Echo issue 11

Echo

TEACHER PLANS SPAIN TRIP

BOYS’ BASEBALL IMPROVES

PARKS THRILL DOG OWNERS

Department hopes for more Spanish immersion PAGE 4

Team’s season record better than previous years PAGE 8

Warm spring weather renews outdoor excitement PAGE 12

Monday, June 6, 2016 Volume 89 Issue 11 St. Louis Park High School 6425 W. 33rd Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Legislature fails to provide money for light rail

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SLPECHO.COM

Stations in St. Louis Park 1 Beltline Boulevard 2 Louisiana Avenue 3 Wooddale Avenue

State requires $135 million for construction Raphy Gendler raphygendler@slpecho.com

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awmakers were unable to pass a bonding or transportation bill to fund construction of the Southwest Light Rail Transit project as the legislative session ended May 22, according to the Star Tribune.

The end of the legislative session leaves Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) without necessary funding.

Construction on the $1.79 billion project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2017, according to Metropolitan Council spokesman John Welbes. Half the funds are set to come from the federal government, according to the Metropolitan Council.

Democrats are disappointed with the lack of a transportation bill and the legislature’s inability to handle the $900 million budget surplus, according to MPR News.

SWLRT will operate out of downtown Minneapolis and run through St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie, according to the Metropolitan Council.

There will be three stations in St. Louis Park: Louisiana Avenue, Wooddale Avenue and Beltline Boulevard.

However, according to a Finance and Commerce report, if the state doesn’t provide the $135 million by July 1, the project may lose its federal funding.

St. Louis Park mayor Jake Spano said he felt disappointed in the legislature for not providing funding for SWLRT. “It was incredibly disappointing that after months and years of work and years worth of support from everyone, from the transit-oriented folks to the environmental folks to the business community, that the funds weren’t secured,” Spano said.

The Metropolitan Council said it plans for funding to come from a combination of federal, state and local money.

Especially since SWLRT has had difficulty gaining support in Greater Minnesota, Spano said he supports a transit tax to pay for SWLRT where counties who would benefit from SWLRT. “The feds don’t care necessarily if the state ponies up this 135 million bucks. They want to know if someone locally will pay,” Spano said.

Spano said SWLRT had widespread support from all impacted cities.

Proposed budget makeup Other Contributions $755 Million “Support was deep and wide and yet it still didn’t get across the finish line. This is far from over,” Spano said.

Spano said Senator Ron Latz insisted he wouldn’t pass a transportation bill that didn’t include SWLRT. “Senator Ron Latz had been saying for months there would be no bonding or transit bill that didn’t include Southwest,” Spano said. “So when the bill came over from the House Sunday night at the last minute, I think everyone was surprised it didn’t include Southwest.”

In the following statement, the Metropolitan Council expressed its frustration that the legislature did not fund light rail transit: “It is immensely disappointing that state lawmakers were unable to find a real, long-term solution for our transportation and transit needs. Despite broad support for transit funding, the Republican-led House and Speaker (Kurt) Daudt refused to include a SWLRT solution in the bonding bill.”

State Contribution $135 Million Federal Contribution Photo Illustration Heather Westwood $900 Million Infographic Alyssa LeMay Source Metropolitan Council

Spano said it is important for the state to provide the funding.

Set to open in 2020, expansion of Metro Transit light rail into St. Louis Park jumped a hurdle May 13, when the Federal Transit Administration published the final environmental document, according to the Metropolitan Council.

According to Welbes, the 17,000 page document answers citizens’ questions regarding noise impacts, change in wetlands and plans for mitigation of environmental impacts.

“At this point the state needs to step forward and make a commitment to transportation and transit. Without that money the project doesn’t go forward,” Spano said.

Gov. Mark Dayton has not yet officially called a special session, although some legislators are expecting one.

Graduation Seniors prepare to move on, leave community When 7:30 p.m. June 8

Where Bad weather: Students received tickets for the old gym Nice weather: High School Stadium

Speaker Elise Hernandez Infographic Lauren VonEschen Source Eileen Lee

Distinguished alumna to address grads Samuel Orloff & Sydney Hall samuelorloff@slpecho.com sydneyhall@slpecho.com

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enior Totoram Brijmohan won’t only receive his diploma June 8 at Graduation, he’ll also introduce Elise Hernandez, Park alumna and CEO of Ideal System Solutions, Inc., to speak to the class of 2016.

“When I found out I was going to introduce Ms. Hernandez, I felt really excited,” Brijmohan said.

“I admire the way she, as a Park graduate, was able to start her

own company.”

As an avid member of Park Tech who also takes the A+ Computer Technician elective, Brijmohan said Hernandez inspires him.

“After high school, I plan on going into IT or computer science,” Brijmohan said. “I would very much like to be like her one day, maybe even work for her.”

Hernandez said in an email interview she felt excited to address the graduates.

“When I received notice that I had been selected to receive this award, I was quite surprised, but also extremely honored.

Looking back 31 years, which is when I was graduated from St. Louis Park High School, I would not have imagined that I would

someday be selected for such an award,” Hernandez said.

Eileen Lee, administrative assistant to the assistant principal, said the ceremony will commence at the high school stadium, weather permitting. According to Lee, in the event of bad weather, graduation will be in the old gym.

Senior counselor Heidi Cosgrove said weather at Graduation can vary significantly each year.

“I have had graduations where it has been unbearably hot and others where I’ve had my winter coat on,” Cosgrove said. “I just want it to be perfect weather even if that means I’m doing my sunshine dance.”

According to Cosgrove, seating is unlimited if Graduation is

outside. Meyers said if graduation is indoors, there will be limited seating in the old gym and Auditorium.

Meyers said that regardless of venue, Graduation will include accessible entrances and seating.

Meyers said students should not wear shoes that could damage the turf, such as heels.

“If there’s a separate piece where it could go down into the artificial turf, we ask our graduates not to (wear those shoes),” Meyers said. “I kind of hope (family members) are in flip-flops, and it’s sunny and they can relax and just take it in while the graduates are all dressed up.”

Graduation is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. June 8.

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NEWS

Echo Monday, June 6, 2016

WEB PREVIEW

(The Meadowbrook program) is a good idea because it helps get low-income communities involved in extracurriculars.

Jackson Sokolowski, junior Speak out: Sophomore Lukas Wrede speaks to City Council during a meeting March 21 regarding Roots and Shoots’ mission to pass a St. Louis Park climate inheritance plan.

The council unanimously passed the bill during a meeting May 16.

Photo Mira Swartz

Track prepares for Sections and State Senior Conrad Phelan races May 18 at Richfield High School during the Metro West conference meet.

Boys’ track coach Chris Nordstrom said he felt impressed with the team’s performance.

“We’ve had a lot of kids have personal bests and really come a long way as far as improving and learning a lot about the sport,” Nordstrom said.

The team’s Sections match took place at 9:30 a.m. June 2 at Hamline University.

Elise Riley eliseriley@slpecho.com

Photo Devin Raynor

Climate inheritance bill implemented Youth help shape future of environment Alec Pittman alecpittman@slpecho.com

S Photo Josh Halper

Group continues peer counseling

Natural Helpers adviser Allison Luskey addresses the Natural Helpers during a meeting.

Luskey said the club hopes to expand in the future. “(Natural Helpers has) more peer counselors and students seeking help than we have had in previous years. The Natural Helpers really increased in size and we plan to continue growing the club in the upcoming years,” Luskey said.

Kate Huber katehuber@slpecho.com

ophomore Roots and Shoots member Lukas Wrede said he feels the recent passing of a climate bill displays St. Louis Park as a role model to other cities.

The City Council passed a long-term resolution for St. Louis Park focusing on environmental improvement and ways to provide a cleaner future for the city’s youth May 16.

Wrede said the passage of the resolution demonstrates a

huge step forward for the city.

“I think it is momentous for the city. (Roots and Shoots) worked really hard on getting it passed,” Wrede said. “It makes me happy to see the club getting its ideas out into the city.”

Larry Kraft, executive director of iMatter, an environmental youth organization, said the resolution puts St. Louis Park on the right track environmentally.

