The Royal Page - September 2016

the

page

ROYAL

Friday, September 30, 2016

VOLUME 35, ISSUE 1

Safe and Sound IN-DEPTH, p.4-5

www.hopkinsrp.org

Mr. Doug Bullinger, principal, spoke to The Royal Page during a press conference on Sept. 6. photos by Bea Frank

Meet Mr. Bullinger:

After leadership positions in Mounds View and Edina, new principal starts off the year bringing experience, passion, and philosophy to HHS

by Evie Barczak and Sam Eklund Staff Reporters Until he walked out on the stage at the class meetings, most students at HHS didn’t know Doug Bullinger, principal, by voice, name, or face.

As the new school year begins, Bullinger’s biggest goal is to be interactive with students, from attending extracurricular events to just being in the classrooms.

“I definitely plan on going to basketball and football games,” Bullinger said. “I like seeing students in other settings, not just the classrooms.”

Bullinger was initially attracted to HHS because of its diversity and the high expectations that are set for teachers and students alike. He thinks that these expectations will allow him to get better at his job, meaning students will have a better learning experience.

Another factor that drew Bullinger in was the proximity to his home in Plymouth, where he lives with his wife and two kids. In contrast to the 35 minute commute to Mounds View, the 15 minute drive to Hopkins allows Bullinger to not only spend time at home, but also to be a part of the school’s many extracurriculars.

As a new principal at a new school, Bullinger is taking the first month to understand HHS and the culture within.

“The first weeks and months

“Whether it’s your college roommate or your co-worker who’s had three kids go through the school district, everyone knows someone who went to HHS. And they love it.”

- Mr. Doug Bullinger, principal

are being used to establish what the current reality is before we can move forward. I want to figure out what makes the best learning “per capita,”” Bullinger said.

As a child, Bullinger grew up on a farm and watched his father go from the military back to school in his forties to become a teacher. He says his father was where he first saw strong, admirable work ethic.

After college, Bullinger inhabited many positions at multiple schools, including most recently, Mounds View High School.

“I’m a teacher at heart,” Bullinger said.

Before taking over the posi-

From the Editors Dear Readers, We at The Royal Page have been working hard to produce the best first issue we can. As you begin reading, you will notice a change from last year. This year, we have decided to return to the broadsheet newspaper format, focusing on not only in-depth stories, but also on smaller briefs.

We believe that this will give you, our readers, a wider variety and better concept of what is going on in our school, and throughout the community.

You may notice that this, our first issue, is eight pages, rather than the typical twelve. We’ve decided to shorten this issue to give our new team of Staff Reporters time to practice skills necessary to do this important job well. However, we’re also proud to present this issue in full color, maximizing our visual potential.

This year, we will continue to focus our efforts on factual and ethical journalism along with providing stories that are unique to our community.

We will also continue to keep our web edition updated with the

tion, Bullinger heard lots about HHS, ranging from the incredible diversity to violence issues last winter. Nevertheless, Bullinger spoke of the HHS reputation of excellence and of the good things he’d heard about the school and its top notch education.

“I think [rumors] could scare some people off, but I was pleased to learn that they weren’t justified when I got here, and I was very impressed with the student body,” Bullinger said. “What makes us exceptional is what students are doing after high school, and how staff is able to prevent issues, but also guide kids through problems.”

Follow us on social media!

most current stories going on throughout HHS. As we go through this year, we encourage you to contact us on social media, or talk to a Royal Page staff member if you feel we are overlooking something important in our community. We also encourage you to write a Letter to the Editor, which can be emailed to us at royalpage@ gmail.com.

Thank you for your support as we enter this new school year.

We hope you enjoy the first edition of the 2016-17 Royal Page, and we can’t wait to continue to share your stories this year.

Sincerely,

Abby Doeden, Print Editor-in-Chief

During the grade level meetings, Bullinger again emphasized HHS’ positive reputation.

“Whether it’s your college roommate, or your co-worker who’s had three kids go through the school district, everyone knows someone who went to HHS. And they love it.”

Bullinger hopes to continue to project this good-natured view of HHS across the state, if not the whole country.

“Teachers always talk about being the best school in Minnesota. Why stop there?” Bullinger said. “I want people in Florida to be talking about Hopkins High School.”

Noah Kaplan, Web Editor-in-Chief

@theRoyalPage @theRPsports @hroyalpage Hopkins Royal Page

Michael Korsh, Managing Editor

2news

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RPFriday, September 30, 2016

Opting out results in low test scores

by Jordyn Petty Staff Reporter During May of last school year, students took the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA). The MCA tests are taken to present the schools skills, but the results showed that HHS scored below the Minnesota state average in every subject after 32 percent of the junior class refused to take the exam.

“If it makes that big of an impact, I don’t think it should be an option,” said Ashley Akin, senior.

