Issue 3

Echo

ENGINEERING GROWS

PLAYERS LEARN UNITY

OBSERVATORY REVEALS

ACE club chooses between two sites for renovation PAGE 4

Girls’ soccer increases unity with mental strength PAGE 8

Public Nights at Macalester explores stars, galaxies PAGE 12

SLPECHO.COM

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Volume 87 Issue 3 St. Louis Park High School 6425 W. 33rd Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Learning Lab looks for new math teacher Ndunzi Kunsunga ndunzikunsunga@slpecho.com

he day senior Maggie Linger learned the math resource room was unstaffed, she said she was disappointed she couldn’t go to William Tanberg for help anymore.

“I miss Mr. Tanberg,” Lingner said.

“He was really helpful for all my math-related homework and explained it in a way that was different than the way the teacher explained it.”

Principal Scott Meyers said the school searched for someone to fill the role in the math room, which William Tanberg tutored in throughout the past five years.

“We are currently looking for someone who can work in our math room. We have not had any luck finding a candidate for that, but we hope to find one soon,” Meyers said.

Meyers said the school will accept anyone who is qualified skill-wise and has a passion for math.

“It’s our hope that they have extensive experience with math. We’ve had people work in there who don’t necessarily have a degree, but who work wonderfully with students,” Meyers said. “We’re looking for anyone with the skill set and a love for making

MINNESOTA

DRIVER’S LICENSE

enhanced license statistics

$15

additional fee required to purchase advanced licenses

7,048

Minnesotans have requested Real IDs

37%

of United States residents have valid passports Infographic Neda Salamzadeh Source www.dhs.gov

math understandable for high school level classes.”

Meyers said the purpose of the Learning Lab is to help students succeed in school.

“The Learning Lab should be a place where students can access information or support,” Meyers said. “There are some specific offices in there, but there’s also a general work space, where students can work in smaller groups on assignments.”

Lingner said the school should fill the No one has worked in vacant position soon. the math room this year “I think there should be a new math teacher, William Tanberg because many kids probpreviously worked in the ably aren’t going to get learning lab for 5 years the help they need,” said Lingner.

The school is currently Junior Jesse Schwartz looking to hire someone said he believes an empty to work in the math room math room is a problem.

“The lack of a specialized teacher in there makes it harder for kids that don’t know how to do something,” Schwartz said.

“They can’t really come down here anymore. It just becomes a place to do math and not get help with math.”

Schwartz said Tanberg’s absence hurts some students, but overall, the majority will manage.

“It’s always helpful to have more people that can help in the Learning Lab,” Schwartz said. “It’ll hurt not having Tanberg in there, but we’ll survive.”

�

Art Cedar Thomas & Harry Steffenhagen

Domestic air travel to require enhanced identification Licenses fall short of new standard Neda Salamzadeh nedasalamzadeh@slpecho.com

T

he Department of Homeland Security looks to implement increased driver’s license standards for commercial air travel in four states, including Minnesota.

This would require all Minnesotans to carry a passport to board domestic flights, or pay a $15 fee to upgrade their existing license to meet the heightened proposed standards.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the proposed licenses will not only affect air travel.

A four-phase plan is in the process of implementation and will begin requiring these strengthened forms of identification at most federal facilities.

Patrick Hogan, director of public affairs and marketing at the MinneapolisSt. Paul International Airport, said the DHS will make the accepted forms of

identification publicly known before they become required.

“The indications that we have from the Department of Homeland Security is they will provide some warning before they actually start enforcing these laws, in terms of people trying to get on airplanes,” Hogan said.

These enhanced forms of identification are called Real IDs and follow the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation of heightened standards, including specific security features that prevent tampering.

Sophomore Rafferty Kugler said she thinks the prospect of more secure airports outweighs the inconvenience of needing to obtain a new license.

“Even though it may be a little bit of a hassle for people to upgrade their licenses, it can help keep airports more secure,” Kugler said.

Hogan said if the legislation is passed, their hope is to make the transition as smooth as possible.

“If it were to go into effect, people either need an enhanced driver’s license or a passport in order to fly,” Hogan said.

“Our hope is that the state legislature can address the issue before that happens so that it won’t have a huge impact, but we just don’t know at this point.”

According to the DHS website, the possibility of prohibiting domestic aircraft travel without a Real ID faces the earlier phases of evaluation, and the earliest it could become mandatory could be January 2016.

While Kugler said she thinks the Real IDs are beneficial, she said the govPatrick Hogan, Director of ernment shouldn’t public affairs make money off of something required.

“If it’s required for everyone in the state it should be free,” Kugler said. “The government shouldn’t be making money off of something that’s going to become a law that everyone needs to abide by.”

“

Our hope is that the state legislature can address the issue before that happens so that it won’t have a huge impact.

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NEWS

Echo Wednesday, October 21, 2015

The tree house is really cool and even though I never went to it, I’m sad it is coming down.

Lily Johnson, freshman

WEB PREVIEW

Photo Jada Csikos-Monroe

Orchestra reflects on competition Photo Ruthie Hope

F

or the first time in 30 years, the orchestra program attended All-Conference, competing against top musicians from eight schools, according to orchestra director Miriam Edgar.

According to Edgar, the students enjoyed attending because they were able to connect with students from other schools. “(All-Conference) is really fun for the students,” Edgar said. “It is nice to build connections with other students in our conference. It makes our program stronger.”

Knocked down: Because of safety and zoning concerns, the city ordered Tucker to take down his tree house in August.

Art Emma Dietz

Tucker’s tree house comes down Photo Harrison Barden

Blaze Pizza flames competition

L

et’s break it down.

Crust: Although the crust was extremely thin, it supported a multitude of toppings and a crackling crunch you could hear from across the room.

Sauce: There wasn’t a lot of sauce to each bite, so a perfect option for those who usually scrape off the extra sauce. For the cheese pizza, the sauce was a bit too sweet, but the added oregano and sea salt balanced it out. On the other hand, the BBQ chicken pizza featured BBQ sauce instead of marinara; the perfect alternative.

Iconic landmark removed after almost 30 years Elise Riley eliseriley@slpecho.com

T

ree house owner Mark Tucker always pictured his tree house outliving him, but the city has ordered its removal after nearly 30 years because of safety concerns and zoning codes.

According to Tucker, his tree house, constructed in April 1986, stands around 50 feet tall.

“It’s a little fantasy. People will just stand on the sidewalk and look up at it,” Tucker said.

Pool to receive new ventilation

A

s sophomore Nicole Sanford neared the end of her twohour swim practice, she said she struggled to breathe due to the air quality in the pool area.

Without a proper way to circulate air in an indoor pool area, irritants known as chloramines build up and can cause poor air quality, which can lead difficulty breathing, according to the Center for Disease Control.

For more content go to slpecho.com twitter.com/slpecho facebook.com/slpecho

April 1986 Tree house construction began Sept. 7, 1987 Open house to raise money for tree house defense fund Feb. 8, 1988 Hennepin County judge Daniel R. Hart ruled Tucker could keep tree house up with limitations April 1, 2014 Part of tree house tumbled down because of a storm Aug. 2015 Ordered to take down

knocked a branch and part of the tree house down.

“They started to get curious about looking at how healthy the tree was and how safe the tree house was,” Tucker said.

