it has been in years and you can find incredible games throughout the league on a nightly basis.

I suppose this is the time I should be talking about how the NHL adds immensely to the sports bounty of March, but let’s be honest: nobody likes hockey.

And now on to the main event: the NCAA basketball tournament. There is nothing quite like it anywhere else in sports. 68 teams, many of whom even the most ardent college basketball fan has never heard of, play a true playoff (I’m talking to you college football) and after dozens of fantastic games, crown a deserving champion.

Some years, the teams powerhouses, the Kansases, Kentuckys, Dukes, North Carolinas, raise their game to new heights and blaze a path to the Final Four where they engage in epic Goliath vs.

Goliath match-ups.

Other years, the Cinderellas make it to the ball. (Get it, because it’s called the “Big Dance” and a ball is another name for a dance and Cinderella goes to a ball? Get it? Dang I’m funny. Where was I?) Oh yeah, Cinderella stories. People love to see the Butlers and VCUs of the world shock the country and make a stunning run through the tourney.

Whoever is winning, March Madness consistently brings some of the most exciting and improbable basketball of the year.

No sporting event other than maybe the Super Bowl attracts as much attention from people across the country as millions of Americans fill out their brackets. Betfirms.com estimates that Americans wager over $3 billion each year on the tournament alone.

So rest easy, friends. Even though the world is probably going to end soon, it won’t end until after we get another brilliant collection of sports that is only possible once a year, in this wonderful month of March.

Ryan Benjamin Levi is the Editor-in-Chief for the Royal Page

March

When I think of March, I think like games that inspire camaraderie where teams of muddy snow and long, gray days. are only as strong as their weakest link.

In football, if an otherwise great team has a It is usually one of the ugliest, most below average left tackle, the star quarterback depressing months of the year.

This March has been unusually could easily be blindsided and knocked out of Jason beautiful, but it hasn’t changed in the game with an injury. Players depend on each Showers one way. March is overrated other like soldiers in battle.

Also, scoring is difficult and does not hapwhen it comes to sports.

It certainly has some enjoyable sporting events pen several times a minute in football, and there that take place, but not enough to make it the is more physical contact and toughness required. pinnacle of the sports year. That honor belongs There are those who would disagree, but there is no argument as to which sport most Americans to October.

When I consider the wonderful 10th month prefer.

While the football/basketball discussion is inof the year, I first think of beautiful colors and a crisp, fresh feeling in the air. Second, I think of teresting, let us not forget America’s national pastime. Remember that USA Today article? Guess the great sports scene.

By October, the NFL season is one month un- what sport it listed as second most popular. derway, and the fight to see who will take control Basketball? Nope.

Professional baseball begins in March with in each division is in full swing.

According to a 2011 USA Today article, pro- spring training and ends in October with the fessional football is the most popular sport to World Series.

While MLB spring training does inspire opwatch in the United States. Approximately 18 million viewers tuned in to a game each Sunday timism and a laid back, fun-in-the-sun environlast season, the USA Today reports. Logically, ment, who can really get excited about going to shouldn’t the best month of the sports year in- see a game where some minor league Joe-Schmoe is wearing number 93 and batting clean-up? clude America’s most popular sport?

I’m sorry, but if I am paying to attend a profesMarch Madness is one sporting event that has no equal, but it isn’t enough to make March the sional sporting event, I want to see professional athletes. Like the ones playing in October. best sports time of the year The World Series, the annual tournament To those who are not diehard fans, the NCAA basketball tournament can be confusing. There to crown baseball’s top team, is the most excitare so many teams, players, wins, and losses that it ing week of the year for me in regards to sports.

I think it is the fairest competition to decide a can be impossible to keep track of.

The NFL, on the other hand, is easy to follow. champion. Like football, the teams were not seThe games primarily take place on Sundays, with lected by any committee, but made it to the big one on Monday each week. The 16 game season dance based solely on their wins and losses.

Furthermore, when two teams meet in the and playoff seedings are very straightforward and World Series, the champion is not decided after do not employ any type of selection committee.

Football is simply a better game than basket- playing one game. In one game, there can be flukes and bad bounces that influence the outcome of an ball.

To me, the NBA has always seemed to be a entire season. In baseball the two challengers play league of individual stars making too much mon- a best-of-7 game series that gives each team muley to play half-hearted defense, arrogant offense, tiple chances to prove its worth.

This 2012 World Series will begin Wednesand stroke their egos.

Sure, there are exceptions, but far too often day, October 24th. I plan to enjoy it with famprofessional basketball players have grown accus- ily, friends, and baseball fans across the country. tomed to being “the all-star” on every team they What a fitting way to end the best sports month have ever played on, and it shows. There is no of the year. sport in which it is more apparent when a team’s Jason Cleveland Showers is a Sports game plan is to feed the ball to their best player. I Editor for the Royal page

October

opinion 5

the

RP Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Don’t let Nooks replace traditional books Paper books have value well beyond the novelty, impact of new devices

Ever since I read my first book, “Miss Hattie and the Monkey” at age four, I have felt that the sound of a book spine cracking and the feeling of pages between my fingers are two of the most pleasing, calming sensMadeline es I have ever felt.

Rauma Advancements in more convenient reading practices like the Nook or Kindle take away some of the joys of reading and provide a less personal feel.

Sure, the sleek physique of the new gadgets may be seducing, but how about the cover art and the synopsis on the back of a book?

Those can be just as enticing to a buyer. Not to mention that these “ebooks” seem like a hard, lifeless apparatus when compared to a nicely designed book jacket.

Although we’ve learned not to judge a book by its cover, the more personal look of such an artifact is more intimate than a black box with a slideshow of heroic writers passing by on screen. (What is with that, by the way?)

Now, I am not saying that those inventions are evil in the realm of literature. It easy to see that when traveling, sometimes a Nook or Kindle are the only things practical enough to fit in the overhead compartment instead of cramming all four volumes of Leo Tolstoy’s

War and Peace into your carry-on bag. However, on your long flight to Paris, what are you going to do when the battery dies?

Not to mention that you don’t have to turn off your print-book when approaching landing or takeoff.

I’d rather risk a paper cut.

Injuries aside, seeing one’s progress while reading a book is a very rewarding experience. Sure, a Kindle or Nook provides an illustration as to how far one has read, but actually feeling the big chunk in your left hand, petite chunk in your right, is afar more impressive feat.

From personal experience, I can say that the best way to fight a rainy day is to lay on the porch accompanied by a good book, and if you happen to nod off, a book falling off of your lap is far less frightening than an expensive gadget crashing to the ground and costing you another arm and leg for a replacement.

Some, not I, enjoy reclining in the bath and reading. What are you going to do about that? Place your beloved whatchamacallit in a Ziploc baggie?

For those who don’t read for pleasure, disregard this whole article. For the others, however, whether you prefer electronic literature or paper, you are becoming enlightened through an act that I find

Staff Editorial: Pointlessness of stress At one point or another throughout 13 years of school, everyone experiences a workload that is too much to handle causing some sort of stress. Although the stress hits some more frequently than others, it’s fair to say almost everybody has felt it.

What is the point, though? Why get stressed out because of school?

We have all always wanted to work hard and succeed. Part of the reason for trying hard in school, especially in more recent years, was to be able to get into a good college; but then what?

We work hard in college so we can get into a good graduate school, and then? Hopefully get a good job?

But what if, for some reason, we don’t end up getting the job of our dreams. What if we can’t find a job, or end up with a job that has nothing to do with what we studied in college.

After all, only 55.6 percent of all young college graduates in 2009 had jobs that required college degrees, according to an article from the New York Times.

In that case, what was the point of worrying or stressing in high school? The information we had tried so hard to retain just to get an acceptable grade proved useless.

