December 2017

THROUGH THE LENS OF

RACE

COVER STORY | 20

+ WINTER BREAK

UPCOMING MOVIES| 8 LOCAL COFFEE SHOPS| 34 THINGS TO DO| 35 BULLYING LAWSUIT| 4 CONCERT CALENDAR| 10

EPHS NEWS MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2017 | VOL. 57 | NO. 02

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

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.

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS In early November, a white freshman at the University of Hartford in Connecticut was expelled after bragging on social media about poisoning her black roommate in order to get rid of the girl she called a “Jamaican Barbie.”

Several weeks ago, President Trump called Senator Elizabeth Warren “Pocahontas” at an event honoring Native American war heroes.

Race-fueled police shooting have once again been brought to the attention of the public with the recently conviction of Michael Slager, the white officer charged with killing Walter Scott, an unarmed black man.

In the news and in our lives, race seems to be at the forefront of many discussions.

In this issue’s cover story, three Eyrie staffers explored race at EPHS through the lens of academics, social relationships, and personal stories. In addition, you will find a story on a new social justice class and an opinion on NFL players kneeling, both of which are connected to race. Through these articles, we hope that we have given a voice to some of the racial issues in our community.

It’s an uncomfortable topic for many students, but as Associate Principal Molly Hollenbeck said when talking about some of things she has done to become more racially aware, “it’s necessary that we step back and listen, and we get uncomfortable.”

We, as citizens, need to educate ourselves on race relations; only then can we begin to solve the racial inequities present in our society. Let’s start with educating ourselves on what happens at our own high school. Then maybe we can make change at EPHS. Enjoy the issue and have a great winter break,

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

Sports Editor

Sophie Brandser

Columnists

Oliver Taylor Nicole Ruppert

Staff

Feature Editor

Advisor

Sophie Brandser

Elizabeth Buse

News Editor

Inika Shetty DESIGN BY KELLY PU

Profile Editor

Kelly Pu

A&E Editor

Cover Story Editor

2

Adam Chao

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

Emma Swanson

Elizabeth Buse and Kelly Pu

Opinion Editor

Jodie Flolid

Content 38

All a glow

32 26 December 2017 Vol. 57 | No. 02

Creating a message stitch by stitch

When the mind duels the body

NEWS

COVER

A&E

SPORTS

Bullying lawsuit | 4 Student businesses | 5 Teacher feature | 6 A student inspired by a mentor | 7 Making an impact | 7

Winter break movies| 8 Netflix binge list| 9 Concert calendar| 10 Review: Doubled success | 11 Review: Opening hearts and minds | 11 Featured artist: Raymond Niu | 12

OPINION ON THE COVER PHOTO BY EMMA SWANSON

Controversial Art | 14 Kneeling for equality | 15 Point-Counterpoint: Gun control | 16 Opinionettes | 18

Closing the gap | 20 Walking in someone else’s shoes| 22 Cause and effect | 23 Diversifying EPHS staff | 24 Facing racisim in the suburb | 24

Off-court with Oliver | 26 When the mind duels the body| 27 Winter sports | 27

PROFILE

Creating a message stitch by stitch | 32

FEATURE

The daily grind| 34 Winter things to do| 35 Gift of giving | 36 Seasonal changes | 37 Ruppert’s rarely seen | 37 Photo essay: All a glow| 38 DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

3

NEWS

Lawsuit raises questions about bullying 90% of teens who report being cyberbullied

have also been bullied offline

Among high school students nationwide: •15.5% are cyberbullied •20.2% are bullied on school property

1 in 5 students report being bullied INFOGRAPHIC SOURCE NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION CENTER

4

DESIGN BY INIKA SHETTY

GRAPHICS BY BELLA BECK

R

BY ELIZABETH BUSE

ecently, a lawsuit against the district has put EPHS in the news.

This lawsuit brings up many questions regarding bullying for the community of Eden Prairie.

The parents of a student who said she was bullied by a fellow marching band member filed a personal injury lawsuit against the Eden Prairie school district in early October. The defendants include Superintendent Josh Swanson, Principal Conn McCartan, Dean of Students Kim Kane, Band Director Scott Palmer and the accused student.

According to an article in the “Eden Prairie News”, the parents said their child was repeatedly bullied on and offline. She attended EPHS from September 2016 to November 2016. The case states that she was framed by the other student for a false police report against her for alleged assault.

According to the EPHS handbook, bullying is described as engaging in offensive behavior when there is an “imbalance of power” between students or interfering with another student’s educational opportunities. On the other hand, cyberbullying is considered bullying using technology or other electronic communication. For the full descriptions, refer to the student handbook on the school website.

While staff members cannot comment on this specific case, McCartan and Kane addressed the general concerns about bullying that may have arisen due to the lawsuit.

If a student feels that either they or someone they know are being bullied, they should tell a trusted adult immediately, Kane said. “All of the staff members have been trained to know how to help the situation or where to go for help,” she said.

Many students at EPHS were unaware of the consequences of bullying until this lawsuit was filed. The first offense is up to a three day suspension, while the second offense is up to a five day suspension, and the third offense could conclude with a recommendation for expulsion. All consequences include reports filed at the district office, referral to an outside agency and an intervention plan.

Most of the bullying reports at EPHS are first-time reports of a student who says or does something that upsets another student. For the first offense, McCartan said, “We ask them to stop and take it down” off the internet. But, if the behavior were to continue, it would become a pattern, which is considered a more serious case of bullying.

McCartan explained that “the new frontier of bullying” occurs outside of school on social media platforms. “It is so easy to be a lesser version of yourself when you aren’t looking at the person,” he said.

Because EP schools provide technology to many students (elementary, middle and high school), students are taught to use social media positively.

All students sign an Ilearn agreement, agreeing to respect themselves and others while using school technology.

McCartan described social media platforms as being a portfolio of yourself. EPHS values providing a caring, safe, environment for students to learn, including outside of school, he said.

Staff members are having conversations with students to empower them “to not tolerate it,” Kane said. Throughout the year EPHS makes many efforts to raise awareness of bullying.

Students who are bullied are more likely to have poor school adjustment, sleep difficulties, anxiety, and depression, according to the National Bullying Prevention Center.

Kane stressed the importance of having conversations about how bullying makes someone feel. She said it “impacts another person in so many others ways. There is a ripple effect to bullying.”

CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTOS

Metro students show that starting a student business is possible

S

BY NICK WALFRID

tarting a business in today’s economy seems like a daunting task for many individuals. In fact, many people consider it almost an impossibility. EPHS Principal Conn McCartan said that students who are looking into starting a business should “know what they are getting into, and be prepared to fail miserably.” Over the years, students have successfully started businesses regardless, setting a positive example for others.

