November 2017 by The Eyrie

EPHS NEWS MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2017 VOLUME 57 ISSUE NUMBER 01

Becoming an Eagle NEW AND EXCHANGE STUDENTS FIND A HOME AT EPHS

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ANDREW

PUMPKIN CRUMBLE MUFFINS

COVER | 18

STUDENT PROFILE |22

FALL DIYS | 30

Welcome POLICIES Mission Statement

The Eyrie strives to be an accurate, informative and entertaining publication for the students and faculty of EPHS.

Letters

The Eyrie encourages all students and faculty to share their views with the school. All letters must be signed; however, names may be withheld in certain situations. Once received, the Eyrie reserves the right to edit letters for length or content.

Editorials

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Open Twitter and you’ll see users expressing their opinions on everything from President Trump to the new Taylor Swift song. Twitter is just one way that we exercise our First Amendment rights. In fact, every time someone tweets, Snapchats, posts on Instagram or Facebook, or even talks to friends, they are exercising their free speech rights. But what about students and their right to free speech? Does it exist in schools? In the Tinker vs. Des Moines Independent School District case of 1969, the Supreme Court ruled that neither “students [nor] teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” But students’ right to free speech in schools has been challenged. In May of 1983, Principal Robert Reynolds of Hazelwood East High School discovered draft pages of the student newspaper, The Spectrum, with articles on divorce and teenage pregnancy. Believing these topics to be inappropriate, he prohibited these articles from being published. Journalists from The Spectrum decided to take the case to court. In 1988, in Hazelwood School District vs. Kuhlmeier, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of school censorship of school-sponsored newspapers, yearbooks, theatre productions, and more. School newspapers are an important outlet for students to have their opinions heard, challenge ideas, and allow for transparency in schools. In September 2014, an Ohio high school newspaper discovered an alleged rape covered up by school officials. Last April, student reporters in Kansas exposed their new principal for falsifying her credentials, causing the principal to resign. That’s why, here at the Eyrie, we’re fortunate to have an incredible amount of freedom to write about what we want and publish at our own discretion. Last year, we published articles on sex, drugs, and eating disorders. In this first issue, we investigated the lack of parent volunteers at EPHS and were given complete control over articles on the new district superintendent and personalized learning at the high school. You’ll also find student opinions on the dress code and media erasure of the LGBTQ+ community. Although we are a small staff of fifteen students, we’d like to think that we’re giving a voice to EPHS students. One of our staff goals this year is to be more representative of the diversity of interests and opinions at Eden Prairie High School. We hope we’ve done that in this first issue of the Eyrie. Enjoy,

Staff Editorials are staff-written and approved by a two-thirds majority of the staff. All other opinion pieces reflect the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication, student body, faculty or administration.

Multi-media

To follow the Eyrie on Twitter, use the Twitter handle @the_eyrie. For daily content and school updates, visit theeyrie.org.

Printer

The Eyrie is printed by the Eden Prairie Schools Printing Services, 17185 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN, 55346.

STAFF Editors-in-Chief

Elizabeth Buse Kelly Pu

Design Editor

Sophie Brandser

Business Manager Inika Shetty

Website Editors

Karen Larionova Oliver Taylor

Photo Editor

Emma Swanson

A&E Editor

Sophie Brandser

Cover Story Editor Kelly Pu

Feature Editor

Elizabeth Buse

Elizabeth Buse and Kelly Pu DESIGN BY KELLY PU

News Editor

Inika Shetty

Opinion Editor Adam Chao

Profile Editor

Emma Swanson

Sports Editor

Sophie Brandser

Columnists

Oliver Taylor Nicole Ruppert

Staff

Bella Beck Isabelle Felton Lauren Murphy Greta Ness Kira Parrington Nicole Ruppert Nick Walfrid

Advisor

Jodie Flolid

Content 8-9

Fall Musical

Superfans

Superindendent

Photo Essay

November 2017 Vol. 57 | No. 01

NEWS

Reaching out to parents | 4 Meet Jeremy Miller | 4 Should we stay or should be go? | 5 The push for personalized learning | 6-7

ON THE COVER PHOTO BY EMMA SWANSON On a day off from school, the Exchange Students Club visited Sever’s Corn Maze. Here, sophomore Ellie Danielson, junior Nikita Dhar and junior Khaled Zakout from Gaza try to find their way in the corn maze.

A&E

Death Note review | 10 Cozy autumn meal | 11 Stranger Things season 2 review | 10

SPORTS

Off-court with Oliver | 24 Fall sports | 25-28

FEATURE

Bullet journal tutorial| 31 Introvert or Extrovert? | 32 Ruppert’s rarely seen | 33 Making a worldwide impact | 33

OPINION

Stop erasing queer people | 13 Point-counterpoint on GMOs | 14 NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

NEWS

Reaching out to parents

PHOTO AND STORY BY ISABELLE FELTON

hese last few years, the number of parent volunteers at the high school has been significantly low. Esti Ollerman, PTO president, has been struggling to recruit parents to come in and give their time. “It just seems like over the past couple of years it’s been a little more tough to get people to commit,” said Ollerman. Principal Conn McCartan believes economics plays a part of the problem. “The economy is such that more people are choosing to work, so they aren’t as available,” said McCartan. “The way they’re using their time is not in volunteer endeavors, it is in economic endeavors.” The areas of EPHS that volunteers are needed are the resource centers, the career resource center, the spirit store, and the Outreach Room. These spaces need adults supervision or they are considered inaccessible to students. “With our resource centers, without adults monitoring them, we are going to have to start locking the

doors and making them inaccessible to students and that just doesn’t feel acceptable to me,” said McCartan. The resource centers seem to be a major area in need of parent volunteers. These spaces are for students to be able to collect resources for their classes, and check out books and other materials to help them with their studies. Sherri Neumayer, a frequent EPHS volunteer, explained some of the duties of being a volunteer in the English Resource Center. She

said that it is similar to being a librarian. She checks out books for students, supervises students and provides other materials for English classes. “One of my duties as a parent volunteer is trying to recruit other parents,” Neumayer said. “past frequent parent volunteers that I call have all gone back to work.” Neumayer started volunteering three years ago when her daughter was a freshman. Parent volunteer opportunities were always full, but starting last year, parent volunteers have been scarce. Ollerman seems to think economic reasons could be part of it, but she also thinks parents who were “go getters” and frequently volunteered throughout their child’s elementary school years have burnt out by the time their kids enter high school. “I’m just hoping we’re getting the word out as best as we can,” said Ollerman. Parents can get involved with volunteering in high school by visiting ephspto.org.

Meet Jeremy Miller

New counselor offers information about after high school at the Career Resource Center Meet a new edition to the EPHS staff, Jeremy Miller. He is a licensed school counselor, who has a lot of experience with college applications and career opportunities. He works in the College Resource Center, located by the old commons. The CRC is open from 7:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. during the school week. With 14 years of experience, Miller brings knowledge as a college counselor to our high school. McCartan explains that the “CRC is a perfect spot to access information not exclusively to college.” He also thinks it is very important for students to get to know Miller. Senior Olivia Owens recommends going to Miller for essay ideas and Common App help. “Students should know he’s great if you need someone to calm you down about college,” she said. Miller said his intentions for EPHS are to “to meet and work with different types of students.” He is committed to connecting what students are doing in high school to what their career goals are. Miller wants to help students find the an-

DESIGN BY NICK WALFRID

“

PHOTO BY KIRA PARRINGTON

BY ELIZABETH BUSE

I help with much more than just the admission process and how students will pay for college.

”

swers to their questions. He worked with Owens on finding what type of school fits her best. She said, “He is very straight to the point and pushes you to think about the dream school.” She explains that he helped her research schools fit to her major. He also worked with her on filling out the FAFSA and college applications. The CRC has an abundance of resources that

students should check out. Naviance is an extremely helpful tool for applying for college and career opportunities, Miller said, “it has a ton of information on schools and career interests.” Also, during third hour on thursdays a local college professor is at the CRC helping students with their essays. She is there to proof read and help edit. Lastly, every Wednesday a group of parent volunteers updates the scholarships list. Located on the daily bulletin, the list is emailed out every day with the school news for the day. On any given week, the may CRC host 20-40 college visits. Students can find in depth information on specific colleges, when they attend one of the college visits. Colleges are constantly ask to come and talk to high school students. Stay informed on which colleges are coming by referring to Naviance or the daily bulletin. Miller stresses the importance of students coming down to get to know him and know the CRC. Students can get help at anytime. “I help with much more than just the admission process and how students will pay for college,” he said. Students can also email him and set up a time to meet.

Should we stay

or should we go?