Tucker said he fought long and hard with the city to keep the tree house up, but it became too much of a burden. The city gave Tucker until the end of the year to take down the house. “(It) was really just going to be too much time, effort, work, money, etc. at this point to try to get it where they would’ve approved that it would stay longer,” Tucker said.

The city of St. Louis Park declined to comment.

Wolgemuth said she wished the city considered other options for the tree house instead of just having it torn down.

“I think it would’ve been cool if they would’ve funded it

ACT test requirement dropped Free, optional test provided

Photo Alyssa LeMay

Tucker said he believes the St. Louis Park community will miss seeing the tree house.

“I think a lot of people have enjoyed seeing it – stopping, taking pictures,” Tucker said.

“I’m sure it’s probably the most photographed tree house in Minnesota.”

Senior Ellie Wolgemuth said she enjoyed seeing the tree house whenever she passed it and will miss seeing it.

“It’s sad that such an iconic thing in St. Louis Park is being brought down,” Wolgemuth said.

According to Tucker, the city didn’t become adamant about the removal of the tree house until a storm in April 2014

LIFE OF THE TREE HOUSE

Lauren VonEschen laurenvoneschen@slpecho.com

A

lthough juniors are no longer required by the state to take the ACT, Park will still offer the test.

Lawmakers cut funding for the law requiring all Minnesota high schools to offer the ACT to their students, according to junior counselor Kelsey Milne.

Milne said although the school is not required to provide the test, the administration has decided to offer it for all juniors.

“Last year, the ACT was required and the expenses were covered by the state of Minnesota,” Milne said. “What happened this year is simply that it’s no longer required, but schools

could choose to offer it.”

Milne said she believes providing the test benefits many students.

“It’s really good to offer the test at school and of no charge to students because normally what you have to do is go online and register for the ACT, pick a location, and find transportation during the weekend,” Milne said.

Student advocate Chris Weaver said he believes offering the ACT in school is very beneficial to students who can’t afford to take the test.

“I think the benefits of it are that everybody gets to take a test that in past years has been exclusive to people who could afford to take it,” Weaver said.

Senior Rosa Hu took the test last year and said she believes the legislature cut the test for financial and logistical reasons.

“I think the law was changed because of the financial expenses and also it was difficult administering the test during the school day,” Hu said. “Classes had to be excused and bells couldn’t be rung because the testing area had to be quiet at all times.”

Hu plans to take the test again in October, but said taking it as a requirement at school benefitted her testing process.

For this reason, Hu said she thinks ACT testing should remain a requirement in all schools.

“Some students just need a little push to get them started on college preparation, and if they just take the test then they can get a glimpse of how they are doing,” Hu said.

The optional ACT test will be provided on March 15 for free.

Source slphistory.org

to be restored and actually be used and gone up in,” Wolgemuth said.

Sophomore Kinsey Scott said she thinks the public will mourn the loss of such an important community landmark.

“It gave dimension to St. Louis Park. We had a really cool tree house that everyone wanted to drive by,” Scott said.

Scott said she believes the tree house left an imprint on the St. Louis Park community like no other.

“Maybe it was time, but it’s still very sad that we can’t see it anymore,” Scott said.

Tucker said he originally built the tree house for his children and they are also very sad to see it go.

“They have the pictures and the videos,” Tucker said.

“Thank God we have all those 2 memories.”

MN ACT Facts $23 million

$

% $ $

% %

saved when the Minnesota Senate cut the ACT 2requirement.

2013

2

Legislation passed requiring juniors to take the ACT.

75 percent

of Minnesota students took the ACT before the law was passed.

Infographic Mira Swartz Source Department of Education

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It is a frowned upon activity because killing animals is not a sport.

STUDENT LIFE Echo Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Anthony Steward, junior

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Photo Used with permission from Alan Chamberlain

Hunters hit their targets Fall pheasant hunting season starts strong Sam Crary samcrary@slpecho.com

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dvanced Placement environmental science teacher Al Wachutka trudges through the remains of the corn stalks from last year’s harvest as he watches his dog fervidly track down the scent of a pheasant.

Wachutka said he loves watching his dog hunt for birds during pheasant season.

“Out in the field, it is enjoyable to watch the dog do its thing and track the birds and see what they naturally sense,” Wachutka said.

Senior Jacob Blue said he likes going pheasant hunting because he enjoys being in nature with his friends and having a good time.

“I enjoy everything about pheasant hunting, mainly being outside with the dog, friends, family and the outdoors,” Blue said.

Pheasants, a nonnative species to the state, causing damage to the native prairie fowl, according to Wachutka.

“The introduction of ringneck pheasants has been harmful because pheasants commonly act as nest parasites. They lay their eggs in other species nests, most commonly prairie chickens,” Wachutka said. “Pheasants do not have to put the effort into raising young. This has had some negative effects on (native) populations.”

According to Blue, hunting emphasizes camaraderie, and said friendly

competition between hunters always adds to the fun.

“I really like the small sense of competition you get when hunting with friends, seeing who can get the most birds and little things like that,” Blue said.

Blue said pheasant hunting offers more activity than other forms of hunting, as it requires the hunter to actively search for the bird.

“Pheasant hunting is different than a lot of types of hunting in that it’s an active form of hunting instead of deer or turkey where you’re sitting in a stand or behind a blind for hours at a time,” Blue said.

Wachutka said the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) restricted hunters to only two pheasants this season because of the declining population.

“The DNR sets good numbers for how many pheasants people are allotted and they do plenty of research into their population to come up with that data,” Wachutka said.

According to Wachutka, hunters are only allowed a couple of birds.

“Currently, each person is allowed two birds and only roosters,” Wachutka said. “Then, later in the season when people stop hunting and pheasants are harder to find, the number is usually increased.”

According to Wachutka, in many areas around the state the pheasant population has increased, offering a greater chance at success for hunters.

“The DNR reported that their numbers were up and when I was out I saw a lot of birds and that seems to be the norm around the state,” Wachutka said.

Dates for hunting seasons

Oct. 10 to Jan. 16 Pheasant season

Nov. 7 to Nov. 29 Deer Hunt Firearm season

Sept. 26

Waterfowl season opener Infographic Daniella Etzion Source Department of Natural Resources

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FEATURES

Echo Wednesday, October 21, 2015

For what it’s WORTH

Lead with confidence

Engineering program begins

B

Club continues to accept members

Ethan Brown ethanbrown@ slpecho.com

ecoming a counselor at my second home was something I had hoped to accomplish since the day I was dropped off at camp. I viewed my counselors as natural leaders, people who could keep everything together when no one else could. I soon learned it wasn’t that simple.

I began a three-week program called “Counselors in Training” (CIT). We were considered to be the next generation of counselors looking for more experience before applying for the real deal.

I was put in the youngest male cabin my first week as a CIT and it was a week I’ll never forget.

Eight of the nine campers in my cabin had never been away from home before. Most spent their first day somewhat uneasy and vulnerable.

Learning to ease the campers into their week was strange, as my feelings toward camp were always so cheerful.

But as the week progressed, I watched my cabin transform from shy little kids into an outgoing group unafraid to take a leap of faith.

It was through encouragement from me and my co-counselors that they were able to change.

During my second and third weeks at camp, I watched cabins of all ages undergo What’s the the same POINT? transformation. It The outside world teaches was then, I realized, as much as how much school does of an effect I could have on kids’ daily lives.

