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Thursday, April 15, 2010 | Volume 81 | Issue 09 St. Louis Park High School | 6425 W. 33rd Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55426

www.slpecho.com

Art options draw scrutiny Elena Potek | Staff Writer

here were tears, standing ovations and biting criticisms at the March 22 School Board meeting, as community members spoke out against the Board’s decision to cut art specialists at the fourth and fifth grade level. In order to keep art instruction consistent throughout K-5 grades, the district will make a final decision regarding art specialist programming by the end of June. “As an art specialist with 530 students per week in two buildings per day, I see student achievement and success on an hourly basis. Students have pride in their work, talk about their ideas, and do their best because they want to and because they can,” said Lynne Rainer, elementary art specialist. Currently one hour of art per week is taught by an art specialist in fourth and fifth grade. However, art will be reorganized and taught by the regular elementary teachers starting next year. Superintendent Debra Bowers stresses the recommendation to cut art specialists from the 4-5 grade level is still in process and she urges passionate parents to contact the state legislature to demand change. “Unfortunately parents are contacting the School Board but not those at the state level. When we get 0 percent from the state, we can’t make everything work. I strongly encourage people to contact Tim Pawlenty. Without that, nothing will change. If they don’t hear from parents then there won’t be a catalyst for helping public education,” Bowers said. At the open forum March 22, senior Colleen Bell spoke out against the district’s decision to change art programming. “If I didn’t have the art background from elementary school I wouldn’t choose to do it later on. Kids deserve the right to have an opportunity to be creative in school,” Bell said. Fourth grade teacher at Susan Lindgren Deb Cornelius does not feel adequately prepared to take the place of an art specialist and was dissatisfied with the way that the decision was made. “The time needed to make me qualified is not likely to happen in the near future, definitely not in time for next year,” Cornelius said. “Teachers were not asked for feedback regarding the elimination of art for fourth and fifth grade.” Co-president of the teacher’s union, Ann Jurewicz, believes the teachers at the elementary level were surprised with the decision, but acknowledges they do not need to be part of the process. “Everyone gets upset when programs get cut out. I don’t think the teachers at the elementary level saw it coming so it was a real concern … However the district administration is not required to involve teachers in the decision making process,” Jurewicz said. School Board member Larry Shapiro addressed the difficulty of the decision to cut art programming. Board members are attempting to raise $70,000 in the next two months to keep these specialists. “It doesn’t come down to the School Board not liking art, we are forced into a situation where we have to cut something. It’s not about what we like or what we don’t like, it’s about making a decision that’s going to work.

Continued on | 02

Photo illustration | Taylor Delaney & Madee Weisner

Percent of students who favor the old start time at the high school to the new planned 8:20 a.m. time

News

Thursday, April 15, 2010

News | Briefs

Jane Goodall to speak at Beth El

STEP to switch to new permanent location

Renowned scientist to talk about hope for the future Josh Crandell | Staff Writer

anzania. Sierra Leone. Uganda. Congo. And now Goodall can add St. Louis Park to her list. Jane Goodall, the world renowned primatologist and United Nations Messenger of Peace, will come to speak at Beth El synagogue in St. Louis Park on April 19 at 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Minnesota Zoo, Beth El and the Jane Goodall Institute, the event is called “A Reason for Hope.”

Awards

he St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP) will move to a new, permanent location at 6812 West Lake Street the week of May 17. STEP has served St. Louis Park’s hungry for 35 years from temporary locations, and in the past seven years, the agency moved several times. STEP’s current address is 2239 Edgewood Avenue South. “Having a home is critical. Like any family, it’s important to have a stable home to live out of,” Kate Burggraff said, STEP’s Volunteer Coordinator and Food Shelf Manager. Freshman Katie Sweeney, who volunteers at STEP about once a month, hopes the move will help the organization focus on their mission. “Now they can take less time moving everything and they’ll have more time to promote donating,” she said. Burggraff agrees STEP can now refocus on providing their necessary services rather than worrying about its next move. “Once an agency has stability, it can offer more stability for families who often have a lot of instability,” she said.

presented to Dr. Jane Goodall over the years

Gil Mann, president of Beth El, helped organize Goodall’s visit, along with other board members at Beth El. “Her presentation is named ‘A Reason For Hope’ for a reason. She believes in the human capacity to be kind and generous,” Mann said. Mann, who became friends with Goodall after meeting her on a plane ride from Minnesota to New York, has been trying for years to get her to speak. “When she travels 300 days a year, we are so honored to have her visit,” Mann said. Due to her emphasis on shaping the future, Goodall began an organization called “Roots and Shoots,” a youth program dedi-

1970: Stott Science Award 1991: The Edinburgh Medal

1996: The Zoological Society of London Silver Medal

School Board: cuts continued

meeting has been scheduled to discuss the proposed Hennepin County freight trail reroute for April 28 in C350 from 7-9 p.m. The meeting will be an opportunity for Hennepin County residents to voice their concerns about the reroute. Hennepin County Commission Gail Dorfman is scheduled to attend the meeting to present the county’s perspective on the issue.

tudents from intermediate level language classes (mostly sophomores) will be attending World Language Day at the University of Minnesota May 18. Participants will take a variety of classes based on cultures that may be familiar, as well as some classes students may not have been exposed to before. Sophomore Ben Verhasselt is especially excited for the unique classes he is taking. “I’m really looking forward to my Turkish Sports class. The field trip will let me learn a lot about cultures I haven’t studied,” Verhasselt said. French teacher Kyle Sweeney is one of the organizers of the trip and believes it will be a good experience for those attending. “The event will teach students the importance of learning a foreign language, as well as exposing them to a new culture, such as Chinese,” she said.

Student Council annual blood drive scheduled for next Friday

tudent Council will be hosting the second blood drive this year, April 23. Healthy teachers and students are encouraged to participate. Students who are 16 must weigh 130 pounds and those 17 or older must weigh 110 pounds. The drive will be held in the fieldhouse this year instead of in the American Red Cross buses to promote greater number of participants.

2006: 60th Anniversary Medal of the UNESCO Public Service Award

Continued from | 01

2003: Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science

1998: Eco Hero Award; National Science Board Pub

Meeting to discuss freight rail reroute

Language field trip to the University of Minnesota

cated to shaping the future generation which operates in more than 110 communities. “She has a particular interest in children. She is thrilled so many students will be attending. No matter how old you are she inspires hope,” Mann said. Junior Tess Glassman-Kaufman, a student attending the lecture, did a report on Goodall in sixth grade, and is excited to meet the woman behind the research. “I did a ‘Wax Museum’ project on her. I’m so excited to meet the woman I dressed up as in sixth grade,” Kaufman said. As Goodall travels to Minnesota, she seeks to inspire the same hope she did in Tanzania.

Photo | Alex Kersten

Coordinator Dan Ruzek helps, seniors Hilary Kirsch, Hannah Cohen, Linnea Van Pilsum-Bloom construct a decorative prop for the spring play on March 22.