Out of the whole state of Minnesota that opted out of taking the standardized test, almost 10 percent came from HHS. HHS’ proficiency percentage was at least 14 percent lower than all other Lake Conference schools in the three subjects: math, reading and science. HHS’ scores aren’t comparable to other Lake Conference schools but they came in close with our next door neighbors, Robbinsdale Armstrong and St. Louis Park.

“One assessment doesn’t make up who we are as an institution or [students] as a person, but it is the only measuring stick that people see publicly. We want to do well and we know that students can do well,” said Mr. Adam McDonald, Associate Principal.

While some students would rather focus on school and taking the ACT, other students recognized how important the results of the MCA tests are to the school.

Kirsten Magaard, senior, voiced her opinions on Twitter to express her view on students opting out of the testing.

“It’s just hard for me to watch a school district all my siblings grew up in go downhill because people chose to sleep in,” Magaard said via Twitter.

“I tried to encourage people to take them because I thought it was a super easy way to give back to the school,” Magaard said. “I knew classes were getting cut and I wanted to help in any way I

MCA Scores Spring 2016 Wayzata

Hopkins Eden Prairie

Minnetonka

Edina

Armstrong

St. Louis Park

The graphs above show HHS’ MCA test scores from Spring 2016. HHS falls behind all lake conference schools in each category.

infographics provided by Jordyn Petty

could.”

The Minnesota Board of Education has been changing the policy when it comes to MCA testing. Three years ago, each student had to obtain a certain score on the test. Two years ago, the score did not matter but students were required to take it. Last year, the requirements changed again and the state urged students to take the MCA but it was not required.

Another conflict was that Advanced Placement (AP) and MCA tests were so close together. According to McDonald, the majority of kids who opted out were AP students because they had AP tests coming up that needed to be prepared for.

“I don’t think it’s worth my time to be testing for the school when I could be learning,” Elizabeth Fern, junior, said.

Current HHS baseball field in front and grass fields in background. The new turf fields will replace these fields. photo by Bea Frank

HHS to install turf fields, replace Lindbergh grass fields

by Sam Leervig Staff Reporter It has been almost 15 years since HHS got its turf stadium. Now, a new turf baseball stadium along with additional turf soccer and practice fields are awaiting construction.

The topic of new turf fields has been brought up many times at School Board meetings, but at the meeting on Sept. 6, the Board passed the plans for construction of the new fields.

“The first conversation about putting turf on the baseball and practice fields was held probably 17 or 18 years ago when we were working on the first turf that we purchased for the stadium,” said Mr. Dan

Johnson, Director of Activities.

The cost for turf is expensive. According to the report on the cost of the new turf field, released by the School Board, the total of construction will cost around $4,646,000.

“There is very little maintenance on a turf field whereas grass fields need fertilizer, topdressing, weed control, weed whipping, mowing, irrigation, and they need these things on a daily and/or weekly basis,” Johnson said.

Aside from the maintenance, there were other problems at hand with the grass fields. One of those was the morning dew that made the grass almost unusable. Morning gym classes crowded onto the practice turf

School Board’s blueprints for new turf fields. A collapsible baseball fence will make room for multi-sport fields. diagram provided by Hopkins School District

and stadium turf in order to evade the wet grass.

The new field would add extra space for teams. In the summer and fall, the baseball field fence can be collapsed and room

for three soccer, football or lacrosse fields can be made. In the summer and spring, there will be a softball field, lighted baseball field and a three quarter size practice field.

This year, HHS is changing their strategy with standardized testing. Teachers and staff are going to work to educate students and their families about the benefits of taking the MCAs. HHS plans to use the results from the MCA as a benchmark to know what students need to study more in order to score higher on the ACT. “The MCA will take you directly into the ACT, which is very important when it comes to college or any type of secondary programming after school. There is a benefit to knowing where you are.

Understanding the MCA will help you push yourself into taking the ACT,” McDonald said. “Our goal is to be focused on the ACT.” “When we don’t have our best athletes at the meet, we are not getting an accurate picture of how we are doing,” McDonald said.

Some sports most affected will be the baseball and softball teams. Turf fields act differently from traditional grass fields, causing for an adjustment for the players.

“It’s tough to get your footing down [with a turf field],” said Luis Felemovicius, sophomore.

Although different, Felemovicius was excited for the new, much needed change in the field.

“With turf, as an infielder, you don’t get as many bad hops [as a grass field],” Felemovicius said. “It will be better for the future.”

Felemovicius has been playing baseball for 11 years and has had experience playing with both grass and turf fields.

The construction for these new fields will begin as soon as the board selects a contractor for the base work construction.

The end date is unsure, but construction will begin as soon as vendors, engineers, and contractors are assembled.

Another addition towards the project is lights for the baseball field. This will allow use of the baseball field at night, along with the practice fields that lie within.