“It really sets us on the path to be a leader. I think it will also put us on the path to raising awareness among the community that climate change is not some far off thing,” Kraft said.

According to Wrede, many aspects of the resolution will

Echowan hands out yearbook

Junior Echowan staffer Hannah Ellingson hands out a copy of this year’s yearbook during lunch June 1.

Senior editor-in-chief Madeline Djerf said she hopes future staffers similar opportunities she had.

“I hope for next year they have the same relationship with their editors and class that I did with my editors because making a yearbook is supposed to be a fun thing, and it’s something you want to work on with your friends,” Djerf said.

Alec Pittman alecpittman@slpecho.com For more content go to slpecho.com twitter.com/slpecho facebook.com/slpecho

the city on climate change,” Mavity said. “This is what we very much consider a longterm commitment to doing better about this.”

Kraft said youth have an important role in changing the future of the environ- Main ideas in ment. new bill “I think • Reduce greenhouse that (youth) gases have a huge • Use renewable energy role in this. • Improve waste (Youth’s) management voice • Plan to get to zero net emissions by 2040 matters a tremendous Infographic Daniella Etzion Source iMatter Youth amount (in these kind of issues),” Kraft said. “Being a leader in this will attract people to (Park) long-term.”

Middle School to provide summer theater program Elementary students to be given educational opportunity Jayne Stevenson jaynestevenson@slpecho.com

Photo Josh Halper

focus on smaller things the public may not recognize.

“It’ll impact Park in a lot of ways we won’t be able to see,” Wrede said. “There will be small things like, different electricity being used.”

According to Kraft, putting the resolution into action takes hard work and a thoughtful effort.

“There is a lot to do to get a really effective climate action plan. What I would love to see is a real focus on implementing it,” Kraft said.

City Council member Anne Mavity said the resolution has no set timeline.

“The timeline is a very long-term timeline. (What) the committee wants to do is create a long-term plan for

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illian Zumberge, director of the St. Louis Park Middle School theater program, remembers feeling inspired to begin a two-week theater program with students from Meadowbrook after watching children sing in a concert last year.

Zumberge said the musical theater class at the middle school showed her how theater can impact students’ soft skills, such as kindness.

“I thought, ‘how can we go out and offer some opportunities during the summer to some of our kids who maybe wouldn’t be able to access that as easily as other kids?’” Zumberge said.

According to Zumberge, high school students may volunteer for the theater program.

Junior Lauren VonEschen said she plans, along with senior Harry Steffenhagen, on volunteering for the program this summer.

She said her participation in theater sparked her interest.

“I’m really into theater and I do it a lot. In school, I do all the productions so I think it’d be cool to over the summer

to stay involved and to be able to do theater from a different aspect,” VonEschen said.

Zumberge said the aim of the twoweek summer camp involves two different parts.

“The idea is that the elementary-aged children living in Meadowbrook, who work with the Meadowbrook Collaborative, will have the opportunity to do a production that will be run by the middle school theater organization,” Zumberge said.

VonEschen said she hopes for participation in the program from many younger students, regardless of their previous exposure to theater.

“The show’s ‘Willy Wonka,’ so I hope that a lot of students can get involved,” VonEschen said. “My expectations are that there are people involved and just that a lot of students come whether they’re experienced or not.”

The summer program runs from Aug. 8-19 and is free to participants.

Both morning and evening performances take place Aug. 19 at the high school Auditorium.

Performances are free, although donations are accepted.

High school students interested in volunteering for the program can “like” the St. Louis Park Middle School theater Facebook page to receive updates or view the page to find information at the end of the school year.

Photo Abby Hickstein

Belting it: Senior Harry Steffenhagen rehearses for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Steffenhagen will volunteer for the theater program this summer.

Meadowbrook summer camp What Two-week theater summer camp When Aug. 8-19, with performances Aug. 19 Where High School Auditorium Infographic Hannah Wolk Source Lillian Zumberge

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(Media Center staff) really do their job, and they care about students getting the most quality education inside the Media Center.”

Hadeal Rizeq, sophomore

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STUDENT LIFE Echo Monday, June 6, 2016

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Libraries are places I feel happy. I am a huge fan of reading and teaching people to be the best researchers.”

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I would like the media center to be welcoming, and I want students to feel welcomed here and feel safe to be here.”

Deb Sparling, media assistant

Ellen George, media specialist

Photo Josh Halper

Check it out: Media specialist Ellen George works with senior Vanessa Schmidt during fifth hour June 1. George said she enjoys helping students with research.

Get booked at the Media Center Media Center personnel share love of reading Hannah Goldenberg & Katie Orton hannahgoldenberg@slpecho.com katieorton@slpecho.com

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ince completing library media school in 2003, media specialist Ellen George has always felt at home in Park’s library.

“Libraries are places I feel happy,” George said. “I am a huge fan of reading and teaching people to be the best researchers.”

According to George, no day working in the library is the same.

“The job is different every day,” George said. “Some days I teach information literacy skills or respond to direct requests of research assistance. I also speak to classes about our databases and try to make them convenient for readers and researchers to get the best links right there in one place.”

When media assistant Deb Sparling arrives at school every morning at 7 a.m., the first tasks she completes are to turn on the computers and print out the schedule for computer lab usage.

“I am here to help students check out books, to help them find books — just to be here, monitor and assist and check passes and help teachers with whatever they need,” Sparling said.

Sparling said she has worked in the district for at least 15 years.

“I love working in the schools,” Sparling said. “I started volunteering in the media center at Peter Hobart El-

ementary when my children were there for 10 years before I started working in the Media Center. I just love reading.

I love books, and I like to be around kids.”

Sparling said her job gets tough when it’s busy in the Media Center.

“I want to do everything that needs to be done, but sometimes it is difficult when I am working alone, which I am quite often, trying to get everything done that needs to be done,” Sparling said.

“I am not a perfectionist, but I want to have things orderly and taken care of, and sometimes it is difficult, and I have a hard time with that.”

Senior Elana Leahy said she has found the Media Center staff very helpful when looking for specific genres.

“They were really helpful when I was looking for a specific drama book,” Leahy said.

Junior Ben Mai said Park’s library is different than other schools in that the Media Center staff are welcoming.

“I move schools a lot, and this is the only library that I’ve found you can play chess, which is pretty interesting because I love chess,” Mai said. “My old schools didn’t have libraries that you could ask the staff for help, but you can here.”

George said she wants to encourage students to read more often and utilize the resources in the Media Center.

“I would like to entice more nonreaders into reading, support readers we already have and would like for there to be more spreading of news of the academic research resources that we do have,” George said.

Sparling, who is an avid reader — reading approximately three books a

week during the school year and five a week during the summer — said she wants to spread her love of reading with students.

“I think that this is a welcoming place. I would like the Media Center to be welcoming, and I want students to feel welcomed here and feel safe to be here,” Sparling said.

Mai said he enjoys the calm energy and sense of community in the library.

“I feel like it’s more localized and I feel more comfortable here, actually,” Mai said. “It’s a fun place.”

Sparling said the Media Center organizes the space according to genre to help students find a particular book or author they like and continue reading that same type of book.

“If they read a particular genre, if they like supernatural or science fiction or mystery, then it is easier, once you have found a book you liked, to continue reading the same author or the same type of genre,” Sparling said.

George said, though the Media Center has a great variety of books to check out, some series are more popular among students than others.

“We get huge readership with graphic novels,” George said. “Particularly manga — that’s what’s popular here.”

Sparling said she encourages students to continue reading during the summer to keep their minds sharp.

“I read a lot of series, books that continue on the same storyline so it pulls you back in. I recommend students find a series or storyline they like and follow it through the summer,” Sparling said.

“It keeps you active, and engaged, and reading, and it is something positive.”

Books to read during the summer “13 Reasons Why” by Jay Asher “It shows insights of teens who are bullied or have troubles in their lives.”

Alyssa Strobel, sophomore

“The Universe in a Nutshell” by Stephen Hawking “It was simple enough to read and still understand the complexities of modern day physics.”

Xavier Morris, senior

“The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” by Sherman Alexie “The novel’s stylistics, with a freeform feel, come together to create a such a beautiful book.”