Simple set is a work of art Although crew members are building the set, Ruzek said all students will have an opportunity to submit their own art to display ess is more. around the theater. In this year’s spring play, “Mu“We’re thinking of having some student seum,” the set will be very different artists contribute work so they can have a from previous years. Instead of a traditional chance to display their stuff so parents can physical theater set that involves transitions, see what our kids are capable of doing,” Ruthe set will consist only of three art displays zek said. on stage throughout. In the play, characters will interact with The first section will consist of several the art on stage. Theater direcplain white canvases. The sector Jodi Hatzenbeller explains ond will display multiple abSpring Play the art is important to the play. stract sculptures composed of “It’s a play set in a museum bones, scrap metal and garbage What: “Museum” and it’s all about how people compiled by set director Dan How much: $3 for interact with art and each othRuzek and the last includes a students, $5 for er,” Hatzenbeller. “It’s a huge clothesline with hanging lifeadults. group of characters, it’s all sized figures. these different perspectives on The set is being created Where: High School life and art from 43 different mainly by crew members and Auditorium. vantage points. It’s almost like students involved in the theater When: April 30 & the pieces (of art) are characprogram. May 1 at 7:30 & May ters in the play.” Crew member Hilary Kirsch 2 at 2:30. Audience members will also believes building the set will be have a chance to look at the a collaborative experience. art on stage before the show. “There’s a fairly large cast, Ruzek believes the distinctive approach beso when members with smaller roles aren’t ing taken for the play and set this year could working they’ll probably come back and make it very successful. help,” Kirsch said. “The good thing about “I’m just doing a little bit of design on this crew is that it’s not very job specific. Evmy own. It’s a pretty minimalist show and I erybody’s working together on everything. think allowing the audience to come interact I could be building sculptures one day and with the art is pretty unique,” Ruzek said. helping with costumes the next. I think it’s There may not be any buildings or backgoing to be easy to make, the challenge is drops, but sometimes simplicity is key. going to be to stay on task.” Ben Kahn | Staff Writer

n addition to the open forum at the School Board meeting discussing art cutbacks, teachers whose positions will be cut back or terminated next year were made public. Thirty-one probationary teachers and staff who have worked in the district for less than three years will have a modified position next year. First year teacher at the high school, math teacher Amy Frederickson, will be going from a 1.0 full time teaching position to a 0.6 part time position next year. Because of this shift, she plans to look elsewhere for a job next year. “The administration was super. It’s the only school I’ve ever heard of that gives notices in early March. That’s huge because most schools give theirs at the beginning of April. It’s really nice because it gives more time to plan ahead for next year,” Frederickson said. As well as cutting programs and teachers, the new start time for the high school has also created discontent among teachers and students. IB coordinator Bruce McLean was dissatisfied with the Board’s decision March 8 to alter the high school’s start time by 30 minutes. He conducted a survey of students, both athletes and non-athletes, to determine if students supported the Board’s decision. The results he received were compelling. Sixty-six percent of the 841 students surveyed preferred the old start time. As a coach, McLean felt the School Board didn’t adequately ask students or teachers for input. “My main concern as a coach is the amount of time athletes will have to miss to participate in their sport. Now more athletes will be missing more school and as a coach I don’t like that. It hurts the athletes, and it hurts their grades. The School Board’s claim is that they are doing this for the betterment of all students. But in my opinion it is doing them a disservice,” McLean said. As planning continues for next year’s district reorganization, both the School Board and the community learn that change demands a great amount of compromise.

“People wanted to fight me because I posted bad stuff on Facebook and my friend got beat up, too.” –Kassia Goodsen l 11

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Source | University of Virginia

Features

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Vantage | Point Adam Sperling Web Editor

A lunchroom ovation

started my second semester senior year the way no one should: with little sleep and loads of work to do. Being the optimistic student that I am, I constantly reminded myself that anything negative must come to an end, and time heals all. Still, I found myself having strings of less than stellar days where I was left wondering just how long I had to put up with this land of sophomoric children and collective punishment. Here’s looking at you, Mr. No Pass Policy. Then, one day, everything changed. It was one of those days where I had not had much sleep beforehand, and I had been compulsively What’s the | checking my point? watch counting down the minutes I can do and seconds until a pretty 2:40 p.m. I had good Gollum third lunch, so I impression. sat down at my The whole usual table and cafeteria began to eat. A can unite for no few minutes later, reason. some juniors at another table Applause can called me over. turn around I was curious any bad day. to find out what they wanted from me, but I was also cautious. It turned out they wanted just about the last thing I was expecting. They wanted my Gollum impression. Yes, that Gollum. The one from “The Lord of the Rings” that hops around constantly obsessing about his “precious.” Apparently, I can clench the inside of my throat in just the right way to produce the crackling screeches like Andy Serkis himself. What happened next started out innocently enough. The juniors seemed satisfied with my impression and gave me courteous applause. This applause then echoed throughout the lunchroom and soon everybody caught on. And when I say everybody, I mean everybody. This wasn’t like one of the many attempts to start a lunchroomwide rendition of “Happy Birthday” that never pans out, this was a fullblown ovation. In my three-plus years at Park, I had never seen an entire lunchroom come together like that outside of the time I was forced to watch “High School Musical.” But it didn’t stop there. The applause escalated into chants of my name and congratulatory cheering. The funny thing was, almost no one knew what, or who, they were cheering for. But did I care about that? Of course not. The entire third lunch was cheering for me, and all I had to do was embrace it. I might have been red in the face, but you would be too if you had 350 people spontaneously chanting your name for no reason. That day showed me just how important it is to keep an open mind about bad days, because anything can happen. One spontaneous outburst can change a series of unfortunate events, and still bring the school together. I learned we have the capacity to unite, and all I can do is encourage it. I also learned a bit about our cafeteria’s spontaneous crowd dynamics, but that’s another column.

“It’s great when people get standing ovations in the lunchroom because it embarrasses them. It will be funny to look back on later.” -Greg Hynes | 12

From ambition to art: joy through the soul of music Stephanie Ritchie | Entertainment Editor

ophomore John Danforth loves music, particularly string instruments. This love has driven Danforth to teach himself many instruments including the sitar, an instrument traditionally played in Hindustani classical music. What is the sitar? It is a north Indian string instrument with sympathetic strings. I think I have 13 of them. It has a very unique sound and the thing about it is since you only play one string at a time, it doesn’t sound good if you strum it but when you hit certain notes it makes a very rich sound.

How did you get into playing the sitar? At summer camp I talked to a counselor who plays a lot of instruments who wanted to play the sitar. So when I went home I looked it up and really wanted one. I went to a music store and saw one in the corner that they were trying to get rid of. I took it home and figured out tuning and started playing, mostly by ear and improvising. How did you learn to play it? I’m self-taught. I search on the Internet and find sitar Web sites about tuning and notes. I also play a lot of other string instruments so I use my knowledge from those and expand on that knowledge. I like the different styles of the sitar and the cultural significance.

