he girls’ hockey team kicked off its season with a home game against the St. Paul Blades Nov. 7. The game ended in a 3-3 tie. The team also lost 4-0 to Achievers Academy Nov. 9. The Orioles hope to improve from its previous season, which they finished with a record of 4-22-2.
oney and Rye Bakery recently opened on Excelsior Boulevard in St. Louis Park. The Bakery features a rustic farm-like setting with fresh breads baked daily. Emily Ackerman, one of the owners of the bakery, said she wants the bakery to have a friendly atmosphere to attract local customers. “We really want people to feel like this is their neighborhood bakery,” she said.
aggie’s Farm Books Alive Readers’ Theater rehearses for its upcoming production at the Lenox Center. The theater is looking for original scripts on bully prevention written by high school students, according to cofounder Rachel Richardson. “We’d love to have original scripts, home-grown from the community,” Richardson said. They meet for rehearsal Monday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
he rivalry between Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Park will continue because of a Nov. 1 denial of the appeal to remove Benilde from the Metro-West conference. According to Superintendent Rob Metz, the hearing officer chose to place Benilde in the conference because of its similarity in size to other schools. “Even though Benilde is similar to us in size, in terms of sports they should be competing against bigger schools,” Metz said. Metz said he does not think Benilde’s approach to sports fits with those of other schools in the conference. “We believe sports are important, and we should focus on development—not necessarily going to State in many things—although
we might occasionally,” Metz said. “Benilde has a different philosophy. For them it’s about winning as much as you can.” However, freshman Marcie James said she is glad the Orioles will continue to compete against the Red Knights. “I think it’s good to have Benilde in our conference, because it’s healthy competition and they’re at our ability level,” James said. Regardless of skill level, athletic director Andy Ewald said he expected the decision.
wo students were found in possession of Airsoft guns during school Oct. 24. A teacher reported a student putting unusual objects into his or her pocket, and upon further investigation the objects were found to be Airsoft pellets. Later searches revealed this student and one other were in possession of two Airsoft guns, according to
“I’m not surprised, but disappointed,” Ewald said. “There has never been an appeal granted before.” Now that the appeal has gone before an independent hearing, the athletic office has no way to further appeal Benilde’s placement. Ewald said although he dislikes Benilde’s placement, he plans to focus on Park. “It’s disappointing but at some point you have to move on and control what you can: ourselves and our programs,” he said.
principal Joann Karetov. The Park administration would not disclose further information surrounding this incident. According to the school handbook, consequences of possessing a weapon or lookalike weapon on school property include expulsion after a five-day suspension. The students in possession of the weapons told the police they did not intend to cause harm to the school or students, according to Karetov. Freshman Elise Moore
said she believes the administration reacted too strongly in their response to the recent incident. “It should be taken seriously but the way the school treated it wasn’t right, they overreacted,” she said. Despite the incident, Karetov said she believes no additional preventative measures should be taken. “I don’t really know if you could prevent that. It is common knowledge that weapons and look-alike weapons are prohibited on school grounds,” Karetov said.
lthough junior Tati Yepes has taken an ACT class in the past, she said it did not prepare her well and was expensive. “I’ve personally taken an ACT prep class, and it was very expensive,” Yepes said. “The class I took was very fast-paced and hard to take notes in.” This year, however, the counseling office is offering free, individualized ACT prep classes after school once a week starting Nov. 14. Junior counselor Laura King said she wants students to be well prepared for taking the test. “The goal is to increase the familiarity with what the ACT questions are going to look like,” King said. “The ACT is such a high-stakes test, and we’re offering a free service.” Career and technical education director Kara Mueller said the offer of ACT preparatory classes is funded by a federal grant, known as the Perkins Grant. This grant aims to leave students more prepared for tests they need to take to apply to colleges. “The Perkins grant is to support all students for college and career readiness,” Mueller said. “We have received an extra tool for ACT prep, which is a class to take practice tests.” According to Mueller, classes will be student-driven and individualized on computer programs. “ Yo u can go at your own pace. The organization will create lessons based off your weaknesses to help you prepare,” she said. Yepes said she believes the classes will be helpful for students who want to take the ACT. “I think (the new classes) are extremely helpful,” Yepes said. “It would be helpful for those who want to take the test but don’t come from a financially stable home.” However, King said she thinks the educational process will be different for students to prepare for taking the college entrance exam. Instead of learning from a teacher, students will follow directions from instructional computer programs, according to King. This is a change from the traditional structure of an ACT class. “Students aren’t necessarily going to get the same one-on-one instructional time,” King said. “Our goal is to provide a venue and accessibility to all students free of charge, and provide computers and transportation.” Junior Jordan Gemilere said he is interested in taking the classes to prepare for the ACT. “I would take the classes because my family wants to save money, and I want to increase my chances of getting into a good college,” he said. Classes will be offered every Thursday after school from 3:15 to 5:15 in B225. Interested students can talk to their counselor or Mueller in B220 to enroll in the preparatory classes.
