Issue 8 | The Echo

Up close, but nothing personal, with paintball.

the

Softball gets swinging with a new coach. page 08

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Thursday, March 18, 2010 | Volume 81 | Issue 08 www.slpecho.com

Final decision made on district staff, start times and boundaries

St. Louis Park High School | 6425 W. 33rd Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Remodeling the house

where the principal there is already in a pattern. It’s a way for everyone to start fresh,” Assistant Superintendant Bob Laney said.

Current principal of Susan Lindgren Elena Potek | Staff Writer Cory Maslowski will become principal of Park Spanish Immersion next year. He reshman Brianna Knight-Fischer looks forward to changes a new adminissets two alarms and sleeps through tration will bring to each elementary site. both until her mom yells up the “Administrators and teachers will stairs for her to get ready in the mornhave the opportunity for next year to ing. Next year Brianna’s ritual may be work together to craft a new vision for less stressful. the (elementary) schools, The School Board fiwhich is really powerful,” nalized new boundaries Maslowski said. and new start times for It’s like remodeling In addition to new adnext year at its meeting a house. You love it ministrators, later start March 8. The high school when it’s done, but it’s times will bring change in day will go from 8:20 the district. With $90,000 a.m.-3:10 p.m. difficult living in the saved annually in busing In addition to new mess. costs, more teachers will start times, the School Ann Jurewicz | Cobe kept in the district.

Board finalized elemenpresident of the St. Louis Principal Robert Metz tary boundaries. It is estiPark teacher’s union explains the biggest conmated that of the district’s cern he has faced from 87 elementary teachers, parents is that athletes will have to miss 60 will be moving to a new building next their seventh hour for away games. year.

“We will have to establish a consistent Ann Jurewicz, co-president of the St. make-up policy for students who have to Louis Park teacher’s union, anticipates miss class so that everyone understands the work it will take for teachers to rewhat the expectations are. We have to adjust but remains excited about the new make sure we are really clear on how to beginning for the district. handle that,” Metz said.

“Change is especially hard for adults Sophomore Paige Anderson thinks the who have been doing things for a long extra sleep in the morning will pay off at time,” Jurewicz said. “It’s like remodelschool. ing a house. You love it when it’s done, “I think getting more sleep will benefit but it’s difficult living in the mess.” in the long run because then we can get The district is using the realignment as more out of school during the day,” Anan opportunity to create a new environderson said. ment within each elementary school and As the final pieces fall into place for is assigning a new principal to each site. next year’s reconfiguration, many look “It’s like building a new school rather forward to a fresh start for the district. than having a teacher come into a school

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School start times for next year Middle school: 7:40 a.m.-2:25 p.m.

High school: 8:20 a.m.-3:10 p.m.

PSI: 8:25 a.m.-2:55 p.m.

Elementary schools: 9:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m.

Official action will be taken on teacher assignments at the School Board meeting March 22. At this time teacher positions for next year will be made public.

Art Credit | Nico Johnson

Train track reconfiguration sparks controversy Community members worried about disruptions from increased traffic Robbie Seltzer-Schultz| Staff Writer

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t. Louis Park, a city named after a train line, is accustomed to dealing with the inconvenience of freight trains. With plans to redirect train traffic, students may soon become some of the most affected.

For more than 15 years, county officials have intended to redirect freight traffic from the Kenilworth corridor, south of Highway 7, to the tracks going past the school.

Implementation has been slow but with current plans for a light rail line to run on the Kenilworth corridor, the move is likely.

County organizes announced a study on Feb. 8 to better understand the trains’ impact on the city and the school.

Gail Dorfman, a former Park mayor and current Hennepin County Commissioner, views the study as a chance to answer questions about problems that the city already has involving train lines.

“If we’re going to shift more train traffic through St. Louis Park, how are we going to do it right? How are we going to engineer this so it works better?” she said.

Longtime substitute teacher Jami LaPray is one of the community members worried about increased freight traffic through the heart of Park.

She co-chairs a committee of neighborhood leaders that will give input about residents’ concerns.

“We want the county to know that since they’re planning this big change for St. Louis Park, we ex-

pect them to make changes to continue to make it liveable,” she said.

Besides the effects on the community at large, the study intends to determine what effects the trains will have on students.

Currently, an average of two shorter trains pass by the school daily, but with the redirection, that number could double and the trains would likely be longer.

Joy Esboldt teaches Spanish in the B hallway, an area of the school close to the railroad.

“In the fall when I had the windows open it was really loud and I had to stop when they blew their whistle,” she said. “Also the classroom sometimes shakes.”

Some worry that these disruptions could negatively affect student learning as the trains become longer, louder and more frequent.

Continued on | 02

Main | Concerns • Noise • Vibrations • Student safety • Impeding traffic

“I wanted to do something different instead of Theater Arts II. Thanks to the new art policy, now I can.” -Tess Glassman-Kaufman | 11

News

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Art options offer more flexibility

News | Briefs Math Team places fifth in State as a group, Ford places first

Charlie Shapiro | Staff Writer

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he SLP Math Team placed fifth in the state competition March 8.

Sophomore Andrew Ford also placed first in the Math Bowl competition. The contest was an exhibition competition between the top 10 people from an intramural competition before the state tournament. Competitors answered eight questions, each with a short time limit. Ford received a perfect score.

“I wasn’t really nervous until there was only one question left and I was winning,” he said.

Ford, along with junior Matan Appelbaum and junior David Kinney, also qualified for an elite team of 30 competitors for the national American League Mathematics Competition to be in June in Washington, D.C.

New policies for YODA for next year

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he YODA group will be including freshman for the first time.

Additionally, the group is now conducting discussions in three small groups instead of the usual large group method.

Junior and member Nyamuli Tshiteya is glad for the changes.

“With three small groups we get to interact with each other and go around the (discussion) circle multiple times,” Tshiteya said.

YODA will also be a starting a mentorship program, with juniors and seniors providing guidance to sophomores and freshmen.

Student receives Annual Achievement Award

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enior Julia Westley was awarded a $2,000 cash prize on Feb. 25 as first place winner of the Annual Achievement Award for students involved in Club-Z In-Home Tutoring.

Westley competed against students from across the country for the chance to win one of six different scholarship awards.

Westley plans to attend a four-year college next year.

DECA participants move on at state competition

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t the annual DECA state competition, Park students qualified for the next tier of competitions.

Seniors Mickey Hills, Helen Noble, Jimmy Silbert and Lauren Schoff qualified for the final round of state competition.

Senior Travis Gohman, along with freshmen Danielle Appleman and Anders Conroy have qualified for the national competition.

Athena award winner announced

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enior Megan Duffy won the Athena award March 16. Duffy was chosen for her achievement and dedication to both academics and athletics. Other nominees included seniors Abbie Baldwin, Colleen Bell, Megan Ostrom and Carley Rosen.

S Photo | Madee Weisner

Substitute teacher Scott Edgar works as a hall monitor in the B1 hallway March 16 while the no-pass policy is instituted. The policy dictated no passes be given to students, and teachers keep their doors locked except for during passing time.

Silence

in the

William Cramer | News Editor

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he hallways are silent. No lockers slam, no music blares, and the chatter of students is suspiciously absent. Except for the occasional static of a hall monitors walkie-talkie, it’s as if school were closed.

However, school was still in session March 15-16. As a result of a policy implemented by Principal Robert Metz, no passes were to be handed out to students, and all classroom doors locked after the bell rang.

Metz recounts the policies are the result of a serious hallway disturbance that occurred March 12. However, Metz assures the policies are not intended as a punishment for students, and understands some students may have misunderstood his intents.

“The policy was a good way to make sure people stay in class and regroup for a couple days. We just need to step back, relax, and reset,” Metz said.

