The Royal Page: December Issue

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ROYAL

The Gender Divide C-Spread, pg. 6-7 Discussion of gender stereotyping and gender discrimination at HHS with student experiences, class curicculum, and how to move forward

Thursday, December 19, 2013 Volume 32 Issue 4 www.hopkinsrp.org Minnesota Students show spirit for biggest game yet tradition

By Josh Margolis marching Staff Reporter to a close

By Olivia Newman Staff Reporter

Sparkling lights, music, and illuminated parade floats lit up the Holidazzle parade for the last time in downtown Minneapolis this year.

The Target Holidazzle is a yearly holiday parade that travels down the streets of Minneapolis and attracts more than 400,000 spectators per year with their brightly adorned floats and holiday themed music. 2013, however, is the last year the Holidazzle’ will be lighting up the Twin Cities.

The Holidazzle parade has been running since 1992 and has been a long-standing tradition of the Nicollet Mall.

But this year, the Minneapolis Downtown Council said it was time to “re-imagine the holiday experience downtown.”

The HHS pep band, Lean Mean Performance Machine (LMPM) is also a part of the Holidazzle tradition. Every year, the band members march in the parade and play holiday music.

Despite the promise of a new holiday event next year, the members of LMPM are still sad to see the Holidazzle go.

“I was really hoping I could get another year performing in the Holidazzle,” said Jeannine Erickson, junior, and member of LMPM. “It was always really fun. We got to dress up in these Santa sweatsuits, and I loved it.”

It was Mr. Ross Wolf ’s, Music, first year leading LMPM in the Holidazzle parade. Consequently, it was also his last.

“I’ve been to see it before, and I think it’s sad that it’s ending,” Wolf said. “It’s a tradition in Minneapolis - it’s like ending the state fair.”

The Minnesota Downtown Council also plans to HOLIDAZZLE cont. on page 5

In a battle of top ranked teams in the state, the Apple Valley Eagles prevailed over the Royals 96-90.

From the start, last Tuesday’s game had a different feel than any other the Royals have participated in so far this season. There was not a seat to spare in the student section, and the rest of the stands were packed to near capacity.

“It was really fun. The atmosphere was awesome, and I’m glad so many people made it out to the game,” said Stephon Sharp, senior forward. “It gave us more energy right from the opening tip.”

The game marked the debut of the student section’s new jerseys. The jerseys, embroidered with the name Lindbergh Loonies on the front, have created a new way for students to feel like they’re a part of the action.

“The goal of the jerseys is to unite the superfans together and give us authenticity. The jerseys make us seem more official and legitimate,” said Liam Perkins, senior. “They turned out really well. We had the opportunity to customize the nicknames on the back as well as the numbers.”

Even though the purpose of the jerseys was to feel legitimate, the jerseys themselves are quite unconventional. Numbers

BOYS BASKETBALL cont. on page 10

Top: Amir Coffey, sophomore, goes up for a dunk at the Hopkins vs. Apple Valley Game on Tuesday, December 20. Hopkins lost 90 to 96.

Bottom Left: Fans organized a shirt called Linderbergh Loonies to support the team. The student section was completely full.

Bottom Right: Kamali Chambers, senior, goes up for a layup at the Hopkins vs. Apple Valley Game. Chambers scored 18 points that night.

Photos by Maddie Malat

HHS staff by day, Minnesota RollerGirls by night

By Isabella Weisman Staff Reporter Outside of the hectic walls of HHS, many students participate in extracurricular activities.

However, it’s not only students who are enriching their schedules, but staff members, too.

In their free time, Ms. Kimberly Rodrigues, Spanish, and Ms. Carrie Warosh, Guidance Department Secretary, gear up for roller derby.

Roller derby is a sport played on a concrete track in which two teams try to block each other so

Twin Cities Youth Rowing Kaelynn Heiberg, senior, excels in Twin Cities Youth Rowing

Sports, pg. 11

that their designated skater can attempt to lap everyone to score points.

Rodrigues and Warosh participate in the Minnesota RollerGirls league, which is an amateur league that is run by the skaters themselves. Rodrigues has been involved with the Minnesota RollerGirls since 2008, and Warosh began playing in the league last fall.

Warosh spent last summer at boot camp, improving her skills to join the league. She was drafted to the Garda Dolls team, which is one of five teams

in the league, one of them being an All Star team, which is made up of the best players in the league.

“It’s been really exciting to be a part of a team sport. I was in school at the same time that Title Nine [a law passed in 1972 requiring gender equality in all educational programs using federal funding] was happening, so there wasn’t many opportunities for me to be involved,” Warosh said.

ROLLER DERBY cont. on page 8

Content on hopkinsrp.org HHS receives multiple grants from the Hopkins Education Foundation

Ms. Carrie Warosh, Guidance Department Secretary, skates with her roller derby team, the Garda Dolls. They are currently 1-0 as of Dec. 12.

Photo provided by Lindsey Lyford

Knitting club donation Knitting club works to make hats, gloves, and Feature, headbands for those in need pg. 8

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Behavior continues to improve

By Haley DenHartog Staff Reporter While some things like school colors, parking lot traffic, and lunch lines remain the same each year at HHS, the school has seen a change in the number of students being suspended on a yearly basis.

In the 2011-2012 school year, the number of out-ofschool suspensions fell 16 percent from the previous year.

Last school year, the numbers fell 17 percent, and this year, they are down 18 percent. After this year, the school hopes to see more than a 25 percent decline in the number of fights and suspensions.

The Royal Page requested numbers from the administration, but they would only disclose the data in percent form.

“Last year, it was just dif-

ferent. It was the environmentyou could just feel it when you came to school. Little things happen now, but they don’t become a big deal,” said Mr. Trenton Lawson, Assistant Principal.

Staff members have participated in leadership workshops, and are in the process of being trained on how to build relationships with students to prevent conflict. The purpose is to teach students how to deal with situations using their words, rather than actions.

“I think in the past, there were students with a different skill set on how to deal with conflicting issues. I see our students learning how to handle issues differently. Instead of fighting, students are learning how to talk through things.

Their life skills are growing,” Lawson said.

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BRIEFS

Sadie Hawkins dance confirmed The Semi-Formal Sadie Hawkins dance will take place on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 7:30 PM in the Mall at Hopkins High School. Traditionally, this means that a girl asks a boy to go to the dance together. Tickets will be 1 for $10 or 2 for $18. When a student buys a ticket, their name will be entered in a drawing to win a mystery prize. Students can tweet with #Howyoudidit to share how they asked their date. Also, there will be an opportunity to send in pictures and song requests at the dance. The Sadie Hawkins dance will take the place of the Black Light dance that was held in previous years.

LMPM goes to Florida During winter break, the Lean Mean Performance Machine(LMPM) will be travelling to Florida.

From Friday, Jan. 3, until Monday, Jan. 6, the band will be in Orlando to perform. They will visit Walt Disney World and will march at the Epcot Theme Park.

The Disney Performing Arts Organization sponsors this trip. This program enables high school bands, orchestras, and choirs to perform at select locations inside Disney World or Disney Land.

In addition to performing, LMPM will attend a clinic where they will learn to play Disney music. This is also provided by the Disney Performing Arts Organization.

“It should be a great time,” said Peter Mahin, senior member of LMPM.

Math League competition On Tuesday, Dec. 16, the HHS Math League team competed at Minnetonka against other schools from the lake conference. Other schools included St. Louis Park and Edina. This is one of many smaller competitions that will eventually lead up to the state competition in March.

Whitney Amanga, junior, is excited and hopeful for this and the upcoming competitions.

“We weren’t as strong as last year [group number wise], but I wouldn’t count us out of this competition just yet. I wouldn’t count us out of going to state either,” Amanga said.

Student financial aid meeting Though most seniors have completed their college applications, many are now taking the next step: completing their financial aid requests.

The majority of schools use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine a student’s amount of need. However, many other scholarships, grants, and loans are available to offset the price of college.

There will be an instructional seminar on Thursday, Jan. 9 given by Chad Nosbusch, Associate Director of Financial Aid at the University of St. Thomas.

Anyone who is interested in how to apply for financial aid or the FAFSA is invited to attend the presentation.

Briefs by Austin Oakes, Ellie Maag, and Hannah Boggess

Casey Ritts, senior, is one of many students who have been up close with conflict and discipline in the school.