arly next year, Peter Hobart Elementary School will have two new classrooms, thanks to a lease-purchase agreement approved by the School Board in April 2013. The construction began in July and is slated to be finished by the end of January. Kue Contractors won the bid to build the expansion, which cost $1.2 million, according to School Board records. According to Peter Hobart principal Shelley Nielsen, Peter Hobart is one of the district’s two Title 1 schools, meaning it provides a bridge between low-income students and their higher-income peers. The school currently provides free and reduced lunch to 45 percent of its population and has 100 students in the English as a Second Language (ELL) program. Nielsen said ELL students and the reading
intervention program will use the extra space. “Currently we do not have any small group space to assist students who need some extra help except to use the hallways or move to a corner inside the classroom,” she said. “The two rooms being added will allow these disciplines to have a classroom.” Freshman Camarie Martin, a Peter Hobart graduate, said she believes St. Louis Park residents’ money will be well spent. “Peter Hobart is a good place to use the district’s money, because they need it the most,” Martin said. “It already felt too small when I went there, and now there are even more students.” Sophomore Adna Aideed agreed, and said she believes the students at Peter Hobart need better facilities. “My brother graduated from Peter Hobart last year, and they really need the extra space,” she said. “The kids there deserve to go to a school with enough room.” Although the School Board voted unan-
city-wide initiative to collect blood donations aims to strengthen the community bond and save lives. The St. Louis Park City Hall is hosting a blood drive Nov. 19. The blood drive is sponsored by Memorial Blood Centers, an organization that distributes blood to local hospitals. The event is open to all people 17 and older, but 16-yearolds may donate with written consent from a parent or guardian. John McHugh, the St. Louis Park Blood Drive coordinator, said he is excited for this year’s drive because this is the first time all St. Louis Park residents can donate blood, instead of just city officials. “This is a blood drive for the public, not just city employes,” McHugh said. According to McHugh, the city hopes to collect around 14 pints of blood throughout its 21 appointments. Although this is a relatively small blood drive, McHugh said he believes it still is significant. Junior Aren Rosholt said he believes giving blood motivates people to help others. “They get people more involved in the community,” Rosholt said. “(It) get(s) people thinking about other things, other people and the need for blood in hospitals and clinics.”
imously to approve the expansion, senior Sarah Ritter said she does not agree with their choice. “The district should be spending money on other things, like funding programs for high school students who may be more appreciative than elementary schoolers,” Ritter said. Regardless, Nielsen said the Peter Hobart community is thankful for the extra space. “Our students, families and staff are all grateful for this addition,” Nielsen said.
In addition to saving peoples’ lives, junior Nitsa Dereskos said she thinks blood drives are an important way to connect community members to one another. “You feel a stronger connection to everyone in the community,” Dereskos said. McHugh said the blood collected in the drive is used for whole blood transfusions. The donated blood is then donated to local hospitals where it will be stored for later use. Senior Bobby Hanson said he thinks giving blood is a simple way to help someone in need. “It’s so quick, but it could save someone’s life,” Hanson said. Students and community members can sign up for the blood drive on the City of St. Louis Park website, where they will need to fill out an application. All blood types are needed at the drive.
lthough St. Louis Park isn’t in a physical desert, many of its citizens are still in need of relief. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a food desert is an area in the United States with limited access to affordable and nutritious food, generally located in lower income neighborhoods and communities. Based on the Food Access Research Atlas from the USDA, 200 food deserts exist within Minnesota, including one in St. Louis Park. In order to reduce the number of food deserts in the Twin Cities, multiple food co-ops have been created to provide community members with healthier, more accessible items to purchase. Local community organizations establish these institutions, which eliminate reliance on supermarket chains. A group of neighbors opened the Wedge, a co-op in the Whittier neighborhood, in 1974. These neighbors were determined to sell unprocessed food. As a wholesale grocer, it focuses on local, healthy foods. At times, these choices can be cheaper than processed food available at convenience stores, according to Elizabeth Archerd, membership and marketing manager of The Wedge. Archerd said she credits their success to the co-op system. Community members serve as volunteers and owners of these co-ops. This grants them economic independence and allows them to keep their focus on the people they serve. This co-op system has helped turn the Whittier neighborhood into a vibrant and economically stable community according to Archerd. “Many small businesses in the area have been listing their proximity to The Wedge as an advantage, because we brought more foot traffic,” Archerd said. In addition to co-ops providing healthier options, food shelves also help families living in food deserts. St. Louis Park is home to two active food shelves, including one inside the high school. The Bird Feeder, initiated and run by community service students, began in September. They work to provide students and their families with weekend backpacks full of meals. Community service teacher and Birdfeeder adviser Sophia Ross said she is enthusiastic about helping any students who live in food desert areas. “If any of those students live in these food deserts, we could definitely supply those students with backpacks,” Ross said. For families in need of food in St. Louis Park, STEP, a local food shelf, offers everything from healthy food to a free ride, according to program manager Julie Lapointe. “STEP offers rides in to the food shelf one time per month if a person cannot access transportation, and we do 30-40 rides in to the food shelf each month via a volunteer,” Lapointe said. “Our goal is to offer nutritious food to people who use the food shelf. We offer fresh produce, dairy and meat.” Sophomore Naila Binda said she supports the creation of these food distributers because of the benefits they bring to the community. “It’s a good idea because people need access to healthier food,” she said. “It’s helping support more community based projects.”