However, many students are unclear as to the full purpose of the policy, some maintaining that it’s intended as a punishment, or that it seems like an ineffective way of dealing with the problem.

Sophomore Anastasia Murray believes the policy was intended to respond to an incident she recalled in the hallway on Friday.

“I know they want to respond to the

hallways fight, but in the long run, there’s no way this policy is going to discourage future fights,” she said.

Junior Tre Munson agrees with this assessment.

“They just instituted the policy to do something,” Munson said. “It won’t deal with the problem of fights.”

Metz believes overall the policy was very effective.

Metz noted a significant lack of students wandering the hallways and being disruptive.

“I think that the results have been good, and some facets of the policy might be kept in the long run. Not the full-out restriction, but asking teachers to only give out passes for more important reasons,” Metz said.

Math teacher Gloria Kruppstadt agrees the problem of hallway noise and disturbances can be solved with simple solutions.

“I only ever let one student out of my class at a time. I think teachers can be a lot more restrictive with how many passes they give out,” Kruppstadt said.

Overall Metz once more reiterates his connection to students and that the policy is intended only for safety.

“I’m really happy with the cooperation with the policy. Ultimately our top is concern is always student safety,” he said.

enior Catherine Tarsney had a big problem.

After taking Photo I spring of her junior year, she had no time in her schedule for Photo II during the fall of her senior year. As Tarsney entered her final semester, she still needed Photo II to graduate. But no room existed for it in her schedule, and she was forced to take the class as an independent study.

By modifying the art standard for graduation, the administration hopes to solve issues such as this. Students used to need two credits of the same art, such as Pottery I and Pottery II. Now, students still need two art credits, but they no longer What’s | have to be conNew secutive. “(The new pol- • A second-level icy) gives students art credit is no longer a chance to try required to different things, graduate but it doesn’t prevent them from • Students still taking art classes need two semesters in sequence,” of art, and Metz said. advanced art Tarsney knows classes are still firsthand the offered scheduling probSource | Principal lems that art can Robert Metz cause.

“There were a few weeks at the start of the semester when I didn’t have an art class,” she said. “It was stressful.”

Photo teacher David Becker sees this modified policy as beneficial for the art program.

“In photo, it actually helps because you get kids who actually want to be there instead of just trying to fulfill their art requirement,” he said.

Becker is not worried that fewer students will take advanced art classes.

Last year, the art department denied photo to 250 students, partially because many seniors needed the art credit to graduate so they had priority.

The art option will offer flexibility for students, schedules and art classes.

Trains: community requests input Continued from | 01

Some students, teachers and community members apprehensive of new train line

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unior Sarah Skinner notes that the trains regularly passing during her fourth hour German class are disruptive even after they pass.

“My teacher gets really annoyed with (the trains) because we stay distracted,” she said.

However, noise and vibrations are only two concerns of both Dorfman and LaPray. They see trains as a threat to student safety.

“It used to be kids at the high school would ride the rails (jumping on a train car),” Dorfman said. “Grab a burger at McDonald’s and ride the train for a couple of blocks. It was very dangerous.”

Although train jumping is not currently a problem, LaPray also mentioned the possibility that trains crossing at Lake Street and Dakota Avenue could delay students arriving at school or cause them to take unnecessary risks crossing the tracks.

“Everyone knows kids run back and forth in front of the trains,” she said.

The study is planned to begin in April and conclude before the end of the year with the actual redirection date still undetermined.

Despite the likelihood of having to teach over more train noise in the future, Esboldt remains largely unconcerned.

“I’ve taken the approach that whatever happens it wouldn’t be ideal, but I’ll learn to deal with it,” she said.

Proposed train route and surrounding areas: St. Louis Park Cedar Lake

New proposed train route

Hwy

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Current train route

St. Louis Park High School Hwy

7

St. Louis Park City Hall

Bass Lake

Lake Calhoun

Minneapolis Art Credit | KT Lindemann

“After every round, everyone was crying, because they were in so much pain, but then we all decided to go back and do it again.”

–Alissa Milosovich l 12

Student Life

Thursday, March 18, 2010

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Paintball brings alternative entertainment Taylor Delaney | Staff Writer

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reshman Timothy Schweiten darts behind the nearest bunker and takes aim when suddenly he feels a sharp pain in his leg and looks down to see a splatter of red.

No, this isn’t a “Call of Duty” tournament in his basement, this is paintball.

With winter still lingering, paintball, a somewhat overlooked source of entertainment, offers a solution to boredom.

The goal of paintball is to eliminate opponents by shooting them with paint pellets, and there is an endless variation of games that can be played.

Jeff Iverson of Northside Sports Paintball thinks the appeal of the game comes from peoples’ love of adventure.

“People like shooting at each other, it gets the adrenaline pumping,” he said. “Anybody can shoot at a target. Paintball takes it to a whole new level.”

Schweiten, who plays paintball three to four times a

far as the pain goes, it’s like snapping a big rubmonth with Northside Sport’s Clan ber band on the inside of your wrist. ” Bull’s-eye, agrees the sport is enjoyable Anybody can shoot Senior Moriah Stephens, who went paintbecause of the excitement of battle. at a target. Paintball balling for her 18th birthday, believes that de“The best thing about paintball is the spite the pain, the experience was worth it. fact that you get to shoot other people,” takes it to a whole new “Everybody cried at least once and I had he said. “Paintball is like flat-out war.” level. rampant bruises,” she said. “I think it’s someFor many players, the hardest part of thing everybody should do though.” the game is obvious, don’t get shot.

Jeff Iverson | Northside For those interested in taking part in the Freshman Trent Bellingham, who Sports Paintball battle, a few venues in Minnesota exist includgoes paintballing every once in a while, ing Northside Sports Paintball in Ramsey and developed a simple strategy for staying Splatball in Minneapolis. in the game.

Both locations offer the ability to rent equipment and “You have to just dive out at people,” he said. “Basically, either walk-on paintball, where you and a few friends can shoot them before they can shoot you.”

Although for many students, taking down friends with play with other paintball fans for a few hours, or group paint bullets seems very appealing, the rumors of pain often paintball for those who want to bring a party.

For those students eagerly anticipating spring weather, keep them away.

“Paintball is very safe ... It’s actually probably safer than but still stuck in their basements playing video games, painthockey, baseball, and many other sports,” Iverson said. “As ball can offer a more active experience.

Paintball gear: getting your GAME FACE on

A day in the life of a paintball rookie

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Nico Johnson | Staff Writer

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ade of a shell of gelatin and filled with washable vegetable oil, the paintballs sold at Splatball in Minneapolis seem harmless.

Today, seven people are participating in Splatball’s “Open Play,” which allows anyone over the age of 10 to shoot capsules of paint at high speeds at anyone on the field from 3-6 p.m. Sundays.

My team consists of “Young Gun,” a small, mousy boy with glasses, no older than 11 and “Mike,” an avid paintballer.

What’s the | While “Young Gun” and I sit clad in grungy point? clothes and rental gear, “Mike” stands decked out in what appears to be legitimate paintball equipPaintballing ment, six or seven capsules of paintballs strapped hurts more than to his leg, and one of the three guns he brought you’d imagine. with him to Splatball.

As the veteran, “Mike” wasted no time telling Just because it us what to do. hurts doesn’t “Basically, you just need to haul ass,” he said. mean it’s not fun.

This happened to be the best piece of advice I received.

The rest was a matter of experience.

It results in I learned to communicate between teammates, unexpected aim higher than what I needed to hit, and that the camaraderie. floor, laden with paint in a way that would make Jackson Pollock proud, becomes quite slippery.

At the end of the two-hour period full of violence, I felt closer to “Young Gun” and “Mike.” There existed a mutual understanding between all of us.