BY ISABELLE FELTON

wo extremely popular vacation destinations over Spring Break are Florida and Mexico. Recently, there have been some problems in those areas that could have some significant effects on EPHS students travel plans. In Florida, Hurricane Irma has caused immense damage to some of the most popular tourist oriented cities in the state. Irma, a record-breaker that made landfall in Florida as a Category 4, caused damage to vulnerable urban areas like Tampa and Miami, but also vacation spots such as the Florida Keys. Senior Emily Klysen said her travel plans might change this year because of the damage. Her grandparents live in Lady Lake, Florida and she says they have experienced significant flooding and damage to their home, although most of it has been fixed. “Yeah, my travel plans are likely going to change because I want to make sure everything is safe and the damages have time to be fixed,” she said. Senior Drew McCann has planned a roadtrip to Florida with his Boy Scout troop, but after the Irma’s damages, he and his troop are having second thoughts. “After I heard about the hurricanes damages to Florida, me and my friends are considering going somewhere else instead,” he said.

My travel plans are likely going to “change because I want to make sure everything is safe and the damages have time to be fixed.

”

Mexico is also a normally a very popular vacation spot especially for high school students. But recent events have caused some people to refund their tickets. The U.S. Passports & International Travel agency sent out the following warning last updated on the 22nd of August: “The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the risk of traveling to certain parts of Mexico due to the activities of criminal organizations in those areas. U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in various Mexican states. Senior, Addie Gallenberger said she is still planning on traveling to Mexico this Spring Break despite the travel warning. “I am going to Puerto Vallarta, which is a generally pretty safe place in Mexico. I am not very concerned about the travel warning as it does not apply to this spot of Mexico,” said Gallenberger.

Introducing a new superintendent PHOTO AND STORY BY INIKA SHETTY Earlier this summer, Eden Prairie School District welcomed a new superintendent. The previous Superintendent Curt Tryggestad announced his resignation in August, which opened the spot for assistant superintendent Josh Swanson. Swanson has previous experience as a teacher in the Wayzata Public Schools, an Assistant Principal of ISD 877, and the Executive Director of Technology for Eden Prairie School District. To protect the School Board from a sudden loss of superintendent services and to not disrupt the progress of the school district, a succession plan has been in place for roughly a year in case Tryggestad wished to retire. The Eden Prairie School Board Chair, Elainee Larabee, commented about the smooth transition and how the “School Board will support his needs to make sure he will gain the experience to lead well.” The beginning months have been a success for the new administration. Swanson described

that he had a lot of connections and great mentors along the way. Swanson saw growth on almost every angle when he was able to get “experience on how schools are run on the ground and then was given opportunities to work across student support services and technology and when I stepped in here, I was able

to directly supervise.” The biggest challenge the first few months when taking on a new role has been the learning involved because you can learn about something but you won’t know it. With developments in personalized learning and strategic teaching, the overall mission has been reconstituted to inspire each student everyday in different ways. “I do not think we have reached our mission [. . .] my hope will be to reset as a team and focus on the next five years.” What do the next five years look like? Swanson answered that there will be many big challenges to deepen learning and work on achievement disparities disappear. “I continue to see us working towards what our beliefs look like and working as a community.” Swanson answered. There is a difference between systemic implementation and new practices. “We have focused a lot on this side of systemic implantation but I hope to see a more blending of the organic things that happen and how we can balance it towards our goal.” NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

NEWS

The push for

personalized learning BY KAREN LARIONOVA

he class period starts with a collaborative activity. Groups, or even the entire class, work on skills they have been focusing on. Next, everyone finds a desk or comfy couch and begins working on assignments at their own pace. The room is silent as students watch videos and read on their laptops. Most have headphones plugged in. As English teacher Dominick Kirkpatrick walks around her classroom, she stops to speak to a few students and check in with them. This change in teaching style may be new to students, but EPHS and other schools are beginning to adopt this mode of teaching. It is all a part of the push for personalized learning. As technology advances, education evolves. Eden Prairie’s Designing Pathways, a community engaged process, is emphasizing the importance of personalized learning. Principal Conn McCartan said that personalized learning is all about student choice and voice. “We will teach you what you need to know, so you can learn what you want to know,” he said. Students will be in control of some aspects of learning, such as pace and content. Encouraging students to get excited about learning is also the key to personalized learning, said the district’s Senior Director of Personalized Learning Michelle Ament. EP schools are “making sure that the learning that’s happening is relevant to who you are as a learner and that it connects to you,” she said. Figuring out how to adapt personalized learning to the different cultures and background kids come from is one challenge that EP schools face. Subtle changes, such as choosing outside reading books, clumped

desk patterns and more technology, are all factors in personalized learning. Kirkpatrick has been making these changes in her English 10 class, which is a blend of traditional teaching and personalized learning. The class is new this year, but Kirkpatrick has seen good results so far. Students get more time to ask her questions when they get stuck. As students work on what she calls at-your-pace time, Kirkpatrick has time to observe how students respond and improve on their assignments. When she notices that a student does not understand the material, she is available to work with them. “What I know that students need is to be able to work with their teachers more one-on-one,” she said. “In the old way I did things, that was just not possible.” Kirkpatrick said that one big improvement she has seen from her hybrid class is that students are understanding content faster and better. Ament said that this improvement comes from the different teaching style, not just the technology and choices that come from personalized learning. Teachers used to be “the deliverer of knowledge,” Ament said. “What we’re moving to is the teacher facilitating.” To prepare teachers for facilitating, EP schools have provided training for teachers and instructional coaches to help teachers utilize technology. Natasha Monsaas-Daly, who is an instructional coach at the high school, helps teachers move beyond “the four walls of a classroom.” “There should be a different effort on the teacher’s part to restructure, rethink, and reimagine the way their classrooms look,” she said. Monsaas-Daly specializes in PHOTO BY EMMA SWANSON the technology aspect of personalized learning, which she said is important to the future of teaching. “If we don’t use technology as a part of our personalized learning, we’re doing a disservice to kids,” she said. Having technology, instructional coaches and other resources avail-

“We will teach you what you

need to know, so you can learn what you want to know.

DESIGN BY INIKA SHETTY

”

able to teachers is a privilege, said Cory Klinge an instructional excellence coordinator for the district. Klinge worked closely with Kirkpatrick to create her blended class and said that EP schools have what they need to implement personalized learning. Even having a department for personalized learning is a step ahead of many schools. However, change is slow. Kirkpatrick spent about two years taking classes and preparing materials for her blended learning class. “I have to take the best practices of teaching and marry those with the best digital tools, and then you get the best personalized learning,” she said. It takes time, energy and money to equip teachers to take on personalized learning. Building administrators, such as McCartan, choose how to implement personalized learning, and superintendent Josh Swanson said that sometimes teachers don’t want to make this big change. Each department has to go through curriculum review every three years, and sometimes the push for individualized learning can be a challenge for the particular subjects being taught, according to Ament and Swanson. Ament confirmed that science is the next department to undergo a shift to personalized learning. A reason why teachers may be struggling to make the change or just don’t want too might be because of the technology involved in personalizing learning, Swanson said. Teachers have been utilizing social media and other interactive sites to engage students, but knowing how to properly use certain websites and technology requires time with an instructional coach or in a class. Swanson acknowledges that there may be a few teachers who will refuse to switch teaching styles until they see results. He also said that the confusion on what online learning is compared to personalized learning might be keeping teachers from transitioning, too. McCartan emphasized that personalized learning and online learning are not the same thing. He said online learning is under the umbrella of personalized learning because some students do best with online classes. EPHS isn’t just the only school going through with personalized learning. Other EP schools are taking on the same task, but the process is different for every school.

In elementary schools, teachers are encouraged to get to know each student well and watch for reading and math standards. Swanson said that an example of this would be how a second grade teacher would keep track of the reading level of each student and adjust the way the student is learning if he or she falls behind. Klinge said that personalized learning is actually happening the most in elementary schools because of looping. Building relationships between teachers and students is important because then the teacher knows what students are passionate about. In CMS, personalized learning becomes more challenging to execute because of shorter class periods and different teachers for each subject. To address this issue, a new required class was added to seventh grade. IMPACT is a class where students discover their interests and work on a personal project. Students get help from their teacher and from classmates, but each project is unique and important to the student. As other schools switch to personalized learning, Klinge said that one universal issue is that “it’s tough to balance the demands of things like standardized tests with personalized learning.” Because personalized learning is more about tailoring education to each student, it’s harder to adapt to certain areas that standardized tests aim for. Ament conveyed the same concerns. “At the end of the day,” she said, “we still have to meet certain competencies and show proficiencies and take AP exams.” Personalized learning is in the process of being incorporated, and using different teaching styles to reach the same goal is difficult. Personalized learning will be centered around individualizing the learning for the standardized tests, Swanson said. “We’re pulling in a student’s voice, and they have some choice in their learning,” he said. “We also have these rigorous academic standards, and we want you to walk out of here prepared for your life.” While personalized learning is in its early stages, those who have made the change see potential to maximize learning. “I find that it’s a positive in every way,” Kirkpatrick said. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t keep doing it.”

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NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

A&E

Blonde is back

AJ Kraemer, Kenzie Fronek, Emily Bolles and Anna Frischmon.

