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Friday, June 1, 2012 Volume 30 Issue 9

inside the RP

HHS Heroes (P. 8) - C-Spread Campbell leaving after 16 years (P. 2) - News Seniors say goodbye (P. 6) - Opinion Princess Di comes to MOA (P. 7) - Variety

Student artists taking home the hardware (P. 10) - Feature Raines chasing track and field records (P. 13) - Sports

Staff, students figuring it out Top: Students listen intently during the student forum. Participants voiced many opinions during the period, both positive and negative.

Bottom: Terrall Lewis (far right), equity and integration specialist, responds to a comment at the student forum. Principal Patty Johnson, Anne Campbell, assistant principal, and Adam McDonald, associate principal, (left to right) along with Mr. Anthony Padrnos, Mathematics (not pictured) attended the forum to receive student feedback about their experiences at HHS.

Photos by Mike Newcomer

HHS administration hosts student forum Jason Showers Sports Editor Combine the first year principal and associate principal of a high school with 30 teenagers in a room. For the kids, add free pizza and a chance to voice complaints about the way their school is run. In many cases, this situation would deteriorate rapidly into chaos.

Not at HHS. On Thurs., May 17, approximately 60 students spent their lunch discussing our school in two one-hour sessions. All possibilities were open for discussion.

Mr. Adam McDonald, associate principal, and Mr. Terrall Lewis, equity and integration specialist, mediated the forum. Principal Patty Johnson Ms. Anne Campbell, assistant principal, and Mr. Anthony Padrnos, Mathematics, were also in attendance.

Lewis opened the forum by asking each student to introduce themselves by name and grade and then state one positive and one negative thing about the school.

On the positive side of the discussion, Monday advisory and TASC periods were brought up as beneficial additions.

Students also agreed that the breadth of available courses should be an area of pride for HHS. Several transfer students said that they couldn’t believe how many more interesting classes were offered here

than at their previous schools. Students also said that they appreciated the variety and rigor of the AP courses and challenging curriculum offered.

Much of the student frustration centered around experiences in the classroom and with teachers. Some students praised the educators wholeheartedly. A significant amount, however, criticized the staff and brought up frequent problems with communication, discipline, and respect.

The majority of these complaints came from students of color.

One student said he felt that if he had a misunderstanding with a teacher and brought it to administration, the teacher would always be right. Others agreed and thought their side of the story was never heard during conflicts.

Several said they received discipline for every minor infraction while their White counterparts got away with whatever they wanted.

One Black female student even said a teacher called her a “slave” and told her to “go back to Africa.” The student declined to name the teacher and the story could not be corroborated, however.

As more and more complaints about racism and inequality came to light, the atmosphere became more tense. McDonald and Lewis kept the discussion moving and fielded each question with respect.

They responded to each student with statements like “we appreciate your input.” Three students recorded each statement so that everything was on record and available to review after the forum.

As the meeting ended, students were thanked for their participation and asked to fill out a survey containing questions about how the forum went. McDonald offered a positive review.

“This was new for us, a new experience, and it was exactly what I was looking for,” McDonald said. “I was impressed with the students’ behavior; they did a good job respecting each other.”

“This is just the tip of the conversation,” Lewis said. “If this is something we want to keep talking about doing, we need to integrate it into the system and provide funds.”

Lewis said that he was very optimistic and encourages students to participate in these discussions and other new programs that will be in place next year.

The forum also helped serve as an intimate introduction for McDonald and Johnson to many students.

“The challenging part is that nobody really knows who I am,” McDonald said. It is his first year in an administrative position at HHS. - FORUM continued on page 2

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RP

Friday, June 1, 2012

Coach Campbell talks to players Kim Lidstone and Morgan Nybo, seniors, and Julia Hathaway, junior. After their season ends, there will be no more Coach AC on the softball field.

Photo by Mike Newcomer

Campbell takes talents to Grand Rapids Taylor Lee Staff Reporter

After 16 years at HHS, Anne Campbell, assistant principal, has accepted a job as activities director at Grand Rapids High School.

Although Grand Rapids is the Thunderhawks, Campbell will always be a Royal.

“I bleed blue,” Campbell said. “I wasn’t looking to leave, but when the opportunity came about, I was honored to take the job.”

Campbell began her career here small, but she has become a huge influence at HHS. She was a Physical Education teacher for 13 years but became the interim dean of students when Ms. Traci Meyer took maternity leave three years ago.

This job evolved into the interim assistant principal and finally the assistant principal.

“My classroom went from five courts at Lindbergh Center to an office,” Campbell said.

After becoming a member of the administration, Campbell continued to be on the lookout for new challenges. After finding out about the Grand Rapids job, she immediately applied for the position.

“I knew the opportunity [at Grand Rapids] would be there. I have a friend in the District who let me know when the word came out,” Campbell said.

“I wasn’t surprised [when Campbell told me she applied for the position]. Anne is very passionate about student activi-

ties,” said Principal Patty Johnson. “She was very concerned about how [taking the job] would affect everyone else, and I told her to do what was best for her.”

The activities director position at Grand Rapids, much like at HHS, oversees 25 athletic programs as well as theater, speech, and debate.

“I am very excited to be able to provide opportunities for students,” Campbell said. “I am most passionate about students and secondly athletics. I think the job is a great fit for me.”

As for athletics, there will no longer be a Coach AC. “Once I step off the softball field after our last game, that will be the last time I coach,”

she said.

“It’s sad to see someone like her leave,” said Abby Whritenour, senior and softball captain.

“Her energy and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.”

After 16 years as head coach, Campbell is passing the job on to Mr. Mark Peterson and Ms. Amiee Enzler.

“I think it will be a struggle at first, but Mark and Amiee will do a great job and keep our tradition in the program,” Whritenour said.

Campbell has done nothing short of keeping a tradition of enthusiasm and connections at HHS. “I have made very strong emotional roots here at Hopkins, not only with students but

with families as well,” Campbell said.

Joey Brettingen, senior, had Campbell as a gym teacher in seventh grade and his relationship with her grew from there.

“The school is definitely going to be different without her.

Whenever I see her in the hallways she always says ‘hi’ and gives me a highfive,” Brettingen said. “It’s going to be tough for the other students to be without her,” Brettingen said.

Building relationships is something Campbell does well, and her magnetic personality will come in handy at her new job.

“At Grand Rapids it will be like starting all over again.

That’s something that will take

time.”

Campbell plans to retire after she is done at Grand Rapids.

Her family has a lake house in the District where she plans to spend her retirement.

Campbell’s presence at HHS and in the Hopkins community will be missed.

“Anne is a legacy here at Hopkins and you can’t replace an Anne,” Johnson said. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for her and I know she will do great.”

“Anne and I have been working together for almost 17 years,” said Mr. Dan Johnson, activities director. “She is a very valuable commodity to students and staff, and she will be missed.”

Student forum serves as opportunity to be heard, meet administrators FORUM from page 1 McDonald hopes to build more extensive rapport with students as time goes on.

“I wanted to invite kids to something a little more personal,” he said. “For me, it was about the opportunity for students to voice their feelings.

We are searching for continuous improvement, and it doesn’t matter how good we are or what

we make better, we will continue to gather information from students to help improve our practice.”

Johnson is also in her first year as principal of HHS. She felt that her presence at student lunch periods, as well as the forum, were positive steps towards getting to know the student body more intimately. “[McDonald and I] eat in

the cafeteria or we don’t eat. I love the atmosphere in there, it’s relaxed, everyone is just hanging out,” Johnson said. “I like the opportunity to relax for a minute and just hang out with students. I think students are very mature in our cafeteria.”

Both Johnson and McDonald were visible presences in the lunchroom during the week leading up to the forum, con-

versing comfortably with many different student groups. Johnson felt positive energy in return from the student body.

“I was walking around the lunches talking to students and a lot of people were very willing to sign up for the forum. Even if they couldn’t, a lot of people gave feedback or just chatted with me. It was very positive,” Johnson said.

As for next year, Johnson said, “We are going to spend some time on this during the summer and use this experience to take in information and reflect on it. We will take this information seriously and use it to develop our mission for next year.”

As part of this mission, McDonald hopes to identify what he called a “Justice League” of

students to form a youth assembly in accordance with teachers and administration to further examine issues within our school.

“I want to identify students as well as draw from volunteers that can be good representatives for our school,” he said. “Right now, this is all in its infancy stage, but after this forum my hopes and dreams are high.”

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RPFriday, June 1, 2012

New school year brings new schedule Due to positive feedback of this year’s implemented TASC, there will be more additions for the 2012-2013 school year in an attempt to provide more time for teachers to connect with students.

Sarah Ungerman Sports Editor Each year, staff and administration look to better HHS going forward and make changes to improve the high school experience for students.

This past year, they implemented TASC and Monday Advisory in an attempt to provide more time for teachers to connect with students.

“We asked staff and students about the changes we had made this year, and we received an overwhelmingly large positive response to TASC and a varied response to Monday Advisory,” said Mr. Adam McDonald, Associate principal.

Next year, with the hopes of more positive results, HHS will add another TASC period along with several other changes to the school schedule and calendar.

Next year’s schedule will have two TASC periods, one on Monday and one on Thursday.

On Monday, students will have 10 minutes of advisory followed by 30 minutes of TASC, and Thursday’s TASC time will be 40 minutes long.

TASC was extended because of the high level of positive feedback the administration received about it.

Many students felt that the time in TASC designated to helping students access teachers to get help and support was a good idea.

“I really like TASC. It gives me a set time during school to get things done,” said Claire Huber, senior.

“It’s really hard for me to come in before school or stay after, so having that delegated time makes it easier,” Huber said.

Underclassmen look forward to the extra help a second TASC will offer.

“Next year with two TASCs, I hope I get more one on one

time with the teacher,” said Sam Dalton, sophomore.

Not only is it helpful for students, but TASC can be useful for teachers as well.

“Creating a structure like this, sends a really good message,” said Mr. John UnruhFriesen, Social Studies. “I really like that the school set aside time in the day for students to do their work, communicate with their teachers, and be more successful.”

Having two TASC periods next year will allow for more help and time for students and teachers to connect.

“If a kid has a test to make up, I know that I can split into two days,” Unruh-Friesen said.