“With my experience, I think they were trying to send a message. I didn’t need to be suspended, the conflict was fixed. There were no punches thrown, and we weren’t trying to draw attention. I think their message is that they don’t want anyone being rowdy, otherwise they will take action,” Ritts said.

Although this new outlook on conflict has shown results in numbers, some still see a flaw in the system.

“I think the school is trying to send their best message, but I don’t think their message always works. Kids are going to keep fighting,” said Patrick Buckner, senior.

Buckner has also been a

witness of in-school conflict.

“I don’t know if the kids who get in fights are being reached out to in the right way.

It all depends on their cultural background, and sometimes that’s just not how they live,” Buckner said. “We just need to recognize that people come from different walks of life, and they deal with things differently. We have to create a sense of community in the school.”

According to the 20132014 Student Handbook, HHS has a goal of maintaining a learning and working environment that is safe and secure, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

“All around I think relationships are getting better, and that in itself is set to decrease some of the tensions that happen at school,” Law-

Decrease in fights grades 7-12

2011-2012: 30 percent decrease

2012-2013: 40 percent decrease

This information was provided by Officer Jason Tait with the Minnetonka Police Department. The percentages show the decrease in fights at HHS and both North and West Junior High.

Illustration by Asia Snetter

son said.

Along with the teachers, students are also noticing how things have settled down over the last year.

“There is more control in the school this year. That might be because some of the paras look a lot bigger and stronger.” Ritts said.

Although suspension numbers have consistently fallen

over the past few years, students agree that the school’s efforts are only half the battle.

“I think it’s good to have workshops for teachers to help prevent fights, but at the end of the day, it’s all up to the students to change for themselves,” Buckner said.

Bayer receives a perfect score on the ACT

By Josh Margolis Staff Reporter Estelle Bayer, junior, enjoys challenging herself. Recently, Bayer achieved the highest score possible on her ACT exam, a composite score of 36.

“I didn’t think the test was particularly difficult,” Bayer said. “There were a couple of questions that I knew I tripped up on and got wrong, especially on the math section.”

A score of 36 is rare. Of the 1.8 million students of the 2013 graduating class in the U.S. who took ACT, only 1,162 were able to score a perfect 36.

“It’s not something that we have every year. Estelle did a great job reaching the pinnacle that is a perfect ACT score,” said Ms. Jean Davidson, counselor.

Bayer’s success extends beyond tests. As a junior, she has challenged herself academically. Currently, Bayer takes two AP classes and is a member of both Bel Canto and Symphony Strings, two high level music groups at HHS. In addition, Bayer is enrolled in the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Math Program (UMTYUMP), a college level math program taken at the University of Minnesota.

Bayer is one of the few students in the U.S. to score a 36 on the ACT. She only took the test once.

Photo by Roxy Krietzman

“She has taken much of what we’ve had to offer. In a sense, she is a year ahead in some of her classes,” Davidson said.

With a 36 on her ACT and a strong academic resumé, Bayer has opened the door to possibilities of admission to into some of the top tier universities.

“I have a lot of different possibilities that I’m looking at, and they are all in vastly different areas. I can’t begin to summarize them,” Bayer said.

Bayer’s interests span several subject areas.

“I really like chemistry, and

I think it would be really interesting to go into something pharmacy related. But at the same time, I love literature and think teaching that would be a pretty cool thing to do,” Bayer said.

Bayer, however, still finds time to partake in other hobbies, especially reading.

“I read really trashy Chicklet. I also read books I’m supposed to be reading for school, sometimes even when I’m not supposed to be reading it,” Bayer said.

Bayer’s passion in the classroom has made her want to challenge herself, leading to

academic success.

“I really enjoy learning. I like learning new things. I like knowing things and debating things. It’s my real motivation,” Bayer said.

The ACT (American College Testing) exam consists of five tests: math, reading, english, science, and writing. The writing section is scored by itself on a scale of 1-12. The four remaining sections are scaled from 1-36, and the average of the four makes up the composite score. Bayer received a 34 in the math section and a perfect score in all other areas.

Registration for classes moving online this year

By Imann Hodleh Staff Reporter For the first time, HHS plans to have students enter in their course requests for next year online. In previous years, students had the option of doing their registrations online or in a handbook.

The registration committee decided to change the registration process to save time

and reduce scheduling errors.

In the past, it was each counselor’s job to enter in all the course requests for each student. This proved to be inefficient.

“The students might take ownership of the classes they’re choosing if they had to go in and enter it in themselves to make sure their choices and course numbers are all correct,” said Mr. Nate Schoch, coun-

selor.

HHS isn’t the only school transitioning to online registrations. Other school districts in the Lake Conference like Wayzata High School are also moving online.

On Jan. 13 during TASC, registration booklets will be handed out to students. Online registrations will open Wednesday, Jan. 22. Students will get about two weeks to

complete their course requests with the deadline of Feb. 3.

The school is offering opportunities to help and assist students with limited access to technology. Students will be able to set up an appointment with their counselors in the Media Center on TASC days to register together. They’ll also be given the option of an individual appointment with their counselors.

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Students posting anonymously online

By Jacob Ungerman Staff Reporter 65 million people use Ask. fm. Half of the users are under the age of 18.

Ask.fm is a site where people can ask anonymous questions to a member. Because it is anonymous, the site has been attributed to an increase in cyber bullying. According to Buzzfeed.com, nine deaths have been recorded in the past year due to anonymous cyber bullying through Ask.fm.

Yande Musonda, junior, who attended HHS until last week, is one student that uses Ask.fm.

“Just like every site, it has its goods and its bads, but the thing about Ask.fm is that it is anonymous, unlike Facebook or Twitter. So if someone wants to say something inappropriate, there is nothing you can do about it because it is all anonymous,” Musonda said.

The comments can be more than inappropriate, they can also be harmful.

“I have received anonymous hate before to the point where I did not want to come to school. They have sent me threats that I felt crossed the line, so I took them to law enforcement. They investigated and found the user who was sending me the hate comments,” Musonda said.

“I feel like Ask.fm is not for everyone. It depends on who you are because you will need to be able to control it and ignore what people say. If you are open minded and can deal with the anonymous hate, then you should be good,” Musonda said.

Mr. Trent Lawson, Assistant Principal, is in charge of dealing with instances involving cyberbullying.

“We don’t go online looking for online issues. But if a student comes to us about it, we will investigate it as long as it is an in-school issue. We investigate to the best of our ability, but those social websites are really tough to do any kind of investigation with

because we don’t have any access,” Lawson said.

It becomes a school issue when it affects the school’s learning environment.

“Our duty is to make sure that our students have a safe learning environment.

If something interrupts the learning process, it is our job to investigate and to figure out how to resolve the problem,” Lawson said.

According to the Student Press Law Center, schools need authority to take action.

If school property is used to send cruel messages, then the schools have a right to go after the student who was cyber bullying.

Many newspapers and other online productions have adopted the anonymous posting method and use it in their works in order to try and receive more honest responses.

Jim Bernard, Senior Vice President of Digital at the Star Tribune, is in charge of all of the online operations for the Star Tribune. The Star Tribune

allows anonymous posting on their online site, but they filter their comments.

“The comment is sent to us to be approved before it gets uploaded to the site. If you leave a comment, you will have to wait some time before you will be able to see it. We take out 30 percent of our comments that are posted. We do this to prevent trolls from having fights on our web,” Bernard said.

An internet troll is an abusive or obnoxious user who leaves comments to promote arguments and create conflict in the online communities.

“You need to learn how to control social media appropriately. You can’t go and put all of your business in the streets.

It is not just to put your business out in the streets, it is another form of communication.

Would you say what you’re saying right now to a person who is sitting in front of you?

If not, then you don’t put it on Twitter. That’s the advice I give.” Lawson said.

Royal Page created a fake account for this illustration. These are a few questions commonly asked on Ask.fm accounts.

Photo Illustration by Jacob Ungerman

Religious holidays don’t always fall in winter

By Joe Greene Front Page/News Editor Christmas lights line the streets and holiday commercials and songs flood the radio.

The holiday season is here.

Instead of celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, Minnesota’s 150,000 Muslims celebrate Eid for three days, connecting with families and their community and giving to those in need.

Eid marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to God. Based on the lunar Islamic calendar, Eid falls on a different date every year. This

year, Eid occurred in the middle of October.

