The Royal Page Print Edition: Volume 36 Issue 2

HOPKINS HIGH SCHOOL 2400 LINDBERGH DRIVE MINNETONKA, MN 55305

OCTOBER 31, 2017 VOLUME 36, ISSUE 2 hopkinsrp.org

RP. the royal page

Do you stand or sit? Students pick a side With controversy over the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem, HHS students experience an ideological divide. page 2 Elite Athletics brings offseason spark to HHS With a new team of coaches and training program, student-athletes' offseason training has transformed. page 10

INSIDE NEWS 2 FEATURE 4 IN-DEPTH 6 OPNION 8 SPORTS 10 BACKPAGE 12

photo: Ati Hernke

DESPITE SAFETY CONCERNS AND LEGAL CONSEQUENCES, SENIOR TRADITIONS CONTINUE YEAR AFTER YEAR AT HHS. IN-DEPTH, PAGE 6-7

Boys basketball expects major bounceback for incoming season AJ Condon Sports Reporter

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fter not making it to the state championship for the first time since 2013, the Royals’ basketball team is putting in work this offseason in hopes of returning to Target Center this year.

After key seniors including Simon Wright, Ishmael El-Amin and Darryl Mayfield graduated, the Royals will now look to Joe Hedstrom and Anthony Davis, seniors, Zeke Nnaji, junior, and Blaise Beauchamp, sophomore, to bring the Royals to Target Center.

“During the offseason I have been lifting with Game Face Training in Brooklyn Park,” Hedstrom said. “I have also been working on shooting and dribbling in open gym but I am most focused on lifting and getting bigger.”

Hedstrom also just recently

committed to further his education and basketball career at the University of WisconsinMadison.

“I wanted to stay closer to home, and I really liked what the coaches were saying about me playing there and I felt it was the right place,” Hedstrom said. “They also have a lot of success in developing their big men.”

Since El-Amin and Wright were the Royals' top scorers last year, averaging 20.1 and 16 points per game respectively, the Royals will turn to Beauchamp and Davis, who averaged 11.8 and 11.5 points per game, to lead the way.

“I’m working on being more of a leader, and I’m always waking up early and going to the gym to lift weights and I’m always working on creating space for myself and my teammates,” Davis said. “I have also been working on commu-

nicating on and off the court.”

The Royals will also try to utilize their game in the post with Hedstrom and Nnaji. Both players averaged over eight points last year, but they will need to step up their role on the team this season.

“I have been lifting four times a week; I do skills training and conditioning three times a week and also go to open gym,” Nnaji said.

The Royals have a new player who came from Breck last year. Kerwin Walton, sophomore, will look to make an impact on his new team. Last year Walton averaged 16.3 points per game. Walton is also ranked as the 22nd best small forward in the nation at his age, according to Minneapolis FAB. “Kerwin on the court definitely brings us another offensive weapon, he’s a smart player and is a really solid defender on the court,” Beauchamp said.

“Off the court he's somebody who works hard and has a good sense of maturity.”

Though the season is months away, some players have started playing together in open gym in preparation for tryouts in November.

Hedstrom, Nnaji and Walton are three players who have used open gym to their advantage.

“I’ve been photo: Bea Frank doing some of Blaise Beauchamp, sophomore, dribbles the ball around a Wayzata defender last my training with season. The Royals will look to Beauchamp this year as a key player.

Kerwin and we also train and play at lifetime this summer in open gym and The Royals’ season starts together,” Nnaji said. “I got to our junior varsity and varsity Dec. 2 against the Cretin-Derplay against Jon Leuer, power team have been scrimmaging ham Hall Raiders. forward for the Detroit Pistons, each other.”

OCTOBER 31, 2017

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news

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the royal page They have a right to kneel, I don’t think it should be considered a crime. You’re entitled to your own opinions.

Imran Baksh, senior

Do you stand or sit? Students pick a side With controversy over the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem, HHS experiences a divide in opinions Nafi Soumare and Christoph Michailow Staff Reporters

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merican parents have conditioned their children to admire famous football athletes from a young age, but that was before the sport became rife with political backlash.

Paul Madison, senior, is a black student on the football team who has kneeled for the performance of the National Anthem throughout this fall football season.

“As a captain, people look at me to speak up. I kneel because I don’t support what the police, the president, or the flag have to say. They deny racial justice,” Madison said.

At the beginning of the 2016 NFL pre-season, Colin Kaepernick began to voice his concerns about the state of police brutality and racial discrimination in America by sitting, and then kneeling during the performance of the National Anthem before each game. This spurred a massive protest, as NFL players from teams around the country are now choosing to kneel during the National Anthem.

Recently, there has been criticism of the protests, especially

by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, the latter of which left the San Francisco 49er’s and the Indianapolis Colt’s game in Indianapolis after some players knelt during the National Anthem, according to CNN. Madalyn Gieseke, sophomore, also disagrees with this method of activism.

“I believe that the protests are dumb. The people who live in freedom should pay respect

for the soldiers that fight for the country,” Gieseke said.

In the wake of the protests, other students are choosing to take part in the demonstration right on HHS’ turf.

Some of the students who aren’t football players or active fans of the NFL are expressing their opinions regarding the protests every Monday in advisory, when Student Council member Erin Weiss, junior, reads the Pledge of Allegiance.

“The School Board recognizes the need to display an appropriate United States flag and to provide instruction to students in the proper etiquette, display, and respect of the flag.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and instruction in school to help further that end,” according to District Policy and state law.

From a poll taken by more than 100 students spanning different grade levels, 47.9 percent of them choose to stay seated for the Pledge. 32.3 per-

cent of that total choose to sit as an outright form of protest.

Shannon Maroney, senior, is one of those 32.3 percent.

“I don't think that the message that the Pledge represents is true for the majority of people in our country. There isn't ‘liberty and justice for all’, because there are so many injustices against people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, women, and more. It isn't fair to stand for something that supposedly represents America's values if it isn't considerate of all Americans.,” Maroney said.

Madison also believes in the liberty to choose whether to stand up or sit down for the Pledge.

“I am one of those students who stays seated during the pledge of allegiance. If America stands for freedom, that should include the freedom to stay seated for the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem,” Madison said.

There are also students who choose to sit for reasons other

infographic: Hannah Goldfarb

than political protest. 10.8 percent of students surveyed stated that they decided not to stand because they didn’t feel like it.

Mr. Rick Rexroth, social studies, is the only person in his junior advisory who stands for the Pledge.

“I believe it’s important to stand up for what our country stands for, and I continue to stand to set a good example. If my students are choosing to sit for a reason, I respect that, but

when they’re just being apathetic, it can be frustrating,” Rexroth said.

Mr. Douglas Dart, language arts, on the other hand, doesn’t have an opinion one way or another in terms of an affirmation of judgement.