“I already support it, and know it could only be a positive to have another.”

“We’re still in the infancy stages of both additions [Monday advisory and TASC] to the schedule, figuring out what is

the best use of time in the day, and there is still room for improvement. We are learning as it happens,” McDonald said.

Many students’ favorite part of the day, lunch, will also undergo changes next year. Instead of four lunches, like past years, there will be three that will each be 40 minutes long. “[The primary reason we changed the lunch format was] to minimize the amount of split lunches,” McDonald said. “[Also] we have less students, our numbers are decreasing, and we feel we can physically manage the number of students in the lunchroom, and actually make lunches longer.”

“We have done trials [of less than four lunches] this year, and it all seems to be fine,” said Ms. Sandra Rulec, Royal Cuisine. “It gets crowded, but in terms of production of food there is no problem.”

Some students disagree.

“When they tested the three lunches, I thought it was too crowded and long,” Dalton said.

“I don’t know how they are going to pull off having only three lunches, when it’s already really crowded at four,” said Ellie Zakhein, sophomore.

Conference days and late starts are also being altered going forward.

Next year, there will four days of combined professional development and conferences for teachers.

As a result, there will be four late starts instead of eight and students will have no school on conference days instead of an early release.

The driving force behind many of the changes was the administration’s desire to reduce the amount of confusing schedules.

“We are trying to eliminate having confusing schedules,” McDonald said.

Some teachers and students struggled to keep track of when class started and ended with the various structures of the schedule.

“I like that the administration has decided to reduce the amount of schedules we have,” said Mr. Mike Harris, Science.

“For as much as I like TASC and advisory, I didn’t like that I was always looking at the clock unsure of when the next block started.”

With the steps HHS is taking to make the high school a more successful and wellrounded environment, the schedule and calendar reflect its actions.

“Since I am a senior this year and I am leaving, I do hope that Hopkins keeps moving forward with what they are doing. They are trying to reach out to us and it is really making things in school easier,” said Ketrin Vinokur, senior.

Language trends affect levels in German Joe Greene Business Editor Designate Both nationally and locally, the number of students taking German as their world language in high school has declined over the last several years.

This trend is apparent at HHS, as well. Next year, German levels 1, 2, 5, and 6 will not be offered at HHS. “Levels 5 and 6 are not being offered because when this year’s juniors were seventh graders, they worked ahead and jumped in with the eighth graders. We’ve had a gap all the way through,” said Ms. Kelly Dirks, who teaches German at both junior high schools and HHS. New student enrollment is a different story. “It’s been years since the high school had a German 1 or 2, even though kids sign up for it every year,” Dirks said. “There’s always been 10 to 20 kids who sign up, but it takes more than that to make a class. We’ve always been just a few kids short of running those sections.”

Another reason for lack of German enrollment could be that many students perceive Spanish and French as being much easier than German.

“They don’t realize that English is a Germanic language and that English shares more words with German than any other language,” Dirks said.

“German is a very logical language. Everything is constructed in a way that makes sense,” said Jacob Nelson, sophomore and German student.

“There is this stereotype that German is an ugly language,” said Skyler Dorr, senior.

“A lot of people think German is harsh and sounds angry, but the pronunciations are actually interesting,” said Erik Maag, junior.

German is perhaps more important now than it has ever been. “What people don’t realize is that German is, more or less, running the European Union right now. It is dominating foreign trade,” Dirks said. “Anyone who is interested in business,

marketing, politics, cars, sports, or many other areas can find lots of ways German will be helpful.”

Josh Olson, senior and German 6 student, initially chose to study German because his grandparents were born in Germany. Now, he is planning to live in Germany for some time after high school and sees German as an asset to his career.

“I’m going to try to use my German experience to help me become successful in the engineering field,” Olson said.

Dirks is not sure what is next for the German program at Hopkins. “Enrollment can really be a rollercoaster. Across the state, some school districts are cutting German departments completely while others are starting them up from nothing because there’s such a demand for it,” Dirks said.

In deciding which language to pursue, Dirks sees word of mouth as having the biggest effect. “Most kids decide in sixth grade what language they’re go-

ing to register for before they ever meet any language teachers or have much of a chance to investigate why they should take any given language,” she said.

“It seems like everyone’s friends take Spanish. So many cultures speak Spanish, kids tend to look away from taking German. German is culturally and historically significant, and it is a relevant language,” Nelson said.

One difference in students pursuing German is their willingness to stick with it. “Everyone who is in German wants to be in German,” Nelson said.

“German classes have the lowest attrition rate of any language,” Dirks said. “About half the kids who start level 1 go all the way to level 6, which is way higher than any other language.”

While German enrollment at HHS remains “a rollercoaster,” German students take pride in their language choice.

“I’m unique as a German student and I’m part of a unique group of people. I’m proud to

be a German student because Germany has influenced history so much and I’m really getting a grasp on German culture,” Nelson said.

“It’s an honor to be a German student,” Olson said. “People recognize you for the ability to speak a new language and understand a unique culture. ”

German Fun Facts There are 35 dialects in the language.

Germany has over 1,000 kinds of sausage.

Germany is Europe’s largest economy.

Gummy Bears were invented by a German.

There are over 300 kinds of bread in Germany.

Information Provided by www.confessedtravelholic.com

4 opinion

One of the hall- right on its head. marks of our country is Wahls, who scored in the 99th perthe fact that all men are centile on the ACT, is an Eagle Scout, supposed to be created and owns and operates a small business, equal. It is foundational delivered a passionate speech about why Ryan to how we see ourselves his parents, two women, did a pretty darn good job raising him and his sister and Levi as a nation.

Unfortunately, we are how abhorrent he was to the idea that his not delivering on this promise. state government would “codify discrimiAcross the country, millions of gay nation into our constitution.” and lesbian Americans are being treated I encourage you all to search “Zach as far less than equal.

Wahls Speaks About Family” on YouEarlier this month, North Carolina tube and hear for yourself how asinine it became the 30th state to constitutionally is to think that gay parents are incapable ban same-sex marriage. of raising and loving healthy, happy kids.

That’s three-fifths of the country that The interesting thing to me is the fact have placed a provision in their constitu- that very few of those who oppose sametions to ensure that not all of their citi- sex marriage say they oppose it because zens have equal rights. they dislike homosexuals.

It’s this type of institutionalized disThey say they have nothing aganist crimination that led to four students, gay people but just feel strongly about who were either gay or thought of as the sanctity of marriage. gay, committing suicide over the course Here’s my only question: how can you of two years in the Anoka-Hennepin explain supporting a constitutional ban School District. on same-sex marriage when it’s already Because some members of the Ano- against the law? What reason could there ka-Hennepin community felt so strongly be to ban something that is already outthat homosexuality was an abomination, lawed? they pushed through school board poliI can understand that there are people cies forbidding teachers and staff from who honestly believe gays should not be discussing homosexuality in any way. able to get married. I may not agree with So when students were repeatedly them, but they have a right to feel that bullied for being gay, they had no one to way. turn to.

But I can find no justification to supWe are more fortunate at HHS. We port a constitutional amendment against have a strong Gay Straight Alliance that something that is already illegal, except actively promotes tolerance and under- through prejudice and bigotry. standing of LGBT students.

There are many gay students and facYet while straight students at our ulty at this school. Some we know, othschool can look forward to a happy mar- ers we don’t. Some may not even know riage after they graduate high school, themselves yet. our gay and lesbian friends have no such I am asking you to decide whether hope. you are a person who would stand up and Minnesota is one of 39 states that tell these people, your classmates, your does not allow same-sex marriages and a friends, your teachers, that you don’t beballot measure this November will try to lieve they deserve to be treated equally. make Minnesota the 31st state to conIf that’s not the type of person you stitutionally deny same-sex couples the want to be, then I ask you to vote against right to marry. this bigoted amendment to our state Opponents of same-sex marriage of- constitution in November. fer several defenses for why they choose I ask you to be a person who stands to deny gay and lesbian citizens equality. up to ensure that we can truly be a land Some say that marriage between where all men and women are created a man and a woman is a tradition that equal. should not be changed. Well, traditionally African-Americans were held as slaves “I can find no jusand sold as property. tification to supTraditionally, women were deemed port a constitutional second class citizens and denied equal rights including the right to vote. amendment against Just because something has been trasomething that is alditionally done doesn’t make it right. ready illegal, except Others say that the children of samesex couples would suffer. through prejudice Last January, Iowa’s state legislature and bigotry.” was discussing their own constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

19-year-old Zach Wahls stood before Ryan Benjamin Levi is the Editor-inthe legislature and turned the theory Chief for the Royal Page that children of gay couples are worse off

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Equality for all Americans

RPFriday, June 1, 2012

Weighted GPA provides advantage With any curriculum that includes Advanced Placement (AP) classes, there should be weighed grades.

At HHS, students who decide to take the rigorous and challenging Joel classes should be rewarded for their Ratner work, rather than punished.

As of January, 2009, Wayzata, Osseo, Minnetonka, and Edina had weighted grades due to their rigorous AP curriculum.

In doing so, these schools are hoping to encourage more students to take a leap of faith and sign up for AP classes.

In addition, it helps the school’s class rankings.

On the other hand, HHS believes that weighing grades as an incentive is not necessary.

Students should be motivated to take difficult classes with the desire to learn, rather than boosting their GPA. Also, because some courses at HHS provide AP, and some do not, it makes it unfair to students who only excel in certain classes.

In a poll of HHS students, 58 percent of the students said they would prefer a weighted grade system, as opposed to the system in place now.

Many students choose not to take difficult courses because they fear it will hurt their grade point average (GPA), especially when it comes to applying for colleges.

The AP classes require more work and effort, and that often results in a lower GPA than somebody who might take regular classes.

Sure, AP classes look good, but most colleges will ultimately rule out any student that doesn’t fit their GPA requirement.

HHS allows students to get away with taking easy courses to maintain their GPA. Students, however,

should be encouraged to take the other more difficult classes that will prepare them for college.

Students often take the easy way out with intermediate classes that are not challenging just to keep their GPA up, rather than taking advanced classes that will challenge themselves and enhance their learning experience.

These classes are not right for them, and they could be learning more if they went out on a limb.

These AP classes are very similar to the amount of work that students will see if they choose to attend college.