Simon Lewin, junior Infographic Hanna Schechter

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FEATURES Echo Monday, June 6, 2016

For what it’s WORTH Katie Orton katieorton@ slpecho.com

Grin proudly with gaps

In the SPOTLIGHT

Business creates opportunities

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hen I was in kindergarten, we had a poster in our classroom with everyone’s names on it. When someone lost a tooth, they got to put a sticker by their name. By the end of the year, everyone had a sticker by their name except for me.

By first grade, my classmates had new smiles growing and I was still stuck with my baby teeth. Then, I lost my first tooth — but instead of a new one replacing it, nothing grew.

After a series of X-rays and a very passionate mother, we discovered I was missing several adult teeth.

At the time, it didn’t seem like a big deal because many kids had gaps in their smiles.

However, classmates commented on how tiny some of my teeth were and I started to feel self-conscious about my smile.

In fifth grade, I was able to get a flipper tooth attached to my braces, and the feeling of not fitting in went away. Then, everyone got their braces off.

I grew jealous of my friends as they came to school with straight, bright teeth. When it came time for me to get my braces off, I knew I wouldn’t have the same experience. My reality was returning to school with two What’s the clunky retainPOINT? ers with Accept the slightly qualities off-white that make fake teeth you different built in.

I hated how my friends could take their retainers off whenever they wanted without feeling self-conscious.

Since my situation was unusual for my age, my periodontist ended up shaving off my baby teeth. I’ll never forget the terror I felt as I watched particles of my teeth fly into the air. I left the office with a feeling that this wouldn’t be a quick fix.

As I became used to wearing my retainers, I began to forget I was even wearing them. That didn’t last long though; classmates asked questions about why some teeth were different colors and I became fixated on my teeth and everyone else’s.

When I entered high school, I realized my teeth were something unique to me, so I started talking about them. By doing so, I found out that I wasn’t alone. Whether it was a science teacher, my best friend’s mom or a classmate’s cousin, other people were in similar situations.

By sharing my quirk with others and understanding how it makes me unique, I have come to terms with my toothlessness.

The Spain trip is cool because they experience places with people you go to school with.

Jamie Colleran-Skov, junior

Brendan Lindstrom, sophomore

When did you first start your lawn mowing business?

Last month.

How many lawns do you mow in a season?

At least 20 a week.

What inspired you to first start your lawn mowing business?

I just want to work for myself and it sounds like fun.

Who else is involved in the business with you?

It’s mainly me right now, but during the summer I am going to have some friends help out.

How do you advertise your business or get the word out?

Originally I got 2,500 fliers and I was going to put those all out, but I didn’t get many calls. I (am now) online and (use) word of mouth.

What do you hope to accomplish in the long run for your business? How will you do that?

I hope to accomplish a wellorganized business that is able to successfully service and satisfy an array of customers with vary-

Photo Josh Halper Trim the lawn: Sophomore Brendan Lindstrom mows a lawn June 2. With a good mix of both sun and rain, Lindstrom said he has a sufficient amount of lawns to mow. ing needs. I will accomplish this through hard work and specifically expanding my customer base as well as capital owned.

What makes your business different from any other lawn mowing businesses?

I do it the right way the first time.

Do you only mow lawns or do you include other services in your business?

Basically stuff like (mowing lawns) and small landscaping projects.

How much time do you put into your business?

Almost every single day. A lot of hours.

What makes mowing lawns enjoyable for you?

Having the freedom of being able to do what I want and manage it how I want.

Where do you plan to advertise your business?

Mainly Fern Hill, but some areas in Golden Valley and other areas around SLP. What do you look forward to in managing your own business and having the freedom of running it?

I like having the power to make the decisions that I know will make a positive impact on the way I operate, and service to my customers.

What would you say is your biggest promise or guarantee to your customers?

If they aren’t happy with my work, I will do whatever it takes to make it right or your money back.

Who has supported you throughout starting your business? How have they done that?

My girlfriend has been very helpful with my business as well as my mother who helped putting numbers into spreadsheets and organizing them.

Alec Pittman alecpittman@slpecho.com

Park students to travel to Spain this summer Trip provides opportunity for immersion in Spanish Jayne Stevenson jaynestevenson@slpecho.com

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ith less than a month awaiting the departure of 26 Park students to Spain, senior Marco Salazar feels more and more nervous about leaving the country for the first time.

Salazar said he hopes to gain knowledge of Spain’s culture and the way the country functions.

“I want to learn how their culture is, because me being Mexican I know Mexican heritage, and just the culture in general — how they do stuff, why they do it,” Salazar said.

Spanish teacher and trip chaperone Jane Hudacek said the trip consists of visits to multiple cities and a host stay with Spanish families. She said students wrote letters to their host families.

“Based on this introductory letter, families read over the letters and then picked a student who they thought would be a good match for their family,” Hudacek said.

Similar to Salazar, junior Siona

Kelly has never lived with a host family before. Kelly said she has mixed emotions about it.

“I’m both nervous and excited for staying with my host family because there’s a 13-year-old girl, so I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to relate to her, but that will be really exciting to meet new people,” Kelly said.

Hudacek said the trip will expose students to immersion in Spanish through different activities and their host family stay.

“The main idea is to improve linguistic competence, global awareness and to establish a personal relationship with somebody in a different country,” Hudacek said.

Although Salazar said he is excited to visit Spain, some aspects of the trip make him anxious.

“I’m not really a meeting-new(people) type of person, so it’s just kind of scary because I’m going to be miles away from home, I’m not going to know anyone in this country and all of my friends are scattered around Spain with their host families,” Salazar said.

According to Hudacek, preparation for the trip has come through meetings, workshops and fundraising.

Used with written permission from Hanna Anderson

Travel abroad: Spanish students embarking on the Spain trip take a group picture for their GoFundMe account last winter.

“Students have been preparing presentations about the different places we are going to be visiting and cultural aspects that we’re going to be learning about,” Hudacek said.

Hudacek said the trip should affect students in multiple ways.

“They should expect to have a lot of fun and to be challenged both linguistically and personally,” Hudacek said. “They’ll learn a lot during their travel portion, but more importantly, they’ll be exposed to new sights, sounds and people during their family stay.”

The Spain trip will take place from June 15 to July 1.

Where they are going Madrid Segovia Toledo Sevilla Grenada Mucia

Infographic Jayne Stevenson Source Jane Hudacek

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Scholarships are important because they allow wider access to education.

Hadeal Rizeq, sophomore

FEATURES Echo Monday, June 6, 2016

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Zoe Leuthner

Jamie Halper

Hannah Goldenberg

Jackson Eilers

Maggie Coleman

Jonah Kupritz

Max Kent

Advice to underclassmen: Hold yourself accountable.

What kept her motivated: I just did not want to have regrets knowing I could have done better.

Best high school memory: The Puerto Rico band trip.

Her thoughts on leaving high school: It is kind of bittersweet, but I am happy to start the next chapter of my life.

Fun fact: I am genetically missing a tooth on the bottom.

Celebrity crush: Liam Hemsworth

Advice to underclassmen: Put time and effort into things because it ends up being worth it. It can make you more successful.

Best high school memory: Swim team sleepovers.

Her thoughts on leaving high school: I am excited to get out of the bubble and see what the real world looks like.

Fun fact: I only eat the pink jellybeans.

I will go through the bag and pick out only the pink ones.

Celebrity crush: Hillary Clinton and Matt Damon

What are you looking forward to: I don’t know many people going to Northwestern from Minnesota. It is exciting that I get to start fresh.

Advice to underclassmen: Sometimes things don’t work out, but it always ends up being right.

Best high school memory: Getting the “top of the food chain” T-shirt in AP environmental science freshman year. Not to brag, but I actually won it three times.

Fun fact: I love my dog, Gilly. She is my life.

Celebrity crush: Chace Crawford or Ed Westwick ... you know you love them.

Best high school memory: Going to state with the Nordic team for the past few years.

Advice to underclassmen: Working hard is good, but you need to find a balance between fun and hard work because it is good to enjoy high school.