“It’s their right to do as they please. Students that sit for the pledge and athletes that choose to sit or kneel for the national anthem are just exercising the ideal of this country,” Dart said.

illustration: Adam Segal and Natalie DenHartog

Members in the Hopkins District prepare to vote on the referendum With three questions addressing a range of topics, new changes are set to be put in place in HHS Ati Hernke Staff Reporter

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n Tuesday, Nov. 7, voters in the Hopkins School District will be casting their vote on a referendum proposed by Hopkins Public Schools. The referendum asks three questions, each providing funds to support updates and renovations within schools throughout the District.

The Vote Yes committee is a board of volunteers, composed of families and community members within district boundaries. The group works to maintain the level of education that the Hopkins School District provides. To do so, the Vote Yes committee works in conjunction with the school district to formulate referendums for the community to vote on.

The Hopkins School Dis-

trict is choosing to initiate changes now, as the levies currently in place for budgets and curriculum are set to expire.

“A levy can only be approved for 10 years. The current levies will expire in 2020 and 2023... the goal is to reduce voter fatigue rather than come back in one or two years - it’s best not to wait a year or two until the expire also,” said Luke Jacobson, a member of the Vote Yes committee.

On this year’s ballot, voters will be aked to answer three questions within the referendum.

The first question asks for taxpayer authorization for a $30 million bond. The majority of money from this provision of the referendum will go towards a new cafeteria and other reconstruction projects in the district.

“Hopkins Schools has done

a good job of keeping facilities updated and in good shape, which is one of the reasons why our bond is less than some of the neighboring districts,” Jacobson said.

For the second question, voters will be asked to repeal the capital levy projects from 2010 and 2013, and instead, combine them into one levy. If approved, the new levy will be slightly more expensive and will give the school district the authority to purchase curriculum materials and new technology.

The last question on the referendum addresses the district’s operating budget. It essentially seeks taxpayer approval to maintain the budget from previous years, providing the district with the ability to support the curriculum and continue providing services to students.

According to survey results

from Morris Leatherman, a full-service market and research firm, district residents who were polled showed a positive response to all three of the proposed questions, with 77 percent in support of the operating levy, 64 percent in support of the bond, and 63 percent in support of the capital project levy.

“Hopkins has a strong history of support for referendums.

I don’t know of one that did not

pass,” Jacobson said.

In order to clarify the complex issues the referendum addresses and convince voters to support the initiative, the Vote Yes committee and the Hopkins School District have distributed literature at conferences and to houses throughout the district.

The two have placed an emphasis on the low monthly cost to residences, about three dollars per month for a $250,000

household if the referendum is passed.

On Election Day, many HHS students will have the opportunity to vote either in favor of the referenda or against, and their vote will directly impact their school and students who will attend HHS after them.

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the royal page

OCTOBER 31, 2017

People are just going to start setting them off and messing around with them... our security seems fine.

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news

Isaiah Denis, junior

Recent addition of alarms promotes safety on campus HHS administration also aims to keep students on campus throughout the school day Olivia Cohen Staff Reporter

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s students continue to violate the “closed campus” rule, Mr. Doug Bullinger, HHS principal, is enforcing stricter regulations in order to secure the safety and education of students and teachers alike.

According to the school’s handbook, students are not allowed off campus without prior authorization from the attendance office.

“My biggest fear is that someone who isn’t a staff member or a student at Hopkins will come in and beat someone up; we’re not taking any chances,” Bullinger saidl.

Hopkins isn’t the only local school district which believes that a closed campus is a safer alternative. Wayzata, St. Louis Park, and Maple Grove High Schools have all implemented closed campus policies.

There have been various incidents at other schools which have compromised the safety of students. Although no such events have occurred at HHS, Bullinger is still worried about a number of outside factors disrupting the school day.

“There haven't been serious events like that to happen at Hopkins, but I would rather be on the proactive side. The pri-

photo: Navit Nachmias

The doors in the mall were the among the first set to implement the new security system. The alarms are meant to ensure the security and well-being of students.

mary goal is to keep the wrong people out,” Bullinger said.

Some students at HHS have gotten into a routine of leaving campus during their lunch period and returning before their next block. Whether they simply leave through the front, back, or lunchroom doors, HHS admin-

istration has decided to step up the way in which they enforce the closed campus policy.

According to Bullinger, HHS is currently starting the process of installing a badge alarm system that will be set up on all doors. If a door is opened for any reason, an alarm will go

off. If the badge is used to open the doors, it will silence the alarm for 30 seconds to allow whoever is entering or exiting the school to do so.

“The point of [the new alarms] isn't to put every door in the school on lockdown. The doors will remain alarmed with

badged access, that will be available to faculty,” Bullinger said.

HHS started the process of adding the alarms the summer of 2016, but the push for a more secure environment was in place for a year and a half before the installation of the alarms.

HHS administration will

be able to control the activation of the door’s alarms. They will remain active throughout the school day and will be turned off at the end of the day.

Despite the potential negative complaints from students regarding the school’s new system, Bullinger believes that the only freedoms that would have been taken away are the ones that were never given to students to begin with.

“The primary goal is to keep the wrong people out, and the secondary goal is to keep our students in. Our focus is to secure our building, and other staff and I agree that with this system, we can secure the building without compromising freedoms,” Bullinger said.

The doors that will be monitored closely with the badge system include the main doors, bus doors, Lindbergh, and the band and auditorium doors. Additionally, the lunchroom doors will remain open to students and will be monitored by staff.

The new system is set to be installed after MEA break or at the beginning of term two.

“This isn’t supposed to be a lockdown, it’s just supposed to ensure more control,” Bullinger said. “Job number one is safety.

If you don’t have a safe environment, you can’t have learning.”

HHS evaluates the process of conferences with recent drop of attendees Ellie Fishman Staff Reporter

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s teachers make note of the decline in the number of parents and guardians attending parent-teacher conferences, HHS is considering a change in the system of conferences.

HHS currently holds conferences once a term due to the four quarter schedule. This allows students to take the day off, while teachers remain in school in order to meet with students and their parents or guardians.

“Parents used to come to conferences to see how their kids were doing. Now, with Infinite Campus, parents come in and know exactly how their children are doing,” said Mr. John Unruh-Friesen, social studies and digital learning.

Infinite Campus is the HHS online grading book, which is accessible to all students and their families. The website and app are used in over 2,000 schools across the

nation, making it easier for parents to track students’ academic progress. “[Infinite Campus] is pretty effective. Parents can even get a ping when a teacher has updated their children’s grades. The teachers do a really good job of updating it so that they can inform the parents,” said Mr. Adam McDonald, HHS associate principal.

Traditionally, term one conferences have always been the most populous, with the attendance number decreasing as the year goes on. This trend was especially noticeable to UnruhFriesen, who sat for hours in between a visit during fourth-term conferences last year.

According to the Harvard Family Research Project, the more that parents are involved in knowing what is happening in their children’s classes, the more likely the child is to improve their school readiness skills.

“A lot of parents love to get eyes on who their kids are spending 88 minutes a day with.

photo: Adam Segal

Recently, teachers have noticed a drop in the number of parents and students in attendence at conferences. This has sparked questions over the current conference process. This year, fall parentteacher conferences occured on Sept. 28.

