May Issue

Thursday, May 26, 2011 Volume 29 Issue 9

ROYALpage

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2400 Lindbergh Drive Minnetonka, MN 55305

Keeping an eye on the road: A look into teenage accident victims and the repercussions that follow.

Students learn about modern warfare from veterans Pg. 4

Amati Owen, senior, spends time in Nicaragua Pg. 11

Satisfy your sweet tooth this summer Pg. 13

A look into the sport of rowing in the Twin Cities Pg. 14

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Royal shorts

Too few students equals no classes

Junior wins prestigious photography award

Certain classes will not be offered because of a lack of students signing up, but the administration will attempt to save some

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ridget Bennett, junior, had a .0002 percent chance to win the grand prize when she entered her photo in the annual contest held by Jostens but that’s all the chance she needed.

“I was just hoping for honorable mention at best,” Bennett said. “I can’t believe this.”

Bennett’s photo was one of 6,000 entries vying for the top spot and the additional prizes of $1,000, high-end camera equipment, a framed copy of the winning photo, and much more.

The annual contest held by Jostens has one grand prize winner, eight first place winners, and 140 finalists of honorable mention.

Bennett’s photo, “All as One,” depicted the HHS dance team, the Royelles, during an emotional moment in the team practice room. The dancers were formed in a circle, bringing their hands together in a rousing cheer before a performance.

The photo was chosen as the grand prize winner for the interesting camera angle employed, the raw emotion and feel of the shot, and the unique moment at which it was captured.

“All as One” is one of several photos by Bennett, who is also in Mr. Rob Fuhr’s Media Arts class, that are in this year’s yearbook Bennett was initially kept in the dark about her award. The yearbook adviser, Mr. Jeff Kocur, along with the yearbook editors, staged a small surprise celebration for Bennett in the HHS publications room. Tim Larson, CEO of Jostens, was in attendance, as well as several other representatives and photographers from the company.

Yearbook staff members ate cake as they praised Bennett for her astounding artistic photography. Bennett’s photo will be seen by thousands as a part of Jostens’ promotional material.

Class of 2011 prepares for Graduation Night

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raduation for the class of 2011 will take place on Thursday, June 2. Doors will open for seating at Lindbergh Center at 7:00 p.m.and the ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m.

For those unavailable to attend, the ceremony will be rebroadcast on cable access television at a later date.

Seniors must complete the Senior Survey, pay the $75 Senior Fee, and settle any outstanding fines before being allowed to pick up their cap, gown, and graduation tickets.

Visit royalpage.org for additional stories, photos, and videos on HHS.

Michael Frey Sports Editor

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en years ago, the average class size at HHS was around 25 students.

This year and next year, the average class size is 35 students.

Because of the increased class sizes, it has become harder to fill up classes. Therefore, there will be nine classes next year that won’t be offered because the number of students who signed up for them isn’t close to the average size. All nine are electives, and of those nine, five of them are world languages.

According to Mr. David Williams, coordinator of information services, for a class to be fit into the curriculum, there isn’t a set amount of students that need to sign up for it, but it has to be around 35. If 32 or more students sign up, the class will run, but if 21 students sign up, there is a smaller chance that class will be offered.

The numbers can fluctuate because if the number is a little low, Williams, along with the curriculum coordinators and department leaders, will find students that can fill it up and if the number is a little high, they “gamble” and hope some students will drop.

“We want to make sure kids get into the right class,” Williams said. It is his job to try and get as many students as possible into their class of choice.

In the case of French 6, only 18 students signed up, and that’s not enough for a class. However there is a letter going home to French 5 students giving them the option to sign up for French 6.

“It’s too bad that the students’ learning is being perpetually withheld and

we can’t take French 6,” said Elena Gvozdetska, junior. Gvozdetska, along with 17 other French students, signed up for French 6 will be disappointed come next year when they can’t continue with higher level French.

Gvosdetska was looking forward to Le Petit France, where students in French 5 and 6 experience authentic French bakery and cafe food, but now may not be able to do because the trip requires both levels 5 and 6.

French 6 is being pursued by the staff and Williams because of the high number of students who signed up. Other classes like Chinese 1, German 4, or Outdoor Adventure Winter, will not be pursued by the staff because there are under ten students who signed up for those classes. The administration considers a class with this few students signed up not desirable and is therefore removed from the curriculum that year.

However, elective classes that have low enrollment in a big department will spread students around to fill other elective classes that are low.

Students that signed up for Outdoor Adventure Winter will be moved to Outdoor Adventure Fall or Spring to fill those classes. The same thing goes for Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts electives.

In some cases, different levels of classes will be joined to fill a class without the need to remove the class. “Keyboarding 1 and 2 could be taught in the same classroom at the same time,” Williams said. The reason this works is because the teacher is able to teach all levels of the subject, so the teacher can teach the majority students and then pay special attention to the smaller number of students in the other level.

Along with students, the school needs enough teachers too. The budget has enough for around 77 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers. This means that there is enough for 77 full time positions, or the equivalent of 77 full time positions. There could be 110 teachers, but a lot of them would be part time to fulfill the 77 full time positions.

New honors classes to be offered at junior highs Chandler Luhowskyj Staff Reporter

Incoming freshmen next year will have the option to take new honors courses

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tarting at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, NJH and WJH will begin offering two new course options to freshmen. Next year’s freshmen will be able to take honors English and honors Social Studies.

Staff decided to offer the course when “a rigor study was done at the district level to be able to serve all kids,” said Charlie Kusch, NJH assistant principal.

The new, more rigorous classes will be catered to students who feel more advanced in these areas of study.

Julia Laden, eighth grade, signed up for both the honors Social Studies and the honors English class next year because “she wanted to challenge herself.”

“I think I would have signed up for [the advanced classes],” said Maddie Malat, freshman. “I think it's good to challenge yourself. It would take out one of my other electives though, which isn't a huge deal.” Malat also signed up for the Advanced Perspectives in American Literature class her sophomore year.

While there is no entrance exam for the advanced classes, there will be a mandatory book assignment for the honors English class, similar to what is handed out for the Advanced Perspectives in American Literature, the honors sophomore Language Arts course. The Social Studies class will have no reading assignment.

Most students signed up for these classes as a way for them to further challenge themselves in school. All of the students were self-identifying; signed up for the courses on their own.

“I would have chosen to be enrolled in those courses instead of AP this year.

I am disappointed that they didn’t offer it my freshman year,” said Alice Padilla, sophomore.

Kusch is satisfied with the number of students enrolled in these courses.

“There are about twenty to thirty students enrolled for each section. We anticipate more kids to enroll as there is still lots of time left to join the classes,” Kusch said.

The Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council, or WACTAC, is a group of 12 high school students who work with the Walker to produce programming that connects teenagers to contemporary art and artists.

Past projects have included: teen art exhibitions, printed publications, performances, film screenings, artist talks, and art-making events.

Meetings are held weekly every Thursday during the school year and last approximately 90 minutes.

Application Deadline: Friday, June 10 teens.walkerart.org/apply

Walker Teen Programs sponsored by Sponsor

WALKER ART CENTER 612.375.7600 walkerart.org

Supporter

The Walker Art Center’s Teen Programs are made possible by the Surdna Foundation and a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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Phy. Ed., Health undergo curriculum review Sawyer Franklin Staff Reporter

Review suggested both departments affect change

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he Physical Education (Phy. Ed.) departments and the Health department are getting upgrades. At the Apr. 28 School Board Meeting, a forty-page report was presented on a Health and Physical Education Curriculum review. The two departments administered surveys for students, staff and parents to complete from February to November.

Overall, survey participants agreed that they were satisfied with the state of the Health curriculum. Elementary parents almost unanimously agreed that the two most important topics to be covered were nutrition and physical activity.

However, over half of parents stated that the pamphlets from the main component of elementary health education, The Great Body Shop, were rarely being read at home. These pamphlets are a main part of the elementary Health budget.

For secondary level education, parents were satisfied with the current curriculum. Yet, parents stated that there was more of a need for education on how to deal with bullying, including cyberbullying and self-image. According to the survey, students in grades nine-12 also agreed that the Health curriculum was up to par.

Elementary school teachers were happy overall with the Health curriculum. 90 percent of teachers thought The Great Body Shop curriculum was user friendly.

At the same time, 30 percent didn’t think that the activities were engaging enough for their

students. The teachers also stated that the curriculum needed improvements as far as physical activity and mental health.

The Phy. Ed. report noted that the time has been cut from Phy. Ed. classes to make room for test preparation requirements set by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The report also states that in all grade levels, the amount of Phy. Ed. time allotted at Hopkins is significantly below national standards.

81 percent of parents thought that students of all grade levels should have Phy. Ed. every day or every other day. Parents also wanted to know the physical progress of their children.

Just like the Health curriculum, students mostly approved of the Phy. Ed curriculum. Like their parents, students agreed that Phy. Ed. should be taught everyday or every other day, although some students who participated in after-school athletics found additional Phy. Ed. unnecessary.

Secondary students surveyed did not want to be graded on their fitness knowledge and status.

Staff from all the schools in the District stated that physical activity was “important in improving daily learning,” according to the report. However, over half didn’t incorporate active learning in their lessons more than twice a week.

To help improve the Health Curriculum the report recommends working with The Great Body Shop to enhance and modernize it. It recommends putting more emphasis on social and emotional health.

The report suggests shorter periods in middle school are suggested to create more time for Phy. Ed. along with making the Phy. Ed. curriculum consistent throughout the schools.

Photo by: Michael White

Students in Mr. Eric Wieneke’s fourth block Outdoor Adventures class work together to get each other over the challenge wall. The Phy. Ed. curriculum review suggested that Phy. Ed. classes should be taught more often to meet national standards.

Several teachers placed on list for potential termination Sarah Benton Staff Reporter

While teachers on the list are in danger of losing their job, they are not for sure to be gone next year

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r. Kyle Miller, Band, has been teaching at HHS for two years. He teaches Wind Symphony, Pep Band, Jazz Too, as well as leading the Lean Mean Performance Machine (LMPM).

Mr. Colin Slaby, Television Production, is in his fourth year of teaching at HHS and WJH. He teaches Video Production 1-4.

Both Miller and Slaby are recognized by students and staff as quality teachers. However, they are two of 57 teachers in the Hopkins district who could be out of a job next school year.

These teachers, including 28 HHS employees like Miller and Slaby, have been placed on a list which could lead part or all their job to be terminated for next year.

The student enrollment at Hopkins has been steadily declining recently, meaning that the state funds provided to the Hopkins district has been decreasing as well.