hile Tom Hanks is remembered for comparing life to a box of chocolates, likening life to a fresh bag of grocery items seems much more appropriate to me. In the two and a half years I have worked as a courtesy clerk, or as I like to call myself, “culinary packing engineer,” I have learned quite a bit about life. Beyond just putting eggs and bread on the top of bags to dealing with customers, bagging groceries has taught me much. “The customer is always right.” Any employee of a retail job is told to make this slogan their life’s purpose, as satisfying patrons is the goal of the store. Beyond customers, however, learning to take instructions from teachers, parents, managers and others in power is important, regardless of how ridiculous they may seem. Bagging an order once in plastic, then in paper, then again in plastic may seem just as useless as shoveling a driveway during a snowstorm, but sometimes listening and following orders pays off in the long run. By finding a sense of accomplishment, students can find enjoyment in any obstacle. Like problems in life, groceries will just keep coming down the line toward you. Whether it’s that annoying 2-gallon jug of apple juice missing its handle or an insane question on a math test, life is like an endless conveyor belt problems. With some perseverance, fortitude and creativity, however, any challenge can be overcome. Thinking ahead and looking at the cart to judge what items are in it rather than getting caught up or scared by the current ones will help you plan ahead, just like splitting up a 200-page English book you have a week to read into nightly segments. Dealing with each task individually, rather than stressing out at the enormity of the whole, will make each challenge seem more manageable (or baggable). We all make mistakes. Forgetting to put rubber bands on cartons of eggs is in a lot of ways just as important as forgetting to study for that vocab test you have in English next hour. Facing consequences can be tough, but the best lesson you can take out of your mistakes is not to make them again. Selfreflection can be hard, but by working on improving your weaknesses rather than strengths you will become a wellrounded student, or grocery bagger, be it through better weight distribution in bags or accents in Spanish class. Even while a box of chocolates may itself represent a troubling aspect of life, it is the entire parcel, whether paper or plastic, that truly bags life.
I first started playing when I was 12, three years ago. I went to a roller derby bout (game) with my grandparents and we heard about the Twin Cities Junior Roller Derby, and I just decided to sign up. I started with Twin Cities Junior Roller Derbys, and I began learning how to skate at Cheap Skate in Coon Rapids.
The basic idea is that there’s a pack of skaters: a person from each team with a star on their helmet (jammer) who can score, a pack of eight people (four people from each team), and jammers are behind them. The pack leaves first and the jammers try and go through the pack and around and get a point for each person from the opposite team they pass (usually four). Blockers are usually sturdier. A pivoter is good at leading, and jammers are more agile. Games are separated into halves — the team with the most points wins. Each time the whistle blows and the pack goes it is called a jam, and they last
eg hair, sacrificial rituals, and the existentialist club are a few of the many breaking news topics covered on the new Park Spark website, theparkspark.com. Park’s new satirical news website publishes humorous material weekly. Park Spark articles are fictional and provide comedic angles on school issues. So far, The Park Spark has covered topics such as the SLP dress code revolution, the Vikings’ quarterback situation, and the First Lady’s water drinking initiative. Seniors Maya Raz and Anna Glassman-Kaufman co-founded the Park Spark this year. Raz said they started the Park Spark to give students a publication alternative to the more demanding publications. “I wanted to give people the opportunity to work on writing and photography skills without it being super rigorous,” Raz said. “I also wanted to give freshmen and sophomores a
around two minutes. They can be called off by the first jammer to leave the pack as a strategy move.
The friendly competitiveness. There are no bad feelings afterward. It’s just about the love of the game.
I don’t think most people understand that you can join without knowing how to skate. Our team has beginner levels. You don’t have to know anything about skating before you show up. There’s also a men’s league, which guys can participate in as well.
Some people still think that it’s the staged game from the 70s, they’re surprised it’s an actual professional sport. People look at my mom and are surprised when I say that I play it. It’s not the same as what it
chance to be on a publication.” Raz said she is happy with the website, but she hopes to improve on some of the technical elements and the overall writing process. “We have the humorous aspect,” she said. “We just need to make it a little more official and well written.” The satirical nature of the
used to be. I’ve never been seriously injured in the three years I played.
It’s a really fun sport for everyone. You can be any body size. Roller derby is a very fun and competitive game — but not in a mean way. It’s a fun sport to join, because it’s not a very well known sport.
It was a sport I could excel at. I never wanted to do a generic sport, and roller derbying was a unique thing that I could do. It seemed like a fun and unique activity to participate in. I was surprised it was a real sport and involved a lot of work. I was also able to get a lot of friends and work on team building.
One of my hopes is for roller derbying to make it into the Olympics. I would like to see it recognized as a true sport. Whoever makes it in will be very deserving.
Park Spark allows it to publish sensitive or controversial articles. Drugs, sex and other social taboos can be portrayed jokingly in the Park Spark as it addresses socially relevant topics such as thigh exposure and Miley Cyrus’ dressing habits. Sophomore Zoë Leuthner said she believes students will enjoy reading about comical or
controversial topics more than hard news or other material. “Students find funny things and sensitive topics more interesting,” Leuthner said. “Humor and controversy are more engaging and will hold a student’s attention better.” Readers can check the website for updates as well as follow @SLPParkSpark on Twitter.
princess, a pea and many mattresses are key elements in the fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea.” However, participants in the fall musical “Once Upon a Mattress” will present a new version, according to director Jodi Hatzenbeller. Hatzenbeller said the play is set during a medieval time period and is based on the fairy tale. “Ours deviates from the original, because the princess is a little more renegade and rebellious while the queen is incredibly controlling and manipulative,” Hatzenbeller said.