You can get along with anyone at camp, that’s the most magical part about it. I’ve seen kids from all walks of life in my nine years there. I’ve watched many drop their emotional baggage and live in harmony.

It was my job to ensure it happened, a responsibility that was tough, but rewarding.

After my training, I concluded certain skills cannot be taught in a classroom. I’ll never forget watching an argument break out and realizing there wasn’t a GLC to calm the situation, and that it’d have to be me to deal with it.

I’ll never forget stepping up and helping out a kid in need, instead of waiting for someone else to do it, as I almost always had.

I’ll never forget my experiences at camp, and I hope to continue going there for as long as I can.

Without the mentors, some selfconfidence, and a coordinator crazy enough to take on the job of training us, I may not have made it through those weeks. But I did, and I learned that the little things go a long way, and that you can make a huge difference.

I think that it is a good fit for (Redmond), because he likes to be involved in everything.

Tori Carroll, junior

Ndunzi Kunsunga ndunzikunsunga@slpecho.com

W

hen senior Kim Tran thought about returning for her second year to the Architecture Construction Engineering (ACE) club, she said she was excited to gain handson experience for a future career in engineering.

“Not only has it taught me how to work well with other people, but also other things about interior design,” Tran said.

The club has two options for a project, according to adviser Al Wachutka.

“We found out that we have a choice of two historic renovations to work on,” Wachutka said.

“Either the old Ford Plant in St. Paul or the Minneapolis Armory. What we’ll be doing is a renovation plan for one of those places.”

Wachutka said ACE spends its early meetings planning out the project and gathering information about the sites.

“The mentors share a lot of information with us, then we start to develop a plan from that and start to construct that plan,” Wachutka said. “Not literally construct but more 3D modeling, 2D modeling.”

Tran said the first meeting introduced a lot of new people.

“We have lots of new people that are more interested in diverse skill sets,” Tran said. “I know a lot of people are going to be working on interior design, so I’ll be giving them tips. Along with the new members there’s also new challenges and new mentors.”

Wachutka said the first meeting is an introduction for new members and mentors as well as a time to introduce the curriculum.

How does HAP help?

Photo Heather Westwood

Planning starts: Juniors Owen Geier and Daniella Etzion write their names down while enjoying pizza provided by the club during the first ACE meeting Oct. 8.

“All the mentors but one are new, so it’s a whole new crew and there’s a lot of new students, so it’s cool to have influx,” Wachutka said. “We’ll have about six people returning and about 10 new people.”

Sophomore Ethan Rickert, a new ACE member, said he is excited to join the club.

“I think it’s going to be a good experience and I hope it’s going to run smoothly,” Rickert said. “I look forward to the chance to plan an engineering design and blueprints and also work on an actual engineering team.”

Tran said she is grateful for the mentorship program because it taught her skills that she can use outside of ACE. “At the end of ACE, you take part in a presentation. It helped me learn to speak louder and be more confident in what I’ve done,” Tran said.

Tran said the atmosphere is different from other clubs.

“It’s a really relaxed group,” Tran said. “You expect a club centered on engineering and architecture to be really intense but it’s actually very relaxing.”

The next meeting takes place at 3:15 p.m. Oct. 22 in C250.

Graduation

ACT prep Academics Scholarships $ Shows students online scholarship resources

Checks student grades during meetings and offers help for those who need it

Helps students organize study groups for ACT preparation and teaches valuable study skills

Coordinates college visits and introduces students to college options.

Also ensures students are on track for graduation

Infographic Sari Hattis Source Peter Redmond

Photo Emily Tifft

Advising students: High Achievement Program (HAP) adviser Peter Redmond shows his junior HAP students how to apply for online academic scholarships during class Oct. 7.

Possible renovation locations ACE plans to renovate as their main project this year.

Minneapolis Armory 1025 Broadway St. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

Ford Plant 966 Mississippi River Blvd S St. Paul, MN 55116

Infographic Sophie Yarosh Source Al Wachutka

Adviser personalizes club Members receive academic assistance Shoshi Leviton shoshileviton@slpecho.com

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fter former High Achievement Program adviser Lee-Ann Stephens was offered a job at the district level, Peter Redmond took advantage of the opportunity to move outside the classroom by becoming the new HAP adviser.

The High Achievement Program (HAP) helps students of color succeed in school, graduate and go to college, according to Redmond.

“Ms. Stephens got a district position, and I was offered this position because there was a vacancy,” Redmond said. “I was in the classroom for 36 years and was ready for something different.”

Senior Cha Hixon said she was delighted when she learned Redmond would fill Stephens’ vacancy.

“I am very excited for Mr. Redmond to be the new adviser,” Hixon said. “He helps us with anything we need regarding the

process of school and college.”

To prepare for his new position, Redmond said he sat down with Stephens to learn the ropes of leading HAP, while also preparing to bring his own teaching style to the program.

“There are certain factual things I got from her that I’ll have to implement, but the principal said ‘make it your own,’” Redmond said.

Redmond said he helps students prepare for both in- and out-of-school assignments.

“I help students with ACTs and preparing for tests and assignments,” Redmond said.

“Through HAP, they are exposed to college opportunities like scholarships, and hopefully they’ll go to college.”

Hixon said she was drawn to the program because it made receiving additional assistance from Redmond with the college search more accesible.

“I got involved with HAP because of the different opportunities,” Hixon said. “I get to visit colleges and have an adviser to help me with school and the application process.”

Interested students should sign up in the Learning Lab.

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I really liked that (Tre’s) moves were effortless, and he really flowed with the music.

Idris Hussein, senior

FEATURES Echo Wednesday, October 21, 2015

5

In the SPOTLIGHT

Dancer to audition for ‘America’s Got Talent’

Tre Givens, junior

Have you taken part in any competitions?

I’ve done six or seven. That was through a dance company that we used to go to.

How did you get into dance?

My sister was a dancer, and I was in the dance setting since I was little. She started when she was 4. I was watching all the time, and I started to like it. My uncle showed me a video, and he said I should try doing the moves, so I did and I just got into it.

Why do you like dancing?

It is an outlet for my stress; it is the only way I can cope with it.

What kind of dance do you do?

Hip hop and robot animation.

What should students know?

Anyone has potential. I see people at school — their dancing is bad so they get looked at badly.

People should move past that.

Why do you like hip hop and robot animation?

It gives me a way to express myself without having to fit in tight restrictions like other dance moves have.

What inspires you to dance?

My great-grandpa. A couple years ago he died. When I would show him my dancing, he would be super amazed by it and he always had this super large vision for me.

What are your future plans for dance?

In the future, I plan to open my own studio to teach dance as an alternative to violence.

What kind of performing do you do?

I was in competition, then I was doing recitals. Now, just whatever I do at the school.

Do you plan to perform elsewhere?

Right now I’m trying to see if I can go audition for “America’s Got Talent.” First, I’ve got to

start making my money. That’s one of the reasons why I got my job. Once I have a decent amount of money I’m going to go audition because we’re going to have to pay for our own hotels.

What was it like dancing in the pep-fest?

I thought it was really fun because my friend turned it into a battle, and I like to battle.

How do you think the pep-fest went?

I think it went well because we’ve been getting a lot of good compliments about it.

Describe your best experience.

Winning Judges’ Choice award at one of my competitions.

How do you get yourself prepared to perform?