Entrepreneurial individuals will find that the motivation to start a business can come from three things. Some students find the motivation to start a business from a class such as Careers or Marketing Strategies, while others find it on their own accord when they pursue personal passions. The other motivator which pushes students to start businesses is DECA- a club focusing on leadership and entrepreneurial skills which is popular in many American high schools.

Junior Patrick Yang, a member of the DECA Competition Leadership Team, said DECA is a great club to participate in, whether you are honing your entrepreneurial skills or just want to meet new people. “There are two parts to DECA, a general DECA aspect and a competition aspect,” he said. “The general DECA aspect is going to teach you marketing and how to be a better businessperson, as well as let you be social, but the competition part is the part that I like the most.

In competitive DECA, students can create and manage faux business plans, while managing their business’s revenue. This aspect of DECA inspires some students to go further with their businesses. The skills students gain from participation in DECA, specifically the competitive section of it, are likely a contributor towards the success of student businesses.

Other students are able to start businesses through their own creative inspiration, instead of relying on a club to guide them. The most notable business created by Minnesota students is a bath bomb enterprise based out of Edina, which was co-created by a pair of self proclaimed “sisterpreneurs.” Their business, DaBomb bath bombs, has roots in retail chains all across the nation, and the sisters recently came to EPHS to speak about it.

Senior Ethan Jones, Vice President of DECA Community Service as well as attendee of the DaBomb presentation, though that attending the speech gave him a unique perspective. “The girls were really inspiring be-

cause they were like 11 or 12 when they started their bath bomb business out of their garage, and now they have a multimillion dollar deal with Target.” Jones said.

Teachers and other staff are often appreciative of student entrepreneurs despite that the most economically sound option as a student or recent graduate is to not start a business. “Students who start businesses are setting an example prior to their leaving here of a desire that we have for all of you, and that is that they have been inspired enough by their learning that they want to make an impact on the broader world. In gen-

“You think to yourself that

it’s one in a million that you’re gonna succeed but you can be that one.”

eral, young entrepreneurs want to make a contribution.” McCartan said.

Scott Sayles, a DECA advisor, stated that if students are looking into starting a business, they should know that it is entirely possible. “Start small, you don’t have to make a ton of money in the first few years, and it easily can be done,” Sayles said. “You think to yourself that it’s one in a million that you’re gonna succeed but you can be that one.”

Clearly it is possible to start a business if you set your mind to it.

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

5

NEWS

Teacher feature

Discovering unknown talents that teachers have outside of school

back to my community, and I enjoy helping people.

“

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY MARK GRIFFIN

6

DESIGN BY NICK WALFRID

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY MARK GRIFFIN

“ When you

are paged out you know it’s for a reason.

PHOTO BY GRETA NESS

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY MARK GRIFFIN

“ I wanted to give

here are many staff members who do much more than just their daytime job working here at EPHS. The inspiring hobbies staff members take part in, while may be unknown to students, are widely known around the area and even the country.

Most of you may know business teacher Mark Griffin as a coach for football and track.

But many students probably do not know that outside of school Griffin is a firefighter for the City of Savage. Griffin was inspired to be a firefighter by his firefighter dad, who worked in New York for 40 years. “I wanted to give back to my community, and I enjoy helping people,” he said.

He has been on the Savage Fire Department for 22 years now. He mentioned some tips about the application process. To apply someone must fill out an application that fits all of the needs.

Griffin deals with all kinds of emergency calls. “When you are paged out you know it is for a reason, could be a fire alarm battery or something like smoke coming out of the garage.

He said that one of the best parts is the friendships made throughout the department.

“You give each other a hard time but when the bell sounds you become very focused and listen to what is going on” He also loves being able to work with the Eden Prairie fire and police department.

Dean Kim Kane is another staff member that is doing big things outside of school.

Kane spends most of her time during the day working with students. In her spare time Kane wrote a book titled, “Sparkle On: Women Aging in Gratitude.” Kanes book talks about how aging in a woman’s life doesn’t have to effect the sparkle in their soul.

Kane was inspired to write her book by what other women were doing and feeling as they aged. “Once I turned 50 I decided it would be a fun thing to do to look into the lives of other women and how they were experiencing aging.”

Writing her book and managing her job at EPHS wasn’t too difficult for Kane. “ The balance was they both feed my soul so it was a good mix for me,” said Kane.

She also travels around nationally speaking on her book. You can visit her website www. kimkaneandgratitude.com for more information on her book and movement on gratitude for aging women.

“

T

BY KIRA PARRINGTON

JENNIFER ORDOÑEZ: A STUDENT INSPIRED BY A MENTOR

A

BY LUCAS PHAM

t one point in her life, senior Jennifer Ordoñez was one of likely hundreds of students at EPHS struggling to get by on a daily basis.

“A couple years ago,” Ordoñez said, “I was going through an age where I had a lot of medical issues I needed to get solved. Instead of [taking] a lot of medicine, I decided to turn to exercise and workouts.”

It was around that time when Ordoñez was referred to Bolder Options by her counselor. Bolder Options is an organization dedicated to helping at-risk children and adolescents like Ordoñez who are in danger of dropping out of school or exhibit unhealthy behaviors.

According to their website, Bolder Options does this through a combination of “mentoring programs, wellness activities, and leadership opportunities.”

Through these programs, individuals work toward treating themselves better and obtaining a healthy lifestyle.

Each student in Bolder Options is paired

with a mentor to help guide them through this process. Over the years, Ordoñez and her mentor formed a strong bond.

While Ordoñez’s mentor, Caitlin, watched

her grow, Ordoñez herself also witnessed growth in her mentor. From her Caitlin’s marriage to the development of her family, Ordoñez was there for her.

Of course, Ordoñez was also able to partake in other events as well through Bolder Options. This year, Ordoñez attended a gala supporting Bolder Options. Among other attractions, an auction was held that supported students who needed help and the Bolder Options program itself. Speaking on the gala, Ordoñez said, “I met a lot of people, and it was a really nice experience.”

Bolder Options has changed Ordoñez’s lifestyle for the better.

“It helped me reach out to people more. I used to be more quiet and less exposed,” she said. “Before, I never worked out much, but now I know I really like to run. Bolder Options led me to a healthier lifestyle and also made me more outgoing and accepting of other people’s opinions.”

Finally, Ordoñez is happy to recommend Bolder Options to other students in need of help.