That can be more time than parents spend with their kid in a day,” Unruh-Friesen said. “I spent more time with my son in the classroom last year than I did at home.”

This would not be the first time that HHS has changed the way in which parent-teacher conferences are set up. Confer-

ences have adapted multiple times in the past 10 years.

Students used to attend school for half of the day, while teachers would stay throughout the evening for conferences.

The layout has also been altered, as teachers were previously spread all across the school in the various wings.

Currently, the teachers are centralized between the mall and the commons.

“What’s great about conferences is that you get a lot of parents that want to come in and connect with the teachers, but sometimes we don’t always get the students we need to see,” McDonald said. “The student’s

who need conferences aren’t always the students that are able to come to conferences, or their parent or guardian can’t make it, so we want to make it more accessible for everyone.”

The Hopkins School District is currently evaluating a number of options to replace the current system in place, including home reports, in which teachers call the families of students to relay positive or negative information regarding academic activities. This method has already been implemented in other schools across the state, and is believed to relieve teachers of the time and stress of daylong conferences.

“I came in 2010, and since then we have been talking about how to adapt conferences. We have researched how other schools have conferences, and some do phone conferences, where teachers are spending less time in front of the parents and more time calling parents to give updates,” McDonald said.

the royal page

OCTOBER 31, 2017

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feature

I didn’t want to leave HHS with just knowledge, I also would want to be able to say I made this school a better place.

Sam Buttress, junior

Weesner fundraises to erase debt

to

Alumnus creates campaign to raise money for Hopkins School District Jake Goldfarb Staff Reporter

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ost HHS students have experienced not having enough money in their lunch account to buy a cookie or a VitaminWater on occasion, but for many students, student lunch debt is an everyday reality.

This issue is easily overlooked, as it could potentially be embarrassing for some students to openly discuss.

However, Max Weesner, HHS alumnus, believes that student lunch debt needs to be addressed. This is why he started a GoFundMe page with the objective of erasing lunch debt throughout the district.

Carole Garrigos, a parent of a current HHS senior, donated to Weesner´s GoFundMe. “We have been in the Hopkins district for so long, and I felt that donating will help the

school and students families,” Garrigos said.

Currently, the GoFundMe has a goal of $20,000, which is the approximate amount of existing meal debt from student lunches throughout the Hopkins community.

The debts accumulated do not reset after each school year, therefore this number continues to grow. Once a student leaves the school, the District is forced to absorb the debt.

Most of the debt is from children who don’t qualify for programs like free or reduced lunch, though families may still struggle to pay for meals consistently.

According to CNN, “In some situations, lunch debt is a target that many can use to harass or bully in a phenomenon called ‘school lunch shaming.’”

The phenomenon asserts that an alternative meal has the

photo: Adam Segal

Hopkins High School is known for state-of-the-art cuisine and facility, but students in lunch debt are offered a prepared meal.

possibility to make students feel uncomfortable. When everyone else is eating a “normal” meal and another student are eating an alternative meal, it has the possibility to make that student feel they stick out.

Weesner believes in a system where meals at school are free for every student who attends a public institution in America.

He feels this will eliminate the problem altogether-- the project’s ultimate goal.

Many public schools have free lunch programs in place.

The New York Times reported that New York City public schools will offer lunches free of charge to all 1.1 million students beginning this school year.

The program has been proven to be successful for students, their families and the schools.

“If a student and their family no longer have to worry about paying off what they owe to the district, they will be able to put their money into other things, such as feeding their family at home and paying bills.” Weesner said.

After graduating in 2016, Weesner is currently attending in the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where he is majoring in political science. Weesner wants to ultimately have a career centered around the educational system in America.

The $20,000 GoFundMe campaign will only patch the hole. He urges people to contact legislators and feels that long-term solutions will require laws to be put in place.

Meet the new HHS Student Council officers New members share hopes and goals for their first year in office Paul Zeitz Staff Reporter

SOPHOMORE REPRESENTATIVES

JOE RAMLET

“I hope to create a new legacy, along with some innovative ideas this year.”

RIP

FAITH AGBOOLA MOLLIE TANKENOFF “I want everyone “There are many in this school to different cultures in our school, and have their voice be I would like to see acknowledged, not just those that will all of them equally often speak up.” supported.”

SOPHIE NORMAN

“I’m looking forward to representing the students as a whole, to make better changes for the school.”

IOU

Venmo revolutionizes the way people exchange money Rafi Leviton Staff Reporter

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hen Avi Bundt, senior, goes to get food with his friends at Chipotle, he doesn't need his wallet in order to pay his friends. He can Venmo them.

Venmo, a revolutionary app, allows people to pay money to a friend if they do not have any cash on hand.

The app is free to use for all debit card transfers. However, there is a 3 percent fee when transferring money from a credit card.

Bundt said, “I use Venmo to exchange money with friends for food, or to pay them back.”

Venmo was established in 2009. It did not become popular until 2012, when Braintree bought Venmo for $26.2 million. Braintree is a division of Paypal that specializes in mobile and web payment systems. The app took off, in 2013, when Paypal acquired it from Braintree for $800 million according to Fortune magazine When it came to using Venmo over Paypal, Bundt said, “I chose to use Venmo over Paypal because it is a lot easier to use and the app is slicker.”

As of 2016, $17.6 billion was exchanged using the app according to Business Insider's. With the rise in Venmo’s popularity, the question arises of whether or not Venmo is safe. Some critics claim that nothing on the internet is safe, especially

when it comes to money because of how high the security standards are.

Mr. David Braaten, business education, supports the idea on online money transfers, as long as it is done safely.

“My family uses Venmo, but I do not. As long as Venmo remains cyber secure, it’s a great thing,” Braaten said. “If Venmo was breached, they need to step up their security, but I would still use it. You just need to be vigilant and watch and monitor your account.”

In 2015, Venmo was criticized because their security system was breached, which jeopardized some user account information. Since the infraction, in order to help enhance security, Venmo started using bank-level security and data encryption, which allows users create a pin when using the mobile app.

Even with the new security systems, the accessibility of the app is not diminished.

“It is very convenient and helpful,” Braaten said. “When I was a kid, people would never pay each other back but now, because of Venmo, people are much more likely to pay each other back.”

There are, however, concerns that Venmo may cause spending problems.

“Venmo could possibly lead to kids being more likely to spend money because of the convenience and effortless way to pay back a friend,” Braaten said.

Venmo has established itself as an important new player in the field of financial technological services field and its user base continues to grow.

JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES

MALLORY AUTH “I really hope we can bring all students together and make Hopkins a better place.”

MOZI PUNNI “I want everyone to contribute to all decisions made within our community and school.”

SAM BUTTRESS “I’m excited to have the opportunity to make a difference in this school.”