Standing in the shower an hour after leaving Splatball I counted eight welts left by the devilish little balls of dyed vegetable oil and gelatin. Despite my skin’s ugly appearance and tenderness, I realize I’d go through the whole experience again in a heartbeat.

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Protective mask:!Eye protection is the most important piece of paintball equipment you could invest in. The masks or goggles are headgears that completely cover the face.

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Marker:!Without this, there is

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Air tank:!A critical part of

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Dark/camouflage clothes"!

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Paintballs:!A non-toxic, paintfilled ball made of gelatin that can be fired from a paintball marker and usually breaks on contact with other surfaces.

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no game to play. The paintball gun is commonly referred to as the “marker” because it “marks” other players.!

paintball gear and can be attached to most models of paintball guns several different locations. It propels the paintball forward with compressed air.

Since the main idea of the game is to hide, it becomes of utmost importance that the clothing is not of bright colors that can be spotted easily. The clothes should blend into their environment.

Paintball essentials: When shooting #! For a stable shot, take a deep breath and hold it until you’ve shot.

#! If you’re running, you should be

shooting at someone. It serves as self-defense. #! Firing continually wastes paint and gains nothing. No one walks into a continual storm of paintballs.

When being shot

• Always wear a mask. A paintball can permanently blind an eye.

• Rather than position yourself directly behind an object for cover, crouch a few feet behind. This way, your field of vision is larger while still being protected.

Strategy #! Wear dark clothes. White stands out

too much, making for an easy target.

#! Wear some sort of athletic footwear.

Running shoes are good, but veterans say cleats are better. #! Don’t stay put too long. You contribute more to the team when moving.

Features

Thursday, March 18, 2010

“Why do they call it softball? The ball’s are actually really hard.” –Eric Swabey-Keith| 10

Vantage | Point Kaitlyn Steffenhagen Opinions Editor

Nanji and me

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ver since the beginning of time, Hollywood has been making feelgood animal movies to appeal to the masses. Lassie, Skip and Marley are all examples of loyal, loving dogs whom owners adore. Most pet owners feel the same way about their own dog after seeing these movies.

Not me. My dog, Nanji, is the worst part about my life. Put plainly, she sucks.

Nanji makes me completely doubt the goodness of dogs. I watch “Marley and Me” and wonder why my dog can’t be that loving. Heck, I’d even settle for normal.

I believe that if Nanji was psychoanalyzed, she would be found to have a serious problem.

What’s the | If she was a hupoint? man, she would be a serial-killing psychopath.

I hate Nanji.

For starters, Nanji has a She hardly strange tendency resembles the to stare at your Hollywood dog. feet. She puts her I would not be snout right up upset if she on your foot and disappeared. follows it around as you walk. It doesn’t matter how many times you kick her (and oh, how I kick her), she will continue to stare at your feet.

Nanji will also eat anything. It is hard to love your dog when you have watched a newspaper bag be pulled out her rear because dogs cannot digest plastic. She’s eaten shoes, blankets, money and just about any item you leave on the kitchen counter.

Perhaps the strangest aspect of Nanji’s behavior is that she compulsively licks off her hair. She’s ugly enough as it is (she resembles a small, fat bear), but the random patches of skin peppering her overgrown, bushy coat really doesn’t help matters much.

Most people would tend to say this is normal dog behavior that she can’t help it because she’s a dog. Pet owners put up with strange behaviors from their animals, but usually the love they feel for their companion override the annoyances.

This is exhibited in the movie “Marley and Me.” Though Marley at first brings his owners much grief, they learn to love him deeply in the end.

I have often wondered why I do not feel the same. I literally have no sentiment of love or even like for Nanji. It is hard to have a fondness for something that vomits in your closet.

After watching “Marley and Me,” I turned towards Nanji, hoping that by some miracle, she would show me a sign that she was loyal or loving. She bit me.

Though I cannot think of one specific reason for hating Nanji, I know that whenever she is in the room, a little part of me dies. I cannot wait until I no longer have to deal with her antics. This is not to say that I’m going to hurt my dog.

But, I will be extremely happy when she’s gone.

For now, I guess I will just have to deal with the anger that arises in me whenever I see Nanji. I will continue to watch heart wrenching movies about terrific people-dog relationships and muse over how there can me so much discrepancy within a race. Nanji’s horrible, and there is no possible way to deny that.

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Biology teacher Barbara Divinski smiles in between classes March 3 next to three bouquets of flowers she received from students.

Since revealing her diagnosis of breast cancer last month, students and staff have teamed up to support her as she prepares to undergo chemotherapy.

Photo illustration | Paris Delaney

Support for Divinski blooms and supportive, and I thought it was wonderful and obviously Mrs. Divinski did too, she was bawling,” biology teacher Julie he news hit Barb Divinski’s first hour IB biology class hard. Schilz said.

While students provided immediate support, the science deIt spread so fast that by sixth hour, the content of the letter partment hopes to continue encouragement for Divinski this sumwas already known. But that did not lessen the blow.

Divinski was diagnosed in February with breast cancer and mer. Every teacher in the department, including Jan Lane, Dan Ruzek, Mark Miller, Al Wachutka, Jessica Gust, underwent a lumpectomy. During her surgery, Emily Binder, Linda Tillou, Jennifer Magdal and the surgeon discovered a lymph node with Schilz, created an American Cancer Society Recancerous cells. She will undergo chemotherI thought if she saw lay for Life team named “Dr. D’s Darwin Dream apy starting today and will continue through the group she would Date.” the summer, followed by radiation and drug know her students The relay allows participants to support the therapy with Hereptin, which fights a protein fight against cancer. The team will participate at made by tumor cells. support her ... I hope Hopkins High School June 25-26. At least one Students were shocked by the news. with all my heart she member will walk or run on the track at all times.

“When we first got the letter everyone was gets better.

Because cancer never sleeps, the relay takes place really quiet. It is really sad to hear because she from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. is a really good teacher,” junior IB biology stuDylan Gilbertson | 11 “I just hope to show support for Mrs. Divinski dent Nicole Ramtahal said. “I think it is really in any way possible,” Magdal said. unfortunate and shows that sometimes bad Students can support “Dr. D’s Darwin Dream things happen to good people.”

Moved by her situation, several students rushed to show sup- Date” by donating money. Schilz’s Web site contains a link to the relay Web site where donations can be made. Any science teacher port for their teacher.

Junior Dylan Gilbertson created a Facebook group titled “Get also accepts donations.

“If a student in the school gives a donation ... we can make Better Dr. D,” which currently totals 657 members.

“I know that it helps to know that people support you and I them luminaries with a dedication on it,” Magdal said.

The luminaries, or paper bags filled with sand and a lighted thought if she saw the group she would know her students support her,” he said. “She is a really good person and she cares candle, are placed around the track as a sign of hope. “(Luminaries) are there to get people to really feel the moabout her students … I hope with all my heart she gets better.”

Along with the Facebook group, junior IB biology students Sa- ment,” Magdal said.

If students want to get further involved, Magdal encourages mantha Olson, Alex Stitt, Amelia Swartout and Nicole Ramtahal organized a money collection in order to present Divinski with six them to form their own relay teams. Teams cost $150 to create and sign-up information can be found on relayforlife.org bouquets of flowers when she returned to school Feb. 22.

Encouragement has come in multiple forms, from blossoms to “It has been unbelievable the amount of support she has gotten. The first night there was a group made for her on Facebook, planned physical activity, but Park has truly taken strides to supthen when she comes back with the flowers. It is really thoughtful port Divinski in her relay for life.

Mara Olson | Staff Writer

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“If I were to create a business, it would be called Max’s Milking, Inc. We’d milk live cows.” –Max Intveld | 11

Features

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Admission Possible opens door to college The program allows students to pursue a secondary education Scott Foltz | Staff Writer

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t’s late Friday afternoon and while many students are planning their weekends, senior Terrence Chastan-Davis takes notes at his desk. He isn’t in trouble. He hasn’t fallen behind either. In fact, he’s trying to get ahead.