Who do you play with? I have a Garage Band with a guy who plays the electric guitar and the oboe, which is a Europeanized Indian instrument that I find very interesting also because it’s the loudest wind instrument. The Indian version is very hard to find so I think the oboe is very interesting. Would your band ever consider playing a concert? We just started getting together to see how the instruments sound together. We take different themes and make base notes and then expand and improvise from there … We might play for some Indian festivals, but we’re not as serious as other bands. We play mostly for fun but that might be an opportunity for us to play for others. What other instruments do you play? I really enjoy string instruments. I play the violin, the mandolin and the sitar and I’m also starting, just starting, to work on the bagpipes.

Does the sitar have any cultural significance to you? The significance lies in that it affects the way I play it. Like I wouldn’t play the same music I would play on violin on the sitar. I play music with a more authentic sound.

How does the sitar compare to other instruments you’ve played? It’s a lot more fun. You can do a lot more in the aspect of musical tones. You can make a lot of different tones compared to the clear cut sound of the classical instruments, like the violin. Photo | Art Elmer

percent of American adults consume at least one cup of coffee per day.

Features

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Far left, junior Martera Person drinks a hot cup of coffee at the new shop, Coffee Buzz. Center, a latte sits atop a new table with Coffee Buzz’s logo.

Photos | Paris Delaney

Far right, owner Kristin Krosschell works behind the register. Although it only opened seven weeks ago, Coffee Buzz hopes to soon compete with neighboring coffee companies.

Coffee Buzz working to brew success Charlie Shapiro | Staff Writer

he buzz is spreading about St. Louis Park’s newest coffee shop. Located in Hoigaard Village on West 36th Street, Coffee Buzz hopes to cater to student customers eager for their daily morning coffee. Besides selling coffee and other drinks, Coffee Buzz also offers food items, such as muffins and sandwiches. Coffee Buzz is unique in that it only serves Organic Fair Trade coffee. This means the beans they use are all-natural and grown in ideal conditions. Also, Organic Fair Trade ensures the beans are not grown using child labor, and that the workers are fairly compensated. “We’re really proud that all of our coffee is Organic Fair Trade,” co-owner Kristin Krosschell said. “All our beans are high quality and good for the environment, and several people have commented that our coffee is the best they’ve ever had.” Junior Megan Gullifer, who stopped by Coffee Buzz on her way to school one morning last month, agrees the coffee is first-rate. “Coffee Buzz had better coffee than Caribou, in my opinion,” she said. “One problem is that nobody knows it’s there

because of the construction on Highway 7.” While it is currently difficult to get to Coffee Buzz directly from the high school, Coffee Buzz anticipates customers stopping in on a more regular basis. “It has only been a month, so it’s hard to expect too much. But we do have a handful of regulars already,” Krosschell said. Jason Fawver, the shop’s other owner, expects that as the weather continues to improve and more people get outside, Coffee Buzz’s customer base will increase. “We’re going to have seating outside and the nice weather will help,” he said. In the past, neighborhood coffee shops in St. Louis Park have opened with varying success. “When Harvest Moon (now Bean Good Cafe) opened up, a lot of people went there because it’s a friendly place, and it’s locally owned,” Gullifer said. The shop’s owners are aware of Bean Good’s success as a small business in Park, but they are looking for their own spin on the coffee business. “Everything I’ve heard about Harvest Moon (Bean Good Cafe) has been positive,” Krosschell said. “But we’re really trying to be the friendly neighborhood shop. We want to make a name for ourselves and be our own business.”

Yet Coffee Buzz, which opened March 1, must compete with well-established coffee chains, where many students get coffee every morning. “It’s a matter of changing people’s habits of going to Caribou or Starbucks to coming here,” Fawver said. “Anything you can get at (those places) you can get here, and we’re cheaper.” Like most coffee shops, Coffee Buzz offers a lounge area with couches and free Wi-Fi. “If I’m around the area, I’ll go to Coffee Buzz,” Gullifer, a daily Caribou customer, said. “I would rather support local businesses than the big chains, but it ends up being more about convenience than price.” But Krosschell thinks any small business has that extra something that should attract local customers. “The thing that Caribou or Starbucks has over us is a solid customer base, but the quality of customer service, products, and atmosphere (at local shops) is better,” she said. “You know the people running it are putting in their blood, sweat, and tears. At those corporate chains, it’s more about the dollar sign than the customers.” As word spreads and construction ends, Coffee Buzz hopes to thrive in St. Louis Park as the new coffee shop on the block.

The wonders of the world arrive in St. Paul Festival of Nations showcases over 90 world cultures William Cramer | News Editor

nder the blanket of the word “American,” we often forget the average citizen has a rich cultural heritage: Indian, Native American, Irish, Spanish; the list goes on and on. At the Festival of Nations, those heritages and more are all showcased. Senior Miranda DeConcini visited the Festival of Nations in eighth grade, but still has fond memories of the event. “I got an Indian henna tattoo, watched a Mexican dance troupe, and ate a little bit of everything from the many cultural food booths,” DeConcini said. “It was a blast, I really want to go again. It’s a great way to reach out and discover other cultures without having to actually travel around the world.” Festival of Nations director of communications Connie Shaver couldn’t agree more and shares much of DeConcini’s enthusiasm for the event. “The Festival represents more than 90 different cultures. Ethnic demonstrations showcase different cultural traditions that have been passed down for years, such as music and dance,” Shaver said. Shaver’s personal favorite performances of the Festival are the drumming acts. “All cultures seem to share this basic rhythmic music. The drummers, such as Taiko drummers from Japan, or Kenyan drummers, really engage people with the music,” said

35 art

demonstrations

60 cultural and educational exhibits

Festival of Nations: by the numbers 55 international

bazaar booths

75 musicians and

dance ensembles Information & Photos | Festival of Nations

Shaver. “It’s great just to see people gravitate toward them and start dancing and swaying to the rhythm.” Shaver also mentions the Festival of Nations is open to people of all ages. The first two nights of the festival are targeted towards high school students, while the second two cater to families. The Festival of Nations is an annual celebration that

takes place April 29 and 30, as well as May 1 and 2 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Tickets can be purchased online at http://festivalofnations.com/tickets/ and at Byerly’s grocery stores. The Festival of Nations allows students to sample, literally and metaphorically, the cultures of the world without even having to leave the Twin Cities.

“People smoke Marijuana to make them look cool, it’s an image thing.” –Mitch Guth | 10

In-Depth

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Doobie(ous)

behavior

Being blunt about marijuana u

Eli Robiner & Robbie SeltzerSchultz| | Features Editor & Staff Writer

n the classic 1980s movie “The Breakfast Club” the primary action that brings the wrestling jock, the popular girl, the nerd, the social recluse and the rebel together is pulling out marijuana in the school library. The reason students from all social groups decide to smoke is still under debate. According to a March 2010 study by the University of California, San Diego, one factor that contributes to marijuana use is sleep deprivation, something most high schoolers can experience. In a time where students are confronted by a pop culture that often condones and encourages marijuana use and some parents admit to smoking in their youth, identifying marijuana users by how they dress or who they hang out with becomes increasingly difficult. That pressure continues onto the playing field as some athlete teams take part in the illegal activity.