“It’s a good opportunity to learn about yourself and how other people can help,” she said. “I also think it allows you to have an opportunity to try new things.”

M a k i n g a n i m p a c t “ Look at our “Look at our society today. Look at the problems. Enough said,” social studies teacher Brian Sibley said when asked about the importance of social justice.

Social justice advocates for the equal distribution of resources and opportunities among all members of a community. In recent decades, social justice has been an important part of political discussions.

Sibley believes that the first step in addressing societal inequities is to identify and understand the reasons behind them. But in the metro area, only North High School in Minneapolis has a class that teaches social justice.

Now, during fourth quarter this year, EPHS will be offering a social justice class during fourth period. Taught by Sibley and fellow social studies teacher Kelsey Snyder, “the class sprung from a district initiative to be inclusive and to help each kid have a safe academic environment and academic opportunity.”

The class will have three major units of study. First, students will examine identity. This includes racial, cultural, and ethnic identity.

Then, students will look at systemic inequities.

The class will explore topics in economics, education, the judicial system, entertainment, and politics. During this unit, students will also focus on where people live and how that creates disparities in a community.

Lastly, students will undertake an Impact Project. They will identify an inequity in their community and then create and implement an action plan to combat it. Thus, students will not only learn and understand society inequities, but they will have a chance to address inequities in their own lives.

The two teachers also hope to challenge the idea of what a class is. In addition to the Impact Project, students can expect speakers, field trips, and learning in different environments, not just a classroom. “It’s going to be something very fluid,” said Snyder. This fluidity in the class will give students first-hand experience with the

society today.

Look at the problems.

Enough said.

“

BY KELLY PU

topics discussed in the class. Snyder and Sibley will also be team teaching, and they hope this will bring multiple perspectives to the class.

The class is still very new, and the permanency of it past this school year is unknown as the funding for it comes from the district initiative. How students will enroll in the class is still being determined, but the teachers hope that everyone becomes educated on social justice issues. “We need everybody. For our country to fix these inequities, everybody’s gotta be on board,” said Sibley.

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

7

A&E

Winter break Must-see winter movies

J

“

BY NICOLE RUPPERT

umanji” (Dec 20)- In this new take on the Robin Williams classic, Jumanji is no longer a board game two kids stumble upon, rather a video game that four high schoolers play.

However, when they select characters and enter the game, they are transported to a jungle packed with dangerous animals and traps. Not only that, but the high school students are transformed into the game avatars they selected in the real world.

Suddenly, the school geek transforms into Dr. Smoulder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson), and the most popular girl in school, Bethany, is now Professor Shelly Oberon (Jack Black). The four characters must work together to survive the jungle and return to the real world (Rotten Tomatoes).

“Downsizing” (Dec 22)- In the near future, the fear of overpopulation and lack of resources has become an issue the government can no longer ignore. To deal with this, humans turn to a small solution to deal with this big problem: downsizing. By shrinking humans down to about five inches, resources are now used in small quantities. A water bottle can provide enough water for a whole village, and large houses for people now come at a fraction of the price. In this story, we follow Paul, who is getting used to life in this new reality (IMDb.com).

“Pitch Perfect 3” (Dec 22)- In the newest installment of Pitch Perfect,

the Bellas get back together for one last round of competitive singing.

This time, however, to win an overseas tournament and get a shot at the big time- they’re going up against traditional bands instead of a cappella groups. The Bellas are thrown a huge curve ball in the competition; all the other bands use instruments. Now, they’ll have to prove themselves more than ever, using solely their voices to win the competition. But will they be able to win outside of the a cappella groups? (Fandango.com) “Proud Mary” (Jan 12)- With multiple weapons and disguises to her disposal, Proud Mary (Taraji P. Henson), is the perfect hit-woman. She’s done worked on many cases and seen her fair share of explosions, but in this film, she’ll be tasked with something most assassins wouldn’t dare.

Raising a child. After an attempt at a heist goes wrong, Mary finds her paths with a young boy who she decides to take care of. Keeping a secret identity is hard enough, but now she to protect the child away from any harm that many come to the duo (Rotten Tomatoes).

“Black Panther” (Feb 21)- In the hidden nation of Wakanda (a technologically advanced African nation), a new leader has just risen. T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns to Wakanda in order to take his father’s place as king, but finds himself threatened by rising opposition in the country. If T’Challa wants to protect his rightful land and the world from total destruction, he has got to become the Black Panther. With superhuman agility and strength, Black Panther works with the CIA to help put an end to the world wide crisis and protect his beloved home (IMDb.com).

“What upcoming movie are you excited to see?”

QUOTES AND PHOTOS BY NICOLE RUPPERT

8

Sophomore Alex Gutierrez

Senior Kholood Mo-Allim

Junior Neyonte Clark

Sophomore Sydney Lewis

“Star Wars the Last Jedi”

“Black Panther”

“The Greatest Showman”

“Avengers Inifinty War”

DESIGN BY SOPHIE BRANDSER

binge list

Review: “Little Bird” soars above

BY BELLA BECK

BY EMMA SWANSON

defends her mother, and her mother just wants the best for her.

With a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the I had not heard of “Lady Bird” before I movie “Lady Bird” holds the current record for a went to go see it and was unsure if I was going perfect rating with the most reviews. to enjoy it. But Lady Bird definitely did not This beautiful coming-of-age story focuses disappoint. Her story grabs at viewer’s emotions; on the main character Christine “Lady Bird” several times I burst out laughing, and at others McPherson. A girl who is little bit quirky with I was close to tears. a lot of spunk, she’s a refreshing change from What I think I love the most about the movie most high schoolers portrayed in movies. is that Ladybird is such a relatable character.

Lady Bird is a senior living in Sacramento She doesn’t always have it together and faces California, and all she wants to do is leave. She struggles with her family and in school, but she has big plans to go to school out East and is not is able to brush it off and still have fun like a deterred by almost every adult telling her she teenager. isn’t good enough to get into those schools.

Often in coming-of-age stories, the main The main dynamic throughout the movie character works hard and all of their problems is between Lady Bird and her mother. They are fixed. They have a happy ending. Those fight quite a bit, often just about little things endings are nice, of course, but unfortunately like Lady Bird not putting her clothes away, are unrealistic. “Lady Bird” does an incredible but sometimes they were bigger fights. They job in this regard because it portrays her life argue about their financial status several times, in a real way. The ending is a bit bitter sweet: as her father had recently been laid off and her Some relationships are repaired, but not all the mom is providing for their whole family. And mistakes she makes are fixed. And even though there aren’t always peaceful resolutions to those things in her life are not perfect, the audience arguments, but you can still see how much they is left with the feeling that she will be alright in love and care about each other, Lady Bird always the end.