His thoughts leaving high school: I’m really excited to move to the next part of my life. It will be sad to leave everything I’ve grown up with but the memories will stay forever.

Fun fact: I can’t dunk yet.

Celebrity crush: Natalie Portman

Advice to underclassmen: Don’t freak out about grades. It is important, but it is not the be-all to end-all.

Best high school memory: After the Homecoming game last year and getting midnight ice cream and hot cocoa at Sebastian Joe’s with my friends.

Her thoughts on leaving high school: I am excited that I did not apply to any schools in Minnesota, so to get out and see things outside of Minnesota.

Fun fact: I applied to a school in Scotland that I got accepted to.

Celebrity crush: Oscar Isaac

Advice to underclassmen: Keep things in perspective. Step back and realize everything is alright.

Best high school memory: I have walked into the wrong classroom several times and gotten carrots thrown at me in the lunchroom.

His thoughts on leaving high school: I am excited to go onto the next chapter, meet new people and learn new things.

Fun fact: I love infectious diseases. I spend a good chunk of my free time on the CDC website, but not enough.

Celebrity crush: Rachel Carson

Advice to underclassmen: Never lose sight of what you want to do.

Best high school memory: My first high school soccer game. It introduced me to things that happen in high school.

His thoughts on leaving high school: It is a safety net. You have people around you that are willing to put you in the best position to succeed.

Fun fact: I watch Netflix in the shower.

I put a waterproof case on my phone.

Sometimes I don’t because it is risky.

Celebrity crush: Camilla Cabello and Selena Gomez

Meet the

VALEDICTORIANS

Sari Hattis sarihattis@slpecho.com

Photo Illustration Heather Westwood & Celene Koller

Activities & AWARDS

Teacher-nominated awards celebrate personal attributes Ceremony aims to recognize achievements Raphy Gendler raphygendler@slpecho.com

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fter working hard to improve her grades, freshman Elly Starkweather said she felt a great sense of accomplishment.

“It was a good feeling being recognized for the work I did,” Starkweather said.

The Student Recognition Ceremony gave awards to 40 students May 20, according to health teacher Allison Luskey, one of the organizers of the event.

“Parents, families, (and) some

friends of those students came and really got to hear what the individual has done to stand out and to really shine,” Luskey said.

Starkweather said she was recognized for improving her academic approach.

“I started participating and turning in work on time,” Starkweather said.

At the ceremony, awardees’ families and friends gathered as teachers recognized students.

Principal Scott Meyers spoke at the event, which aimed to recognize students who stand out for personal traits, such as kindness, leadership and respect.

“The purpose of it is to recognize students that really stand out and (...) to recognize that while grades are important

and GPA is important, what probably is just as important is your character and who you are,” Luskey said. “This is an opportunity to recognize kids who maybe demonstrate, on a regular basis kindness, and leadership and resilience and respect, and they really stick out to us as staff.”

Luskey and special education teacher Amy Groom distributed nomination forms for teachers to recognize students for improvement, effort and other characteristics.

Luskey said it is important for students to be recognized.

“A lot of kids could have been recognized and these particular students just really stood out for staff and they deserve to be recognized because they make our

jobs better,” Luskey said.

Luskey said the ceremony was meaningful and emotional for teachers, students and families.

“The teacher or staff person introduced the student and (said) why they were taking the time to recognize them,” Luskey said. “I would say for a lot of the staff, it’s one of the favorite events because it’s just really inspiring.”

Starkweather said parents of award recipients were proud.

“All parents are proud of anything their kids win,” Starkweather said.

Luskey said many staff describe the ceremony as a highlight of their year.

“It’s one of the favorite events because it’s just really inspiring,” Luskey said.

Teachers recognize students Who

40 students received awards

When What

May 20 Awards were handed out to students who displayed regular acts of kindness, leadership and respect.

Infographic Hanna Schechter Source Allison Luskey

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IN-DEPTH

Echo Monday, June 6, 2016

(Graduation is) awesome, but it’s sad because I have friends who are seniors.

Ramire Alowonle, sophomore

WHERE WE’RE GOING CLASS OF 2016

6

5

185 10

6

18 8

Top 7 attended states Midwest Illinois

Columbia College Chicago Genevieve Bone Gavin Peterson DePaul University Chicago Albie Sher Knox College Galesburg Aron Zheng Loyola University Chicago Charles Edelstein Michael Segal Northwestern University - Evanston Hannah Goldenberg U.S. Navy - Great Lakes Alex Crary

Iowa

Drake University - Des Moines Julia Nathan Melanie Steiner Grinnell College Grinnell Margaret Coleman Iowa State University Ames Isaiah Pearson Altaleta Weisbrod Luther College Decorah Lauren Voigt Raymond Whitlock

University of Iowa Iowa City Kathryn Huber

College of St. Scholastica - Duluth Rosa Hu

Upper Iowa University Fayette Kevin Ilunga

Concordia College Moorhead Kaitlin Cole

Metropolitan State University - St. Paul Sefia Dedefo

Waldorf College - Forest City Kyle Froom

Dunwoody College of Technology Minneapolis Jacob Burnett David Sanchez-Chavarria

Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis Waris Abdullahi Mohamed Ade Samuel Afremov Mohamed Ahmed Ayan Ali Harrison Barden Charles Berg Aleiha Boyle Ngawang Chodon Spirit Cosey Hodan Dubad Usama Hassan Cha Hixon Malena Jeffery Hanad Mahamed Andrew McElhaney Hamza Mohamed Mawardi Moussa Cynthia Narine Dominique Robinson Trejon Roper Garrett Wells

Kansas

University of Kansas Lawrence Clayton Carbert-Sandberg

Minnesota

Augsburg College Minneapolis Lourdes Juarez Olvera Daniel Lee Aveda Institute Minneapolis Anayeli Arias Montoya Amy Gradoz Bemidji State University - Bemidji Brandon Hanson Elijah Tenta Carleton College Northfield Paula Campos Gonzalez Conrad Phelan Century College - White Bear Lake Ridwan Said College of St. Benedict - St. Joseph Sharon Moranga

Gustavus Adolphus College - St. Peter Joseph Brandel Jarrett Walsh Hamline University - St. Paul Graham Anderson Savannah Charpentier Benedict Chong Mellissa Clarke Amina Dedefo Rachel Gray Quyana Robinson Marco Salazar Hennepin Technical College - Brooklyn Park Austin Nelson Inver Hills Community College - Inver Grove Heights Raymond Stack-Vanasse Job Corps Daniela Estrada Leon Lake Superior College Duluth Adelle Braman Macalester College - St. Paul Maxwell Kent

Minnesota Army National Guard Adam Ball Minnesota State University - Mankato Muad Abdi Tenzin Gelek Enjoli Goodwyn Alyssa Rauchman Trenton Stafford Aerianna Thomas Ariauna Thompson

Minnesota State University - Moorhead Emma Duda Gabrielle Johnson Madison Kozak Abigail Melbye Normandale Community College - Bloomington Hibaaq Abdala Darnell Alexander Jr. Moises Arias Galvan Tayler Brink Jared Buenafe Erlien Joseph Clark Conrad Cooper Silvia Cuzco Puma Elias Dehn Gilberto Dominguez Tapia Gavin Druxman Kobe Feickert Iman Hill Jack Hollinger Megan Hooker Idris Hussein Jordan Hutchins Brendan Krogstad Elana Leahy Margaret Lingner Nathan Magdziarz-Rainey Samuel Miller Ezekiel Moffatt Ashley Mogler Mohamed Mohamed Roopnarine Narais Cory Newell Ravindra Ouditnarine Paris Pashibin Hunter Pettit Paige Pinneke Anil Ramtahal Adam Sari Sonya Scheie Vanessa Schmidt Kennedy Septon Connor Siebert Shea Swanson Luis Tamay