Cultural influence With pop stars like Lil’

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Drawing th Marijuana use by the numbers 15.5 percent of youths ages 12 to 17 have been approached by someone selling drugs in the last month.

62 percent of high schoolers go to schools were drugs are used, kept, or sold.

25.4 percent of students have been offered, sold, or given illegal drugs in the last year. Source | "##$!%%&'(()*+,

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“I think marijuana should be legalized to reduce crime and help the economy.” –Marcus Eeman | 11

In-Depth

Sports Laws:

12 months of the year a student shall not at any time, regardless of the quantity … use or consume, have in possession, buy, sell, or give away any other controlled substance or drug paraphernalia.

use

ayne talking openly about ir marijuana use and People agazine, E! News, and other minders of our celebrity-obsed culture, some teens look the famous in determining ir choices with marijuana d other drugs. Psychiatrist Kenneth Wins at the University of Minsota emphasizes the impact ebrities can have on teens’ ug habits. “It’s a concern among ny professionals,” Winters d. He explained celebrities ofinfluence adolescents who not have close, healthy reionships with their parents. r better or worse, they see ebrities as people with ideal styles and seek to emulate m as a way of living vicarisly. “It makes people feel better hen they’re bored with their wn lives and dream about hat their lives could be,” nters said. “It’s a form of ng-distance guidance and is viously not ideal.” When teens see headlines out their celebrity role moddoing marijuana and other ugs, they sometimes decide pick up their habits. “A lot of celebrities go in d out of rehab and you see at it’s not that bad (to do rijuana),” freshman Taylor

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Art | Sendrea Best

Miles said. “Just like some people will buy your favorite actress’s clothes, you will also sometimes adopt their drug habits.” Sophomore Forrest Bruce agrees, pointing to the media’s portrayal of drugs as a significant reason why people smoke marijuana. “People are influenced by the media and they (people involved in media production) show that doing marijuana is cool,” Bruce said. “They glorify it in rap music and (other forms of) media.”

Parental Role Oftentimes, parents play a key part in their teen’s decisions to use marijuana and other drugs. Winters hopes the majority of parents will serve as positive role models for their children and respond to their emotional needs as they enter their adolescent years. “Ideally, they are the people teens should turn to for guidance,” Winters said. “They can start discussions with their children about marijuana and leading a healthy lifestyle.” Under these circumstances, parental influence can be a major reason why teens abstain from using marijuana. By the same token, parents can also impact their teens decision to use marijuana by encouraging or even provid-

ing the illegal substance. “It promotes acceptance of the drug because the parents are condoning it,” he said. Winters also believes they are not fulfilling their parental duties. “They’re neglecting the health and well-being of their kids,” he said. Freshman Brianna KnightFischer has observed the consequences that result when negligent parents fail to stop their teens from using harmful drugs. Knight-Fischer knows a peer with parents who allow her friend to smoke marijuana. “It makes the kids think they don’t care or that it’s not a big deal,” Knight-Fischer. “This leads the kids to smoke even more because they see that the parents don’t care.”

On and off the field While most athletes understand why marijuana use and athletic performance don’t mix, some students continue to use the drug even at the varsity level. As a deterrent to drug use, the Minnesota State High School League outlines strict punishments for athletes who are caught using illegal substances, even if they are not current participants in a sport. After a first offense, student-athletes are suspended from their sport for two weeks. The suspension period continues with each subse-

quent offense, increasing by an additional nine weeks if the athlete denies actual use. Even so, two students who wished to remain anonymous described that some varsity athletes in past years continued to smoke marijuana during their season and in a few cases, a number of players smoked together. One athlete said it was an ongoing issue. “A lot of the people who were previously on the team made it a team tradition to drink and smoke (marijuana),” an anonymous source said. The anonymous student credits the drug use to influential upperclassmen, who have since graduated, and hopes the harmful tradition will stop. In an effort to avoid substance problems before they arise, athletic director and head football coach Andy Ewald encourages his upperclassmen to lead by example, including avoiding illicit substances. “I met with my seniors (for next year) and talked with them about what’s important for them and the potential roadblocks for that,” he said. When putting an image to the label of pot smoker, it’s easy to picture the druggy sitting in the back of the classroom, hood pulled up, bloodshot eyes glazed over. But it’s a lot harder to picture the marijuana smoker on the varsity football team, in the pit orchestra or sitting in the front row of an IB class. With marijuana users as in most stereotypes, the generalization only tells part of the story.

he line! Getting help with an addiction

00 people entering drug treatment programs reported marijuana as their use. Until recently, finding treatment centers specifically for marijuana difficult.

ouse: 1-888-424-2626

diction Treatment Programs: 1-800-861-1768

ry Center: 1-800-505-1969 Source | "##$!%%&'()*+(,-./01

Repercussions:

• First offense: No participation in the sport for two weeks or two consecutive interscholastic contests. • Second offense: No participation in the sport for three weeks or six consecutive interscholastic contest. • Third and subsequent offenses: No participation in the sports for four weeks or 12 consecutive contests. • Denial clause: If an athlete denies use and is proven wrong they will receive nine extra weeks of suspension.

Laws:

School

• Possessing, using or being under the influence of any narcotic, drug, or controlled substance (without prescription), alcohol or other moodaltering substance. • Selling or distributing, or intending to sell or distribute any narcotic, drug, look-alike or mood altering substance is prohibited. This includes paraphernalia or look-alike paraphernalia.

Repercussions:

For use: • First offense: one to three-day suspension. • Second offense: three to five-day suspension and assessment. • Third offense: five-day suspension, move to expel. For sale/distribution: • First offense: Five-day suspension, expel.

Laws:

State

Possession, sale and use of Marijuana in any amount within the state of Minnesota is illegal.

Repercussions:

• Possession: Range in conviction from misdemeanor to felony, up to 35 years incarceration and potential fine of $1,000,000. • Sale: Range in conviction from misdemeanor to felony, up to 35 years incarceration and potential fine of up to $1,250,000. • Selling to a minor: Considered a felony, 20 years incarceration and $250,000 fine. • Selling within a school zone or other specified areas- Considered a felony, 15 years incarceration and $100,000 fine.

“Track is cool once every four years when the Olympics came around, other than that it does not get much attention.” –Jimmy Silbert l 12

Sports

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Sophomore Chanell Ashley clears the bar in the high jump against Cooper April 13. After clearing the bar, the height of the bar is raised.