The idea of these AP courses is to mentally prepare students for their college careers, and it will help them to not feel stressed or overwhelmed when they have to face college-level material.

The only way that the playing field can be leveled is if schools like HHS change their GPA to a 5.0 scale to compensate for AP classes.

This will allow students to have a fair chance to do well in the AP classes, and to not be afraid that it will destroy their chances of getting into a good college.

Also, AP courses can save students a lot money when they go to college because they have the opportunity to get college credits.

College credits can be very expensive, and with a 5.0 scale for AP classes, more students will take advantage of the opportunity.

Students will gain a lot from taking the AP courses.

They will not only have higher GPA possibility, but they will also be learning and preparing for college.

Joel Benjamin Ratner is the Opinion Editor Designate for the Royal Page

From the Desk of the Editors Dear HHS students, faculty, and community, It has been an incredible year here at HHS and we feel very lucky to have been able to document all the exciting times within the pages of The Royal Page.

We hit the ground running with our first issue this year as we covered the fight at Homecoming and its aftermath. We worked hard on that story to make sure that we reported the information that the community deserved to know while ensuring that no one was harmed.

Using that story as a launching pad, we continued to strive throughout the year to write stories about important topics, even if they were difficult to report on.

We covered homelessness, hazing, cheating, racism, teen pregnancy, and the party culture at HHS. We are very proud of the tough topics we have chosen to cover.

We are also incredibly proud of our amazing staff.

We have been fortunate enough to work with a great group of editors who are passionate about creating a quality newspaper for our community. Our editorial board has spent countless hours discussing the newspaper and working on their pages. We couldn’t have asked for better editors to work with this year.

We are very proud of the content that we have put on our paper this year. We feel that the stories in this year’s newspaper have been some of the best The Royal Page has ever had. Editors and staff reporters have worked tirelessly to produce quality stories. We were amazed at some of the great stories that were written this year by editors and staff reporters alike.

However, the greatest area of improvement in this year’s newspaper has been the non-written content. The photography on our pages this year has been outstanding. We are forever grateful to our amazing photo editor Mike Newcomer along with all the other staff members who took incredible photos to brighten up our paper.

We also need to give a big thank you to our fearless advisor, Mr. Jeff Kocur. We are so lucky to have such a great teacher, mentor, and advocate as Kocur. We are also very proud of Kocur who was named the 2012 Minnesota Journalism Educator of the Year by the Minnesota High School Press Association. He is certainly deserving of the honor for all the hard work he puts in to help us produce this publication along with the yearbook. We could not have done any of this without him.

Lastly, we want to thank you all. We create this newspaper for you and we hope that you have enjoyed our work this year.

We have both spent so much of our time in high school working on the newspaper that it is hard to imagine that this is our last issue. We are confident, however, that next year’s staff, led by Editors-in-Chief Ursula Arhart and Lydia Wilson, will continue to do an incredible job.

Sincerely,

Marlee Gotlieb Ryan Levi 2011-2012 Editors-in-Chief

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RPFriday, June 1, 2012 opinion 5 Cherishing positive influences from older siblings

One of the most memorable quotes in my high school career is one that a classmate of mine said so simply: “write about something that keeps you awake at Caroline night”.

Ravits This had me thinking about people who have impacted my life and what they have done for me.

My brother Joey and I have built a strong relationship over the years while living under the same roof.

This is all about to change.

He is leaving in three months to college, and this will change my life.

I’ve always known this day would come, but I didn’t think it would arrive this soon.

He’s always been one year ahead of me in school, but even the days when I was in elementary school, he was in junior high or even when I was in junior high and he was in high school, there seemed to be a great absence not having him around.

Even though North Dakota State University, where he will be attending college, is not too far away, and there will be a change in the at-

mosphere of not having him around the house whenever I need a advice.

Not only is he a brother, he is also a friend that will always be there when no one else is around or understands what is going on.

I’ve looked up to him for my entire life.

His actions always impacted the decisions I would make.

When he picked up the flute in fifth grade, I wanted to learn how to also. When he played sports like soccer and baseball, I wanted to play those sports as well.

He’s made a powerful influence in my life by being an outstanding role model.

He has always told me to believe in what I want to do and not let anyone get in the way of my dreams.

During the summer of 2011, he began to talk about college and what he wanted to study.

I didn’t plan on going back to school for my junior year, but when he made me realize how this would affect my future, I knew I had to go back.

He’s the reason I went back to school, made plans to do better and eventually go off to college.

Letter to the Editor On behalf of the foreign exchange students at Hopkins High School, we would like to say “thank you”. The students really have helped us have a great year in America.

Every year, Hopkins High School gives multiple foreign exchange students the opportunity to experience a senior year of an American high school student.

This year the opportunity was given to us, Ana Gastaldi (Brazil), Emilia Lammela (Finland), Emilie Zapata (France), Ingrid Berntsen (Norway), Lea Staiger (Germany), Lula Maes (Belgium), Malou Krueger (Germany), Niels Biehler (France), Nils Plautz (Germany), Olivia Hvass (Denmark), and Pauline Alter (Chile).

It has been 10 months since we arrived in America. We came as foreign exchange students from around the world, curious to get to know the American lifestyle and to meet new people.

We were all very nervous on our first day of school but from the beginning the students and teachers were very welcoming and friendly

and that helped us to settle in more easily That’s why we want to say thank you!

We had a wonderful time in America, many of us have toured different parts of the country, enjoyed experiencing school life and are now looking forward to one of the last big events of our special year, graduation.

We are very excited to share this big event with the other seniors at Hopkins High School.

It has been truly a great experience for exchange students and host families, and without our host families we wouldn’t be here today.

There are many programs like YFU, Rotary Club, AFS, etc. that make this amazing year happen. Visit their websites for more information.

Thank you very much for making this year so enjoyable and memorable.

(From top to bottom, left to right) Lea Staiger, Nils Plautz, Ingrid Berntsen, Olivia Hvass, Pauline Alter, Lula Maes, Ana Gastaldi, Niels Biehler, Emila Lammela, Marie Krueger, and Emilie Zapata

Joey has helped me believe in moving forward even when I make mistakes, as long as I learn from them.

College was something I wasn’t interested in for a while because I thought I wouldn’t be able to make it, but when he gave me the encouragement I needed, I stuck with school.

He’s pushed me into working hard and has changed my entire outlook on the importance of education and to an extent, life.

I haven’t taken a chance to truly tell him how much I appreciate his presence. His knowledge is powerful and his lessons are useful for the rest of my life.

Most of all he has taught me how to be the sister who I am today.

On May 18, he turned 19.

This made me realize how fast time has gone and I’ve learned to take a step back and show Joey how much I appreciate him now that he won’t be around as much.

Family relationships are an important part of my life due to their support and the love that comes from them.

Brother-sister relationships can be known to be on different sides of the spectrum. My rela-

T

tionship with him is lifelong and unlike most siblings, we get along pretty well. We may be complete opposites, he might be shy and sometimes crabby, but I know inside he has a big heart.

As I get ready to say goodbye, he should know how much he is appreciated, not just by me but by everyone who has met him.

He’s impacted a majority of people’s lives, but he continues to impact my life positively.

The most memorable lesson Joey taught me is to appreciate the great people who have impacted your life for the better and to never give up on them.

He’s taught me how to be a better person, and even though he won’t be around to say good morning to me or ask how my day was, I know he’s ready to enjoy the college experience.

Caroline Judith Ravits is a Staff Reporter for the Royal page

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op Ways to Go Out with a 10 Bang

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Ask a lunch lady on a date Don’t throw your newspaper on the ground...please?

Do your homework I don’t know but I’m sure Mike Newcomer does

Challenge Marcus LeVesseur to a fight Don’t close your eyes during the STD PowerPoint in Health Steal Muscles’ megaphone at lunch Go into the Guidance office without an appointment...YOLO Boot Tim’s Car Staff. Bathrooms.

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RPFriday, June 1, 2012

Goodbye Hopkins, stay classy Farewell Hopkins Mona

Omar

I never thought of myself as a writer, and to be honest, I wasn’t all that interested in joining newspaper when I entered HHS. It all came to be due to good fortune and a minor schedule crisis I was having during the second semester

of junior year.

It’s been almost a year and half since my first term in newspaper, and now, I can honestly say that enrolling in this class has been one of the most beneficial and smartest decisions I’ve ever made in my high school career.

With the contribution of my advisor, Jeff Kocur, Editors-in-Chief, Marlee Gotlieb and Ryan Levi, and eight other awesome editors (Madeline Rauma, Maddy Braverman, Lucy Orenstein, Katie Cera, Jason Showers, Sarah Ungerman, Lydia Wilson, and Mike Newcomer), we’ve yet again created an outstanding newspaper publication for The Royal Page.

I want to give a public expression of thanks

and gratitude, or in the twitter world, a shout out to any of my friends, peers, and teachers who willingly came up to me during passing time to tell me they’ve read my editorial. It means a lot.

Speaking of twitter, follow me at @funktionalist.

Judging from the title directly above this editorial, you’re probably awaiting a blatantly inauthentic stir of high school success tips. However, I won’t be doing that. (Insert sad face here).

I’m not going to tell you that the real world begins after high school because that’s simply not true. You’re living in the real world right now, so live a little.

Throughout the year I’ve subliminally tried to insert my own set of advice in each of my editorials. I’ve covered only timeless topics and given you tips that are useful at any point of your life, not just in high school.

Therefore, any further advice will only blur the previous ones. Besides, make your own mistakes and write your own legacy.

Above all, be true to yourself.

We’ve had three years to discover ourselves and our interests, and now, it’s time to go after them. Remember who you are and what you stand for in the midst of all that. More importantly, don’t give up your ambitious goals because of its challenges. At the same time, don’t expect it to be easy.

As much as leaving high school behind and starting a new chapter scares me, it’s comforting to know that the future is unknown to all of us.

So whatever regrets and failures you have at this point, you also have the ability to essentially start all over.

If Gates, Zuckerberg, and Jobs can do it, you can too. I think.

In all seriousness, I’m honored to be an HHS alumni soon. I’m proud of you all and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.

Asaalam Alakyum comrades, and stay classy Hopkins.