Chastan-Davis is a member of Admission Possible, an organization that provides promising lowincome students with the skills and opportunities necessary to receive a college education.

Admission Possible has been playing an active role in the college application process of students for the past four years at the high school. The program meets after school and is open to all juniors and seniors looking for help.

With tests, transcripts, essays, scholarships, college visits and countless decisions, it’s easy to see why the college application process can overwhelm many students. Yet Admission Possible junior coach Tom Allen believes the program can alleviate these worries.

“We try to really prepare students for the process and help them find the college that feels right,” he said.

In Admission Possible, students receive ACT/ SAT preparation, resumé writing instruction, and information on scholarships throughout the admission process.

Students are also given the chance to visit several local colleges and universities.

Chastan-Davis believes the program has helped

guide his own college application process in several ways.

“It’s definitely worth the time and commitment.

There are lots of volunteering activities and you get the opportunity to meet new people. You are also able to build good relationships with colleges,” Chastan-Davis said.

The program has seen results as 100 percent of program participants in the graduating class of 2009 received college admittance.

For students such as Chastan-Davis, who is currently considering Augsburg College, University of Wisconsin-Stout and University of Minnesota -Morris, the program goes far beyond the admission process.

“It’s a big help. I don’t know where I’d be without it. The program gives you a direction and helps you figure out where you want to go in life,” he said.

Seniors such as Chastan-Davis are currently reaping the benefits as 95 percent of Admission Possible participants have gained admittance to a four-year university.

However, there are also 40 juniors in the program who are grateful for the services Admission Possible provides.

“It makes the college process so much easier. It makes sure you are prepared for college,” junior Shawn Willis said.

While the overall program appears to guide students in their quest to achieve academically, Allen made clear where the success of Admission Possible lies.

“The program allows the students to work extremely hard. It’s their responsibility,” he said.

Sophomores who wish to work hard and be a part of Admission Possible must submit their applications by March 26 to room B220.

Photo | Madee Weisner

Students listen to Admission Possible coach Tom Allen during an Admission Possible meeting March 11. Admission Possible works with upperclassmen as they make their way through the college application process.

!Admission is possible: Overall Program Statistics Works with 1,540 students in 23 high schools.

20% increase in ACT score of average student.

98% of students admitted to college.

74% of students graduate or stay in school.

le Col ge Source | admissionpossible.org Art | Alex Olevitch

Media enthusiast starts his own photo business Eli Robiner | Features Editor

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ophomore Asher Pink started his own photomontage company, Pink Productions, last November. Since then, he has produced six presentations and continues to receive offers under the slogan, “providing the highest quality, eye-popping video presentations for the lowest cost.”

Why did you start your own company?

I’ve always loved the entertainment industry and when I went to a few B’nei Mitzvahs last year and saw their photomontages, I thought, with the equipment I had, I could do them.

I then did some research and found out what other places charged and it was ridiculous. I thought they should be cheaper.

For what events do you create photomontages?

My main market is Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. But I also do montages for graduations and weddings. I’ve also been asked by a few nonprofit companies like the JCC to do videos for them.

What is your process for creating photomontages?

I usually meet with a client and we go over their vision for the production. They give me photos and we try sort them into categories of their choosing. There is a cookie-cutter process I can use, but I generally accommodate to individual customer’s plans.

How do you promote yourself?

It’s mostly a word-of-mouth process. A good customer review will lead to more success because they will tell their friends about my business. At the same time, one bad review can set back everything.

What do you love most about your business?

I love to help people. I like to do all the technical stuff to create a production that mirrors what my clients have in their minds. At one of my presentations, the Vice President of Warner Brothers, who was the uncle of the Bat Mitzvah I was making a video for, said it was amazing that a 15-year old had made such a great video. It’s experiences like that that are very humbling and make me feel good.

Photo | Paris Delaney

Sophomore Asher Pink displays one of his slide shows March 8. Pink makes photomontages for weddings, graduations and other celebrations.

Do you have any future goals in the entertainment industry?

I’m saving up for a professional camera so that I can move from photomontages to videography. Looking more long term, I plan to go into film when I grow up. After doing “A Serious Man,” I realized making films, whether behind the camera as a director or in front of it as an actor, is such a fun experience. I loved it so much that I want to create my own experiences.

In-Depth

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Teacher | Perspective: What would you do if you saw someone cheating?

“One time in sixth grade I was wearing shorts, and I wrote answers on my thigh.”

–Jonah Belfiori | 9

All the an Cheating co Ben Kahn | Staff Writer

“I would call them on it.”

Megan Mathison Wynia | English teacher

“I’d have to conference with them and probably give them a zero.”

Jamie Schnack | math teacher

“I would let them know after class that I saw them cheating. They’re getting a zero.”

Annamarie Wilfahrt | English teacher

“I would tell them to stop, take their paper, talk with them after class and give them a zero. If it were a serious test I would turn them in to the dean.”

Linda Tillou | science teacher

“I would call them on it right away and try to link it to undermining one’s character.”

Mark Miller | history teacher

Technology

F U E L S cheating

A

ccording to our survey distributed to 285 students during lunch and 20 teachers after school March 11:

students believe

81 percent of

students cheat.

79 percent of students

know another person who cheated on a test using a cell phone teachers believe percent of students cheat.

45

Survey | Dana Ferguson

Art | Louie Livon-Bemel

C

heaters never prosper.

According to a 2008 survey, most studen would disagree. In the survey conducted by t Josephson Institute of Los Angeles, 64 percent of st dents admitted to cheating on a test at least once in t past year. This statistic marked a 4 percent increa from the previous year.

Assistant principal Clarence Pollock explained Pa has several disciplinary procedures enforced after i stances of cheating.

“Typically a teacher will report it to me, and w pull students down and talk to them,” Pollock said.

Depending on the scenario, cheating results in ther partial or no credit on an assignment. After mu tiple offenses, cheating can result in suspension.

Cheating can have consequences that affect studen teacher relationships too. Science teacher and Nation Honors Society (NHS) adviser Emily Binder believ trust between a student and a teacher is a great hon and privilege for students.

“I start out trusting all my students until they d prove me,” Binder said. “When a student cheats takes a long time to earn a teacher’s trust back. Wh you compromise your integrity who’s to say it won happen again? You can lose trust quickly, but it tak a long time to get it back.”

While teachers attempt to catch all students wh cheat, many instances of cheating go unnoticed. A anonymous junior has cheated numerous times in hi school and has never been caught. He believes cheati gives him a fair advantage.

“I cheat for everything,” he said. “It makes me fe

19

Percent of the 285 students who took the technology and cheating survey admitted to cheating.

In-Depth

Thursday, March 18, 2010

in the palm of your hand nswers onsequences move beyond the report card

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eel

good inside because I get a better grade. I feel like I care about grades more than any other people because I’m trying harder than everybody else. If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying as hard as me.”

Many cheaters, however, feel remorse for their actions. An anonymous freshman believes cheating is wrong but does it to get better grades.

“I think that I betrayed the other people because they studied for it, and I just copied off of their work,” he said.

Some students believe cheating is unfair to peers because it is an easy way out of working hard.

Freshman Sophia Temkin disapproves of cheating because she has seen classmates cheat off her own work.

“In Spanish class this girl would sit next to me, and I would have my homework out for the teacher to check, and she would copy all the answers off my paper,” Temkin said. “It really is unfair that someone would just cheat their way into a good grade while others are working for it. It also makes them think that they can cheat their way into being successful.”

Many honors student organizations discourage cheating. NHS is an organization that prides itself on student integrity. As NHS adviser, Binder notes the importance of morality to a student’s character.