“Eid is celebrating the pilgrimage while celebrating your community. During Christmas time you can see how everyone is happy. I think of a family and a community looking after each other. My mosque gives me that community feeling during this holiday season,” said Khadro Hassan, junior.

“I don’t feel this ‘idealized’ winter vacation in which the family gathers around the Christmas tree or the menorah, bonding together. I don’t feel that during this part of the year. But in October during Eid, I did get that experience,” Hassan said.

Aisha Barre, junior, sees some similarities between Eid and Christmas.

“We give gifts just like Christmas, and we gather together. We also get a Thanksgiving feeling. We feel very thankful,” Barre said.

Both Hassan and Barre moved to Minnesota from Somalia when they were in ninth and second grades respectively.

Both attend the Dar Al Farooq mosque in downtown Minneapolis.

“When I’m at the mosque, it almost feels like we never left Somalia. People tell stories and everyone knows everyone else and their families. We are closely knit,” Hassan said.

“I’m glad I have my mosque because it is a way to remind myself that I have the Muslim faith within me,” Barre said.

Sihaam Abdi, junior, admits that the holiday season can make her feel “a little off and different.”

“I don’t have a religious background with Christmas, so it’s not a holiday in America that I can connect with. I understand holidays like Halloween and Fourth of July. I connect with those holidays.

There’s a more common purpose,” Abdi said.

Abdi and Samiya Sheikh, senior, both attend the Abubakar As-Saddique mosque in Minneapolis.

“When you’re at school, and you hear about how excited kids are for Christmas, you feel left out,” Sheikh said.

“When you’re at the mosque, you get more excited about what ‘we’ are doing in the Muslim faith.”

While Sheikh’s family is originally from Kenya, Yemen, and Somalia, she has been here all her life. Growing up around people who celebrated Christmas, Sheikh got used to the Christmas traditions, watching movies such as “The Grinch,” “The Polar Express,” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

“You can’t avoid Christmas on TV, so I just embrace it as part of society,” Sheikh said.

When asked about her favorite Eid traditions, Sheikh lights up.

“Similar to the way Christians visit church for Christmas, we gather at the Minneapolis Convention Center to pray. This year, I skipped school and went to the Convention Center. There were thousands of Muslims. I loved it,” Sheikh said.

At HHS, Sheikh is grateful to be a part the Muslim student community.

“Particularly at this time of year, it’s nice to have other Muslim students to connect with,” Sheikh said.

The staff editorial represents the viewpoint of the Royal Page.

On Wednesday, December 4, 2013, the line of students waiting to receive sweep passes before 1st block extended the length of the Mall.

The HHS Handbook states that “it is imperative for students to be on time to their classes. Tardiness negatively impacts a student’s academic performance and disrupts teaching and learning.” That Wednesday, the many students who were tardy to school were guilty of this offense.

Minnesota has an overarching policy regarding students driving to school: if the busses are here, we should be here as well. In theory, the policy makes sense. Transportation is provided to us, and when we drive, we are making a decision not to utilize it.

We come to school to learn how to be responsible adults. The policy states that if we choose to drive ourselves to school, we should be responsible enough to arrive in a timely manner. This policy, however, doesn’t make sense in practice.

Even the most responsible drivers fall victim to Minnesota driving conditions. Sometimes, it doesn’t

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matter how early you leave the house or when you start defrosting the car. A car is not a bus, and it shouldn’t be held to the same expectation.

It is unrealistic to think that all students will give up this privilege and simply take the bus. Driving to school is a luxury that many students look forward to. Driving to school teaches us independence, self reliance and responsibility.

HHS seeks to ensure safety. Under extreme driving conditions, students should be driving with extreme caution - not racing to beat the warning bell. According to the Minnesota Department of Safety, teenagers pay the heaviest price in terms of traffic safety, accounting for the most deaths and injuries.

It would be a long and difficult process to change this MN law, and we have more important things to work on.

However, the administration could send out automated phone calls, tweets, or emails on mornings with dangerous conditions.

If tardiness becomes a problem, administration can talk with students to help them succeed in getting to school on time. Students, staff, parents, and the HHS administration must work together to ensure that students are arriving to school safely and on time.

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4opinion Safe vs. on time

For those people who are undefined

By Callan Showers Feature Editor Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, once said, “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

I have to say, as much as I would like to impress Mr. Lincoln, I have no idea what I am.

I do things. I’m involved in many things that I truly love.

They make me happy and have been an overall beneficial part of my life. I know I have a great many skills and strengths to contribute to the world.

vast majority of us don’t have a thing, but are still pretty awesome. Perhaps this is a story to acknowledge you seemingly well-rounded, yet unsure-ofthe-future, no-thing-having students like myself.

Not being or having a thing does not mean our high school years are wasted. Yeah, maybe we won’t be able to tell our children about captaining a state championship team, an astounding academic achievement, or the song that made you go big. However, we will still each have our own stories

to tell.

The path to those stories, I have not a clue. But I doubt that even the thing students’ paths are fully paved.

My message to you all is something my mom has, embarrassingly, told me many a night of pre-test anxiety, post-terrible game breakdown, or just bad moods: you are enough. Know this, and, most importantly, don’t get so caught up searching for the big, intimidating thing that you forget to acknowledge all of life’s simple, beautiful things.

Gun control: it is time to make a change

By Hannah Boggess Staff Reporter According to CNN, over 50,000 people in the United States have lost their lives due to gun violence in the past two years.

26 of those lives belonged to students and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Just over one year ago, they were killed in the seconddeadliest school shooting in the history of the United States.

After the massacre, President Obama said, “As a nation, we have endured far too many of these tragedies in the last few years. So we have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of politics.”

In response to the shooting,

HHS New Year’s 2014

Hopes and Dreams

Unlock the staff bathrooms Eliminate the jeans and tennis shoes combo Have a snowday Boys basketball team: win a State Championship Boys hockey team: win a conference game No toilet floods Put Kenny Novak Jr. in the starting five Get an ice cream cone past the mall cops

No Instagramming pictures of food, coffee, shoes, celebrities, pets, leaves, snow, or rainy windows Stop hating on Adidas

Still, right now, in high school, I don’t have a single thing. I am not a thing.

Thing students - athletes who have already signed with a school from a long list of offers, gifted students who know a career in astrophysics is for them, musicians who have gigs at the Depot - are cool. You want to read about them, write about them, talk to them. I’m pretty jealous.

However, what my thingdoing but not thing-defining high school experience has led me to believe is that the

public opinion polls showed a significant increase in support for stricter gun laws. President Obama introduced three major gun control laws: one to expand background checks, one to ban assault weapons, and one to ban high-capacity magazines.

Even though there was strong public support for the laws and a Democrat-controlled Senate, all three pieces of legislation were struck down.

Our government is refusing to take action, and that’s as good as them saying it’s okay for these mass shootings to continue.

But the fault doesn’t just lay in the government; the attitudes of the American people are just as detrimental and impactful.

After the shooting in the Aurora, Colorado movie theater, we vowed to strengthen gun laws; people should be able to see a movie without worrying about an attack.

Following that day, there have been 22 public mass

shootings.

After Columbine and Virginia Tech, where a combined total of 47 were killed, we said it could never happen again; we need to protect students because they’re the future.

There have been 91 school shootings since then.

And just one year ago, the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School occured. After the tragedy, the general attitude was that it would be the turning point, that we couldn’t sit around and allow children to be mindlessly slaughtered.

So why were three bills stuck down? Why has absolutely nothing changed? The implementation of gun control is exactly as weak and ineffective as it was one year ago.

We can blame whomever we choose, but when it comes down to it, the problem has its roots in us. Our lack of intervention is what allows these horrible events to transpire, and we need to start taking responsibility for that.

Every single time we say “this is the last time” and then

don’t act on our words, we are inviting another mass shooting. This attitude of non-action and apathy is the reason 22,000 people have died since January 1, 2013, and it’s the reason 20 children were killed a year ago.

Indifference, passivity, and narcissism are three words that people use to define our generation, and in this sense, it’s a fair statement.

So prove them wrong, and take action. Send an email to your representative, or donate $5 to an anti-gun violence group.

Right now is not a time for sitting around and watching the news. It’s not a time to shake our heads and say, for the hundredth time, “What a shame.”

Right now is not the time for moments of silence.

What we need right now is noise and protests and anger, because quiet can easily become synonymous with surrender.