Mona Abdulle Omar is the Opinion Editor for the Royal Page

Chuck bids farewell and offers tips My tenure here at HHS is coming to a close, and I am horribly conflicted.

One part of me can’t wait to move on. Go to college, see what else is in the world, and Charlie my calling as a highBank find powered Hollywood agent, or maybe even president if I feel like it, but then there’s the other part of me.

There’s a part of me that is truly going to miss HHS. It was HHS that sculpted and molded me during my formative years, and I will be forever grateful for that.

My friends and my peers have played a large role in making me who I am today, but so have the exemplary staff at HHS. I’ve had close to 20 teachers throughout my time at HHS, and I have gleamed new information and enjoyed my time spent with almost all of them.

From Mr. Jarrin Williams, English, who I had the pleasure of having for journalism first block first semester of my sophomore year and yet still remembers my name, to Ms. Kelly Dirks, Foreign Language, who I have had as a teacher every single year since ninth grade and would not have it any other way.

Due to the fact that I went to HHS I have learned many things that will help me later in life. I’ve learned leadership, through being an NHS officer. I’ve heightened my organizational skills and planning. As well as, learning compromise through group projects.

The cafeteria is another place at HHS that has taught me many valuable things, for example, go with your gut instinct. Don’t risk it on the Mexican lasagna when you know deep down you want the Italian panini. The lunchroom has also taught me patience. The omelet line is in fact worth the ten-minute wait. And it has also

taught me that sometimes you need to make sacrifices, because if I eat that omelet, I will get the runs fourth block.

To those of you who still have a year or two left in this building, treasure it. I’m sure this entire thing seems a bit cheesy but it’s just how I feel dude. High school should be a lot of fun so don’t take it so seriously and live a little, alright?

For as much as I am sad to leave the place that has seen me on both sides of puberty, I am excited to move on to University of Wisconsin Madison next year and whatever life has in store for me after that. With that being said, I would like to thank the editors for letting me write in this esteemed publication. I would also sincerely like to thank everyone at HHS for making my high school experience awesome.

Charles Isaac Bank is a Staff Reporter for the Royal Page

Learning from mistakes in high school 12 years ago I was lying on the floor of my first grade classroom, kicking and screaming like I had parasites swimming through me.

As my class examined my obscene Elijah behavior, I had a cascade of tears flowing down my fat cherry Fhima cheeks. I was such a loser.

I missed my mommy. I missed watching soap operas with her while she cooked me a grilled cheese. Those were the days.

Eventually, I had to stop being a momma’s boy if I wanted to fit in with the rest of the gang. Thankfully, I discovered girls. I shed a few pounds, sagged my levis, died my hair blonde in attempt to imitate Nick Carter, and gave Rachel Sadowsky a bundle of dandelions.

She was almost as dreamy back then as she is now. Anyways, it only took a half of a year for the Hopkins school district to transform me into a

more blunt and confident boy. Thanks Hopkins.

Fast forward 12 years. Hopkins awarded me my first, and last, underage drinking ticket at the Homecoming game. However, I give gratitude to the Minnetonka Police and the Hopkins school district for making an example out of me and my childish behavior.

If you know me, you’re probably thinking Eli is writing this as a joke, but I’m not. On the night I received that minor there were countless conflicts that arose in my life. I dealt with the issues that surfaced, which made me more responsible and accountable in some aspects. Thanks Hopkins.

It is safe to say I slacked off my last two years of high school. I did absolutely nothing. Due to Hopkins’s great reputation, I still got into college.

Thanks Hopkins?

In my freshman year at Hopkins I tried out for the basketball team. I got cut from the team.

Instead of dwelling on the fact that I hadn’t made the “A” team, I flourished on the “B” team, and learned what it took to be a leader. Although I was a big fish in a small pond, It made me feel important for the first time in my life. Thanks Hopkins.

Now I’m the hallway hero, itching to get out of this school. No offense to Hopkins, but it’s kind of like my situation at home. My parents raised me in their homes and they did a good job, I think, but now I am ready for something bigger.

Life. That’s the biggest and most complicated word I have ever said. It scares me to think about the friends I will lose after this year, but like Dr. Seuss always told me “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Elijah Moses Fhima is a Staff Reporter for the Royal Page

Over my three years here, two programs have had the most influence on me: the Hopkins football program and The Royal Page.

Ryan reason is that through Levi theseOne two programs I was lucky enough to become friends with Scott Gannis.

On the football field, Scott was a ferocious senior defensive end who made practices quite unpleasant for a certain skinny sophomore offensive tackle who tried in vain to block him.

In the newspaper room, he was a sharp-witted writer who helped mold me into the fantastic opinion writer that you all have been lucky enough to enjoy over the last two years.

Overall, Scott was one of the smartest, funniest, and most ridiculous people I have ever met.

Before graduation, Scott gave me advice. He said, “High school is a lot easier and fun if you remain an individual. Don’t compromise yourself for other people or wear socks with sandals.”

At the time, I didn’t think much of the message. It wasn’t until later that I realized that Scott had given me the best advice you could give a high school student.

I came to understand that the toughest part of high school isn’t getting good grades or doing well in sports. It’s figuring out who you are and who you want to be.

We are so focused on “fitting in” and “being cool” that we try to mold ourselves into the people we think others want us to be. We become so wrapped up in this that we often lose sight of who we want to become.

I was certainly affected by this. The first half of high school, I spent way too much time worrying about what others were thinking of me.

It was only when I finally realized that I needed to decide for myself what kind of person I want to be that I really started enjoying my high school experience.

Those of you who are able to develop your individuality and become the person you want to be in high school will be much more successful and will enjoy life a lot more.

A few other things before I wrap this up.

The teachers here at HHS are amazing. They care about us not only as students but as people as well. They work so hard to make sure that we have the best chance to succeed.

I am so thankful for all the incredible teachers I have had here and the enormous impact they have had on me. Our teachers don’t get paid nearly enough to deal with us, so the least we can do is let them know that we appreciate them.

Like I said earlier, working on The Royal Page has been one of the best and most important aspects of my high school life. I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible students and one of the best teachers I can imagine. Thanks JP. Lastly, I would like to thank all of you. Being able to produce this newspaper for you has been awesome. The thought that even a few of you have enjoyed my random musings on these pages is incredibly gratifying.

Thank you all for three great years and remember that this is your high school experience.

Don’t let others dictate how you spend your time here whether it’s your peers or your parents.

Just be yourself and you’ll do fine.

Ryan Benjamin Levi is the Editor-inChief for the Royal Page

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RPFriday, June 1, 2012

MOA exhibit brings a fallen hero to America Lauren Reuteler Staff Reporter Dim lighting from along every corner, brings out the beauty in all 28 designer dresses imported directly from England.

The “Diana: The Celebration” exhibit at the Mall of America is one of only two places the memorial exists.

For Karen Burton, spectator and an HHS parent born in England, the excitement to see Diana’s life in 3D was unreal.

“I have dozens of books and memorabilia of her life, so being able to see the exhibit up close was an incredible experience for me,” Burton said.

According to the official website for the exhibit, Princess Diana’s royal wedding gown is the most popular attraction. The dress along with over 150 other personal belongings are now being displayed for the American eye. Nine galleries filled with family heirlooms, tiaras, priceless jewels, and rare home videos only begin to describe the glamour of Diana’s lifestyle.

“I remember waking up really early just to watch every bit of her wedding, and it was incredible to see her exquisite dress in person,” Burton said.

Since 1998, two out of the 12 months of the year, the exhibit is held overseas at Althorp Estate which is Diana’s ancestral home in the United Kingdom. Althorp Estate has reached nearly one million people in attendance of the exhibit. All profits

that are generated from “Diana: The Celebration” go directly to the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund where over $2 million have already been raised.

Natasha Zucker, sophomore, has relatives that were born in England and has heard a lot about Diana from her family.

However, she never knew much about the late princess.

“It was so beautiful and I learned a lot from going. The history on her [Princess Diana] was super interesting and I really enjoyed it,” Zucker said.

The exhibit at the Mall of America opened on Feb. 4 and will be in the cities until June 10.

“An average of 1,000 visitors walk through the exhibit daily.

[The exhibition] is very popular and has received very well in the market,” said Jason Simmons, expert at “Diana: The Celebration.”

“It’s very important to keep [Princess Diana’s] memory alive so young people that didn’t know Diana will get to experience and learn about what an important role model she was,” Burton said. Throughout the exhibition, her abundant charity work and numerous paintings are represented displaying the greater importance of how she lived her life.

Although all the history is secured behind glass, none of the detail is hidden. From the 10,000 mother-of-pearl sequins to the 25 foot train on her wedding gown, all is seen by exhibit

viewers.

“It’s like walking through one of my mom’s Diana history books,” said Josh Burton, sophomore.

The Burtons have a house full of Princess Diana memorabilia including over 15 books, a plate with a picture of the Princess and her family, along with a signed book from Diana herself. Burton proudly displays her books on coffee tables and shelves around her house as constant reminder of the role model she is for her and her family.

Along with tributes to her life as she lived, part of the exhibition is dedicated to her afterlife. Included in the exhibit is the original text of the Earl Spencer’s tribute to Diana at her funeral in Westminster Abbey, along with books of condolences left by others throughout the world. Earl Spencer is Princess Diana’s younger brother.

“Diana: The Celebration” allows for spectators to get a good look at how she left her mark on the world.

“It’s really cool to see the many things that Diana accomplished in her life, and to watch my mom’s excitement over it all,” Josh said.

Tickets are sold for a range of prices depending on age, including a VIP option that allows visitors to return on a different day than purchased. An audio tour is also available for an additional charge.

Photos by Lauren Reuteler

Top: The Diana Exhibit is open every day starting at ten in the morning and will end on June 10. It costs between $13.50 and $21.50 for admittance depending on age. Bottom left: Diana died in a tragic car crash at the age of 36. The investigation proved the cause of the crash was due to the chauffeur being under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Bottom right: Over 150 objects from Diana’s life where imported from England including her Black Velvet “V” Neck that Diana wore for her royal portrait in 1985.

Summer attractions are not MIA from the Minnesota art scene Zoë Korengold Staff Reporter As the school year comes to a close, students and staff are looking excitedly towards summer. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) has much to offer people looking for a fun day this summer.