Every year for winter break, people leave to go visit family or to spend their holiday in some beautiful tropical paradise. For those who don’t, winter break gets long and boring.

For your binging pleasure, here is a copious list of content to digest while you’re waiting for your friends to come home or for your flight to land.

• “Shameless” • “Naruto” • “Criminal Minds” • “That 70’s Show” • “Bob Ross: Beauty is Everywhere” • “American Horror Story” • “Heathers” • “Ask Me Anything” • “Syrup” • “The Twilight Zone” • “The Great British Baking Show” • “Black Mirror”

Lady Bird and her mom getting ready to leave the college tour.

CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO

• “Big Mouth” • “Pulp Fiction” • “Dexter” • “Freaks and Geeks” • “Can’t Buy Me Love” DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

9

A&E

CONCERT CALENDAR

BY GRETA NESS

Dec. 21st

Nelly and T.I – Myth

Dec. 22nd

Kat Perkins – MOA Adventure Club – Skyway Theatre A Rock and Roll Christmas – Paramount Theatre and Visual Arts Center Soul Asylum – First Avenue Yheti (Post Malone, Gucci Mane, Pretty Lights, and more) – Minneapolis Convention Center – 18+ Grandtheft and Keys and Krates – Skyway Theatre

Dec. 23rd Dec. 29th

Dec. 30th

Jan. 5th Jan. 17th Jan. 18th Jan. 25th Feb. 1st Feb. 2nd Feb. 3rd Feb. 8th Feb. 9th Feb. 17th Feb 20th 10

Lana Del Rey – Target Center The Killers – Xcel Energy Center Passion Pit – First Avenue Matoma – Skyway Theater The Chainsmokers – Mystic Lake Casino Hotel Kygo and Ellie Goulding – Mystic Lake Casino Hotel Florido Georgia – Mystic Lake Casino Hotel – 18+ Jennifer Lopez – The Armory Of Mice and Men – Band Music Hall Portugal the Man – Palace Theatre Lauv – 7th Street Entry Majid Jordan – First Avenue

DESIGN BY LAUREN MURPHY

BY OLIVER TAYLOR

Big Sean’s second project of 2017, “Double or Nothing,” produced by Metro Boomin, was released on December 8. Despite being a rap album, each track is incredibly unique and offers a variety of different vibes.

I found the album to be highly enjoyable due to its variability. Every rapper has a style that they get associated with, whether it be through the style of their rapping or the beats that they rap over. However, “Double or Nothing” didn’t feel like an album that I would usually associate with Big Sean, which made the songs feel refreshing.

Boomin has produced some of the most popular rap songs over the past two years, namely The Weeknd’s “Low Life”, Future’s “Mask Off ” and 21 Savage’s “Bank Account,” and Boomin did not disappoint on this album. The album’s first song, “Go Legend,” immediately introduces the upbeat theme that runs throughout the album.

Following Sean’s previous 2017 album, “I Decided,” there were lofty

Review: Opening hearts and minds STORY AND PHOTO BY KELLY PU Hate, tolerance, racism and immigration are all issues particularly pertinent to today’s political culture. In “The Lines We Cross” by Randa Abdel-Fattah, these topics are explored and intertwined with the story of teenage love.

Michael is a privileged Australian teenager who enjoys graphic design and hanging out with his friends. He has always had a loving family, but lately, his parent’s political values are getting in the way of his life.

His parents strongly object against the waves of refugees entering the country, and sometimes Michael is dragged by his parents to anti-immigration protests. It’s at one of said rallies when he looks across the protest lines and sees beautiful, piercing eyes staring back at him.

He soon discovers that the eyes belong to Mina, a new student at his school.

Mina is an Afghani refugee who has just moved to a new, wealthier area of Australia. She is struggling to fit in both as an ethnic in Australia and the new girl in an academically competitive school. As a refugee who barely escaped a war-torn Afghanistan with her mother when she was a young girl, her political beliefs directly clash with Michael’s, and the two often argue in class.

When a teacher pairs them together for a project, Michael and Mina are forced to become acquaintances.

As they become closer, they must determine where they stand and what they stand for. In the end, they must choose whether they will hate or cross the lines to love.

Abdel-Fattah does a very good job of tackling political topics in “The Lines We Cross.” Intertwining a cute love story with deeper discussions is a good way of keeping the overall tone of the story lighthearted and readers engaged.

Because the chapters alternate between Michael and Mina, the reader

gets into the head of these two opposing viewpoints. Their political and social struggles were very understandable and could be compared with such issues in America at the moment. Even when I did not agree with what Michael or Mina said, their ideas forced me to think about my own political beliefs and how they fit into those of our modern society.

However, there were some points where the plot felt too political, and the actual story of teenage love was lost. After pages and pages of Michael struggling to decide whether he agrees with his parents’ anti-immigration stance or not, it is easy to forget about Michael and Mina’s love story.

Also, as “The Lines We Cross” progresses, Michael undergoes great character growth. He learns to see the world through others’ lens and make his own opinions. He makes mistakes and learns from them. But Mina is a relatively flat character whose only purpose seems to be to guide Michael through his self-searching journey and be his love interest. Abdel-Fattah almost made Mina too perfect and faultless, and her storyline left me wanting more.

The subplots and secondary characters in the book were both a good and bad thing. Characters like Nathan, Michael’s younger brother, and Paula, Mina’s Oscar Wilde obsessed friend, kept me engaged and added humor to a book filled with serious topics. But ultimately, their stories were not resolved, and this left me unsatisfied.

Towards the end of “The Lines We Cross,” Michael remarks that “maybe you only get one chance at meeting somebody who really gets inside you, wakes corners of your mind and heart that you didn’t know were asleep.” Mina is this person for Michael. But perhaps instead of a person, it can be a book that changes someone.

If you are looking for a heartwarming story of teenage love, acceptance and courage that will awaken your mind and heart, “The Lines We Cross” by Randa Abdel-Fattah is a great winter read.

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

11

CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO

Review: Doubling down

expectations for “Double or Nothing.” The album certainly has star power, with guest features from Travis Scott, 2 Chainz, 21 Savage and Young Thug.

The two most successful songs on “I Decided,” “Bounce Back” and “Moves,” are based around powerful beats and fast paced rapping.

“Double or Nothing” has an entirely different atmosphere. Although some of the tracks follow that same formula, hearing Sean rap some very meaningful lyrics was a pleasant surprise.