Principal Willie Jett said, “It’s sad in these economic times that the government is choosing to decrease funding for education.” Jett believes that with more funding, teachers could be retained.

Teachers with three types of contracts were subject to termination: temporary contracts, probationary contracts, and unrequested

leaves of absences for tenured teachers.

Temporary contracts and probationary contracts are for teachers who are not tenured. Tenured teachers can also have temporary contracts on top of their tenured contracts.

An unrequested leave of absence is for tenured teachers. It means that the teacher is not let off, but they are given a leave that is not paid and not requested.

Mr. Colin Slaby, Television Production, was given notice for being on a temporary contract. He’s not surprised and he said he always knew that it would happen. “It’s never, ever personal,” Slaby said. “[The District] handles it the best way they can with what they have for resources.”

However, even if a teacher is placed on the list, they will not lose their job. It depends on if there are available positions and resources. For example, this process has happened to Slaby every year, yet he has gotten hired back each year as well.

In the executive summary to the school board, Mr. Nik Lightfoot, assistant superintendent, said, “We are hopeful that we can retain the service and expertise of these valued staff members.”

Mr. Kyle Miller, Band, is also hopeful. He is on the termination list for being on a probationary contract. Having also gone through the process last year, this year he said, “I do expect to be in the District in some capacity next year.”

Seniority plays a large role in the choice of whose jobs become at-risk. A teacher who has been teaching at Hopkins for nine years

automatically has more job security than someone who has taught at Hopkins for three years.

It is Jett’s role to inform the teachers at HHS about the termination of their jobs. “It’s one of the hardest parts of my job as an administrator,” he said.

Jett compares the HHS staff to a large family. He believes that every HHS teacher has made an impact during their career.

The bond that Miller has forged with his students was obvious when one student walked by in the hallway and Miller was quick to acknowledge and greet him.

Miller said, “If I do end up leaving, I will remember a great teaching experience my students in Hopkins have given me.” He was specifically proud of his work with LMPM, the extra-curricular band, and wouldn’t like to leave it.

Liam Doyle, junior, a member of LMPM, has deep respect for Miller “because of everything [Miller] puts into band and then goes on to manage LMPM on his spare time. He has a really good connection with LMPM as a group.”

Slaby’s video production class is unique to him. He believes that other people could teach the class, but he would miss the students and vice versa.

Slaby and Miller couldn’t think of a better way to deal with resources without sacrificing jobs.

“It’s still about the kids and the education of Hopkins,” said Slaby, “The show will go on.”

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Recent vets talk about modern warfare Ryan Levi News Editor

Staff Sgt. Bill Butler and 2nd Lt. Chad Malmberg visited with Mr. Rick Rexroth’s Modern Problems class

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ar has been a part of the daily discussion in America for much of the past decade, with two ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, there are only 2.2 million Americans currently serving in the armed forces who know what is going on first hand.

“There’s probably somebody, somewhere in a firefight right now,” said Malmberg, who served for 16 months in Iraq. “It seems like Hollywood but that stuff actually goes on.”

Malmberg and Butler served together in the Minnesota National Guard from 2004-2005 as part of a unit which assisted administrative units with combat training.

Rexroth knows Butler through the Early Jazz scene in Minneapolis. “My buddy Bill [Butler] and I were talking this fall about ‘Restrepo’ and he volunteered to come [talk with my class] and find some other recent vets too,” Rexroth said. “Restrepo” is an Academy Award-nominated documentary which documents a year in the life of a U.S. Army platoon stationed in Afghanistan, which the class watched before hearing Malmberg and Butler speak.

Making the choice Butler joined the Army out of high school. “I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do so I joined the Army,” Butler said.

Butler spent four and a half years in the Minnesota National Guard before joining active duty in 1998. “I wanted to try the Army for real,” Butler said. “I wanted to shoot guns and blow stuff up.”

Butler served on active duty for three years before coming back to Minnesota to work as a recruiter for the Army.

After working as a recruiter, Butler joined the Minnesota National Guard and served in the Guard until 2006 when he left the Army to start a life with his wife.

For Malmberg, joining the army started out as an excuse. “My grades sucked and I was getting in trouble…so when people asked what I was going to do when I get done with high school I would say, ‘Yeah, I’m thinking about joining the Army,’” Malmberg said.

But when graduation day came, Malmberg had no other plans except the Army. After three years serving with the 82nd Airborne, Malmberg went to college courtesy of his Army service.

Called to serve Neither Butler nor Malmberg gave much thought to participating in combat when they joined the military. “It was a peace time army so, the training was tough, but, you know, there was really no thought about going to combat for real…and then September 11 happened,” Malmberg said.

Malmberg ended up serving a 22 month deployment, spending 16 months in Iraq. “I never imagined going to war with the National Guard, but that is what ended up happening,” Malmberg said.

In Iraq, Malmberg served as a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division, also known as the Red Bulls. He served as a convoy commander, responsible for leading anywhere from 15-30 soldiers and 40-50 civilians.

On Jan. 27, 2007, Malmberg’s convoy became locked in a standoff with enemy insurgents. “[The firefight] lasted for almost an hour and we killed probably 40 or 50 enemy insurgents,” Malmberg said.

Nobody under Malmberg’s command was killed.

For his leadership, Malmberg was awarded the Silver Star, the third highest military honor awarded. The honor made him the most decorated Minnesota National Guardsman since World War II. While Malmberg was in the National Guard, Bulter served as

Photo by: Ryan Levi

Staff Sgt. Bill Butler shows the class his Army fatigue jacket. Butler is now out of the Army and works in the insurance business.

2nd Lt. Chad Malmberg is still in the National Guard and is a member of the St. Paul Police Department. an Army recruiter. “I liked doing it...at the same time, it was a horrible job,” he said.

Butler enjoyed the work because he knew that “the military offers a way out to so many people.” However, as a recruiter, it was Butler’s job to meet a quota of kids recruited, which sometimes put him in uncomfortable positions. “I put [recruits] in knowing they wouldn’t make it,” he said.

“The hardest combat course in the world” Butler and Malmberg showed the class several videos about United States Army Ranger School. Ranger School is a grueling 61-day combat leadership course known as “the hardest combat course in the world.”

“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” said Butler, who went to Ranger School while he was on active duty, “and it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. [Because of Ranger School] I know I could go run a marathon today, I know I could go climb Mount Everest today…It teaches you and trains you to push yourself further than anyone else can go.”

The videos, pulled from Discovery Channel’s “Surviving the Cut,” showed Ranger students doing hand-to-hand combat against one another in the fighting pit, carrying each other on their backs while running around the pit, and doing the bear crawl around the pit for hours on end. And that was just the first day.

“I would quit as soon as I got there if I was them,” said Shalawn Lindsey, senior, who watched the presentation. According to Butler, that’s the point.

“They’re trying to get people to quit,” he said.

Malmberg will be heading off to Ranger School later this year. “I wanted to do it before,” he said, “and if I don’t do it now, it will get to the point where I am too old to do it.”

Mind of a warrior In addition to discussing the training and combat, Butler and Malmberg talked with the class about lesser known topics like the mentality of a soldier. One student asked Malmberg how often he felt that he was going to die while in Iraq. “I would never accept

that,” Malmberg said, even though he said that he felt his life was in imminent danger on at least a weekly basis.

Butler added that he, Malmberg, and other soldiers crave the challenge of battle. “It doesn’t matter how hard the mission is, it doesn’t matter how little sleep I have, me and my guys, we’re going to get the job done,” he said. “The whole mentality of it is ‘Oh it’s a hard mission, send us in because we’re going to get the job done.’”

They also explained to the class the camaraderie that develops between soldiers. Malmberg said, “Your fear of letting down the people that are next to you is more than your fear of dying.”

“There is a closeness and a bond that you get,” Butler said. “I was closer with a lot of guys [I served with] than I’ll ever be with anyone else.”

Malmberg was amazed that even though the units he was a part of were extremely diverse “they all became a brotherhood. I don’t think you see that anywhere else.”

Proud to be an American Both Malmberg and Butler spoke with extreme pride and happiness about their service. “Everything I have good in my life is directly or indirectly from my time in the military,” Malmberg said.

“It’s the best thing I did in my life,” Butler said. “I wouldn’t change any of it, even the really bad stuff. The U.S. is a pretty good place to live and it’s worth defending.”

Butler said that “without a doubt” he would join the military if he was in high school today, knowing he would likely go overseas.

“It was really hard for me when I saw Chad and my other buddies volunteering to go to war,” Butler said. “The fact that those guys went over there and did what they did and I didn’t go with them, I felt guilty.”

Even so, they urged caution and education for students considering entering the military. “Do a lot of research and find out what you really want to do,” Butler said.

As a recruiter, he said he knew that kids looking into joining the army often hear what they want from recruiters. “It’s not what the recruiter is telling you, it’s what he’s not telling you,” he said.

“The army is hard,” Butler said. “It’s a hard life.”

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ROYAL

Growing up has From the desk of the Editor caused shift in D student creativity

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rowing up, every child depends on imagination.

Some kids were obsessed with red and black attire to show support for the Chicago Bulls. They’d leap over the free throw line taking turns sticking their tongues and out pretending to dunk with one hand. Those kids could spend hours paying tribute to their idol, Michael Jordan.

Other kids, myself included, captured imagination when we closed our eyes. Rockets landing by the lawn and carrying you away, riding on a horse drawn carriage anticipating a fairy tale wedding, or imagining yourself as the richest person in the world; imagination took us away.

When we entered middle school, we went through an educational migration. Like all refugees, we left behind things that we had cherished.

We packed critical thinking skills and unnecessary trivia but left behind imagination and creativity.

Too many of us are letting other people do our thinking for us. When we can’t bypass a difficult question, its natural instinct to raise our hands.

Rarely do students stop themselves and give the question deep thought before raising their hands.

Instead of finding information in books, we turn to the internet. We use our cell phones so we don’t waste time on using the pay phone. Creativity is a slow process, and everyday our society is growing impatient.

Every hallway of our school represents the reality of conformity, such as the imitation of linguistic slang and dressing habits of the clique a student follows.

For me, I’m not much of an art student, in fact, I’m horrible. I began to appreciate the arts when I realized that there was no right answer. If I wanted to draw three blue circles on a huge piece of paper, there would be someone, somewhere that would value my work.

It seems like art is the only subject where creativity and imagination is different in each piece. You couldn’t possibly remake your own version of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. I mean you could, but its not as easy as copying and pasting. Plus, another persons imagination can’t be stolen, people would obviously be able to tell when they saw an identical image on another canvas.

As students, we move from one class to the next rarely engaging in creative thinking. Most of our class periods are spent finding an absolute answer rather than questioning and analyzing the problem.