New exhibits and events are going on constantly, something new added each week. This summer several exhibits are opening, each unique and influential in their own ways.

“I love the MIA for its diversity of all art periods, cultures, and styles,” said Ms. Terry

Chamberlin, Art Department.

The museum offers exhibits of all different cultures such as the Asian art collection, arts of Africa, and a contemporary art collection that features work from local artists.

Starting June 24, the biggest selection of Rembrandt paintings will be displayed for the first time in America. “[Rembrandt] is probably the most influential Dutch painter of the Golden Age. He painted the most paintings out of any other Dutch painter in that time and taught a lot of other painters,” said Mr. Rick Rexroth, Social Studies.

Rembrandt grew up in Holland, a place different from most of Europe at that time. Holland was tolerant of other religions such as Judaism while the rest of Europe had not fully accepted Jews as equal.

“It’s said by some that Rembrandt’s paintings might not have become famous if he was living someplace else,” Rexroth said.

Tickets for “Rembrandt in America” range from $12 to $14 and are free for MIA members.

Membership for students costs $20.

A contemporary Judaica ( Jewish-affiliated art) exhibit

will open on July 14. The exhibit is unique because it features new Judaica versus traditional Judaica.

“Some students might be amazed that such cool and avant-garde works are used for rituals in synagogues and homes,” Chamberlin said.

One of the pieces features a uniquely structured, colorful menorah made of steel, aluminum, brass, chrome, and enamel.

Another piece is a seder plate made with ten karat gold and sterling silver.

“Judaica in history has always been highly oppressed.

Now we see it as unique and

well known,” Rexroth said.

“Chuztpah! Contemporary Judaica at the MIA” is a free exhibition.

The event “Northern Spark” will be featured July 9 and 10.

The event takes place around the museum with different activity areas located in various locations around MIA. Visitors are given the chance to make quilts, paint fabrics, learn how to sew unique things, and partake in giant artworks.

“Northern Spark” is specifically made to bring young people together with art. The event uses donated and recycled materials for art, making the event

economically efficient. This is the second year the MIA has sponsored this event.

“Art is a good way for others to connect to the world around them and see things from other points of view,” said Megan Ratzlaff, junior.

The “Northern Spark” event requires no fee and is being featured from 8:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.

“I think of art as clay, painting, dancing, acting, etc. Whether you’re good at it or not, you can still appreciate art. In history artists used art to express themselves. Art and culture are always in relation to each other,” Rexroth said.

HHS H E

Chantel Dixon

CANCER SURVIVOR Chantel Dixon, sophomore, has had malignant tumors, a genetic disorder, and heart disease; she’s only 16.

“In the beginning, it was hard explaining to people because I didn’t want them to have sympathy for me,” Dixon said.

Dixon has gone through countless chemoradiation treatments, MRIs, and blood transfusions.

“It felt like I was going to die,” Dixon said. “It makes you puke. It makes you have really strong senses; you get hot and really, really, cold.”

Although she’s endured unthinkable and painful treatments, Dixon has maintained a positive attitude.

“I think happy; I don’t try to sweat the small stuff,” Dixon said. “I surround myself with positive people.”

One way Dixon has managed to stay positive was through prayer.

“Prayer helped us the most,” Dixon said. She

prayed with her family daily.

“We prayed in the morning and we prayed at night. We prayed all the time,” Dixon said.

Although Dixon is now considered to be at a “stable” condition, people still come to her with questions frequently.

“People want to know what it is, people want to know how I got it, if it’s contagious, etc,” Dixon said.

“It makes me feel like, I don’t know, cast out a bit because people don’t really understand,” Dixon said.

Even though Dixon has gone through all of this, she continues to have a positive attitude, coming to school with a smile everyday.

Hannah Vaughn is Web Czar Designate and Zoe Korengold is a Staff Reporter for the Royal Page

Mr. Dan Roden

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY VOLUNTEER In a small town in South Dakota, 1800 volunteers gather to build 30 homes. Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, greets the volunteers after a long day’s work. One member at HHS lived the experience.

Mr. Dan Roden, Technology Education, has been volunteering his time since 1990 to help Habitat for Humanity construct homes for people in need. “The most rewarding thing has to be seeing the family move in when it is finally finished. That is something that is pretty special,” Roden said.

Roden’s construction classes participate in Habitat two to six times a year. It normally consists of ten kids, three adults, and his retired church friends’ help if need be. “When I taught at Minnetonka, I organized 100 families to two houses in five days. It was a great experience for me,” Roden said.

The good thing about Habitat is that the

families that move into these homes have mortgage that is interest free. The people moving in have no troubles; everything has been done for them. “Whenever I worked on a house and there came a problem, someone volunteering knew how to do the job. It always ends up working really well,” Roden said.

Habitat for Humanity is not only a state organization but a worldwide one. “I really hope, once I retire, to travel the world and maybe help with a few houses in Haiti,” Roden said.

Mr. Roden will continue to volunteer his time each year to help construct more homes. “The coolest thing is that there is a cross generation between volunteers. It doesn’t matter what age you are, anyone can help,” Roden said.

Jack Deutsch is the Web Czar for the Royal Page

O

ur school is no where short of people that give bac basis, just once in a while, or every day, from visit much, much more. CNN knows the importance the world” regularly. Among those people “changing the community that we see as really making a difference, our

Chantel Dixon Mr. Dan Roden

Jared

Mr. Kirk Shoger

SERVICE DOG TRAINER Cassie has become a familiar and welcomed face in many physics classes. Under three feet tall and sporting a bright golden coat, Cassie is Mr. Kirk Shoger’s, Science, two year old golden retriever.

When Shoger brings Cassie to class, there are very specific rules on when and how she can be handled.

Shoger is training Cassie to be a service dog.

Shoger has had Cassie since May of 2010 as a part of the “Helping Paws” program, a nonprofit organization that trains service dogs to help people with disabilities.

“It is the most rewarding thing you could ever do,” Shoger said.

According to a Helping Paws brochure, the cost equivalent for breeding, raising, and training each dog is more than $15,000, but the dogs are provided to people at almost no charge.

Shoger has participated in the program since 2006 when his wife fostered a dog named Bella. With Cassie, Shoger is the one primarily responsible, which entails taking the dog to class once a week and training it for about an hour a day.

Shoger didn’t need much preinstruction to step into his role. “You learn everything you will ever need to know through the organization,” Shoger said. “You never feel isolated and are totally supported the whole time.”

Shoger teaches Cassie to help people with physical disabilities, meaning Cassie will learn to open and close doors or drawers, pull off socks, pick up items, and more.

The training, though, is not what Shoger sees as his most difficult task. “The hardest part is just simply hav-

EROES

ck. There are students and staff that volunteer on a weekly ting patients in the hospital to tutoring younger kids and e of these people as it honors “everyday people changing e world”, The Royal Page has found six people in our own r own “HHS Heroes”.

Allen

Raleigh Heath

Seth Gellman

ing a dog in the house,” Shoger said.

Cassie may graduate in July or next October, which means she will leave Shoger’s home and be put to work.

“The dog picks the person. If there is not a good connection, then she won’t be matched. We get to meet the person Cassie will be matched with which is pretty neat,” Shoger said.

Although the Shoger family’s experience with Cassie was not like most pet owners, they wouldn’t change a thing.

“My kids help train a little bit with Cassie and love playing with her,” Shoger said. “When my wife and I asked them about getting our own dog as opposed to a service dog trainee, they have always said, ‘We like how we do it.’”

Marlee Gotlieb is the Editor-in-Chief for the Royal Page

Above: Mr. Kirk Shoger, Science, gives a command as he trains his dog, Cassie.

Seth Gellman

FINANCIAL LITERACY PIONEER For Seth Gellman, senior, one DECA experience during sophomore year was not enough. He continued to participate during his junior year, where he went to internationals in Orlando and acted as the Hopkins representative. This year, he went to internationals again in Salt Lake City, where he placed in the Top 15.

With his partner, Chandler Luhowskyj, junior, he created a financial literacy project called Your Money, Your Life which encourages students to become financially literate and properly manage money.

With some advising from Mr. Jesse Theirl, Business Education, Seth began the project in hopes of opening the doors to financial literacy at HHS. “Students needed to gain real life understanding of business and financial literacy,” Gellman said. “I wanted to create something you can utilize throughout life.”

“One of the most rewarding parts of Your Money Your life was seeing students learn financial literacy in general,” Gellman said. “The traveling and awards were fun, but it was great to see students’ mindsets changing.”

Participating in the project was not always easy, though. “Coordinating and communicating with people during all events was difficult,” he said. “It was worth it in the end.”

Achieving these financial literacy and business goals through HHS DECA won’t be the end for Gellman.

Looking forward, he hopes to perhaps take some roles as a motivational speaker. “I plan on taking all of my knowledge and utilizing it in my life, maybe even as a career.”

As a result of Gellman and Luhowskyj’s Your Money, Your Life project, HHS is the first high school in Minnesota to require Financial Literacy as a course for graduation.

“Whether it is budgeting, saving, or investing, students need to understand why financial literacy is important... it will help them throughout their lives.”

Madeline Rauma is the News Editor for the Royal Page

Jared Allen and Raleigh Heath SPECIAL OLYMPICS VOLUNTEERS Oftentimes, some of the fondest memories from a person’s high school years come from sports or activities. With the help of Jared Allen and Raleigh Heath, juniors, many more kids will be able to share in these memories.

Both Allen and Heath volunteer for the Special Olympics of Minnesota.

Allen has been involved for a little more than a year, and began when someone he knew started a program for mentally challenged golfers. “I mostly support them and am there for encouragement,” Allen said.

Allen plans to continue volunteering throughout the spring and in the summers. “They’re really good people,” Allen said. He enjoys to see the progression of the players and getting to know them.

“It makes you appreciate life that much more,”

Allen said. “It just makes you smile.”

Heath has a similar appreciation for his volunteer job, which he has been a part of for close to a year. He started volunteering because of his cousin.

“I got to work with my cousin who works at the High School. We became really close,” Heath said.

Heath plans to continue volunteering throughout and after college. “I want to keep it in my life for the rest of my life,” Heath said. “[Special Olympics are] not going to be as competitive as high school sports,” Heath said.

“But you still push them to do their best.”