“Your integrity is worth more than a homework assignment or a test,” Binder said. “Integrity can’t be measured by points. As an honors society, these students are expected to be role models. One of the qualities we’re looking for is honesty. We want students who would rather lose points than blemish their integrity.”

Technology blurs modern definition of cheating Kelsey Reid | Staff Writer

T

oday’s teenagers have the world at their fingertips. But that comes at a price to educators and students.

The widespread use of cell phones during the school day has caused an increase in cheating with technology, including texting friends for help, accessing the Internet for answers during a test and copying information from online sources. A 2009 survey of more than 1,000 13-to 18-year olds compiled by Common Sense Media, an organization that helps students use technology safely, found 35 percent of students admit to using their cell phones to cheat.

Students also may cheat by texting friends outside of class who have already taken the exam. Freshman Khadeeja Abdurrab observed a student cheating during a math quiz and believes the student was texting a friend for help.

“He was just sitting there but as soon as he read his texts he was able to fill several answers in,” Abdurrab said.

In some instances students in the same classroom may text each other answers.

Junior Sarah Henkels saw this during a vocabulary test in her English class.

“I heard them planning it before the test. Then I saw them both texting while they were working,” Henkels said.

Junior Kendra Karwacki believes cheating has become increasingly widespread because most students always have their phone in their pocket. Most importantly, however, teachers seem less likely to be able to catch students cheating.

“Technology doesn’t necessarily make someone more likely to cheat, they are just more likely to get away with it,” Karwacki said.

Though students’ use of their phones under their desks often makes it difficult for teachers to catch, cheating using the Internet is even harder to monitor. Marisa Connolly, communications manager of Common Sense Media, feels Internet use also makes it hard for students to identify when they are cheating.

“Technology has created gray areas of cheating. It’s hard to distinguish the difference between research and effective sharing of information or cheating,” Connolly said.

This distinction is particularly difficult because most students don’t cite the answers they may copy onto a worksheet or the author of an online article they used to help them with an assignment.

“It’s easier for students to separate Internet use from responsibility when they don’t know the author and feel like there’s no way they’ll be caught,” Connolly said.

In the complicated world of online research Connolly suggests students approach online research with the same ethical decisions as other mediums.

“If you wouldn’t do it in the offline world, like copying a passage directly from a book, don’t do it in the online world,” she said.

Photo Illustration | Paris Delaney and Louie Livon-Bemel

8

The Extra | Mile Harrison McLean Sports Editor

Playing for school pride

A

s the months of 2010 start to dwindle away, March holds a special place in my heart: the NCAA Basketball Tournament, more commonly known as March Madness.

I first started following the tournament in 2005 and since then, March Madness became my favorite sporting event of the year. From the excitement of the first weekend where Cinderella stories are made to the Final Four, where the best teams in the country battle for the championship, March Madness creates some of sports’ finest moments. It is because of this excitement that I prefer college basketball to the NBA. The NBA features the best basketball players in the world, who get paid millions of dollars to play their sport.

College basketball consists of What’s the | students only a few years older point? than myself, March Madness whose only is my favorite compensation time of year. for playing is tuition.

NCAA NBA playbasketball is ers are often better than the driven by monNBA. ey to succeed, while college A student students are section adds driven by pride atmosphere. for their school and their love of the game.

They won’t have a check for $15 million waiting for them after the season, and rather than taking a private jet back to their mansion to rest after a big game, they retire to their dorms, just like any other student. The fact that students play for pride rather than paychecks makes me respect the effort they put in a little more.

Also, the environment of a college basketball game is much more exciting than an NBA game. I recently went to a Timberwolves game with several friends. The Wolves kept it close against the New Orleans Hornets, and would have won if it weren’t for a last second shot that clinched the game.

Despite the quality of the game, the Target Center crowd rarely became energized. The loudest it became was when Crunch the mascot slam-dunked off of a trampoline at halftime. The crowd had a lackluster attitude during the game, and never became really involved, even when prompted by the Howl-O-Meter.

Gopher games at Williams Arena are a completely different story. The entire arena’s atmosphere is electrified by the student section, who stands throughout the entire game, and cheers for every made basket and defensive stop. Even during a blowout exhibition game, the student section stayed involved during the entire game.

Listening to a group of students leading cheers during a game appeals to me more than ’90s stadium anthems, like the classic “Whoomp.

There it is.” Atmospheres should be created by human beings, not by cheesy music and gimmicks.

1 2 3

Sports

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Alex Koch’s basketball career point total.

Koch became the ninth Park player to score over 1,000 points in a career.

1,052

Koch reaches scoring milestone Senior Alex Koch surpasses 1,000 point mark

Senior Alex Koch drives past Columbia Heights senior Gerard Baptiste in a game against the Hylanders March 3. Park lost the game 80-75.

Robbie Seltzer-Shultz | Staff Writer

W

hen NBA stars score big, they are often take all the credit for their performances.

But for senior Alex Koch, scoring his 1,000th point means more than just a personal achievement.

With a lay up, Koch scored his 1,000th point in a win over Fridley on Feb. 23.

Although this is an individual scoring record, Koch cites his team as a key part of his success.

“It took a lot of selflessness from my teammates and their willingness to distribute the ball,” he said.

Throughout the season, Koch often capitalized on passes from other Park players to score, usually from behind the threepoint arc.

The other varsity players, including junior Aaron Ziman had no problem getting the ball to Koch “while he’s hot.”

“Our team isn’t made of selfish players. They’re not looking to get their own points,” he said.

Coach Micah Watkins, new to the program this year, also sees Koch’s record as both an individual and collective effort.

“The team played a huge part in it,” he said.

But Watkins mentions Koch’s “drive to get better” as a major reason he was able to accomplish something no Park player has in the last decade.

Since entering high school, Koch has relentlessly worked on improving his game the old-fashioned way.

“The only way to get better is to play,”

Photo | Alex Kersten

he said. “For the last four years I’ve played basketball three to 3 1/2 hours a day.”

To build his skills, Koch has traveled with an Amateur Athletics Union team, played against college athletes and, in the summers after freshman and sophomore year, made 1,000 jump shots every day.

Athletic director Andy Ewald has watched Koch progress through the program and notes how this dedication has paid off.

“He’s a kid who’s put his all into his sport and gotten a huge individual achievement,” he said. “It puts him in an elite group in the history of the school.”

On top of his scoring record, Koch has also succeeded this season in making his game more well-rounded.

“I’m rebounding. I’m distributing the ball a lot better this year and my defense has improved,” he said.

Koch is still undecided on where he will play next year and is weighing offers from various schools Division II schools including Southwest Minnesota State, Bemidji State and the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Although he will not make a decision until after the season, Koch is confident about his basketball future.

“The last person (who got 1,000 points, Kyle Beste ’01) went on to be an All-American in college,” he said.

Regardless of how his promising career turns out, Koch has secured his legacy as one of the best basketball players to come through Park.

Softball strives for greater stability Al Wachutka steps up to the plate as new softball coach Josh Crandell | Staff Writer

T

urnover seems to be the motto of the girls’ softball team.

In the last 10 years, the team has had six different coaches.

Once again, the girls’ softball team enters the new season with a new coach. Many players feel he will offer the team a new outlook on the season.

Departing from what many saw as relaxed and undisciplined practices last year, new coach and science teacher Al Wachutka, promises hard work on the field.

Though the season has not started, Wachutka makes it clear he will hold the girls to a high standard on the field, anticipating 2 1/2 hour practices.

“People who see softball as only a social activity will probably have a lot of conflict (with me),” Wachutka said. “Sitting around during practice is like playing video games during study hall when you are failing five classes.”

Junior Kaitlyn Palmatier, despite having the utmost respect for her former coach Jim Hanson, acknowledged the lack of discipline she saw in last years’ practices.