We are not saying college and high school are useless. There are obviously many academic advantages to them and no one could do without them completely, but stress from school is potentially unnecessary.

Besides, academic perfection isn’t the only thing that will take us far in life. In addition to intelligence, a person should know how to work with others, problem solve, and use other “people” skills. Moreover, as discussed in the novel Outliers: The Story of Success, “intelligence has a threshold”.

This idea of a threshold means that you just

have to be “smart enough”, that once you reach a certain point of intelligence, other things start to matter more, for example, imagination.

With the threshold in mind, worrying about one grade doesn’t seem as important. Getting a B instead of an A doesn’t mean you are less capable than someone else; in fact, you may be more likely to succeed if you possess many nonacademic, personality or creativity based characteristics.

Stressing, in terms of the threshold, doesn’t do much good. Worrying about having the best test scores or grades may be useless as those with grades and test scores close to yours may do just as well in life, but with less stress along the way.

Obviously everybody gets stressed at times and it would be difficult to get rid of stress completely. At certain moments, though, everyone could definitely do without the extra stress. After all, if the statistics go unchanged and 44.4 percent of us end up in a job that doesn’t require a college degree, what was the point of stressing in the first place?

Stressing in school causes failure to see the bigger picture. We get too focused on one test, grade, or anything else, when it should really be about what we took out of a class.

Instead of over-worrying about knowing all of the presidents in order and the dates that they were in office, we should focus on the bigger picture such as becoming a better writer, learning how to conduct an experiment, or life skills such as knowing how to work with others.

Stressing in school is unnecessary because it causes us to lose sight of what is important.

Instead of focusing on what we can take away from an experience, stress in school causes us to become too focused on one moment.

Editorials are the collective opinion of the Royal Page editorial board

T

very rewarding.

Whether you are reading The Scarlet Letter for school or The Hunger Games for pleasure, holding the piece of work is much more rewarding than scrolling through it on a battery-dependent device.

With the loss of paper books, what’s going to happen to all the quaint book marks and book ends in the world? Plus, an empty bookshelf lining your wall looks quite lonely.

Books can age and become more valuable in addition to telling a story far beyond what is literally written inside, and at the end of the day, I’d rather turn the pages of a “page-turner” than swipe a screen or click an arrow.

“ Reading practices like the Nook or Kindle take away some of the joys of reading ” Madeline Jane Rauma is the News Editor for the Royal Page

:

op Ways to get kicked out 10 of the state tournament

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Go to Minnetonka, you wouldn’t be there in the first place In any way diss Novak Sr. Perform Witchcraft

“Accidentally” meander into the opposing student section Drink Gatorade...they don’t sell it there Even think about bringing in beach balls #FreeAndy #FreeJimmy Rush the court...during a time out

Wear Adidas

6 variety

the

RPWednesday, March 28, 2012

‘Kids Like Us’ making their sounds viral Three HHS students put their musical talents into a professional video level Lauren Reuteler Staff Reporter

photo provided by Eli Fhima

“I was a politician, saying crazy things, getting everyone riled up, you know, ‘Doin a Man’s Job,’” said Sam Wayne, senior. Kids Like Us films their very first scene of the video with Wayne standing on the far left.

From long hours on a chilly Super Bowl Sunday, came yet another step in the making of one band’s dream. $800 spent, 30 cast members, and one song all came together to make Kid’s Like Us’ first official music video, “Doin a Man’s Job”.

“My mom would call it disturbing, but we didn’t make the video to promote violence, we were trying to make it edgy, make it interesting” said Eli Fhima, senior and member of Kid’s Like Us. With the help of a professional producer, Marc James, and the original music written by the band members, the music video has reached over 2,000 views on YouTube since the video came out on March 1. It has brought much attention to the band.

“I had high expectations for the video, and I was happy with the final outcome,” said Sam Wayne, senior and member of Kid’s Like Us. After being together for one and a half years, the band has released 32 songs and made numerous appearances in popular attractions around the Twin Cities and Wisconsin.

“Making the video was a lot more work than I thought. We had fun while we were filming, but setting everything up was difficult,” said Kordell Washington, senior and extra in the video.

Before filming, the band met several times to discuss the video. “We had half of the video planned out before

so when it came to filming we had an idea of what we were doing but still had room to improvise,” Fhima said.

Filming day was exciting for the band. Everything and everyone was set to go but the weather wasn’t ideal. “It was freezing out; when we weren’t filming we were dancing around trying to keep warm. Sam was pushing everyone along saying ‘You are all troopers,’” said Lizzie Fontaine, senior and member of Kid’s Like Us. Even with the harsh weather, there were lots of friends and fans who came to be there during the making of the video, and participate as extras. “It was really nice to see the support that everyone showed to make the video happen,” Wayne said.

There was a lot of positive feedback about the video. “I’ve heard that some people don’t like it but I’ve also heard good things said about it,” Wayne said.

“We’re kids your age, we’re doing big things and it just goes to show that if you want to make it happen you can, that’s the point, ‘Doin a Man’s Job,’” said Kwon Yearby, senior and extra in the video.

“It was very professionally done for kids our age,” said Colin Weiberdink, senior.

Kid’s Like Us plans to bring more videos in the future from their upcoming extended play called ‘Therapy’ being released in May. “Trying to make a name is making progress. We put together this video to give us momentum for what we have next,” Fhima said.

Oxynate providing customers with relaxing experience Maddie Shaw Staff Reporter Oxygen is widely known to be colorless, tasteless, and odorless. However this is not the case in oxygen bars across the world.

On the third floor of Mall of America in Bloomington, is Oxynate, a quaint yet chic oxygen bar that opened in 2005.

“Oxygen is great for you,” said Ashley Crimi, employee of Oxynate. “I have never heard anyone say they didn’t like it.”

The first official oxygen bar opened in 1996 in Toronto, Canada, and the trend continued to North America.

For $20, customers at Oxynate are offered 15 minutes of flavored oxygen while sitting in a massage chair. Following the massage, five additional minutes are spent at the bar where customers receive more oxygen and a complementary 6 Hour Energy and Powerade.

“We are the only Oxygen bar that offers deep tissue massage. Our overall main goal is to help you relax,” Crimi said.

The thought of paying for oxygen may seem pointless at first glance.

Universal Pictures’ recent release, “Dr. Suess’ The Lorax” even displays clips of citizens paying for bottled air and main characters radically opposing it. This may be the case, however, it’s not just

the air that people are paying for.

Alternative medicine claims that the human body is oxygen deprived and so more oxygen is a good thing.

Not only is the process safe, according to alternative medicine, it ultimately reduces stress, increases energy and alertness, and lessens headaches. It can also be key to helping reduce respiratory difficulties, sleeping disorders, depression and memory problems.

“I first tried oxygen at a bar mitzvah.

It was weird but it cleared up my sinus,” said Stephanie Strifert, sophomore.

The process in which oxygen is inhaled at bars and even events involves two tubes that are inserted into each nostril. The tubes are connected to bottles of oxygen which are flavored that

customers can choose when making a purchase.

“I had never even heard of inhaling oxygen until now. It sounds like it would be scary but the process and idea are interesting,” said Carly Allen, junior.

The oxygen flavors are FDA approved and differ by product. Oxynate offers 32 different aromas such as lime, lavender, watermelon, and pure, on eight machines. During a session, one is able to mix and match scent depending on the ones that the customer likes best.

“I tried the mint flavor and it kind of made me dizzy. It smells and tastes really good though,” said Annie Freeman, sophomore.

Oxynate is open seven days a week and can tend to customers specific needs. “Just yesterday [March 10] a girl came in and purchased oxygen but didn’t like any of the flavors we offered.