Avoiding the millisecond high

By Phoebe Cohen Feature Editor I want to talk about the downward swipe of a thumb, and a twirling ball that causes an increase in heart rate.

“Scroll down to refresh…”

I want to talk about the little blue dot that appears below the “Connect” bookmark on Twitter or the notification center on Instagram. I want to talk about the millisecond high you feel when your pocket vibrates from your phone.

I’m going to put myself in your brain. You’re sitting on the couch. You feel bored, and because you’re bored, you start to feel sad. So you turn to your phone. Nobody has texted you.

Your brow creases. You check your Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and as a last resort, you even check your email. You’re looking to see that someone has thought of you or noticed you.

They haven’t.

So you tweet. You tweet something about how happy you are or how sad you feel.

You tweet because you want someone to favorite it. Because

for that split-second when you notice the small blue dot below the word “Connect,” you feel better.

But then the tweet stops getting favorites. And it hasn’t gotten enough favorites. Now you feel worse than you did before you tweeted in the first place.

So you tweet again, and the cycle starts all over.

Or when you spend hours sitting on facebook, stalking that girl who is way prettier than you, or looking at pictures of that guy that is so much more popular than you. “Why can’t I be like them?” You feel left out. You feel inferior.

Look around you. Everyone is hiding it, but everyone is sad.

And everyone is using unnatural ways to cope with it.

This is why we tweet, post, Instagram, or Vine. Getting that “like” or “favorite” gives us that millisecond high of happiness. Someone approves of you.

Someone thought about you.

Someone noticed you. We do it for the attention.

But when we tweet and no one favorites it, and we sit on

our couch, refreshing our twitter feed, waiting to see the blue dot below the “Connect” bookmark, and feeling pretty darn bad about ourselves, we’ve actually accomplished the opposite of what we were trying to do.

We use social media as a way to feel happier. We post selfies because it feels good to get likes and it increases our self confidence. But have you ever thought about how unnatural and unhealthy this is? When we want to feel better, we turn to our phones. Our happiness revolves around social media.

Let’s do an experiment.

Here’s my challenge to you.

Next time you find yourself feeling bored or feeling a bit down, and you’re itching to check Twitter or Facebook or Instagram… Don’t. Try something else. Talk to someone face to face. Draw, write, sing, anything besides refreshing twitter over and over again until someone favorites your tweet.

If we can do this: find ways to make ourselves happy without looking at our phones, maybe we can be a happier generation.

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30+ concerts for HHS student Amanda Remer, senior, has a passion for music and regularly attends concerts

By Asia Snetter Staff Reporter

Remer holding up her used concert tickets and wearing her backstage passes. Each ticket cost anywhere from $80-$100 on average.

Photo by Ruby Krietzman

For many students, going to concerts is a rare occurrence.

This isn’t the case for Amanda Remer, senior. Remer has gone to over 30 concerts within the last ten years.

Remer went to her first concert when she was eight Aaron Carter’s “Juke Box.” Since then, Remer has experienced concerts in pop culture, seeing artists such as Carly Rae Jepsen, Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran, and Tori Kelly. She has also attended every Jingle Ball since 2011.

Remer has gone to roughly 16 concerts in 2013 alone.

“My favorite concert is hard to choose. All of them are so different,” said Remer.

“They all have different atmospheres, people, venues; it adds up,” said Remer. Some of the concerts she enjoyed the most were Jake Miller, Justin Bieber, and Cher Lloyd.

Her favorite part of the experience is being able to hang out with her current friends and make new friends while listening to her favorite artists.

“We just have a lot of fun.

I go to concerts with a lot of people, but usually they’re people who don’t have as much fun with it as Amanda and I do,” said Micalah Foss, junior. “We just go all out with it.” Depending on the performer and seat location, concert tickets could range from free to hundreds of dollars. In addition to buying the ticket, there is usually band merchan-

dise and backstage passes for purchase.

“My average is around $80-$100,” Remer said. “My mom used to pay for all of mine, and I can’t ever thank her enough for that, but now I have my own job.”

Not only has Remer been able to attend all of these concerts, she has been able to score amazing seats. Back in July, she had front row tickets to see Justin Bieber in Omaha, Nebraska.

“We usually get there about three to four hours before the show starts, but it all depends on who’s performing,” Foss said. “It’s a cool way to meet people who listen to the same kind of music as you.”

While Remer has been able to experience the pop

cultural entertainment live, 33 times, other HHS students attend all kinds of celebrity performances; watching choirs, rock bands, comedy shows, and many more.

“My favorite concert experience was at Warped Tour this past summer. There were so many bands there and I even was right next to the stage for some of the shows,” said Morgan Langert, sophomore. “I usually go to listen to awesome music, discover new bands and just hang out with friends.”

Whether students prefer to listen to bands such as Bring Me the Horizon or Wiz Khalifa most, students seem to want to experience a live performance of their favorite music.

tradition Coffee preferences Minnesota marching to a close

By Anne Goodroad Staff Reporter

Chelsea O’Brien, senior, sips her favorite drink - the Spy Girl, while studying precalc. She sits in an atmosphere unknown to most HHS students -an Uptown coffee shop.

“I really like Spyhouse, it’s just a really cool place and the coffee is really good,” O’Brien said.

There are three Spy-

Infographic by Anne Goodroad Images from Creative Commons Information from the Huffington Post

house locations in Minneapolis but O’Brien prefers the one on Nicollet Ave. “The counter is almost like a bar counter so you can sit around the shop,” O’brien said.

“For me and friends to go up there, it feels different because we won’t really see anyone from school there. There is a lot of stuff to do, get some coffee and go shopping,” O’brien said.

Uptown hosts Uncommon Grounds, Tea Garden, and The Beat. “All kinds of people hang out there. Old people, young people, goofy lookin’ people,” O’Brien said.

“Caribou and Starbucks, when I think of those places, I think of this place where I’m going to go and get my coffee really quick whereas Uptown coffee shops are more of a place to hang out and sit there with your friends and talk,” O’Brien said.

Josie Brott, junior, has moved her Caribou Coffee ‘addiction’ to behind the counter. On average Brott

drinks 16 signature Caribou drinks a week and spends approximately $1,426 on coffee drinks a year.

In the year 2008, the U.S. consumed an average of 4.2 kilograms of coffee making the U.S. the 26 highest caffeine consuming country in the world. Brott said she got the job for the 30 percent discount and social interactions.

“I get to see people and interact with people,” Brott said.

Brott even has her own drink that was named after her- the HoHo Mint Mocha with real mints instead of mint syrup.

“If you go into my Caribou and you ask for the Josie Brott Special they will know what you are talking about,” Brott said.

“I really like Uptown Coffee shops, I prefer those, but Caribou is homey and you feel more friendly there,” Brott said. “Since it is only in the Midwest it feels more like home.” Whether HHS students travel to Uptown or to the nearest Caribou for their caffeine needs, O’Brien said, “Coffee shops are just very down to earth places.”

HOLIDAZZLE Continued from page 1

The Royal Page created a cartoon about the Minnsota Jingle Ball.

Performer Miley Cyrus danced with a costumed Santa in one of the more vulgar parts of her performance at the event.

Cartoon by Asia Snetter

Top: LMPM members perform at the Holidazzle parade. LMPM has performed at the Holidazzle in previous years.

Bottom: Maggie Graham, senior, leads LMPM. Graham led the band while wearing a holiday outfit.

Photos by Maddie Malat

reinvent the entire city - they want to make it an urban hotspot, like that of Chicago or New York City.

“The Holidazzle was so much fun, and everyone was together and having a great time,” Erickson said.

LMPM donned light-up costumes, connected to a car battery, to light up the night just like the parade floats around them. They wore decorated marching band hats, jingle bells to accompany their music. As a contingency plan, kazoos in case their instruments freeze.

“We would never really know what the weather would be like, and depending on the weather, we could get huge crowds of people, always excited to see our band,” Wolf said.

LMPM considers it to be a privilege to play in the parade while they could. “They only pick one marching band to play per parade,” Wolf said. “It was an honor just to be chosen year and year again.”

U N S P O K E N GENDER DISC After being one of very few female members on the robotics team last year, Maggie Graham, senior, has a simple goal for the club this year: to recruit more girls.

“I went around to junior and sophomore classes and talked about robotics. I want to put a girl’s face on the robotics club so that girls will be interested in checking it out,” Graham said. “I want to tell them that it really isn’t that intimidating, and it’s totally accessible to everybody.”