LUKE POLYAK

“I’m looking forward to talking to some of the other people who wish to improve this school.” photos: Paul Zeitz

illustration: Maya Kupritz

“ feature

the royal page

OCTOBER 31, 2017

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Venmo has allowed me to carry around less cash in my wallet.

feature

Avi Bundt, senior

The secret life of teachers As students leave the HHS building at the end of the school day, teachers get involved in a variety of hobbies and “extracurricular” activities Ali Winter Staff Reporter

The Phoenix in Minneapolis.

In addition to being fun, Temple notes that flamenco is also a great workout and perfect for anyone who wants to try.

“The great thing about flamenco is that you can be any size, any age,” Temple said.

After being a lifelong dancer, flamenco has served as a great outlet for the AP World History teacher’s desire to dance.

Some teachers, like Mr.

it was a lifetime ago,” Theirl said.

It may only be his secll day at school we ond year on the team, but see teachers at their Theirl has already made a jobs, working and big splash as point guard, putting all of their efforts into which isn’t at all surprising helping us. Little do we know, as he was “acquired through they lead completely different a big-time trade deal.” lives outside of the office and Skemp-Cook, on the our school. This is the side of other hand, has a passion teachers that we rarely see, yet it for singing, which began is a huge part of their lives. when she was in junior Some educators, such as Ms. high.

Maggie Temple, “I started singing in Social Studies, Ms. the eighth grade and I Ann Skemp-Cook, sang all the way through Language Arts, Mr. college and then with Jesse Theirl, BusiThe great thing about ness Education, and flamenco is that you can the Minnesota Choral for years and years,” Mr. Erik Swenbe any age, any size.

Skemp-Cook said. son, Social Studies, She rehearses every have quite interestMs. Maggie Temple, Social Sunday night with a ing ways that they Studies group called “Kantorei,” spend their time which is the German outside of school.

Temple likes to spend her Theirl, prefer to play basketball word for choir. The semifree time dancing flamenco with with their team, the “Dunk City professional ensemble cona troupe ever since she took that Dreamers” which consists of sists of 40 talented singers, first class nine years ago, out of many former athletes now reliv- each of whom was required to audition to make it in. mere curiosity about the Span- ing their basketball days. ish tap dance. She dances with “I was a pretty serious baller The choir is an established the company “Anda Flamenco” back in my day, so with the college club, with all of its two to three times a week, and competition elements I still get members being alumni of they perform gigs regularly at pretty competitive- even though St. John’s University. Kan-

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photo provided byTom Cook

Ms. Ann Skemp-Cook, Language Arts, sings with her choir group, Kantorei. The group meets meet every Sunday and performs many concerts at the St. Paul Seminary Chapel and St. Thomas University.

torei’s conductor hails from Austria and was also Skemp-Cook’s teacher at St. John’s University.

“We have concerts at the St. Paul Seminary Chapel at the St. Thomas University and other places that are good for singing. Usually that’s churches because they have the best acoustics,” Skemp said.

To continue the musical trend Sw-

enson also loves to jam out on his guitar, and has been doing so for more than 25 years. He has played at weddings, and has also made several appearances at local bars, performing covers of musicians such as Johnny Cash and Led Zeppelin. Swenson noted that this pastime can serve as a great stress release

and is quite relaxing after a long day at school, but is also productive, as it involves continually building a skill.

“If you’ve been in my classroom you know that I like all kinds of music,” Swenson said.

“I love music because it’s fun and everyone seems to enjoy it.”

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the royal page

OCTOBER 31, 2017

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in-depth

Despite safety concerns and legal consequences, senior traditions continue year after year at HHS. Michael Korsh and Maya Kupritz Editor-in-Chief and Feature Editor

THE STAMPEDE MENTALITY

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“

hris Chiriboga, senior, looked behind him and saw a sea of red approaching.

He began to run as the wave pushed him along— down, down, down, until he landed on the court. This sea of red was, in reality, a sea of seniors.

On Oct. 6, Student Council

came the annual revival of the Senior Class’ tradition to stampede the court during students’ dismissal back to class.

“Nothing really went through my head; it was just a crowd momentum doing it. It was just like a herd of sheep, I guess. I wasn’t really thinking too much,” Chiriboga said.

Austin Lehman, senior, had seen the stampede ever since his sophomore year, and as a senior, he understood the class’ sense of

As sophomores, we just watched and didn’t know what to expect.

As seniors, we felt that we had to continue the legacy.

Austin Lehman, senior

held the annual fall Pepfest ending a week of Homecoming celebrations. But with this Pepfest

duty to stampede.

“As a sophomore, we just kinda watched and didn’t know

VALIDATION OR VANDALISM?

Names with an asterisk* have been changed to protect the anonymity of the student so they could speak freely of their roles in the events discussed.

M

idnight struck on Aug. 28, and with toilet paper, red glitter and red streamers in hand, Sophia Smith*, senior, and her friends set out for the night.

Stopping at their pre-assigned addresses of sophomore girls, Smith and her friends vandalized each house with their supplies and left messages on poster board and sidewalk chalk to “welcome” the sophomores to HHS the night before Sophomore Orientation. At houses all over the Hopkins area, groups of senior girls were doing the same thing— continuing the yearslong senior tradition.

Before she left for the night, Smith’s parents warned her of the legal implications that this tradition had. The fear of

what to expect, and then it happened. The same as junior year.

So I guess we were just like, ‘This is a thing here.’ As a senior we felt that we had to continue the legacy,” Lehman said.

After experiencing the seniors’ stampede for the second year, Mr. Doug Bullinger, principal, expressed frustration due to the serious safety issues the stampede creates.

“Last year was my first year seeing it, and I heard that some of that had happened in the past, but I was a little bit taken aback last fall about it,” Bullinger said. “This year I was disappointed to see it happen again, despite the fact that we had an increased adult presence in the front, thinking that might dissuade people, but it did not.”

Reflecting on this year’s stampede, Bullinger noted that the force of seniors as a collective group makes intervention nearly impossible.

“Talking to our [Student Resource Officer], I asked him

such consequences remained in Smith’s mind as she proceeded with her friends.

“My parents scared the actual crap out of me before I even did it. They told me, ‘If you get in trouble, know this is a crime.’

You’re not necessarily vandalizing houses, but it could potentially go that far. In the student handbook this is considered a form of harassment,” Smith said.

As she cast toilet paper over trees, Smith thought back to her own sophomore year.

“I didn’t get TP’d personally as a sophomore, and I felt like I missed out on the experience, and I wanted to give that to the sophomores,” Smith said.

At another house miles away, Emma Jones,* senior, was having second thoughts about participating in the tradition.

“I thought it was kind of stupid. I didn’t really understand why we were doing it, but I just kind of went along with it for the first time and then decided to break off,” Jones said.

Though Jones stopped,

afterwards from a police perspective ‘What do you do when you have that many students pushing forward?’ And he said, ‘You just let them through, because if you were to hold people back or continue to push, then you have people getting trampled, so you have to let the floodgates go.’ So you can kind of hope that a presence helps to dissuade but at the same time if students decide to do it, they decide to do it,” Bullinger said.