Finding your way to the fall

BY NICOLE RUPPERT

migodyou guys, “Legally Blonde the Musical” is coming to EPHS this fall! The cast and crew of the show has already begun work to bring this timeless Broadway musical to the school, practicing almost every night after school for multiple hours. Dancing along to tunes, the cast and crew toiled over precise marks in preparation for opening night. The lead character, Elle Woods, played by senior Lauren Vuolo, is determined to make her way into Harvard Law school to prove she isn’t the ditzy blonde everybody sees her as. After her long-term boyfriend breaks up with her, she’s devoted to win him back with not only her good looks, but with her smarts as well. With good grades and perseverance, (and a little help from her friends along the way), Elle is chosen for an internship at a law office. Once she has proved herself a studious person, she is set to figure out a unresolved murder case. Through quick and witty humor, and a whole lot of heart,

DESIGN BY SOPHIE BRANDSER

the cast of “Legally Blonde the Musical” will not only reveal the true culprit of the case but give a story that everybody will love. Premiering the second week in November, the cast awaits the day viewers can enjoy the show. “It’s a never-ending insane fun show,” said senior Lauren Vuolo. “There’s so much going on in every scene that you can’t be bored watching.” Even so little taking a glance at the rehearsals, viewers can tell that the energy of the cast is unmatched. Quickly making precise steps and hitting all the notes, cast members each have their own flare they bring to the stage. Behind the main focus of Elle and her adventures, chorus members bring their own flare to the show. “Chorus members have to stay in tune the whole show, even if they’re not the main focus.” said chorus member senior Anna Lippert. “But they can’t take away too much attention from the stars.” The ensemble helps add drama and humor to the show that the main characters can’t add themselves. This forces the chorus members to make

musical ‘Legally Blonde’ each move count when on stage, but to meticulously plan not to take away the spotlight from the main action. During practice, the crew and stage managers were hard at work, bringing creative scenery items such as a courtroom and a pink nail salon to life. Sounds of screwdrivers blared within the halls, and kids brushed away at sawdust. “There’s a lot of quick scene changes,” said senior Raymond Nyu, “which require a lot of technical enhancements.” Changing a small amount of scenery for a show can be a huge feat for the crew, but Raymond was quick to say that it makes the musical “so much better.” Stage lights will illuminate the stage shortly for the school’s fall musical, and while the cast and crew practice to make the performance special, the director’s work just as hard. Keeping a watchful eye over each bend and snap, stage directors monitor and tweak certain details to make the musical more enjoyable. A simple dance routine can take a whole practice to perfect with the keen eyes of the directors watching.

PHOTOS BY NICOLE RUPPERT

Lauren Vuolo, who plays Elle Woods, rehearsing a scene with Anika Pai.

PERFORMANCES: November 10, 11, 16, 17 @ 7p.m. November 18 @ 1:30p.m. & 7p.m.

PRICES: Adults $10 Students $8

NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

REVIEWS

‘Death Note’ should have died in production BY NICK WALFRID

Not many films are able to avoid the pitfalls of bland storytelling. “Death Note,” a Netflix exclusive release, thankfully manages to avoid that fate. However, even though the imagery and concepts presented in “Death Note” are fresh, the film is still somewhat spoiled by cringe-inducing acting and questionable char-

GRAPHIC BY NICK WALFRID

acter decisions. Initially, the film seems disinteresting. Light Turner, the main character, seems unlikable, especially with a name only a teen protagonist could have. But then viewers are bluntly introduced to his ideologies of justice through the supernatural Death Note, a book that will kill whoever’s name is written inside of it. With the Death Note comes Ryuk, a seemingly carefree supernatural entity who enjoys creating and administering death to deserving characters throughout the movie, acting through the supernatural book. Ryuk helps coax Light into dispersing his first death almost as soon as the movie begins. While killing one of the most irritating and cliche characters, a high school bully, seems satisfying at first, viewers may wonder if this kind of petty revenge will constitute the entire movie. Thankfully,

Season 2 with the BY EMMA SWANSON With many popular TV series, it always seems to be that the second season can never compare to the hype of the first, but the second season of “Stranger Things” - recently released on Netflix - did not disappoint. At the end of the first season Eleven is gone, Will has returned and, for the most part, things seem to return back to normal. That is until we see in the last ten minutes of season one when Will coughs up a strange creature and sees the Upside Down again, and Hopper suspiciously leaves a stack of Eggo waffles, El’s favorite snack, in the woods, that things are far from over. Season two addresses these cliffhangers and many other questions. A year has gone by and life in Hawkins seems to have settled down for the people who knew what really happened to Will. But creatures are lurking in the back of Will’s mind, and his episodes of seeing the Upside Down start to become more frequent. There’s a monster coming, and it wants to use Will to help it spread into Hawkins. In this season viewers are introduced to many new characters. Max, Billy, Bob and Eight are some of the ones who play bigger roles. The inclusion of these characters added more levels to the story that we didn’t see in season one, especially with Eight who plays a part in Eleven’s past. Max is another new character; she is a strong independent girl the boys meet and befriend at school. At first it felt like Max was just supposed to be a sort of replacement for Eleven, but she has her own separate story including her brother Billy. Her story adds to the depth of her character, and I think gives her her own personality rather than just coming across as a placeholder for El. One of the things the “Stranger Things” creators have always been

DESIGN BY LAUREN MURPHY

it does not. Soon after the bully is killed, Light meets a girl named Mia. Foolishly, and as a beacon of unrealistic scriptwriting, Light immediately introduces her to the Death Note. Unconvincingly, Mia does not skip a beat, and she and Light begin to select and kill individuals who they believe are deserving of Ryuk and the death note’s punishment. The teens eventually select the alias Kira as an anonymous name for the death they disperse. Mia and Light spend a good portion of the movie administering justice as they see fit. Irritatingly, they freely discuss their plans and ideas regarding Kira in public, exposing some more unrealistic scriptwriting. When the storyline of the movie reaches its peak, both Mia and Light have become unlikeable characters. While many of the events in the last quarter of the movie are interesting, many of the decisions made by the teens seem unrealistic. To complete the smorgasboard of issues with this movie, over half of the scenes are matched with inappropriate music, providing an obnoxious and distracting background noise. For example, one of the most intense final scenes was matched with bottom-shelf emotional eighties music. Death Note was inexcusably both bad and boring. If someone had nothing else to watch, then maybe it would be a tolerable flick. But there are plenty of better options to select from on Netflix.

crew

fantastic at is writing realistic and interesting characters. In this new season the writers did an incredible job developing the characters and their dynamics with each other. The relationship between Eleven and Hopper is a prime example of this for me. It shows the cracks in Hopper that we haven’t seen since early in season one such as how taking care of El makes the pain of losing his daughter very evident. And how Eleven is not used to having a parent figure in her life who tells her what to do. The writers did an excellent job showing how these parts of the characters created conflict when they were brought together for a long time. This season, much like the first, also has incredible actors. Many of them are young, but they all do a fantastic job playing these large roles. They have the skill to show how trauma of what they went through has affected the characters in a realistic way while also still reminding the audience that they are just kids and they still enjoy things that all kids do like “Ghostbusters” and trick or treating. One of the only things that disappointed me about this season was that it seemed that there was less of just the boys and their dynamic together. In season one viewers got to see how they all got along and worked together. It focused much more on them and their storyline and their relationship, which was always very entertaining. But in this season I felt like the boys fought more and there was less of all four of them working together. Overall, season two of Stranger Things is amazing, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is debating whether or not to watch the show. It is a perfect blend of realistic characters in the not so realistic genre of science fiction.

Cozy autumn meal

Great lunch spot tucked in The General Store

BY SOPHIE BRANDSER

he General Store cafe and bistro is a great place to go in the fall. They offer breakfast, lunch, dessert and coffee. This indoor restaurant has seating for around 50 people. The pricing of the food is very reasonable for the portions. The general store is not only a restaurant, it doubles as a store. It is the perfect place to grab lunch with a friend and walk off the calories by shopping around the huge store. The General Store of Minnetonka opened in 1984. This family owned business provides a specialized shopping experience that cannot be found anywhere else. The shop has an endless selection of home decor, unique gifts and classic antiques. The inside of The General Store is decorated rustic and old fashioned. The walls and tables are wooden, and there are antique decorations throughout the store. The store is decorated with stone floors and dark accents, which makes it feel even more warm and seasonal. The café and bistro offers a plethora of freshly made, natural meals. The menu at this restaurant is always changing, based off of seasonal flavors. Soups, salads and sandwiches are some of the main foods that can be found at the cafe and bistro. When I walked into the café and bistro, it was quite busy, but the line moved quickly. As I moved through the line, the employees of the restaurant were helpful and friendly. The service was very fast and efficient. The General Store cafe and bistro has a variety of different foods. My decision was to try a little bit of everything so I could get a better feel for the restaurant. I ordered a turkey sandwich and a cup of wild rice soup. I also ordered a popover on the side. I was very satisfied by the way the food tasted. The bread on the sandwich was squishy and the soup was extra creamy. My favorite part was the popover that was just taken out of the oven. The fact that the food is made freshly at the restaurant made me love the cafe and bistro even more. The General Store is known for their baked goods. They offer cookies, bars and other seasonally flavored treats. Also, they have specialty espresso drinks, teas and smoothies. The General Store is a great place to go with family or friends on a Fall day. If you like freshly made food, I suggest that you go to the café and bistro.