One track in particular on “Double or Nothing,” “Who’s Stopping Me,” highlights the uniqueness of the album. The beat reminded me of Justin Bieber’s massively famous Despacito. The Spanish-esque beat incorporated with Sean’s rapping is unlike any other rap song that I’ve heard before.

On the “Savage Time” track, Sean raps about the harsh surroundings that he grew up around and his obsession with success. The lyrics “Like how is dark skin a weapon, but they treat it like a target?” and “Yeah, just like them boys in cells who had dreams of NFL/ How they supposed to pray to God if they keep waking up in hell?” are only a pair of examples of Sean’s struggles with racial divide that are discussed throughout the album.

“Double or Nothing” was very different from my expectations, which made it even more enjoyable. There was no sense of repetition on any of the tracks. Sean displayed an entirely new side of his lyrical ability. “Double or Nothing” was a lot slower paced than “I Decided,” but I think Sean showing his versatility is only going to help him rise amongst the ranks of the best rappers in the game.

A&E

Razzling and dazzling the night away with Raymond

BY ISABELLE FELTON Senior Raymond Niu is a profound viSenior Raymond Niu is currently a olinist and has been recognized numerous senior in high school. He is a profound times for his beautiful pieces. He is conviolinist and has been recognized numercertmaster of the concert orchestra and is ous times for his beautiful pieces. He is part of a band. Not only does Raymond concertmaster of the concert orchestra, love to perform, he also shares a passion has leading roles in many plays and is part for acting. His effort put into his acting of a band. Not only does Raymond love to career has led him to become a part of perform, he also shares a passion for acting. multiple lead roles in school plays.

His effort put into his acting career has led him to become apart of multiple lead roles Q: How long have you been playing the in school plays. violin?

A: I started playing the violin with the

school’s orchestra program in 6th grade.

Q: Why did you choose the violin?

A: I don’t remember why, but it just interested me.

Q: Do you have an inspiration or someone you look up to musically?

A: It would be hard to pick out anyone in particular, but

I really have so much respect for all of the amazing music teachers at our school. I am really fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with the majority of them.

Q: How many hours a day do you practice the violin?

A: I usually practice 3-4 hours

programs, and the application process for this is a little different as you first send your audio audition and then you can get chosen for another audition. If they are then interested in admitting you, they send your application over to someone else who reviews your test score, transcripts, and essays determining your admittance.

Q:I have heard that you have a band? What’s it called and can I hear more about that?

A: Yes I am part of a band called Ray and His Monds, We play at school functions like advo for Kate.

Q: Is theater a big part of your life as well?

A: Yes theater and acting are big parts of my life at the high school, I’ve been in many performances through the high school.

Q: What was your part in the recent play “Legally Blonde”?

A: I was the lead and that took up a lot of time, but it was such a great experience and I really enjoyed playing that part.

Q: What are your goals with music and theater?

A: I’m not sure if I have any concrete goals with music and theater really, the only thing that really matters to me is putting on a performance others enjoy and that I can be satisfied with.

Q:Are you planning on having music and theater be a part of your life forever?

A: To be honest, I really don’t know yet,

but I’m keeping my options open. I would really love for music and theater to always be a part of my life.

PHOTO BY BELLA BECK

a day for my college auditions.

Q:Are you planning on playing the violin in college?

A: Yes I am applying to Juilliard and Northwestern for their music

12

DESIGN BY LAUREN MURPHY

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

13

OPINION

STAFF EDITORIAL: Stirring the melting pot of ideas

BY ADAM CHAO will shed some light on them. This class is an opportunity for students of any background to immerse themselves in our society and learn about the evolution of societal inequities. In the last several years, a stigma attached to idea “social justice” has emerged. We find this stigmatization to be unfair and misrepresented. The word “social justice” has reverted from the meaning “equality of opportunity” to a derogatory “virtue signaling SJW.” Admittedly, there are certain instances where people distort the intent; however, we believe that these people misrepresent the group as a whole. Accordingly, we encourage students to keep an open mind and think for themselves.

We believe that this topic belongs in a classroom setting where the material is easily accessible to students. This class has a great opportunity to cultivate an unprejudiced environment with an open forum of discussion.

CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO

The new social justice class will provide perspective and information in regard to the message that has been advocated for countless years: equal rights.

In acknowledgment of America’s societal issues, our staff believes that the new social justice class is a necessary measure to educate and enlighten students of the culture that surrounds us. In this day and age, education is the most valued resource one can have. Students will have an opportunity to explore the effects of economics, education, the judicial system, entertainment, and politics on social welfare. Our education system lacks coverage of social welfare. Hopefully this class will spark a new trend of open-forum based classes with free conversation and discussion.

Systematic inequities are often overlooked, so we hope that this class

Time to remove offensive art from museums

BY LUCAS PHAM It was supposed to be a momentous occasion for the Walker Art Center. Early last summer, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden was poised to reopen to rave reviews and renewed interest after a year-long renovation, which included the addition of over a dozen new pieces. But even before the official opening, the renovation was met with anything but a positive reception.

The controversy originated from one specific artwork, a sculpture titled “Scaffold” created

by Sam Durant. In its essence, “Scaffold” was a depiction of gallows reminiscent of those used to execute prisoners in America’s past. To the Dakota Indians, the artwork reminded them of the hanging of 38 Dakota men in 1862, the largest mass execution in U.S. history. After intense protests on their doorstep and pressure from tribe elders, the Walker dismantled “Scaffold.”

The fiasco culminated in the resignation of longtime executive director of the Walker, Olga Viso, in November. The Walker Art Center

14

DESIGN BY ADAM CHAO

was not the only museum whose reputation was chipped by an offensive artwork. Recently, the Guggenheim Museum was compelled to remove a sculpture that featured live insects.

New York City’s Whitney Museum suffered heavy backlash for showcasing a painting of the lynched black child Emmett Till. It seems as if such incidents are at an all-time high. After so many similar disputes and responses in a short timespan, some questions have been thrust into the spotlight: Is there a point in which art becomes too offensive?

And, from a different perspective: Should the removal of artworks like “Scaffold” be considered a form of censorship?

While it seems that both issues have a grey area and sense of murkiness, each question has a clear answer. Beginning with the former question, the answer is a definitive “Yes.” Art has many purposes, whether it is to express one’s thoughts, provoke a change in society or to channel one’s creative mind. When the benefits of these purposes are outweighed the

suffering the art evokes, that is the point where a piece becomes offensive. It may be tempting to also answer “Yes” to the latter question.

However, that is not the case, due to the meaning of censorship.