Our work force is changing. The prerequisite skills needed during our grandparents and parents age are no longer desired or even applicable.

Our system of public education, with the linear multiple choice questions, the vocabulary quizzes we won’t remember next week, and the individual projects that fail to teach us how to work with people who have different opinions than our own, does nothing to spark creativity.

In a world where new jobs are not always found, but often created, these methods of learning are hopelessly outdated.

Ever since I started my high school career, almost every term, I was exposed to someone who had plagiarized their paper. As students who grew up in a far more advanced technological society than any other generation before us, it’s almost as if teachers have a preconceived notion that students will be tempted to plagiarize.

We lack creativity so much that some students can’t even write a three page essay without craving a copy and paste from the internet. Schools have to invest in plagiarizing detecting tools such as Turnitin.com to avoid any potential problems.

We, as students, need to think independently in order to become contributing citizens of the future world. We won’t always rely on teachers to do the thinking for us, and we can’t because future jobs consist of self direction. The next time we feel the need to raise our hand to find out the answer, we need to take a second and find a way to contribute.

If a person wants to make a difference in the education system, we as students should start by making amends with ourselves. Let’s stop waiting for answers and start finding solutions, all by ourselves.

Mona Abdulle Omar is a Staff Reporter for the Royal Page

ear Readers, This year, as technology has taken the journalism world to a whole new level, the Royal Page has strived more than just a print publication every few weeks. We have established our own webpage, royalpage.org. In our print addition, we often cover clubs, interesting people in school, and social issues regarding the Hopkins area. We have found it difficult to cover sporting events and district news when Hopkins students, parents, and residents want immediate updates. The website has allowed us to expand our ability to have the most variety in coverage of our community.

With our expansion to the online world of journalism, we have appointed web editors that have taken on the challenge. I would like to thank all the section editors and staff reporters for their dedication to representing the district with quality articles in our print edition. Even with all of the hard work of the students, we never would have been able to publish our newspapers

without our adviser, Mr. Jeff Kocur. He has worked endless hours to help us achieve the product we want.

As many of the editors are graduating, I wish them the best in the future, along with the senior class as a whole. I am leaving the Royal Page with full faith in the editors that have been chosen for next year.

Thank you Hopkins for a wonderful year, allowing us to further the communication between students, parents, and administration.

Sincerely,

Danielle Fink 2010/2011 Editor-in-Chief

Trends stealing student identities

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ive me some “fresh” Chuck Taylors, a snap back hat, some 501 Levis, and then take all my originality that I used to be so proud to obtain and sell it to the next kid.

Right? Well no, not exactly. I don’t know about you, but to me it seems like trends can swipe clean someone’s original identity.

As of late, rapper Wiz Khalifa of Rostrum Records, has had a blatant effect on his listeners. I see students dress like him, and I’m not surprised because in the 60’s the teens “copied” The Beatles style, in the 70’s everyone had the Donna Summers “fever”, in the 80’s Madonna was the trend-setter, and in the 90’s the “burnout” trend hit high school students with piercings and tattoos.

Now we have a range of trends in the new millennium, and we’re probably on the verge of new wacky trends like Lady Gaga-ism.

Minneapolis hip-hop artist “Prof ” sees it all the time in his line of work. “Kids will be stupid and lose their identity to something they think is so cool, let them be stupid. It makes it easier for people who are real.” Prof said.

I’m not saying following trends makes someone a bad person or unintelligent, but isn’t leading more desirable than following?

I choose to lead, and so would Jacob Bernstein, sophomore, who

said, “Trends are a necessary evil in the life of every highscooler."

As soon as a trend starts, a countertrend is inevitable. As soon as a celebrity does/wears/sings/says something, not only do they start a movement, they start an opposing movement as well. This makes trends in a youth setting not only an effective means of mass marketing, but also dangerous to people’s identities.”

Wearing high-top Nikes is an example of a counter trend stemmed for high-top Converses, which used to be the epitome of trendy shoes.

But all trends die, and some get ressurected. For example, the vintage snap back hat that hip-hop legend Tupac Shaukur used to sport made a comeback, and is now once again on the heads of many. I have been a victim of following trends, most likely you have been too. That makes two of us.

As far as I can see, trends are an okay thing as long as the identity of the trend or the person who is being emulated doesn’t overshadow the identity of the person following that trend.

Elijah Moses Fhima is a Staff Reporter for the Royal Page

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ROYAL

Au revoir HHS, my time was, how you say, phat

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art of me wants to start off like the movie sequences always start off. “If you’re reading this, it means that I’m gone, and that I’m not coming back.” But part of me despises the cliché, and yet another part hopes to return at some point.

Now, I don’t want to get preachy, because I always hated it when people preached to me, but what I will do is tell you what I did at HHS and how (I think) it worked out for me.

I went to class. I never skipped once in my career. I suppose that depends on how you define “skipping”, but I never had an unexcused absence. I’m not saying this to show what a good boy I am, I’m saying this to show that I’m not bad ass enough to skip, and I’m too afraid of my mother to skip.

I did my schoolwork. Again, I suppose that depends on how you define “did”, but I always managed to get all my assignments in. As hard as it was to keep on top of it, I managed to keep my nose on the grindstone just enough to get my work done and still have time to keep up with my Gossip Girl, 7th Heaven, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Jeopardy.

I got involved. Be it sports, newspaper, Youth in Government, NHS, or any other student organizations, I found things that interested me and I devoted some of my precious T.V. time to activities.

For those interested, intramural basketball is the most intense, fun basketball I’ve ever played, but don’t try and step to my Champion-

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ship squad.

I made friends with the faculty. No, I don’t call Mr. Willie Jett, principal, on the weekends to hang out (as much as I’d like to); I only call him for advice on how to look fly. The administration and the paraprofessionals want us to succeed, and they want to help us succeed. All you have to do is not be afraid to ask.

I attended as many Hopkins sporting events as I could. I always loved it when people came to watch my sports, so I liked to return the favor. I had a great time cheering on my classmates and heckling the other team’s players and yelling disparaging rumors about them that weren’t (as far as I know) true.

On a side note, don’t walk over to the other team’s student section and chant in their faces. You will most likely get thrown out of the Target Center. You might end up getting to have a nice talk with Jett and an ovation from the mall, but don’t do it.

I found a close group of friends. We spent almost every weekend together. It’s nice to be able to rely on friends to help you out, and it’s also nice to have a plush basement to sit in and shoot the breeze (thanks, Ben).

All of those things worked for me, but they may not be what will work for you. If I could advise one thing, it would be to find what works for you, and give it all you’ve got.

I would also like say don’t be someone or something you’re not.

Senior Awards: Teacher Edition

Most laid back: Mr. Champ Nelson Most likely to be on the cover of GQ: Mr. Ryan Hogan Most likely to win an Academy Award: Ms. Andrea Sebenaler Class Clown: Mr. Jacques Youakim Most Musical: That one sub who sings opera Most Nurturing: Mr. Bill Ruis Biggest Flirt: Ms. Marty Snyder Best Dressed: Mr. Willie Jett Best Hair: Mr. Kirk Shoger Most Huggable: Mr. Jeff Kocur

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t try new things, but try new things because you truly want to, not because you want to impress someone. Just because your favorite band skateboards, doesn’t mean that you have to skateboard to avoid being a jabroni.

Another side note, a jabroni is someone who talks the talk, but doesn’t walk the walk.

As I reflect on my past three years, I can’t help but smile. I’ve been lucky enough to walk away from HHS with my good feelings towards high school intact. Many people hate high school and resent all of the people they met, but I really do appreciate my experiences here.

I know, I’ve gotten too preachy.

My last piece of advice is to be open to everyone and everything. Meet new people, challenge yourself by taking harder classes than you normally would, if you’ve always wanted to try something but have been afraid to, give it a shot.

I want to thank everyone who has helped me through my high school career. I also want to thank the Royal Page for giving me an outlet to complain and tell a few jokes. And finally, I want to thank everyone who read/listened to what I have to say. My sanity is intact thanks to all of you. Goodnight, and good luck.

William Foley Gregg is the Lame Duck Opinion editor for the Royal Page.

Students, teachers tackle racial inequality every day

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e’ve all faced racism in some form or another. The fights, the jokes, the discussions, it’s everywhere, especially for high school students. But how well does HHS itself handle racism?

Though some think our school does not address racism the way they think it should, I beg to differ. Our school shows its pride in diversity within the school in several ways: it prepares all of our leaders to face racism and keeps students in line as well as can be expected. Ms. Bethany Ocar, English, told me of the multitude of ways HHS prepares the teachers to handle equity, and I think students would be surprised to hear how hard staff works toward racial equity.

Teachers and administrative staff go beyond simply thinking about racism to solve the problem within high school. Speakers come talk to staff, in-service days are held by the school, practice dialogue with one another helps teachers know what to do in different situations, staff read books related to the issue, and have entire book club sessions related to race. If someone still thinks they have the right to say our staff doesn’t put in a good effort to get a handle on racism, they’re just plain wrong.

The full understanding of racial tensions and racial ignorance is what I believe each student needs before they can accuse HHS of being an unequal school. “Just because you’re white doesn’t mean you don’t have a race… race crosses many color lines,” Ocar said. This obvious fact is too often overlooked by students who openly state that racial inequality is evident at HHS, a perfect example of the lack of knowledge accusers have before they make statements they cannot back up.

The idea that race should ever be a topic withheld from classroom discussions is insanity. How could someone ever blame the school for being unequal as far as race without al-

lowing HHS to teach about racism, confront it, and fight against it as an entire community?

“Race has to be discussed… You’re not going to address any social ills by pretending they’re not there,” Ocar said.

Race is, of course, a topic brought up much more often in today’s culture than in the past.

Songs, magazines, TV shows, movie, and new all scream topics of race at us throughout the day. It’s undeniable that media leaks into the school through our conversations. How staff and the school as a whole handles it is what counts.

Teachers that feel genuinely responsible to teach us about race are the kinds of people students need to start appreciating here. Not all schools get the kind of teachers like Ocar who feel handling racist situations within their classrooms is an obligation they need to fulfill.

What students need to remember next time they feel that HHS is racially unequal is how truly hard our staff is fighting to keep it from happening.

Caroline Patricia Womack is a Staff Reporter for the Royal Page

At a glance...

-Race is a topic in media coverage, leaks into everyday conversations between students -School celebrates diversity and teaches students how to be leaders when facing racism -Most teachers feel addressing racism in their classroom is their moral obligation

opinion Goodbye HHS, I hardly knew ye

W

ell HHS, it’s been a blast. It really has. In my three years here, I’ve probably had all together too much fun at school.