PHOTO BY SOPHIE BRANDSER

Location: 14401 MN-7, Minnetonka, MN 55346

Hours:

Weekdays: 8:30am-8pm Saturday: 9:30am-6pm Sunday: 12am-4pm

NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

OPINION

STAFF EDITORIAL An open letter to the new superintendent Dear Dr. Swanson As EPHS students, we write you concerning the future of our school district. In order to cultivate a positive relationship with students, we encourage interaction and clear communication with us. This is a common oversight. Additionally, we would like to see changes in the underlying foundation of our curriculum by gearing towards learning-based classes as opposed to grade-centric classes. By dispelling the learn-to-pass mindset, enthusiasm and passion are promoted. Personalized learning is a good place to start. Faults aside, we appreciate the diversity of student body and curriculum. Diversity is how society progresses, so we are fortunate enough to have a setting of rich diversity of religion, thought, and race. Improvements are still necessary in this regard-- the staff should mirror the student body and certain classes should be added-- but we exceed in relation to most schools. Keeping these comments in mind, we hope you will take our suggestions to heart. We look forward to your time as Superintendent. Sincerely, The Eyrie Staff

Snapchat is taking away our privacy BY ELIZABETH BUSE

I find it hard to understand why someone would need to know where I am at all times. It is extremely creepy. And on Snapchat, it isn’t one person, it’s all of your followers. Almost 150 or more people can track me and come find exactly where I am. The thing that most scares me about this is the people you don’t know very well on Snapchat, they can find you too.x Of course, you can turn this feature off. Which I do. But I don’t find it necessary to have at all. If I want to know where someone is, I will ask them. And if they don’t want me to know, they don’t have to tell me. I never look at the Snap Map because frankly it is creepy for me to locate hundreds of people at a time. People should be able to roam freely and not be attached to someone or something at all times. But we gave up that right when we purchased a smart phone. So I guess that’s another topic for discussion. Don’t get me wrong, I love Snapchat. It is my favorite social media, because it is so personal. But I do not think the new snap map feature is necessary. With each Snapchat update, our privacy is increasingly diminishing.

The Confederacy has no place in public

BY KAREN LARIONOVA

any Confederate statues have been torn down by protesters after a violent Nazi and white supremacist gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia. Tension from the presidential election and a growing alt-right movement finally erupted into a battle over Confederate statues. There is no reason why anyone should want to support the Confederacy or glorify it. It’s un-American by definition, considering they tried to secede from America. According to Cleveland, Ohio, news station WKYC, an Ohio plaque dedicated to Robert E. Lee, which was taken down by protesters, is now set to be reinstalled in the future. Ohio wasn’t even in the Confederacy. The Civil War was a crucial moment in American history, not because General Lee was talented but because slaves were freed. It is hard to understand why anyone would want to associate with the pro-slavery side, even if it’s for heritage. That’s like if Germans said Nazism is their heritage. Ironically, Americans are the ones waving Nazi flags around these days. Even if it’s not about heritage, there is historical context that proves these monuments were put in place specifically for racist purposes. Vox journalist W. Fitzhugh Brundage, most Confederate monuments were erected at a time when political rights for black people were being resisted, like the Jim Crow and Civil Rights eras. Let’s just put these statues in museums instead of out in public where everyone can see that white people aren’t over slavery yet. Again, it’s ironic considering white people are always telling black people to get over slavery. It’s important to learn about the mistakes that led to slavery as the

DESIGN BY ELIZABETH BUSE

Civil War gets further and further into the past, but the confederacy shouldn’t be glorified. Monuments glorify. Communities need to start realizing that tension will keep splitting Americans apart. If Americans don’t condemn the acts of Nazis and white supremacists when they wave around a Confederate flag, the divide over race will get bigger and bigger until perhaps a race war. Americans cannot let the Confederacy win this time. We cannot allow racism to be justified, and we cannot let politicians and local figures dictate which century we are living in. The Civil War was a dark time for black people, and white people still choose to make it about themselves. It’s been long overdue, but we need to stop praising the Confederacy with monuments.

Stop erasing queer people

CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO

Media should increase representation of uncommon sexual orientations

BY NICK WALFRID

f someone says they are gay or lesbian, you probably know what they mean. You probably also understand what it means to be transgender. If someone says they are bisexual, pansexual, or asexual however, chances are you might not know what that is. And that’s okay. But those sexualities, and many more, are completely valid and media outlets need to give language to them in order to help people undestand what they truly mean. Towards the end of last century, gay representation became relatively commonplace. Celebrities began to exit the closet, and both television and cinema began to represent the gay community fairly well. People who weren’t gay or straight who came out and tried to raise awareness of their own LGBTQ+ community were shot down, though. Both gay and straight people would accuse them of making up their sexuality, and the consensus of the general population was that there were only two sexualities: gay or straight. Now that gay people can come out in relative security (in the developed world at least), it is time to let other LGBTQ+ communities breathe too. Some people might say that queer individuals simply make up sexualities to define themselves, but these people need to remember that many LGBTQ+ identifiers are just trying to give language to how they feel, and they have better things to do than listen to bigotry. Some groups of LGBTQ+ people feel particularly under-

represented. Bisexuals, for example, do not hold nearly as many memorable roles in media as gay people, and cinema began representing them just a few years ago. Additionally, asexuals and pansexuals have next to no media representation. Can you name three asexual, bisexual or pansexual film or TV characters? I thought not. If our media gives even a small amount of effort to increasing awareness of more uncommon sexual orientations, many straight people would understand better how to respect people of that sexuality. In order to maintain a functioning society, we need to learn how to work together, respect each other, and allow people to be themselves. LGBTQ+ erasure in media is still a major issue with the key problems being that some gay and straight people want queers to either “pick a side” or stay closeted for their agenda, even though they already have a side: their own. Our country still needs help learning to respect transgender individuals (and their pronouns). And for other less common sexualities, we need to make serious efforts to understand and respect people who identify as them. We do not need people of other sexualities to get erased or persecuted in their push for acceptance. While LGBTQ+ recognition is on the rise, some sexualities still need help gaining recognition, and that is why we need our media to better represent niche sexualities. So please, if you feel smothered, misrepresented or underrepresented in our media, go on Twitter, go on Instagram, and let the public relations staff know that you will no longer be erased. NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

OPINION

Point-counter point GMO’s Don’t say GM-NO BY NICOLE RUPPERT

Perusing through the aisles of any supermarket, it’s almost impossible to not stumble upon a genetically modified food. Despite all the genetically modified ingredients in your chocolate chip snack cookie, many people don’t know the truth behind the package and assume the worst. If you’re really worried about genetically modified foods, take a word from world famous scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson: “We are creating and modifying the biology of the world to serve our needs. So chill out.” Without GMOs, many foods people eat on a regular basis wouldn’t exist, like bananas. That yellow, curvy fruit people have come to know is nothing like it is in the wild. The non-GMO banana is a stout, green fruit packed full of seeds. After a wave of fungus began infecting multiple varieties of bananas, scientists focused on the Cavendish banana, one that was resistant to the disease. Every banana you purchase has been manipulated by man to be more nutritious , seedless, and safe for consumption. And as a new disease arises in Cavendish bananas, scientists turn to GMOs to help create a resistance within the fruit. CNN states that by taking cuttings from the underground stem or through tissue culture, plant scientists are finding banana pathogens from other species of bananas to help prevent a Cavendish crash. Not only does modifying organisms help provide food, it also helps those who are less fortunate. According to No Kid Hungry, one out of six Americans struggle with hunger. In fact, many people Not only does in the world don’t have the modifying organisms luxury of getting up and havbreakfast in the morning, help provide food, it ing lunch in the afternoon, or also helps those who dinner at the end of the day. GMOs, larger food are less fortunate. With quantities can be harvested by farmers and sold at a reduced price for people to afford. Americans are some of the only people who can be picky with what food they eat. At the end of the day, a genetically modified meal is better than no meal. People ultimately struggle with a lack of food solely because they don’t have access to technology. They lack the ability to till the land with technical ability, they lack the machinery to plant and collect vegetables, and most importantly, they lack the hybrid seeds that grow GMO foods. Foods without genetic modifications are almost always less large, tasty, and packed full of seeds. Almost every food available today has been grown with man’s interference, making produce available out of season and reduce farm space. Over eighty percent of our food today contains GMOs, and it will only continue to grow. You’ve probably eaten a GMO every day, and if you’re eating lunch as you read this- chances are you’re eating one right now.