The Extra | Mile

Harrison McLean Sports Editor

Farewell to the Dome

ast October marked the end of an era, one that had been a part of my life for a decade. It was the last day that Twins baseball would be played indoors. I have been a Twins season ticket holder since I was about 8-years old. During those 10 years, I have experienced some of my fondest memories crammed in a cold blue plastic chair between my father and a stranger for hours on end. With a malt cup in hand, I have followed the Twins intently for most of my life. The Dome has seen ups and downs, from division titles and playoff victories, to heartbreaking losses and seas of empty seats. I can still remember, back when the Twins didn’t draw many fans, being able to clearly hear Ron Coomer call for a popup from my seat, 16 rows up from the field. I have witnessed history in that Dome. I have seen Johan Santana strike What’s the | out 17 Texas point? Rangers in a single game. I I’ve grown up have seen a miwith indoor raculous comebaseball. back against the Chicago I’ve seen many White Sox in great games in 2008, which the Dome. took the Twins The Dome will to the top of be missed. the Central Division. I could have seen Eric Milton throw a nohitter against the Anaheim Angels in 1999. It was a Sunday morning, and the Twins played the Angels starting at 11 a.m. The game was not being shown on TV, so I asked my dad if we could go to the game. He said he didn’t want to waste a beautiful Sunday afternoon inside a dome, so we didn’t go. A few hours later, we learned that Eric Milton had thrown a no-hitter, one of baseball’s rarest feats. To this day, I have not let my dad forget this, and probably won’t until I see a nohitter in person. Unfortunately, I can’t see every game under the Teflon Sky in person, so I’m forced to watch on TV. The greatest game I have ever seen occurred last year: the tiebreaker against the Detroit Tigers. I had a cross country meet that day, so I couldn’t go. However, it rained all day and the meet was cancelled. The baseball Gods had smiled upon us, and it was our destiny to win. I returned home and watched the final victory in the Metrodome live on television with two friends. Even though we were in my basement, we acted as if we were at the game. We went ballistic with every clutch hit and run scored, and when Carlos Gomez dove across home plate with the winning run, our emotions exploded, and it felt as if we were at the Dome celebrating with 65,000 other fans. While Target Field will be outstanding in every way, I will certainly miss the Metrodome. The Dome has given us too many memories for it to be forgotten.

1 2 3

Photo | Nomi Kane

Girls’ track raises the bar

Relays contend for top conference spots Abby Bongaarts | Staff Writer

ith a jump on outdoor practices and a new sprinting coach, the girls’ track team looks toward high placement in the conference and for some, state. Head coach Brad Brubaker, who was the sprinting coach last year, decided to take over the distance team this year and hired University of Minnesota runner Kelly Snyders to coach sprinters. Brubaker’s decision to move from sprint coach to distance coach was partly to reduce some of his responsibilities and a sprinting coach was available for hire. “There are a lot of details with being the sprinting coach, a lot of coordinating many details on a day-to-day basis, as well as the head coach,” he said. “It’s nice to delegate the sprinting details.” Freshman Sophie Olson is pleased with the new coaching staff. “I enjoy having Brubaker as the distance coach over our last coach because he has more of a plan of what he’s going to do with targeted exercises,” she said.

Although the entire track team is about the same size as last year, the distance team has seen an increase in numbers. “The distance team this year is bigger and a lot younger,” Olson said. “Now with more people we have a better chance of succeeding.” Brubaker believes some of the middle distance relays will succeed this year and even a possibility of going to state. The 4 x 800 team, which won the conference title last year, is returning three of its four runners. The 4 x 400 relay, which took second at conference last year, should also be solid this year according to Brubaker. In order to make it to state, runners or relays must place in the top two of their event in sections or meet a qualifying time. With a tough section, Brubaker hopes the 4 x 800 relay can make the time. Although it was 20 seconds off last year, senior captain Victoria Ocampo is confident in the relay. “It’s going to be a really strong relay,” she said. “It’s the first year in about four years we’ve had more than four girls prepared to run the 800.” In addition to more girls running distance, the early spring weather has helped this relay get off to a stronger start because Brubaker says relays are one of the harder events to work inside. With a coaching change and warm weather, potential state contenders are already on their way to improving times.

Boys’ track looks for rising talent Athletes aim to step up and fill positions left by graduated seniors Taylor Delaney | Staff Writer

Photo | Paris Delaney

Junior Zachary Brown leaps in the long jump at the meet against Cooper April 13. Jumpers get three times, and only their best score counts in the competition.

very man for himself. This may seem to be the expected mindset with track, however the boys’ track team understands the importance of coming together to ensure a winning season. As the boys’ track team gears up for the season, both new and returning faces step up their games. Coach Rich Keith realizes the challenges the team must overcome, but he believes along with strong returning athletes, many new additions to the team will prove their strength. “There are a lot of new cases that are unproven,” he said. “We have a lot of young freshmen who should help in field events, and the distance guys are going to have to pick up the slack for the sprinters.” Sprints and jumping captain junior Jack Bradley, agrees the skill level is there, the team just needs to work hard to get the wins. “We just now have a bunch of kids starting to fill spots and the practice meet showed that a bunch of them can really run,” he said. Freshman Adil Jeilani would like to see his teammates put forth more of an effort in order to have a successful season. “People aren’t trying as hard as they used to,” he said. “We’re like an ostrich with a broken leg.” Although some of the athletes are apprehensive, Keith is confident by the end of the season they will have people at their top level. “The first half of the season is experimental. There’s not a lot of stock in wins and losses. We’re looking more individually in the beginning so that by the end we can have all of the best kids in the right places,” he said. Even though in track there isn’t necessarily a winning strategy, the nice weather early in the season has given the team an early jump start. “Because of the nice weather though, we are able to get the workouts out on the track. Typically we’re inside through spring break so that’s been great. I see endurance increasing daily,” Keith said. With its next meet at 3:30 p.m. April 16 at Lakeville North, the boys’ track team hopes their athletes begin stepping up to fill the spots left by seniors, and continue on to a successful season.

“The only thing I know about girls’ lacrosse is that a girl got a goal, and they took it away because she threw it too hard.” –Johnny Burnett l10

Sports

Thursday, April 15, 2010

LAX hopes for retribution “We had a number of opportunities to tie the game in the last minutes and we just couldn’t score. In the last few years, we’ve had five games (against Orono) decided Ben Kahn | Staff Writer by eight goals. That’s pretty tight.” Since the loss, the team has also scrimne point can prove to be the differmaged Hopkins and Cooper, winning ence between triumph and defeat. The boys’ lacrosse club team both games. With the regular season lost 8-9 March 23 in a set to begin April 12 at scrimmage against Orono Irondale, Reed is excited at Hopkins High School. We might have the to see how well his young The game was a rematch best defense we’ve ever team can perform after 10 of last year’s club champiplayers graduated from onship game, which Orohad. We’ve got a lot of the program last year. no won. speed ... We’re going to “We might have the Junior captain Spenbe a competitive crew. best defense we’ve ever cer Weckwerth remains had,” Reed said. “We’ve positive after the loss and I think we’re going got a lot of speed. We were thinks it will give the team to be tough in the beating Cooper up. In the a chance to improve skills playoffs as well. first half, the defense only and teamwork. gave up one shot. If they “We learned who Kevin Reed | Head Coach play like that we’re goworks well together, who ing to mop up a bunch of has good chemistry with games. We’re going to be each other, who we can rely on,” Weckwerth said. “We have a a competitive crew. I think we’re going to strong junior class. I’m really hopeful for be tough in the playoffs as well.” Several changes have been implementhow we progress this season and going ed in the club lacrosse program this year. into next season.” This year, a seventh and eighth grade However, coach Kevin Reed was disyouth team was formed, and the varsity appointed with the game’s final outcome. “It was somewhat frustrating because team now plays its games at the St. Louis we lost a one goal game,” Reed said. Park Junior High.