Yunita Thomas Alexander Voigt Sarah Young North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park Alexis Baker Mai Her Keng Yang University of Northwestern - St. Paul Tyra Ramsey St. Cloud State University - St. Cloud Totaram Brijmohan Stephanie Byrd St. John’s University Collegeville Jack Breyak St. Mary’s University Winona Mackenzie Ellefson St. Olaf College Northfield Jens Albright Brigid Duffy Sarah Kenzie St. Paul College - St. Paul Adna Aideed Claire/Casey O’Grady Mumtazz Osman Takoda Institute Minneapolis Devin Wilson Transition Plus Minneapolis Daniel Ellis Stephanie Israel Monique Lever

Abdalla Mo Alejandro V Zavala Ashton You

University o - Duluth Emily Hinz Alexandra M Rand Phillip Jeffrey Roun

University o - Morris Paul Frieder Poindexter T

University o - Twin Citie James Arms Emma Bjorg Ryan Casey Allison Cram Jada Csikos Alexander G Shayan Gilb Eric Hendri Kala Jenniss Jayda Jeske Annika John Matthew Ju Claire McN Tess McQui Salma Moha Xavier Mor Jonathan Po John Redda Katherine R Jessica Schm Tenzin Shera Harry Steffe Peregrine St Zakaria Sul Daniel Taka Cedar Thom Emily Tifft Kim Tran Christopher Madison Vi

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ungquist

of Minnesota

McChesney ps nds

of Minnesota

richsen Tomlinson

of Minnesota es s gaard y mer s-Monroe Gaitan-Gaitan bert Burke icks sen

nson udson Nary illan amed rris ope an Ruhland midt ab enhagen tephens lub ata mas

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“

I’m excited that the seniors get to advance and do what they want to do in life.

IN-DEPTH

Alyssa Whetstine, sophomore

Echo Monday, June 6, 2016

7

Most popular majors nationwide 2011-12

Attendance by region

1.

Midwest breakdown

2.

4.

3.

5.

business social sciences health psychology education and history professions Source National Center for Educational Statistics

Midwest East West South

Statistics

29% 23%

Winona State University - Winona Nicholas Behnken Lesly Hernandez Sotelo Emily Path Working Jean Carstens Ramone Fogg Graham Krake-Price Marissa Lewis Murad Mammadov Kierstin Olness Duncan Raynor Claudia Scroggins Miriam Seal-Gray Duncan Wagner Samuel Walton Albert Ware III Abigail Witthuhn Jacob Zucker

Missouri

Washington University in St. Louis - St. Louis Jonah Kupritz Webster University Webster Groves Mario Colacci

North Dakota

North Dakota State College of Science Wahpeton Tahyvion Malone North Dakota State University - Fargo Raina Arntson Aedan Foner Zoe Leuthner University of North Dakota - Grand Forks Alexander Robello

Ohio

Lake Erie College Painesville Ketki Hotaling

2%

6%

3%

are working

will attend a four-year private college/ university

University of St. Thomas - St. Paul Meghan Harrington Caroline Nathan Miles Sandbo Grace Williams

25%

will attend community or technical schools

will attend a four-year public college/ university

Joseph Villano Connor Williams

Abroad

Minnesota

South Dakota

Augustana University Sioux Falls Ellie Wolgemuth South Dakota State University - Brookings Elena Vainikka

Wisconsin

Beloit College - Beloit Nora Sylvestre Lawrence University Appleton Ora Raymond Marquette University Milwaukee Abigail Hickstein Northland College Ashland Mackenzie Evenson University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Samuel Bakken Kelli Cook Madeline Djerf Hannah Heitzinger Grant Smith Phillip Wagner University of Wisconsin - Madison Mara Bacig Kathryn Chamberlain Henry Feldman Sarah Hattis Laura Renckens Neda Salamzadeh Jerry Somaiah University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Amelia Wyland University of Wisconsin - Stout Elena Basill

7 different countries next year

will be participating in a gap year program

Idaho

Brigham Young University - Provo Brenda Hernandez

California

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles Rachel Mueller Orange Coast College Costa Mesa Michael Collins Santa Clara University Santa Clara Zoe Eilers San Diego State University - San Diego Jonathan Ayele Stanford University Stanford Jackson Eilers Tzedek America Gap Year Program - Los Angeles Sydney Spanier

Colorado

Colorado State University - Fort Collins Clara Slade

Oregon

Willamette University Salem Tuyen Benny

Utah

Seattle University Seattle Celene Koller University of Puget Sound - Tacoma Mara Henderson Polina Pekurovsky Heather Westwood

East

Maine

Colby College Waterville Shoshana Leviton

Massachusetts

Tulane University - New Orleans Dorothy Slater

Kerem B’Yavneh Yeshiva Gap Year Program Benjamin Freund Toviya Slager

Maryland

Nativ Gap Year Program Justin Less

Goucher College Baltimore Ethan Fogel

Mississippi

Jackson State University - Jackson Zoya Block

South Carolina

Northeastern University - Boston Hannah Bernstein

Texas

New York

Hobart College Geneva Brody Ryan Sarah Lawrence College - Bronxville Katherine Duerksen Vassar College Arlington Zoe Peterson

South

District of Columbia

Washington

Georgia

Pacific Lutheran University - Tacoma Grace Pelowitz

Louisiana

U.S. Army - Fort Jackson Nathaniel Archambault Jacob Blue

The George Washington University - Washington, D.C. Olivia Sieff

West

Art & Infographics Harry Steffenhagen

Harvard University Cambridge Jamie Halper

Utah State University Logan Lucas Cichoski

Cornish College of the Arts - Seattle Martha Sutter

Northern Arizona University - Flagstaff Tyra Grieger

traveling to

will join the armed forces

University of Wisconsin - River Falls Kyle Redelsheimer

Arizona

13 students will be

Georgia Perimeter College - Atlanta Aaron Brown U.S. Army - Fort Benning Allen Smith

Gap Year Working Juliya Laucher

Virginia

James Madison University Harrisonburg Selina Hampton Hollins University Roanoke Gabrielle Miller

Abroad Canada

University of Toronto St. George India Rounds

Ethiopia

Gap Year Traveling Amina Mohamud

Indonesia

Travelers Worldwide Gap Year Program Annabelle Magnuson

Israel

BBYO Beyond Gap Year Program Talia Hoffman

Mexico

Universidad del Valle de Mexico - Saltillo Monica Alvarado

New Zealand

Youth With a Mission Gap Year Program Bailee Hayenga

Spain

Working David Arago Demetrius Armbrecht Matthew Howard Andrew Sams

Unknown Location

North American Hockey League Conor Klaers U.S. Marine Corps Jeffery Graves Aldair Gutierrez Castelan

Undeclared Ahmed Bashir Kevin Blackowiak Fantayzia Borders Patrick Bordewick Rivka Buchbinder Cassia Collins Tiara Cortez Hussein Hussein Aerial Lark-Ingram Dolphine Lawrence Teama Lewis Maria Lezama-Campos Rosie Maldonado Chris Miles Jennifer Montoya Jonathan Sin Reshawn Stewart DaShaun Williams

8

“

SPORTS

Echo Monday, June 6, 2016

At first I thought (baseball) wasn’t doing too well, but they came together in the end.

Mackenzie Evenson, senior

Out of the PARK Alissa Meredith alissameredith@slpecho.com

More than a number

E

ver since I was little, I loved being a part of a team and playing sports. There was something I loved about the commitment, the work ethic and the end product that made them addictive and enjoyable to me.

I started playing hockey in kindergarten. While all the other kids were participating in drills, I was barely making it across the width of the rink.

I was always one step behind, but took it upon myself to close this gap.

When I started playing high school hockey, I experienced a whole new game. The stakes were high as well as the expectations. I spent most of my eighth grade year on the bench, falling behind once more.

As I developed a role on my team, What’s the hockey bePOINT? came an all -consumHigh school ing thing sports aren’t in my life. the only thing I was so emotionalto value ly involved in my sport that one bad game would make me feel like a bad person. I put so much pressure on myself that I forgot why I started playing. I began to not enjoy the sport anymore.

I wanted to be recognized for the sports I played. I thought that if I was able to have success in my sports, my life would automatically become perfect. I thought athletic recognition was everything.

As I began to overwhelm myself, my parents encouraged me to notice that hockey was just a small part in my life. I realized it doesn’t determine my identity and there are more parts of the puzzle other than high school sports.