“

”

DESIGN BY ELIZABETH BUSE

Stop the invasion BY ADAM CHAO

From religion to flu shots, humans have an age-old skeptical nature that serves as a barrier from falsehood. It’s allowed us as a species to survive and evolve in a world of disorder. GMOs oppose nature, pose a potential threat to public health, and abuse animal rights. Large conglomerates have steadily consumed and monopolized the food industry, leaving organic farmers to ineffectually fend for themselves. Year after year, commercial enterprises ever increasingly eclipse these organic farmers, further fabricating foods. Soon enough, factitious goods and services will be commonplace among most industries. In effect, we lose an underlying foundation of America: farmers. Farmers are a cornerstone of America and were integral to the birth of our country. They helped attract immigrants and advance our economy into what it is today. Why should we turn our backs on them after what they did for our nation? Additionally, GMOs may cause unforeseen health hazards. As demonstrated with cigarettes and various prescription medications, consequences of incomprehensibly researched subjects often arise long after their introduction. From the late 1800s to the mid 1950s, cigarettes were not advertised to have harmful effects. In comparison, GMOs have been commercially sold for a mere two decades. This distinction leaves a lot of room for error. It is important to fully assess the possible implications of GMOs before investing in them. Furthermore, animals undergo cruel methods of systematic murder where they are fattened to the point of immobilization. They are then confined in cramped containers with no space to move, barely being able to breathe. Conversely, farm-grown cattle are given freedom to move as they wish, and die a humane death. As GMOs continue to advance and expand, animals lose more and more rights. We must speak for those with no voice and stand up for animal rights. As time passes, change is inevitable, but GMOs aren’t the change that we should be striving towards. It is important to stay true to our fundamental roots and moderate the invasion of artificial goods. By fighting GMOs, we protect ourselves from potential health hazards and defend animal rights. It is up to us to take action against global conglomerates to preserve the future. Os have been commercially sold for a mere two decades. This distinction leaves a lot of room for error. It is important to fully assess the possible implications of GMOs before investing in them. Furthermore, animals undergo cruel methods of systematic murder where they are fattened to the point of immobilization. They are then confined in cramped containers with no space to move, barely being able to breathe. Conversely, farm-grown cattle are given freedom to move as they wish, and die a humane death. As GMOs continue to advance and expand, animals lose more and more rights. We must speak for those with no voice and stand up for animal rights. As time passes, change is inevitable, but GMOs aren’t the change that we should be striving towards. It is important to stay true to our fundamental roots and moderate the invasion of artificial goods. By fighting GMOs, we protect ourselves from potential health hazards and defend animal rights. It is up to us to take action against global conglomerates to preserve the future.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY INIKA SHETTY

Dress code dilemma

Dress code limits students expression

BY GRETA NESS

ertain styles of clothing are not allowed and it seems it is mostly directed towards girls. Besides the rules prohibiting cruel or offensive language, the dress code has a lot to do with the length of shorts, width of tank tops, and too much shoulders showing. These are all mostly directed towards women’s clothing, and guys don’t have many restrictions. We have all heard the sayings about guys being distracted by girls wearing clothes that show more skin or are tighter fitting. But what about girls being distracted by guys? Girls are told that it is their fault if guys are distracted in class, but guys are never told the same. Girls are just as distracted by guys. If a guy is distracted from a girl’s clothes, it is not the girl’s responsibility to change for him not to be tempted. Even if a guy is wearing something that may violate the dress code, they

are rarely called out for it because it is never thought that a girl may be distracted by what he is wearing. I also think that the dress code can limit personal style expression as well as limit comfort for some students. One of the main goals of schools is to help students develop into unique young adults. A way that many students like to express themselves is through clothing, and at times the dress code can restricting of that. Students, girls especially, should not have to worry whether or not their clothing is accepted at the school. Students should feel comfortable with who they are, and having a sexist dress code towards girls makes young women feel insecure. It is not the message we want to be sending to girls and guys growing up into adults. Instead of girls having to change what they are wearing for others not to feel distracted, we should emphasize to the people getting distracted that they need to focus their attention elsewhere.

Students speak up “I think to some extent it makes sense because of high school students this is our full time job and at any job there’s a certain level of professionalism to maintain” -Senior Mackenzie Fronek

QUOTES AND PHOTOS BY OLIVER TAYLOR AND ADAM CHAO “I think compared to other schools, ours is more lenient and it gives students freedom to express themselves” -Senior Matthew Keeley

“I think it’s stupid that you can’t wear a hat.” –Sophomore Blaine Burns

“It’s pretty free. You can wear mostly anything.” –Junior Robbie Contreras

“If the trend is off the shoulder shirts, then you’re going to want to wear off the shoulder shirts.” –Junior Chloe Collins

“Dress codes foster the idea that girls should cover up and boys don’t have to.” – Junior Funmi Banjoko 11

NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

OPINIONETTES

Zoos create controversy

Peri d

BY INIKA SHETTY

BY ISABELLE FELTON Everyone at some point has gone to the zoo, whether it was sophomore year with your biology class or with your family. The animals generally seem healthy and happy, but all they truly want is to be released back into their natural habitat. Zoos are a disgusting creation by modern day society to trap different species animals in unnatural and unrealistic enclosures for our own putrid satisfaction. Animals tend to have longer lifespans in zoos, but their quality of life is much poorer. I understand zoos can educate people about animals & wildlife, but do we really need to compromise these animals mental health and well-being? Humans seem to have a problem with letting things be the way they naturally are supposed to be. Let’s all just release these poor animals back where they belong, which is their natural habitats. Does it not ever cross your mind that these animals would rather be out in the wild than in these replications of their natural world?

I am sorry that my human body offends you I am sorry that I am forced to talk to you as my uterus contracts to expel its lining I am sorry that as my menstrual cramps reduce my cognitive ability, so do your deeming comments I am angry that I have to pay for the essential linings and tampons that I need I am angry that to bring up the topic of birth control, I have to face allegations of sex and slut-shaming I am angry that I have to undergo uncomfortable pain and shame I am angry that I have to hide my sanitary pads or tampons under my shirt or in my pockets and ask for permission to use the restroom I am ashamed that I cringe at the rustling of the packaging, even in the confines of the bathroom stall I am ashamed that I can never articulate my pains I am ashamed that if discussion turns toward menstruation, we lower our voices and turn our backs I am ashamed that men do not wish to learn, even if they are embedded into the name, menstruation I am ashamed when I feel prickling anger at the causal PMS-ing jokes that cause forced laughter I will not remain in this uncomfortable silence until I am allowed to speak in the confines of my private room I will not reject taking pain medication due to shame until I focus more on not fainting then my lesson on chain reactions Getting your period, is a milestone to womanhood Yet it begins a routine of shame, whispers, over-spending, and anger Getting your period is liberating We are given the power to bring life, but only if we are quiet about it Religious sanctions shame the bleeding of a women and prompt self-disgust Without periods, we would have ever-lasting sentences but dwindling populations I am not sorry, angry, or ashamed for my body; I am sorry, angry, and ashamed to the taxes and unfair regard towards sanitary necessities I am not sorry, angry, or ashamed for having my period once a month, it is a monthly reward I am not sorry, angry, or ashamed for being a woman, I am grateful.

A failing grading system BY LAUREN MURPHY The idea that a work of art can be graded holds no logic to it. However, every year at EPHS, thousands of pieces of art are judged and graded by teachers. The very definition of art is using one’s creativity and personal expression to create something unique. There is no “good” art, and there is no “bad” art. It is all opinion-based. By having a teacher grade the artwork, the school is practically saying that the teacher’s opinion is more important than the students opinion. If a science teacher graded someone’s opinion on the ethics of genetic engineering and gave a bad grade if it was not concurrent with his or her

DESIGN BY ADAM CHAO

own view, that teacher would be fired. Why should art be any different? The grading technique is not only unfair, but it is not practical. Art reflects individuality and personal expression. How much longer will the school allow GPAs go down due to a broken grading system? Teaching all students to draw with the same style and paint the same type of picture defeats the purpose of art. Rather than making students create unimaginative pieces, they should encourage effort and creativity. Those would be better standards to grade by. The current method needs to be revised or else the true meaning of art will be skewed for all future incoming students.

How much practice is too much? BY KIRA PARRINGTON I am a student athlete and understand the struggles of long practices. I also know that practice is good and beneficial, but at a certain point it gets to be too much. Student athletes need a more equal balance in their life. The practice times for varsity sports are quite varied. On the average Monday through Friday week some sports such as boys soccer practice five and a half hours. Other teams such as volleyball and dance team practice 15 hours on the average week. This does not even include all of the games, and scrimmages, and meets that we have. While getting a lot of practice can be good and help make the team better, it is actually deteriorating for us athletes. So why do we practice this much when it shows that athletes who participate in too much physical practice are actually not burning calories like we are supposed to? Not only can too long of a practice be physically draining, but also emotionally. The stress of practice while worrying about your homework, family, and social life can be extremely tiring. After a certain point we need a break. Especially when trying to balance our lives at the same time.