We tried every one until she found one that she liked,” Crimi said.

Oxygen can also be offered at restaurants, health clubs, coffee houses, spas, and even casinos. In addition to these locations, it be purchased in cans and can simply be inhaled like breath spray; by pressing down gently on the nozzle.

“I tried oxygen before I even began working here [at Oxynate] and it was the experience that made me want to apply. It really feels awesome and the mood afterward is good,” Crimi said.

variety 7

the

RPWednesday, March 28, 2012

Bringing Mexican flavors to Golden Valley Sonja Muus Web Czar Minneapolis, being one of the most culturally diverse cities in the nation, offers a plethora of restaurants from other cultures. Whether it’s Indian or Italian, Mexican or Chinese, consumers aren’t short of multi cultural dining options.

One option for HHS students is Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant located on Duluth St. in Golden Valley.

According to the restaurant’s website, it was founded in 1985

by Felipe Mata, a Mexican immigrant who moved to America with the dream of opening a restaurant. He named the restaurant after his wife, Teresa.

The original Teresa’s Restaurant was established in Augusta, Georgia. After experiencing success at this location,

Mata opened more locations in three states. There are two locations in South Carolina, three in Georgia and three in Minnesota.

Teresa’s features a restaurant and bar offering dine-in and take-out meals that have the same menu. There are 17 sections of the menu across nine pages giving the consumer many options.

There is a full bar for alcoholic drinks and a beverages section serving basic Pepsi products. They also serve a traditional Mexican drink, Horchata, made with rice milk and cinnamon.

The menu features two appetizer sections nachos and general appetizers. Teresa’s serves nachos with any combination of chicken, beef, and beans, as well as a general appetizer section featuring various chip dips,

wings, and quesidillas. Every table also receives chips and salsa before they are served the meal.

There is also a soup and salad section with some Mexican influence serving guacamole salad and tortilla soup among a few other choices.

There are many options for main entrees including molcajete (a Mexican style stew), alambres (Mexican style stir fry), seafood, house specialties, steak, pork, chicken, vegetarian, burritos, enchiladas, a la carte, hamburgers, make your own combo, changas, and lunch specials.

Finally, the dessert section of the menu features a fried banana burrito, flan, (a traditional Mexican custard), fried ice cream, chimicheescake, sopapilla (flour tortillas with honey and cinnamon), and churros (Mexican deep fried pastries rolled in

photo by Lauren Reuteler

Teresa’s, located just off Duluth Street in Golden Valley, offers a wide variety of Mexican style food.

cinnimon and sugar).

The food at Teresa’s is reasonably priced as well with main entrees ranging from $3.79 to $22.95, appetizers from $4.75 to $8.75, and desserts at $3.75 to $5.00.

On top of the food they serve, the atmosphere of the res-

taurant also adds to the Mexican style. The service is friendly, and the waitresses use some simple Spanish words such “Hola, chicas” to add to the Mexican dining experience.

The walls are decorated with Mexican culture pieces such as clothes and paintings. On top

of that, the entry area is often decorated seasonally, such as pumpkins at Halloween time or four leaf clover decorations around St. Patrick’s Day. Teresa’s is a good choice for any consumer looking for a Mexican restaurant serving a wide variety of food.

Getting a little bit witty Ashley Hamer Staff Reporter Without scripts or preplanned scenes, the HHS comedy team practices improvisational bits in preparation to face other schools around the Twin Cities in the ComedySportz competition.

“We’re a group of hilarious students that go to this school and practice every Wednesday and Thursday,” said Noah Johnson, junior and comedy team co-captain.

The team receives commentary and support from Ms. Sara Garcia, AP coordinator and comedy team advisor. “Five years ago, students at HHS were talking about starting an improv group. Since I’m a sucker for kids with wit, I got roped in and never left,” Garcia said.

The practices are based off of improvement. “Usually we start out by circling up and doing some warm-ups. Then depending on what we need to work on, we go onto either scene games or head to heads,” Johnson said.

Since the students run what happens at the practices, they develop skills other than just quick thinking. “The students need to learn leadership as well as keeping a funny setting so it’s

kind of balancing fun with responsibility,” Garcia said.

The comedy team also offers benefits for those who try out.

“It’s a really good way to meet friends, and if you have public speaking problems, like I used to, this is a great way to get over those,” Johnson said.

“Some students that are good at improv really don’t have another place to perform in school because they’re not really theater students but they’re not debate kids either. It gives them an outlet. It may even be helpful in avoiding a lot of disruptions in the classrooms,” said Ms. Beth Ocar, Language Arts and co-owner of ComedySportz.

Ocar and her husband have owned ComedySportz since 1996. Her husband has been the one managing and running the comedy company for 15 years.

The show is completely based off of suggestions from the audience and the players have to work with the infinite amount of subjects that could be given. “It is difficult at first because you don’t know how the audience will react, but you keep at it and work with your teammates,” Johnson said.

The Ocars keep ComedyS-

portz shows appropriate by telling the audience that if they bring up blue comedy, which is any topic that’s rude, or crude they will be brown bagged which is a paper bag placed over their head for the rest of the show.

“We’re proud that we’ve made ComedySportz a family environment. Performing clean comedy challenges the players; it’s actually a lot harder than performing blue comedy,” Ocar said.

Every year, HHS has ranked in the top three teams in the ComedySports League and has received awards for it.

“The students have to think quickly, be witty, and understand satire. Most importantly, they have to be willing to take risks because good comedy isn’t easy and failed comedy is painful,” Garcia said.

“We would love all the people we can get for this team, especially the new sophomores,” Johnson said.

Every year, the comedy team encourages students to try out and be a part of the team. “Even though the group has a different flavor each year, we continue to be a unique space for students to showcase talent and perform as a team,” Garcia said.

PROJE

What did you think of Project X? “I thought it was crazy, stupid, and I was thinking about how anyone could get away with that.”

-Carly Shaw, senior “It shows the dangers that could come if people arenʼt responsible for themselves.”

-Kristi Kuehn, junior

Drinking in the Nation

-Every year, 5,000 people under the age of 21 die of underage drinking.

-Your brain isnʼt fully developed when under age 21 and drinking inhibits its development.

-In a nationwide survey...

...10% of 8th graders said theyʼve been drunk

...14% of 10th graders said theyʼve been drunk

...34% of 12th graders said theyʼve been drunk *Information from Sara Hanson, senior, on be-

The recent movie “Project X” has HHS stu

L

ife as a teenager is anything but easy these days.

Kids are increasingly held down by depression, anxiety, eating disorders, drugs, and alcohol, among other things.

While it’s true that these issues are not unique to this generation, they seem to be more prominent than ever before.

According to a study done by the Nuffield Foundation this month, the number of 15 and 16 year olds that feel anxious or depressed has doubled over the past 30 years.

“It is more difficult to be a young adult today than at my age,” said Ms. Patty Johnson, principal.

Hopkins Police officer Mark Kyllo agreed. “Social pressures have increased for past generations and for every age bracket. With the social media that’s there now, there’s definitely more pressures,” he said.

These social pressures, in addition to other pressures such as school and family, lead some students to partying.

As a response to these pressures, some students decide to get high, get wasted, and, as a result, make mistakes.

This is not a trend which has encompassed 100 percent of students. In the most recent student survey of HHS seniors, 49 percent of males and 43 percent of females stated that they do not drink alcoholic beverages.

However, many of these students have heard stories about crazy parties from the 19 percent of males and 6 percent of females who admitted to drinking six or more alcoholic drinks at one time when they drink.

This trend is only accelerated by the nature of teen media. Movies such as “Project X,” where the main character is voted “most likely to succeed,” praised by his classmates, and even by his parents after throwing a huge rager resulting in his house being burnt down.