It kind of depends on what day it is. Part of the time I pray to my great-grandpa because he’s my motivator for it. I just pray that he’ll help me out with that.

Jayne Stevenson jaynestevenson@slpecho.com

Photo Julia Nathan

Pop and lock: Junior Tre Givens shows off his dancing skills to pump up the students at the Homecoming pep-fest Oct. 2. Givens also performed at the Day One pep-fest Sept. 8.

Activities & AWARDS

You’re in charge

Math team prepares for competition Sari Hattis sarihattis@slpecho.com

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s junior Aaron Councilman prepares for the first math team meet of the year, he said he feels excitement.

Councilman said math team can improve by working together as a group.

“Often, our team is kind of disjointed and we would be really good if we worked together better,” Councilman said.

According to adviser Kristin Johnson, math team practices every Monday.

“We do previous years’ tests as practice so they have some idea of how tests were written in the past,” Johnson said.

There are five categories of questions

asked in competitions: algebra, prealgebra, trigonometry, geometry and miscellaneous, according to Johnson.

Councilman said he expects the team to perform well at the first meet.

“I don’t know how much time we are going to have to practice beforehand, but I think we will start getting stuff together at least,” Councilman said.

Councilman said he would eventually like to qualify for the State competition.

“Our goal, as a team, is to go to State,” Councilman said. “Personally, I would like to go. It would be fun, but we will see.”

The first meet takes place at 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 2 at Armstrong High School.

Of keeping your body healthy today for a healthier tomorrow

The Hennepin County Child and Teen Checkups program can help with the details.

Our services are free for children, teens and young adults who are on Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare, including young parents.

Call to learn more 612-348-5131

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! LEARN MORE AT KDWB.COM

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IN-DEPTH

Echo Wednesday, October 21, 2015

When addressing these issues, it’s important to take everything into account, not just one thing.

Nathaniel Sturzl, junior

Understanding the

INT IN NTE TER ERS RSE SEC ECTI TIO TO ION Brigid Duffy & Shoshi Leviton brigidduffy@slpecho.com shoshileviton@slpecho.com

What are you made of?

Consider these factors and how they affect everyday life

Race

S

enior Sharon Moranga views intersectionality through the lenses of her everyday experiences.

“Certain groups of women have multilayered levels in life that they have to deal with, and we all have different experiences in our groups,” Moranga said. “What white women go through isn’t the same as what black women go through.”

According to Enid Logan, a sociology professor at the University of Minnesota, intersectionality influences how people see others around them. “(Intersectionality) is how our major social constructs or categories that we deal with – race, class, gender, sexuality, national origin, religion – relate to each other in how we experience them, and also how they help to stratify society,” Logan said.

According to Logan, the discussion of intersectionality begins with racial equality.

“I’m a black woman, and how I experience my Blackness and my race is different than how I would experience it if I were a black male,” Logan said. “Not because of factors such as biology or anything natural about femininity or Blackness, but more because of the ways these different constructs intersect in social life or society.”

Equity coach Arika Mareck said people must understand race before they can fully understand the way other forms of discrimination intersect, such as gender, social class and sexuality.

“Until we understand in our society – especially with the huge history of racial oppression – who we are as racial beings, it’s really hard to understand how it all connects,” Mareck said. “It’s not just about race, but that’s our starting point.”

Mareck said personal predispositions limit the ability to see other points of view, making it difficult to understand people beneath the surface.

“We have biases and experiences that shape how we view this world. We see things as we are, not as they are (to others),” Mareck said.

S

Our Stories

enior Jonathan Ayele said he faces struggles from a multi-dimensional view.

“I’m a minority, and I’m a homosexual, so people

Class Sexuality Religion Gender National Origin Infographic Daniella Etzion Source Professor Enid Logan

know I’m an ea Equity coach they fall under t understand the “The more I privilege white w and (how they c where’s the inte Sophomore P because his race throughout hist “I don’t thin male,” Djerf sai don’t expect for the privilege I h Media rips a position, accord media portrays compared to wo “When black show their body as hoes. When w seen as breaking Moranga said.

According to tions for black w “Living in a beauty is menta races. In genera cultures are look said. “White wo seen as pure and and sexual obje For students of society, Ayele “If people w slurs and comm

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Opp

ogan said recent jus “In pa was brought int

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It is important to recognize that these social factors don’t define you as a person.

IN-DEPTH Echo Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Daniel Lee, senior

ONA NAL ALI ALI LIT LT ITY TY

asier target,” Ayele said. h Joy Esboldt said people must identify where the umbrella of intersectionality to better people around them. study feminism, the more I am reminded the women that are feminist can operate under can) push for rights without recognizing ersection with race,” Esboldt said.

Philip Djerf said he has not faced oppression e and gender are both considered dominant tory. nk I have ever felt oppression as a white id. “But, if I end up on a path that people r me, they think I can do better because of have (as) a white male.” apart those who don’t hold the “power” ding to Moranga. She said she believes the white women as superior and empowered omen of color. k girls – Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna – y while empowering women they’re just seen white women, like Miley Cyrus, do it, they’re g barriers for women and being themselves,”

o Moranga, there are unbalanced expectawomen and white women. culture where Eurocentric is the standard for ally oppressive for black women and other al, white culture is the norm, meaning other ked at as not being valid or equal,” Moranga omen are held up on this pedestal and are d innocent, yet black women are seen as sluts ects.” of color, it’s hard to live up to the “norm” e also said. want to make fun of me, there’s so many racial ments they can use,” Ayele said.

pression’s Roots

d she sees intersectionality play into many stice movements. ast iterations of the feminist movement, race to it as a really big factor, especially explain-

of social issues helps combat ignorance

ing women of color and black women who were not attracted to the feminist movement,” Logan said. “So many of the issues were defined as neutral women’s issues. Race has been really important in stratifying people’s understanding of what feminism is.”

Another aspect that’s very influential in recent movements regarding police brutality is gender, according to Logan.

“A lot of the focus of the black lives matter and police brutality is gender. So black women, for example, can often be targeted by police; really the ones who are often targeted and the most vulnerable to police brutality ... are men,” Logan said. “Today there are a lot of aspects of black women’s experiences, or Native women’s experiences or Latina women’s experiences that aren’t really being talked about because of the focus on the aspects of institutionalized racism that are really gendered toward men.”

Gender Sexuality Alliance adviser Kyle Sweeney said students face oppression because of their sexual orientation and their sexual identity.

“There is still some outward bullying and abuse at our school that I hear from other teachers,” Sweeney said. “If a boy is feminine, they might get bullied more than someone who is openly gay and still follows the rules of what it means to be a teenage boy.”

According to Logan, society perpetuates certain ideas and subconsciously causes preconceived notions of people.

“A lot of it isn’t just about ideas, it’s also about social structure,” Logan said. “Social class doesn’t just impact how people are, but also what kind of job they are able to have or what kind of neighborhood they live in.”

According to Sweeney, societal norms don’t represent everyone and can inadvertently hurt students.

“Within the school context there are a lot of microaggressions like if a teacher were to say ‘when a man and a woman get married’ that doesn’t apply to everyone and those little things can really get to a kid,” Sweeney said.

Affect Change

A

ccording to Djerf, understanding people who come from different walks of life is the first step in making sense of the world. He said he believes discussion about equality needs to start with promoting racial justice.