“The field in past years has sometimes been in pretty bad condition and with turf you don’t really have to give it that much attention,” said Felemovicius. “I’ve heard from many people who go to other schools that our [baseball] field is not in tip-top shape for a varsity field.”

HHS students reach out to assault victim

by Maya Kupritz & Jordyn Petty Staff Reporters Capri Bryant, sophomore, first got the idea of painting Bob Ziemiecki’s garage door from her production teacher Mr. Mark Czech, Music Technology Teacher & Guitar Instructor.

Last week, Ziemiecki was going outside to paint his garage door when he saw a fight between HHS students on his front lawn. He was then allegedly assaulted when trying to break up the fight, according to a WCCO news report.

Bryant talked to Mr. Doug Bullinger, Principal, to see if he could make the plan happen.

The plan then traveled to Mr. Adam McDonald, Associate Principal, who contacted Ziemiecki and his wife to tell them about the students wanting to help him out.

“For me, my friends were going to do it and I wanted to restore the good image that we have here at the school. If we look like we are going out and ruining people’s property, that’s not going to fly. It’s not good for our image,“ said Shawn Bollinger, sophomore.

Ziemiecki and his wife decided it was not necessary for the group of students to come and help paint his garage door, but they greatly appreciated the gesture.

On Sept. 26, Ziemiecki and his wife came to HHS and handed out thank you notes for the different Hopkins families who reached out to him.

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RPFriday, September 30, 2016

Meet new student gov. reps.

Sopho

The Theater program practices a new dance routine during full rehearsal. The photo was taken during the rehearsal of the musical number “shy.”

photo by Anna Casey

Theater starts strong with ‘Mattress’

by James Gulden Staff Reporter The HHS Royal Productions Theater Program is kicking off rehearsals for the fall musical, Once Upon a Mattress.

The show is going to be one of the program’s largest, a cast of 44 made the cut. Natalie Foster, Theater Program director thinks this show is very exciting.

“This is a show that gives lots of opportunities, it really is the full musical theater experi-

ence.

“This year, we have our production team fully in place. Our new tech director, has a fun and grand tech direction in mind for the set. We have Ross Wolf working with our full pit orchestra, and we have eleven students on the costume team with our costume director. With such a solid team are going to hit the ground running with this show,” said Foster.

The show runs Nov. 11, 12, and 13, at 7p.m. each night.

There will be a matinee at 12p.m. on Nov, 13. Tickets will be available at the end of October.

There’s a lot of unique elements of Once Upon a Mattress.

Grant Cohen, junior, plays the Jester in the show.

“This show showcases many different talents throughout our school. We even have a tap dancing number. It really is the full musical theater experience,” Luke Yourzak, junior, plays King Sextimus the Silent in the

show.

“My character is completely mute, which is very unusual for theater. It’s been a very interesting process to put this character on stage. He even ‘sings’ in two songs,” The Theater program is open to freshman at North and West Junior High for all of it’s shows.

“We have so many new people in the program this year.

Watching them experience theater for the first time is re-

mores

Bella Feitl

ally special,” said Andy Gamble, senior, who plays The Wizard in the show.

Evan Unruh-Friesen, senior, plays Sir Harry, the brave and brash knight in the show.

“With other shows, there’s some dark theme or complex analysis going on, but this show is just pure entertainment for the audience.” Unruh-Friesen said.

More information can be found on the Royal Productions website, HHSTheater.org.

Anna Anderson

Jaxon Parker

Sally Reed

Books, technology compete for literacy time As devices are everywhere, more and more people choose technology

Sagit Nachmias

by Sam Eklund Staff Reporter For Miranda Shapiro, junior, reading for pleasure has remained an important part of her life. Rather than watch TV before bed, Shapiro would sometimes rather read a book, something not required by school. She feels it is very important to keep up with reading, especially when she doesn’t have an English class.

For students at HHS and across the country, reading for pleasure is not as much of a priority as it used to be. Be it that books aren’t as good, people just don’t have the time, or that reading just isn’t as important as it used to be, there’s data aplenty to show this widespread trend.

According to the HHS Media Center, total print check out in the 2010-2011 school year at HHS was 2,498 books.

Last year, that number only reached 1,248 books total, a 50 percent decrease. According to the Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report, reading for fun in the age group 6-17 has declined from 61 percent in

Payton Meuwiseen

Erin Weiss

Juniors

An iPhone is set on the shelf full of books. More and more student choose tech over the good old fashion book.

2010 to only 51 percent in 2014.

So not only is this happening at HHS, but has become a nationwide decline.

“It’s much more productive to read than to watch a TV show. As much as I love to binge-watch Netflix, I also like to go read a good book,” Shapiro said.