Marlee Gotlieb is the Editor-in-Chief for the Royal Page

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RPFriday, June 1, 2012

Editors in Chief

Students receive art awards

Managing Editor

Lily Goldfarb Staff Reporter

The Royal Page 2011-2012 Marlee Gotlieb Ryan Levi

Madeline Rauma

News Editor

Madeline Rauma

Opinion Editor Mona Omar

Feature Editors Maddy Braverman Lucy Orenstein

Variety Editor Katie Cera

Sports Editors Jason Showers Sarah Ungerman

Back Page Editor Ursula Arhart

Photo Editor

Mike Newcomer

Business Manager Tarina Gartner

Web Czars Jack Deutsch Sonja Muus

For many, the end of senior year is the culmination of the hard work and progress they have made at HHS. For three senior artists, their hard work is paying off.

Paris Ebersviller, senior, was awarded the 2012 New York Life award for her painting, “What we forget.” Ebersviller’s painting was submitted in a category for work that deals with loss or bereavement.

“My painting is of me and my grandpa when I was about five. After he died, I was kind of forgetting what it felt like to be around him. I plan on giving it to my grandma,” Ebersviller said.

Ebersviller’s piece was also recognized with a Scholastic Art and Writing Gold Key Award in January. The painting will also continue on in that sector of the competition. “I think people like it because they can relate to it, specifically the family theme,” Ebersviller said.

Ebersviller was one of about 12,000 students who participated in the contest. The six award winners will be honored at Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 30. The winners of the New York Life award also receive

$1,000 scholarships.

“To put it in perspective, Andy Warhol won a National Scholastic Art award when he was in highschool. It’s always such an honor for students to be recognized for their creativity and creative commitment,” said Ms. Randi Rood, Art. Amy Mathews, senior, won second place in the 2012 Third Congressional District High School Art Competition.

Mathews’ drawing is of herself holding a shard of a mirror found in the art room. “The charcoal drawing was a AP Drawing and Painting assignment. It wasn’t anything profound, I just thought it would turn out cool,” Mathews said. Mathews’ charcoal drawing is titled “Reflections Inside”.

Mathews knew she received an award before going to the awards ceremony. “I had confirmation at church on the night of the ceremony, and I told Ms. Rood that I couldn’t miss it. She told me that I had to be there, so I knew I won something,” said Mathews.

The guidelines of the competition say that the contest was created to provide Congress and the public the opportunity to encourage and recognize the rich artistic talents of young Americans. Winners of the Third Con-

gressional District High School Art Competition took a photo with Congressman Erik Paulsen.

“I was sitting in the audience and hoping my name wouldn’t be called out until the end. It was awesome that I won second place,” Mathews said.

Bridget Bennett, senior and yearbook photo editor, received honorable mention for her photo “One More Win” of the HHS girls soccer team.

“There were great photos in the contest, so it’s really cool to be recognized,” Bennett said.

Photography runs in the Bennett family. “My sister got her first camera in high school, and later I bought my first camera from her. I started taking pictures and got involved with yearbook,” Bennett said.

In 2011, Bennett won Grand Prize in the Jostens Photo Contest. Bennett used the money from her 2011 win to upgrade her camera and started taking senior photos.

“This year, there was about 2,000 more entries and the competition was tough this year. There were some photos of amazing quality,” Bennett said.

“Art shows and exhibitions are an important part of the creative process, they provide a venue for students to display their work, to be recognized and have their work responded to by the public,” Rood said.

Staff Reporters

Rachel Alter Charlie Bank Sam Bloomfield Nick Dale Eli Fhima Lily Goldfarb Joe Greene Zach Gunby Thomas Heegaard Joe Hillestad Sam Jacobwith Zoe Korengold Taylor Lee Meaghan McConnell Naimo Mohamud Zach Mekler Harry Orenstein Joel Ratner Caroline Ravits Lauren Reuteler Ian Vaughan Hannah Vaughn Caroline Womack

Adviser

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

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

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

page theROYAL

Photos provided by Lily Goldfarb

Left: “What We Forget” by Paris Ebersviller, senior. “After the two years in New York is up I will be giving my painting to my grandma because it has a greater meaning to her than anyone else,” Ebersviller said. Right: “Reflections Inside” by Amy Mathews, senior. “It symbolizes how there is a part of everyone that is hidden away from the rest of the world. There are two sides to everyone.”

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RP Friday, June 1, 2012

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The great roommate debate Lucy Orenstein Feature Editor For some, college is a place for new beginnings and old friends. Ali Johnson, senior, is one of them. She plans to room with one of her good friends from high school, Rachel Sadowsky, senior, at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

“We have the same values and we both work hard in school,” Johnson said. “It’s someone to trust, and we get along really well.”

At first, Johnson wasn’t sure that rooming with a friend was right for her. “When she asked me, I was a little hesitant and I didn’t know if I wanted to be in a room with someone I knew,” Johnson said.

Johnson was concerned rooming with a friend might be a barrier to meeting new people. “It might be hard because we are already good friends and other people might feel like it’s harder to become friends with us and meet us,” Johnson said.

However, she decided that the two of them were perfectly capable of being independent at college. “We both want to make different friends and neither of us will feel obligated to tag along with each other every single weekend,” Johnson said.

Kim Lidstone, senior, has a different point of view. She is looking for a completely new social environment at the College of St. Benedict. “I want to make college more of a new experience instead of just relying on people I know,” Lidstone said.

Andrew Hall, senior, is attending Gustavus Adolphus College and shares Lidstone’s perspective. Rooming with a high school friend would make him feel “stuck in high school.”

Hall sees a randomized roommate as a chance to build his social network. “If I do random then I can meet my roommate’s friends too,” Hall said.

Mr. Philip Brown, Choir, roomed with a random roommate his first year at Bethany College

but it did not go as well as he had hoped. “I filled out a roommate survey and they matched me up with someone but we were very different,” Brown said. “He was a night owl and I liked to sleep.”

“We became great friends but not good roommates. I still think to get the full experience of college, rooming with someone you don’t know is a great way to get to know new people and forces you to meet more people,” Brown said.

Tasha Ackerman, senior, is a firm believer that there is no general rule when deciding to room with a friend or a randomly assigned roommate. “It depends on your friendship with the person. For some people, it works out really well and for other people it doesn’t work out at all,” Ackerman said.

Not all of her friends supported her decision to room with Sidney Brown, senior, at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities but Ackerman defends her choice. “A lot of people have been saying it’s a bad idea but I stand up for it and say

I’m excited,” Ackerman said.

She does acknowledge that there will be some challenges. “Knowing someone so well can have ups and downs but in the end we will be able to be good roommates for each other,” Ackerman said.

For some it boils down to a matter of being part of the crowd or venturing out on one’s own.

That’s the way Jaylene Wallick, senior, sees it.

“I don’t go to college to be part of a group, I go to college to better myself as an individual,” Wallick said.

Mr. Jacques Youakim, Math, lived at home rather than in a dorm but found other ways to make friends in college.

He found that joining a group benefitted his college experience at the University of MinnesotaTwin Cities.

“I joined the the Technolog Club and I met a ton of friends through it,” Youakim said. “For me joining a club makes the institution feel smaller and it’s easier to make more connections.”

Traveling the globe before college Rachel Alter Feature Editor Designate An educational innovation that began in the 1960’s as a young and undeveloped program is now grabbing an increasing number of students attention as an opportunity to take a break before entering college.

According to www.time.com, Harvard, a university that strongly encourages first-year students to defer, has seen a 33 percent jump in the past decade in the number of students taking gap years.

Likewise, MIT’s deferments have doubled in the past year.

A common process that students undergo before taking a gap year is to apply to the college of their choice, and after acceptance, defer for one year or several months.

“I applied to University of Iowa, was accepted, and told them that I am going to Norway for nine months,” said Eiel Bach, senior.

Bach’s father’s family resides in Norway, so when his parents found an interesting program, he thought it would be a good idea to take a “transitional stage” before attending Iowa.

Mimi Mechache, senior, will be attending Machon Maayon, a seminary in Bait Shemesh, Israel,

before going to Kansas University.

“I chose Israel because there is no better place to learn about being Jewish. It was also either Israel or nothing because I am not studying abroad purely to study abroad, I am doing it with a specific purpose,” Mechache said.

Like many others, once Machache settles in Israel, she will not return to visit until the program is through.

“My parents weren’t in favor of me going because they didn’t want me to be so far away, especially with how much money it would cost to come home. So when I leave this September I won’t be coming back until June.”

Common reasons for partaking in a gap year program are to volunteer, perform community service, travel, join the military, or regain the motivational strength after a rough senior year.

“The benefit [for students] is the experience.

Some individuals feel like they need a year to sort things out and mature,” said Mr. Dan Sterud, Guidance.

“The main reason that I decided to take a gap year, at least in the beginning, was that, out of the schools that I applied to, I only got accepted into Boulder,” said Pat Gallagher, senior.

“I was kind of caught off-guard and scared be-

Eiel Bach

Danielle Burton

Norway

Israel

cause I felt that, all of a sudden, my plans for my future were limited,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher talked with his parents about other options and decided that taking a gap semester in Costa Rica, and re-applying to new schools for spring semester was the best decision.

“I guess the real reason why I’m choosing a gap semester, though, is because I can have a life experience now. College isn’t going anywhere,” Gallagher said.

Often times, students are attracted to places where language and culture is completely different than they are used to.

“I don’t speak Norwegian, and I have only visited Norway a few times,” Bach said.

On the other hand, there are many students who prefer to take skills that they have acquired over the years and put them to use.

“My parents said I could choose anywhere so long as it was Spanish speaking. I have taken Spanish for a long time and my parents wanted me to go somewhere where I could become more fluent and that there would be a volunteer opportunity available,” Gallagher said.

“I want to be able to look back and say that the five months I spent in Costa Rica made me a better person,” Gallagher said.

Laura Sholtz Peru

Have you ever thought of taking a gap year?

Survey taken of 100 students during fourth block on Thursday, May 17.

Pat Gallagher Costa Rica

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12 feature

Educators say farewell to their students

Caroline Womack Staff Reporter As another school year comes to an end, seniors are not the only ones that will not be returning to HHS next year. Joining them are four educators who will be permanently moving past high school when they retire at the end of the year.