“I think Student Organization Against Racism (SOAR) is really good because it gets the conversation started that we need to have,” Djerf said. “The first step is acknowledging there is a problem because if you keep sweeping it under the rug, it’s not going to go anywhere. If you’re lying to yourself that everybody is being treated equal, then you are part of the problem.”

Social worker and former Park student Daniel Perez said he sees lots of changes in the school culture since he graduated.

“I’ve seen ... a lot more openness, a lot of progress in terms of language, in terms of acceptance, in terms of inclusiveness,” Perez said. “It’s not perfect, but I have seen improvement.”

Mareck said she believes taking the time to understand other people helps bridge the gap between different people.

“We are all very complex people. We aren’t just defined by one part of us. We are a society that likes to pigeonhole people,” Mareck said.

According to Esboldt, each individual sees their surroundings differently; there is no one way that is right or wrong.

“Every student enters and navigates the world in a specific way,” Esboldt said. “Their situations are specific to them.”

According to Perez, society tends to stray from individuals who are not exactly like them.

“When you’re put in an environment where you’re not in your first culture and out of your comfort zone, you gravitate towards people who look like you,” Perez said. “There are certain things that bring us closer to a specific ethnic or racial group because of our experiences.”

According to Logan, the majority of the research and studies on intersectionality comes from the late 20th century and said she believes there is room for development in this issue.

“There is a lot of room for recent work to be done,” Logan said. “A lot of the really great theoretical work on this stuff was done in the ’80s and ’90s so there is definitely space for scholars who are interested to do some updating.”

Although there is a distance between “groups” of people, Perez said he sees a lot of improvement in how we interact with people around us.

“I have seen the pendulum swing forward,” Perez said.

“There is no thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.”

-Audre Lorde, womanist Womanist: a black feminist who acknowledges the abilities and contributions of black women.

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SPORTS

Echo Wednesday, October 21, 2015

You need mental toughness to have the mentality that you’re going to win and succeed.

Aaron Brown, senior

Out of the PARK Zoe Eilers zoeeilers@ slpecho.com

Mentality outweighs talent

H

undreds of people spend good money on little sticks with wheels and pretend to ski in the summer. It’s called rollerskiing.

It may sound like I’m bashing on a fad called “roller-skiing,” but I’ve been on the ski team for six years and roller skiing is my worst nightmare.

Skiing is great, but falling head first into concrete after mimicking the motion of skiing isn’t.

After getting bruises and nosebleeds from falling every Tuesday and Thursday morning for weeks, I realized I was failing at something What’s the I was supPOINT? posed to be good Quitting is never the best at.

Instead option so keep of trying trying until you again, I stopped. succeed I was in the middle of a road, covered in dirt and grass and had hit rock bottom.

I was going to go back and tell my coach I was done with skiing. I needed to take a break. I kept thinking to myself it was a good idea, until I realized giving up is a lot easier than trying to finish something challenging.

Still, quitting seemed like the easy way out. It would be so nice to take off my skis during a meet when my body feels like it’s getting ripped apart, but I never end up quitting.

The human body is resilient in ways we don’t realize.

We think we’re broken and can’t move another muscle, but we push until we succeed at something we didn’t think could be accomplished.

My coaches expected me to be good at roller-skiing. It mimics the same motions as skiing, so why wasn’t I reaching their expectations? Just like in school, when a teacher expects you to be good at something and you’re not, it stings. It gives you the feeling that you’re not good enough and makes you want to quit, sticking with it takes a lot more guts.

When you aren’t good at something on your first try, don’t quit. Simply work harder. Whether it’s singing, practicing math equations or running – don’t give up if it’s something you want to be better at. You only get better if you work hard at it, and one day you’ll look back and be happy you didn’t quit.

Photo Mira Swartz

Dribble through: Senior Elena Basill fights for possession of the ball in a game against Richfield Oct. 6. The team won 8-0.

Girls’ soccer upset in sections Team builds positive values during season Alec Pittman alecpittman@slpecho.com

A

s the stakes rose, the girls maintained their composure even as the season came to a close, according to senior captain Emily Hinz.

The team lost in the first round of sections 1-0 to Minneapolis Southwest.

According to Hinz, the loss in the first section game came with both good and bad feelings.

“I would say we are all very disappointed with the outcome,” Hinz said. “But we are all proud of the successful season we have had.”

Kent said despite the loss in the first

round, the season went well and the team played strongly.

“I know they can play better but sometimes you have days like that,” Kent said. “I know they will keep at it. They’re a young team and had great leaders and overall a good year.”

Hinz said the team’s improvements to its mental strength helped it succeed throughout the season.

“Our chemistry as a team and our core values separate us from other teams,” Hinz said. “We had a team psychologist come in and talk to us about how all our values add to the team. Our team values then go with our individual values, too.”

Sophomore Malaika Bigirindavyi said opponents early in the season proved challenging but allowed the girls to hone their skills.

“We played some tough teams in the

beginning and it really prepared us,” Bigirindavyi said. “We all came from different teams and styles of play. We then grew together and played really nicely as a team.”

Mental toughness and team unity gave the girls an edge on bigger teams, according to head coach Benjy Kent.

“The psychological part of team sports is so critical. They take cheers from one another and take energy from one another,” Kent said. “All of the little things made them better.”

Bigirindavyi said the team stayed confident, composed and respectful during games.

“We respected each other, especially on the field, and didn’t yell at each other. We remained calm and got intense when we needed to,” Bigirindavyi said. “We never got angry with one another though.”

Tennis season comes to a close Lorentz moves on to state tournament Joe Brandel joebrandel@slpecho.com

Despite having a season better than most, the girls’ tennis team did not make it through sections. Individually, junior captain Natalie Lorentz will be continuing on to the state tournament, according to assistant coach Christine Tvrdik.

For individual sections, every team is allowed to enter two singles and two doubles teams.

The top two in each category continue on to state, according to Tvrdik.

Lorentz and sophomore Hanna Schechter competed for singles. Teams of senior captain Brigid Duffy and junior Jane Anderson as well as freshman

Violet Huber and eighth grader Raquel Fhima competed in doubles.

Lorentz was seeded second in the section and a state hopeful going into sections play, according to Tvrdik.

After moving on to the second day of individual sections, Lorentz finished 2nd and will move on to state.

“It’s crazy to think that all my hard work got me here,” Lorentz said. “I’m looking forward to playing against some of the top girls in state. It will be a lot of good competition.”

For team sections, Park was seeded 5th out of 16 teams in the section and finished with a record of 9-5. Sophomore Maddie Lund said she attributes this better season to a few factors.

“I think we had a better season because we had a positive and fresh attitude coming into the season,” Lund said. “We

Photo Harrison Barden

Taking a swing: Junior Natalie Lorentz returns the ball during a match against Minneapolis Washburn Oct. 7. The team won 4-3. were also fortunate enough to gain many new players, which I think was a great boost.”

The team lost to Hopkins in the second round of sections play 6-1.

“It was a great season, especially with all of the first-time varsity players. They competed well all season,” Tvrdik said.

Tournament information First match starts at

When 8 a.m. Oct. 27

Baseline Tennis

Where Center Cost Free

Infographic Joe Brandel Source Christine Tvrdik

“

Teamwork is important even in individual sports because the team helps build you up.

