Synchro heads to State

MEET THE ATHLETE

Michael Broad, senior

Track

How long have you been doing track?

Why did you decide to do track?

What races do you run?

What is your favorite memory from track?

How has it been being a captain this season?

I have been running track in school since sixth grade and seriously outside of school since the summer a er sixth grade.

I joined a club team for about a year when I was in like second grade and it was kind of fun. But then I quit it for a while and then I decided to do it in middle school, and I got really into it. It’s a really great way to keep me in shape, make friends, I love the atmosphere.

I run the 100m, 200m, 400m and any of those relays.

My favorite memory from track is going to the U.S.A. Track and Field National Meet in the summer a er eighth grade in Sacramento. at was super fun.

It’s been fantastic. It’s an opportunity I was kind of robbed of last year because of COVID. I’m really happy to nally have a leadership position in order to be able to teach the young guys some stu , make sure the team is able to continue the culture when I’m gone. I just really like being at the forefront.

What has been the highlight of the season?

I would say the highlight of the season so far is seeing how many people we got to turn out. Our turnout is still drastically less than it’s been in past years, but there was a much larger turnout than I would have expected this year. Especially a lot of young guys, so that really gives me hope that the team is still going to be able to continue as it’s been.

How are you feeling about running track in college?

I’m feeling fantastic, I’m hoping to get much better in college. Some guys I know are going to schools close to me, so I’m still going to be able to see them, which will be good. Photo Abigail Presthodlt

Emerge: Seniors Bella Steward and Maya Lee pop out of the water during a dress rehearsal May 18. The synchronized swimming team competed in sections May 22.

“So many people have improved so much this year that it’s actually sort of mindblowing to think back to the beginning of the season.”

Jessica Gust,

synchro coach

Synchro heads to State

Team places second in Sections

Kate Schneider

kateschneider@slpecho.com

Aer a challenging season due to COVID-19, sophomore Rachel Katzovitz said the synchronized swim team worked its hardest and came together to support each other at Sections May 22.

“Overall, it was really successful. Everyone had good swims, and we were just all there for each other as a team and encouraging each other,” Katzovitz said. “It was a really di cult year, but we worked really hard. I’m really proud of how everyone did.”

According to coach Jessica Gust, having every swimmer on the team make it to State surpassed her highest expectations.

“I think it went great. We had the best swims of the season for almost every routine — 16 of our 19 routines quali ed through to State, which is amazing. It’s the best outcome we could’ve imagined,” Gust said.

Katzovitz said it was exciting seeing the newer swimmers perform so well.

“Some of the highlights would de nitely be our newer swimmers on the short team, because they had a lot going on this year with being in middle school and back in-person,” Katzovitz said. “ en with joining synchro and learning the sport, they were given a bunch of small routines and a di cult team routine and they pulled it o and placed really well.”

With this season being the rst for so many on the team, Gust said the progress they made was astonishing.

“So many people have improved so much this year that it’s actually sort of mindblowing to think back to the beginning of the season and where people were at, especially our brand new kids,” Gust said. “We had one girl, who was brand new at the beginning of the season, take second place in her short solo and quali ed to go to State. So it’s really exciting to see the amount of improvement that everyone’s had.”

Freshman Lucy Hammerstrand said she was looking forward to State a er how well the team did at sections.

“It feels great, getting all of our swimmers to qualify so they can have that experience,” Hammerstrand said. “I’m excited to watch all the routines and see how much they improved from when they rst started.”

Gust said before heading into State, she wants to make the routines as close to perfect as possible, so the swimmers can reach their full potential at the last meet of the season.

“I think one of the things we’ll take a look at is where do we have a little room le to improve before we head into State and for each routine that’s going to be slightly di erent,” Gust said. “ at’s a conversation we’ll have at practice to see how much more we can leverage each routine to get the best performance we can at State.

STAFF ED

File photo Abigail Prestholdt Celebrating: Graduate Elliot Rickert greets friends and family during the car parade June 23. St. Louis Park celebrated the graduates in the high school parking lot. This year Park will return to a more traditional Graduation.

Staff Editorial: Lifted COVID-19 restrictions bring hope

Restoration of normal Graduation

After Gov. Tim Walz’s announcement May 6 concerning COVID-19 restrictions, plans have changed that would allow for a close to normal graduation.

Students were originally given two tickets to bring guests, but after new COVID-19 regulations were announced, students are now allowed to bring up to eight guests.

Students are able to request additional tickets, which is helpful for those with larger families or those who have friends that would like to come.

Park is now able to host up to 3,000 guests at its June 8 Graduation.

All seniors will be walking at the Graduation ceremony.

The Echo Editorial Board believes it will be low-risk to have a large gathering outside as long as students follow the guidelines and procedures.

Students are excited about the change in permitted guests since many of them would like to have more than two people attend their Graduation.

This also provides an opportunity for other students, such as underclassmen, who wish to see their senior friends graduate.

Throughout the year, many had let go of the hope for a normal Graduation, but now that feeling is restored for many.

Having a close to normal Graduation will make it so seniors who had their last two years of high school majorly impacted by COVID-19 be able to have a traditional ending. This rite of passage is something many have looked forward to since kindergarten.

Many students are already fully vaccinated, or in the process of it, which still provides some protection.

Students and staff, especially those who are not vaccinated, should comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s reccomendations to keep a safe environment in school.

Hopefully, this will reduce the risk for several seniors to miss out on Graduation if they need to quarantine.

Seniors have received the suggestion to be in distance learning if they are not able to be fully vaccinated by Graduation to ensure they, and others, remain safe for Graduation.

The Echo Editorial Board encourages students to be responsible and honest in the weeks leading up to Graduation. Non vaccinated students who have been exposed to COVID-19 during the two weeks leading up to Graduation should be honest so as to not put other seniors and their families at risk.

WHAT’S THE POINT

District should continue providing Chromebooks

Danny Shope dannyshope@slpecho.com

The pandemic has wreaked havoc on every aspect of our lives, including working, shopping and having fun. Education has also changed immensely — with students going to school from home, the district has been forced to explore ways to make sure all students have access to technology.

Many students do not have a computer or stable internet connection, which are vital for success in distance learning. In response to this problem, the school has issued Chromebooks to students who need them. ese technology issues have come into focus during the past year, but they have actually always existed. Not having access to a computer is a huge handicap.

Would it be possible to perform as well as you do now? It’s no surprise that students without access to technology get lower scores on standardized tests. But this is only one measure of achievement. Outside of school, it’s likely that technology access impacts work, communication and leisure.

In terms of the pandemic, many of us are now starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel — we are returning to school, seeing our friends and attending small events. However, for those without stable access to technology, the future may not look so bright. As in-person schooling reopens, many may worry that the district will focus less on technology resources.

However, the school has demonstrated throughout the pandemic that it has the power to supply students with the right technology resources. Why stop now? Computer and internet access have always contributed to an opportunity gap, where some students have more chances to succeed than others.

A er this pandemic has run its course, technology will be even more crucial for academic success. Next year, the district should continue to have Chromebooks available for all students at the middle school and high school. is relatively small investment would play a tremendous role in bringing opportunities to more students.