A-LIST | ATHLETES

Boys’ team strives for playoff push after exhibition loss

Junior captain Max Bergeron passes the ball at practice April 8. The next game will be at 6 p.m. April 21 at home against Shakopee. Photo | Nomi Kane

Girls’ lacrosse cradles previous success

Who: Blake Sawnson, 12 Sport: Baseball What is one of your fondest memories from baseball? I went on a trip with my team last year to Arizona, and there was a lot of stuff going on. There was never a dull moment. We played ball from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every day. Also, in a semi-final game in the Edina tournament in sixth grade, we were down three with one inning left and rallied to win by one, and went on to win the championship. What serves as your inspiration to play baseball? I started playing baseball because my dad’s played baseball his whole life, and it’s kind of been a family tradition. I think it started with my great-grandpa. What is your idea of a perfect game? A win of course. But individually, something that sways the momentum for the whole team. What is the most challenging aspect of baseball? Staying focused in the game, because it can be a little boring at times. But if you lose your focus, you fall behind and it’s tough to get that focus back until a big play is made.

Team prepares to overcome past challenges and rivals with senior leaders Katie Caron | Staff Writer

nding last year’s season with a section title and going undefeated in conference competition, the girls lacrosse team aims to transition their momentum into a successful season. Head varsity coach Bill Lubov is excited for the new season, and thinks the team will have a smooth start since almost the entire varsity roster is comprised of returning players. “We’ve got a really solid base for the program,” Lubov said. “Everyone’s pumped for a great season.” Senior Carly Strickler thinks the small change in the roster will help the team transition into the new season smoothly. “It’s mostly the same team as last year, so we’ll have that benefit of knowing how each other plays,” she said. Although the girls have chemistry on the field, some tension arose last year. Senior Kristin Vaillancourt said the team had a few problems last season, but she remains confident the team will work through them. “We’re like a family,” she said. “We don’t always get along, but we work together to find a solution.” Senior captain Tasha Liberman said with a new season comes an opportunity to smooth over any miscommunications. “It’s a new season, and we are all going to put an effort into keeping a good social as well as team atmosphere,” Liberman said. Lubov emphasizes any problems that arose last season with the varsity team weren’t necessarily “drama,” but working out effective communication. “It’s a learning process to expand individual skills into team accomplishments,” he said. “Everyone is committed to making the team the best it can be.” Strickler thinks the team does a good job creating that team dynamic by balancing having a good time and focusing in practice. “We are all very spirited and fun, but there’s always a balance of having fun and doing well in games,” she said.

Name: Kristin Hathaway, 12 Sport: Softball What gets you pumped for softball? I like the strategy behind it; the idea of being able to be prepared for different plays and being in control of what happens. And I love that however much you put in individually is what you get out of it individually. Your practice will show.

Photo | Alex Kersten

Junior Amelia Swartout and seventh grade student Anna Bear face off during practice April 5. The next game takes place at home April 20 against Columbia Heights. The team finds this balance of fun and hard work through its competitive nature against rivals like Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Totino-Grace. Lubov said the girls’ competitive outlook drives them in a positive way, and creates an entertaining atmosphere. “I’m trying to drum up support for a travelling trophy between us and Benilde,” Lubov said. “It’s always been a fun rivalry.”

What is one of your proudest moments? Last year there was a bunt play, and I was at third base. It was one of those cool moments where your brain shuts down, and everything you’ve practiced takes over. So I fielded ball, threw it to first, and it was thrown back to me at third, and it turned into a double play. What do you think is the most interesting part of softball? The difference between strategies. Everyone has the same basic ideas, but how you do different little things to get past the other team is fun. It comes down to thinking, and throwing people off. Usually on first-and-third situation, the second baseman cuts in by the pitching mound. But if all of a sudden it’s the third baseman who shifts, it throws people off. What was it like starting on varsity in eighth grade? It was terrifying. I never thought I’d make varsity in a million years.

N.J.

“Everybody should be treated equally. Having lesbians at a prom doesn’t hurt anybody. They aren’t villains, it’s not like they’ll set a bomb off.” –Hannah Brown | 10

Opinions

Thursday, April 15, 2010

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

present future

Design Editors | KT Lindemann & Louie Livon-Bemel Photo Editor | Nomi Kane News Editor | William Cramer Technology Editor | Kelsey Reid 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 Staff | Sendrea Best, Abby Bongaarts, Katie Caron, Josh Crandell, Paris Delaney, Taylor Delaney, Art Elmer, Scott Foltz, Nico Johnson, Ben Kahn, Alex Kersten, Alec Lambert, Alex Olevitch, Mara Olson, Elena Potek, Lily Reed, Robbie Selzer-Schultz, Charlie Shapiro, Madee Weisner Business Manager | Lizzy Westgard Principal | Robert Metz Printer | American Color Adviser | Lori Keekley Publication Policies 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.

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

Art | Alec Lambert & Kaitlyn Steffenhagen

Art cuts hinder student creativity

he broken record continues to play: art opportunities are set to be cut yet again from elementary schools. At first hours were reduced, next materials, now…the teacher. The cuts, established by the School Board during its March 22 meeting, will take effect starting next school year. The same educators who instruct math, spelling and science will now teach all kindergarten through fifth grade art in the classroom, replacing the current art specialist who currently teaches one hour per week. How much more can the battered art program endure? Administrators continue to cut a department that hardly exists. Each time the budget shrinks, arts are

the first to bite the bullet. The orchestra program has deteriorated, with Cedar Manor orchestra teacher Mark Anderson directing at all elementary schools next year. The senior high band program will lose two classes next year, and director Matthew Tremel will be forced to extend his instruction across the high school and elementary program. This loss of artistic outlet proves detrimental. Creative reasoning is a lifelong skill, and an artistic release allows students to let loose from otherwise academic-stressed lives, a break which helps maintain focus on books when necessary. This relentless push for emphasis on math and sciences drains energy from the arts programs. Art is considered supple-

mentary to academics, but is in fact valuable to students, especially at the elementary level. The Education Commission of the States’ 2008 study found students with significant art experience received better grades and standardized test scores than those with little or none. Also, according to a College Board 2005 study, students with four or more years of arts attained noticeably higher SAT scores. So why is an estimated $300,000 to be spent for elementary IB programs when the budget is already drained? Park residents possess the power to expand this budget and fight for the arts. To do so, people need to appeal to state legislature. With elections Aug. 10, all those eligible to vote should do so.