Through all of the “sweeps” and “bag and tags” and first blocks where I struggled valiantly and with varying success to stave off sleep, I have loved every minute of my time here. Well, maybe not every minute. There were a few times during the fourth block Royal Page where I questioned my desire to continue living. ( Just kidding, Kocur.)

No, in all seriousness, HHS has given me the best high school experience one can ask for.

The students here are almost universally a pleasure to associate with.

Almost no one buys into the traditional high school bullying and popularity crap that seems to dominate other big suburban high schools around here. (I’m talking to you, Eden Prairie.) No, we are very content to live and let live.

We like a good joke. We like to laugh. We like to do and watch others do ridiculous things.

We like to dress up in ridiculous costumes for the homecoming dance. We like to dress up in ridiculous costumes and scream to our heart’s content at basketball games. We like to dress up in ridiculous costumes and sing to each other on Valentine’s Day. Yes, we really like to dress up in ridiculous costumes. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

To top it off, we’re talented. Everyday, we walk the hallways with great artists, singers, rappers, scientists, athletes, writers, and more. At HHS, you can find someone who is good at just about anything you could think of.

And, let’s be honest, our basketball squad is straight up better than everyone else. (Still talking to you, Eden Prairie.)

Not only are we talented, but we’re smart. I’ve met multiple kids whom I fully expect to change the world that we live in. I’m not going to name names, but there are a few of you out there who I’ll be very disappointed in if your name is not in the papers in 15 or 20 years.

Our teachers too, are excellent. Almost everyday, they make class fun. Every teacher I’ve ever had at HHS has genuinely cared about the subject they taught.

I am forever indebted to the teachers of this school for putting up with me for three years. I know I couldn’t have. You guys are troopers.

Teachers and classmates, you have made me a better columnist.

When writing in the Royal Page, I drive myself to be better because I truly seek meeting the standards of my audience. For that I thank you.

In short, to the students of HHS: it has been a privilege to be your classmate these last three years. Class of 2011, congratulations on our imminent graduation, and best of luck of luck in your future endeavors.

It’s been a great ride.

To the teachers: know that we students really do appreciate you.

To Mr. Jett: you are the man.

And finally to my loyal readers: I would like to humbly thank you for taking a little time out of your day every month or so to listen to what I have to say. It means a lot.

No matter where life takes me, I will always look back fondly at my time at HHS. I have enjoyed my time here immensely, and wouldn’t change it if I could.

In the words of our fearless leader Mr. Jett: “Stay classy, Hopkins.”

Saxon Stone Dorshow is the Lame Duck Sports editor for the Royal Page

Mourning the loss of two Minnesota greats The talent which Harmon Killebrew of the Twins and Derrek Boogaard of the Wild had is undeniable. But it wasn’t simply their skill which set them apart from their competition.

It was their kindness and authenticity which so endeared them to their adoring fans

T

hey say Friday the 13th is a bad day. I never believed that until this past one.

On this Friday the 13th, I, and the rest of the sports world, learned that two popular Minnesota sports figures were leaving us.

I first learned that Twins great Harmon Killebrew was ending his battle with esophageal cancer and was entering hospice care. He would pass away four days later. Then later that night, I found out that former Wild enforcer Derek Boogaard had been found dead in his Minneapolis apartment.

As I read more coverage on both Killebrew and Boogaard, I thought about why they were two of my favorites in a sports landscape filled with great athletes.

Obviously they were both great at their respective sports.

Killebrew was the first Twins star. Those who saw him play say he inspired awe with his home runs. He hit 400 foot home runs with ease without the benefit of a massive body sculpted by modern weight training and performance enhancing drugs.

Of course, I am not foolish enough to place Boogaard in the same atmosphere as Killebrew in terms of talent. But no one, not even a hockey novice like myself, could deny that he was one of the most feared hitters in the entire league. He could strike fear into even the most hardened skaters and he would not hesitate before defending his teammates on the ice.

But it wasn’t just their skill. There were greater ball players than Killebrew and there were certainly better hockey players than Boogaard.

But, as I heard the reactions from those who knew them best, I realized why these two held a special place in my heart as a fan.

When I was younger, maybe nine or ten, I was at a Twins game with my dad at the Metrodome. We were walking around the concourse before the game when my dad stopped me and pointed to a corridor to our left. There stood Harmon Killebrew.

My dad convinced me to ask the legend for his autograph so I walked up to him and sheepishly asked if he would sign the notebook I was clutching in my hand.

He could’ve grabbed the notebook, signed his name quickly, and sent me on my way and I would have been over the moon. But he didn’t.

7 page the ROYAL

Instead he asked me my name and then signed this message, “Ryan, Good luck! Harmon Killebrew.” I know it seems small but he was so genuine.

That is why I admired Harmon Killebrew. It may have been less than a minute, but for that time, I had a baseball legend actually asking me my name and taking the time to write me a message, no matter how brief. I still have that message and cherish it.

I never met Boogaard like I did Killebrew, but he still captivated me.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not a huge hockey fan. I enjoy going to the games but I don’t understand or appreciate the game like many of my friends do.

Still, I loved Boogaard. I loved the mammoth hits he unleashed on opponents and I loved it when he would drop his gloves and fight anyone who was stupid enough to challenge him. I begged my dad to buy me a Boogaard t-shirt jersey, which I still wear.

When I read Michael Russo’s article on Boogaard in the Star Tribune I learned that Boogaard was a lot like Killebrew. He was a gentle giant. He was a terrifying brute on the ice but a kind teddy bear off it.

Both of these guys were the pinnacle of strength in their sports.

Killebrew was known as the Killer and Boogaard was known as the Boogey Man. Neither nickname could be further from who they were at heart.

They were superb athletes but even better people, and in today’s sports world, that’s certainly not a given. For every Killebrew or Boogaard, there are a dozen guys with unreal athletic ability who let their success turn them into selfish, disrespectful punks.

All athletes, young and old, should aspire to be like the Killer and the Boogey Man. Not because of what they accomplished on the field or on the ice but because of who they were off it. Fans love a huge home run or a crazy goal, but they love it even more if it’s accompanied with a genuine smile.

The sports world and the world in general will be a darker place without two of its greatest stars and its greatest people.

An unlucky day indeed.

Fuckin’

Ryan Benjamin Levi is the News Editor for the Royal Page

Teachers must leave personal beliefs at door

P

ro-life. Pro-choice. For or against gay rights. For or against the death penalty. The views here at HHS range all over the political spectrum.

Students voice their opinions in the halls when talking with friends, or in the classroom when talking about a current event.

There is, however, the one group of people who always stay silent. Teachers. They never voice their opinion to their students. The question is, should they?

Lara Rubyni, junior, argues that teachers should remain unbiased and should not alter a student’s opinion.

On the contrary Josh Nelson, sophomore feels everyone’s opinion matters and one does not have to change your opinion based on what other people say.

While everyone deserves their own opinion, there is a time and place for it and the classroom is not one of them. Teachers are a big influence on students. Whether we are aware of it or not, they are.

If teachers only give one side of an opinion, kids who do not understand a political issue and only hear one side of it will likely believe that side. The only way someone can make an educated decision is if they are able to argue both sides of the argument fairly and correctly. Anything short of that would prove that the person doesn’t know both sides of the issue and the different viewpoints that go along with those sides.

Students are highly impressionable and that gives teachers the ability to influence what we think. Some people are able to differentiate between fact and opinion, but others can’t. This is where the problem lies.

In the grand scheme of the matter, when people vote on Election Day, some people will be voting their own convictions based on facts and experiences, while others will vote based on what others have told them. In the end each vote only counts as one. The people who can’t make that distinction for themselves will vote for people that could cause more harm than good, all because teachers were able to influence students.

Many students can guess what viewpoint a teacher has, and most of the time they are correct. Students can make an educated guess based on teaching styles. We may be high school students, but we are not stupid.

If teachers were to be able to express their beliefs as freely as students could, then the school would receive more calls and complaints from parents saying “This teacher turned my kid against me.” In reality, the ban isn’t to protect the students, but the teachers.

Another problem that could arise would be if a teacher voiced an opinion that many students disagreed with, the balence would be compromised. Some students would not or could not respect or listen to their teachers because the student let their political belief get in the way of their learning. Teachers have to remain neutral when they hear of student’s political beliefs but not all students have that abilty.

Teachers are not permitted to disclose their personal political opinions because students need to be able to make their own decisions and formulate their beliefs based on themselves, and not on what others tell them.

As students, we need to be our own person and be the smart and intelligent people everyone wants us to be. We need to be able to confidently walk into the booth on Election Day and vote for what we truly want and not what our teachers want.

Stefanie Marisa Gedan is a staff roeporter for the Royal Page

s t n e d i c c n A e p p a H Sarah Heimer, S senior

arah Heimer, senior, had been driving her first car for only a matter of months before she was involved in an accident that nearly totaled her car.

On her way home from school in February 2011, Heimer was merging onto Highway 100 north bound from Highway 394, when she and another driver collided.

“I was looking to my left to switch lanes [and there was] a van was beside me, so I sped up to pass them. By the time I turned my head to look forward, I had to slam on my brake. It hit the car in front of me,” Heimer said.

After calling 911 and being helped by MN/DOT, Heimer learned that there was some damage on the front bumper of her car, both of her airbags went off, and her windshield was a smashed on a third of the surface. According to the driver Heimer hit, the accident occured when the driver in front of them had slammed on their breaks, causing them to hit their breaks, and lead to a chain reaction.

Over the next several hours into the next day, Heimer experienced swelling, bruising, and whiplash due to the crash and airbags exploding.

“My car had to be towed because it was no longer drivable because the airbags went off and it is illegal to not have properly working airbags,” Heimer said. “I ended up having to buy a new car because it wasn’t worth fixing the other one.”

Although Heimer bought a new car since and her injuries have healed, she still has to deal with the memories. “I get freaked out coming off of that ramp and picture it happening every time. I am more cautious about not trying to get over in a hurry,” Heimer said.

Dami Mafe, D senior

ami Mafe, senior, was on his way to school one morning when he hit a patch of black ice on Wayzata Blvd.

“I lost control of my car and I started to fishtail, and then I hit a wall. But luckily for me the snow on the sidewalk made a ramp and then I was shot into the air and was launched over the wall and through the protecting fence. The car landed on the roof into a snow bank and then rolled onto my roof onto 394, blocking the ramp to 169,” Mafe said.

It took the police about 10 minutes to get to the accident scene. When they arrived they allowed him to wait in the police car until the ambulance got there, 30 minutes later.

He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, but only had a few injuries.