“It’s all over in the media, every single TV show you watch, there’s underage drinking.

Even if they’re saying it’s not okay, it’s still on the air,” said Sara Hanson, senior and member of the HHS Student Wellness Committee.

The Student Wellness Committee is comprised of HHS students who believe in having fun without drugs and alcohol and try to pass that message on to their fellow students.

According to a study by Dartmouth Medical School, people ages 10 to 14 who watch movies spotlighting alcohol are 63 percent more likely to participate in binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks in a row).

The minimal consequences and glorified benefits portrayed in “Project X” are quickly becoming sought after by some teens.

“After people saw that movie, they were like ‘Who’s having the next party?” said Hattie Holm, junior.

Few students would go on record with The Royal Page to discuss parties, but at a recent

half of the Student Wellness Committee

Does the movie “Project X” reflect what happens at HHS?

party thrown by an HHS student, the media resulting in a night many would rather forget “My regret would mainly be just having the party.

In “Project X,” the main character hopes to cool.” Word gets out, and the house is soon ta Social media sites such as Facebook and T show up at teenage parties.

“I thought people would understand the out that way,” said the host of the recent part According to various sources, around 50about 2 hours before the police were called.

While the on-screen party in “Project X” this is rarely a reality. The potential consequ party.

“The mood changed instantly once I hea host said.

Several teens at the party received minors. receive minors, and works with them accordin “We’re concerned about [students’] well-b Johnson said.

Kyllo said that Hopkins police remain co derage consumption. “For [Hopkins police], minor], then they’re all going to get it,” Kyllo Many students believe cops have been stop like a new unit has started just for finding an However, according to Kyllo, any increase not seek out any juvenile underage drinking. I it’s that 99 percent of the time their neighbor In 2011, Minnetonka officers issued 112 olds and 62 citations to those under the age increase in out of control parties which result Minnetonka police officer and HHS poli ing habits which some teens are developing teens can’t handle. “I can recall being at parti tion due to alcohol or drug abuse. I have bee been sexually assaulted after being drugged,”

ECTH

udents talking about the party culture.

a influence and party culture came together, t. the party in the first place,” said the host of

o throw a small party that’s “big enough to be aken over by uninvited party goers.

Twitter make it easier for unwanted guests to

rule that it was invite only, but it didn’t turn y.

-60 teens ended up at the party, which lasted

” carried out full force throughout the night, uences quickly became apparent at this HHS

ard one of my friends had been arrested,” the

. Johnson said she is notified of students who ngly. being whether it’s inside or outside of school,”

onsistent when handing out citations for una lot of it is, if one person’s going to get it [a o said. pping parties much more frequently. “It seems nd hunting down parties,” the host said. e in Hopkins is purely coincidental. “We do It’s not that the cops are out looking for them, rs will call.” underage drinking citations to 18 – 21 year of 18. Minnetonka police officers predict an t in citations due to media influence. ice liaison, Jason Tait, believes that the partymay lead to dangerous circumstances which ies where kids were in need of medical attenen to party calls where girls claimed to have Tait said.

Additionally, Kyllo has seen the rough realities of parties ending in property damage.

“It definitely does happen. You get these kids in your house, and they don’t care, they don’t know you. It looks like fun in the movies but when it’s your house, it’s bad news,” Kyllo said.

“I don’t think people understand that people get hurt and there are some serious consequences for your actions. You are breaking the law and you are putting yourself and others in danger,” Hanson, from the Student Wellness Committee, said.

Some seniors who have attended many parties throughout high school now have a changed point of view.

Aubrey Todd, senior, believes the truth found in “Project X” lies in the parents. “The parties always seem to happen at big suburban houses, with parents who don’t care. Of course the kids are going to mess around because the parents never cared in the first place.

They don’t want to make parents angry, but kids who have nothing to lose just go for it.”

Parents who allow their kids to throw parties in their homes can face consequences if the parties get out of hand as many cities are adopting social host ordinances. “They [parents] can be held liable for any actions that result in underage kids under the influence of alcohol,” Kyllo said.

The experiences Todd regrets the most are the times she got in trouble with her parents.

“Letting them down was the worst feeling,” Todd said.

Sally Abrams, senior, has had parties at her house. She feels that her close relationship with her parents benefits her parties. “My parents care. They’re both home, and they want other parents to know. They talk to each kid who comes in,” Abrams said.

Abrams believes that partying doesn’t need to be fused with alcohol. “I don’t go to parties in order to drink and do other things, I go to be with my friends,” Abrams said.

She thinks that the sense of excitement which comes along with partying at a young age is quickly revealed to be a hollow promise. “When you’re younger, you think that drinking and drugs make you cooler. But when you’re older, and you mature, you realize that people don’t care what you do and don’t do,” Abrams said.

Todd said that heavy partying takes a toll.

“It’s almost exhausting, and sometimes I’d literally rather just stay home and hang out with family,” Todd said. “You lose your innocence really quick. It’s only fun in the beginning.”

The number of 15 and 16 year olds that feel anxious or depressed has doubled over the past 30 years, according to a study done by the Nuffield Foundation.

People ages 10 to 14 who watch movies spotlighting alcohol are 63 percent more likely to participate in binge drinking (consuming 5 or more drinks in a row) according to a study by Dartmouth Medical School.

Minnetonka officers issued 112 underage drinking citations to 18 to 21 year olds and 62 citations to those under the age of 18 in 2011.

More than 2/3 of 10th graders and about 2/5 of 8th graders have consumed alcohol (more than a few sips) in their lifetime, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Lydia Wilson is the Back Page Editor and Hannah Vaughn is a Staff Reporter for the Royal Page

What are the true consequences?

10 feature The Royal Page 2011-2012

Editors in Chief Marlee Gotlieb Ryan Levi

Managing Editor

the

RPWednesday, March 28, 2012

DECA hopeful for Nationals Taylor Lee Staff Reporter

Madeline Rauma

News Editor

Madeline Rauma

Opinion Editor Mona Omar

Feature Editors Maddy Braverman Lucy Orenstein

Variety Editor Katie Cera

Sports Editors Jason Showers Sarah Ungerman

Back Page Editor Lydia Wilson

Photo Editor

Mike Newcomer

Business Manager Tarina Gartner

Web Czars Jack Deutsch Sonja Muus

Staff Reporters Rachel Alter Charlie Bank Sam Bloomfield Nick Dale Ryland Dorshow Eli Fhima Isaac Fisher Pat Gallagher Lily Goldfarb Joe Greene Ashley Hamer Andrew Hall Thomas Heegaard Taylor Lee Jeff Lifson Zach Mekler Harry Orenstein Caroline Ravits Lauren Reuteler Madeline Shaw Ian Vaughan Hannah Vaughn

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 are available for $20.

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.

page theROYAL

Called last for DECA national qualification, Seth Gellman, senior, and Chandler Luhowskyj, junior, were relieved to know nine months of hard work and planning paid off.

“We were a bit nervous, but when I was up there all I could think of was, ‘what did we do wrong’ and ‘what could we have done better’,” Luhowskyj said.

Gellman and Luhowskyj presented their Financial Literacy Promotion project, or more commonly known as Your Money Your Life. This is the second year the project has been going on, entailing nine months of work from this year alone.

“What separated our project from the others was that we offered a variety of seminars, we promoted Financial Literacy for all ages, K-12, unlike other chapters,” Luhowskyj said. “We also had a lot of advertising; we talked to a lot of businesses to retain sponsorship.”

Your Money Your Life earned Gellman and Luhowskyj first place in their event at the state competition, qualifying for the national competition in April.