Lunchroom noise not exactly soothing Ben Kahn | Staff Writer

alking into the lunchroom, students are prepared to enjoy a nice meal and some good chuckles with their friends. But suddenly in the background, the faint voice of Rihanna sings: “Come here rude boy, boy can you get it up?” Wait…What? Recently, the high school began playing the radio station 96.3NOW during lunch. Assistant principal Clarence Pollock said the lunch staff requested music in the lunchroom with hopes that playing pop music during mealtimes would create a homier environment and attract more students to the cafeteria for lunch. The notion that music will have this effect on the student body during lunch is completely preposterous. Though some students enjoy the music, it has not had a large impact on the lunchroom environment. First, the type of music being played is

not particularly “calming” music. Much of the popular music played on the radio is rap and hip-hop, comprised of bouncy beats and vulgar lyrics that do not create a more calming atmosphere. The music is also a failure because nearly all students attempt to ignore the music. Most students come to the lunchroom to enjoy their food and socialize with friends. The music simply gets in the way of students’ conversations because it is too loud and distracting. The lunch period is often students’ only time to enjoy the company of friends in a casual environment, and the music often ruins this opportunity. Simply put, the administration should stop the music during lunch. It contributes little to the administration’s goals, and, most importantly, many students don’t enjoy hearing it. So next time you hear Rihanna belting out “Rude Boy” on the radio, hope it happens in your car, and not while eating lunch in the cafeteria.

Your | Perspective: What do you think of music in the lunchroom? “I like it. It calms me down and makes me not want to hit people.” –Melanie Mustful | 12

“I don’t like it. I think it’s bad music, because it’s not my style.” –Thomas Ashfeld | 9

“The lunchroom music is cool, but they could at least get a better radio station.” –Chad Green | 11

Letter | to the Editor: Dear Editors: A few concerned students were appalled by the inconsiderate, rude, and uncalled for remark made about the impeccable Taylor Swift in last issue’s Oriole Droppings. While skimming through your respected publication, we came across this false defilement of Ms. Swift. Many people have been critical of her recent performance at the Grammy’s. Although she did not perform to her normal standard, it was not because of a lack of singing prowess. She may be an angel, but she is also a human. As much as winning a Grammy meant to her, she was extremely nervous, and this was exposed during her performance. Even top athletes, such as Kobe Bryant, have

To the Festival of Nations. I love Taco Bell.

off-nights every now and then. Anyone who attended her recent concert at the Target Center would know that she sang flawlessly with confidence and power. We feel that these slanders are unwarranted for anyone, famous or not, and we expect an apology on behalf of the entire Echo staff. You have lost some loyal readers. Steven Boraas, senior Karl-Erik Conroy, junior Michael Hills, senior Bergren Holmgren, junior James Silbert, senior

To Jane Goodall. There’s enough monkey business in the B2 hallway.

To the math MCA’s. I’ve failed three times, and somehow I’m still graduating. !"#"$%&"#"$%'"("

“The music is disruptive. Lunch is a peaceful time when you eat and talk with friends. ‘Rude Boy’ just puts dirty thoughts in my head.” –Farhan Munshi | 11

Opinions

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Has full equality for women been reached? Point | Counterpoint:

Forty years ago, feminism was at the forefront of American politics. Some say that the feminist movement is still necessary in our culture, while others assert that women entertain equal rights already. The debate that persists pertains to the status of women’s rights in today’s society.

Equal rights have been achieved for women, it is time to move on

At home and abroad, feminism retains relevance in the present

KT Lindemann | Design Editor

hile discussing women’s equal rights, people too often declare something along the lines of “I support women’s rights, but I’m not a feminist,” or the classic “I’m not a feminist, but…” This begs the question: What exactly is feminism? The word “feminism” doesn’t indicate an extremist society of man-hating spinsters, but “the theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” By definition, feminism and a belief in women’s equal rights are one and the same. No “buts” necessary. Feminism is entirely defensible and, contrary to a growing notion, far from being “dead.” On a worldwide scale, the need for women’s rights is obvious, which, on its own, justifies feminism through a global lens. And, although the need is less desperate, feminist platforms still apply to 21st century issues in the United States. Yes, the suffragist movement ended more than eight decades ago, and yes, the Democratic Party came close to electing a woman as a presidential candidate in 2008. But, consider the fact that women make up only 15 percent of Congress and just 1.2 percent of CEOs at Fortune 500 companies. Although statistics like these are, of course, affected by conscious career choices, women are still grossly underrepresented in these fields. Socially, sexual objectification and the media have devastating consequences on a woman’s perception of herself and continue to encourage American women to prioritize physical “perfection” over personal fulfillment and satisfaction. Sadly, such a decline is all too possible, as evidenced by the widespread lack of fullfillment faced by women, especially housewives, of the 1950s and early 1960s due to societal pressures. Rather than the homemaker ideal of yes-

teryear, our new woman is appearance-obsessed rather than home-obsessed. The pressures to embody this coveted woman target all ages. Researchers at Colorado University conducting a study on body image found that between 1970 and 1990, the average age for a girl in the United States to begin dieting dropped from 14 to 8. In the same study, today’s young girls reported fearing becoming fat more than nuclear war, cancer and even the death of their parents. Indeed, men also face false societal ideals of what it means to be a man. And needless to say, none of these inequalities are the fault of men, but of a culture where girls play with scantily clad “Bratz” dolls, and where American television devotes entire channels to “Bridezillas,” interrupted by the ads of the diet industry, which takes in more than $40 billion a year. America needs feminism to combat the consequences of these media pressures. Betty Friedan, amid the fulfillment epidemic of the 1950s, which she referred to simply as “the problem,” released a controversial best-seller called “the Feminine Mystique” and single handily sparked a wave of feminism. This movement led to the formation of the National Organization for Women and to ground-breaking pieces of legislation that improved the state of women’s rights. Feminism was the solution to the housewife “problem” then, and feminism is the solution now. Whether economically, politically or socially, our country is bound to encounter some form of gender-based inequality. A slogan coined by Geena Davis, actress and founder of an organization to increase the number of girls in children’s television shows, states: “Women. We’ll settle for half.” And until the goals of feminists like Davis are realized, there will always be a need for a movement.

Kaitlyn Steffenhagen | Opinions Editor

eing a woman is tough. You must deal with sexism on a near daily basis, and you are constantly pushed down, stepped on and exploited. You are born automatically disadvantaged, and your life will be consumed by an endless struggle. Or will it? For countless generations, women have been told that it’s a man’s world, and that they are under appreciated and thus must work harder to get just as far. This may have been true for our mothers, but in the 21st century, women no longer have this crutch to lean on. “Feminism” is clearly defined by Merriam-Webster as an “organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.” Upon closer examination, one finds that in our society, this movement is just plain unnecessary. Socially, women have just as many rights as men. There are no laws preventing women from doing anything a man can do. It is acceptable and expected for women to be in the workplace and earning income. Currently, 49.9 percent of jobs in the U.S. are held by women. Women have the right to fulfill whatever societal role they deem appropriate. Nothing holds them back. Thus, it is fair to say most women who do stay at home choose that lifestyle. No outside, sexist force compels them to do so. In a 2008 University of Chicago study, researchers found the number one reason by a large margin that men get paid more than women at the same-level position is due to motherhood. Women with children are more likely to work less hours and take breaks from their careers. So, unlike what women are made to believe, the pay difference cannot be attributed to a boss making the decision to pay a woman less