“I had a stiff neck and sore back. I also got stitches on the middle part of my nose,” Mafe said.

As for Mafe’s car, it was totaled. “My front bumper was crashed in, but my brush guard took most of the damage,” Mafe said.

After his first car accident, Mafe drives slower when the weather is bad and when more people are in the car.

By the num Minnes

Factors in teen single v Speed: 23.8%

Driver inexperience: 14.8% Driver inattention: 13.1% Overcorrection: 8.9%

Chemical impairment: 3.8%

Factors in teen multipl Driver inattention: 24.4% Failure to yield: 19.9.%

Following too closely: 11.9% Speed: 7.9%

Hennepin County

mbers in sota

vehicle crashes:

%

%

le vehicle crashes:

%

Mari Price, S senior

ince getting her license sophomore year, Mari Price, senior, has been in two accidents.

Her first accident was during rush hour on Olson Memorial Highway (55). “There was a bus in the middle of an intersection and I hit it very lightly; I was only going about five mph and the bus didn’t feel it and drove away, but my car was totaled,” Price said.

Her more recent accident was when she was driving down a residential street in St. Louis Park, and an older man was backing out of his driveway.

It took the police about 10 minutes to get there to question both parties about what happened.

“She [The police officer] got our information. She didn’t really do much, it’s mostly up to the insurance companies now,” Price said.

She was wearing her seat belt when both accidents occurred. Luckily, Price wasn’t hurt in either of her accidents.

After being involved in two accidents, Price is more cautious on the roads. “I’m so scared of getting in another accident, I drive really slowly now. I pay more attention to what other people are doing instead of just worrying about myself,” Price said.

Rachel McQuiston, senior

W

ithin the last year, Rachel McQuiston, senior, has been involved in three car accidents. In the fall of 2010, McQuiston was rear ended as she was leaving HHS, turning onto Cedar Lake Road. “The car in front of me braked, so I did too, but the girl behind me must not have seen me brake, and she smashed into the back of my car,” McQuiston said.

The only damage done to McQuiston’s car was slight denting in the license plate. “I took down [the other driver’s] information, but my parents decided it wasn’t necessary to file a claim because there was minimal damage to my car,” McQuiston said.

McQuiston’s second incident occurred while she drove to the boys state basketball game during a winter storm. While merging onto Highway 169, McQuiston’s vehicle slid on snow-covered ice and rear-ended the vehicle in front of her. Due to minimal damage again,

no charges were filed.

On May 9, McQuiston was involved in her third accident. “I was on my way to work, and I was sitting at a stoplight. A woman had pulled up behind me and stopped for a few seconds, but then she lurched forward and hit my car… she said, ‘I fell asleep,’” McQuiston said.

Although this incident was not involving another teen driver, it created some damage that is more likely to occur for teen drivers.

“Her license plate left indentations on my car, and the collision gave me some serious whiplash,” McQuiston said.

On this occasion McQuiston filed a claim with her insurance and got checked out by a doctor. “The scary part was that [the woman] had a little kid in the car with her [when] she fell asleep behind the wheel,” McQuiston said.

By the numbers in Hopkins

The following numbers include reported car accidents involving people between the ages of 1618 in the Minnetonka/Hopkins area. 41% of the reported accidents happened between the times of 2-5pm.

2008-90 reported accidents 2009-71 reported accidents

2010 (still in the process)-28 reported accidents Information provided by the Minnetonka Police Department

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the ROYAL

The Royal Page 2010-2011

Editor in Chief Danielle Fink

Managing Editor Lissa Martinez

News Editor Ryan Levi

Opinion Editor Bill Gregg

Feature Editor Lissa Martinez

Variety Editor

Jasmine Geschwind

Sports Editors Saxon Dorshow Michael Frey

Business Manager Sonja Muus

Back Page Editor Marlee Gotlieb

Web Czar

Michael Fields Michael Larson

Photographer Mike Newcomer

Staff Reporters

Rachel Alter Quinn Anderson Sarah Benton Katie Cera Eli Fhima Sawyer Franklin Tarina Gartner Stefanie Gedan Dan George Corbin Gyswyt Meme Halpern Dan Larson Chandler Luhowskyj Naimo Mohamud Mona Omar Joel Ratner Dani Segelbaum Jason Showers Sarah Ungerman Michael White Lydia Wilson Caroline Womack

Adviser

Colonel Coco 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

Zatz reflects on life changing surgery Meme Halpern Staff Reporter

F

rom six packs on Jersey Shore to stick thin actresses on 90210, society’s unattainable ideal body type has become an everyday image. With all of the pressures of today’s media, many teens and young adults are taking unhealthy measures to obtain the “perfect” body. Many would say losing 120 pounds within three years is crazy, but for one HHS student, it changed life drastically for the better.

Shailee Zatz, senior, went through a dramatic transformation after her freshman year. The day after school let out, Zatz received gastric bypass surgery at the Hennepin County Medical Center.

Zatz had been discussing the option with doctors at HCMC for months, and after undergoing a study involving healthy eating and exercise, the doctors and her family decided that the surgery would be the best option due to the fact her weight was a genetic issue and wouldn’t be fixed solely by lifestyle changes.

“I was born into it, it was a genetic problem. My mom had the surgery when I was eight, and seven years later it was my turn. I was the youngest patient to ever receive a gastric bypass surgery at HCMC,” Zatz said.

After a three-week recovery period, she began to realize how much the surgery was going to affect her life forever. She began losing weight within weeks, and in time for her sophomore year, she had lost almost 45 pounds.

“It was amazing, on the first day of school, I got so many comments on how good I looked, I felt great,” Zatz said. “It first hit me that I lost so much weight when I was clothes shopping and I could fit into a size 6 pair of jeans,

Photos provided by Shailee Zatz

Zatz has gone down 14 sizes since her gastric bypass surgery in the summer of 2008. that was 14 sizes smaller than I used to wear.”

Since her sophomore year, Zatz has lost an additional 75 pounds. Her weight loss has leveled off, and she is currently at a healthy, normal weight.

Zatz believes that the surgery changed her life for the better, but it did come with certain restrictions. Because the surgery makes the stomach smaller and allows food to bypass part of the small intestine, she feels full more quickly, which reduces the amount of food she is able to eat. Zatz can only consume about a half of a cup of food at every meal, and will never be able to drink alcohol.

“I was teased all through elementary school and junior high, I was tormented. On the last day of fifth grade, one

boy called me a beluga whale. It still hurts, but I don’t get any of that tormenting anymore,” Zatz said.

Now as captain of the HHS cheerleading squad, Zatz is living the life she had always wanted. “I couldn’t have done cheerleading if I hadn’t gotten the surgery, but I wouldn’t have wanted to be bouncing around in a skirt at 240 pounds. I’m able to be more active now and for longer periods of time,” Zatz said.

As Zatz is preparing for her freshman year of college at the University of Minnesota, she’s hopeful to leave her pre-surgery reputation behind her. Now confident and healthy, Zatz plans to major in medicine so she can help other kids and teens live healthy lifestyles.

Unique talent sends junior to New York Katie Cera Staff Reporter

S

ummer tends to take students to all corners of the world.

One student in particular, Shira Kohn, junior, is heading to the big apple.

Kohn is going to New York City to take her passion for fashion to the next level. She will be taking a course at Parsons School for Design located in Manhattan.

The course is for pre-college students and will take place five days a week.

Kohn doesnt know too much about what the class will entail, but she is hoping that it will help her decide what kind of college she will go to. If she enjoys her time at Parsons, she will look more into different colleges that focus on fashion. One thing that Kohn is sure about is that fashion is an area of study she is interested in.

Going to New York this summer is not the only way that Kohn is expanding her interest in fashion. Next year Kohn will be a part of the ProPEL program at HHS. She is currently applying and looking for an internship that would focus on the buying and selling of merchandise.

“She is really dedicated,” said Lauren Reuteler, junior, one of Kohn’s friends who sees the time she spends doing fashion.

Kohn has also been involved with a major retail store, Nordstrom’s. She applied and made it onto the board for the junior department at Nordstrom’s. The board meets monthly and talks about various things going on relating to fashion.

The group talks about what is going on in the junior depart-

ment of Nordstrom’s which is referred to as BP (Brass Plum).

Additionally, the board talks about popular trends that are currently happening and what the members have seen trend wise at school.

The board that Kohn is a part of consists of all current high school students from around the metro area. There are other boards that are located in different states and similarly only have current high school students as members. “[Fashion] is something I enjoy doing,” Kohn said. “it’s fun to me.”

Kohn’s interest in fashion is also sparked by her love for design. She has made everything from skirts and dresses to shirts and has just recently constructed her first article of clothing from her own pattern. In fact, she began sewing when she was in just 7th grade and even wore her first creation, a skirt, to her Bat Mitzvah.

“Her designs are very unique and beautiful,” said Danielle Burton, junior, who is a close friend of Kohn.

Kohn has been doing things this year that have improved her designs. She recieved an internship with a college senior studying design at the University of Minnesota. The two met once a a week. Kohn helped her cut out patterns, pin together cloth, and sew. The weekly meeting is beneficial to Kohn and the student at the University of Minnesota.

Fashion will continue to take Kohn to different places with and outside of the HHS community.

Photo by Dani Segelbaum

Kohn designs her dresses and outfits from her two sketchbooks.

Exchange students send thanks and appreciation

W

e, Kyra-Marie Luck (Germany), Jonatan Högström (Sweden), Kentaro Ban ( Japan), and Sandra Aetner (Germany) have been exchange students at HHS since September. We would like to thank HHS for the great opportunity to study

as foreign exchange students and to be part of the school.

As seniors, we have gotten the chance to be part of an amazing experience. We want to thank the principal, students, teachers, parents, and everybody who welcomed us into their homes. We have

made a lot of different and new friends during this wonderful experience.

Our exchange student organization Youth For Understanding gave us the chance to be part of a different culture and being a part of an American family.

It is not just a great opportunity for us

exchange students, it can also be an interesting experience for the host-families and students at HHS. If you are interested in hosting a foreign exchange student then visit yfu-usa. org to get more information.

Thank you so much.

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Seniors stick together at St. John’s T Jason Showers Staff Reporter

he popularity of Saint John’s University has been growing among the senior men of HHS. Over the last three years, the number of applicants has risen from 11, to 15, to 17, respectively. That trend continues this year, as 25 seniors applied for the chance to don the red and white school colors of the “Johnnies” and become part of the next freshman class at SJU. Located in Collegeville, Minn., Saint John’s was founded in 1857 and is one of the oldest institutions of education in the Midwest. While it is technically an all male school, the all female College of Saint Benedict is within walking distance and students from both campuses intermingle frequently. SJU is a liberal arts-based college with a Catholic affiliation, although it is certainly not required that students be of the Catholic faith.