“Lots of senior girls would talk about who they were asking to prom and what they were wearing during warm up. He (Hanson) did not like it, but he tolerated it,” Palmatier said.

Many players like sophomore Bria Evans are confident the lack of discipline on the field last year will not appear this year because of a more serious atmosphere.

“Last year, the team always argued about little things during practice. I think (Wachutka) can enforce that we are a team,” Evans said.

In addition to longer practices, Wachutka hopes to incorporate more skill building exercises like fielding practices and catching drills into the daily practice routine.

“We are going to work the fundamentals whether you are 8 or 18-years old. Without them, you can’t do anything,” Wachutka said.

While players will work on basic softball abilities, Evans also anticipates practices with more focus on skill building.

“Last year, we did ground balls sometimes all practice. We know how to do ground balls,” Evans said.

Though the prospect of conference champions remains slim due to the talent of other schools in the conference, Wachutka sees the

Photo | Paris Delaney

Senior Katie Danielson fields a short-hop throw at practice March 15.

The girls’ varsity softball team will play Spring Lake Park for its first home game 4:15 p.m. April 13. most important benefit he brings to the team is a break from the constant coach changes.

Wachutka hopes to provide some positive challenges and support for the team, for the long run.

“Historically, the team has not performed well. Jim (Hanson) left because he felt he was not pleased with the long range talent,” Wachutka said. “I do not think I can make all the difference, but I hope I can add some stability over the next few years.”

22.24

Jack Burgeson’s time in the 50 yard freestyle race at the state meet finals. The time was good for 14th place in the state.

Sports

Thursday, March 18, 2010 Senior Jack Burgeson dives into the pool as the final leg of the 400-yard freestyle relay at the section meet Feb. 25.

The relay team moved on to finals.

9

A-LIST | ATHLETES

Who: Pat Tracy, 12 Sport: Track What is your individual event and why did you choose it?

Shot put all the way. I chose shot put just to try something new and I liked the relaxed feeling I got from it.

Photo | Nomi Kane

State ‘icing on the cake’ for senior Senior, second year swimmer places 14th at state meet Megan Duffy | Copy Editor

S

tanding up on the block surrounded by swimmers from Edina and Minnetonka, senior Jack Burgeson was not frightened. Starting the sport only two years ago, Burgeson never dreamed he would be standing on that platform.

He was the first male swimmer from Park to make it to state since swimming switched to 2A three years ago. In the meet Burgeson competed in the 50–yard freestyle event where he placed 14th overall, March 6 at the University of Minnesota.

Burgeson was pleased with his performance because he was consistent with how he swam throughout the season and felt lucky to be able to participate in state.

“I have only swum for two years so just making it to state was a major accomplish-

ment. It was like icing on the cake,” Burgeson said.

Burgeson also remarked how other teams complimented his success at state.

“It was really cool because I know some of the guys on the Edina team and even they were impressed with me and my performance,” Burgeson said.

Coach Amanda Forsberg was also impressed with Burgeson’s race and attributed his success to his dedication.

“He worked really hard to get to state and stayed focused throughout the season.

I know he had to give up some of the activities he really wanted to do, like I know he is an avid snowboarder,” Forsberg said.

Fellow teammate and senior Cameron Dressen echoed her view.

“He really believed in himself and worked really hard and put everything he had into it. He gave it his all everyday,” Dressen said.

Dressen also admired Burgeson for his support of the team as a whole.

“He was a big talker and big motivator for our team and even though he was a lot

faster than the rest of us we would always try to catch him in practice. He pushed us all to get better,” Dressen said.

Because there were only four days of practice before the state meet, Forsberg tailored workouts to specifically target Burgeson’s individual needs, and stroke.

“After sections there were only four more days of practice until state so we built up yardage and my endurance for the first part and then tapered. There were also a lot of sprints and rest. At the end of the week we slowed down so I could relax my muscles for state,” Burgeson said.

Due to his extra practices, when Burgeson got to state he felt like he had the tools to be successful and Forsberg thought he handled the stress very well especially because the trip to state was his first.

“Just making it to state was a bonus so there was no pressure, and he was more relaxed but very focused and not nervous at all. This is unusual for a first-time state participant,” she said.

Burgeson will swim Division III next year at either DePauw or Illinois Wesleyan.

Trap shooting aims at school approval The new club will teach firearm safety and knowledge Scott Foltz | Staff Writer

G

un use is now school sanctioned; sort of.

The trap shooting club, with 13 participants, has gained the support of the high school administration and plans to begin practice April 5 at the Park Gun Club in Long Lake.

In trap shooting, participants fire shotguns in an attempt to destroy clay pigeons thrown up into the air using mechanical sling-shots.

The club began as an idea among a group of sophomore boys who wished to transform their occasional trips to the gun range nto a more organized practice.

“Myself and a couple of other guys were talking about shooting trap. We found out that some other schools have trap shooting teams and we thought it’d be a lot of fun if we could do the same thing,” sophomore Matt Cichoski said.

Five other high schools in Minnesota, including Hopkins High School, have trap shooting clubs. The group of students will compete in three matches during the season against these schools. While winning is important, the group also has other goals.

“Dangerous firearms will be used, and I

want to help maintain firearm safety among the students. I am hoping to build responsibility and maturity in the athletes,” said Sam Fredrickson, trap shooting adviser and IB coordinator of Susan Lindgren Elementary School.

Despite the emphasis Fredrickson places on safety, many students not involved in the club have refused to take the group and trapshooting seriously.

“A lot of people didn’t believe we were actually starting the club until the fliers came out, or didn’t even know what trap shooting was,” Cichoski said.

The club recognizes many students do not understand the sport or firearm use as a whole. While it is too late for other students to join the club, the group hopes to bring respect to trap shooting.

“There are lots of misunderstandings out there about the use of firearms. I want the athletes to show that this (trap shooting) is a sport and conduct themselves in a manner to change many of these misunderstandings,” Fredrickson said.

Fredrickson has set the standard of responsibility as participating students must provide their own shotgun and have completed a certified gun-safety course.

The group looks to represent trap shooting positively. However, for Cichoski and others, the club represents something much more.

“This is the closest thing to hunting you can do in the cities, the closest thing to nature,” he said.

by the !

numbers

13 3 200

number of students in the club

number of competitions the club will participate in

12 5

cost, in dollars, per person to join the club

gauge of a shotgun used in trapshooting

number of schools with trapshooting clubs in Minnesota

Information compiled by | Scott Foltz and Harrison McLean

What is your favorite memory of track?

Either beating Ethan Smith because he always used to beat me or breaking the shot put record in junior high.

What are your individual and team goals for the upcoming season?

I want to get to state and win conference and just to build team chemistry and to help the underclassmen as much as possible. I also want to work hard all the way up to the two big meets because I usually tend to die out toward the end of the season.

What are your future plans for track?

I will either throw at Gustavus or St. Olaf next year. They are both Division III schools. I will also play football at one of these schools next year, too.

What is the hardest part about shot put?

Probably body control and synchronizing your body for the most power.

Name: Maggie Webb, 12 Sport: Lacrosse How many years have you been playing lacrosse?

I’ve been playing since eighth grade.

I started because my sister was in lacrosse and all my friends were joining.

What is your proudest moment?

When me and (Carly) Strickler split the game ball last year and literally split the ball in two so we could share it.

If you could change something about the game what would it be?

The rules like shooting space where the defender can’t go straight on at a player.

I would also like more checking.

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

To make it to state. We have a really good team an if we have good attitudes and work as a team we could do really well. Also just to get everyone excited about the game like the saying, “It’s a glorious day for lacrosse.”

Do you have any pregame rituals?

I tie my shoes a ton to make them super tight. I always high-five Strickler and listen to music like “Space Jam” and “Four Minutes.”