Another trend that the Scholastic survey shows is the gap in pleasure reading between boys and girls. Girls read more than boys, as shown by multiple data points; 24 percent of girls aged 15-17 read for pleasure while only 14 percent of boys do. Another point is 61 percent of girls say they enjoy reading

while that number is only 41 percent for boys.

“I don’t think I’ve ever read a book for pleasure,” said Avery Martens-Goldman, junior.

Martens-Goldman seemed surprised it was even something that still held interest. He feels there are many other ways he could gain pleasure. This is a widely held belief, and may be true for some, but there are still a fair amount of students at HHS who still believe in the enjoyment a good book can bring someone.

Whether it be for enjoyment (or lack thereof ), or of actual productivity, there are many reasons students can give as to

whether or not they read. Reading for pleasure can be a healthy habit to have compared to many other habits. However, sometimes it just isn’t possible to find the time to read with everything students have going on.

“This is a super busy time in your life. If you were once an avid reader and now you’re not, you’ll get back to it.” said Ms. Victoria Wilson, Library Media Specialist.

Wilson encourages students to visit the library and find a book they love. If it isn’t there, the “Request a Book” feature on the HHS Library website can be used to order any book that isn’t currently on the shelves.

photo by Sam Eklund

Wilson hopes this encourages students to find a book they will truly enjoy.

Wilson describes herself as a voracious reader. One of the largest reasons she cites for her love of reading is the escapism it allows her. It doesn’t matter what’s going on around her when she is engrossed in a book that takes her away to a new place and a new situation.

“I like where books can take me,” Wilson said. “Being able to take that love of literacy and making a career out of it where you can help other kids find books. I will make it my mission to find a book they enjoy.”

Logan Hoffman

Sam Eklund

t oa f n I ore P.org m R d Fin pkins Ho photos by Maya Kupritz

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IT’S THE LAW

Isaac Gotlieb, sophomore, sat in his first block Spanish 4 class on Sept. 7 as they began to play a game. In one moment, however, he instinctively dropped to the ground.

Such began HHS’ first fire drill of the year. Gotlieb filed out of the classroom, and with the rest of the school, practiced the emergency procedure for an inschool fire. Only a few days later, the procedure would repeat.

Since elementary school, students have been taught to follow emergency preparedness procedures, but the purpose and implementation of these drills can often go unknown.

District policy towards crisis management follows an enhanced version of the guidelines in Minnesota Statute 121A.035 § 2. That policy, revised in 2015, states, “A school board and a charter school must adopt a crisis management policy to address potential violent crisis situations in the district or charter school…..The policy must include at least five school lockdown drills, five school fire drills... and one tornado drill.” In the Hopkins district, however, one lockdown drill is an enhanced drill with first responders invited to participate.

Legislation such as the current statute has been in place for decades, but has been readapted for modern security threats. The Minnesota School Safety Center, a subdivision of the Department of Public Safety, works to prepare schools for modern security and emergency threats. Randy Johnson, the Center’s Director, explained the importance of such policy in schools.

“[Emergency preparedness drills] allow us a chance to actually plan for situations that we really don’t hope to have to ever address, but we need to be preparing ourselves to at least have some sense of, ‘How are we going to respond should an emergency ever occur?’” Johnson said. “You have to be thinking about and planning for and sharing information and trying to respond, with everyone in your school community, in order to really respond in a way you would hope to in an emergency event.”

However, because of these drills’ timing and frequency, some students have expressed concern over their lack of convenience to students’ learning. “[Drills] get in the middle of learning and throw off the day,” Gotlieb said. “But, at the same time, they’re very necessary.”

Johnson understands the interruption that these drills impose on the school day, but noted that such interruption, perhaps, is the point of these drills.

“What we need to be doing is concentrating our time and effort on doing these drills and exercises at times when we would need it most,” Johnson said. “And sometimes that becomes, unfortunately, not the most convenient times.”

Though Gotlieb will have to participate in several more drills throughout the year, he, too, believes that security should be a priority over convenience.

These drills are so necessary because in the rare case of [an emergency], if they help someone, they are worth it,” Gotlieb said. “It’s not worth risking our safety for the convenience of not missing class.”

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fire drills

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tornado drill

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lockdown drills

Source: Minnesota Statute 121A.035 § 2 Photos licensed through Creative Commons

S

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

How many drills must Minnesota schools participate in?

A

AND S

As more and more secuirty at HHS, some students look AN ALARMING ADDITION As students arrived back at HHS on Aug. 31, they quickly noticed one of the school’s newest security updates: the installation of alarms on the Mall and science wing doors.

Patrick Poquette, Director of Buildings and Grounds, worked with HHS administration in installing the alarms, and explained their intent.

“The addition of the door alarms was done to better secure our high school. Our goal is to provide the main entrance as the only door accessible to students, staff and visitors throughout the day,” Poquette said.