According to the Naviance Family Connection link provided on the HHS website, from 2008 to 2010, four, seven, and eight students who were admitted actually chose to attend Saint John’s. That number has risen to 12 this year. Mr. Daniel Sterud, guidance office, attributed this increase of applicants and enrollees to the normal inflation and deflation year by year of college ap-

plications.

Sterud drew a wavy line to describe the number of applications to a specific college for any given year. Some years the number of applicants will peak and be high, other years it could be at a low-point with few or no applicants, but it usually follows a predictable path of increase and decrease. “Madison would be a good example - several years ago we had, say, 120 applicants to Madison, and now are down to around 60,” Sterud said.

St. John’s is at one of these high points in the natural ebb and flow of applicants. Of the 12 enrollees for the freshman class of 2015, many are coming from the same large friend group here at HHS, with several even choosing to room together. Access to a specific list of names of all students who will be attending is not available at this time, but four students who have definitely enrolled at SJU for the 2011/2012 school year and will be rooming together are Jack Retica, Bill Gregg, Jacob Peterson, and Tyler Perry, seniors.

“I chose Saint John’s because I have been going up to the campus ever since I can remember, visiting my aunt who taught there for many years and I’ve just had my heart set on going there since the end of my sophomore year,” Retica

said, who will be rooming with Gregg during their freshman year at SJU. The two are friends and teammates on the varsity baseball team, and have known each other for many years. “I’m really looking forward to continuing to grow me and Billy’s friendship,” Retica said.

Peterson, who will be rooming with Perry, had similar thoughts. “I chose it because I loved the connectivity between alums and students, the Johnnie connection. I am looking forward to playing on the basketball team,” said Peterson. He and Perry have a well-established relationship and are rooming together, according to Peterson, because, “It will be fun to room with a close friend and cause mischief together.”

While the “mischief ” will provide immediate fun, this bond of friendship that students carry over into their college experience will help them on a deeper level as well. While only four students are rooming together, (Retica and Gregg, Peterson and Perry) it will assuredly help all enrollees feel more comfortable and secure to have familiar faces on campus, and the attraction of seeing friends as well as other like-minded individuals attending Saint John’s may play a major part in the decision making process. The Forster family, a legacy at SJU, offers a perfect example.

Owen returns from Nicaragua Sonja Muus Staff Reporter

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ith freezing temperatures, mounds of snow, and finals at the change of the semester, January can be a dull time for many students. It was not dull, however, for Amati Owen, senior.

Owen went on a two month study abroad experience with his mom, Ms. Stephanie Owen-Lyons, World Language. He stayed in León, Nicaragua and studied at the local school.

Every weekday morning while in Nicaragua, Owen volunteered at the local elementary school teaching students English and working as a teacher’s assistant. In the afternoons, he attended school himself.

“It was a good experience and I took a lot from the people I was with,” Owen said.

He spent the weekends hanging out with friends and one of his favorite pastimes was playing football. “Nicaraguan football is great.

Its basically like a modified version of Rugby,” Owen said.

This was not the first time Owen has been to Nicaragua. In fact, it was his fifth time.

When Owen was eight, his mom earned a sabbatical, so he lived there for a year with her. While she wrote curriculum, Owen attended the local elementary school in León.

“When I was attending school there it was hard for my mom to send me to an all Spanish speaking school. For the first two weeks of school, she would sit with me and translate every word the teacher said. Eventually the teacher told her to leave and I was forced to learn Spanish,” Owen said. Now, Owen is nearly fluent in Spanish and is also taking Spanish 6.

Between his first trip and his most recent one, Owen has traveled to Nicaragua four times with students from HHS even when he was still in elementary school and junior high.

“I had to act a lot more mature, but I still cried because they wouldn’t play with me. I as an annoying kid in elementary school,” Owen said.

The first time he went to Nicaragua, Owen met many friends that just reconnected with on his most recent trip.

“It was good to see [my friends] again. Of course they have changed but they retained certain parts of their personalities that they had back in elementary school,” Owen said.

Living in Nicaragua and traveling there multiple times is not Owen’s only connection to the country. His dad was born and raised there, even serving as a child soldier for a time.

David Forster, a senior at Saint John’s and HHS graduate (2007) is the eldest of three brothers, the others being Max and Sam, who graduated from HHS in 2009 and 2010, and all currently attend SJU. “The people are what make going to college at Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s so appealing,” David said. He also called Saint John’s the “ultimate community atmosphere.”

Three brothers, one after another, were drawn into the friendly environment that Saint John’s offers. The prospect of knowing that they will be with family and other friends from HHS influenced their decisions.

Abby Campbell, a 2002 HHS grad and current Admissions officer at College of Saint Benedict’s/University of Saint John’s, fully agrees that the people making up the community on campus are one of the most attractive features that the university has to offer.

“While I’m not certain why the number of HHS students who enroll at CSB/SJU has been rising, it’s possible that it’s simply due to the fact that good people attract more good people,” Campbell said. She went on, “As a graduate and an employee, I can say with certainty that CSB/ SJU students, professors and staff are all around good, solid, regular people.”

RP says farewell to editors The Royal Page says goodbye to six of their graduating editors as they head off to college.

Danielle Fink Editor-in-Chief U of M- Twin Cities

Bill Gregg Opinion Editor St. John’s University

Michael Frey Sports Editor Winona State University

Jasmine Geschwind Variety Editor St. Xavier’s University

Lissa Martinez Feature/Managing Editor Winona State University

Saxon Dorshow Sports Editor U of M- Twin Cities

Photos provided by the Owen family

Amati and Profe Sol spent two months in Nicaragua in 2002, where Profe went to school with Amati. In 2011, Amati went on on his own for third quarter.

“When my dad was 13 he and his cousin lived in a smaller town and they decided to run away to volunteer to fight with the rebels in Nicaragua,” Owen said.

Having traveled there multiple times, Owen has come to love the culture and has plans to return in the future.

“I enjoy how open the Nicaraguan people are and I just like the culture overall,” Owen said. “The people live closer together so they are closer emotionally and I like it.”

variety

12page

the ROYAL

Assassins: face off Corbin Gyswyt Staff Reporter

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poons, plastic swords, Sock’em Boppers, Water guns and Marshmallow guns are just some of the weapons that students from HHS are using in the game Assassins. Students have deleted their Facebooks, not gone out in public and have become very paranoid.

“Of course you’re going to be paranoid at first, but to be less you have to be locked and loaded at all times,” said Ryan Hazuka, junior.

Sara Gottlieb [last years director] had the ultimate choice on who she had to choose to be the director for this years Assassins game. Connor Hinck, senior [director this year] had thrown his name in the hat for the running of Assassins, and she selected him to do it.

“I hope there is no cheating, and if you did kill someone, that they admit to being killed,” said Becca Frankel, junior.

Once someone has made a kill, they will put it onto the Hopkins Assassins 2011 website and “Report a Tag” so everyone knows that that certain person has been killed.

“I make sure that there aren’t any rules broken.

If the other person doesn’t contest the kill, then often times it is. Witnesses are also a big factor, so I talk to people that were there and I compare stories,” Hinck said.

Assassins consist of assassinators, a wanted list, and cops. If a few weeks pass before you get a tag of any sort you will be placed on the wanted list. When on the wanted list, any cop in the game may assassinate you. The reason for having the wanted list is to encourage people to take risks and attempt to “tag” someone.

“There are two types of people in this game,

a lazy person or an active person,” said Eli Goldaris, senior, “It’s a great adrenaline rush, but you always think on to the next one. Never satisfied till they are all dead.”

Students love it, but there are legal precautions. “People get suspicious when they will disguise who they really are, and people will get scared thinking they are robbers,” said Det. Stenglein, Minnetonka Police Officer, “Trespassing is another thing that we get calls from when kids are playing Assassins.”

The Assassins game has affected many people from hanging out with their friends and knowing whom they can really trust throughout the game.

“Makes me feel like I’m on top of the world when I kill someone so I will only hang out with two three people at a time, so I know they won’t kill me,” Hazuka said.

Although some students didn’t play this year, some have wished they did because of the things that they have heard from players. “Sounds like a ton of fun, I would love to go around and hit people with a spoon,” Frankel said, “I missed out on this year and my friends seemed to have a lot of fun.”

In Assassins there are many strategies that students will use to win. “Most champions have partners, and they stick together throughout the whole game,” Goldaris said, “the huge thing about Assassins is you usually have four to five plans, and you can fail but you have to keep trying, keep stalking and soon enough you will have a kill.”

Prizes are awarded to the top five assassins.

“There are a lot of different prizes, I haven’t determined the prizes yet,” Hinck said.

Photo by Corbin Gyswyt

Eli Goldaris uses a fake gun to get his target in assassins. He has played every year since he was a sophomore.

Looking into the negative effects of reality television Naimo Mohamud Staff Reporter

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rom “Jersey Shore” to “Teen Mom,” these ground breaking reality shows have made themselves household names.

MTV is the most recognized network amongst young adult viewers and reaches about 387 million homes worldwide.

Over the years networks like Vh1 and MTV have introduced popular reality shows, but are they getting a little too risky? Ever heard of the saying “you are what you eat”, but can that also apply to, “you are what you watch?”

Teens like shows that entertain them. So do reality shows really capture reality? “I think Teen Mom is real because I myself have seen girls getting pregnant at early ages. It can happen to anyone,” said Najma Yusuf, junior.

Although Teen Mom talks about real life situations, it has also attracted bad press. Some think that the media is glamorizing teen pregnancy and making it look easy by only capturing them in social settings in the show. However, Teen Mom also captures many struggles and everyday trials they endure.

Nowadays, it only takes a quality camera to capture a day of your life. The media edits it and picks out the “good stuff ” to show said Hannah Vaughn, sophomore. “I don’t believe people’s lives are really this complicated and full of drama. Its all just scripted.”

When it comes to these popular shows, most people are trying to act like these reality stars. “It’s like Snooki is the new black. Ever since Jersey Shore came out, tanning companies are getting richer,” said Liena Hamza, sophomore. There has been a 22% increase in

tanning companies after MTV’s hit show.

Many teens feel reality shows that are coming out are the same; the drama, the ups, and the downs. “Yeah, unfortunately because as soon as one reality TV show is successful, then someone else to create a new reality T.V show. The world is full of copycats,” said Hanna Erickson, junior.