An example of censorship would be when a government blocks certain websites behind a firewall. When the government blocks the websites, there is little that the people living under the government can do about it because the government is too powerful. This is not the case in the process in which artworks like “Scaffold” were removed. The artists or museums could have ignored the pleas of protesters and left the pieces up.

Instead, the people, who had relatively less power in the situations, were able to influence change within the museums. Durant, himself, elected for the deconstruction of his own work.

For this reason, the artists were not censored by the protestors.

It is wrong to leave on display artworks that hurt a significant amount of people. The right and only thing to do is to remove it.

Reform and resistance

BY OLIVER TAYLOR Michael Thomas, Eric Reid and Russell Okung’s departure from the NFL Players Coalition is the latest turn down the long road of confusion and controversy that has grasped the NFL by the throat since Colin Kaepernick began his silent protest.

Okung took to Twitter to discuss his view on the new deal between the Players Coalition and the NFL, describing how “[t]he NFL continues a disingenuous approach to player grievances, refusing to match the urgency of this moment. Their proposal is woefully inadequate.”

Kaepernick’s protest certainly brought the topic of police brutality in America to my attention. It’s a topic that’s uncomfortable to discuss, especially for me, being a British, white, teenage male, but a topic in desperate need of conversation.

By no means is this a lecture about how law enforcement should or shouldn’t act, or about how many gun laws there should or shouldn’t be, but rather a perspective. The message behind Kaepernick’s protest, and its significance, has been misconstrued.

On August 26, 2016, Kaepernick made national headlines, as a picture of him sitting on the bench during the national anthem went viral. In an interview with NFL.com, Kaepernick explained that he was “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”

What started as a silent protest has become a national talking point.

What started as a show of support for minorities has become a debate of the definition of patriotism. What started as a stand against police brutality has become a battle of words with the president of the United States.

How can America be touted as the Land of Opportunity when there’s a blatant racial divide?

Isn’t the definition of patriotism to have an unwavering commitment to growth as a country? If so, why is there such commitment to ignoring the basic human rights of minorities?

As someone whose been blessed to travel the world, the idea that any person, regardless of their race, is unequal to me or less deserving of something than me is absolutely baffling. My interactions with people of races are what have afforded me perspective, something that I consider my most precious gift.

Raising questions, even about the most uncomfortable of topics, is how perspective is gained. Change and reform aren’t cultivated and introduced overnight.

As soon as Kaepernick’s protest begun, it was bombarded with misconceptions. As the movement grew, so did the fog. False impressions of the respect (or lack of) for the military took center stage, and the lack of focus on oppression of minorities and police brutality was only amplified with President Donald Trump took to Twitter to voice his opinion.

On September 25, 2017, Trump tweeted that “[t]he issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!”

If change and reform are going to take place, it can’t be with the President of the United States trying to push the issue back under the rug.

Racial equality shouldn’t even be a discussion, it should be a norm.

By continuing to ask questions, perspective will be gained. Hopefully, if the right people are equipped with such perspective, then action can begin.

AbstinenceOnly Education Doesn’t Work

GRAPHIC BY EMMA SWANSON

BY NICK WALFRID The last time I checked, teenage pregnancy was not something a country wants to strive for. In fact, many countries spend millions trying to prevent it from happening within their borders.

However, the Trump administration is cutting more than $213 million in funding which is supposed to be used to prevent teenage pregnancy. As reported by The Washington Post, these cuts are enough to destroy pregnancy-prevention services and family planning programs, but they still leave money for abstinence-only education which the Trump administration is pushing for.

Since the 1990’s, presidential administrations have pushed for safe sex education in their curriculum. These attempts to prevent teen pregnancy have reflected in the statistics for it. Without the budget to educate students however, adults may have to resort to scare tactics and stigmatization to prevent teen pregnancy, which does not work.

Any adult who sets foot into an American high school for a day will learn that no high school student is going to listen to their superiors for anything they consider important.The Trump administration seems to believe that they will, however, and by pushing for abstinence-only education, they are revealing themselves to be completely out of touch with the American youth.

Teens and young adults are going to have sex, and if the Trump administration does not prepare them for adulthood with proper knowledge of how to do so safely and healthily, teen pregnancies will spike. Additionally, now more than ever, the administration absolutely needs to teach young men and women how to respect other people’s boundaries, respect their partners, and respect themselves. By not leaving room for that in the high school health curriculum, the Trump administration is setting America’s youth up for disaster.

As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teenage pregnancy hit a record low in 2015 and has been on a downward slope for the past decade. If the Trump administration removes the funding that helps educate teens on safe sex and dismantles family help agencies such as Planned Parenthood, these rates will spike again.

Trump, and most of his administration by extent, is remarkably out of touch with the American public. But if they take away the protections granted to American teenagers, they aren’t just burning economic and social bridges- they are administering irreversible damage to an entire generation. In a country with sexual education and health on the rise, it would be an incredible shame for a legion of Trumpanzees to reverse the course of knowledge.

For the sake of modern America’s youth, proper sexual education is a must. By standing in the way of it, the Trump administration is setting the country up for failure.

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

15

OPINION

Student Opinions on gun control

BY ADAM CHAO

I think that better screening tests should be enforced, however I don’t think we should completely restrict people from buying them.

-Senior Tanner Carter

I don’t care. The day I get shot, I’ll have an opinion.

-Senior Craig Evers

People should be able to buy guns with background checks and regulations; they should be able to protect themselves.

-Senior Bryan Bordes I don’t think that people should be able to have guns, but the people that want gun control are not educated enough on the subject.

-Junior Faye Cavanaugh

I think it’s a good idea, and everyone should have guns to protect themselves.

-Senior Billy Ngim

If you buy a gun, it should be used for a purpose.

-Junior Annika Meade

16

DESIGN BY ELIZABETH BUSE

How many lives?

G

BY ADAM CHAO

un control is integral to the safety of Americans. Simply put, more gun regulations would reduce the amount of gun deaths. Roughly 175,000 homicides were reported from 1999 to 2013. To put this in to perspective, about 200 Americans go to the hospital every day with gunshot wounds. Compared to other first world countries, America eclipses them in regards to gun violence. America has roughly eight times more gun deaths than its next-door neighbor, Canada. This begs the question: what causes this discrepancy? The answer may sound obvious: the amount of guns owned by Americans. With a rate of 88.8 guns per 100 people, America clocks in with the highest gun ownership rate per capita in the world. The sheer amount of guns that Americans have is a leading catalyst to the amount of gun deaths we have.

So how would I solve this problem? First, I would broaden background checks.