Graham has already recruited six more girls for robotics club this year. Although this is not much compared to the 30 male members, Graham feels it is a big improvement.

Graham’s experience is an example of gender stereotyping, which is widespread in our society.

“Girls face this insane expectation to always be appealing to guys. If they don't wear the tightest yoga pants and perfect make-up, they're worthless. Behaviorally, they should be ditzy,” said Sam Greenwald, junior. “Guys have to be athletic and their clothes should reflect it too: lots of Nike. In school, they're encouraged to be the class clown.”

Several courses at HHS touch on this topic in their curriculum including health, history, and global literature. The curriculum for health class includes some activities around gender stereotypes, including class discussions and clips from the movies Miss Representation and Tough Guys.

“What does it mean to be a man? They’re tough, macho, good at math. Males get put in a box of how they should be, and if you don’t fit that gender stereotype, you get called a wuss or a pussy. It’s all those terms that I think adversely affect men,” said Ms. Jane Kleinman, Health.

“For females, the stereotype is that they’re nurturing, passive, good readers, can’t throw, bad at sports. If a young girl doesn’t fit that, what do they call her? Tomboy,” Kleinman said.

Ms. Maggie Temple, Social Studies, covers these stereotypes in World History. “There’s a theory that a lot of these stereotypes descended from hunters and gatherers, with some of their behaviors ingrained in our DNA. Men were the hunters with strength, better spatially and mathematically. Females were the gatherers, stronger verbally and with communication.”

“It seems to me one of the biggest most prominent patterns in gender stereotyping across cultures is the strong vs. weak. Men are strong, and women are weak.

There are very few cultures that contradict that stereotype,” said Ms. Susan Rode, Global Literature.

Gender stereotypes, which are perpetuated both in advertising and in the media, are the driving force behind gender discrimination. Although it is not obvious, gender discrimination does happen at HHS. “Most times I don't think gender discrimination is

something that’s super visible. It's rea tion that's built into how we live o we think and act every day is condit peers tell us is acceptable,” Greenwal Jae Bates, senior, sees the planne dance as a form of gender discrimina men, gender neutral, and transgende “Why can't girls ask boys to pro been a dance designed specifically so dance?” Bates said.

Because he is openly transgender, aware of these stereotypes.

“The gender binary, the gendere tured me since I was about nine. I w felt alone for seven years of my life. I people and have honest open conver der, I feel like I could help someone being lonely and sad for as long as I “Another huge example of gen when sports do ‘boys’ spirit becaus concept of ‘this is how a boy has to how a girl has to dress.’ Why can't a g Lulus?” Greenwald said.

In addition to gender discrimina ations, students have noticed subtle g tion in the classroom. Last year, Grah only girls in her AP Chemistry class “I notice that a lot of times there’s can really feel it in some of those cl sidered harder science classes. Girls Graham said.

Graham believes having more fem ers would be beneficial.

“Ms. Purdy is a really big advoca science. I think having that kind of helpful because it makes everything sible to have a professional available ham said.

Mia Berman, senior, has also ex discrimination in the classroom setti “I was raising my hand to get swered, and the teacher kept callin something that happens a lot becau forceful, whereas girls are more likely Berman said. “The teacher said ‘no I put my hand down, but the guys k and got called on.”

Berman suggests teachers be m gender of the students they are callin “I’ve been trying to do things wh call on people, where everyone need Ms. Kristen Slinde, Health.

Berman believes much of the g tion that happens today is during a school. She has observed this in the d

THE GEND DIVIDE Infographics by Isabella Weisman

CRIMINATION

ally a tacit assumpour lives. The way tioned by what our ld said. ed Sadie Hawkins ation, excluding gay er students. om? Why has there o girls ask boys to a

r, Bates is especially

ed system, has torwas depressed and If I can just educate rsations about genin the future avoid did.” nder stereotypes is se it entrenches a o dress’ and ‘this is guy wear Uggs and

ation in social situgender discriminaham was one of the s. ’s less girls, and you lasses that are conkind of shy away,”

male science teach-

ate of robotics and f resource is really g seem more accese to talk to,” Gra-

xperienced gender ing. t my question anng on guys. That’s use guys are more y to listen to rules,” more questions’ so kept their hands up

more aware of the ng on. here I don’t have to ds to respond,” said

gender discriminaactivities outside of debate community.

“At debate tournaments, I’ll be in cross-examination when you’re asking questions to the other side, and I can be very forceful with the questions I ask. I’ve had comments on my ballots before that say, ‘stop being such a bitch’ but if guys do the same exact thing they say ‘wow, you’re aggressive, and you really know what you want,’” Berman said.

Kleinman believes name calling is a huge problem.

“We don’t want to hear people saying gay and as a teacher, you call someone on that because that’s supportive of the gay community. So when you hear bitch, it’s not okay to say that. We’re not going to call each other that. We have to end the demeaning language,” Kleinman said.

“There’s a real anti-feminist movement that has happened. If I ask my class ‘how many of you would consider yourselves feminists?’ people will not react positively. Then I explain that a feminist is somebody who believes women should have equal rights, and then they say ‘oh, yeah,’” Kleinman said.

Breaking some of these gender stereotypes starts with a change in mindset and more conversations.

“A lot of guys and girls assimilate themselves into a certain group to fit in. If you want to fight the stereotypes, just be who you are and fight the assimilation that is trying to get ahold of you,” said Riley WeeksWynne, sophomore.

“If we don't talk about gender stereotypes in our building, we will never stop misogynistic and transphobic things from occurring in our community,” Bates said.

Ms. Carleen Matts, Language Arts, used to teach a Women’s Studies elective at North Junior High. With schedule changes, the school had to cut the class, however, Matts believes it needs to return.

“Everyone needs tools to deal with the challenges of things like thinspiration, fitspiration, pro-anorexia Websites, the proliferation of Photoshopped images, and anything that defines masculinity so narrowly that boys feel that the only acceptable way to be a man is to be tough, non-emotional, and even violent,” Matts said.

Dr. Sharroky Hollie, a professor from California State University, is working with HHS on how to be more inclusive.

“We are fortunate as a district to be working with Dr. Hollie to learn how to better serve and engage all students, and that includes studying gender as a part of a student's identity and how it affects them in the classroom,” Matts said.

HHS can be a leader in educating students and teachers about gender stereotyping and providing opportunities for these conversations both in and out of the classroom.

This center spread is an investigation of gender stereotyping and discrimination at HHS. The photo illustration includes words that describe the pressures girls and boys face daily. The models pictured are not connected to any sources in this article.

Naomi Borowsky and Alex Felemovicius are the Editor in Chief and C-Spread Editor of the Royal Page

DER E

FIRST FEMALE P R I N C I PA L Ms. Patty Johnson, Principal, is the first female head principal at HHS. Johnson has had a

GIRLS

VS.

BOYS

The ratios of girls vs. boys in classes offered at HHS AP Calculus

AP Chemistry

AP Environmental Science

positive experience and feels supported by the district in this role.

“We have a nice balance on our administrative team, as I work with one other female and

Computer Programming

three other males,” Johnson said. “We also have different, complimenting strengths to bring to the team, which helps when working with students, staff members, and families.”

Woodworking 1

Johnson hopes to be a role model for female students.

“As a strong, independent, hard working woman, I feel very strongly in being a role model

Stress Management

for our female students, in particular,” Johnson said. “I learned very early, from my mother, who is also a very confident, strong career woman, that people can take lots of things from you,

AP Language and Composition

but the one thing no one can ever take from you is your education.”

AP European History

RPThursday, December 19, 2013

the

8 feature

HHS staff by day, Minnesota RollerGirls by Night

The Royal Page 2013-2014

Editors in Chief Naomi Borowsky Josh Gallop

ROLLER DERBY Continued from page 1

Front Page Editor

Rodrigues competes on the Dagger Dolls and the All Star team.

“Shiver Me Kimbers [Rodrigues] has a ton of fire and energy,” said Mr. Dan Maier, All Star coach. “She is an amazing player who is aggressive and doesn’t back down from anyone. She is great at giving inspirational speeches to the team.”

The teams practice three days a week for two hours each. They go head-to-head with other teams once a month at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Their practices range from planning and learning gameplays to climbing stairs for conditioning.