13 variety page Local summer sweet spots Sweet Retreat Cupcake Boutique the ROYAL

Dani Segelbaum Staff Reporter

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Photos by Dani Segelbaum

rom the benches outside welcoming hungry customers, to the stripes and tile lining the quaint bakery, pink is the standout color of the bakery Sweet Retreat. Located in Edina, the small bakery offers cakes, drinks, and lots of cupcakes.

Walking inside, the smell of cupcakes baking in the oven is overwhelming. With different shades of pink hues spread throughout, Sweet Retreat screams a girl’s kind of bakery. Pictures of cupcakes are hung along the walls opposite display cases of hundreds of cupcakes.

There are 14 flavors of cupcakes written in flirty handwriting on a chalkboard behind the cupcakes. Sweet Retreat’s cupcake flavors venture from basic vanilla and chocolate, to unique ones like peanut butter cup or cookies and cream. Other oddball flavors include key lime, coconut, banana, and salted caramel.

Not only is the design of the bakery coordinated but also each of the cupcakes is cleverly named. A basic vanilla cupcake’s real name at Sweet Retreat is Vanilla Princess. The banana flavor is named Monkey Business and Coo Coo for Coconut well describes the coconut flavored cupcake.

Though Sweet Retreat’s specialty is cupcakes, the bakery makes designer cakes as well. Everything from a cake shaped like a pit bull to extravagantly designed three tier birthday cakes; Sweet Retreat knows how to decorate a cake.

The cupcakes taste as good as they look. After tasting the banana, cookies and cream, and red velvet cupcakes, I felt sick to my stomach, but in a good way. The cupcakes are very rich in flavor and moist due to them being made

fresh everyday. The red velvet and cookies and cream were a personal favorite.

Sweet Retreat also makes fabulous designer cakes. Lining the window of the bakery are well-decorated three tier cakes with intricate designs and details. They make everything from King Tuts tomb to jungle animals climbing a birthday cake.

The price for four cupcakes from the display case was around 12 dollars or about three dollars per cupcake. A dozen cupcakes are 33 dollars but they also sell a dozen mini cupcakes for $17.50. Cakes are a little pricier and range from anywhere between 22 dollars through 90 dollars. They offer an assortment of frosting and cake combinations.

Sweet Retreat also realizes that graduation is around the corner. The bakery bakes special order graduation cupcakes. Offered in a variety of flavors, high school logos are created out of chocolate to sit on top of the cupcakes making Graduation time a little bit sweeter.

Hopkins Fusion

Freeziac Frozen Yogurt Lydia Wilson Staff Reporter

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few years ago, John Mallon, co-founder of Freeziac, visited his daughter in Kansas. She showed him an ice cream shop where the cost of the treat was determined by its weight. “I was really intrigued by this idea of paying by the weight,” Mallon said.

With that, a thought was planted that eventually produced a self-serve, pay by weight, frozen yogurt shop that offered the fun experience of customization.

Freeziac is located in Eden Prairie and the Mall of America.

They supply the tools needed to make a frozen yogurt sundae exactly to one’s specifications. They offer six to ten flavors of frozen yogurt (depending on the location), including healthy tart options, and classic flavors.

A fresh fruit bar is always stocked with a variety of eight ripe fruits, and a huge selection of candy and nut toppings are offered.

After selecting a flavor and toppings, the sundae is placed on a scale, and the price is calculated, typically ranging from $3 to $6.

Despite its unique concept, Freeziac competes with other businesses by using technology to communicate with their customers.

They have an active facebook page, twitter, and mobile fan club where members are texted coupons and discounts. “It gives me permission to send out a mini commercial each day,” Mallon said.

Through technology, they receive beneficial customer feedback.

“We’re constantly talking to people and thinking about what other items would be fun to have,” Mallon said. Due to fan requests, they’ve added whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and birthday candles, just in case of a celebration.

While maintaining fans’ satisfaction, they establish a fun atmosphere, reflecting Eden Prairie, that preserves that “neighborhood ice cream parlor” feel.

Being close to Eden Prairie High School secures teen customers, but HHS students also enjoy the experience of Freeziac.

“I love Freeziac. Every time you go there you get a delicious hands-on treat,” said Noah Hurth, senior.

Embellishing The Eden Prairie store are modernized photographs of iconic buildings in Eden Prairie. They establish a local

Jasmine Geschwind Variety Editor

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Photo by Lydia Wilson

presence with a professionally artsy décor. “People are sure that there’s a franchise behind it, and I take that as a compliment because I think it looks professionally done,” Mallon said.

While keeping things professional, they are not determined to become a franchise. Mallon hopes to expand to cities such as Plymouth, but for now Freeziac is enjoying the perks of being a small business.

“We’re not affiliated with anybody in particular so we can do whatever we want to do,” Mallon said. For Freeziac, this means having freedom to experiment with new flavors and toppings, counting on fans for guidance.

Being a small business ensures freshness of products, especially the fruit. They buy in small quantities and are picky about what they purchase. “If it’s not ripe, then don’t even put it out, and if it starts getting old, then we need to replace it,” Mallon said.

Whether it’s a desire for a classic ice cream sundae or a healthy fruit alternative, Freeziac can satisfy. So try it, and bring a friend because it’s guaranteed they’ll have options to satisfy any sweet tooth craving.

opkins Main Street is now the host of the new smoothie shop, Hopkins Fusion. A variety of uniquely flavored and nutritious smoothies and supplements are offered such as pistachio and French toast.

Hopkins Fusion also offers more traditional flavors like orange-banana. There are three main categories on the menu including vanilla fusions, chocolate fusions, and wild berry/ cookies & cream fusions. There are 35 available flavor options.

Hopkins Fusion charges $6 for the whole experience including sample, tea, and smoothie.

The sample is drinkable aloe flavored with mango. Next, there is the choice for hot or cold energizing green tea to enjoy while filling out a card with the smoothie order. The tea contains ingredients that actually burn about 100 calories per serving.

Their smoothies are the perfect pre- or post-workout snack.

Also, their smoothies can be used as a healthy meal replacement.

When asked about the motivation behind opening Fusion Bryan Foss, owner, said, “Our motivation was seeing our own health results. I was taught how to gain 15 lbs. of muscle, increase my energy, and to not get sick through good healthy nutrition. Nate (Bryan’s buissness partner) lost 15 lbs and has increased his energy. We wanted to share health results and good nutrition by opening Hopkins Fusion.”

Fusion focuses on slowly increasing the intake of protein while lowering overall calorie consumption. This method helps to directly get rid of body fat while maintaining good health.

Buying bulk smoothies for home use is also an option. If getting or staying in shape is a personal goal this summer, Hopkins Fusion is a great addition to exercise.

Hopkins is one of many locations of fusion. Their main objective is health and wellness.

“There are about 70 fusion locations and we are growing very fast,” Foss said.

sports 14page Popularity of rowing on the rise the

ROYAL

Joel Ratner Staff Reporter

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he Twin Cities Youth Rowing Club is one of the 30 teams going to the Midwest regional junior rowing championships. This year, the Midwest Regional Junior Rowing Championship will take place May 19th in Columbus, Ohio.

“Rowing is the ultimate team sport, everyone has to stay in time with each other otherwise the boat doesn’t move,” Marlee Krietzman, junior, said. Team work is a necessity in rowing because without it, your boat will not move.

“Being part of the women’s varsity squad has taught me to work well with others. Everyone on the team considers each other family,” said Krietzman. The close knit group of rowers show a major passion for rowing and consider themselves a family.

Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race. The boats are moved by the oar blades as they are pushed against the water. While rowing, the athlete sits in the boat facing backwards (towards the stern), and uses the oars which are held in place by the oarlocks to propel the boat forward (towards the bow).

The Twin Cities Youth Rowing Club (TCYR) rows everyday on Bryant Lake in Eden Prairie. The team consists of womens and mens novice and varsity teams.

John Davis, the head coach of mens varsity rowing coached for 20 years at Stanford University. Tina Cho, the head coach of womens varsity rowing has rowed for 15 years. Cho was the

captain of University of Minnesota Rowing team and had a full scholarship for rowing.

There is practice everyday of the week from 4-6pm. On Saturdays and Sundays the team practices from 5-7am.

The team travels all over the country every year for different races. The biggest race of the year is the Regional Championships, which gives the team a shot at nationals.

There are kids from all over the metro area that participate on the TCYR team. Many members are from HHS but there are kids from different schools on the team.

“It’s a great fun way to get a good workout and meet new people,” said Rebecca Gorlin, sophomore. Rowing is one of the few non-weight bearing sports that exercises all the major muscle groups, including quads, biceps, triceps, lats, glutes and abdominal muscles.

Rowing improves cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength. Rowing is a low impact activity with movement only in defined ranges, so twist and sprain injuries are rare.

Danny Goodman, senior, hurt his knees playing lacrosse. He decided to row because he wanted a zero impact sport.

My people choose to join the rowing team because their friends or siblings suggested it. Most people once on the team never quit. Rowing is rewarding because it makes you physically fit and it is fun.

In the winter, the TCYR took its first look at the Minnesota State Indoor Rowing Championships in Rochester. TCYR, competes year round regardless of the weather. Indoor races take

photos provided by Marlee Krietzman Top: Left to right, girl rowers Anika Bach, freshman, Katie Pfankuch, Minnetonka sophomore, Grace Wooldridge, Edina senior, Beth Winship, Minnetonka junior, and Marlee Krietzman, junior.

Bottom: left to right, boy rowers, Christan Ruud, senior, J. Reader, sophomore, Erik Sathe, senior, and Eric Schubert, senior.

place on ergometers, or a “Rowing Machines.”

“Rowing is by far the most rewarding sport I have ever done.

Being the first to cross the finish line is such a breath taking feeling,” said Krietzman.

Sports drinks: the pros and cons of athletic beverages Sarah Ungerman Staff Reporter

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ome of the most popular sports drinks being, Powerade, Gatorade, Accelerade, Vitamin Water, and Propel appear at practices, games, and competitions everyday at HHS. Also sold at The Depot, sports drinks are a popular source of energy to students who desire an energy boost in the midst of their school day.

Ketrin Vinokur, junior, drinks vitamin water during lunch and drinks a Gatorade in dance practice everyday after school. “I buy vitamin water not only because it tastes good, but because it makes me feel better, and I drink Gatorade because it contains carbohydrates which are an essential for the endurance used in dance.”

Every sport requires hydration, whether it be soccer, football, skiing, baseball, etc. No participant can survive without proper liquidation in his or her body. Water is the basic key to proper hydration, and also the healthiest, but many sports players have turned to what are now called sports drinks or energy drinks to rehydrate the liquid that has been depleted while their bodies were exercising.