SPORTS Echo Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Emma Meents, freshman

Meet the ATHLETE

Team prepares for final races Injuries halt team’s competitiveness Sam Crary samcrary@slpecho.com

S

ophomore Katie Fredrickson whisked through the heat of the late summer sun as she passed her opponents, keeping close to the other Park runners during the Griak cross country race.

According to head coach Rachel Hoffman, the girls performed well at the Griak Invitational race despite the heat.

“The girls did really well in their race. They got 14th out of a lot of teams, and we were very pleased with that placement, especially with the heat during the race,” Hoffman said.

According to Fredrickson, in order to score better in upcoming races, the team is working on running as a group.

“We are still working on packing up in races to reduce places and points, allowing the team to perform better as a whole,” Fredrickson said.

Fredrickson said the bond all the runners share is a result of the team’s small size, which sets them apart.

“Our team is a family and I think that is so special. That is something most teams don’t have due to their large numbers,” Fredrickson said. “The atmosphere and effort on our team is the most helpful.”

According to Hoffman, both teams have to make some adjustments before the conference and section meets.

“We need to fine tune everything. Those small adjustments are sometimes tough to make but they could prove to make the difference,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman said the boys’ team placed lower in the Griak race than expected because of several injuries to their best runners.

“The boys got 41st out of 53 teams, which is not exactly where we envisioned being,” Hoffman said. “But when you have your top runners out, that’s what happens.”

According to Hoffman, although the team didn’t place very high, individual runners performed well.

According to junior captain

Who Cecelia Schmelzle Grade Freshman Sport Cross country How long have you run cross country?

I’ve run since seventh grade. I started running when I was 10, I just couldn’t join the high school team until I was in seventh grade.

How is your season going?

It’s going really well. I’ve been running fourth or fifth.

Photo Polina Pekurovsky

Finish strong: Sophomore Benjamin Dodge completes a team workout on the school track during practice Oct. 19.

“We are looking forward to the next races because of how important they are and now that most of the runners are healthy again we hope to place well,” Sokolowski said.

Sections takes place Oct. 28 at Mound. The boys run at 3:45 p.m. and the girls at 4:15 p.m.

Jackson Sokolowski, there are factors holding the team back.

“With the injury and sickness on the team it has been tough to see how we are actually performing,” Sokolowski said.

Sokolowski said he believes the upcoming races will show the team’s potential.

What do you do to train?

During summer we try to put it in base mileage. We aren’t trying to do speed workouts, we’re just trying to run. We start to do speed workouts in August.

How is it running for the varsity team?

The team vibe is really good and everybody is super nice and really welcoming even when I was in seventh grade.

What role does running cross country play in your life?

It’s really important to me. I go to practice every day after school so it takes up a lot of time, but it’s worth it.

Inability to score leads to early finish

Do you have any pre-race rituals?

I have lucky socks. I got them before my first meet in seventh grade and they are orange for St. Louis Park. I wear them every race I run.

Boys’ soccer loses 3-0 in first round of sections Neda Salamzadeh & Shoshi Leviton nedasalamzadeh@slpecho.com & shoshileviton@slpecho.com

A

fter entering sections with a fifth place seed, the boys’ team lost to fourthseeded Washburn, during the first game.

The team finished with an overall record of 6-4-5.

Prior to the game, head coach Chato Alvarado said the team would face no competition more difficult than themselves.

“The toughest competition we will face is ourselves,” Alvarado said. “Our success all depends on how we play.”

Alvarado identified the lack of goals as a problem the team has faced throughout the season.

“We’ve been having issues with not scoring so hopefully we’ll be able to do a better job of getting the ball in the net,” Alvarado said.

Junior Miguel Ocampo said although the team was strong in many aspects, not being able to finish scoring opportunities ultimately led to the team’s loss.

“Our main issue this season was being able to score goals; we just couldn’t finish them off,” Ocampo said.

Senior Demetrius Armbrecht said he is

9

Photo Mira Swartz

Fight for it: Freshman Zinedine Kroeten steals the ball from an opponent during the team’s game against Richfield Oct. 6. Park won 2-0. disappointed the season is over, but feels he grew both as a player and as a teammate throughout the season.

“I’m really sad that it’s over, especially since it’s my last year. I really enjoy playing with the boys and I’ve learned so much in so little time,” Armbrecht said. “Although we hit some rough patches here and there, we improved exponentially throughout the season, and now we’re not just better soccer players, but better teammates.”

Although the season is over, Ocampo said he looks toward improvements the younger players on the team can make for next year.

“Next season we need to have a better attack, score more goals and condition more so that we can be more fit for our games and so that we can have people in for longer periods of time,” Ocampo said.

Total number of goals during the last four years 58 goals 43 goals

41 goals

19 goals

2012

2013

2014

2015

= 5 goals Infographic Joe Brandel Source mnsoccerhub.com

What inspires you to run?

My mom and all her siblings run, my dad runs and both my older brothers run. On Christmas we all go running together and it’s really fun. My parents have always been really supportive and really encouraging. I push myself really hard but they let me know that even if you aren’t number three or number four that its fine and my older brother in college really encourages me a lot. I definitely have a good support system.

How does running make you feel?

When you are having a really good race it’s the feeling that you know you’re pushing yourself and that you can’t give any more, but you still feel awesome and know you are doing well. It makes me happy because I work really hard to get there and it is really exciting when you achieve that goal.

Do you run in your free time?

I run a day on the weekend, in winter I run on my own and I don’t run during spring because I do synchronized swimming.

Adah Koivula adahkoivula@slpecho.com

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OPINIONS Echo Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Echo

St. Louis Park Senior High School 6425 West 33rd Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426 Print editor-in-chief: Allison Cramer Web editor-in-chief: Kaylee Chamberlain Print managing editor: Jackson Eilers Web managing editor: Hannah Goldenberg Copy editors: Hannah Bernstein, Abby Hickstein & Jonah Kupritz Design editors: Harry Steffenhagen & Cedar Thomas Photo editors: Harrison Barden, Celene Koller, Julia Nathan & Heather Westwood Video editors: Zoë Eilers & Albie Sher News editor: Shoshi Leviton Student life editors: Ethan Brown, Genesis Buckhalton & Katie Orton Features editors: Sari Hattis & Emily Tifft In-Depth editor: Jamie Halper Sports editors: Joe Brandel & Neda Salamzadeh Opinions editor: Olivia Sieff Entertainment editor: Polina Pekurovsky Beats editor: Brigid Duffy Social media editor: Kate Huber Staff: Deanna Afremov, Aisha Ali, Jane Anderson, Maggie Bahnson, Max Blackburn, Sam Crary, Jada Csikos-Monroe, Emma Dietz, Anna DuSaire, Daniella Etzion, Mimi Fhima, Raphy Gendler, Sydney Hall, Zack Hatcher, Ruthie Hope, Will Huyck, Max Kent, Adah Koivula, Ndunzi Kunsunga, Makagbe Kuyateh, Alyssa LeMay, Alissa Meredith, Sam Orloff, Alec Pittman, Elise Riley, Sophie Skinner, Jayne Stevenson, Paige Steward, Mira Swartz, Lauren VonEschen, Ilana Weinstein, Sophie Yarosh & Carlos Zeigle Business Manager: Mara Bacig Principal: Scott Meyers Printer: Quad Graphics Adviser: Lori Keekley

MEDIA POLICIES The Echo is the official student-produced newspaper of St. Louis Park Senior High School.