High school is a small part of our lives and high school sports are even smaller. Being involved in sports is a great opportunity to build character, create new relationships and work hard toward something but are not meant to be a main culprit of stress, which is what it turned into for me.

Sports are also not our identities. In high school, students may be known for the sports they play or their athletic ability, but there are so many other attributes that are more important.

It is important to take a step back and enjoy high school sports before they pass by and not stress about the small things.

Batter up: Senior Conor Klaers follows through on his hit against the Edina Hornets April 18.

Park lost 5-3.

Photo Harrison Barden

Team improves on past year’s record Baseball advances despite setbacks Sam Crary samcrary@slpecho.com

S

enior captain Patrick Bordewick said the baseball team performed well during the season despite losing players to injury.

“We have caught several tough breaks recently with some tough injuries, but we were still able to pull out a win,” Bordewick said.

Head coach Brian Kelly said the team suffered late season injuries, which creates difficulties for the team.

“Recently the team has suffered several injuries, recently we lost Jonny Sorenson due to a concussion, and we lost Noah Fracassi to a broken wrist as well,” Kelly said.

Kelly said in recent years the team struggled against the competition in its section.

“Park baseball has won one section playoff game cumulatively in the past five years combined,” Kelly said. “My goal is to at least match that number or to beat it.”

Bordewick said losing the team’s last game of the regular season gave it a tougher break for section play.

“We lost our last game before the seeding meeting against Armstrong, which affected the seed we received and caused us to play a tougher team in our first section game,” Bordewick said.

Kelly said the number of competitors in the section and the impact of the late season play created a challenging situation.

“It’s really tough. We have an eight-team section and our late season play has influenced largely our seeding which will dictate who we play in our section tournament,” Kelly said.

Kelly said this year, the seniors prepared the younger players for varsity games.

“The senior leadership has been great this year and a lot of the younger players are becoming more involved in the games,” Kelly said.

Bordewick said to keep winning games in Sections, the pitchers need to work on their accuracy.

“Our pitchers need to be ready to throw more strikes early on in the game,” Bordewick said.

Kelly said for the team to continue winning it needs to eliminate mistakes on the field.

“For our next game we need to concentrate on eliminating physical mistakes and making plays in pressure situations,” Kelly said.

The team’s previous Sections game took place at 10 a.m. June 4 at Dakota Park against Minneapolis, Southwest.

Results of the Sections games were unavailable at press time.

Boys’ golf capitalizes on mental game Team moves through Sections, focuses on mental strategies Brigid Duffy brigidduffy@slpecho.com

A

Photo Joe Brandel

Drive far: Sophomore Conor Schubring practices with his team at Brookview Golf Course.

The second day of Sections is June 6.

s the boys’ golf team moves toward the end of its season, the team works on preparing mentally in order to ensure a solid round of golf, according to coach Mike Okey.

“I want the team to work on getting over the bad shots — every shot is a new shot — don’t think about it and move on, focus on the next shot. The mental aspect is the best thing to work on,” Okey said.

Senior captain Mikey Segal said he tells himself golf is just a game so that he will do better.

“When I get down, I tell myself that it’s just golf. I can’t change the past so I have to focus on the next shot,” Segal said.

According to sophomore Conor Schubring, mental game is the most important part of playing golf.

“Golf is 90 percent mental and only 10 percent physical,” Schubring said. “It’s important to take it one shot at a time and

not focus on the score.”

The team has had an overall successful season, with a winning nonconference record and stands fifth out of eight teams in conference, according to Okey.

“We have had a pretty successful season but I’m excited to see where we can go from here, especially leading into Sections,” Okey said.

According to Segal, when the team members sets their mind on a goal, they have the potential to achieve it.

“If we all focus and work on what we need to work on, I think we’ll have a really successful outcome,” Segal said.

Schubring said his advice to himself to do well is to focus on what he can control.

“I try not to put a number in my head of what I want to score or score under because it can take away from my game, so I just try to focus on what I can control and my strokes,” Schubring said.

Sections started June 2 at Ridges at Sand Creek.

The team had a combined score of 529 at the first Sections meet June 2. The second day of Sections takes place June 6 at Ridges at Sand Creek, determining State qualifications.

“

It’s pretty amazing synchro members have been pretty successful.

SPORTS Echo Monday, June 6 2016

Sativa Winecoff. freshman

Team has best swims yet Synchro places fourth at State Ndunzi Kunsunga ndunzikunsunga@slpecho.com

W

Photo Julia Nathan

Leg up: Senior Aerianna Thomas and sophomore Brooklyn Donelson compete in the long duet division at Sections May 21. The duo placed fourth in the competition.

Club synchro team plans for Junior Olympics Minnesota Aquafins members qualified for Junior Olympics in Long Island, New York June 24-July 2

Junior

hen synchro captain Aerianna Thomas found out her team got fourth place, she felt a little disappointed in the change compared to last year.

“This year we got fourth at State,” Thomas said. “Last year we got third, but we lost a bit to Forest Lake, unfortunately.”

Sophomore Brooklyn Donelson said the team performed well, but other teams were just as good.

“I don’t think anything went wrong. Everyone had their best swims at State, which is good,” Donelson said. “What changed things is that Forest Lake came out with a huge team this year, and they were very good. We weren’t expecting Forest Lake to be as good as they were.”

Donelson said the girls worked hard preparing for State.

Sophomore

“I think we were extremely prepared,” Donelson said “We were far ahead of schedule.”

Thomas said she believes the team’s swimming was the greatest it’s ever been this season and the scoring was questionable.

“Our coaches made it very clear that we had our best swims at State, so that went well,” Thomas said “It’s unfortunate that even with our best swims, we still didn’t make it.

The scoring was a bit weird but we can’t control that.”

Head coach Linda Gust said the girls did their best, which is what they should focus on.

“We don’t emphasize on competition placement,” Gust said. “We focus on doing the best we can, as we can’t affect other teams or the judges. We can only improve ourselves.”

Donelson said the season was still successful because of the girls’ effort.

“I think we worked our very hardest and the judging wasn’t the most accurate to what we got,” Donelson said.

Sam St. Clair

How long have you been doing synchro?

I’ve been doing synchro since third grade.

How long have you been doing synchro?

I’ve been doing synchro for four years.

How long have you been doing synchro?

I’ve been doing synchro since fifth grade.

What are you looking forward to at the Junior Olympics?

I’m looking forward to traveling with my friends.

What are you looking forward to at the Junior Olympics?

I look forward to watching all of the other teams at the Junior Olympics and just being in New York.

What are you looking forward to at the Junior Olympics?

I’m looking forward to competing against a lot of talented people from all over the nation.

Have you been to the Junior Olympics before?

I went to the Junior Olympics in North Carolina last year. It was crazy because there were so many good people and it was professional and intense.

Sophomore

Do you see synchro in your future?

I hope to become a coach, or at least make it pretty far in the synchro circuit.

What do you like about synchro?

You’re an important part of the team and they really depend on you, and also you depend on them.

Senior

Freshman

Julia Nathan

Cecelia Schmelzle

How long have you been doing synchro?

I started doing synchro in the third grade.

How long have you been doing synchro?

I’ve been doing synchro for nine years.

How long have you been doing synchro?

I’ve been doing synchro for three years.

What are you looking forward to at the Junior Olympics?

I’m excited to spend time with my teammates and to see all the other swimmers from around the country.

What are you looking forward to at the Junior Olympics?

I’m excited to see teams that we’re competing against besides the Minnesota team.

What are you looking forward to at the Junior Olympics?

I qualified, but unfortunately I can’t go.

Savannah Kjaer

What do you like to do besides synchro?

Besides synchro, I like to spend time with friends and listening to a lot of Beyoncé. I also enjoy doing strength and conditioning.

Do you see synchro in your future?

No, I don’t see synchro in my future, but I do plan to continue to swim. I’m excited to be in the audience next year at the Section and State meet.

Meet the ATHLETE

Who Dania El Ghandour Grade Junior Sport Lacrosse How long have you played?

I’ve been playing for five years — since 2011.

What made you decide to play?