Because the doors are unable for students to use for entry and exit into the school, students have noticed the inefficiency that this new addition has brought. Navit Nachmias, junior, highlighted the complications that the new alarms have brought to her at the end of the school day.

“I normally could go out the science doors, but now I have to go out the bus doors and go around the school,” Nachmias said. “I understand the point of [the alarms],

but I think they are very inconvenient. Some people have to go out of their way to get out of school which means that it takes longer to get out of the parking lot and get home.”

Despite the hindrance they may bring to students, Mr. Doug Bullinger, principal, clarified the alarms’ purpose as preventing intrusion at HHS. “[The alarms] are there not so much to keep people in, but to keep people out,” Bullinger said.

Students’ adjustment to the alarms has been a gradual process; many accidental incidents involving the alarms have occurred in the first month of their installation.

Though the alarms, like other security measures, were created to ensure student safety, Nachmias believes that this addition may be going too far.

“The only way the alarms would help keep people from coming in is if people are letting other people in,” Nachmias said. “If that is the case, then we have people in the hallways making sure that something like that doesn’t happen. And, they have cameras on the doors anyways, so they would be able to see if someone was letting someone in.”

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DO YOU FEEL SAFE AT SCHOOL? strongly agree

46% 48% 5% 1%

agree disagree strongly disagree

Source: 2016 Minnesota Student Survey

E

AF

THE BATTLE FOR OPEN CAMPUS Last week, Nick Ghose, senior, went off campus for lunch. As he was coming back into HHS with his Jimmy John’s, he was stopped by a hall para.

The para told Ghose that HHS has a closed campus, and he couldn’t go off campus for lunch. The next day, he was brought into the office and received detention for it.

“I do want an open campus because I think it would be easier [for students]. Maybe just for seniors, just to give students more freedom [throughout the day],” Ghose said.

After many years of a closed campus policy at HHS, many students now want a change. To help institute this change, Ally Davis, Caity Thie, Sebastien Karo, and Danny Dolan, seniors, started a petition.

“I think an open campus would be beneficial because it would get kids more active during the day. [Students] are doing so much sitting that going out and getting some fresh air would be nice,” Dolan said. “Also, [an open campus means] getting a better variety of foods than what the school provides. [The lunches here] have little nutritional value, especially for athletes.”

The petition was started at the end of last year on ipetitions.com, but bottomed out at about 150 signatures. This year, the quartet decided that they wanted to bring it back as a written petition to maximize student involvement. The result has been about 480 signatures in a mere three weeks.

“I have been thinking about [the petition] since sophomore year. I wanted it passed because I have always gotten in trouble for leaving campus for reasons besides getting food, like going to my car to get some-

SOUND

measures are put into place k for more freedom.

by Abby Doeden and Michael Korsh Print Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor

SECURITY OR CONVENIENCE? We asked students which they value more at HHS.

“Security, to make sure your stuff is alright and that you’re safe.”

-Brandon Walling, junior

“Convenience. It saves time, and time is money.”

-Jonathan Goins, junior photos by Cole Kristal

thing,” Dolan said.

This is just the beginning of the battle though; the students have talked to the School Board and John Schultz, Superintendent, about their proposal, yet have gotten no lenience on the rule.

“I do think that there are some consequences of an open campus; the risk of getting into car accidents is higher, and drug use [may increase]. But I think the benefits outweigh the negatives,” Dolan said.

There are many reasons that School Board has continued the closed campus policy, but, according to Bullinger, the biggest one is the safety of students and the liability of letting kids leave campus.

“My sense is, [an open campus] won’t happen any time soon,” Bullinger said. “The main reason for why it’s in place is for the safety of the students, which will always come first.”

Letting students off campus for lunch would only give them a 45 minute time-frame to get lunch, eat, and be back at school. This may encourage driving over the speed limit and reckless driving from kids, making accidents a probability.

Another reason why the closed campus in place is for security measures. If students and faculty can’t come and go all the time, there are less risks of someone coming in who is not supposed to.

“A closed campus is another part of our enhanced security plan. By tracking who is entering and leaving the building during the day, we aim to reduce the risk of intruders,” said Patrick Poquette, Director of Buildings and Grounds.

Because of these things, even Dolan knows it will take a lot of effort, and time for the petition to have any effect.

“I don’t think anything will come of it as soon, but I would like to pass it on to the younger grades to see if they can get is passed,” Dolan said.