“It’s been a challenge to balance roller derby with the

Joe Greene

C-Spread Editor Alex Felemovicius

News Editor Ellie Maag

Opinion Editor Ryland Dorshow

Feature Editors Phoebe Cohen Callan Showers

Variety Editor Lily Goldfarb

Sports Editors Eli Badower Hillary Donovan

Back Page Editor

rest of my life but I have a very supportive family since they know it’s something I want to do,” Warosh said.

Minnesota RollerGirls is unique because it is a volunteer organization.

“I love being a part of Minnesota RollerGirls because it is completely run by volunteer skaters and our proceeds go to the Let Me Play grant of the Ann Bancroft Foundation so that fees for girls’ activities are paid for,” Rodrigues said.

Roller derby has proven to be a sport where women can be just as physical as men.

“I’ve seen a lot of players come and go throughout the years but one thing is for sure, skaters have gained a ton of self confidence in themselves through derby. I think it is a sport that is very empowering for women,” Maier said.

Ms. Kimberly Rodrigues, Spanish, makes a sharp turn around the roller derby track. Within her team, Rodrigues is known as “Shiver Me Kimbers,” and has been a part of the organization since 2008.

Photo Editors

Roxanne Krietzman Maddie Malat

Business Editors

Kyle Makey Brian Yu

Photo provided by Lindsey Lyford

Knitting Club takes on new challenge Using their passion to help make a change

RP

the

Tobie Soumekh

Stay up-to-date with

Web Editor in Chief Sam Hromatka

Staff Reporters Hannah Boggess Will Cohen Zach Condon Haley DenHartog Anne Goodroad Isabel Hall Imann Hodleh Julia Jallo Sam Kaminsky Bradley Kaplan Ruby Krietzman Josh Margolis Erik A. Nelson Olivia Newman Austin Oakes Lucy Pierro Dan Sheldon Asia Snetter Jacob Ungerman Paul Vogt Isabella Weisman

@THEROYALPAGE

Margaret Stelzner, Margaret O’Neil, and Margaret Abel, seniors, knit at their Monday morning club meeting. The Knitting Club has been working on making headbands and hats for Project Focus’ ‘Love and Glove’ care packages.

Photo by Maddie Malat

By Isabel Hall Staff Reporter

Adviser

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

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Compliments and suggestions are also welcome.

Every Monday at 7:15 in the morning, three Margarets sit around a table and knit.

Margaret Stelzner, senior, founded the HHS knitting club last year. There are two other active members of the club - Margaret O’Neil and Margaret Abel, seniors.

“I started to knit because my cousin taught me and I really enjoyed it so I thought it would be fun to start building a community for knitting at Hopkins,” Stelzner said.

Stelzner isn’t the only one who participates in the club because of her love for knitting.

“I love the satisfaction of making something and then being able to actually use it,” Abel said.

The Knitting Club is currently working on a project called ‘Love and Glove’ with Project Focus.

The project consists of putting together care packages that go in someone’s glove compartment in their car. The idea is that if they see a homeless person on the street, they can give them the care package.

“Because people are sometimes uncomfortable giving a homeless person money, this is a better alternative,” said Elayna Shapiro, senior and member of Project Focus.

Each member of the knitting club is knitting headbands and hats for each bag.

Each bag consists of a hat or a pair of gloves, two granola bars, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a list of nearby shelters, and a note written by some of the

students.

“Once we’ve put the packages together, we hand them out to the staff at HHS,” Shapiro said.

This is the first year Knitting Club has been apart of the ‘Love and Glove’ project.

“Last year we had discussed making a donation of knitted goods to a charity but did not have time. This year we really wanted to make it happen,” Stelzner said.

Project Focus was happy to work with the knitting club as well.

“We are so excited to work with the knitting club this year.

With their help we might be able to include a hat and gloves in each bag. Collaborating with other clubs is an easy and fun way to accomplish something.

We’re so glad they offered to help us this year,” Shapiro said.

the

feature 9 RP Thursday, December 19, 2013 Biking has no off-season for Peterson and Wothe

By Ruby Krietzman Staff Reporter

Simon Wothe, junior, bikes through the parking lot of HHS. Wothe has been biking everywhere since before eight grade.

Photo by Ruby Krietzman

A common complaint among Minnesotan drivers is driving in the winter, but Christian Peterson, senior, avoids this with an alternative mode of transportation.

Peterson bikes everywhere he goes: he began biking in the beginning of his junior year.

“It just started happening. I didn’t want to get a ride from my parents so I would bike there. It became a habit,” Peterson said.

Active transportation to school has been shown to improve academic performance and reduce stress throughout the day.

Peterson was inspired by a bike messenger that he befriended.

Generally, people are sur-

prised by Peterson’s approach to transportation.

“They usually respond along the lines of, ‘isn’t it cold?’ and, ‘don’t you get tired?” Peterson said, “The worst reactions that I get are from my friends in high school. They’ve tried to run me off the road a couple times.” “[The bike messenger] was kind of inspiring because I realized that people actually do this frequently,” Peterson said.

Peterson is not the only person who chooses an alternate way to get around.

Simon Wothe, junior, also uses biking as a convenient way to get from place to place.

“I started needing to get around to places and biking was the only way I could,” Wothe said.

Wothe started biking al-

most everywhere in the summer between seventh and eighth grade and has not stopped since.

On an average day, the farthest places that Wothe bikes to are school and work, each around three to five miles from his house.

“I bike for fitness and for the love of outdoors. Being outdoors is what makes it fun,” Wothe said.

Peterson and Wothe have received similar reactions from peers considering their traveling method.

“Some people think that I’m crazy, and others think that it’s good for the environment,” Wothe said.

HHS drivers: ice may not be the only thing you have to watch out for enroute to school.

Students like Wothe and Peter-

New in America: two Hmong students’ immigration stories

By Ellie Maag News Editor As a child, Mai Zoua Vang, junior, lived in a bamboo house in the Wat Tham Krabok refugee camp in Thailand. Vang’s family originally comes from Laos and crossed the Mekong River in 1975 to escape the Lao communist government.

There were no rules requiring her to go to school.

But that was before the move.

In 2004, Vang and her family migrated to Brooklyn Park.

However, they weren’t the only Hmong family to do so. According to the 2010 Minnesota census, the Hmong population has increased by 46 percent from 2000.

“We came here for protection and freedom. The police can help you here. If you weren’t rich, the police in Thailand weren’t helpful,” Vang said.

Four years later, Vang felt comfortable speaking English.

“The language barrier is hard. Trying to get used to both worlds and learn English is a hard life. I was in a bad environment for the first three years and didn’t learn anything,” Vang said.

In fifth grade, Vang moved into the Hopkins School District. She was able to graduate from the English Language Learners (ELL) program in seventh grade.

The ELL program focuses on teaching kids both social and academic language to work towards becoming independent in the American school system. Some languages, like Hmong and Thai, do not conjugate verbs at all. As a result, students like Vang had to learn grammar and English at the same time.

“These students have to move up more than a grade level a year. It’s hard to make that happen, and it can be disheartening. ELL students have to be some of the bravest, most resilient people to keep work-

ing at it,” said Ms. Melissa Brooks, ELL. For Vang, determination and a supportive family helped her advance to the same level as other students her age.

“Since fifth grade, I have learned more English than I ever could. Now, I’m struggling, but challenging myself,” Vang said.

Currently, Vang is taking honors and AP classes and plans on going to college.

“If I was in Thailand, I would be out in the fields farming. I never thought of education until we came here,” Vang said.

Na Lee Yang, junior, is another Hmong student who moved from Laos to the U.S. in 2007.

“My parents came here first to make money, then they decided to bring the whole family here because they noticed education was important. My brothers, sisters, and I lived in Thailand for four years with my older sister,” Yang said.

Although it’s different for everyone, it also took Yang four years to be able to engage in a conversation easily.

“English is the hardest thing I’ve ever learned. There are too many meanings you don’t know in our language.

You never finish learning English,” Yang said.

Yang now takes advanced classes like AP Calculus, and in order to prepare herself for college, Yang also intends to further her study of the English language.

While acclimating to an American lifestyle, Yang struggled to find her cultural identity.

“It’s hard to be a part of two different cultures.

Sometimes, your own people might not like what you’re doing and might see you differently. The Hmong culture is more strict, and American culture is more independent,” Yang said.

Before college, Yang

hopes to visit Laos one more time.

“It’s really fun in Laos.

Sometimes over there is better than here. There’s more freedom to go wherever you want.