Hungry for answers BY NICOLE RUPPERT If there’s one thing Eden Prairie staff should know about teenagers, it’s that we have food cravings throughout the day. I can’t tell you how many times a day I wish that instead of reading English papers, I was eating a pizza or a bag of chips. Many classrooms have breaks during the day, where students flood the commons area and cookie store for food to snack on. However, if those two places are closed or too far away- you’re out of luck. The machines display food for purchase, taunting students who very well have the money, but aren’t allow to purchase. Shutting off the vending machines has improved nothing to us students, and will only decrease the money to the school.

ACT PREP CLASSES Holm Gets Results Offered at EPHS 2:45-4:15 Fall, Winter, and Spring Only $295 for 15-hour course For more info contact

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• Merili Roberts and Colin Robinson: 35 • Odin Taylor: 34 • Kelly Meyer, Jack Frakes, Aneesha Andrew, Caleb Miller, Jenna Carl, Allison Nguyen: 33 • Sara Haines: 32 • CeAnna Cummings: 31 • Jonathan Gibson and Kassidy Alger improved by 5 • Meghan Kuntz and Jackson Evans improved by 4 • Sophia Heuer improved by 3

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COVER

DESIGN BY KELLY PU

Becoming an

EAGLE E

very school year, over 3000 students call themselves Eagles. This includes new and exchange students. Two months into the school year, these students reflect on their experiences and finding their way in a new environment. PHOTOS BY EMMA SWANSON

1 Sophomore Debbie Hentschel and

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

senior Sorya Hor feed the goats at Severâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corn Maze. Senior JoĂŁo Viana and sophomore Blanca Tejero try out the zipline. Tejero and junior Mikayla Runge have a corn fight. Junior Michael Kaiser tries to throw junior Zuzana Kuzelkova into the corn pit. The Exchange Student Club poses in the corn for a group photo. Junior Khaled Zakout and Kaiser share some french fries. Viana and senior Alison Macleod laugh at their friends racing in the corn. Eugenia Garza and Kuzelkova chat on the monkey bars above the corn pit.

146 NEW STUDENTS

16 EXCHANGE STUDENTS

NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

COVER

Where are they from?

GRAPHIC BY KELLY PU

Exchange students call these 11 countries home

Exchange students learn freely at EPHS

BY NICK WALFRID

eople often underestimate how far-reaching EPHS can be. But the 2017-18 exchange students show that EPHS can have a huge impact on foreigners, just as foreigners have a huge impact on local students. Foreigners who come to EPHS to study will not only help educate local students, but also learn new and interesting things about the United States. Exchange students as a whole generally like EPHS as well. “All people want to help you, and when you have a little problem, you can ask, and they help you, it’s awesome here,” said junior Michael Kaiser, a German exchange student. Teachers also enjoy the presence of exchange students in their classes. Debra Bjerke, staff advisor of the EPHS Exchange Student Club, said, “There are just lots of good moments, because a lot of times, being a teacher, we find out things about our students down the road, and I know of some of them (students) who were here ten, twelve years ago, and know of the wonderful things they’re doing around the world.” For some of the exchange students, the experience can be intriguing, and likely different from what they are used to. “In my country, we have one class, and the teachers change, you know? “said João Viana, a senior Brazilian exchange student. “Here, it’s different, I have to go to the teachers,” German exchange student Tom-Louise Stubbe, a sophomore, had the same thoughts about becoming an Eagle. “Here, everything is so big, and it’s crowded, so it’s very hard to find your rooms and stuff. But after two days, you’re fine with it,” he said. Students from many different countries visit as exchange students, and they all face unique challenges in their new learning environment. These students will eventually become acclimated to American learning, though, and they often succeed in Eden Prairie. This experience can be valuable not only to the exchange students, but also to their American peers. Students who interact with foreigners in class will have the chance to learn valuable information on their

DESIGN BY GRETA NESS

country of origin and language. Additionally, these students will learn how to understand and appreciate other cultures. Some exchange students find themselves intrigued by the amount of school spirit that their peers at EPHS show. “In Germany, it’s like, we go to school to study and after that we go home and just do something else,” said Deborah Henschel, a senior from Germany. “Here we go after school to football games, and there’s a much bigger school spirit than in Germany because you have so many extracurricular activities, and everything feels closer here.” By exerting their presence on local students, exchange students often help eliminate cultural barriers. Their efforts also appear to be working. When asked if she would ever want to be an exchange student, sophomore Adia Botterman stated that “I would do it. It would be so cool! You know, coming to a different place and seeing how they live.” That may not be an option for some students in the near future, however, due to some recent geopolitical changes. “The political climate has put the existence of these programs into jeopardy,” Bjerke said. “Because of our federal government doing things to limit entrance for different types of visas, that will have a huge effect on whether these programs can continue. At this point, there haven’t been big cuts to any of our visa programs yet, but that may be an issue in the future.” Even taking political actions into account, the languages and cultures taught will likely remain alive through the students and teachers. Many different cultures have blended into the United States to create a thriving collective of people, and it will likely continue to happen. “Being an exchange student is such a unique experience” Bjerke said. “I see adults that have so many regrets about not taking opportunities to learn another language and travel, which gives you insight into the way other people think, and they wish they took those opportunities to be exchange students in high school or college. I know some are not ready for it in high school, but I say, you must put it on your agenda for college.” Becoming a contributing member of EPHS may take time, effort, and energy. But the 2017-18 class of exchange students shows that it’s an accessible and fun possibility, and well worth the dedication.

New kids on the block

Eagle Bucket List

BY BELLA BECK

enna Fuerstenberg’s senior year is being spent as the new kid at Eden Prairie High School. Fuerstenberg’s been to both schools with and without any school spirit. After coming to EPHS and being a part of the Homecoming celebration, Fuerstenberg said, “It’s just so nice to see that love for a school again.” Rosie Hecht, a freshmen new to Eden Prairie Schools, said, “I feel like as a freshmen people are more open to getting to know you because everyone’s new.” It seems that even new students can come to the same consensus: Eden Prairie is an easy school to get involved in, and get adjusted to. For students who transfer before the school year, getting involved becomes a lot easier with the help of sports teams and clubs. “For the kids who have band or football,” health teacher Roxanne Myhre, the advisor for Connect Nine and New Student Orientation, said, “They’re making friends through that. But for the kids with nothing, it’s really hard to connect.”

BY ELIZABETH BUSE

1 Meet the eagle at a football game 2 Try out for Broadway Extravaganza 3 Go to the photobooth at Prom 4 Go to activities fair and join a club

5 Buy 2 cookies

Senior Jenna Fuerstenberg To help reach those kids, new students are appointed an 11th or 12th grade mentor. Myhre has each new student fill out a form with all their contact info so she can get them in contact with a mentor. Students will get put in a GroupMe and start getting in contact with other new students. Myhre said the students who are best fit to be a mentor are those who look at the program as a way to “Make a difference before [they] leave.” Surprisingly, the group will meet often outside of school. The group, across 10th-12th graders, held a bonfire/movie night for the students to get together and have plans with people who similarly won’t have many others to rely on. Fuerstenberg told me she would love to see, “More Connect Nine/New Student get togethers,” in the future. Fuerstenberg then went on to tell me a story of her first week of school, when she sat alone during her lunch period, but later a group of girls came and sat with her; now they sit together every day. “It was wild,” Hecht said about her first day, “I got lost like six times, I went to the wrong class.” Hecht had told me a story of how she felt comfortable asking upperclassman for help getting around because people are so open to helping freshmen. She felt it was easy for her to talk to people because everyone has been so accepting. Fuerstenberg and Hecht both had multiple stories of encounters like these to further backup Furstenburg’s claim that, “The easiest part of moving to EP has been making friends.”

PHOTO BY BELLA BECK

from the cookie store

6 Attend a pepfest 7 Take an interesting elective 8 Get hypnotized

at the senior party

9 Buy an ice cream cone from old commons

Submit to the Eyrie Literature Magazine

11 Get your yearbook signed 12 Watch EVN during connections NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

PROFILE

Lights, Camera, Andrew

Profile on filmmaker Andrew Nosal

BY KELLY PU

s Pink Floyd’s “Nobody Home” plays in the background, a lone man travels across the nation surveying piles of wreckage. What is he doing? Why is he alone? Thus begins “Obliterate,” the film that won the Golden Waffle Iron Film Festival, EPHS’s annual film festival, Best Picture award last year. Written and directed by junior Andrew Nosal, its plot leaves viewers guessing until the last moments. Nosal has been making shorts and other films with his family and friends since he was around 7 or 8 years old. He always enjoyed watching movies when he was younger and was inspired to tell his own stories through films.

DESIGN BY EMMA SWANSON

“I love storytelling,” said the filmmaker. “I love the idea of making something and then everybody watching it, entertaining people.”