Sophomore Genevieve Bone, who plays Lady Clarisse, said she is excited about this play, because it is a change of pace from plays performed recently. “I’m glad that we’re finally doing a fantasy piece, not a period piece,” Bone said. “We’ve done plays set in a specific time period, like ‘All Shook Up’ was in the 1950s and ‘The Cat’s Meow’ was in the 1920s. In a fantasy setting, anything can happen for no reason, and logic is not there.” Hatzenbeller said she directed this show 13 years ago, and she is excited to direct it again with a talented cast. “It’s a fun show to do. It’s a big hit with audiences, and I wanted to pick a show that had some flexibility in how many females we could use because we typically have more girls audition than boys,” Hatzenbeller said. The play will exhibit costumes from medieval times in
order to accurately portray the play. Sophomore Claire O’Grady, a member of the costume crew for the show, said she likes the garments for this play. “The sets and the costumes are amazing because they are bright and colorful,” O’Grady said. Compared to shows performed recently, Hatzenbeller said “Once Upon a Mattress” is a change of pace. Hatzenbeller said she thinks the audience will enjoy the show, because it’s lighter than shows done in the past. “Nobody gets killed, there’s no mystery to it, and it’s very family friendly,” Hatzenbeller said. The play will show Nov. 15, 16 and 24 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $7 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. For more information, call (952) 928-6221.
n the Apple Valley debate tournament Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, senior varsity debater Leah Shapiro made it to the semifinals after facing off against opponents from across the country. According to head debate coach Charles McClung, Shapiro is one of the most prominent debaters in the nation. “Leah is undisputedly in the top three debaters in the country based on her results in the competitions she took place in this year,” McClung said. According to Shapiro, her success was due partly to extensive preparation she put in before the season. “I competed a few times, had practice debates and had Skype rounds with some of the best debaters in the country,” Shapiro said. Despite recent varsity success, McClung said the team is preparing for upcoming junior varsity and novice tournaments. “We are preparing for junior varsity and novice State, which is in the first week of
December,” McClung said. “Varsity squad is doing a lot of work getting the novices ready for debate. It’s important to help the younger debaters on the team since they are the future of the program.”
“The whole time I was really confused about everything that was happening. But it really hit me when I was driving home afterward, and I could not remember how to get home,” Houghton said. Houghton is part of a growing nationwide trend of increasing amounts of head injuries among athletes everywhere, particularly football players. Research efforts, spearheaded by the Center of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University, primarily by Dr. Ann McKee, have revealed startling statistics regarding the effects of years of football on an athlete’s brain, even at younger ages like in high school. One of McKee’s research assistants at Boston University, Brian Fry, said while the impacts suffered by high school athletes usually will not be as severe as those incurred by professionals, the effects can carry greater risk. “The brains of adolescents are still developing a ton, so suffering a serious brain injury could mean a much more worrisome effect,” Fry said. “There could be serious repercussions down the line for development.”
ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a concussion consists of a forceful bump or jolt to the head that results in rapid movement of the cranium and consequently of the brain inside the skull. While immediate symptoms can be temporary effects such as confusion, dizziness, clumsiness, slurred speech and other notable physical differences, the initial symptoms may be some of the weakest ones, according to Fry. “The biggest thing high school players can do to help themselves is recognize the possibility of a concus-
sive hit right away, which comes with education,” Fry said. “If you immediately check yourself out (of a game) to be reviewed and diagnosed by a medical employee, you can avoid possible drastic consequences. Educating yourself is the best defense you can have,” Fry said. In addition to the CDC reports, a study released in October 2013 by the National Academy of Sciences said high school athletes, and particularly football players, are twice as likely to suffer from a concussion in high school athletics than in college sports. Fry said this is the result of a lack of resources and ability to assess concussions immediately, resulting in multiple concussions before the brain recovers. “Without the proper training, many players are sent back into the game for the sake of the team or their desire to play, unaware that they are risking with a second concussion suffering from severe brain swelling and blood circulation being cut off,” Fry said.
uring the past several years, the amount of concussions at Park has increased, according to athletic trainer Julie Strenkowski. “Across the board I’ve seen an increase in concussions,” Strenkowski said. “This could be because of multiple reasons including more reportings of concussions. Concussions are starting to become an injury that is being taken a little more seriously.” This season, junior football player Xavier Lawson received a concussion, ending his season early. “It was the second to last game of the football season,” Lawson said. “All I remember is getting hit from behind. It’s all just a blur from there on.”
Lawson said he has suffered from his concussion to this day. “I just recently was diagnosed with temporary short-term memory loss. It has really affected me in school,” he said. Most recently in the football game Oct. 22 against Apple Valley, junior Duncan McIntyre received a concussion from repeated hits to the head and said soon after the side effects were hurting his academic performance. “I came into school the next day, and I had an English test. The words were moving a bit on the paper, and it was hard to focus,” he said. Football is not the only sport seeing serious repercussions from head injuries. Sophomore hockey player Elena Basill has suffered three concussions in her life, the most recent of which happened Dec. 6, 2012, resulting in her being taken off the ice on a stretcher. “It’s my favorite sport, but if I get another one I will be done,” she said. Senior synchronized swimmer Rose Evensen suffered a concussion in her freshman year when she hit her head on the bottom of the pool. Evensen said recovering from concussions properly is important. “It is frustrating when people are out of the season, but it’s better than being affected by it all your life,” she said. Lawson said he believes concussion awareness should be emphasized around the high school. “I feel that students who haven’t had a concussion don’t really know what could happen to them and that they should be taught about it,” he said. “It’s a serious issue that comes with playing physical contact sports at St. Louis Park.”