After the initial stampede in the Lindbergh center, many students rushed to bathrooms throughout the school, causing more harm to students, teachers, and school property. This year, bathroom sinks and counters were destroyed, leaving the facility closed for days after.

“There was like 80 people crammed into a bathroom. I don’t understand it personally,” Bullinger said. “But, I think it’s just a mob mentality, you just get swept up in the action and energy and you’re like, ‘This

many groups of seniors continued through the night. As the sun rose on the morning of Sophomore Orientation, sophomores and their families awoke to their trashed yards.

While some sophomores enjoyed the prank, parents and administrators expressed frustration and concern with the tradition.

With pictures of vandalized homes being posted by parents on social media, many seniors began to see the negative consequences of their tradition.

“In the morning, one of the posters got posted on Facebook. It was one of our group’s posters, so we got kind of freaked out that something bad would happen, and we started regretting it a little,” Jones said.

As the school year began, many seniors and sophomores began to forget about the events of the previous week. When

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seems right; everybody else is doing it. I’ll just join in on this,’ But it just takes a few people to say, ‘Nah, I think we should stop this.’”

In a Student Council meeting on Oct. 11, Ms. Kathleen Miller, Administration Secretary and co-adviser of HHS Student Council, spoke of the Senior Class’ responsibility in the damage caused after Pepfest.

“Students destroyed the countertops in the boys’ bathroom, which is about a $2,000 expense. Students jumped off the ledges in the Mall. Dangerous. Three students got hurt.

It was bad. It was bad,” Miller said. “And when viewing the cameras, it was primarily led by seniors. And the seniors during the day were chanting ‘Eff the juniors.’ Totally unacceptable behavior. And it’s just not a good example of leadership with this year’s group of seniors.”

August arrives, however, many juniors will prepare to deface the incoming sophomores’ houses, continuing the cycle. In two years, the sophomores who were just vandalized will be the ones to continue the tradition.

“I think I would do it as a senior to keep the tradition alive...but I know there were

pumpkin everywhere. “ Bullinger believes that there are more inclusive and positive ways for seniors to initiate sophmores into HHS each year.

“It’s not an attractive tradition, and again maybe it goes back to not wanting to be the class that stops this tradition, but I think you can still change

We were all scared and on the verge of, ‘Oh my gosh, we could get suspended for the action that we just did,’ even though it was just for fun.

I thought it was a lot of fun. It was an adrenaline rush a lot of the time.

Sophia Smith,* senior some legal issues and offensive things and I wouldn’t want to do anything to hurt anybody,” said Sally Reed, junior. “I actually thought [getting TP’d] was super cool because I felt special that the seniors knew me well enough to be comfortable to TP me and trash my yard and put

the tradition,” Bullinger said.

“You can change what it means to welcome or indoctrinate the sophomores into the school without being emotionally or physically harmful.”

the royal page

OCTOBER 31, 2017

07

in-depth

PHOTO Ati Hernke

TRADITION TO TURMOIL Upon dismissal from the fall Pepfest on Oct. 6, the senior class stampedes the basketball courts as per tradition. This year, the seniors’ stampede and aftermath prompted administration to seek changes in the culture of the student body at HHS.

MOVING FORWARD

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fter vandalized houses were cleaned up and students arrived back in class after Pepfest, administration looked to the causes of these traditions in order to mitigate their effects.

In the Student Council meeting Oct. 11, Miller noted that Student Council itself held some complicity in the events that occurred.

“We’ve got to take some responsibility for setting the tone of the Pepfest when it comes to getting everybody amped up. It just felt crazy in there. Kids were very amped up,” Miller said.

Bullinger said that the timing and structure of Pepfest also causes students to channel their energy negatively.

“Thinking about the conditions of Pepfest, we’ve got everybody kind of hyped up after 45 minutes together, and all of a sudden we’re like, ‘Ok, now go back to class and sit down and learn.’ Nobody’s really in that mindset at that point, so I think that’s part of why this happens,” Bullinger said.

As a result, future Pepfests will undergo major changes.

Administration is considering shortening Pepfests, moving them to fourth block, and

ending them with dismissal by other meeting on Oct. 25, StuBullinger. Bullinger also believes dent Council proposed ways to that connecting with juniors and alleviate the negative environsophomores can bring this tradi- ment events such as the Pepfest tion to an end. caused. Short-term solutions “My hope is to connect with proposed included locking the students about deciding that we bathroom doors before Pepfest can do this a different way. We and increasing a staff presence can come up with a new tradi- among the student sections. tion or whatever that might be Many Student Council memthat’s still fun and still a senior bers also suggested changes in tradition but is not going to put student culture, including an anybody in danger,” Bullinger all-school service project and said. showcasing student achieveAs far as the senior girls’ ments. vandalism, Bullinger said that During the meeting, Stuadministrative action is difficult dent Council representative due to the tradition’s timing.

Jaxon Parker, junior, said that “It’s tough to be proactive in long-term solutions will be necthe summertime; it’s obviously a essary to truly effectuate change lot easier to be proactive during in the student body. the school year. That’s why we “We have to remember have class meetings, and that’s why I was so A lot of these kids— disappointthey’ll remember the ed to see days when the trash some of the behavior we cans were thrown and did during fights happened, when Homecomeverything was broken, ing week,” and they might do it Bullinger again next year. They said. “In the were influenced by summertime, you’re those people and they totally stuck might do it again. being reacJaxon Parker, junior tive to it all.”

In an-

“

student culture cannot change overnight,” Parker said. “And if we want something— a plan of unity and projects and all of these great things to happen we have to realize that it’s probably not going to happen this year or next year. It has to be a longterm plan that we know will work and will have a positive effect on the students.”

Bullinger hopes that future seniors will have the maturity to end the tradition and its consequences.

He said that HHS’ unique 10-12 grade structure can also allow for impactful change to be made more easily, as students are exposed to these traditions for a shorter duration of their high school careers.

Nevertheless, Smith believes that the social pressure to continue these traditions will allow for them to continue forever.

“Ultimately, if you can persuade a whole entire class, I applaud you. But as of right now, there’s always going to be that little group within a large group that is going to want to rebel against someone else,” Smith said.

SENIORS SPEAK

Is continuing senior traditions important?

“Yes it is, because you can’t change tradition. That makes the younger grades look forward to being seniors.”

-Julien Munezero, senior

“I think it’s important, as long as nothing is done to harm anyone and everyone stays safe.

Making sure that it contributes to a positive environment is important.”

-Ariel Shaver, senior

“I think so, to a certain level. We need to make sure that is stays safe and appropriate for school.”

-Amanda Olson, senior

OCTOBER 31, 2017

08 opinion

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the royal page Students should leave phys. ed with a positive experience, and healthy techniques that positively impact their lives.