What is your favorite part about the game?

Just the team and the whole lacrosse spirit and community.

M.D.

1

Opinions

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Rank of Saudi Arabia, in terms of the percentage of a country’s GDP that was donated to Haiti.

1

Our | Perspective: St. Louis Park Senior High School 6425 West 33rd Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426 Editor in Chief | Sophie Nethercut Managing Editor | Emma Foehringer Merchant Copy Editors | Megan Duffy & Katie Rawls Design Editors | KT Lindemann & Louie Livon-Bemel Photo Editor | Nomi Kane News Editor | William Cramer Student Life Editors | Alec Lambert & Lily Reed Features Editor | Eli Robiner In-Depth Editor | Dana Ferguson Sports Editor | Harrison McLean Opinions Editor | Kaitlyn Steffenhagen Entertainment Editor | Stephanie Ritchie Web Editor | Adam Sperling Business Manager | Lizzie Westgard Staff | Sendrea Best, Abby Bongaarts, Katie Caron, Josh Crandell, Paris Delaney, Taylor Delaney, Art Elmer, Scott Foltz, Nico Johnson, Ben Kahn, Alex Kersten, Alex Olevitch, Mara Olson, Elena Potek, Kelsey Reid, Eli Robiner, Robbie Selzer-Schultz, Charlie Shapiro, Madee Weisner Principal | Robert Metz

Lend support for small problems

T

he actions students and staff have taken recently, such as providing funds for custodian Eddy Louise to see his family after earthquake in Haiti and supporting science teacher Barb Divinski following her cancer diagnosis, reflect the ability and motivation of students to come together for a important cause.

While students and staff have shown the desire to rally around the crises that feel immediate and involve members of the community, many other local causes still need support and many other problems remain.

For instance, the minimal support in some classes for the food drive is just one such area for improvement. While several classes donated heavily, in other classes donations were slim or, in some cases, nonexistent.

While the lack of food at STEP may not feel like a huge problem to many because it’s not getting national coverage or it has not affected someone directly, the problem of kids going without food still persists in St. Louis Park.

Just because we do not see the problem does not mean it is not there. The student sitting across from you in chemistry or the freshman you just bumped into in the hall may go home to an empty fridge every night.

Also some students have tried to convince teachers to give extra credit for

Printer | American Color

Publication Policies

NSPA All-American and Hall of Fame member; NSPA 2007 Pacemaker Award Finalist; JEM All-State; CSPA Gold Medalist; 2006 Gold Crown Winner.

bringing in items for STEP or are motivated by other incentives.

It should not take a few extra points or a promise of brownies for students to feel compelled to donate to those who really need it.

While we applaud the students and staff who donated to the Haiti fund and

supported Divinski by signing up for the Relay for Life and purchasing flowers, we still need to recognize the less obvious issues that remain.

As members of this community, we need to continue to contribute to the smaller issues, in addition of coming together for the bigger events.

School crosses line into students’ private lives

Adviser | Lori Keekley

The Echo is the official studentproduced newspaper of St. Louis Park Senior High School. It is published triweekly for the school’s students, staff and community.

The Echo has been established as an open forum for student expression. 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 e-mailed to slpecho@gmail.com or submitted in room C275. Letters must be signed and should be no longer than 250 words.

E-mailed 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.

Art | Alex Olevitch

Elena Potek | Staff Writer

I To Auto Tune.

Nothing can save Taylor Swift.

To the Echo video blog.

Wait, we have a Web site? slpecho. com

To 3-D movies. Stay in your own Wonderland, Alice.

To the new pass policy.

I’ve always wanted to live in Stalinist Russia.

!"#"$%&"'"$%(")"

t is acceptable for an administration to control students’ activities in school, but once the final bell marks the end of the day, students should no longer be under their watchful eye.

With the growing use of technology in schools, administration jurisdiction of students’ privacy should be questioned seriously.

Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania is currently under investigation for alledgedly infringing on its students’ privacy by activating webcams within students’ homes without their consent.

The school claims activation of the webcams was strictly to uncover missing laptops.

However, when the assistant principal of the school accused a student of selling drugs by showing evidence from webcam pictures taken in his room, the school’s motives were correctly called into question.

While technology in a school setting can be helpful as a teaching tool, administrators must understand the grave consequences that can result if this tool is misused. By allegedly stepping into the privacy of students’ homes, the district went too far.

Students were unaware their computers, supplied to them by the school, could be activated by the administration when at home.

While not all schools may be wealthy enough to provide a laptop for each of their students, this nevertheless draws attention to the unsettling power an administration can have over its students with the growing use of technology.

The lawsuit uses wiretap laws as well as laws against illegal searches and seizures as support for the unconstitutional behavior of the school.

Letters | to the editor On Oriole Droppings: Dear Editors: The Oriole Droppings have resorted to attempting to find humor in tasteless double entandres and references to feminine products (Feb. 19). How about we raise the bar an inch or two?

Jan Lane, science teacher

While the computers were property of the school, the students never signed waivers allowing the webcams to be activated in their homes. Therefore, Lower Merion’s conduct was clearly unconstitutional.

What other ways may schools be violating student privacy while going undetected?

While our district does not have the funding to supply each student with a personal laptop, the administration does have the authority to oversee computer activity in the Media Center and review history on the computers. Although administrators are allowed the right to do this, they risk overstepping their boundaries.

At the beginning of the year, all students are obligated to sign an Acceptable Use Policy if they wish to use school computers. The policy states users have limited rights to privacy of personal files on the network. A search of their account may be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion.

The policy also states all e-mail messages are the property of the school and can be read by the district network administrators. While the administration should be able to control students’ accounts for safety, and may utilize this right, it is unnecessary for administrators to be given the right read private messages.

It is important to distinguish a school’s jurisdiction over its students.

While on school ground an administration has the right to monitor students’ conduct, it should not overstep this power. However, off of school grounds, the administration should not be able to control students’ activities.

Just as in Lower Merion, schools may begin to abuse their rights by meddling in the private lives of their students. Technology should be used as a tool for student’s learning, not as a way to watch them as they sleep.

... on the web | slpecho.com

To read additional letters to the editor, visit

http://slpecho.com/ opinions

11 2 Opinions Auto-tune is no substitute for quality music Degrees Fahrenheit; this would be the average temperature of the Earth If there was no greenhouse effect.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Modern artists need to create real music with their own voice; computers are not a sufficient substitute William Cramer | News Editor

A

n old joke used to run that a man in New York asks a stranger on the street how to get to Carnegie Hall.

The stranger replies, “Practice, practice, practice.”

However, with the prevalence of the recording and producing device Auto-tune, the need for practice, or even talent is slowly disappearing.

Auto-tune is a computerized audio processor. When a singer records a song, he or she can run the new recording

through Auto-tune and correct any wrong pitches so every note is perfectly in tune. Music stars such as Tim McGraw, Kanye West and T-Pain have all used Auto-tune, both secretly in tracks and performances, as well as overtly to create a mechanical singing voice.

The use of a machine for the creation of music is wrong.

Just as we don’t allow athletes to use steroids to improve their performance, neither should professional artists be allowed to use a computer program to perfect their singing.

The joy of music is not only in just the sound, but in the realization of the talent of the musician, and of the hours of dedication, practice and passion put into their work.

Devices such as Auto-tune cheapen the real value of the music by increasing uniformity. For example, many artists and producers, have noted a suspicious trend in pop music

toward pitch-perfect singing. Take pop music of today; years ago, rap artists did not necessarily hit every musical note, but now artists such as Kanye West are perfectly in tune, and in rhythm. For fame, artists are willing to sacrifice the most important principles of music.

Auto-tune is a device that corrupts the basic values of music, but banning it seems to be almost impossible.