etween the ages of 8 and 12, I played on a soccer team where winning was not the only goal of the game. In fact, I don’t remember ever winning. However, I remember having a great time, fooling around, working hard and re-hashing the times we almost scored from ridiculous plays. We were not a bad team. We had some athleticism and decent skill. Each practice we worked on the basics and every single technique to get a goal-scoring opportunity. The problem was we never learned how to score. We rarely practiced with nets. Our parents groaned, laughed and some eventually left the team because they did not want their son on a losing team that never practiced scoring. Those parents never understood that the coaches had set up the perfect learning environment. After each dismal season filled with losses, our coach said, “you learn the most from losing.” I realized this was absolutely true. We learned about what we needed to improve on after each loss. The soccer club provided us with basic skill sets and an environment in which to use them. They forced us to figure out how to take risks and accept failure. When we took risks and it worked, we began to grow as players. Each risk provides a potential moment of growth. Attempting an unusual or creative idea can lead to good. Either the idea works or it doesn’t. If it doesn’t, change it for the better or allow it to lead you onto the next big idea. I believe anything can be improved, whether it is class work, art, athletics or friendships. These improvements usually originate from taking risks. Risks push the boundaries and test potential options. Usually these can lead to impressive changes for the better. When risks do not work it can be disappointing. Consequences such as a bad grade or disapproval from peers can be demoralizing in the moment. Yet, it is important to remember to take risks and attempt to improve. I was never sad or extremely disappointed after each loss. I learned how to take the losses and improve from them. Some of my teammates would leave the field with their heads down, but I never felt that way, since I knew I had improved. It is not all about winning, so lose gracefully. Don’t let anger and frustration override the moment after the game. Realize and accept the risks you have taken. Learn from them.
he decision to keep Benilde St. Margaret’s in the Metro-West Conference will have differing impacts on Park athletics. Senior soccer captain Luke VonEschen said the strong history of competition against Benilde makes its team an exciting opponent. “It’s a rivalry we’ve always had, so the passion is intensified because we’re playing for our city and our school,” VonEschen said. “It’s a tradition. It’s
part of who we are.” Earlier this year, the boys’ soccer team defeated Benilde 6-0 Oct. 31 at Benilde to clinch the conference championship. However, not all students agree completely. Freshman soccer player Lukas Garcia said although the rivalry can be healthy, Benilde may be too challenging of a competitor in some sports. “I guess it’s good, because they’re our main competition. But they’re a good team, so we’ll probably lose, depending on the sport,” Garcia said. Despite the decision, girls’ varsity soccer assistant coach Brad Brubaker said he believes it is necessary for teammates to maintain a positive attitude and
erry Keseley replaced Shjon Podein as head coach of the Park boys’ varsity hockey and gives players a chance to start the season with a new outlook. Last season, varsity was 4-20 according to mnhockeyhub.com. With its new coach the team members hope their outcome will be more successful with Keseley’s 25 years of coaching experience. Seniors Noah Fortmeyer and Curtis Greenbush are this year’s captains, and both have been previously coached by Keseley. Fortmeyer said he is looking forward to additional freshman players on the ice. “This year we have more talented players,” Fortmeyer said. “We can really make this season successful.” Podein’s coaching style focused on ingame situations more than anything during his practices, spending a majority of the practice time on plays. Keseley said he thinks his team should focus on more foundational skills instead of intricate details. “I like to focus on skill development while creating a good environment,” Keseley said. “It’s so important to empower kids to think on the ice and make their own decisions.” Keseley said he thinks hockey is an active
keep the competition in perspective. “As coaches, for the good of the program we have to put it behind us and do a really good job communicating to our teams that there’s nothing about Benilde-St. Margaret’s that’s overly dominant, nothing about them that’s unbeatable,” Brubaker said. Senior swimmer Katrine Halstensen said while she enjoys swimming against the Red Knights, she would prefer to have a more diverse field of competition. “They’re good to compete against, but they’ve been in our conference for so long. It would be good to swim against new people,” Halstensen said.
thinking sport, different from other sports. “It’s not like football, there aren’t set plays. You need to navigate your own decisions on the ice. That’s why it’s important to learn to think on your feet,” Keseley said he is not focused solely on winning this year either, and based on last year’s record he thinks the biggest goal should be their development off the ice. “My overall goal this season is to devel-
Girls’ basketball head coach Tim Sension said he does not have a strong opinion on the recent addition of Benilde into the Metro-West conference. “It doesn’t make any difference to me. I don’t have some of the anti-Benilde thoughts other people do,” Sension said. Sension said he does not feel like games against Benilde are any more significant than regular games. “There are other schools in our conference that are way better (at basketball),” Sension said. “We don’t go in thinking of it as a rivalry, we just treat it like another game.” While students and coaches may have differing opinions, Benilde is here to stay.
op good young men that really enjoy their season,” Keseley said. “That’s more important than any winning season.” “It’s really important for the boys to see fans out there,” Keseley said. “If our team has support from their family, friends and community, the score won’t matter.” Boys varsity’s first game is 7 p.m. Nov. 26 against Minneapolis Boys’ Hockey at Parade Ice Garden.
Junior Ben Takata Fencing
fter three high schools left their conference, the gymnastics team will compete with only three other schools, Columbia Heights, Irondale/Spring Lake Park and St. Anthony. According to head coach Gretchen Vandeputte, the coaches of the remaining schools have decided to elongate the gymnastics season by competing against one another twice. Vandeputte said she believes the increased knowledge of the competitor’s ability could prove to be an advantage. “Going into competition the second time,
f at first a sport seems daunting it may just not be in your genes. According to a study that found certain power athletes are more likely to have a genetic variance than other types of athletes. Research conducted by Dr. Paweł Cieszczyk at the University of Szczecin, Poland concluded a polymorphism, which is a certain set of specific alleles of the angiotensinogen (AGT), is three times more common in power athletes (short-distance running, power lifting and jumping) than endurance athletes (long-distance running, swimming and rowing). The study also concluded power athletes are twice as likely to have this polymorphism than non-athletic people. The AGT gene, however, is not a main component in the muscle building process. Instead its purpose is to regulate blood pressure, body salt and fluid balance. According to strength and conditioning coach Jessica Gust,
we’ll know their skill level,” Vandeputte said. “However, the meets are spread out, so we’ll expect ourselves to improve a lot and the other teams as well.” Senior captain Maya Raz said she looks forward to a strong season, and is enthusiastic about working with her teammates. “I’m excited to be a role model for other girls on the team, and be someone they can go to for anything,” Raz said. “I’m also excited to work closely with the coaches and be part of the (decision making).” In the upcoming season, Vandeputte said she is excited to work with new gymnasts as well as returning gymnasts. “I am looking forward to another season with athletes who work hard to improve their skills and routines and who show dedication to the sport and their teammates,” Vandeputte said.