Ayanna Maddox, junior

STAFF EDITORIAL Athletics present opportunity for social and political unity Over the past year, many people have questioned the motives behind athletes kneeling during the National Anthem. The majority of Americans hold different beliefs in regards to kneeling, though one thing is certain: this issue has definitely caused controversies.

The trend began when ex-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to kneel during the National Anthem. Soon after, many players followed in Kaepernick’s footsteps.

On Sept. 23, President Donald Trump spoke at a rally for Luther Strange, the Republican candidate for senator in Alabama, and said “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now.

Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’”

In the weeks after the tweet was published, many professional, and even high school athletes decided to protest in response to the tweet.

Even though this issue has been controversial, not many people have thought about the fact that sports have recently been used as a way for our country to come together and address different political and cultural issues.

We believe that sports, in

general, can be an influential tool to unify our country. Whether it is through competition or even protesting, sports can be a vehicle to bring fans and athletes together.

No matter how famous the athlete is, there is always an opportunity for them to make a difference. In the NFL, that means players should use their position and celebrity status to effect positive change, like visiting students in hospitals or

working with young athletes in their sport.

Additionally, owners and presidents of the NFL have decided to speak out on this matter according to NPR. For example, Arizona Cardinals team President Michael Bidwill said that sports are something that has always united Americans.

Buffalo Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula said, “President Trump’s remarks were divisive and disrespectful to the entire

Photo by: Isaac Richert

Is phys. ed out of breath?

As the way people excerise changes, required gym classes should too Ayanna Maddox Staff Reporter

F

or many school districts, the importance of mandatory physical education among both middle and high school students has been an ongoing debate.

The National Association of Sport and Physical Education has long recommended a minimum of 45 minutes of physical education a day for both middle and high school students, a requirement that the majority of schools fail to meet.

Some argue that the current structure of physical education during the school day creates healthier, smarter students, and is beneficial in the fight against the rising obesity epidemic.

Cornell University researchers report that throughout the nation, the typical gym class is 45 minute, and students are active for just 16 minutes.

This isn’t the problem at HHS, however. With the block schedule and 90 minute gym classes, students have lots of time to be active. The problem at HHS is that we don’t require it enough.

Even with the rising epidemic of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in America, it seems as though not much is being done to transform gym class into an effective and worthwhile experience for students.

“What’s actually going on in gym classes? Is it a joke?” asked John Cawley, lead author of the study and a professor of policy analysis and management at Cornell.

The effectiveness and structure of gym class needs to be reevaluated to ensure physical education is viewed as equally important as academics.

Here at HHS, students are required to take only one term of physical education, usually occurring during their sophomore year.

For many busy students, health and exercise are not prioritized in comparison to their academics. Students often spend the majority of their day sitting, and struggle to fit healthy lifestyle techniques into their busy schedules.

Exercise is proven to increase energy levels, self confidence, and happiness, along with many more phenomenal things. For middle and high school physi-

cal education to be truly beneficial to the wellness of students, schools need to require students to spend more time learning effective ways to exercise and eat healthy.

“There’s not enough movement. I think phy ed should be every year, K-12. I think more kids need it, to get energy out, but it’s more important than that, it’s about lifelong health.

I get academics are important, but last time I checked, living a long healthy life is more important,” said Mr. Vincent Paolucci, HHS physical education teacher.

Gym class should be an opportunity to introduce students to new, fun, and exciting ways to practice a healthy lifestyle consisting of both diet and exercise.

Students should leave physical education with a positive experience, and healthy techniques that can positively impact their life.

“I really believe moving, exercise, and fitness is the key to lifelong health and lifelong happiness. I just wish other people understood it and we as a school made it more of a priority,” Paolucci said.

NFL community, but we tried to use them as an opportunity to further unify our team and our organization.”

Instead of our country just focusing controversial political issue, it would be impactful to think about how our professional sports teams have come together to unify the country regardless of beliefs.

Although kneeling during the National Anthem is a large issue, the main reason why athletes are choosing to participate in protesting is that, in the past, they have experienced or know somebody who has experienced racism or injustice.

At HHS, it means that we are giving students the opportunity to express and support a cause. Whether or not every student at HHS believes that kneeling is the correct way to protest, we believed that students should be able to find a group that supports them--in-

10 10

cluding athletics.

Many teams create a strong bond among teammates while spending every day with their them for eight weeks. Teams often become the students’ second family.

Even at HHS, we see student-athletes kneeling. The thing we should pay attention to is that they are a group that unites us as a school, and their efforts to effect social change should be applauded.

EDITORIAL BOARD VOTE AGREE DISAGREE

10 0

Ways to spend Halloween

Buy a bunch of eggs and…bake a cake Dress as toddler and go trick-ortreating

9 8 7 6 5 4

Binge season 2 of Stranger Things

3

Get a good rest because it is a school night

2 1

Ding-dong-ditch other classses

Dress up as your favorite teacher

Sit at home in your costume waiting for a text Inform people of candies’ calorie count and shame them into giving you theirs

$2 Chipotle Boorritos

Finish your Common App by the Early Decision deadline

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the royal page

OCTOBER 31, 2017

This movement is empowering people, women in particular, to share stories of strength and survival

09 opinion

Samantha Horowitz, senior

STUDENT SILENCE

Samantha Horowitz News Editor

I

n the wake of revelations of sexual harassment and assault throughout Hollywood, people across the world are stepping out and sharing stories of survival and perseverance using the hashtag “Me Too.” According to the Washington Post, the movement began over a decade ago. Tarana Burke, sexual assault survivor, wanted to take action to help girls and women, particularly of color, who had also survived sexual violence. The campaign recently went viral when Hollywood stars finally broke their silence regarding sexual misconduct involving producer Harvey Weinstein.

“It made my heart swell to see women using this idea — one that we call ‘empowerment through empathy,’” Burke tweeted. “To not only show the world how widespread and pervasive sexual violence is, but also to let other survivors know they are not alone. #metoo.”

The awareness campaign has inspired millions of posts on Twitter and Facebook and is continuing to grow and spread to new audiences. According to the Washington Post, the campaign has helped to redirect a conversation about one man toward one about the women who have survived sexual harassment or sexual assault.

Sexual violence has long been considered a “taboo” topic.

Source: HHS Spring 2017 Sexual Harassment Survey

Victims of misconduct, both men and women, have been encouraged to cover up abuse for so long and were denied the justice they so desperately deserved.

This movement is not only empowering people, women in particular, to share stories of strength and survival, but it is advocating for the importance of support and bringing people together through recognition and healing.

The campaign is continuously creating hope and inspiration, according to Burke, and will continue to make an impact, as sexual harassment is finally being recognized as a “serious problem” in society.

According to a Washington

Post-ABC News poll, the number of Americans who recognize sexual harassment in the workplace as a serious problem has risen from 47 percent in 2011 to 64 percent in 2017.

Now is the time for people to speak out and take action against this ongoing act of violence. One area in which we can help to spread the word and prevent the occurrence of sexual misconduct is on college campuses.