PHOTOS BY BELLA BECK

“I love storytelling,” said the filmmaker. “I love the idea of making something and then everybody watching it, entertaining people.” He particularly enjoys being able to bring out different emotions in people through his films, whether it is making them scared, laugh or cry. For Nosal, the filmmaking process can be long. First, he brainstorms a story idea. This usually takes around three months. It starts with choosing two or three genres, which he combines. Then he builds the story and characters, often getting inspiration from other movies. Although many of his ideas have been comedy, Nosal has been experimenting with other genres. “Obliterate” was a science fiction drama-thriller with a twist ending. “I think it’s very interesting to build up suspense all the way to the end and to keep people questioning,” he said. Creating the story is his favorite part of filmmaking because of the creativity involved. He enjoys being able to create anything he wants, and if he gets a story he likes, he can spent two or three years just on that one idea. Filming can be difficult because he must find actors who can play the roles written for them. He usually films with friends and family, and it takes a lot of work to get all the actors in their roles, capture the correct shots and edit it all. Junior Carter Aakhus, who has acted in Nosal’s films, agrees that finding actors is hard. However, he also said, “[Nosal] knows what he wants his actors to do, and it’s a lot of fun.” In addition to his own film projects, Nosal is president of the school’s Young Filmmakers Club, where he can share his passion for filmmaking with his peers. He wants club members to learn the filmmaking process and grow as filmmakers. He always tries to apply his filmmaking talents to his everyday life. He is a part of Eagle Vision News (EVN), the school’s student news broadcast, where he uses his skills to bring news to his peers. Although filming for EVN is different from his own films, they both involve working in a team and creating a final project. Aakhus, who also works with Nosal in EVN, said, “He’s hardworking and even if he doesn’t understand, he will ask and learn and work his hardest to get the job done.” Also, when given the freedom in school projects, Nosal chooses to create videos instead of written works. His ultimate goal is to pursue a career in filmmaking, but in the short-term, he is working on a suspense-thriller film. Nosal stresses dedication for success in filmmaking. “People may have all these ideas but they just never just get down and write it and film it.” He himself has written about fifteen scripts but has only created three complete films. He encourages other to pursue their passions in any capacity. “You need to just take that vision; you have and go for it,” said Nosal. “People will tell you [that] you can’t do it and your idea is too big, but never say never.” To watch “Obliterate,” visit theeyrie.org.

Interested in filmmaking? Nosal recommends: Film Studies class Young Filmmakers Club Meetings every Tuesday during zero hour in the EVN studio

NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

SPORTS

Off-court with Oliver

Superfans are getting tropical BY KIRA PARRINGTON

BY OLIVER TAYLOR LaVar Ball and his family might live in Chino Hills, but their real home is in headlines. In the Ball family’s latest controversial revelation, LaMelo Ball will forgo his final two years of high school, instead being homeschooled and focusing on basketball. “I’m going to home-school him and make him the best basketball player ever,” said the forever rambunctious LaVar in an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. LaMelo is currently ranked 7th among the 2019 ESPN 60 prospects, meaning he is currently falling slightly short of the “best basketball player ever” title. LaMelo committed to UCLA in 2015, leaving many wondering how a student can be eligible for such an academically prestigious school despite being homeschooled for the final two years of his education. “This ain’t gonna affect him going to UCLA. We still in high school, we just gonna home-school for two years and get bigger and stronger,” LaVar also said to Shelburne. But with this decision, LaMelo has a better opportunity than most to become one of the best basketball players in the nation. Listed at 6-2 and 160lbs, getting bigger and stronger should certainly be a priority for LaMelo. It is incredibly doubtful that such an extremely small frame would be able to withstand the grind of the NBA’s 82 game schedule. But at only 16 years old, LaMelo still has plenty of growing to do. Of the three Ball brothers, Lonzo Ball currently projects to have the most successful career. Lonzo was taken with the 2nd overall pick in the 2017 Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. LiAngelo Ball is starting his freshman year at UCLA, but is listened as a three star recruit on ESPN and unlikely to replicate the success of Lonzo. With three years until LaMelo is eligible to be drafted, Lonzo certainly holds an early lead for the title of being the most talented Ball brother, but with LaMelo’s new venture, he certainly has the opportunity to overtake Lonzo. LaVar’s antics can be questioned till no end, but there is no denying that his sons are all extremely talented. LaVar has proven himself to be a phenomenal trainer and having full time access should do wonders for LaMelo’s growth. Don’t be surprised if LaMelo ends up having the most succesful career of the Ball brothers. By missing his final two years of high school, LaMelo will miss out on a variety of crucial social interactions and lessons. But ultimately, LaVar feels that he is making the best decision for his son.

DESIGN BY SOPHIE BRANDSER

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Zack Elliott and Jerome Sweeny cheering at the girls volleyball game.

PHOTO BY EMMA SWANSON

Let’s ball

Ryan Lesko, the student behind volleyball super fans, helped explain how this all Every Monday junior Nicole Schluck got started. Ryan was asked by a group of finishes out her night by baking treats for senior girls on the volleyball team to start her superplayer. This is a common ritual an organization of superfans. Lesko said that many students take part in. Almost in response, “Why not, I love Volleyball, every sports team at the high school has it’s a great game.” some form of superfans. Their tasks vary This is the first group of boys individfrom simply buying a T-shirt to support ually superfanning girls in EPHS history. a team all the way to making an assigned So why volleyball? “There’s really no othathlete treats every week. Superfans are er game like volleyball,” said Lesko. “It’s student-led groups, where students have fun to watch and that’s about it.” He is not opportunity to support an individual the only one who has sparked an interest player. in volleyball this Their cheering creates a year. Before this year, boys being superfans The attendance ton of energy and makes for girls was a very at home volleyball playing even more fun. games has gone up rare thing. Superfans were always known ever since these as girls who dressed up on game days superfans were introduced. Kelly Meyer and spoiled their superplayer. Girls who a senior on the volleyball team said, “The choose or are asked to be a superfan will superfans bring a great atmosphere to our spend an average of $30 on shirts just to games. Their cheering creates a ton of enrepresent a player. It’s not only expensive, ergy and makes playing even more fun.” but it is a time commitment: attending This has also sparked a roar of converthe games, making treats and making sation throughout the activities departsigns. Superfan Nicole Schluck said, “Be- ment here at EPHS. Other girls teams ing a superfan is a really fun experience such as dance team, are hoping that this for me. I think it is a great way for people will shine a light on the positives of girls to get more involved in the school.” sports and help bring more attention that This year a new superfan tradition was is deserved to them. started, girls volleyball superfans. Senior

PHOTO BY EMMA SWANSON PHOTO BY NICOLE RUPPERT

Eden Prairie faces off against Wayzata at the Homecoming football game.

Senior Lily Fredricks hits a winning forehand. NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

The Boys Soccer team watches the ball from afar.

DESIGN BY NICOLE RUPPERT

PHOTO BY BELLA BECK

Girls Varsity Volleyball celebrates getting a point.

PHOTO BY EMMA SWANSON

SPORTS

The Cheer team does their routine for a football game.

PHOTO BY EMMA SWANSON

The Cross Country team races by.

NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

PHOTO BY EMMA SWANSON

PHOTO BY NICOLE RUPPERT

Swim and Dive girls make a spalsh during pracitce.

Girls varisty soccer playing their last game at Edina.

PHOTO BY BELLA BECK

Performance Team rallies before a performance.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY MARY AKSOZ

SPORTS

DESIGN BY BELLA BECK

NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

FEATURE

Do it yourself Pumpkin Crumble MuffIns

BATTER

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH BUSE

-1 and ¾ cups of flour -1 teaspoon of baking soda -2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon -1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice -½ teaspoon of salt -½ cup of canola or vegetable oil -½ cup of granulated sugar -½ cup of of packed brown sugar -1 and ½ canned pumpkin puree -2 eggs -¼ cup of room temperature milk

DIRECTIONS

STORY BY ELIZABETH BUSE AND SOPHIE BRANDSER 1. Preheat oven to 425° F. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners. 2. Muffins: In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt together until combined and set aside. 3. In a medium bowl, mix oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs and milk together until combined. 4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold together until combined evenly. 5. Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners. The cup should be almost full. 6. Crumb Topping: Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice together until mixed. Stir in the melted butter until “crumbs” form. 7. Spoon the crumbs onto the top of the batter and gently press them down into the batter. 8. Bake the muffins for 5 minutes at 425° F and then reduce the temperature to 350° F and bake for 1617 minutes. To insure the muffins are baked fully, stick a toothpick into the muffins and make sure the toothpick comes out clean. 10. Let the muffins cool for 10 minutes. 11. Icing: Whisk confectioners sugar, maple syrup and milk together until combined smooth. Drizzle over the muffins and serve warm.