young children tend to play to their strengths when choosing a sport, and generally choose a sport for which they are genetically equipped. “You’re not going to find a really genetically endurance type athlete who sprints in track,” Gust said. “If they do, they aren’t going to be as successful as someone more genetically able.” Senior varsity track sprinter Imara Hixon said she is not surprised by the results of this research. “It makes sense because it takes more muscle build to participate in (power) sports,” Hixon said. Additionally, 40 percent of power athletes were found to have two copies of this genotype (CC allele). In comparison, 13 percent of endurance athletes and 18 percent of non-athletes were found to also have the CC allele. While this gene is abundant in power athletics communities, it is still unknown whether it affects the performance of an athlete. According to biology and genetics professor Perry Hackett from the University of Minnesota, studies concerned with the genetic and biological athletic ability of athletes is not uncommon. “People are interested in
As for improvements, Raz said she thinks it is important for the team to gain confidence and support. “We are trying to incorporate more fundraising and garner more support for gymnastics from the SLP community,” she said. Senior Lian Gordon will return to the gymnastics team after beginning last year and said she looks forward to being in the same welcoming environment she experienced last year. “I enjoyed being with a supportive team. If you messed up no one laughed at you or made fun of you,” Gordon said. “I also liked how right at the beginning of the season everyone was so friendly, it was (as if) you had known them for awhile.” The team’s first home meet is at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 against Irondale/Spring Lake Park. It will be at the Central Community Center.
what differentiates various people,” Hackett said. “(They want to know) why one group of people seems to excel and other people don’t.” Sophomore junior varsity track sprinter and varsity soccer player Mack Trotter said he does not believe this discovered AGT gene is the sole factor in determining someone’s athletic ability. “Athletes come from all different backgrounds,” Trotter said. “(The polymorphism) is
just one small factor in determining one’s athletic skill and strength, because the human body is largely unknown.” According to Gust, once athletes finds a sport that fits their genotype, they will hesitate to leave their comfort zone of this sport. “It you ask a soccer player to run a marathon, they’re going to say ‘heck no,’” Gust said. “But they run incredible amounts in soccer practice without realizing it.”
I started in eighth grade. Originally my brothers got into it, and they recommended it to me so I thought I might pick it up
You get to play with swords. What’s better than that?
Adapting from one opponent to the next is hard because each opponent is so different.
It’s very fast-paced, and it’s a very intellectual sport. It’s all about trapping your opponent and countering and making them think what you want them to think.
I train three nights a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. We do a lot of footwork and other exercises to warm up. After that we do blade drills, practicing a certain combination of attacks. Then for the rest of the time we bout each other.
I competed at the Gopher Open, which was at the University of Minnesota. My two brothers and I were all in it, and I ended up winning the competition. It was definitely my biggest accomplishment in fencing.
In the Gopher Open I was up against my younger brother and it was the closest fight I’ve ever been in. It was neck in neck, we were one point away for the entire bout. I ended up beating him 1514. It was very fun.
You can’t always use the same method when solving problems, you have to analyze the situation and take different approaches. In fencing, if you attack your opponent the same way over and over again he’ll be expecting it and beat you. The same can apply to life.
It definitely causes more competitive feelings between us. It’s really fun to compete against them and battle to see who comes out on top.
St. Louis Park Senior High School 6425 West 33rd Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426 Ari Weinstein Brenna Cook Josh Scal Steffenhagen Weisner Green Wickland
Claire Gabe Bichinho & Emma Cole Bacig & Carter Khadija Charif & Conner
Lucas Kempf Noah Betz-Richman Maddy Bremner, David Hope & Noa Raasch Josh Anderson Suh Koller Artis Curiskis Sten Johnson Isaac Greenwood Ladan Abdi, Sean Cork, Ori Etzion, Shoshi Fischman, Malik Grays, Noa Grossman, Carolyn Guddal, Brita Hunegs, Peter Johnson, Ivy Kaplan, Zoe Kedrowski, John Kinney, Madisen Lynch, Emily Melbye, Josh Mesick, Noah Robiner, Alonso Ruiz, Natalie Sanford, Sara Tifft, Natalie Vig, Daniel Vlodaver, Amira Warren-Yearby, Erin Wells Jonah Resnick Joann Karetov Quad Graphics Lori Keekley
The Echo is the official student-produced newspaper of St. Louis Park Senior High School. It is published tri-weekly for the school’s students, staff and community. The Echo will not be reviewed by school administrators prior to distribution, and the adviser will not act as a censor. Content represents views of the student staff and not school officials. 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. 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 may be emailed to slpecho@gmail.com or submitted in room C275. Letters must be signed and should be no longer than 250 words. Emailed letters must be verified prior to publication. We will not necessarily publish all letters received and reserve the right 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. 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.