Ms. Kirstin Slinde, health science, thinks that sports drinks are good for some individuals depending on the person’s health and their sport. “Many ingredients such as artificial color adds a lot of sugar, and the more sugar just increases daily calorie intake. Generally, they are good for replacing electrolytes but water is the best,” said Slinde.

The question of whether these drinks are healthy alternatives or junk food is very contraversial. Some would say that sports drinks contain unnecessary calories and some even contain high fructose corn sugar. Drinks such as Powerade and Gatorade contain more than three times the amount of sodium than most sodas.

Bobbi Pointer, nurse, thinks the beverages are okay if balanced with water because they tend to have a lot of sugar. “It’s all about what you eat and drink before you exercise that really matters, and the drinks themselves are not bad if really working the body”, said Pointer.

Sports drinks are exhibited to younger audiences, and after watching their favorite sports players drink these beverages they

automatically assume the beverages are beneficial to the average athlete or non-athlete. People need to know that if not participating in intense exercise the beverages are not a good substitute for water.

“Marketing has made these beverages ‘sports drinks’. Just like big brand coffee shops like Caribou and Starbucks have conditioned people in believing that coffee is needed every morning to wake the body up, major sport drinks have conditioned people into believing these beverages are needed to enhance skills and performance,” Pointer said. Sports drinks are a type of energy drink but have evolved into a title targeting athletes.

Gatorade, Powerade, Accelerade, Vitamin Water, and Propel have both their benefits and drawbacks. “It’s important that students understand that in some circumstances the beverages are not a healthy alternative, but if utilized appropriately like in intense exercise they are acceptable and have more beneficial effects”, Slinde said.

sports

15 page the

ROYAL

Anderson sisters tear up the track

Dan Larson Staff Reporter

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wo sisters on the track team combine to make an unstoppable sprinting force.

Through running the 4x100 meter relay together, Elise and Taylor Anderson, freshman and sophomore, bond and get to know one another better. “Some of the perks are that we get to mess with each other and finish alongside one another,” said Taylor.

Like any sibling relationship, the sisters are always trying to beat one another. “It helps to compete together because we push each other that way. It’s fun running alongside her too,” Elise said. While Elise says she’s faster, Taylor argues that she always finishes out front.

“Ever since the day we came out the womb, we have been running,” Elise said. Although they may have been born with the talent, the sisters sure aren’t wasting any of their talent, practicing 7 days a week for two hours, year round. Taylor says the only part of the year she isn’t training for track is during basketball season.

Although the Andersons train nearly year round, they still are working on several aspects of their game. Elise says she can still improve her starts, while Taylor wants to practice getting her hands up for the baton in a relay. “Some challenges of track are when you don’t do your best at a meet when you know you could have done better,” Elise said.

With the hard work and training put into running, the sisters also have captured some fine

memories. “When we set the record at the 4x200, I can remember Coach Telshaw crying and was so happy that he hugged us all,” said Elise. The sisters were also in on winning the Class AA Girls State Meet last year at Hamline University, placing 36 points above the runner-up, Alexandria Cardinals.

Among their accomplishments, the sisters broke a Hamline meet record in the 4x100 meter relay this year, finishing in 48.34 seconds.

Julia Wiemer and Mary Tanoe were also part of the relay team. “When we set the record, I was pumped”, said Taylor. The sisters were also part of a relay team which won the 4x100 by at least five feet.

One might think there is a secret to their success or some kind of pre-game ritual. Their secret, “Wiz Khalifa, Famous Amos cookies, and a cute boy to text”, said Elise. This routine seems to be working out wonderfully for them.

The two sisters are both hoping to make it to state as individuals this year. Elise hopes to make it in the 100, 200, 400, 4x100, and/or 4x200 and Taylor in the 100, 200, 4x100, and/or high jump.

Both sisters agree it would be a great feat to win the True Team state meet this year, as well.

“The team is looking stronger than last year with all of the good ninth graders we have now,” Taylor said. “The vibe of this team is very peaceful, which is good. I love being with this team because we dance and are just goofy a lot of the time.”

“Mounds View will be hard to beat in state

Sports fly under the radar

Rachel Alter Staff Reporter

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t is a well-known fact that the HHS boys basketball team is ranked first in the state.

Most students are also aware of the great success the Ultimate Frisbee team has continuously had over the past couple years. However, when it comes to sports with less success, students are clueless.

HHS offers 14 boys’ sports and 16 girls’ sports along with adapted athletics for students with disabilities. But how many of these over 30 sports are recognized on a weekly or even monthly basis?

Basketball, football, tennis and lacrosse are very well known by students throughout the school, but sports such as rowing and volleyball are often ignored.

“I think the popularity of the sport in the ‘real world’ makes it popular at school,” said Lillian Krelitz, sophomore who plays volleyball. The popularity of sports relies mostly in the hands of students. If students watch certain sports on television or keep up with rankings of professional sports through the newspaper or radio, students are likely going to be more interested in those sports within their high school.

Another contribution to the popularity of sports lies within one’s friend circle. “How many people are involved in the sport and how well it is known [makes it popular]. But I guess everything contributes,” said Harris Dirnberger, sophomore. If a large number of a student’s friends play a certain sport, that student will likely pay more attention to that sport.

Also, the time of year a sport takes place has

an impact. When watching a game, it is much more pleasurable to watch when the weather is pleasant as opposed to sitting on the sidelines in cold, rainy, and sometimes below zero temperatures.

So if all it takes for a sport to become popular is friends, success in the “real world”, and weather, then why are so many sports “silent” to students?

“It also has to do with how good the team is because the better the team actually is the better known it will become,” Dirnberger said. With a large number of sports it is difficult to pay attention to each one, this is where the success of the sport plays a large role.

If a team has a successful season with many wins, it will be more entertaining and grasp the attention of a greater number of students. While many of the sports at HHS are very successful incessantly, there are also sports with less overall success. Much of the time, students are persuaded by the victories during the season which makes less successful sports hushed.

A large advantage gained by all students is the great sense of school pride and spirit that comes from the larger sports that are very successful.

“It’s really fun to have the sports like basketball and football to be so big because our school comes together at those sporting events and our true school spirit is revealed.”

While this is true and important to keeping pride high in HHS, paying attention to the “silent sports” can also give a sense of spirit. If students acknowledge the less dominating sports more often, there would be greater pride overall.

photo provided by Terry Goeman

From left, Julia Weimer, senior, Elise Anderson, freshman, Marty Tanoe, senior, and Taylor Anderson, sophomore, at the Hamline Elite Meet. this year,” said Elise. In the state meet last year, Mounds View finished seventh as a team and is looking better this year. Among competitors, Sid’reshia Floyd of Armstrong is Taylor’s biggest rival. Taylor said, “We go back and forth beating each other.”

Whether they win or lose, the girls are having a blast being together on the team. Neither the ability to run, nor the everlasting friendship

between sisters can be replaced. The sisters pick each other up and get along with each other.

Elise was temporarily removed from the roster by Coach Lovas because she was “not being a team player,” according to Taylor. Taylor was removed from the team for a little while by her dad, as well. Both sisters are back on the team now, though, and are looking forward to a great rest of the season.

2011 Teacher of t he Year

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Dawn Hansen

Students appreciate Hansen’s patience, dedication

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n the second level of the west wing, tucked behind a short hallway, Ms. Dawn Hansen’s Reading Proficiency class works on a vocabulary worksheet. Once she is finished explaining the directions, Hansen works her way around the room, stopping at each of the individual tables and giving students oneon-one help.

“She [Hansen] always explains things really well and gives you time in class to finish assignments,” said Lizzy Anderson, sophomore. Like Anderson, many students have expressed appreciation and high regard for Hansen, making her this year’s Royal Page Teacher of the Year.

Hansen has been teaching at HHS for six years, teaching ACT Prep classes, Reading Acceleration, Reading Proficiency, and GRAD reading class. Additionally, Hansen is the adviser of NHS (National Honors Society) at HHS. Outside of school, Hansen teaches a reading methods course as an adjunct professor at a local university.

“I like being involved in the school community. I balance my work by reaching out to higher achieving students through NHS,” Hansen said.

Hansen describes her teaching as a “firm but gentle strategy”. “They [students] know where my lines are drawn, but they know that I care about them. Most of all, I try to keep it real,” Hansen said.

Students feel the benefits of Hansen’s teaching techniques. “She teaches us the roots for words and explains vocabulary really well,” Anderson said.

“Out of all the teachers I’ve had since I came to HHS, Hansen is the best.”

- Stephen Nyabando, junior Hansen integrates the board, projector, and active board into her teaching. “I’m a visual person. I break things down into smaller manageable steps,” Hansen said.

Student’s appreciation for Hansen goes beyond her teaching abilities. “She is the best teacher ever; she’s like my friend,” said Marco Maldonado, junior.

Students’ Thoughts on Ms. Hansen

“She is understanding, hard working, wise, patient, supportive, creative, flexible, inspiring, and helpful.”

-Stephen Nyabando, junior

“She is very good at providing help when I need it. Also, she is very good at explaining topics.”

-Lizzy Anderson, sophomore

“Out of all the teachers I’ve had since I came to HHS, Hansen is the best. She is patient with the students, takes time with students, and works hard with the students,” said Stephen Nyabando, junior.

“I feel like my relationship with the students is good. They are respectful and willing to work even though sometimes they don’t like work,” said Hansen.

Surprisingly, Hansen did not always want to be a teacher. “In High School, my history teacher told me I should be a teacher and I said, ‘You couldn’t pay me enough!’ In college I changed my mind,” Hansen said.

Many of Hansen’s students have expressed a high appreciation for her. “I just want to say thank you [to Hansen]. It is fun to be with her and she always makes people smile when they are upset,” said Ismail Mohamed, junior.

Many deserving teachers were nominated for this year’s Teacher of the Year, but the high level of praise students had for Hansen made her this year’s winner.

Marlee Gotlieb is the Back page editor for the Royal Page

“I appreciate the way she taught me and I will always be grateful to her. I have truly enjoyed the time I have been in her class.”

-Ismail Mohamed, junior

Hansen, above, works with students on a worksheet during class. “I like how she gives you time in class to finish assignments,” said Lizzy Anderson, sophomore. Hansen gives students individual help during class.

Get to know

Ms. Hansen - Has been teaching at HHS for six years - Teaches ACT Prep, Reading Acceleration, Reading Proficiency, and GRAD reading class - Graduated from the University of Minnesota - Went to Gage Park High School, a public school in Chicago - Currently the adviser of National Honor Society at HHS - Used to coach volleyball at HHS - Favorite books are Into the Wild and The World is Flat