People who struggle with mental health issues should not have access to guns. Rather, they should be admitted to mental institutions and/ or receive medical treatment. There is a direct correlation with mental illness GRAPHIC BY ISABELLE FELTON and gun violence.

No moral person in their right mind would resort to using these weapons to enforce their ideologies. Also, I would bar anyone with a criminal record of any sort to buy a gun. People with criminal records generally lack critical thinking and are not full-functioning members of society.

Owning a firearm should be taken seriously, so the vetting process should be strict and unyielding.

Second, I would implement an all-encompassing ban on assault rifles and military-grade weapons. After the Assault Rifle ban of 1994 expired in 2004, the amount of mass shootings skyrocketed to over double the rate through the following decade. This correlation is inescapable. These mass-murdering machines have no place in our society. It’s more than generous to allow for non automatic weapons. How many more mass shootings have to occur before we make a change?

Third, I would ban high-capacity magazines and bump stocks. There is no reason that a casual gun-owner needs a high-capacity magazine.

More importantly, the banning of these magazines would decrease the rate at which a potential criminal could fire. Additionally, the banning of bump stocks would prevent a criminal from modifying a semi-automatic weapon to an automatic weapon. These simple changes could save countless innocent lives.

In light of all the recent mass shootings, it’s important discuss and reform our gun laws. For true change, rules must be set in place to prevent future tragedies.

Point

It’s my right to own a gun

A

BY KAREN LARIONOVA

fter recent mass shootings in the U.S., legislators have been pressured to toughen up on gun control. However, the people who are pushing for stricter gun laws are ignoring how important guns are to America and its freedoms.

In early November, a Texas shooting rattled the country.

With 26 killed and about 20 more injured, Americans cried out for stricter gun control. However, contrary to what many people believe, the full story is not that a mentally ill person legally obtained guns because the background check weren’t strong enough: He got the gun illegally.

Although gun violence is often perpetrated by legal gun owners, gun violence wouldn’t change much if certain guns are outlawed. Similar to the black market for drugs, those who want to obtain guns would turn to a black market.

Even if gun laws addressed the issue of gun violence, murder rates would not decrease. In 1996, the U.K. underwent a gun ban. Yet, according to The Crux, the murder rates in the U.K. increased by about .15 per 100,000 people every year until 2002.

People used knives and other means of killing others because guns weren’t available.

If people in the U.K. had access to guns to protect themselves from murderers, the murder rate wouldn’t be so high.

Furthermore, the right to own guns is in the U.S. Constitution for the protection of the American people.

The November Texas shooting was stopped when a man threatened the shooter with his legally owned gun. The intimidated shooter stopped firing at innocent people and ran away.

Millions of Americans keep guns in their homes for that same reason.

Some neighborhoods are prone to crime, and it’s crucial that people have access to guns to protect themselves.

Restricting the second amendment is a risky path to go down because eventually people won’t be able to protect themselves or hunt freely. Not only would harsh restrictions on guns do nothing to address the issue of murders in the U.S., but restrictions would defeat the purpose of the second amendment.

Thomas Jefferson once said, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” In the same way, restrictions on gun ownership would destroy the second amendment and our liberty.

Besides, the U.S. has already tried putting restrictions on and even banning alcohol and marijuana. Prohibition in the ‘20s led to a black market for alcohol, and illegal marijuana has also grown the black market for drugs.

Some states are even legalizing recreational marijuana use because it’s safer and cuts down on the number of people who go to prison because of it.

Restrictions won’t work. Legislators should focus on all contributing factors of gun violence to really address the causes of mass shootings. It would be a shame to have irrational fear infringe on our rights.

Counter point

Finding the solution through education

BY EMMA SWANSON Since the Harvey Weinstein scandal it is hard to turn on the news and not hear about the influx of sexual assault accusations made against many influential men. Al Franken, Louis C.K., Matt Lauer, the list just seems to keep growing.

And these stories probably aren’t going to go away anytime soon.

Sexual assault is unfortunately too common in our world. It is estimated by RAINN, an organization working to end sexual assault, that every 98 seconds someone is the victim of sexual assault in the United States.

Shouldn’t people know that forcing yourself on a person is wrong?

There are cases where there can be a gray area, but the accusations made against politicians, actors, and other men of power- groping a stranger, forcibly kissing someone, or just not listening when someone says “no”- are clearly crossing a line.

These things are wrong, and I’m sure many would agree and yet they continue to happen over and over again. So how do we stop sexual assault from happening? Through school.

We are taught about sexual assault for only a week or two in the high school health class we are all required to take, but that’s it. At the middle school we talked about it a little bit but it definitely wasn’t stressed enough for kids to actually remember through their adult lives.

What I do remember hearing a lot about in school was bullying.

We’ve been taught about bullying probably every year since elementary school, but only once or twice has a teacher has actually talked about consent.

And the results of the anti bullying message has been quite positive, at least in Eden Prairie schools. So if teaching kindness towards others helps stop bullying, wouldn’t teaching consent help prevent sexual assault? Teachers having mature conversations about sex more frequently with students and making kids aware of the problems of sexual assault could only help.

Because it is apparent to me that many high schoolers are not prepared to be in healthy relationships. They are still uncomfortable about asking for consent and talking about sex beforehand with a partner. They think it’s awkward, and of course, it can be since a lot of it is firsts, but consent should be a priority and kids still don’t know how to ask for it.

Waiting until high school to teach consent is too late. Some middle schoolers are already having sex and probably only have a limited understanding about how to be safe. They use what they learn from the internet and TV which do not always portray sex in a healthy way.

It is clear there is a problem. It has existed for a long time now, but the rest of the world is finally opening it’s eyes and seeing it for the first time. There is an opportunity to change the way things have been, and it starts by being educated about the problem.

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

17

OPINIONETTES

In b e t w e e n at 1 7

BY INIKA SHETTY

BY BELLA BECK

Why does still growing mean not grown enough?

People are standing in a group discussing a topic they all seem to care about when they turn to me and ask what I think. When I reply that I honestly don’t have an opinion on the matter, I get a look of concern and confusion.

What is the point of dwelling on something that will most likely never really affect you? Why waste your time worrying about how similar your outfit is to another’s? People constantly waste their energy and time worrying or debating topics that I, and I’m sure other people, have a hard time even developing feelings about.

When people force their opinions on me, especially concerning topics I don’t care about, such as politics or other broad spectrum ideas, it does nothing to persuade me. People are taught that the only way to see change is to have an opinion on something, and while that does reign true, not every angsty kid who cares about something is the next Dr. King.