NSPA All-American and Hall of Fame member; NSPA 2007, 2011, 2013 Pacemaker Finalist, 2010 National Pacemaker Award Recipient; JEM All-State; CSPA Gold Medalist; 2012 CSPA Silver Crown, 2013 CSPA Gold Crown.
any times, in the heat of the moment athletes do not want to have a head injury checked out, for fear of being taken out of their sport. The amount of games or meets missed, however, is hardly significant compared to the detrimental affect a concussion can have on an athlete’s health. All athletes are required by the Minnesota State High School League to take a pre-season brain test to use as a baseline if an athlete gets a head injury. Even though this test is required, a few student athletes said they were not asked to take the pre-season assessment. The athletic department needs to ensure all sports teams are taking this test. A mid season test should also be mandatory to ensure that no head injury goes unnoticed. While the athletic department should enforce taking these tests, athletes must be accountable for their personal health. If athletes are not given the test, they should tell their coach or another athletic official to administer the test. If there is no athletic accountability of the athlete taking the test, they should not be allowed to compete in their sport. In addition, a health class unit should be dedicated to concussion information and awareness. Every students goes through this curriculum, so it would ensure that everyone knows the dangers of this trauma. Even students that do not participate in athletics should have an understanding of concussion safety, in case they need to moni-
tor a friends health. Untreated concussions have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease. To take control of their health, students must focus on the future and not make decisions based solely on their current athletic goals. If a student gets a head injury during a game or practice, he or she must take it upon themselves to stay on the sidelines and monitor their physical symptoms. An athlete
o one should suffer in silence, and it is a tragedy to know that some still do. It is vital teens have a safe place where they feel open about issues regarding their mental health. A study published by the University of Montreal in October 2013 shows three hours of counseling is enough to help reduce the impact of mental health issues in teens for two years. Reducing the prevalence of depression, anxiety and behavioral issues in the long term for teenagers with mental health issues should be a top priority among schools. In the study, students who showed mental health or substance abuse problems were placed into two 90-minute interventions led by trained educational professionals that helped deal with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, conduct problems or suicidal thoughts of the teenagers. The effects were significant, with a 21 to 26 percent reduction in severe depression, anxiety and behavioral problems. While the prevention of mental health issues is crucial, the intervention of teens who have a mental health disorder is essential for better public health. The school addresses other unique needs of students, so it is logical that the needs of
I very much enjoyed reading the latest issue of the Echo. The article on the train reroute was very informative. The Echo Online has made SLP seem closer to home than ever possible while I’m away at Madison. Thanks Echo, great job! -Oren Shapiro
students suffering from mental illness are also addressed. For example, students who require a more challenging classroom setting are able to take AP and IB courses. Therefore students who are in need of additional counseling should more clear access to similar opportunities. According to Deb Zelle, the psychotherapist at the high school, St. Louis Park schools have more resources than typically seen in schools for teens dealing with mental health issues. This includes in-school services, community partnerships and social work action. However, mental health services provided by the school must be easier for students to find. It is sometimes unclear exactly where students can go for help. While the counseling office is an option, some students may not feel comfortable saying, “Hey, I’ve been feeling anxious lately. Who can I talk to?” We as a school must lessen any stigmas related to mental health issues, and being open with services provided would help achieve this. It is also important to explain that according to the National Institute of Health, mental illness is just like any other physical illness, except that it occurs in the brain. The beliefs and opinions held by students matter. While the well-being of the individual receiving the intervention would be the point of the counseling, increased awareness and prevention of high risk behaviors in teens would lead to a safer school atmosphere for all students and faculty.
On the Oct. 23 front page football preview the story didn’t include the correct record of 0-8 at the time of press. The Echo regrets this error.
should pay attention to their level of consciousness and their amount of pain. Concussion symptoms can take up to 24 hours to surface, so players should sit out immediately after an injury regardless of whether symptoms immediately present themselves. Refusing to see a health professional or take a follow up concussion test will only prolong the effects of the injury. Waiting for the season to end is not worth the life-long health issues for students.
To the blood drive. Hopefully the College Board accepts my A+ blood type.
To concussions. Safety should be a nobrainer.
To supreme athletes. Ripped genes never looked so good.
J.M., C.G., A.C.
witter may seem like a simple distraction or a tool to update friends on the latest news, but it can have greater implications when threats are involved. The primary issue is the administration’s monitoring of students’ social media. Based on Leon’s previous behavior, the school’s decision to investigate his social media account is entirely justified. Administrators need to respond accordingly to perceived threats to the school or its students, which in this case, they did. Leon felt entitled to play, and argued the suspension would affect his chances of getting a sports scholarship. High school sports, however, are a privilege, not a right. Leon breached the school’s trust, and after a fourth
time, the school acted reasonably, revoking his privileges. It is this breach of trust that warrants the school’s decision because he posed a threat to other students. Minnesota State High School League student eligibility bylaws 202 and 205 outline assault and chemical use are expressly prohibited, bylaws that Leon broke. Suspension based upon a tweet alone would not be warranted, but this suspension was not based solely on the tweet. The best way to avoid the issue is for students to think about the implications of a social media post before they type. If Leon thought before posting, the suspension would be avoided. Leon broke rules he had to follow in order to continue participating in athletics and the school acted accordingly. Schools, with reasonable suspicion, have every right to monitor students’ social media in order to ensure the safety of the school and students.