I had heard of lacrosse before and even though I was not sure how it was played, I felt like I wanted to know what this sport is.

What position do you play?

Usually, I play line attack and midfield.

Who on the team has had the biggest impact on your lacrosse career?

Out of a few people, a person who’s had a big impact on my lacrosse career is Sofia Jacobsson.

Freshman

Alex Monson

Emma Breyak

9

What do you like about synchro?

I like how we come together as a team.

What do you like to do besides synchro?

I run and Nordic ski.

What are your goals for the season, and did you meet them?

My goals for this season was to advance in working the field and I think I achieved that.

What has lacrosse taught you?

Lacrosse has taught me to always look up. It’s taught me that I can improve even when I feel stuck around things in lacrosse I felt I could not accomplish.

What’s your favorite part about lacrosse?

My favorite part about lacrosse is the amazing bonds we build between our players. We all care for each other and help each other when we are hurt and we push each other to do our best.

What is your favorite memory from lacrosse?

My favorite memory from lacrosse is in general my first year playing in sixth grade. I remember not being able to catch or even cradle the ball. This is my favorite memory because I always look back and see how much I’ve improved.

Do you want to play lacrosse after high school?

I would like to play, but I might want to concentrate on getting my degree more.

Do you play any other sports?

No, I don’t.

Zoë Eilers zoeeilers@slpecho.com

10

“

I think putting money toward public transportation is good because it’s better for the environment.

OPINIONS

Echo Monday, June 6, 2016

Echo

St. Louis Park Senior High School 6425 West 33rd Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426 Print editor-in-chief: Hannah Bernstein Web editor-in-chief: Kaylee Chamberlain Managing editors: Jackson Eilers, Hannah Goldenberg, Jamie Halper & Shoshi Leviton Copy editors: Jonah Kupritz, Jayne Stevenson & Emily Tifft Assistant copy editors: Sam Orloff, Alec Pittman & Sophie Yarosh Design editor: Harry Steffenhagen Assistant design editors: Maggie Bahnson & Lauren VonEschen Art editor: Alyssa LeMay Photo editors: Harrison Barden, Celene Koller, Julia Nathan & Heather Westwood Assistant photo editor: Mira Swartz Video editors: Albie Sher & Paige Steward News editor: Ethan Brown Student life editors: Alissa Meredith & Katie Orton Features editors: Sari Hattis & Abby Hickstein In-Depth editor: Olivia Sieff Sports editor: Polina Pekurovsky Opinions editors: Adah Koivula & Elise Riley Entertainment editor: Mimi Fhima Diversity editor: Makagbe Kuyateh Social media editors: Jane Anderson, Brigid Duffy,

Halle Weinmann, freshman

OUR PERSPECTIVE

Legislative feud digs into deeper problem

T

he inability of the legislature to pass the transportation bill or a $1 billion bonding bill is a small part of a bigger frustration.

The agreement includes $100 million for roads and bridges and $100 million for affordable housing, the largest housing investment in state history, according to the Star Tribune.

The measure includes $126 million to finish the State Capitol renovation and $240 million for new and renovated buildings at the University of Minnesota and the MnSCU system.

The ideological differences between a Democratic Senate and a Republican House affects the community of St. Louis Park and Minnesota overall. While legislators say they are working to make a more sustainable community, there has been no change.

Recently, because of differing ideas on how much money should be spent by the government, lawmakers were unable to pass a bill that could make the Twin Cities a more environmentally, economically stable place.

Many Democrats are frustrated with the Republicans’ unwillingness to allocate money to the project. This creates a divide.

The legislation’s disagreement has halted

Light rail derails Minnesota Congress, causing an end-of-session deadlock.

Art Mira Swartz

the progress of not only the Southwest Light Rail Transit, but the progress of building more sustainable infrastructure to ensure safety among all people of Minnesota.

The inability to problem-solve between both parties directly affects the St. Louis Park community. If the state is unable to come up with funds for the state infrastructure, many important projects associated with the bill will never become reality.

Legislators must hear the voices of St. Louis

Park and other cities across the state loud and clear. It is the responsibility of elected officials to be receptive to the changing demands of the people who put them in office.

Community involvement benefits the legislative process, ensuring everyone’s voices are heard. Calling legislators or attending listening sessions is a good way to get involved.

It is important that the legislature finds a solution and takes action, not only for Congress, but for the community of St. Louis Park.

Zoë Eilers & Alissa Meredith Staff: Malaika Bigirindavyi, Max Blackburn, Joe Brandel, Sam Crary, Emma Dietz, Anna duSaire, Daniella Etzion, Izzi Gilbert Burke, Raphy Gendler, Josh Halper, Kate Huber, Sydney Hall, Ruthie Hope, Will Huyck, Adam Johnson, Max Kent, Ndunzi Kunsunga, Devin Raynor, Hanna Schechter, Peter Sherno & Hannah Wolk Business manager: Genesis Buckhalton Principal: Scott Meyers Printer: Quad Graphics Adviser: Lori Keekley

MEDIA POLICIES The Echo is the official student-produced

Words of WISDOM

SparkNotes, Shmoop, CliffsNotes and No Fear Shakespeare.

Treat your body well — you only get one semester of P.E. Be the best friend, student and person you can be.

There is no safe amount of alcohol behind the wheel.

Your test scores and grades don’t define you. You are so much more than that.

newspaper of St. Louis Park Senior High School.

It is published triweekly for the school’s students,

Cherish your relationships with friends and family because at the end of the day, they are your support system.

staff and community.

The Echo is a designated forum for student expression in which students make all decisions of content without prior review from school officials.

The adviser will not act as a censor, but will advise students. Students have the final decision on all content.

The Echo will work to avoid bias and/or favoritism. We will strive to make our coverage and content meaningful and interesting to all our readers.

We will make every effort to avoid printing libel, obscenities, innuendo and material that threatens to disrupt the learning process or is an invasion of privacy.

We will avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth of a photograph unless clearly labeled as a photo illustration.

Staff editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board arrived at by discussion and will not be bylined. Bylined articles are the opinion of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Echo staff or administration as a whole.

The Echo welcomes reader input. Letters to the editor and suggestions must be signed and should be no longer than 250 words and may be emailed to slpecho@gmail.com or submitted in room C275.

Emailed letters must be verified prior to publication. We will not necessarily publish all letters received and reserve the right ask the writer to edit for length and clarity.

Anonymous letters wherein the Echo does not know the identity of the writer will not be printed.

Advertisements will be sought from local businesses and school clubs and sports.

We maintain the right to reject any ads we

Art Emma Deitz & Harry Steffenhagen

believe to be false, misleading, inappropriate or harmful. The Echo does not necessarily endorse the products or services offered in these

To graduating seniors: you’re done studying so it’s time to ... start studying.

advertisements.

NSPA All-American and Hall of Fame member; 2011 NSPA Print Pacemaker Finalist; 2013, 2014, 2015 National Print Pacemaker Award Recipient; 2014, 2015 Online Pacemaker Finalist; CSPA

To the library: we tried to make a book pun, but it was too wordy.

To valedictorians: their futures are so bright, we can’t even see them.

Gold Medalist; 2013 CSPA Gold Crown; 2015 CSPA Hybrid Gold Crown; 2012, 2014 CSPA Silver Crown; JEM All-State.

Art Alyssa LeMay

N.K., A.K., O.S.

“

(The school) should step in and tell them to take (the flag) down. It’s disrespectful. It’s hands-down disrespectful.

OPINIONS

Echo Monday, June 6, 2016

Damion Huges, freshman

11

POINT COUNTERPOINT

Display of Confederate flag at school prompts debate Crosby-Ironton High School senior Cody Nelson was suspended May 16 for displaying a Confederate flag on school grounds. The school threatened to withhold Nelson’s diploma, but after a protest ensued, he was allowed to graduate.

Censorship of free speech unconstitutional

School district’s discipline of student justifiable, necessary Racist symbolic speech has no place in modern society Ethan Brown ethanbrown@slpecho.com

T

he Confederate flag symbolizes the oppression of people based on white supremacy. Its presence on a school’s grounds insults and threatens people of color and supports a dangerously ignorant piece of the United States’ history.