According to the New York Times, on Friday, Sept. 22, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos scrapped Obama-era policy on campus sexual assault investigations. In particular, the reversal of the portion which demanded colleges to use a preponderance

of evidence, or the lowest standard of proof, has allegedly restored a “basic element of fairness” to the accused.

This ultimately brings into question the role of the accused in the criminal act and downplays the seriousness of the issue of campus safety. Shouldn’t there be one universal standard in which campuses are required to comply in order to reassure the safety and well-being of students, no matter their identification or background?

Although sexual harassment and assault occurs on both sides of the spectrum, historically, women have been more likely to be the victims of the criminal act. With that being said, it’s time for men to step up and

take a stance against sexual misconduct, which is beginning to take form through the “how I will change” movement.

The hashtag, started by Australian author and journalist Benjamin Law, is a response to the viral “me too” movement and encourages men to address the controversy regarding sexual abuse and suggests ways in which men can reverse their role in today’s society.

By expanding the movement against sexual violence to include everyone across the spectrum, we are able to raise even more awareness for an issue which affects millions of men and women around the world. It is our role as humans and witnesses of this injustice to shed

Ellie Fishman Sam Fiterman Josh Friedman Julia Fromstein Ari Geller Jake Goldfarb Rhegan Holmes Mario Hadley Ati Hernke Max Lacey Riley Lennon

Rafi Leviton Ayanna Maddox Charlie McNeil Christoph Michailow Kaden Murphy Mary Murphy Jacob Ratner Isaac Richert Sam Schachtman Lauren Schaffler Ari Segal

light on this issue and provide victims with the resources and platforms they need in order to receive help.

“If you are a survivor who is feeling activated by this, there are organizations across the country that are doing this.

Small organizations, local organizations,” Burke said. “If you’re compelled to do a thing, just do something.”

The Washington Post suggests ways in which people can get involved, including getting trained to volunteer on a sexual violence hotline and donating to a charity that supports survivors.

staff Michael Korsh Andy Weisman Hannah Goldfarb Samantha Horowitz Maya Kupritz Natalie DenHartog James Gulden Adam Segal Jake Birnberg Navit Nachmias

Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Feature/Copy Editor Sports Editor Multimedia Editor Photo Editor Business Editor Copy Editor

Jeff Kocur Adviser

Staff Reporters Alex Bank Logan Barham Max Birch Ray Brendalen David Campbell Olivia Cohen AJ Condon Eli Destiche Kalsang Dickyi Luis Felemovicius

Nafi Soumare Ali Winter Anika Williams Paul Zeitz

Editorial Policy The Staff Editorial represents the opinion of the Editorial Board. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the administration, the student body, or the adviser. Viewpoints with a byline represent the view of the writer. The Royal Page operates as an open forum student publication, and student editors make editorial decisions regarding content.

OCTOBER 31, 2017

10

sports

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the royal page Wisconsin has had a history with graduating big men and obviously being one of the best programs in the nation were all parts to my decision.

Joe Hedstrom, senior

Elite Athletics brings offseason spark to HHS Luis Felemovicius Sports Reporter

A

fter going through countless new strength coaches in the last five years, HHS has a new team of strength and agility coaches, and a new program to go along with them.

Austin Salargo, the leader of this new program, and HHS

alum, hopes to give students an organized program, so they can stay focused and in-shape during the offseason.

“With this program, I hope to raise the overall athleticism of our sports teams by giving athletes a structured off-season training program,” Salargo said.

“And the second is to promote cross-sport participation. There

photo: Adam Segal photo: Adam Segal

are not enough kids participating in multiple sports at high levels.”

Salargo graduated from HHS in 2012. During his time at Hopkins, he was a multi-sport athlete at the varsity level. He competed on the track and field team while also playing on the soccer team.

Salargo was on varsity

track and field for all four years high school, and attended the University of Minnesota to compete in track and field for two years. Now, he coaches the boys and girls sprint teams where he has been for the past three years.

Athletes are expected to meet in the old gym for warm-

ups at 3:00 p.m. and are let out around 4:30. The program is very inclusive.

“This program is open to all 9-12 Hopkins Students,” Salargo said. “You could be a starting Varsity athlete or even someone who does not play a sport and simply wants to get in better shape.”

The new program is two or three days a week of strictly weight training depending on the sport of the athlete. The difficulty of the exercises gets progressively harder as the season goes on.

“I really like how it’s organized because it helps motivate people to come and train.

I also like how the program gets progressively harder,” said Evie Barczak, senior. “It’s hard to workout by myself, so I like that I can go there and be motivated by Austin [Salargo] and all the people that go.”

Salargo’s program also involves speed and agility workouts to compliment the weight training. Athletes will do different running, form and explosive exercises Barczak has been playing center field for the Royals softball team for the past two years. Developing more speed and quickness benefits Barczak.

“Working on my speed is really important for me. I have

to cover a lot of ground in center field,” Barczak said.

Parker Stoddard, junior, likes the supervision the program provides.

“The program is a great benefit to players who are in their offseason. It’s nice to have someone watching you to make sure you’re doing everything right,” Stoddard said. “Not being supervised in the weight room leaves you very susceptible to hurting yourself. Having someone push you helps you reach your potential as well.”

Salargo wants to make athletes more athletic in every way, whether that’s in the weight room or on the field.

“My two main goals for the athletes participating in Hopkins Elite Athletics, is to increase raw athletic talent and to prevent injuries,” Salargo said. “It is not my job to create a running back, or an outfielder, but I can help make those kids faster, stronger, and more agile so that when they do go to their sport season their coach has more to work with.”

Hedstrom is ‘On Wisconsin’ Andy Weisman Editor-in-Chief

photo provided by AJ Condon

AJ Condon, senior, and Adam Friedman, HHS alumnus, celebrate after a big play during their Hold Back the Snow tournament last year. HURT recently won a international tournament in Winnipeg.

HURT adds to list of championships Rhegan Holmes Sports Reporter

H

opkins Royals Ultimate Team (HURT) recently traveled to Winnipeg , Canada, to play in an international ultimate frisbee tournament, unsurprisingly, they won the whole thing.

Mats Hansen, junior, elaborated on how proud he was of the team effort shown during the games.

“I was proud to see the support we showed each other, even when teammates had made mistakes or the wrong play,” Hansen said. “The support shown lifted our spirits to overcome some tough deficits and eventually lead to our championship

win over Kelvin.”

Sam Jonas, junior, attributed some the team’s success to their leaders.

“The way that our team was able to come together and come back during games that we were down in, it showed a lot of heart and determination from our guys,” said Jonas. “We had great leadership from our senior captains Even Segal and AJ Condon.”

This success is not new for HURT. The boys team has won; 8 of 14 Minnesota State Championships (10 appearances in the championship game), 4 of 12 UPA/USAU Championships (Nationals, Easterns, Westerns, & Centrals), and 2 of 10 Paideia Cup Titles.

Between 2005 and 2015, the Hopkins Varsity Boys Team has just 5 losses in over 120 games vs Minnesota HS teams, with the 5 losses coming at a combined total of 8 points.