student’s social media account is something school officials should never actively monitor, regardless of previous wrongdoings the student committed. School officials referred to the tweet as a “terroristic threat,” which is completely unwarranted. The meaning, which was clarified by Leon after a court hearing in October, should not be considered a “terroristic threat.” The administration viewed the tweet as a last straw, even though Leon didn’t break any rules. They attempted to re-punish him for past actions, using a harmless tweet as fuel. It is in the school’s power and right to examine social media, but they should only look at a student account if malicious or
inappropriate content has been brought to their attention by a concerned student. Doing so for any other reason is an invasion of privacy, which to a certain extent students should expect to have from schools. In this day and age, information about a person is readily available through the use of social media. By regularly accessing this information, schools will rid students of an online personal life by forcing students to share only the most miniscule details of their life in fear of reprimand. Leon may now think twice before posting anything online for this very reason. Still, the school can access student accounts for a reason. It is their job to keep everyone safe, and if a dangerous situation can be prevented by bringing social media content to the attention of school officials, that’s great. However, a situation like Leon’s where his account is being stalked in hopes of a scandalous post is unacceptable.
hen great movies come to mind, rarely do people think of ignorant or stereotypical films. Recently released in October, the Tom Hanks film “Captain Phillips” has left many Somali viewers wondering about how Somalis were portrayed. The story behind piracy issues was not only overlooked, but the idea of “white saviorism” played large role in the film. The concern regarding the film comes from how the Somali pirates were portrayed in the picture. The movie depicted Somalis as greedy savages with broken English and poor hygiene. It is obvious that this piracy did not become an issue quickly, as portrayed in the movie. Yet in the film, little is shown about the backgrounds of the pirates themselves. In fact, when they are first introduced in the movie, they’re shown as greedy men screaming at the top of their lungs and trying to find a crew members for their attack. The lack of structured government to regulate the legal and illegal activities of the country was surprisingly well expressed. Yet the movie overlooks the history behind piracy issues and how the piracy came to be what it is today. The movie showed the Somali pirates as desperate young citizens who were forced to do as they did to survive at all cost. It should be taken into account that the movie should have been filmed in the eyes of the Somali pirate citizens. The directors should have strayed from beloved movie structures of white saviorism. This where the main character, who is white, plays the hero of the movie and doesn’t take into account other points of view. These expressed concerns on this issue do not justify what injustice the pirates created, but it seeks to rectify the truth behind what occurred, and why it happened as it did. When watching movies like these, it’s better not to base your emotions solely on movies, that not only dramatize events but also lacks important historical information.
innesota is the first state given the chance to transport itself back in time to one of the most advanced civilizations established more than 2,000 years ago in Central America. “Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed” is found at the Science Museum in St. Paul. According to the spokeswoman for the Science Museum Kim Ramsden, the 15,000 square feet exhibit is the largest exhibit ever featured at the Science Museum. She also said the exhibit is interactive and provides a hands-on learning experience. “Visitors of the Mayan exhibit learn two main themes: who they were and how they were discovered by archaeologists,” Ramsden said. Students who visit the exhibit not only get the chance to view ancient artifacts from the civilization, but put themselves in the Mayans’ shoes. “Students are able to make their own Mayan name, see hieroglyphics and learn how they built the elaborate pyramid,” Ramsden said. Spanish department head Jane Hudacek arranged a field trip for all Spanish students Nov. 20 and Nov. 21, but said this is a cultural event all students should experience. “This exhibit is internationally respected for quality and its hands-on experience,” Hudacek said. “Students can learn about the Mayan culture and traditions.” Junior Jasmine Ellis, who is going on the field trip, said she is excited to see the exhibit because it will expose her to a culture that seems unlike American society. “It sounds like a great opportunity to learn something new and experience the Mayan cul-
“Almost Human” premieres on FOX Network. The show is produced by J.J. Abrams, who is noted for directing hits such as “Lost” and “Fringe,” as well as the upcoming Star Wars franchise. Set in 2048, “Almost Human” focuses on a Los Angeles police officer (Karl Urban), who is reluctantly paired with an emotional robot partner.
The musical “We Will Rock You” opens at the Orpheum Theatre. Featuring songs by Queen, the performance includes hits such as “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” “We Will Rock You” has had more than 15 million attendees during its 11 year worldwide run. Tickets start at $49, and are available at rush pricing.
ture,” Ellis said. “I hope to gain more knowledge about the Mayans. It’s easier to participate in a cultural activity provided by the school and than at home.” Ramsden said the exhibit was built by staff, including some who even traveled to Belize to extract the many artifacts that can be found in the museum. “We built the exhibit ourselves. Staff design professionals came up with the content of the exhibit,” she said. “A team of 60 members helped with topic testing, developing and painting of the storyline.” Ramsden said the idea to feature this exhibit came from the museum’s visitors. “We survey our visitors and over the years the Mayans always came up,” she said. “They didn’t know a lot about the topic, but they wanted to learn more.” Junior Charis Tshihamba said although she doesn’t think the exhibit sounds interesting, it is a good way to learn the history of other cultures. “I think a lot of people will want to go because of the end of the world prediction made by the Mayans,” Tshihamba said. “I care about the topic, but it’s more interesting reading about it.” Ramsden said the Science Museum staff is honored to host such a well-respected exhibit. “We are proud to tell their story and show how the Mayan culture is similar to culture today,” she said.
“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” is released in theaters nationwide. Idris Elba stars as Nelson Mandela, the South African civil rights advocate who was imprisoned for 26 years. Naomie Harris plays Winnie Mandela, a social worker and Mandela’s wife who helps him bring down apartheid after nearly a century of British rule.