After years of dedicated work, Mr. Dan Sterud, Guidance, Ms. Nancy Bresnahan, Science, Ms. Nancy Marcy, Physical Education, and Ms. Barbara LaTondresse, Language Arts, have all decided to part ways with HHS. Bresnahan, who taught physics for 29 years, retired in January and Sterud, LaTondresse, and Marcy will retire at the end of the year.

Most of the educators plan to be more involved with their families post-retirement.

After 23 years at Hopkins, and 30 years in education, Marcy is excited to be able to spend more time with her family.

“My biggest plan is to hold my new grandchild, who is due on May 14. Other than that,

I am just going to hang loose for a while, spend more time with my family, and see what comes my way,” Marcy said.

“I’m looking forward to having one more cup of coffee, talking with my wife in the mornings, and just a different pace,” Sterud said. “Our grandson starts kindergarten next year, and my job will be to drop him off, play with him, and take care of him.”

However, family is not the only area of life these educators plan to dedicate time to. “I am also an avid gardener, so I will now have the time to devote and I plan to do more volunteer work with my church and in my neighborhood. I also hope to write a memoir,” LaTondresse said.

“I see yoga, golf, dancing, swimming, gardening, and grandparenting in my future,” Marcy said.

Though each teacher is leaving or has left HHS, some don’t plan to leave education entirely.

LaTondresse will continue teaching advanced composition and world literature part time next year at The Potter’s School, an online international Christian academy.

2011-2012 Senior Editors Where are they going?

“It was an open door to continue teaching without the challenges of my current position both in class size, duties, and rigor of schedule,” LaTondresse said. “I feel teaching is my calling and always will be.” She has been teaching for 32 years, 24 of which have been at Hopkins.

Certain moments in a teacher’s career can never be forgotten, even after years of work. “September 11 was an incredibly tragic event for all of us, but I remember hearing the laughter of the students the next day and thinking, ‘We’ll get through this,’” Bresnahan said.

Looking back on years of education, each teacher had a sense of nostalgia. “I can’t even express how blessed I am with this career,” Sterud said. Sterud has worked in the District for 24 years, 17 of them at HHS. “If I had to do it all over again, I would,” Bresnahan said.

“For me, the highlight of teaching has always been seeing the look of pride and joy on the faces of students when they are dancing their hearts out; to see kids give it their all and really shine, that’s

Ryan Levi Madeline Rauma University of Missouri University of Minnesota-Columbia Morris

Marlee Gotlieb Lucy Orenstein University of Wisconsin- Indiana University Madison Mike Newcomer Normandale Community College

Sarah Ungerman Michigan State University

Jason Showers St. Olaf College

Maddy Braverman University of WisconsinMadison

Sonja Muus Katie Cera Jack Deutsch Winona State University University of Wiscon- University of Wisconsin- Madison sin-La Crosse

“For me, the highlight of teaching has always been seeing the look of pride and joy on the faces of students when they are dancing their hearts out,” - Ms. Nancy Marcy

Quidditch in the works The famous fictional sport featured in the Harry Potter novels comes to life around the world, and plans to arrive at HHS next spring.

Maddy Braverman Feature Editor

Mona Omar Hamline University

the best,” Marcy said.

After years of teaching, the world of education has changed and evolved, but there are certain things teachers never want to see fade. Marcy hopes students will continue to be able to find joy in coming to school. Similarly, Sterud hopes that students and their educators continue to build close relationships.

“It’s been a great year and a great career,” Sterud said.

The game is played in over 300 universities and high schools in the United States and 12 other countries. Next year, HHS will join these 300 plus schools by having a quidditch team.

Most know quidditch as the game played in J.K Rowling’s fantasy series Harry Potter where players fly around on broomsticks trying to get the most points to win the game. Students from HHS will not be flying around suspended in the air, but muggle, or non-wizard quidditch is as close to the fantasy game as possible.

Leah Chase, junior, has talked to Mr. Dan Johnson, District Director of Student Services, about starting quidditch as a club program next year with all fees and costs paid by the participants, similar to the Ultimate Frisbee or Rugby teams.

“I got the idea to start Quidditch here when I went to visit all these colleges, and they all had Quidditch teams,” Chase said.

At the University of Minnesota, the quidditch league has expanded to 175 students, and 11 different teams.

“I think it will just be really exciting to learn how to play the game, especially for Harry Potter fans,” Chase said.

“I’ve always enjoyed reading about the sport and dreamt of playing it, and so bringing it to our high school will be a big accomplishment,” said Will Chizek, senior. Chizek will be joining Chase

as a co-captain of the quidditch team next year.

The process to get an idea to become a club program is a lot of work.

“For this to get in place next year, we need some guidelines, an advisor, a scheduler, a budget, equipment, and more,” Johnson said.

At the beginning, Chase wanted quidditch to be a club at HHS, with students would meeting in the mornings before school. After talking to Johnson, however, it was decided quidditch should be a club program.

“He [ Johnson] had no idea what quidditch was when I first brought the idea up to him. But he was supportive of the idea, and has helped me out a lot,” Chase said.

The plan for next year is to get around 20 students to agree to play quidditch twice a week, for six weeks.

“It wouldn’t be very competitive, and it would be a nice break for all the students who play varsity sports,” Chase said. “[Chase] came up with the idea and then we just played off that idea,” Chizek said. “I’m really excited to build a fun, energetic, and competitive team focused around a common goal and love of Harry Potter.”

Quidditch is played with only seven players on the field, so it would not require a lot of students to sign up to get quidditch going.

“I’ve talked to some of my friends, and they told me they would play. But I hope to get sophomores to sign up for it too, because then once we graduate, the team would still be going on,” Chase said.

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Photo by Mike Newcomer

Photo by Mike Newcomer

Photo by Mike Newcomer

Raines chasing throwing records in second year Nick Dale Staff Reporter

Photo by Mike Newcomer

Top: Bria Raines, senior, goes through the motions of a discus throw. Her personal best distance is closing in on the school record.

Bottom: Raines in mid shot put throw. She is a versatile field athlete who has excelled in all aspects of the sport.

Raines even performed well in the javelin throw in a Fargo, North Dakota meet (the javelin throw has been banned in Minnesota).

Al Oerter, an American Olympic gold medalist in the discus throw, once said, “I don’t compete with other discus throwers, I compete with my own history.” If this standard holds true for all field athletes, Bria Raines, senior, didn’t get the message.

She isn’t competing with her own history because she barely has any.

In only her second year on the girls track and field team, Raines has become a star. She signed up during her junior year with no previous experience and has not looked back.

“Coach [Nick] Lovas had been asking me for years because [my sister] Kelly also threw and both Kelly and I are pretty strong people.” Raines said. “I was always pretty interested in shot put and discus and figured if I worked hard enough, I could be good at it.”

Shot put and discus are relatively simple movements, in theory, and Raines felt that her athleticism allowed her to pick them up quickly. “At first it came pretty naturally to me,” she said. “Once I had the basics down, learning the techniques was a challenge.”

Raines also discovered that the sport was not only physically tough but required demanding thought processes as well. “It’s a very mental sport, you have to learn not to get down on yourself and stay positive,” she said.

Raines credited Ms. April Felt, Mathematics and girls throwing coach, with much of her success early on. “[Coach Felt] has taken a lot of time

to help me learn all the techniques,” Raines said.

“She always gives me positive reinforcement to keep me in it.”

Through her physically demanding training schedule of lifting, conditioning, and throwing, Raines has displayed a consistently focused work ethic. “Bria works extremely hard in practice and always makes sure to stay very focused,” Felt said.

After an outstanding first year on the team and finishing fourth in the conference, Raines received an invitation to the Nike Track Nationals in Portland, Oregon with the HHS team. “[Nike Nationals] was fun,” she said. “It was kind of scary since it was my first year throwing and everyone there seemed so experienced.”

“Bria’s biggest strength is that she is a competitor,” Felt said. “She always performs better in the meets and rises to the level of the competition.”

Raines went on to finish seventh at Nike Nationals, throwing 30.04 meters, just 56 centimeters from breaking the top five. She is looking to build on last season’s success and make this year’s New Balance Nationals, held in Greensboro, North Carolina, as well as win the conference.

“I think that Bria is going to have a great finish to the season,” Felt said. “My goal as a coach is to get her so that she will get on the record board for the discus.”

Raines is currently working on beating her discus personal record of 114 feet ½ inches and pursuing the school record of 119 feet.

“It has been a blast to coach a girl with such a strong desire to throw far,” Felt said. Raines plans to throw for the University of Minnesota Duluth next year.

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RPFriday, June 1, 2012

Boys varsity 4x1600 meter relay team from left to right: John Klecker and Sam Jacobwith, seniors, Joe Klecker, freshman, and Thomas Heegaard, junior. They set a school record in the event this year.

Photo by Mike Newcomer

Distance runners go the extra mile Harry Orenstein Staff Reporter As Thomas Heegaard, junior, pushed himself across the finish line, he gathered with his four teammates and eagerly looked to his coach for a response.

Mr. Mike Harris, Science and boys distance running track coach, walked over to the panting 4x1600 meter relay team with some good news.

Heegaard, John Klecker and Sam Jacobwith, seniors, and Joe Klecker, freshman, were stunned.

Not only because they won first place, but because they had broken a 10 year old HHS record.

The four runners had this particular record on their minds since the first practice. In the 4x1600 meter relay, all competitors run 1 mile (1600 meters) on the track and each team combines the time of its athletes after finishing.

It is not a traditional relay format, but a competitive one nonetheless. The 4x1600 is a test of depth for a team’s core group of distance runners.

“The first week we had a time trial (for the 4x1600) and our goal was to break the record,” Harris said. In the time trial, the boys were 12 seconds shy.

That amounts to only three seconds per runner. In competitive distance running, three seconds can mean a lot.

After Harris added up the four boys times from the mid-April meet in Shakopee, it at first resulted in a tie with the record time. “Both times were at 17:50, but after I added up the tenths of a second, Sam, John, Joe, and Thomas beat the record,” Harris said.

“When I heard we beat them, I did a fist pump and started yelling. Then Harris told me to stop being so immature,” Heegaard said.

The record-breaking 4x1600 foursome raised the bar even further by aiming for nationals in Birmingham, Alabama. “If each guy lowers their time by maybe two seconds, they could get invitations to nationals,” Harris said.