But, education is more impor-

tant over here. Here, you go to school, come home, and go to school again,” Yang said.

However, Vang and Yang will keep setting higher goals.

“I’m proud of myself. But sometimes I’m still not proud.

I need to do better and become a better English learner before

Infographic by Phoebe Cohen and Callan Showers

Royal of the Month Tinesha Trogstad, senior

How does it feel to be December’s Royal of the Month?

It feels great, but a little weird. It’s awesome.

What is your easiest class?

This year, surprisingly, math is the easiest because my teacher is really good at explaining things.

What class has pushed you the hardest?

Creative writing. I was most motivated in that class.

RPThursday, December 19, 2013

the

10 sports

Pantoe leaves football behind Go

By Dan Sheldon Staff Reporter When it comes to sports, there are always choices in every aspect. It can be choosing between two colleges to play for, or it can be as small as going on a two mile run during winter break. But for one Royal athlete, his choice was between two sports.

“It’s not easy to play two varsity sports, just because, and this is true in all sports, its getting really hard to become really really good. Basketball is a very skill oriented game, and more than that, kids need to play in offseason AAU leagues. It’s hard to go from one sport to another after school and go to two practices a day,” said Mr. Ken Novak Jr., Social Studies and head basketball coach.

Josh Pantoe, senior, was starting for the Royals varsity football team as a sophomore.

“Josh certainly was a good player for us when he played, he started as a sophomore at defensive end, he was really explosive and a solid player. We did enjoy him was he was out playing football,” said Mr. John DenHartog, football head coach and Special Services.

The problem was that Josh had a passion for basketball that was far greater than his love for football. Starting basketball on the North Junior High team and then playing AAU for Ultimate Hoops Prep in 9th grade, something really sparked. He ended up quitting football to focus on basketball.

“I quit football because I wasn’t feeling it anymore, I wasn’t into it anymore, I didn’t have the love to play football.

For me, I like to do something that I love doing. If I don’t love playing something then I might as well not do it,” Pantoe said.

Another reason why Pantoe decided to quit was the interest colleges were showing him for basketball. Some would assume that Pantoe was better at football than basketball because of his starting role as a sophomore, but Pantoe disagrees.

“My first letter was from South Dakota State when I was in tenth grade, and I had a couple more calls from D2 schools.

I wasn’t getting any calls for football, so I was like, if I’m not getting any calls for football I might as well just stick to basketball,” said Pantoe.

Pantoe is on the varsity basketball team this season and has seen the floor in a couple games.

Unlike football, he doesn’t start and doesn’t get as many minutes, but playing basketball is more than the playing time for Pantoe.

“Even though I don’t get starting minutes, I’m still there to contribute to the team, help them out. Every time in practice I try to go hard to make the other players better,” said Pantoe.

Right now Pantoe is receiving interest letters for basketball from Crown College, South Dakota State, Hawaii, Wisconsin-Stout, and other D2 schools.

“Josh is a good basketball player, I don’t know what his furture is going to be, and our school is tougher to play because we have good players, if he played at St. Louis Park, he would’ve done very well because we have tougher players here,” Novak said.

Figure

.926 Save percentage for junior goalie Josh Kuehmichel for the HHS boys hockey team as of December 16

4 HHS girls hockey players that are in the top ten of points leaders in the Lake Conference

21

Straight wins for the HHS girls basketball team dating back to last season before losing Friday

96 Josh Pantoe, senior, tosses up a football and a basketball. Pantoe stopped playing football after his sophomore season to focus on basketball.

Students show spirit for biggest game yet

BOYS BASKETBALL Continued from Page 1 Numbers on the back ranged from -20 to dollar signs to a winking emoticon, and the nicknames were just as unique.

The game itself was a highly competitive affair, featuring several lead changes and momentum swings throughout.

A run from the Eagles to end the first half gave them a 53-45 lead.

In the second half, noise level in the Lindbergh Center reached its peak after the Royals took the lead late in the game after four consecutive three pointers from Jake Wright, senior captain.

“When Hopkins tied it up and gained the lead towards the end, it was wild,” Perkins said.

Hopkins second half lead wasn’t a long lasting one. After an Apple Valley timeout, the Eagles regained their composure and rallied off of the play of their point guard, Tyus Jones.

Jones, Apple Valley senior captain, proved why he is the most highly ranked high school basketball player in state history.

Treyvon Edwards, senior, goes up for a layup against Apple Valley. The Royals lost to Apple Valley 96-90 on Decmeber 10.

Photo by Maddie Malat Jones, who committed to play at Duke University on November 16, scored 34 points and had several highlight passes. His play, especially in the second half, was the main reason the

Royals suffered their first defeat of the season.

Bouncing back from their first loss of the season will require the Royals to improve in several aspects.

“Our rebounding and defense both need to show improvement if we want to reach our potential and reach our goal of winning a State championship,” Sharp said.

Points per game averaged by the HHS boys basketball team, the most in the Lake Conference. (Second place: Edina with 73 ppg) as of Dec. 16 Infographic by Kyle Makey

Photo by Roxy Krietzman

Scan QR code to watch HopkinsOn: Game Day for more game coverage

sports 11

the

RPThursday, December 19, 2013

Weight room sees increase in usage

By Will Cohen Staff Reporter The development of HHS athletes involves many different factors, including one unrecognized facility, the weight room. Located in the corner of the Lindbergh center, the weight room is a place for student athletes to go and further expand their athletic potential.

“It’s really important for me to push myself every time I’m in there because I know my teammates are counting on me to become a better player for the next football season,” said Bill Atkins, junior.

Despite the advantages that

the weight room brings to HHS athletics, there are improvements that could be made.

“I think that the weight room is really helpful, but I think it could be bigger. With all the sports teams in there at once, it’s hard to get to all of the machines and weights that I want to get in during my time in the weight room,” said Robbie Palkert, junior.

Being one of the more underappreciated contributors in the success of HHS athletics, most users of the weight room continually revisit the facility because they realize the benefits that the weight room provides.

“I’ve noticed consistent improvements in numerous athletes that continue to visit the weight room on organized schedule,” said Alex Luhring, hall para and assistant weight room manager.

Taking advantage of such a facility can increase the performance of HHS athletes and have a better chance at exelling.

With the weight room’s popularity rising, more athletes have encouraged teammates to utilize the weight room.

“With about 300 athletes coming in and out multiple times a week, we have a lack of needed equipment.” said Tom-

my Miller, strength and conditioning coach and weight room manager.

In addition, the weight room has a unique system where athletes can pick up a plan sheet with spaces to write down goals, total amounts of weight, and track their progress with strength. These plan sheets are designed differently for all sports, creating a logical and seperate workout for each athlete during his time in the weight room.

“This is extremely helpful especially because football can then focus on the muscles that are essential to football and

other sports athletes are able to focus on the muscles essential to their sport,” Luhring said.

Miller deals with many difficulties from being in charge of 300 athetes each and every day.

“The biggest issue we see is time management. How we can get athletes in and out in a timely manner with so many training in here every day,” Miller said.

In the upper corner of the facility, a white board with columns track the records that are held by athletes for each workout. Currently, Isaiah Kugmeh, junior, has his name boldly written under the 160-200 weight

class with 330Ibs in the bench press category.

“I like the system because it keeps a competitive vibe throughout the weight room.

When we’re battling each other for a spot up on the whiteboard, it’s a great motivator to lift more,” Atkins said.

The weight room continues to build and grow into a more popular place for HHS athletes to explore the true potential that each HHS athlete contains.

“Kids who come in here and are consistent and dedicated to the weight room, they've gotten stronger, bigger, faster, and they jump higher.” Miller said.

HHS wrestling team looks to build program

By Eli Badower Sports Editor The HHS wrestling team is at an inherent disadvantage.

Most wrestlers on the team have only a couple years of experience, as wrestlers on most teams have been wrestling for the majority of their lives.

However, Marcus Levesseur, hall para and head coach, will not let this disadvantage become an excuse for the Royals.

“Our wrestlers experience level isn’t as high as a traditional high school wrestlers is. A traditional wrestler probably has seven to eleven years of wresling

experience, while my guys have two to three years of experience.

That is a disadvantage for us, but we make up for that with our hard work and never-backdown attitude,” Levesseur said.

Noah Sattler, senior captain, qualified for the State tournament last year. He will try to bring his wrestling experience to a team that needs it.