It is published triweekly for the school’s students, 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.

It’s always a good thing to take the ACT for college, no matter your score.

Nils Rykken, junior

OUR PERSPECTIVE

Students should take advantage of free test

L

ast April, all juniors were required to take a statefunded ACT test as a graduation requirement. In order to repurpose funds elsewhere, the legislature voted to drop the requirement, and instead fund the test only for schools that decide to offer it.

According to junior counselor Kelsey Milne, Park stands among the schools offering the standardized test to all juniors at no cost.

The expectation remains that all juniors will take the test, though they have the ability to opt-out.

Research on 2014 graduates who took the test more than once, published on the ACT website, reveals 57 percent of students improved their composite score on their second test. For this reason, Park’s decision to provide a free test during a school day should receive support from students, parents, teachers and administrators alike.

By removing the barrier of cost, and the difficulty of driving to a testing center early on a Saturday morning, Park increases the chance of students taking the test a second time and very likely improving their score. With four testing dates taking place after the free March 15 test and the

Art Emma Dietz

Students should take advantage of the opportunity to take a free, in-school ACT test March 15, despite the option to opt-out. deadlines of the earliest college applications in October, the early exposure provides students plenty of time to improve and retest.

No number can represent a student as a dynamic human being, but reality dictates the standardized test holds significance for any student aspiring to go to college. By taking up

the state’s offer of a free test, the school shows recognition of the importance that all students have an opportunity to reach their academic potential.

Although juniors have the option to opt-out of the test, which takes place, they should consider the incredible opportunity provided to them by the school

ID Act reveals legislative missteps Disagreement could ground passengers Ethan Brown ethanbrown@slpecho.com

M

innesota’s prohibition of the Real ID Act will soon void driver’s licenses as ID when traveling within the United States, which is harshly unfair to Minnesotans and should be reconstructed.

The Real ID Act, passed in 2005, was implemented to combat terrorism. The law requires states to produce secure driver’s licenses with proof of name, date of birth, social security and other verified information. Beginning January 2016, it will become illegal to board a flight within the United States without a Real ID license, yet Minnesota has not yet complied with the original law.

The noncompliance with this act stems from 2009, when the Minnesota legislative system enacted a ban on the implementation of the Real ID Act. The Real ID Act is a completely logical piece

of legislation, and banning it was a frustrating and improper move by the state government, as now Minnesotans will have to pay the consequences six years later. Not only does this law protect travelers, but it’s economically smart.

The law has been mainly supported, although organizations such as the Cato Institute and the American Center for Law and Justice have shown opposition because of privacy rights. This law, while practical, does raise questions about how far the government can intrude into civilian’s personal lives and information.

It’s important to consider the financial situation of many everyday people. The difference between the cost of a Minnesota driver’s license and a U.S. Passport is $92.75. For many people, that’s a lot of money to spend on travel documents. To further factor in economic disadvantages, the cost will go up even more for families hoping to travel together.

There exist options other than an official passport, but they aren’t advertised well enough. Drivers

and the state. With the test taking place at school, during a school day and at no cost to students, deciding not to take the test would make little sense.

The ACT is not everything, but as a result of Park’s decision to take up the Minnesota legislature’s offer, it is free and easily accessible for everyone.

Real ID Act by the numbers

in Minnesota can opt to pay an extra $15 for an enhanced license, although that option hasn’t been taken advantage of very much.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, only 7,000 Minnesotans have enhanced licenses.

In this situation, Minnesota’s legislative branch should face the most blame. As one of the four states to not yet improve their license laws, state legislators should take example from 46 other states.

Governor Mark Dayton has called for an emergency session to be held multiple times, although so far there has been no such action.

The House and Senate should’ve pushed this through before going on break, and must realize their mistakes to fix this pressing matter.

The Real ID Act, which is a morally and logically strong bill, should be enacted in Minnesota.

The government should end its prohibition on the act so Minnesotans won’t have to pay extra Infographic Harry Steffenhagen money or take extra steps to make Source Real ID Act National routine flights within the country. Impact Analysis

4

states have not enacted the Real ID Act Enacted in Minnesota in

2005 It costs

$15 extra in nonenacted states Costs

$0 in non-

enacted states

We maintain the right to reject any ads we believe to be false, misleading, inappropriate or harmful. The Echo does not necessarily endorse the products or services offered in these advertisements.

To Learning Lab: I got 99 problems and no one to help me.

NSPA All-American and Hall of Fame member; NSPA 2011, Print Pacemaker Finalist, 2013, 2014, 2015. National Print Pacemaker Award Recipient; 2014 Online Pacemaker Finalist, JEM All-State; CSPA Gold Medalist; 2012, 2014 CSPA

To hunting: Bring it on, PETA.

To treehouse: When it came down, so did my childhood.

Silver Crown, 2013 CSPA Gold Crown, 2015 CSPA Hybrid Gold Crown.

Art Alyssa LeMay

H.S., J.K., A.P.

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(Planned Parenthood) supports a lot of programs helping to prevent STIs or unplanned pregnancies.

OPINIONS

George Hare, sophomore

POINT COUNTERPOINT

Echo Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Where does the money come from?

65%

What services are provided?

• Birth control

from government health

41% service grants

of Americans support federal funding for Planned Parenthood

from private

31% contributions non-government-related 23% health services 6% from other sources

• Abortion services • Breast screenings

52

• STI/STD testing

members of the Senate voted to defund Planned Parenthood Infographic Lauren VonEschen Source plannedparenthood.org & cnn.com

Planned Parenthood funding questioned

The non-profit organization, Planned Parenthood, under fire because of controversial fetal tissue videos. Debate and possible de-funding of the group spurs in Congress.

Continue allowing free health care for all women Organization provides education, services Zoë Eilers zoeeilers@slpecho.com

T

aking away the funding of Planned Parenthood doesn’t eradicate the needs of low-income women; it gets rid of an opportunity for a stable health care support system.

Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit organization that provides advice and resources for family planning, contraception options and any reproductive problems women might have, especially for those who cannot afford health care.

Conservatives in Congress are trying to defund the non-profit group because of controversial videos. The head of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, was ridiculed for five hours Sept.

29 on Capitol Hill.

Evidence suggests these videos were filmed without the knowledge of this organization and are believed to have undergone extensive editing to create a negative image. No concrete evidence Planned Parenthood sells fetal body parts for profit, but it does use fetal tissue for scientific research, according to a recent LA Times article.

Abortions have been legal since the 1973 Roe vs. Wade

PARK TRAIL

case. Planned Parenthood serves as a safe place to perform this medical procedure for women.

Additionally, Planned Parenthood offers contraceptives, cancer screenings, breast exams, morning-after pill, abortions, STD testing and more.

Abortions only account for 3 percent of all the services Planned Parenthood provides.

In reality, that percent holds no significance in the big picture of the organization.

This non-profit organization actively engages in education and advocacy to protect and advance women’s health and sexual rights.

Planned Parenthood receives funding in two ways: Medicaid, and Title X, both of which provide support to low-income families.

Planned Parenthood helps millions of low-income women receive service they would otherwise be unable to afford and continues to serve to anyone who seeks help, including all genders.