In order to get to state, students must first get past districts. In districts, there are anywhere from 15-60 competitors in each event. From HHS, nine students placed in the top three or four in their own event, qualifying them to move in from districts to state.

As the competition progressed, the number of competitors in each event grew. At state, 72 students competed for the top three spots in each event to move on.

Zach Mekler and Sreyas Chintapalli, seniors, both qualified for nationals and each competed in the Business Services Marketing event. “It’s almost unheard of that a small chapter like Hopkins would have two people that qualified in the same event,” Mekler said. “Last year

I placed in the top eight, so going into it I expected to qualify. If I didn’t improve, I would have felt like I had taken a step back.”

Mekler will not be attending nationals due to an Ultimate Frisbee tournament, so Chintapalli will be representing HHS by himself in his event. “It’s unfortunate that I can’t go, but that was a personal decision that I made given the fact that I felt that I had already reached the goal that I set out to achieve,” Mekler said.

Mr. Jesse Theirl, Business Education, has been the DECA advisor for five years. Each year Theirl has been the advisor, Hopkins DECA has had at least three kids qualify for nationals. Before he took over, HHS had not had anyone qualify since 2001.

“I’m happy with the amount that qualified for nationals, four is usually the average,” Theirl said.

Alysa Stukel, senior, did the Community Service Project, placing in the top 12 at state. “It’s hard to know how

you are going to do because some years there aren’t many competitors and some years there are. It was hard to anticipate my placement, but I am happy with making it to the finals, even if I’m not going to nationals,” Stukel said.

Since the Community Service Project is a new event this year, Stukel did not have many ways to prepare. “Once students start working on their DECA events, I can advise and provide insight for them to be successful. If you don’t put the work/effort into it, you probably will not get much out of it,” Theirl said.

Stukel practiced her project in front of Theirl and had him look over her 30 page essay required for her event.

“DECA can be like an entire other class because of how much time it takes up, it’s sometimes even more,” Stukel said.

“Nationals will be a great experience, but making people aware of financial literacy is the most important part of our project,” Gellman said.

Photo provided by Chandler Luhowskyj

Luhowskyj and Gellman give each other a congratulatory handshake after winning their event at the state competition. The two will compete at Nationals later in April.

Grund says ‘bonjour’ to France Maddy Braverman Feature Editor For months, students in French 5 studied French culture, French literature, and of course, the French language. For one student, Joey Grund, junior, the class provided practice for his life next year.

Grund was recently accepted into the Youth For Understanding program (YFU) to study abroad in France next year. He will leave at the end of August and return the following July.

“I will miss that ‘I’m a senior and it’s my last year’ experience but I think it’s going to be worth it,” Grund said.

YFU is an international organization in over 50 countries that provides teenagers with a host family in another country. Grund will be one of approximately 4,000 students that participate in the YFU program worldwide.

For Grund, the idea of participating in an abroad program began when he met the exchange students at HHS.

There was never a question of where he wanted to study, because the choice was obvious.

“I realized I have ‘Francophelia’, or love of all things French,” Grund said. “I am fascinated by the language and the culture and everything else about it.”

Grund will find out only two weeks before he leaves in August where in France he will be going and who he will be living with. “My ideal place would be a mix between the big city experience and the small town countryside, like a suburb,” Grund said.

Grund is looking forward to improving his French and coming home fluent.

“I am afraid at the beginning that the language barrier will be too much and no one will understand me,” Grund said.

Ms. Amy Miller, French, believes Grund will have no problem communicating.

“He’s pretty much fluent in French, and is always learning extra vocab and expressions on his own,” Miller said. “I think in another life, he probably was French.”

High school in France is different than in the United States. “There are no sports, clubs, or extracurricular activities through school, and I think Joey might have to adjust to that,” Miller said. “Things will be different for him, but I think he will be able to make friends really easily, and these will be friends he will have for life.”

Aubrey Todd, senior, spent her junior year in Spain through YFU. “[ Joey] will learn more in France next year than he will in any classroom in Minnesota,” Todd said. “It’s like nothing he’s ever experienced before.”

Going to France for his senior year does not change Grund’s plans for after high school. He will still apply for college next year from France. “I hope colleges will see [my abroad experience] as a good thing, rather than holding it against me,” Grund said.

“I’m going [to France] no matter what.

Even if World War III breaks out in Europe and France is surrounded, I’m still going to find a way to go,” Grund said.

If you could go anywhere, where would you choose to study abroad?

Anthony Johnson, sophomore

Spain

Emily Smith, junior

London

Jeremy Frisco, senior

Italy

feature11

RP Wednesday, March 28, 2012

the

Playing to the beat of their own drum Maddy Braverman Feature Editor Hundreds of people in the stands at the Target Center watched as Liam Doyle, senior, and Nick Leeke, sophomore, were held by their legs as they played their quad drums upside down. Drumline has performed this act three times before: for the POPS concert, at the March pep-fest, and during halftime at the boys state quarterfinal basketball game.

At the beginning of the year, tryouts were held for the students on drumline. Both Mr. Kyle Miller, band, and Elliot De St. Croix, director of drumline, sit in on the tryouts. “During tryouts, I am looking for a strong basis of good fundamental technique, confidence, tempo control, and musicality,” De St. Croix said.

“If I know a student, I know whether or not they’ll do a good job,” Miller said.

This year, the HHS drumline consists of ten students, four that have been on drumline before.

“At first I thought it was going to be very awkward but I felt really welcomed. Sometimes I feel a little left out being the only girl and being that it’s my first year, but we have all become good friends,” said Jessica Levens, senior.

Students on drumline are also required to be in pep band, known as the Lean Mean Performance Machine (LMPM).

“It’s like pep band plus, and it’s cool because we get the chance to do extra performances outside of LMPM,” Liam Doyle, senior, said.

Once a week, drumline has a two-hour long practice, and then have another rehearsal with LMPM on a different night of the week.

“When a member commits to joining the drumline, they are committing to more than just a music group. They put in more time giving back to Hopkins than any other students,” De St. Croix said.

“Before homecoming and the POPS concert we had many prac-

Proud to be an American BIEHLMANNS from page 1 “I have turned 18 since my family applied, so now I have to do the whole process from the beginning,” Priscille said. Fortunately, gaining U.S. citizenship won’t force the Biehlmanns to stop being French citizens. Instead, they’ll be dual citizens. “[With my dual citizenship] the nice thing will be that I have two passports, so it'll be nice to have two embassies I can run to if I ever get in any trouble abroad,” Priscille said.

Although Domitille will remain a French citizen and her path to citizenship was relatively easy, she still finds flaws in the process.

“It makes me sad to pledge that I will make this my primary country because I really love France and plan on returning.

So even though we will have dual citizenship, it makes me a little nervous to have to say ‘I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty...’ because I'm French and I don’t

want to lose that,” she said.

The Biehlmanns are the only ones in their extended family who are in this application position because the rest of their family lives outside of the U.S. However, they have a community of French friends in Minneapolis who have been naturalized in the past few years and have helped the family throughout the process.

Although separated by an ocean, Priscille and Domitille still retain a strong relationship with their family in France.

“I talk to my cousins, aunts, and uncles every once in awhile, and I talk to my grandparents on a weekly basis, but I don’t have as close of a relationship with them as they all have with each other,” Domitille said. “But the couple times a year when we visit our family or they come to visit us, no matter how long it was since we saw them last, we act as though nothing has changed, which is nice.”

Christopher and Claire recently had their oral interviews and will likely be finished with the process in the next couple of months.

Photo by Mike Newcomer

The drumline bass drum players march onto the basketball court for their halftime performance. The drumline also consists of quad drums and snare drums.

tices that were frustrating to get through,” Levens said.