6 op/ed The Royal Page 2016-2017

Print Editor-inChief Abby Doeden

Web Editor-in Chief Noah Kaplan

Managing Editor Michael Korsh

News Editor Sebastien Karo

Feature Editor David J. Sheldon

Sports Editor Andy Weisman

Photo Editor Bea Frank

Video Editor Zach Roy

Social Editor Sophia Koritz

Staff Reporters Evie Barczak DJ Davis Sam Eklund Noah Fogel Matt Gerstner James Gulden Cole Kristal Maya Kupritz Sam Leervig Jake Lehman Kyle Miller Jordyn Petty Jordan Zaroff

Adviser

Jeff Kocur

the

RP Friday, September 30, 2016

STAFF EDITORIAL

An open letter to Mr. Bullinger Welcome to HHS. Throughout the past month, you’ve established your presence at HHS through grade level presentations, class visits, and even a personal press conference with us at The Royal Page. As someone with such a vital role at our school, we thank you for giving students the opportunity to meet you.

So, we’d like to return the favor by teaching you what it means to be at HHS. Here at HHS, every student has a story. As a newspaper, it’s our job to chronicle those stories. There are students here that are working tirelessly to be

by David J. Sheldon Feature Editor Colin Kaepernick has taken a knee, or a seat, for the National Anthem for the past couple weeks, spurring controversy nationwide. Some Americans are in shock, believing he’s disrespecting his country, while others think he’s using the freedom of the country. I believe that what he is doing is good for our country.

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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.

One of the biggest things our nation is about is freedom and people have to realize that if you join any form of the military, you are fighting for the rights of the people. That includes, burning the american flag, and yes, sitting during the National Anthem.

Why is it that many Americans can not comprehend that the first amendment “prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of

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trophies, in all their glory. But here at HHS, you don’t need to win a state championship trophy to display the skill and passion of student-athletes.

But nobody’s perfect, and we at The Royal Page know that includes HHS. Students from various schools around Minnesota often shape a negative reputation of our school. And sometimes, that reputation has validity.

The most common aspect of that reputation is our nickname: “Potkins.” According to the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey, 19 percent of HHS students believe that most students

here use marijuana daily. The facts reveal a much lower truth: only 4 percent.

That’s our job as student journalists— presenting the truth, which, sometimes, is the ugly truth. We’ve found that in the 2014-15 school year, HHS had 9.5 fighting citations per 1,000 students. And as you’ll see in this very issue of The Royal Page, HHS scored below the state average in every MCA subject.

As we cover HHS this year, we don’t shed light onto these issues to defame our school. Instead, we see them as areas that you, Mr. Bullinger, can help us

improve on. With your experience, your determination, your passion for education, we know that you can help us further HHS’ culture of excellence.

Because of all these things, the good and the not-so-good, HHS is truly a special place.

And we’re glad you get to be a part of it.

EDITORIAL BOARD VOTE: AGREE DISAGREE

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Take a stand. Take a knee.

Kaepernick started a revolution– let’s continue it

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The editorial represents 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.

Division I athletes, to be Minn.

Scholastic Art Award-winning artists, to become the first in their family to go to college.

Our school touts its diversity, and it’s true— the diversity at HHS is remarkable. At the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2016, students waved flags representing 27 home countries. We come from all races, all ethnicities, all walks of life.

Last week was Homecoming, the epitome of what it means to be a Hopkins Royal.

If you go to the second floor of Lindbergh Center, you’ll see our state championship banners and

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Ways to Sneak Out of HHS

Bribe the hall paras Take flight in the Lindbergh airplane Fake a doctor’s appointment Jump out the window Use your Royal Page Press Pass Drive away during a fire drill Stage a coup By horsedrawn carriage Dress up as Mr. Bullinger Graduate

religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble,” and so on.

Even the company running the show has realized that what Kaepernick is doing is, in fact, benefiting them.

According to the NFL, “Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the National Anthem.”

Kaepernick’s jersey has been selling like hot cakes. Making the NFL and other sites like it hundreds of thousands of dollars. On the other hand, a lot of those jerseys are being burned by enraged fans.

Burning a jersey is probably the least effective way of making a point against a player or an action done by said player.

First of all, you are spending a minimum of one hundred dollars not including shipping and then burning it to ashes.

If you want to make a stand against Kaepernick you might as well just pull one hundred dollars out of your wallet, and burn that instead, because in that case, you’re actually saving about $15.

According to ESPN.com Kaepernick is ranked the 40th overall quarterback in the NFL. This is a testament to what he is doing. He is such a low ranking quarterback, and yet he has had the influence to start such a big debate on a hard topic to talk about.

In July of 2016, The Guardian posted that 136 black members of our society have been killed by a police officer and an even greater amount have been shot by an on duty police officer.

This is outrageous. We live in an age of self driving cars, but we as a society, have yet to realize that there is no difference between me or any of the black students here at HHS. I can’t even think what it would be like to have to worry about being pulled over every

time I drive to a friends house or home from school. The fact that civilians are afraid of the police is not something that should be occurring anywhere.

Kaepernick is doing our country a favor by bringing this up once more on a larger scale.