The First Amendment has no logical application to this student’s use of the Confederate flag.

The First Amendment is not is absolute, meaning it has boundaries.

The use of the First Amendment as justification for blatant discrimination shouldn’t be allowed. Had this event happened at Park, a substantial disruption to the school day could occur because of the student body’s progressive attitude toward racial issues. The Supreme Court cites this disruption as a reason to restrict free speech in the 1969 case of Tinker v. Des Moines.

The safety of the student body must be prioritized over a single student’s choice to display a

symbol that obviously represents harm to a large group of people.

If students’ free speech infringes on the well-being of another group, their words have no place in society. Since the First Amendment has limits, their speech should not be protected.

Additionally, the Crosby-Ironton School District has regulations in place forbidding “symbols, signs, words, objects or pictures on clothing or jewelry or other displays communicating a message that is racist, sexist or otherwise derogatory to a protected minority group.”

Nelson’s actions in these situation lacked an appropriate justification. He displayed a symbol of hatred and racism on school property, which regulates the use of hateful symbols, and disobeyed the school when it rightfully asked him to remove the symbol.

Free speech plays a critical role in the United States’ existence, but the Confederate flag doesn’t. It represents years of anger, prejudice and danger for many. The freedom to hate must be sacrificed in order to protect the people of an incredibly diverse nation with a history of shunning its people of color.

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School Administration silencing unpopular District (1969)

opinions is cowardly

The court had to decide if the administration of a public school has the right to inhibit a students constitutional rights.

“It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”

-Justice Abe Fortas Infographic Devin Raynor Source U.S. Supreme Court

Adah Koivula adahkoivula@slpecho.com

W

hen Crosby-Ironton High School suspended senior Cody Nelson for displaying the Confederate flag, it committed a violation of Nelson’s First Amendment rights.

The Supreme Court decided in the case of Tinker v. Des Moines that students don’t lose their Constitutional rights once they enter school property.

The excuses used to censor students are cowardly because the administration uses their power to silence “smaller voices.”

The policy cited in Nelson’s suspension classifies the flag as “inappropriate” and states anything “communicating a message that is racist, sexist, or otherwise derogatory to a protected minority group,” can be censored.

The flag on Nelson’s car was neither disruptive nor inappropriate. The only person hurt was Nelson, since he was suspended.

The argument that the flag interrupted students’ day is ir-

Positive schedule change affects upcoming school year Change to begin school before Labor Day provides benefits Ndunzi Kunsunga ndunzikunsunga@slpecho.com

S

t. Louis Park will finally catch up to Minneapolis schools with an earlier start date to the school year.

Overall, the change that will shift the school year is generally more positive than negative.

The 2015-2016 school year ends June 10, whereas the 20162017 year will end June 2. The district made this change to allow for road construction to begin

PARK TRAIL Oh, the dog park!

What a great place to bring the little ones!

sooner in June.

Starting school earlier gives students one extra week to prepare for standardized testing such as AP tests, IB tests, the ACT and the SAT. While some people would dismiss this as just one week, this could be very beneficial for the students who use their time wisely.

One extra week for studying could cover more than 100 years in an AP or IB history class.

For students this can only be a positive change, as more time to cover more material further prepares students for exams, often for college credit.

According to a CNN report, most schools in the United States

start before Labor Day. The report says education professors at the head of Atlanta Public Schools see having school in early June as a bad idea because after that point students stop taking school seriously. After standardized testing and the long Memorial Day weekend wrap up many students effectively “checkout” from school.

Ending school June 2 would create a smoother transition from the school year to summer break.

Also, with an earlier school year, it’s very likely first semester finals will happen before winter break. This is a beneficial situation because students will not have to do work during their

school break.

Winter break is a time that should be spent with relatives, not studying for finals. With all the holidays during this time, school will be the least of students worries.

Students will now be able to fully enjoy their breaks without having anything hanging over their heads.

Even though time will be lost for first semester finals and the first summer, it will be gained for all standardized tests, which is far more important in the end.

At the end of the day, having an earlier school start date provides far more advantages than disadvantages.

relevant and an excuse to violate Nelson’s First Amendment rights.

This rationale allows the administration to declare anything as offensive, using its authority to violate constitutional rights.

Protecting students’ rights should be a priority, and in education it is not.

School officials felt they legally had a right to censor Nelson’s political speech. This cowardly act resulted out of fear of unpopular opinions.

According to the Principal Scott Meyers, if a student brought a Confederate flag to school, the administration would assess the situation, but no immediate suspension would take place. If students questioned their safety, that would prompt investigations.

Regardless if speech is considered racist or hurtful, it is a constitutional right to be able to say whatever you want.

Exposure to different ideas and opinions builds character. It is crucial that everyone experience other viewpoints and has their ideas challenged. By allowing an open discourse of all opinions, and therefore abiding by the First Amendment, education is able to truly succeed.

Starts and ends 2015-16 start date

Sept. 8, 2015

2015-16 release date

June 10, 2016

2016-17 start date Aug. 29, 2016

2016-17 release date June 2, 2017 Infographic Devin Raynor Source St. Louis Park Public Schools

Emma Dietz emmadietz@slpecho.com

Awe!

How old is yours? Mine is 18 months.

Don’t run in front of the swings! That’s dangerous!

Mine is in gymnastics; look at him on those monkeybars!

“

12 ENTERTAINMENT

Echo Wednesday, June 6, 2016

The open space (at dog parks) is pretty cool; to just take a walk when you’re bored or want to get your mind off of things.

Ubah Abdullahi, sophomore

Tails wag

at dog parks

Outdoor experience brings pets, people together Sari Hattis sarihattis@slpecho.com

S Minneapolis Dog Parks • Franklin Terrace • Lake of the Isles • Loring Park •

Lyndale Farmstead

• Minnehaha • St. Anthony Parkway • Victory Prairie Source Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

ophomore Maddie Turnquist’s family adopted a German Shepherd Labrador mix a month ago, and she’s already excited to visit the Minneapolis dog parks with her new pet.

After her positive experience with friends recently at the Cedar Knoll Park, Turnquist said she anticipates purchasing a permit to return.

“It is a good place for dogs to interact and my dog loves playing with other dogs, so it will be good to get some of her energy out and not be as hyper at home,” Turnquist said.

Minneapolis Parks and Recreation owns seven parks, the most popular locations being Minnehaha and Lake of the Isles. The parks contain over 14 acres of roaming space overall, offering access to dog parks year-round with the purchase of a permit, according to Minneapolis Parks and Recreation employee Iris Pahlberg Peterson.

Pahlberg Peterson said Minneapolis parks have plenty to offer and contain a plethora of different qualities.

“The one at Minnehaha Park offers the most wilderness, with trees, woods, Mississippi River, trails through the woods,” Pahlberg Peterson said. “For Lake of the Isles, the community of people is great.”

Sophomore Lindsey Prestholdt said she enjoys the sense of community at the Dakota Park.

“It’s a great place for your dogs to run around and become friendly with other dogs,” Prestholdt said. “It’s also a wonderful community and great way to meet people who live by you.”

To locate a dog park or learn how to purchase a permit, visit minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/dog_parks.

Happy pooches: Dogs enjoy the water and surrounding nature at the Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park May 27.

Photos Polina Pekurovsky

METRO AT A GLANCE Mimi Fhima mimifhima@slpecho.com Photos used with permission from The Form + Content Gallery, Mina Saremi, Rachel Joyce and Andy Swarbrick.

June 6-25

June 17-19

June 26

July 20-23

The Form + Content Gallery presents “DaVinci and the Drone.” The exhibit intends to start conversations comparing aerial technology of the past to the present. Admission is free.

The GermanFest focuses on various aspects of German culture, celebrating them through food, art, dance and other activities. The festival is free and family-friendly.

The 2016 Ashley Rukes LGBT Pride Parade is one of many Twin Cities Pride events celebrating achievements in equality. The parade is located in Loring Park and is free to attend.

The Minneapolis Aquatennial features various events located across Minneapolis in celebration of the city. The event is free to attend, but participation in some activities requires registration.