During the big sports seasons, such as basketball, drumline plays along with LMPM for as many as three games a week.

“It works just like any other extracurricular. You learn to make time for it,” Doyle said.

John Narum, senior and former member of drumline, felt that the time commitment was too great. “It became too much to do

drumline so I decided to resign my spot on the quad drums. I don’t think people understand that the commitment to drumline is much like a varsity sports team but even more,” Narum said.

“Even though I think that drumline is a pretty big commitment, I found ways to do other things and all the effort we put in to all the rehearsals really payed off. We have come a long way since the beginning of the year,” Levens said.

Maidment answers call of duty Lucy Orenstein Feature Editor While most seniors are merely planning for their upcoming year, Justin Maidment, senior, has already started his journey in the armed forces.

Maidment’s decision to join the military was strongly influenced by his family.

“My grandpa joined the military when he was my age and has told me so many stories of his experiences. My grandpa definitely made me feel more interested and comfortable with military life,” Maidment said.

“My grandparents said to do what I want to do,” Maidment said. Maidment took his grandparent’s advice and last February, he began his journey in the armed forces.

Once he made his decision, it didn’t take long for Maidment to start down the military path.

“Becoming part of the military only [takes] three days,” said Bryan Beyl, Maidment’s army recruiter. “You take the test and then have your physical

and you’re done.”

The test Beyl referred to was the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) multiple-choice exam.

“The test determines what kind of job you can get in the military,” Maidment said. “I scored at 62 so the highest position I can hold is an air traffic control equipment repairer.”

Beyl said that most people who join the military are young like Maidment, with the majority being between 17 and 25 years old.

“It’s better when young people join because when you’re young you have nothing tying you down,” Beyl said.

After Maidment was placed in his position, he started basic combat training in Fort Benning, Ga. “I went to basic training this past summer for ten weeks and I learned how to shoot weapons and how to patrol an area,” Maidment said.

After he completed his training, a graduation ceremony was held at the National Infan-

try Museum.

“You go through a lot during training. Nothing was easy or handed to you. You had to earn it and it came with a lot of challenges,” Maidment said.

“90 to 95 percent of the people pass basic training and if they do fail it’s only because they quit on themselves,” Beyl said.

While Maidment is finishing his senior year of high school, he travels to Bloomington Armory one weekend each month for base drills.

These training sessions not only prepared Maidement for combat but also brought his unit closer together.

“Once you join you have an instant connection with everyone. Most people join for the same reasons so we all become one big family,” Maidment said.

Next September he will live in Garrisan, Ga. for 36 weeks to learn how to be an air traffic control equipment repairer.

“I have an eight year contract with the military so I can’t quit,” Maidment said. “Next year [af-

ter the 36 weeks] every month for two or three days, I have to go to Little Falls, Minn. to continue working on the techniques of my job.”

Maidment has made it clear that joining the military takes a lot of time, skill, and most importantly bravery.

Many people refrain from joining the military because they’re afraid to be deployed into war. However, Maidment feels very confident going into the military.

“Of course everyone is going to be scared. Death is scary, but you gotta do what you gotta do,” Maidment said.

Each unit is deployed once every four years and when it’s Maidment’s turn, he will make the best out of it.

When Maidment’s unit is deployed he will be stationed in Little Falls for five months and than sent to his destination.

“Being deployed to Afghanistan would be a lot different then going to Germany. I could say I’m not scared at all, but deep down I am,” Maidment said.

RPWednesday, March 28, 2012

the

12 feature

sports 13

the

RP Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Photo by Patrick Gallagher

Seniors have history, will part ways for college baseball Harry Orenstein Staff Reporter Since his days of tee-ball at Maetzold Field in Hopkins, Tim Shannon, senior, has dreamed of playing baseball as a Michigan Wolverine.

This past August, his dream came true when Michigan head coach Rich Maloney offered him a spot on the roster next year.

As a 6 foot 5 inch sophomore, Shannon made the Royals varsity baseball team. He excelled as a right-handed starting pitcher, recording 43 innings pitched, an earned run average (ERA) of 1.76, 45 strikeouts, and a winning record of 5-2.

He also received all-conference honors.

Shannon’s junior year didn’t go as smoothly.

He won only one game and finished the season with a 4.17 ERA. However, Shannon had a strong summer playing for the Hopkins Legion team and secured his opportunity to fulfill his dreams and play baseball at Michigan.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Michigan. I have family there and when they offered me the spot, I couldn’t believe it,” Shannon said.

This season, he will take the mound with a field of equally experienced and talented teammates behind him. With seven returning players, five of whom will play baseball in college, the team has high hopes for this year.

Six of the returning seven played alongside Shannon as sophomores, and the group has developed a tight-knit feel.

Joey Brettingen, senior, will be wearing maroon and gold next season. “When I went on a visit to the U [University of Minnesota], the guys were very inviting and made me feel like part of the team,” Brettingen said.

Brettingen may go head-to-head against Shannon in college. The University of Minnesota and Michigan baseball teams both compete in the

Big Ten division. “Maybe not as a freshman, but as a sophomore we could [compete against each other], which would be really exciting,” Brettingen said.

Matt Sinderson, senior and starting catcher, committed to play for the St. Thomas Tommies.

For the first time since seventh grade, he will be catching for someone other than Shannon.

“Playing for the Tommies will be a tough change because they’ll have different philosophies about managing my game,” Sinderson said.

Next year, Andy Wicklund, senior, is headed to Des Moines Area Community College. As the starting shortstop, Wicklund played in 25 games, had a .907 fielding percentage, recorded a .347 batting average, and was all-conference in 2011.

The DMACC Bears have a very strong baseball program. They won 48 games last season and qualified for the college Division II World Series.

Wicklund had an array of offers from different schools, including Concordia, Mankato State, and Augsburg.

However, it was a clear-cut choice for Wicklund “I chose DMACC because I will get more exposure and hopefully we can win the World Series,” Wicklund said.

Tanner Holmquist, senior outfielder, was one of the six sophomores to make the varsity team in 2010, but he is taking a different path than his teammates. Holmquist will be playing junior hockey next year.

“Even though I’m not playing college ball next year, I’m still going to play hard. We have a great team and a strong chance to go to the state tournament and maybe even win,” Holmquist said.

Senior leadership will be in abundance on the team this spring, and the experience of these players will factor in the development of younger athletes. “As a captain, I want to be encouraging and helpful to the incoming varsity players,” Bret-

tingen said.

Wicklund’s experience as a sophomore was not as welcoming as he expected. He hopes the incoming varsity players will have a different experience.

“When I made the team as one of six sophomores, I felt like the older guys closed us off and never really talked to us. It’s different now because most of us know the players that are going to be on varsity this year,” Wicklund said.

Head coach Neil Lerner has no doubts about camaraderie between the new and returning players. “Our seniors are not only great players, but they are great kids. They will not only support but will welcome new members to the team,” Lerner said.

Alex Hunter, senior, is among the seven returning players, but unlike the others, this will only be his second season on varsity. Even though Hunter wasn’t part of the team in 2010, he had no problem adapting.

“With the guys it wasn’t hard fitting in because I was friends with most of them and I played other sports with them. There was a good chemistry the team had, and they were very good at including me,” he said.

Next year, Hunter will be playing baseball for Bethel University, and has ambitiously decided to play football as well.

“Balancing both the sports will be difficult.

I’m going to have to work hard during all the off season work outs. To keep up with both of the sports I will need to be in the weight room constantly and I’ll need to keep myself accountable for how much work I have to put into it. They have designed programs for two sport athletes which will help a lot,” Hunter said.

Lerner is excited for the season and the chance to see a culmination of several successful high school baseball careers.