The only time this subject is ever talked about is after another black member of society has been killed by police and in that case it is too late. Since the start of Kaepernick’s act of courage, more and more NFL players, and athletes a like have taken a knee or sitting.

Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos Linebacker took a knee at the season opening win against the Panthers.

“The message is I’m against social injustice. I’m not against the military or police or America at all. I’m against social injustice and I feel like this was the right thing to do,” Marshall said.

In the end, I would love to see not just black and white citizens of America be treated fairly, but all colors.

photo by Bea Frank

the

RPFriday, September 30, 2016

Van Dellen joins Big Red football

by Matt Gerstner Sports Reporter

Before the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year, HHS football’s own Bennet Van Dellen, senior, captain, took to Twitter to announce some big news. He had committed to play Division One Football for the Big Red at the Ivy League school, Cornell University.

Following the 2015 football season, Cornell’s recruiters reached out to Van Dellen, one of the Royals starting offensive tackles.

“I first came in contact with Cornell when one of the coaches came to visit me at school, but I didn’t think much of it then because all the Ivy [League Schools] came to visit me and it just meant they wanted to see me at their summer camp,” Van Dellen said.

Because of his 3.8 GPA and high ACT score, Van Dellen was being looked into by a good amount of Ivy League programs, so he didn’t take Cornell very seriously at first. But the more Van Dellen contemplated his future, even with other offers coming in, the Big Red were still on his mind.

“I considered a few others before my offer but [Cornell] was by far my favorite,” Van Dellen said.

After much thought about his future school and team, the

Boys Soccer (7-4): “The season is going significantly better than I expected. We are playing very well,” said Nico Shirley, junior, captain.

photo by Bea Frank

Girl’s Soccer (8-3):

Bennet Van Dellen, senior, captain, mentally prepares for the game against the Coon Rapids Cardinals. The Royals beat the Cardinals 52-6. provided by Bennet Van Dellen

decision was made. Van Dellen announced his excitement and commitment to become a Big Red on August 12, via Twitter.

“I committed because I really enjoyed the coaches and the school,” Van Dellen said. “The final thing that made me choose [Cornell] was their amazing engineering program which I ended up getting into.”

It may still be senior year for Van Dellen, and a whole year is ahead until he finally puts on the Big Red uniform, but he’s already thinking about taking the field with his new family, the Cornell University Football team. But Van Dellen have one opponent on his mind.

“Harvard, because they are

always a very good football team,” Van Dellen said.

Even though Van Dellen has committed to play for Cornell, the hard work he has already put into getting this opportunity to further his career into college, the work is not over yet. Training is not over yet and he still has to impress his coaches and future teammates at the Cornell pre-season camp. “[For] getting ready for next fall I will be lifting a lot because college is a whole new of football. I will be reporting for camp at Cornell on August 15 to finish off my training before fall,” Van Dellen said.

Unfortunately, during the second game of the season on

Sept. 9 Van Dellen went down with an injury to his knee. It wasn’t until Friday, Sept. 16 that Van Dellen found out that he has a torn meniscus.

“There was no serious pain when I went down, but when I stood up it felt like it was shifting around and hurt bad,” Van Dellen said.

Van Dellen will be out for 2-6 weeks and will be doing lots of therapy throughout the process.

“My doctor has assured me that this will not affect my future ability to play football so my commitment will be fine,” Van Dellen said.

Royals Girls tennis cruises through season

by Andy Weisman Sports Editor

As the Royals girls tennis team prepares for sections there is much to recap after a fantastic season. They have faced some tough competitions including: Prior Lake, Breck, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie.

One of the most impressing things about this team is how young and how much potential the team has.

“The toughest match for both my team and myself would be Eden Prairie because they’re a good team and we had a lot of pressure on us since it was our first conference match of the season,”said Nicole Lukas, senior.

Just ask Mr. Ken Novak, coach. Novak coached the tennis team for 15 years and won a state championship. Shortly after, he resigned for 15 years, and now has been coaching for the past three years. Novak has been impressed with how these girls have been playing and their concentration.

“They’ve been working really hard; they’re not worried about their matchup and they’re concentrating hard,” Novak said.

The Royals have two seniors, five juniors and five sophomores, freshman and seventh/ eighth graders combined.

“Having so many amazing young players will benefit us greatly in the future. I like to think I’ve influenced the players to have a positive attitude,” Lu-

sports 7 ROYAL BRIEFS

kas said. “I’m most proud of the team winning our conference match against Wayzata for the first time in 10 years.”

Maddie Suk, sophomore captain and one of the younger players on the team, is also one of the top players in the state for her grade and believes that this team is growing and becoming stronger all together.

“Having young players on the team is really important because we will have many returning players next season,” Suk said. “Our team is getting stronger, thanks to the young girls playing lots of tennis year round.”