Their success proved to be contagious for the rest of the distance runners as a whole.

“Distance is doing a lot better than last year,” Jacobwith said. “Our times dropped a lot, and last year I ran the fastest time of 4:31. Now John and I are 10 seconds faster.

“Thomas has also really put in work to get a solid 800 and mile. Joe has put in hard work to be one of the fastest freshmen in the state. The distance team is killin’ right now.”

Harris echoed Jacobwith’s thoughts. “They’re doing very well this season. They are setting themselves apart from teams like Wayzata who have 98 distance runners, while we have 28. If we’re talking about things that count, they’re equal or better,” he said.

While some incredible performances have inspired a surge in the level of competition, the success can also be attributed to the constant training throughout the year.

“Our guys were conscious about track this year

so we all trained this summer, which helped us through cross country. In the winter, we trained very hard too,” John said.

While the team’s best runners are seniors, John’s brother, Joe, has also highlighted a group of promising young runners poised to continue the tradition of success.

“Joe could be top ten to top five in state next year. As a senior, he could win state,” John said.

The outlook is definitely positive for boys distance running at HHS. After the record was broken, Harris emailed the news to the previous record holders: HHS graduates who all continue running pursuits in their adult lives. As a result, Heegaard, Jacobwith, and the Kleckers have another challenge to face.

A rematch for the record.

“After I emailed [the previous record holders], they immediately responded with ‘Anytime, anywhere,’” Harris said.

Varsity high school games often feature one or two potential scholarship caliber players, if that.

At AAU tournaments, each team typically has a whole team of players trying to earn scholarships.

“You’ve got nine guys on the team, every single one of them either already with a division I scholarship offer or talking to a division I school,” Wright said.

Most players on AAU teams are used to playing leading roles on their high school teams. For some, that changes on AAU teams, and for some, it doesn’t.

“My role here is similar to the one I had at Hopkins, but the team has a different style,” Martin said. “The game is just faster.”

Wright agreed and added, “The whole way you look at it is different. At the end of games you have to be unselfish and commit to winning.

That’s the most important thing.”

One major difference for AAU athletes is that they are no longer playing for their high school, a

comfortable place where everyone knows them as basketball players.

“You’re not a big name anymore. You’re playing for Minnesota,” Davis said.

The adjustment is not an easy one for all participants. College scouts make it a priority to look for players who can step up and handle the bigger stage with grace.

“For me, it doesn’t change,” Martin said. “If I make a commitment to a team I am going to represent them to my best ability.”

The pressure from increased attention is not lost on AAU athletes. “There can be hundreds of scouts at tournaments,” Martin said. “It can be nerve wracking at first.”

“In one tournament we had Coach K (Duke University), Roy Williams (University of North Carolina), and Bill Self (Kansas University) all watching our game,” Wright said.

AAU teams attend tournaments in different circuits determined by brand sponsors. If their

team is sponsored by Nike, they play in tournaments with other Nike teams.

Within the brand circuits, teams determine schedules and opponents by age and skill level.

The combination of circuit, age, and skill level will typically determine which college coaches and scouts come to watch the games.

While anxiety does increase with the added pressure, the spotlight has positive effects, too. For players on the brink of earning a scholarship, it can mean a better opportunity to earn a coveted freeride to college.

“Getting looked at on that scale is huge,” Martin said. “Especially if you are a late bloomer like me.”

With every game a potential scholarship opportunity, AAU basketball is ultimately an excellent outlet for talented, young basketball players.

“Every shot you make feels a little bit better in AAU,” Wright said. “It makes you play faster, harder, and better.”

AAU basketball ramps up competition

Zach Mekler Staff Reporter For the average varsity basketball player, stepping to the line to take free throws in front of legendary college hoops coaches is only a dream. For AAU basketball players, it is nothing out of the ordinary.

The AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) season starts every year after the high school season ends and extends into the summer. There are over 30 AAU teams in Minnesota alone.

The program gives the top players in every state an opportunity to compete against each other at the highest level.

Every year HHS sends multiple players to Minnesota AAU tryouts.

Demetrius Martin, senior, currently plays for the club Pump N’ Run, while Jamal Davis, junior, Jake Wright and Kamali Chambers, sophomores, all play for the Howard Pulley Panthers.

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Lerner hits milestone victory, team surging Sam Bloomfield Sports Editor Designate

Photo by Mike Newcomer

Varsity baseball head coach Neil Lerner reached 100 career wins this season.

Although the HHS varsity baseball team’s 3-2 victory against Edina may have seemed like business as usual to some, it was a moment of glory for others.

On May 2, the Hopkins Royals won their tenth game of the season against division rival Edina. It also marked a historic milestone in the career of Coach Neil Lerner.

He reached 100 career wins.

An HHS graduate, Lerner was an assistant coach at Concordia University for five years, where he led the Golden Bears to a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championship. After the 2005 season, he left Concordia to become the head coach at HHS. “I had never really thought about [100 wins] until a game or two before the win,” Lerner said.

“It is really a thrill to be able to come back and be a successful coach in the program.”

In only his seventh season, Lerner was able to pull off this impressive feat. In addition to winning 100 games, he holds over a .600 winning percentage, as well as three conference championships and one section championship.

“I could not have done it without my players and coaching staff,” Lerner said. “I’ve been fortunate to be able to coach great kids not only this year, but over the last seven years.”

Spotlight Athletes: Athena and Apollo

Name: Mariah Witt

Name: Andy Wicklund

Grade: 12

Grade: 12

Sport: Track and Field

Sport: Baseball

Athletic Idol:

Athletic Idol:

Lolo Jones

Josh Hamilton

Favorite Memory:

Favorite Memory:

“Going to Nike Nationals last sum-

“Making it into the state champi-

mer. I also got to meet Lolo Jones

onship for legion and playing in

which was awesome.”

the Nebraska tournament.”

Lerner has coached alongside Assistant Coach Pat Berger for his entire career at HHS, as well as Assistant Coach Kevin Strong for the last three years.

“Coach Lerner doesn’t motivate by yelling or cheering,” Strong said. “He motivates [the players] by making sure they are prepared to play and strongly encourages his players to play hard and to play smart.”

This accomplishment is another shining moment in the tremendous season that the Royals are having.

Along with good coaching, the team owes much of its success to experience. They are a veteran team; 13 of the 18 players on the roster are seniors.

“Our team is made up of almost all seniors,” Lerner said. “These guys have been playing together for many years, and six of them have been varsity baseball players since they were sophomores.”

Among the seniors, Tim Shannon has emerged as an elite pitcher.

“He has really developed over the past three years,” Lerner said. “Now we just give him the ball and feel like we are going to win.”

Shannon and five other seniors have played together since sophomore year, and their relationships have been key towards their success.

“One of the biggest differences for me this year is really trusting my team. [Matt Sinderson,

senior catcher] and I are always on the same page, and I know that the rest of the team will make plays behind me,” Shannon said.

“The team chemistry on this team is unlike any other team I have ever been a part of,” said Dan Clemens, senior. “Everyone is supportive of everyone else, regardless of the situation. We push each other to get better, but we make sure to have fun while we’re doing that.”

The Royals have had high hopes from the beginning of the year, and they continue to be confident as the section tournament approaches.

“We feel that we can compete with any team in our section, and hopefully we are playing our best baseball at the end so we can be in the state tourney,” Lerner said.

Currently near the top in their conference, the Royals are approaching the section tournament playing great baseball.

“Anything can happen in a few games, and who knows,” Clemens said. “I think we’ve got what it takes to go a long ways.”

The rankings don’t lie. The Royals have been ranked as high as fourth in the state this year, and the team is positioned exactly where the players wanted it to be at this point.

With Lerner’s 100 plus wins at the helm, a dominating starting pitcher, and a cohesive group of players on the field, the team has an excellent combination of factors that could contribute to late season success.

InstaFeat ure

Instagram: the creative & instant social network I use instagram just like many use Twitter. It’s a way for me to let others know what I am up to, but in a more expressive and creative way than other social networks, and it’s instant!

I was sitting in the t-dock in front of Tin Fish on Calhoun, at sunset with Cydney Froehlich, junior, and Sally Abrams, senior, and there were sailboats all about. The image was taken right as a sailboat came between me and the sunset.

Bridget Bennett, senior

I started playing with Instagram this year and it has introduced me to the whole concept of “iPhoneography.” As someone who is into photography, I think Instagram is fun. It’s also a cool way to document your everyday life.

This photo was taken at one of my favorite places, Lake Harriet in Minneapolis.

Naomi Borowsky, sophomore

Photo by Bridget Bennett, senior.

@b33j3 r

Photo by Naomi Borowsky, sophomore.

@ nb orowsk

The social network Instagram is really fun to use because it allows you to share visually what’s going on in your life. Also, it’s really cool how you can edit photos to make them have crazy effects.

The photo I took is really cool because it shows my friends [Vinni Twinn, Freddie Luster and Joey Jepson, juniors] exploring a frozen pool on a warm day in winter.

Jack Cherry, junior The following will be in Haiku form Instagram is great. I take artsy pics all day. People follow me.

G-Daitzch is my name. It will be my claim to fame. It is not very lame The pic is a plant. Taken in San Francisco. In pretty greenhouse.

Gabe Daitzchman, sophomore

Photo by Jack Cherry, junior.

@ cherrb ear3

Photo by Gabe Daitzchman, sophomore.

@ gdaitz ch

Instagram has made me feel 10 times artsier. I love the concept of being able to edit a photo right away to preset edits. Instagram is in the making of becoming the largest social networking app.

I took this photo from the balcony of the Guthrie, and I didn’t have my camera handy. I thought my iPhone would be okay.

Cydney Froehlich, junior

This is a picture I snapped while looking out the window of an airplane to Florida.

I love Instagram. With the right use of its built-in filters, I can dramatically enhance regular pictures that I take on my iPhone and turn them into works of photography! Plus, it’s an easy social media website to access on your phone during school.

Liam Doyle, senior

Photo by Cydney Froehlich, junior.

@ cy dneyfro ehlich

Photo by Liam Doyle, senior.

@liamjamesdo yle

Ursula Arhart is the backpage editor for the Royal Page.