money, but rather to women choosing to work less. Less work automatically translates into less income. The overall pay gap is easily explained as well. Feminists flaunt the statistic that women earn 80 cents for every dollar men do. But this is misleading. This statistic, which was first used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 1970, compares the overall wages of men and women. It does not compare within professions. Men have historically gone into higher-paying jobs, while women have chosen lower-paying careers. A whopping 98 percent of preschool and kindergarten teachers were women in 2009, and 13.1 percent of the female workforce worked in teaching or nursing, compared to 3.2 percent of men. These professions are traditionally lower paying. This is not a result of sexism or discrimination against women, it is a direct result of the choices women make. Currently, however, even this is changing. Women make up 58 percent of college students, and their dropout rate is much lower than men’s. Our generation’s females fully expect to have successful careers, and do not see gender as a stumbling block. Politically, women were equal to men decades ago. Laws exist that eliminate discrimination and sexism against women. So what, exactly, does the feminist movement hope to further achieve? What, specifically, is the feminist “call to action” in the 21st century? It is clear this call falls upon deaf ears, because no oppressive force exists to fight anymore. In other parts of the globe, a need for the feminist movement exists. But in the 21st century, in our society, women need to realize that they’re not fighting anything but themselves.

Equality for homosexuals echoes civil rights battle Josh Crandell | Staff Writer

im Crow is back. Itawamba County Schools in Mississippi canceled Prom March 12 because 18-year-old senior Constance McMillen wished to bring her lesbian partner to Prom. In response to this decision, parents organized a different Prom for students. They invited everyone in the school. However, McMillen was given a fake invitation with the wrong address. She and her girlfriend attended a “fake” Prom with only five other students. McMillen’s situation exceeds previous homosexual discrimination. Even when gays were denied their rights to marriage, they still had civil unions. When gays could not serve openly in the military, at least they could still serve. But this is different and unprecedented. Now gays and lesbians are being purposely targeted, which transcends the issue of gay marriage. This is similar

to events in the 1960s, when police sent dogs to Gays and attack blacks, fired water lesbians are being at blacks when they campaigned for civil rights increasingly and had separate drinking persecuted in ways fountains. Though McMilthat resemble past len’s case is not as extreme, mistakes. the blatant targeting of homosexuals resembles this period. However, on an even larger scale, her case only underscores the bigotry still prevalent in American culture. For example, some Evangelical Christian pastors frequently make speeches saying why homosexuality is the “Anti-Christ.” These attitudes have spilled into school board policies. However, those who seek to justify the discrimination of gay and lesbian people on religious grounds strangely echo

the white-hooded, horse riding Ku Klux Klan members of the past. People like this should be treated as such, and should be stopped from infringing on others’ rights. In St. Louis Park the discrimination against gays and lesbians prevails. Many students met the “Find another word” campaign with contempt, making fun of the group’s efforts. They joked, saying they would change the saying from “That’s so gay” to “That’s so homosexual.” Three weeks ago, a male friend of mine wearing a girl’s blouse as part of a comical school sponsored activity was berated in the Media Center, called a “faggot,” and was threatened to be beaten up. The only way to abolish that bigotry is to change our cultural paradigm and accept others into our society. This will take time. But we need to begin now. If not, we are like those people in the 1960s sitting and watching a community of blacks being pushed aside and ostracized but doing nothing to stop it.

PARK | TRAIL By: KT Lindemann So, about your essay on Macbeth ... Yeah? I can’t accept this. It’s written on napkins.

And your content is an enchilada recipe and the lyrics to “Shawty Got Low.”

Wish I could talk, but I gotta go catch “Oprah” with my boys.

I’ve had enough of these secondsemester seniors.

Entertainment

Thursday, April 15, 2010

New field

hits

Ballpark figures

Ranking for greenest ballpark in America by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

the Target

Cost in dollars of the chocolate dipped strawberries available off the signature events catering menu.

Twins stadium mixes history with natural outdoor experience Elena Potek | Staff Writer

xcitement mounted in junior Jared Bloomfield as he entered Target Field for the first time at the Twin’s opener April 12. Bloomfield said his heart raced as he walked through the gates, overwhelmed by the food, the free Homer Hanky and the downtown skyline view. “I stayed for an hour after the game just to look around the stadium, and there must have been 20,000 other fans who also stayed. We were so moved by it and it was cool to see how important it was. I was really lucky to be there,” Bloomfield said. The 5-2 victory Monday against the Boston Red Sox, along with the beautiful weather, exposed fans to a new way of viewing baseball. Along with inaugural day Homer Hankies, fans also received certificates documenting their attendance at the opener. To add to the historical importance of the day, Hall of Famers Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva and Kent Herbek attended the opener. Kevin Smith, executive director of public affairs for the Twins, highlights the importance of combining the past and present in the stadium. “The point is to recognize the long and rich his-

“I like all of Target Field’s food stands. There’s a lot of options to eat. All the seats face home plate, because it’s a stadium built just for baseball.” –Charlie Bahnson | 9

tory of Minnesota baseball, and what better place to recognize that then here at Target Field. We wanted to use Target Field as a living, breathing history of baseball,” Smith said. As a sports entertainment venue, Target Field also prepares customers for the anticipated cold weather, especially early in the season. To help fans warm up, kiosks throughout the stadium serve traditional Minnesota wild rice soup, coffee, hot chocolate and other treats. Smith warns fans about the potentially chilly weather. “I will advise people to pay attention to the weather forecast (before a game). We will play in rain, so you need to dress accordingly. We’re expecting our fans to get tougher than in the past,” Smith said. Long-time Twins fan and head coach of the high school boys’ baseball team Chad Austad said while he could not make it to the opener, he’s looking forward to the season. “I’ve gone to outdoor games before, and it’s just a better experience period. You’re outdoors with friends enjoying a baseball game and that’s the way it should be,” Austad said.

Number of years TC Bear has been the mascot. He was modeled after Hamm’s Beer Bear, an early sponsor of the Twins.

Photo | Abby Bongaarts and Nomi Kane

Source | Twinsbaseball.com

Photos | Nomi Kane

April 17

By Stephanie Ritchie April 16 The American adaptation of the British film “Death at a Funeral” opens in theaters. The movie, directed by Neil LaBute, stars Chris Rock, Luke Wilson and Danny Glover.

The Broadway musical “Avenue Q” will play at the Orpheum Theater with the warning “contains full puppet nudity.” This musical follows a Princeton graduate to the Avenue Q neighborhood in New York. Tickets available through TicketMaster starting at $27.50.

April 20 “Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley,” the newest installment in the video game series, will be released in stores in America.

April 22 Big D & The Kids Table will be opening for the American Celtic punk band Flogging Molly at 6 p.m. at First Avenue. Tickets available through TicketMaster for $28.75.

April 23 Jennifer Lopez and Alex O’Loughlin star in the film “The Back-up Plan,” where Zoe (Lopez) is determined to become a mother and takes matters into her own hands at the most inopportune moment.