The Hopkins Ultimate program strives to teach its players, coaches, board members and parents the importance of sportsmanship and respect through emphasis on excellence in play, hard work and respect for the sport.

HURT also works to advance the sport of Ultimate through recruiting new players to the sport and advancing the level of play, not only in our program, but across the state and country, as well.

J

oe Hedstrom, senior, has been playing basketball since he was eight years old, and last week Hedstrom decided to announce his verbal commitment to play at the University of Wisconsin Madison.

Hedstrom has many favorite moments on the court growing up. One of the more memorable ones was with his father.

“I played for my dad for four years, and he was guarding me and I hit him with a crossover and he dislocated his knee and had to go to the hospital,” Hedstrom said.

Hedstrom did not start out in the Hopkins School District.

Until his junior year, he was homeschooled.

“To be honest, it was my parents decision. They wanted me to be around more people and wanted me to grow, fortunately they were right,” Hedstrom said.

In addition to playing basketball for the Royals, Hedstrom also plays on an AAU

photo provided by Joe Hedstrom

Joe Hedstrom, senior, poses as a University of Wisoncon-Madison basketball player. Hedstrom recently announced his commitment to be a future Badger.

(Amateur Athletic Union) team, the Minnesota Comets.

During the high school regualr season, as a junior, Hedstrom averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds for the Royals, and for the Comets he averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds respectively.

Hedstrom believes that, overall, he is best at spacing and running the floor, but also beleives his ability to shoot is underestimated.

“Definitely being able to run down the floor fast and get in front of my man. I have

quick feet and play hard, I am always looking for somebody to box out,” Hedstrom said. “One thing I think some people overlook about me is my ability to shoot from midrange and being able to face the basket.”

Mr. Ken Novak, social studies, and head coach of the Royals boys basketball team, believes that Hedstrom has come a long way.

Read More at hopkinsrp.org

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the royal page

OCTOBER 31, 2017

We have to go in this year with mental toughness. We can’t be afraid to be aggressive.”

11

sports

Anna Erickson, junior

Volleyball hungry for state title Mary Murphy and Ari Geller Sports Reporters

A

s the end of the regular season approaches for the Royals girls volleyball team, there is still a lot to be accomplished for them.

“State this year for us is all about going back and finishing what we started,” said captain Jane Nelson, senior.

Last year the team went into the state tournament ranked third and made it all the way to the semifinals, finishing fourth in the tournament and ending the season with a 30-3 record.

The girls also went undefeated in conference play last season and took the conference champion title.

The team is currently ranked fourth in the state with a 17-6 record.

The team has made it to the state tournament nearly every year for the last five season, but

never grasped the title.

The last five years the team has been steadily ranked in the top five in the state, and each year they have made it so close to the state champion title. Last year was the closest they had ever gotten.

“The past two years we have started state on a bad note and that might be what has set us back. We remind ourselves though it is not about the way you start, all is well that ends well,” Nelson said.

This season was different for the girls after losing some of their key players from last season.

One of these key players being Jasmyn Martin, who now plays volleyball for the University of Minnesota, along with Greta Werner, Lauren Ortiz, Maeve O’Meara, Elyse Ruthenbeck, Cassidy Kummrow, and Maggie Dosall.

Despite the setback for the Royals, they continue to re-

member what is important for making this season just as successful. They are staying focused on how to keep the team strong.

“Change is going to come with every season,” said Anna Erickson, junior. “There will always be a new feel, which is why team chemistry will always need to be worked on whether you lose seven seniors or two.”

Although there have been struggles for the Royals this season, they managed to have success too. The team lost to the Elk River Elks at the very beginning of the season, along with a loss to the Minnetonka Skippers the first time they played them. The losses did not stop the team.

Coming right back from the loss against the Elks, the Royals took a big win from the Prior Lake Lakers who were ranked second in the state which therefore put the

girls back in the fourth ranked spot, setting them up for the rest of the regular season.

The Royals used their motivation from this and other big wins to take down the Skippers the second time they played them.

Other notable wins have been against the Eden Prairie Eagles in the first round of conference play, as well as victories over the Shakopee Sabers and the Chaska Hawks.

The girls are now working towards what will make or break the team during the state tournament this year.

Erickson noted how the Royals are preparing to go into the tournament with mental toughness and a level of aggressiveness to give them an edge.

“It is all about wanting to compete. We have to choose to put it all out there,” Nelson said.

Sean Hundwardsen, senior, dribbles the ball upfield. The Royals boys soccer team finished their season with a record of 3-12-2 (including post-season).

Amaya Wolpert, junior, talks to coach Ken Novak jr. The girls tennis team finished their season second in sections after losing to Edina in the section championship match, they were also ranked eighth in the metro.

RJ Chakolis, sophomore, and Brandt Nelson, senior, celebrate a touchdown. The Royals finished their season 1-8.

Ali Hall, sophomore, starts on the starting block. The girls swim team will compete in the sections on November 9th.

Our gallery: Fall Sports in Review Marcella Reese, junior, races to catch up with another runner. The girls cross country team had a few young standouts this year and are looking to next year for a sucessful season.

From left to right; Alec Wormuth, junior, Jesper Hoffman, senior, Eli Hoeft, junior, and Henry Hughes, senior, pose for a photo before a meet. Hoeft and Hughes were the only two Royal runners to qualify for the state meet.

Royals girls soccer team stands for the national anthem. The team finished their season with a record of 5-9-2.

TOP: The Royals gather around the bench during a timeout.

ABOVE: Nyakim Tut, junior, and Jane Nelson, senior, jump above the net to block a hit.

RIGHT: Anna Erickson, junior, goes for the kill. The Royals are currently 17-6 and ranked fourth in the state.

AJ Condon, Tommy Auth and Theo Lentsch, senior cheer on the Royals during a football game. The Royals won their Homecoming game this year against St. Thomas Academy 21-19.

photos by Adam Segal, Isaac Richert, and Paul Zietz photos: Adam Segal

the royal page

OCTOBER 31, 2017

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backpage

RIGHT: Lee Anthony Craig, sophomore, dances for his friends. Dance circles have become popular at HHS, both at dances and more recently, during the school day. photo Isaac Richert

BLAST FROM THE PAST “

On Oct. 7, HHS Student Council hosted a revamped Homecoming Dance, where HHS students dressed in 1980s apparel for a night of dancing and fun

photo Isaac Richert

Above: Sam Eklund and Julien Munezero, seniors, show off their moves in the dance circle. Many people participated in dance circles throughout the night.

RIGHT: Emma Buttress, Amy Ward, and Amanda Bregel, seniors, singing along to music at the Homecoming dance.

The music included hits from the 1980s and the present day.

Above: Katie Blad, junior, and Faith Agboola, sophomore, share the dance floor. This is the first time in recent years the Homecoming Dance was held on a Saturday, and Student Council reported higher ticket sales.

photo Isaac Richert

photo Isaac Richert