“We have high expectations for our team this season. We hope to build off of our section runner up finish from last year and take one step forward, to compete in the state tournament. As always, our goal is to get better as the season goes on so we can achieve that goal,” Lerner said.

Photo by Patrick Gallagher

Top: The seven returning seniors from left to right: Alex Hunter, Joey Brettingen, Tim Shannon, Matt Sinderson, Tanner Holmquist, Andy Wicklund, Andrew Glover.

Bottom: Tim Shannon, senior, expects a big season on the mound this year. He has committed to play baseball for the University of Michigan.

14 sports

the

RPWednesday, March 28, 2012

Track athletes get early start to season Jason Showers Sports Editor HHS track and field athletes started their season in style; short shorts, bare chests, and sports bras prevailed.

The unseasonable warmth this spring has made for training that is usually impossible due to snow covered tracks at the beginning of the season. Many talented athletes return this year for both the boys and girls teams, and this early outdoor start to the season provided a competitive edge for an already competitive team.

Austin Salargo, senior and boys captain, was the state champion in the 400 meter dash during his 2011 junior season and holds the all-time school record with a time of 48.18 seconds. He believes his best is yet to come.

“I want 47 seconds pretty bad. It’s gonna be hard, but I think I can do it,” Salargo said. The state record is 47.18 seconds set by Quinn Evans of Mounds View in 2007.

Cutting a full second off of his time in the 400 will indeed be difficult. One second can mean a lot in the longest sprint event at the high school level.

“I won state last year by .5 seconds,” Salargo said. “There was a noticeable gap between me and the next runner. It’s a tough race.”

Individual goals aside, Salargo is very excited for the team as a whole this season. “Oh, I’m pumped,” he said. “We have some really, really good athletes – our sprint squad is stacked.”

First year boys head coach Ms. Ronni Hamilton reiterated Salargo’s statements.

“I am very excited to see our Mr. Salargo set a state record, but even more excited about the depth of talent on our team,” she said. “We have some of the best athletes in the state, and the best coaching staff around.”

Hamilton also voiced her delight with the amount of first-timers that came out for the 2012 track season.

“It’s great to see so many new faces, because while it is fun to compete and race, running is also an activity you can enjoy for the rest of your life, and I hope some of the newer people can experience that” she said.

Mary Klecker, senior and girls captain, also preaches the joy of running and is happy about the abundance of newcomers and younger runners. She calls running her “stress reliever” and explained how it is one of the only sports in which it is easy to see and assess one’s self improvement.

Klecker approaches her role as captain with the same respect she has for the sport itself.

“I’m very excited to be a captain this year,” she said. “We graduated some great athletes, which is bittersweet because it’s tough to see them go, but interesting to see who will step up to fill their spots. I hope to help some of those younger girls realize their potential.”

The track athletes are all very excited, but the often less talked-about field athletes are also looking forward to the season. The field team has some of their best athletes back this year.

Bria Raines, senior, is a girls captain after only one year of competing in the shot put and discus events. “I was flattered and proud to be elected captain in only my second year,” she said. “I became friends with everyone last year; it felt like a big family with all the boys and girls together and everyone being so welcoming, so to be a leader of that group is an honor.”

She hopes to set school records in her events this year, as well as simply help the team improve.

“I hope to hit 119 feet in discus and 38 feet 8 inches in shot put, but really, I just want to help us to get better in any way that we can,” Raines said.

Mariah Witt, senior girls captain, echoed her statements. Witt holds the school record in the 300 meter hurdles and was a member of the 4x400 relay team that set a state record in 2011, but she doesn’t focus solely on her individual achieve-

Photo by Mike Newcomer

Top: The boys varsity sprint squad goes through a workout. They have talented athletes returning this season with the potential to set state records.

Bottom: Mariah Witt, senior, laughs as she goes through warm-ups. Witt is the school record holder in the 300 hurdles.

ments or goals.

“I’m really excited to be a leader on this team, because even though people think it is highly individual, it is truly a team sport,” Witt said. “I want to set a good example and motivate people.”

She also brought up the need for younger athletes to step up and fill roles on the girls team.

“With all the great seniors that graduated last year, it will really bring out some competition to see who takes those spots,” Witt said.

After a moment of thought, she continued.

“Being track athletes, I think we are all just naturally competitive anyway,” Witt said. “It brings out the best in our team.”

Photo by Mike Newcomer

Seniors forgo college, choose junior hockey Nick Dale Staff Reporter

Playing for a school like the University of Minnesota, North Dakota, or Wisconsin is a childhood dream for most Midwest hockey players.

Tanner Holmquist and Jimmy Kortum, seniors, are no different.

Even after successful varsity careers, though, they have found that they may need to take one more step before their dreams become a reality.

When many high school seniors began applying and committing to colleges, Holmquist and Kortum had already decided to play junior hockey.

They both turned down a few division III schools such as Gustavus, St. Olaf, and St. Thomas.

“There are many alternatives other than playing college hockey,” Holmquist said. “Juniors is one of the more popular routes to take these days.”

“Playing Division I hockey is the main goal of every high school player,” Kortum added. “For me, I didn’t hit the peak I had wanted and wasn’t ready

for Division I hockey. That’s what juniors is for.”

The junior program consists of two major leagues, the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and the United States Hockey League (USHL). These two leagues are comprised of 44 teams with players ages ranging from 18-21.

“Juniors just gives the opportunity for players who didn’t feel they got the looks in high school,” Holmquist said. “It gives them an extra couple of years to work and get better in order to be at the Division I level.”

Hopkins plays in one of the most competitive conferences in the state. In the Lake Conference, one must be an elite player to get noticed by college scouts. “That’s the way of a hard conference; the amazing players get all the attention and offers while the great players go unseen,” Kortum said.

“I wasn’t surprised by their decision,” said Rolf Ulvin, varsity hockey head coach. “They are almost at the division one level, but with juniors it will give them that extra edge to be successful.”

“Juniors is scout heaven,” Kortum said. “If you perform well there, you’ll get noticed by someone.”

Their decisions were made on their own, but both still have the full support of their family.

“My parents gave me all the say in the decision; it was up to me,” Holmquist said. “With whatever choice I made, my parents gave me all their support,” Kortum added.

Photo provided by Caryn Glover

Jimmy Kortum, senior, waits for a pass. He lead the team in goals scored with 19.

Both Kortum and Holmquist hope to play two years of juniors and then find a Division I school, but agree that playing Division III hockey would provide a good backup plan.

“If this is how we get noticed, then so be it,” Kortum said. “Hockey is life and it’s hard to give it up.”

Photo provided by Caryn Glover

Tanner Holmquist, senior, sets up an offensive play.

He lead the team in points with 35.

the

sports 15 RP Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Finkelstein, Bumsted try out for USA Junior team Jeff Lifson Staff Reporter Jason Finkelstein and Sam Bumsted, seniors, have been playing ultimate frisbee together since they were nine years old at Herzl Camp.

For the past three years, Finkelstein and Bumsted have been teammates on the ultimate field as members of Hopkins Ultimate Frisbee Program (HURT). They hope to continue being teammates by representing the USA ultimate team in Dublin, Ireland, for the world junior championship.

The world junior ultimate championship is a biennial event that showcases some of the greatest junior ultimate players in the world. Finkelstein and Bumsted went through a rigorous tryout to showcase their talents and prove they were worthy of being one of the players to represent their country.

If Finkelstein or Bumsted make the team, they will have to dedicate their whole summer to ultimate frisbee, instead of working as counselors at Herzl Camp.

“Having the chance to make the top ultimate team in the country and to represent America is a hard opportunity to pass up,” Bumsted said.

In the past, the HURT have sent players to this tournament, including Josh Klane, Yossi Kakou, and Ben Feldman.