Suk has been on varsity since seventh grade, and continues to get better each and every day.

“I have had many great experiences over the years that have allowed me to compete at the level I do today,” Suk said.

Not only is Suk the captain, but she also plays the number one singles spot for the Royals.

Suk said that playing at one singles is tough and she trained hard last off season.

“I’ve trained super hard during the off season and played lots of tournaments. The toughest match for me so far this season was against St. Louis Park.

I played a girl named Natalie Lorentz, who is ranked number two in the state and was really good,” Suk said.

The team itself has been competing at a very high level and has a record of (10-3) for the season and are ranked sixth.

“It’s going really well we’ve already gotten more wins than we had last year and we still have quite a few more games to play,” said Ashley Akin, senior. photo by Christine Davis

Girls Volleyball (13-1): “We’ve been really successful because of our great team chemistry, we work hard and get better everyday,” said Jasmyn Martin, senior. photo by Bea Frank

Girls Swim and Dive: “Everyone is working really hard, and I think we’ve come a long way since the beginning of the season,” said Samantha Horowitz, junior.

provided by Samantha Horowitz

Girls Cross Country: “The season is going well, our team has had some really solid workouts and that’s our main focus right now,” said Bit Klecker, senior. photo by Bea Frank

Boy’s Cross Country: “It is a rebuilding year, and from what I can see we have a lot of potential and it will only take a few guys to step up for us to be the team to beat,” Seth Ellison, senior. photo by Bea Frank

Girls Tennis (10-3): “The season is going great, we have been doing a lot of great work which has led us to winning,” said Ellie Fishman, junior.

Maddie Suk, sophomore, captain, prepares to return a serve against the Southwest Lakers. The Royals beat the Lakers 6-1 in their match. photo by Eric Flom

“The number one thing our team needs to worry about, is getting better and working hard,” Novak said. “I’m not worried about how well they do, but I’m more worried about the process so that we can get better.”

Like Novak said, this won’t be easy, but in order for them to beat the best they need to learn

the process and get better.

The Royals hope to impress many in sections and advance to state. However, it won’t be easy.

One of the hardest matches the Royals may see this season is against the Edina Hornets. The Hornets have won state for the past 19 years straight. The road to state for the Royals will begin

provided by Ellie Fishman

Football (2-2): “It’s been a good season.

We are continuing to improve each week which is most important,” said Morgan Holmes, senior.

photo by Bea Frank

RP Friday, September 29

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Hopkins Royelles dance Hip Hop at School Pepfest.

photos by Royal Page Staff

Hopkins Royals faced the Edina Hornets for the Homecoming game, winning by a score of 21-14.

A WEEK OF SPIRIT Homecoming: a time where all of the school's students come together and show their school pride. HHS kicked off the week of Sept. 19 with spirit ranging from “America Monday” to “Woke Up Like this Wednesday.”

The busiest day of the week was the day of Homecoming, Sept. 23, which included a pep-fest, the football game, and Homecoming dance.

HHS Student Government coordinated the school's pep-fest and dance.

“It's a lot of work because we have to get everything set up and organize acts,” said Abigail Fine, senior and President of Student Government.

Incoming sophomores were new to Homecoming Week at HHS, many did not know what to expect.

At the Pep-Fest, and were met with a surprise: getting booed by both the junior and senior classes. Jossy Nyangweso, senior, explained the upperclassmen’s rationale for booing.

“We boo the sophomores because they feel a little too entitled,’’ Nyangweso said.

The Hopkins Royals football team hosted the Edina Hornets in the Homecoming game Friday night. The Royals were down 0-14 at halftime, but managed to make a comeback in the third and fourth quarter, winning the game 21-14.

The student section was dressed in their school colors— red, orange, and yellow— in accordance to the double rainbow, which appeared above the stadium during the second quarter.

“It’s really cool to see students wearing their class colors and cheering each other on,” Fine said.

Seniors at HHS met their last Homecoming with both excitement and sadness.

“I’m going to miss seeing the students being together all at once,’’ Nyangweso said.

by Abby Doeden and DJ Davis Print Editor-in-Chief and Staff Reporter

America Monday

The Royelles and the Hopkins Football Team dance at Pepfest.

Tie Dye Tuesday

Deeply Royal Performs at the Pepfest.

Double rainbow appeared above the field during the game.

Woke up Like This Wednesday The Royelles perform at halftime at the game.

Seniors cheer the team on during the game.

Senior Fan Section

Tourist Thursday

Running Back, Jadon Washington, sophomore, gets tackled by Edina defenders.

The Marching Band plays during halftime.

Junior Fan Section

SPIRIT WEEK: WHO WORE IT BEST?

Hopkins Cheerleaders perform at High School Pepfest.

Sophomore Fan Section

Class Color Friday

HOMECOMING: ROYALS ON FIRE