All women deserve free access to health care services and that should not be taken away from them in any regard. Defunding Planned Parenthood takes away an opportunity for a group of women who would otherwise have few opportunities to receive free health care. #IStandWithPP, and so should you.

Emma Dietz emmadietz@slpecho.com

Government must end funds to abortion giant Taxpayers dollars funds controversial organization Adah Koivula adahkoivula@slpecho.com

F

ederal money should not contribute to Planned Parenthood because of the controversy surrounding the organization, and because not everyone supports the beliefs of it.

Planned Parenthood funds many Democratic candidates, so taxpayers’ dollars indirectly fund a political party they may not align with, according to the Center for Responsive Politics research group in 2013. This study showed Planned Parenthood donated half a million dollars to only Democratic politicians.

Currently, the United States has 13,540 comprehensive health care centers designated for women in need, compared to only 665 Planned Parenthood clinics. By defunding Planned Parenthood, this money could go toward funding health clinics, which provide a wider range of services that do not include abortions, such as mammograms and sexual health education.

According to Planned Parenthood’s corporate reports, the number of breast exams, a main form of detection of breast cancer, went down from

approximately 2 million in 2011 to 936,000 in 2013, while the number of abortions grew more than 50 percent, to account for 37 percent of their revenue.

Additionally, Cecile Richards said the organization has never provided mammograms, the x-ray form of a breast cancer screening, as it does not have the equipment to do so. This contrasts with previous claims by the organization stating it did perform this service.

Although Planned Parenthood has great features, like helping those in need with birth control, STI testing and pregnancy tests, it remains the nation’s largest provider of abortions, according to the Heidi Group, a pro-life organization.

According to Steven Calvin, a perinatologist who teaches obstetrics at the University of Minnesota, a fetus can feel pain because of the presence of neural pathways.

American tax dollars should not fund an organization that murders helpless babies that can feel pain, can recognize voices and sounds and have a complex neurological system.

Congress should defund Planned Parenthood because the actions of this organization are controversial and Americans’ tax dollars should not support an organization that ends lives of helpless children.

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An open letter to Halloween Holiday spurs negative teenage body image Olivia Sieff oliviasieff@slpecho.com

I

’m a big fan of Halloween. It’s at the top of my list of favorite holidays. But in the past couple of years, Halloween slowly moved down the list.

This wasn’t because I stopped liking candy or trick-or-treating, but because of the pressure to look good. Nowadays, Halloween isn’t about going door-to-door with your friends— it’s about who looks the best.

It seems ridiculous that I’ve started to dislike Halloween simply because of costumes itself, but it’s the truth. It seems there are only a few options for teenagers and young adults to choose from.

Walking through a Halloween costume store, one sees pictures of models wearing the costumes for sale, with airbrushed, perfectly toned legs, arms, faces and abs.

These men and women look good in these outfits, even hot. People buy these costumes because they think if they wear it, they’ll appear to others how the people in costumes appear to them: sexy.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look sexy or being proud of one’s body, except for people are going to start to see someone as only hot or sexy. This might not happen in one night, but overtime, this will become a problem.

Once people start focusing solely on their bodies, they’re going to forget about what everyone truly is: smart, beautiful, strong and the list goes on. People aren’t just toned legs or really great butts, no matter what a costume might make them out to be.

People should wear what they want to wear, even if it is revealing or sexualized, but people don’t have to wear those costumes.

People don’t have to be robbers in extremely short skirts if they don’t want to. If someone wants to dress up as the Pillsbury DoughBoy, they should do it.

How hot someone is or how good someone’s body is doesn’t matter. What does matters on Halloween is how much candy you can manage to shove in your mouth.

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12 ENTERTAINMENT

Echo Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Looking at stars would be interesting because you’re exploring another universe.

Enjoli Goodwyn, senior

Stars abound Public can be starstruck at Macalester observatory Hannah Goldenberg hannahgoldenberg@slpecho.com

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Star trails: While visiting the observatory with a clear night sky, observers are given the chance to stargaze.

Photo Polina Pekurovsky

METRO AT A GLANCE Polina Pekurovsky polinapekurovsky@slpecho.com Photos used with written permission from the Science Museum of Minnesota, Trail of Terror and the Walker.

hen recalling previous Public Nights at the Macalester College's observatory, laboratory supervisor and observatory manager Brian Adams laughs.

“It gives me great joy when someone has their first look through a telescope, especially young children. They will hoot and holler or they will talk to their moms and dads and say ‘wow, that was really incredible,’” Adams said. “I like to be able to give that to people at these events. I get a lot of reward from showing people objects through the telescope.”

Although junior Ryan Gemilere has never attended this particular observatory, he said he has visited observatories at other institutions. He said they offer an experience to feel closer to the stars.

“It’s just cool because you are looking at an object millions of miles away and you are seeing it and it feels like it’s a lot closer to you,” Gemilere said. “Since it is an observatory, there is a lot of advanced equipment, so people would get to look at the stars with more than just the naked eye and learn more about them.”

According to Adams, Macalester students involved in physics courses lead the Public Nights, an opportunity for the general public to use the observatory to view the night sky. “(Public Nights) are a chance for not only Macalester College students to come to the observatory and look through the telescopes, but also for Macalester neighborhood and the general public,” Adams said. “It is our form of outreach to the community, as much as we are capable of.”

Adams said the observatory points Next public its telescopes at the moon, planets, observatory night bright stars and star clusters. He said When Public Nights offer those who attend 8:30 p.m. the chance to connect with the night Oct. 25 sky as much as they can from the city.

Where “Later in the fall the Andromeda Macalester Galaxy will be up in the sky and we College can look at that,” Adams said. “The Source macalester.edu Infographic Daniella Etzion problem with observing galaxies from a metropolitan area means the sky is so bright. Seeing much detail from them is difficult from the cities.”

Gemilere said he enjoys looking at stars because he feels it satisfies a sense of wonder and curiosity in his mind.

“I find it really fascinating to just think about how vast the universe actually is and how small the earth is and how much there is to explore,” Gemilere said.

People find joy in astronomy, according to Adams, because of the feeling they get when they look up into the open night sky.

“When you are in a place where you don’t have a lot of streetlights, and you go out in the country and look out and you can see so many stars and the milky way, it’s overwhelming,” Adams said.

Adams said he encourages students to attend the next event, even if they aren’t interested in science or astronomy.

“There are a lot of amateur astronomers in the country, and it gives them a chance if they haven’t had a chance to look through or use a telescope, they can get experience that way,” Adams said.

“I hope that everyone has a curiosity that most astronomers do about the sky and the objects in it, and I hope they come here to satisfy some of that curiosity.”

The next Public Night takes place 8:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 25.

Oct. 21-Jan. 7

Oct. 21-Jan. 24

Oct. 24-Feb. 28

Oct. 21-2018

The Science Museum of Minnesota Omnitheatre presents “Humpback Whales,” a nature documentary about these whales and their environment. Admission is $8.

The Trail of Terror in Shakopee features many haunted houses, a Running Dead 5K, zombie paintball and food. The attraction will also feature a new Escape Room. Admission is $19.95.

The Walker showcases “Hippie Modernism: The Struggle for Utopia,” an exhibit featuring art, architecture and design within the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s. Admission is $9.

The Science Museum of Minnesota presents “RACE: Are We So Different?” an exhibit showcasing three themes including history of race and the everyday experience of race. Admission is $13.