In 2008, Feldman brought home the championship representing the USA, and similarly in

2010, Klane did the same. With the high-class talent these players bring to the field, Finkelstein and Bumsted have looked to them to improve their games.

“Playing with and watching the great alumni that have played for Hurt has just helped me learn how to be a dominant handler and a good all around player,” said Finkelstein.

With over 80 people invited to try out, and only 20 players selected for the team, Finkelstein and Bumsted had some stiff competition to overcome in order to attempt to earn a spot on the team, but they felt they had an advantage by going with a teammate to the tryout.

“I think it helps because going to a tryout with eight hours of drills is mentally tough, but with a teammate there to fire you up, it forces you to give 100 percent at everything you do,” Bumsted said.

To prepare for the tryout, Finkelstein and Bumsted regularly attended ultimate frisbee practice to work on the physical side of their game, and also watched a lot of club ultimate frisbee teams to study some of the best players in the country.

Although they both went to tryout, Finkelstein’s number one priority was to get Bumsted on the team.

“My main goal is to get Bumsted to make that team. Bumsted is too good to not make it, and he may not know it, or want to think it, but it’s true.

So my main goal, is to fire Bumsted up and get

Spotlight Athletes

him in the mind set that he is the best player out of all 80.” Finkelstein said.

Finkelstein and Bumsted will continue to work hard throughout the spring to improve their game, continue to be leaders on HURT, and be representatives of the growing ultimate community.

“Playing for the top ultimate team in the nation, and representingmy country sounds like a perfect way to end my high school career,” Bumsted said.

Photos by Mike Newcomer

Left: (Left to right) Sam Bumsted and Jason Finkelstein, seniors, reach for the disc.

Right: Finkelstein and Bumsted hold the disc. They have been playing ultimate frisbee together since they were nine years old.

Viewpoint: March Madness Zach Mekler Staff Reporter

Name: Brianna Morris

Name: Luke Weaver

Grade: 12

Grade: 12

Sport: Track & Field

Sport: Lacrosse

Athletic Idol:

Athletic Idol:

Lolo Jones

Lionel Messi

Favorite Memory:

Favorite Memory:

“Making it to sections last year

“Being up on Minnetonka 2-0 last

for hurdling was exciting be-

year. They are really good, so it

cause it was my first time.”

was exciting to be in the lead.”

Every March, 68 NCAA men’s basketball teams raise their games to new heights to attempt to survive six rounds of intense basketball.

Meanwhile, the productivity of many Americans drops significantly.

An estimated 1.7 Billion american dollars were lost due to lack of productivity last March during tournament time according to MSNBC. com.

March madness is the prime time of college basketball. Teams are seeded from 1 to 16, and face off highest versus lowest seed.

The constant play, excitement, and emotion are a huge draw for Americans. CBS online reported that in 2011, three million people tuned in online, all on day one. With so much attention being paid to the tournament, what is actually being accomplished in March?

Close to 60 million Americans identify themselves as college basketball fans according to MSNBC.com. That’s almost a fifth of the US population.

Dedication to the tournament is also very common at HHS. “I want to watch my favorite teams play during the day,” said Percy Chism, senior. “You never know when it’s going to be a classic game or come down to the wire; I don’t want to miss that.”

In some cases, it can become a real problem.

“I can’t concentrate on anything at all during March madness,” said Tim Shannon, senior. “All

I do during the day is talk about my bracket and watch the games.”

With the abundance of smart phones and access to technology, it has made following the tournament quite the lure. “Being able to watch it on my phone makes it so easy, there’s just no reason not to,” Chism said.

Students aren’t the only ones who have noticed the lack of productivity. “It’s a given. It’s clearly challenging for students to stay focused if they have the opportunity to be distracted,” said Mr. David Braaten, business education.

The Cinderella stories of March are enticing to many, but perhaps too much so. Is the thrill of the upsets worth the lack of productivity?

I would argue that it is.

March is the light at the end of the tunnel after a long winter. It is the beginning of spring and it plays host to a part of almost every major sport.

March madness is the crown jewel of it all; it’s the highlight of the sports year.

No other tournament, playoff, or series even comes close to comparing to March Madness. It is the only time where teams that were irrelevant all season have a chance to entice a national audience.

It showcases freshman, ripe from high school, all the way to seniors, fighting to play another day.

Despite the countless hours lost in school, the time wasted at work, and the money lost in the market, March Madness is worth it. The heroes born, incredible upsets, and moving story lines provide the American public with a truly awesome month-long event.

Some say nothing in high school lasts forever, but a tattoo certainly will, and some HHS students use tattoos as a way to express themselves.

“My tattoos help me remember where I come from,” said Marcus Hennes, senior. Included in his collection of four tattoos are the Filipino flag and his birth mother’s initials.

Among the many students who have embraced tattoos, there are also adults such as Marcus LeVesseur, Hall Para, who have done the same.

“My tattoos represent who I was at that moment in time. They helped me release resentment towards things, and they help me understand my place,” LeVesseur said.

LeVesseur has seven tattoos, including the his high school nickname ‘Sharkus’ and the word ‘Faith.’

Some students who may have been eager to get

tattoos in the past were faced with a new law on July 1, 2010, stating that it is a violation of Minnesota state law to tattoo anyone under the age of 18, even with consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian.

“Myself, as well as all of our artists, think the law requiring someone to be 18 before getting tattooed is just fine. People have all their lives to get tattooed, so if someone has to wait an extra year or two, it’s really not that big of a deal…even though it may feel like it to them,” said the General Manager of Saint Sabrina’s Tattoo & Piercing.

Another new law surrounding tattoos was issued on Jan 1, 2011, stating that a state-issued license is required to perform either tattooing or piercing in Minnesota.“You don’t want someone unqualified giving you a tattoo, and not all tattoo artists are ‘legal’,’’ LeVesseur said.

Among the new laws, there is always apprehension due to the permanence.

RP Wednesday, March 28, 2012

the

16 back page

“I know that a tattoo is permanent and that’s why it took so long to make my decision so I wouldn’t regret it,” said Zainna Takpor, sophomore. Takpor got her first tattoo when she was 15, and she now has two. She plans on getting a tattoo in honor of her grandfather.

According to the Tattoo Removal Shop in Minnesota, for a standard, professionally made laser tattoo removal the total price is typically between $1900-$3800.

Another method of removing tattoos is TatB-Gone ink, which fades tattoos without lasers.

The Tattoo Removal Shop sometimes uses Tat-BGone as a last last resort to remove a tattoo.

Apprehension is furthered by the risk of complications.

“After I got my first tattoo, I was worried it was infected or something was wrong with it,” Takpor said.

According to Kids Health, a new tattoo is at risk for infection and disease. Furthermore, one must be up to date on immunizations.

The controversy surrounding tattoos is one which almost everyone has an opinion on. “Some people are totally against tattoos. Some think that it’s your body, your choice. I think the law change is great. You can get tattooed when you’re a legal adult,” said LeVesseur.

The General Manager at Saint Sabrina’s Tattoo & Piercing described a situation where a daughter had allowed her boyfriend to tattoo something lewd on her stomach, and her mother wanted it covered up. While the artists didn’t typically tattoo minors, one made an exception to cover it up because he felt the tattoo was inappropriate and was going to have negative consequences for the girl.

“If you are going to have something inked on your skin, it should be meaningful,” Hennes said.

Story and photos by Lily Goldfarb, staff reporter for the Royal Page Lydia Wilson is the back page editor for the Royal Page Photos (Top left to bottom right) Marcus Levesseur, Hall Para Marcus Hennes, senior Zach Stahl, senior Zainna Takpor, sophomore Deshawn Gregory, junior Caroline Wetherall, senior