“I try to bring confidence because we lack a lot of that.

We lack a lot of experience and having people around who have been around the sport for a long time gives the team confidence to go out there and perform,”

Sattler said.

A key aspect of the varsity team is actually the wrestling programs in years before that.

The elementary and junior high programs have become more of a focus recently for varsity coaches, and have increased in popularity this year, which should lead to an increase in experienced wrestlers for the varsity team in the future.

“The last few years we have focused on the junior highs to try to recruit some of those guys to leave the basketball court and come join wrestling. It’s been working out the past couple

years and we have been able to produce a lot of talented wrestlers over the last four years that are now freshmen and sophomores,” Levesseur said.

The Royals have set high goals for themselves this season, setting their eyes on reaching the State meet as a team.

“It may be a far-fetched goal, but I say anything is possible.

We are not the favorites by any means, but thats our goal. We want to set our goals high so we are constantly working to get even closer to reach that goal,” Levesseur said.

Levesseur wants the Royals

to be aggressive and physical this year. The team’s motto this year is “Show up. Dominate. Go home.” This would help create a certain mentality around the team that they have not had in years past.

“We want to let our opponents know that when they wrestle anybody from Hopkins, they are going to be in a war. Whether they lose to us or beat us, if we see that opponent again, they are going to remember that last fight. I want teams to see us and say ‘Jeez, we have Hopkins there? Those boys are tough, they just don’t give up,”

Heiberg stays afloat in multiple sports

Levesseur said.

Sattler sees many differences from previous years, which encourages him about this season.

“The past couple years we lacked commitment in the wrestling room. We had people who were not showing up to every practice. This year people are here everyday, they are trying to get better, and this is something they are really passionate about.

Everybody in the wrestling room knows that we are better than last year and that we have people that really want to win,” Sattler said.

Spotlight Athlete

By Julia Jallo Staff Reporter For many, being on one varsity sport would be enough of an accomplishment and time commitment, but Kaelynn Heiberg, senior, wanted more.

Since seventh grade, Heiberg has been part of the varsity Nordic Ski team, and is currently this year’s captain.

Along with Nordic, Heiberg also participates with the Twin Cities rowing team (TCYR).

Rowing is currently represented through clubs. TCYR is made up of athletes from over 35 high schools in the Twin Cities metro area. Depending on the season, they could have anywhere from 40-100 athletes at each practice. Of those athletes, 25 make up the varsity squad, with four to eight rowers per boat.

Heiberg’s success with both sports led her to a decision of which one she wanted to continue throughout her college career.

While deciding, there were two main factors that influenced her decision; opportunity and price. She decided to continue rowing.

“Nordic is really limited, and they normally only take people who are at the Olympic level, and I wasn’t quite there yet. There are more opportu-

Kaelynn Heiberg, senior, rows in a competition for Twin Cities rowing team. Heiberg committed to the University of Iowa for rowing.

Photo provided by Kaelynn Heiberg

nities for rowing, and if you’re a woman, you have a 50 percent chance of getting a scholarship,” Heiberg said.

After considering many schools, Heiberg landed a scholarship with the University of Iowa for rowing.

“There is such a positive atmosphere. Everyone was really excited to be there, and on top of that they have good school spirit,” Heiberg said.

Nordic and rowing have sev-

eral differences, including the individual nature of nordic and the team nature of rowing.

“Nordic is more of an individual sport, and if you mess up, it’s only you who messes up. In rowing you’re with eight other people so it comes down on all of them too,” said Heiberg.

Although Heiberg believes rowing has more pressure, she says the atmosphere during practices is what made her fall in love with the sport.

“The first day I went, everyone introduced themselves right away, and they were all so nice, and I really love that after the workout, I just feel happy, and really healthy,” Heiberg said.

Heiberg’s rowing teammate, Lola Heimlich, sophomore has been on the team for three years, and says Kaelynn has a significant impact on the team.

“Kaelynn is definitely the most fun person on the team.

She’s always making people

smile, and she is a huge leader.

Everyone looks up to her, and she is always in the top boat,” Heimlich said.

Mr. Robert Fuhr, Media Arts and head coach of the Nordic team, has known Heiberg for five years.

“She’s always been a hard worker. She’s grown up, and gotten a lot stronger and athletic over the years, and has become more serious about becoming a division one athlete,” Fuhr said.

Carston Hernke Grade: 11 Sport: Swimming Pre Game Routine: Eating a good meal and listening to music.

Favorite Memory: “Spending time with my teammates on bus rides to away meets.”

RPThursday, December 19, 2013

the

12 backpage

The Royal Page explores corners of the school to display rooms most students have yet to discover.

THE

In the back corner of the Music Department, students learn how to construct songs with high-tech recording equipment.

“The reality is that this is the technology that if you wanted to go into the recording industry, you would find it in most studios. This gives kids the first hand opportunity to learn how to use some of the equipment,” said Mr. Mark Czech, Music Department.

Hoping to pursue a musical career, Elijah Winstead, junior, has benefited from using the recording studio in Music Technology.

“Music is my heartbeat, and taking this class has allowed me to get a better view of how this career path will progress in college and later on in life,” Winstead said.

With complete focus on their mixing and recording of sounds, Music Technology students generate a productive atmosphere. “It’s quiet because it’s one of the only places in the building where it’s not just a computer lab, it’s actually a lab where kids always have their headphones on, so its like they’re in cubicles, only listening to what they are doing,” Czech said.

The Music Technology lab offers an alternative music experience for students.

“In the grand scheme of music education, there are traditional music programs, band, orchestra, and choir, and outside of that there are very few places where kids can get other music experiences.” Czech said.

THE WOOD

With more demand on students earning credits, Mr. Dan Roden, Technology Education, feels that his Woodworking classes are not as popular as they used to be, but still just as beneficial.

“It’s a real problem-solving class because once students decide what they want to make, they have to figure out what materials and tools they need. It also gives kids confidence with tools. A lot of people are afraid to use tools, so they are unable to fix their own things,” Roden said.

After graduating, students recognize the value of lessons taught in Woodworking. “Having hands-on experience is important because students discover making things is not as easy as they think it would be.” Roden said.

Current students at HHS also appreciate the Woodworking classes. “I like how the class is very collaborative, and everyone is willing to help each other,” said Zhintars Lachkaya, junior.

“Many years ago, there were many farm families, and on the farm, kids had to fix things because they couldn’t drive into town,” Roden said. “Now, there is less opportunity for kids to be in a situation where they have to problem solve. Woodworking is an opportunity for students to get their hands on things and understand how they work.”

SHOP

RECORDING STUDIO

WITHIN THE

CORNERS OF HHS

Top Left: Music Technology students mix sounds in the Recording Studio. The Recording Studio is limited to 30 students.

Top Right: 25 students of Woodworking 1 and eight students of Woodworking 2 collaborate during fourth block in the woodshop. Mr. Roden has never experienced any serious injuries while teaching in the Woodshop.

Bottom: Mainly AP Photogrpahy students learn a skill in quality, craftsmanship, and artistic sensibilities in the Dark Room. The AP Photogrpahy course is only offerd first semester.

Photos by Maddie Malat

THE

Although the dark room is a difficult, time-consuming, and expensive room to operate, Advance Placement Photography students enjoy developing black and white film and understanding the meaning of camera settings in this environment.

The dark room is an old technology that is seemingly disappearing, but Mr. Rob Fuhr, Technology Education, continues to believe it has value for AP students.

“Many of these AP kids will have photography as more than just a hobby in their life, and maybe use cameras for a living. To have that experience in the dark room is valuable because the print that you get in black and white has a magical intriguing presence with an infinite depth that digital print doesn’t have,” Fuhr said.

Students testify to Fuhr’s conclusion about the value of film photography.

DARK ROOM

“I like film more than digital photography because of the experiment and process it entails. Our generation is really dependent on technology and having things instantaneously without thinking about the process,” said Alexis Dorfman, junior.

Because it is an old technology, there inevitably are technological issues in the dark room. “Issues occur in the dark room, but they are beneficial, rather than harmful, for students because they help students understand the actual process and science of photography,” Fuhr said.

Fuhr achieved his goal of allowing students to appreciate film photography.

“The dark room has taught me to be present in the moment and appreciate the world around you because we are not really conscious about our surroundings,” Dorfman said.

Tobie Soumekh is the Backpage Editor for the Royal Page