DESIGN BY ELIZABETH BUSE

maple icing -1 and ½ cups of confectioners sugar -2 tablespoons of maple syrup -2 tablespoons of milk

CRUMB topping -¾ cup of flour -¼ cup of granulated sugar -¼ cup of brown sugar -1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice -6 tablespoons of unsalted, melted butter

Bullet Journal Tutorial Tips on how to start your own STORY AND PHOTOS BY EMMA SWANSON

ver wanted to start one of those artsy journals you see on Instagram and Pinterest but just didn’t know how? Well, now you can with this bullet journal tutorial! Bullet journals are basically planners that you get to decided how to design. Here is a list of tips and tricks I discovered when I created my bullet journal to help get you started: -Start out with a table of contents. You can include a lot of stuff in your journal, and it will be much easier finding things down the road if you organize now. -You can make your letters look fancy without a special pen. Some really talented people know how to use those cool pens and write in calligraphy. But if you are like me and have no idea how to do that, one trick is to go over again and bold your down strokes. It makes your writing look much more artsy. -Keeping lists can be fun and look awesome. Books to read, movies to watch, birthdays and goals are some common things people put in bullet journals. They don’t have to be bullet point lists. You can draw pictures and organize them in a way that makes them more interesting like my bookshelf book list. -Include some inspirational quotes. If you have a quote that really speaks to you, put it on a page you’d look at to motivate you. -Don’t worry about making mistakes. When you write and draw with a marker or pen you are bound to make a mistake eventually. It doesn’t have to be perfect. When you get your journal, I recommend buying some colorful tape or some stickers, it’s a helpful way to cover up marker slips.

For more pictures and inspiration, visit our website theeyrie.org

NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

FEATURE

Introvert or extrovert? There is no right answer

STORY AND PHOTO BY GRETA NESS

e are familiar with the stereotype that introverts are the quieter ones, and extroverts are the more social ones. You have most likely classified yourself as one or the other. But what really makes someone and introvert or an extrovert? According to the Myers & Briggs Foundation, introverts tend to recharge from being alone and doing things they like. In most cases they are more quiet, reserved and enjoy solitude. Introverts also tend to be more introspective, focusing more on internal feelings and thoughts of themselves and of others. Therefore, they listen to people more than they talk about themselves which causes some people think it is harder to get to know introverted people. A common misconception of introverts, is that they don’t like to be social and like to be alone most of the time. But in reality, most introverts love to socialize. Sometimes being around large groups of people and having too much stimulation leaves introverts feeling drained and unfocused. Extroverts, on the other hand, gain their energy from being around others and feeding off their energy. Too much time spent alone can leave extroverts feeling isolated and sad. People who are extroverted prefer to talk about their feelings and thoughts with others in group discussions. They tend to talk more than they listen, and like to be the center of attention. “When working in a group, I like to be the leader and take charge of things,” says senior Ethan Jones. Because of their openness and their need to be social, people find it easier to get to know extroverts. They sometimes tend to act before thinking through the situation. Many extroverts prefer to work in groups and often times look to others for ideas and inspiration. Today’s schools have begun to try to fit the needs of both introverts and extroverts, but it is difficult to find a happy medium. For example, assignments that are based and graded on participation will lead students who are more open to talking to receive higher scores. Although students who are quieter may have great ideas, they don’t feel comfortable sharing in front of large groups. On the other hand, students who are more social may have a hard time working independently in quiet study sessions where they are not able to share ideas with others.

DESIGN BY KIRA PARRINGTON

Personality types from Myers & Briggs Foundation

Introvert

-Enjoys one-on-one conversations -Struggles with change -More reserved - Focussed for long periods of time -Reflects before making desicions

Extrovert

-Enjoys group conversations -Easily adapts to change -Are more open -Gets distracted easily - Makes desicions easily -Likes getting attention Jones, an extrovert, said he prefers to have open discussions in class and hear other people’s outlooks. “I am socially charged, and my productivity increases when I am talking out loud and sharing ideas with other people,” said Jones. Most extroverts have a social learning style and have an easier time diving into new things.

Introverts tend to have more of a solitary learning style, meaning they would rather solve problems and work alone. “I would rather listen, and work independently or with smaller groups,” said senior Allison Seigler. A new, emerging way that students and employees learn about themselves is with personality tests and quizzes. Tests such as The Keirsey Color Test and The Meyers and Briggs Personality Test give the taker a more detailed look into how their personality type works. Most tests consist of a series of questions regarding what the person thinks of themselves, what would you do type scenarios, and traits that the person has. The outcome usually places the taker into a group with descriptions about thought processes and how they live. “The Keirsey Color Test helped me learn what works best for myself, and how to better interact with people with other personality types,” says senior Asher Smith. While not all tests are a fully accurate description of the taker, they can often give good insight about the person. It is hard to distinguish someone as a full introvert and extrovert, because most people are a mixture of both. But knowing how both introverts and extroverts work will help people get a better understanding of themselves and also the people around them.

Ruppert’s rarely seen

Mini golf, big fun STORY AND PHOTO BY NICOLE RUPPERT Venturing into Saint Paul for the weekend, I stumbled upon a bright blue and yellow sign plastered outside a restaurant. Tucked between industrial buildings and various small shops, the only reason I knew this place existed was the banner outside the front coaxing me inside. Blindly following the painted arrows, I was lead to a brightly lit place filled with modern artwork cast across the walls and people quiety chatting over a round of mini golf. Mini golf is all the fun and accomplishment of real golf, minus the time consumption and frustrations. However, hitting golf balls through the same old course can grow tedious quick. We crave variation and creativity, not the same course with a different hole placement or object blocking the path. And that’s why Can Can Wonderland is such an amazing find. Placed in the heart of Minnesota, Saint Paul, the creators of Can Can decided to let its customers send in submissions and ideas of what they felt would make a great course. And the idea was overwhelmingly positive. Hundreds of children and adults alike sent in sketch after sketch to make this place as creative as it could be. And it shows. As I took a brief first look around the enclosed area, I could tell that every individual hole was just as imaginative as the last, (and each course bearing a hilariously creative name too). From an illusionist’s course complete with a fake drop-off, to a large, pink, fluffy

elephant creature that blows its trunk when golfers hit the ball inside. But, if mini golf isn’t something you find interesting as I do, don’t worry. Can Can Wonderland is packed full of pinball machines and old-fashioned arcade games to play. Just pop in a quarter, grab a seat, and play until your heart’s content. Next to the machines lies a booth where you can order balloon animals to be made. Kids and teens alike carried around their pastel colored balloon dogs and birds as they wandered along the golf course. Almost like an indoor carnival, cotton candy and popcorn bundles are also lovingly packed and purchased for enjoyment. After finishing a round of golf with friends, or after wandering around and admiring the artwork carefully etched into the walls, you can take a spot at the main bar. Stepping up, I was welcomed by a staff member eagerly awaiting my decisions. Everything was so different from other stores, that they didn’t even offer sodas that were factory made. All their drinks were made and mixed by the bar keeper himself. Indulging in my sweet tooth, I drank a malt made from my favorite cereals. The concoction was so criminally sweet that I almost had to ask for something sour to balance it out. Their from scratch sodas also boasted a strong and unique flavor. Even though I hadn’t ordered something to eat, the smell of the meal being eaten next to me was so intoxicating I wish I had. Overall, Can Can Wonderland was a place I can’t wait to visit again. Not to play mini golf, but just to take in the overall admirable atmosphere the place radiated.

Making a worldwide impact

BY LAUREN MURPHY

mong the clubs in this school, one that has truly made a difference is Partners in Health Club. As a club dedicated to the national, non-profit organization Partners in Health, it raises money and spreads awareness for the lack of medical technology available around the world. Senior Rajiv Hejibu said that the money goes towards bringing “modern medical sciences to the poorest areas of developing countries.” Hejibu is the club’s current president. Many students living in Eden Prairie are sheltered to issues that plague a large percentage of the earth’s population. Issues such as poor medical care and lack of medical equipment. This club breaks through those stereotypes, and the students work hard to help others all around the world. The students that participate are going above and beyond what the majority of high school students do when it come to helping others. The club advisor Tom Halloran said that Partners in Health is generally something college students do, and that “there are very few high school students who have the discipline.” It takes a lot of time and patience to plan events, make them a reality, and run them.

Partners in Health has accomplished some spectacular things. Many fundraisers and events that help raise awareness for Partners in Health are planned by the club. Last year, the EPHS club partnered with the University of Minnesota chapter of the national organization. They worked together and created a 5k run that would help raise money for a clinic in Malawi. The organization raised almost $5,000. It also helped spread the word about the work that Partners in Health is doing. The club is also provides more than just a chance to do humanitarian work. Hejibu said, “I liked the business and health side of the club”. Planning events and learning more about current medical technology are a couple of other things the club does. It is a fun opportunity for students to explore different interests and passions. One of the club’s main goals this year is to gain more members. Last year the club had around 15 members. Because of this, it was difficult to organize large school-wide events. With more students rallying to the cause, the hope is that the club will “have at least two to three large events for the school or for the Twin Cities,” Hejibu said. Success in the future is likely with the increased publicity. The club has not started meeting yet this school year. However when it does, Partners in Health Club will keep working towards the medical advancement of different areas around the world. NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

PHOTO ESSAY

Boarding School PHOTOS BY BELLA BECK featuring Malachi Talamantes and Bella Giraldo

DESIGN BY ELIZABETH BUSE

NOVEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org