Thus, if a ban is not possible, consumers should demand that any song or CD in which Auto-tune is used be clearly labeled so the consumer knows that the artist who made the song has sacrificed practice and passion for cheap fame.

With the prevalence of Auto-tune, anybody can be talented. Unless something is done the road to Carnegie Hall will be paved with computer programs and singers desperate for fame.

Climate change: pressing problem or huge hoopla?

Point | Counterpoint: Following December’s Copenhagen summit, the debate surrounding climate change has attracted worldwide attention. While believers in climate change continue to advocate for more environmental activism, others believe the effects of humans on climate change are overexaggerated.

S

The climate is changing, and it’s our responsibility to take action

The climate is changing, but we should not have to sweat it

Sophie Nethercut | Editor in Chief

Charlie Shapiro | Staff Writer

peaking out against climate change appears to be one of the latest trends in American society. From colleges boasting about how green they are to teens sporting the latest eco-friendly water bottles, environmentalism seems to be the word of the day.

But despite the recent emphasis placed on environmental sustainability, are we really changing as much as we should be?

No. While teens and world leaders alike have raised their concerns about climate change and the destruction of our natural environment, we have yet to see results.

At the climate conference last December in Copenhagen, President Obama agreed to merely “take note” of the issue of climate change. While the summit had good intentions, it failed to set specific standards for the reduction of greenhouse gases. Climate change is a serious issue, and while it has garnered serious attention, the world has yet to take serious actions.

After decades of research and thousands of studies, virtually all evidence points to humans as the primary cause of climate change The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change even went so far as to proclaim this conclusion is “unequivocal.”

According to a 2009 University of Illinois survey of more than 3,000 U.S. climate experts, more than 97 percent of surveyed climatologists agreed humans play a prominent role in climate change.

Despite the overwhelming consensus reached by the scientific community, some skeptics remain. Climate change deniers have greedily sought to undermine the work of scientists by

claiming the rise in global temperatures is merely a natural part of the Earth’s weather cycle.

However, scientific evidence says otherwise. While the Earth has historically experienced heating and cooling periods, our current temperatures have reached unnatural extremes. The last 10 years marked the hottest decade in history and this January’s temperatures were the second-warmest ever recorded.

Recently, climate change deniers have gained media attention by claiming the scientific community has exaggerated the effects of global warming. While it may be true some climate documents have overestimated the damage wreaked by climate change, the vast majority of studies are accurate. A few scientists have made some calculation errors, but like all practices, perfection is nearly impossible. The many valuable conclusions reached by scientists should not be overshadowed by a few slight overestimates.

We are responsible for climate change, and we must now do our part to slow it down.

T

hanks to humans, the world is heating up, the ice caps are melting, Florida will soon be underwater, and the meteorological apocalypse is coming. At least that’s what Al Gore and “The Day After Tomorrow” say.

But according to WCCO meteorologist Mike Fairbourne, global warming extremism such as this is based on “squishy science.”

Fairbourne is one of more than 31,000 American scientists who have signed the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine’s petition saying the human-caused global warming theory has little scientific proof.

Recent research has shown human activity, such as burning fossil fuels, cannot be the cause of any climate change. Although the Earth is experiencing a slight increase in global temperature, it is part of an entirely natural cycle. During the past 3,000 years, Earth’s temperature has varied about 3° Celsius from the average. The climate is just now returning to that average after a relatively cold period.

Furthermore, the climate does n o t

change due to hydrocarbon usage, but rather due to variations in the sun. When solar activity increases Earth’s temperature rises, and vice versa.

This is not the first time people have become obsessed with climate change. In the 1970s, while Earth was experiencing a natural decrease in temperature, the world went into a panic about global cooling.

Clearly, time and science disproved that theory.

But now, thanks to politics and a general misunderstanding of the greenhouse effect, climate extremism has been taken to a new level. Part of the Oregon Institute’s petition is to reject the Kyoto Agreement of 1997, where world leaders debated a global treaty to cut back on carbon dioxide production.

But fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas provide billions of people with energy and are necessary for technological and scientific advancement. Attempting to limit hydrocarbon use will diminish the energy source for the majority of people and plunge the world economy into chaos.

Justifying this call to action with the faulty scientific hypothesis of human-caused global warming is absurd.

This is not an excuse to recklessly burn fossil fuels. It is still our duty to preserve Earth’s resources and act wisely in terms of energy. But making the regretful decision to cut back our energy consumption is not wise.

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12

“Johnny Depp looks like he’s going to be really good in ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ It looks creepy cool.” – Annikka Oelhafen | 9

Entertainment

Thursday, March 18, 2010

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Katie Caron | Staff Writer

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hinking back to their first 3-D film experience, many teens fondly remember movies like “Spy Kids” or “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl.” But just as teens have grown, 3-D technology has also matured.

Justin Scott, director of corporate communications for AMC Entertainment Inc., noted the shift from film to digital in the movie industry and said theaters are making an effort to meet the likely increase in output of 3-D films.

“We are actively installing 3-D projection systems that will allow more people to see films in 3-D,” he said.

The release of Tim Burton’s 3-D “Alice in Wonderland” has generated buzz about its special effects among film critics and teens alike. The film beat the premiere of “Avatar,” setting the record for biggest winter opening and taking in $210.3 million worldwide.

Cinema teacher Peter Redmond took his class on a field trip March 12 to see the film, and is now discussing the movie and changes in the story’s interpretation with his class. Redmond enjoyed the movie and thinks 3-D adds to the cinematic experience.

“The technology makes it come alive and adds depth and another layer of interest, fun and entertainment,” he said.

Junior Anni Esco went on the field trip and thought the 3-D fit well with the movie, but felt other aspects were lacking.

“I wasn’t crazy about the plot or the dialogue, so that took away from the movie overall,” she said.

Senior Ellen Danforth saw “Alice in Wonderland,” which was her first time seeing a 3-D movie. She enjoyed the visual effects and coloring of the film, and thought the animation blended well with the 3-D aspect.

“The effects made the movie really visually interesting,” she said. “It was really vibrant and had a lot more depth compared to the original pale Disney movie.”

While some teens would see any movie with “3-D” attached to its name, others believe only certain movies should be in 3-D. Junior Cooper Chell enjoys 3-D movies, but thinks the technology can detract from films of certain genres.

“3-D doesn’t work as well with a plot-driven movie,” he said. “Wearing glasses can feel really gimmicky and silly.”

Soon, students will have the option to put on these 3-D glasses in their homes, as 3-D technology is making a jump into homes on television screens. Best Buy unveiled Panasonic’s first model March 10, which costs $2,500 and an extra $150 for eyewear. Competitors Sony and Samsung plan to release 3-D models soon as well.

While some students would be elated to have 3-D television in their homes, others think it is excessive.

Freshman Siedah Eberhardt feels having a 3-D television in her home would be unnecessary.

“Watching 3-D all the time would get to be a little too much,” she said.

“It would definitely be overwhelming.”

to s l i a f e c i l A nder wo e

Raw

It felt like I was a part of the movie instead of just watching it.

Review

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Art | Sendrea Best

March 21

By Stephanie Ritchie March 19 The futuristic film, “Repo Men” starring Jude Law and Liev Schreiber opens in theaters.

“Men on Ice,” the ice fishing musical has its last show at the Camp Bar in St. Paul. Two Wisconsin men pass the time and sing songs including “Ode to a Snowmobile Suit.” Tickets cost $19.50 through TicketMaster.

March 22

The Black Eyed Peas will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center. Tickets cost $47.50 through TicketMaster.

March 22

Alternative rock band, “Vampire Weekend” will perform at 7 p.m. at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. Tickets cost $26.25 through TicketMaster.

March 26

The classic play and movie, “The Wizard of Oz” comes to the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. Tickets range from $19.50-$63.50 through TicketMaster.