I don’t understand why we are forced to have an opinion on things that don’t really matter. We are constantly told, well if it’s a big enough issue, it’s your right and duty to care. If i don’t know enough about global warming, I’m not going to try and have an opinion. If I know I’m not well versed on a topic, I’m not gonna debate it with you in order for you to feel triumphant in getting your point across.

When discussing trivial things, such as who’s playlist is better or who did something annoying, I find it hard to see the value in wasting my thoughts on such ideas. While trivial is an entirely objective way to describe something, most people would agree that getting worked up over who listened to what band first will not matter when you’re walking across the stage to shake the principal’s hand.

Take value in your time and understand the ephemerality of most issues people feel passionate about.

At seventeen, I stand on the brink of adolescence and adulthood. At seventeen, I still have to ask for permission to use the bathroom but am being prepped to become self-reliant. At seventeen, I am not allowed to vote but am required to pay the taxes deducted from my part-time job. At seventeen, I repeatedly learn about MLA rules but am not taught about basic insurance. At seventeen, I am expected to openly debate universal questions but am questioned on my knowledge of current affairs.

At seventeen, I am pressured to meet new people but am too young to conduct business ventures. At seventeen, my life is full of contradictions and expectations.

I am not a child anymore, yet I have to garner enough wisdom to maneuver the adult world. I am expected to become independent in less than a year yet am confused on how to do my laundry. I crave the stability of home but seek the adventures abroad. In a year, we are expected to put down the baby bottle and button up our dress suits.

Why the sudden change? Why is there no transition? Why are we disregarded as minors until we are able to drink or vote?

Why does still growing mean not grown enough?

High school should be a place to teach independence, not foster dependence. It should begin at fifteen. It should begin when you walk into the school without holding your mother’s hand. It should begin the day you arrive, not the day you leave.

At seventeen, I want to be able to become financially stable. I want to be able to use my voice on a political scale and in the classroom. I want to be able to feel my transition into adulthood as I stop raising my hand and confidently walk to the bathroom.

At seventeen, I still struggle to gain the approval of adults. At seventeen, I am continuously misheard. Or not heard. At seventeen, I continue to tell myself “maybe they will understand next year.”

Hallway jam

BY ISABELLE FELTON

Why is walking through the hallway such a daily struggle?

As a senior, this is my 4th year walking through the halls of EPHS and i’ve experienced many annoying situations throughout my years here as a student. I’ve been bumped into far too many times to count.

This year though, has by far been the worst regarding hallway etiquette. I genuinely think that people just don’t know how to move their bodies through the hallway in a respectful manner. From groups of people standing directly infront of entry ways and doors creating a barrier that is impossible to maneuver around, to walking directly in the middle of the hallway with a friend not caring one bit if you may accidentally slam into oncoming traffic.

The worst area has to be the East doors, near the new commons, there is always a clump of students segregated in this area after 4th ends. This makes it almost impossible to leave the school through these doors without getting blocked or slammed into by fellow students.

Let’s all please just make an extra effort to be self aware while walking through the halls from class to class.

18

Why do you care?

DESIGN BY ADAM CHAO

A lesson for teachers

BY LAUREN MURPHY Bias is inevitable when dealing with human beings because everyone has their own opinions. But teachers should never let it get in the way of the content they are teaching.

It is obvious that many teachers in this school have biases in certain subjects that they teach. However, for students to gain a full understanding of a subject, teachers must teach the hard facts. Sharing of different people’s views must be done objectively, without letting their opinion dominate.

That being said, teachers should still be able to share their opinion. Once the facts are said, if they decide they want to interject their thoughts on the subject, they should feel free to do so.

Students must also be given an opportunity to share their thoughts.

Opinions are a great way to gain a deeper understanding of a subject.

They can open up discussion and stretch the mind of a student. Teachers should be using opinions as a tool to enhance understanding after the initial learning is done.

There is a fine line between what is right and wrong when a teacher shares their bias. Teachers should not let their bias compromise the truth of what they are teaching. They should not force their opinion on the students. Discussion about different opinions should be promoted. A teacher should clearly state whether what they are saying is opinion or fact.

Teachers who teach their bias need to make a change to be more like those teachers who politely share their opinion.

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DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

19

COVER

CLOSIN THE GA

BY KELLY PU

A

THROUGH THE LENS OF

RACE PHOTOS BY EMMA SWANSON, NICOLE RUPPERT AND BELLA BECK GRAPHICS BY EMMA SWANSON AND KELLY PU

“If students walk through our doors immediately disadvantaged because of their race, then you know we have a problem,” said Principal Conn McCartan. Students of color tend to score lower on academic tests, and honors and elective classes lack racial variety in their student makeup.

Certain sports and activities lack diversity. People of color have to grapple with their identity on a daily basis. It’s a constant race… to equality.

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DESIGN BY KELLY PU

ccording to the Minnesota Report Card, on last year’s MCAs, Minnesota’s academic progress tests, less than 50% of Hispanic and African American students at EPHS met academic standards in math, reading and science. In contrast, over 70% of white and Asian students met the standards.

“When we look at all students, 96-98% of students earn a credit bearing grade,” said Principal Conn McCartan. “When we look at various racial sub-groups, it can be 3-7% points lower than that.” MCA scores and the proportion of students earning passing credits are just two indicators of the racial achievement gap.

Looking at academic statistics, graduation rates and more at EPHS, statewide and nationally, black and Hispanic students generally perform lower.

Since the 1970s, the racial achievement gap has narrowed but is still present. According to the Nation’s Report Card, in 1971, the average reading scores of black and Hispanic 17-year olds were 53 and 41 points, respectively, lower than their white counterparts. In 2012, the gap decreased to 26 points for black students and 21 points for Hispanic students.

In addition to the achievement gap, there is often a lack of diversity in classes. In general, there tends to be few black or Hispanic students in honors, AP, and elective classes like choir and band. There also tends to be fewer students of color in classes that require prerequisites.

Junior Saja Osman, a black student, said, “I take a lot of honors and AP classes, so I don’t see that much diversity besides Asians.”

Some students believe the racial achievement gap and lack of racial diversity stem from a difference in motivation among races. While he believes that all students should receive equal treatment and resources, sophomore Liam Miller said, “Any person of any race, if they don’t want to try, that’s their decision, and they’re setting their path for life.”

Others believe racial disparities in education are due to the environment students are in.

“Those statistics [aren’t] really speaking about their intelligence, but it’s more speaking about the situations that they’re in,” said sophomore Jasmine Carter, a black student. She believes that many black students are stuck in a negative cycle of thinking.

“A lot of us grew up with a lot of stereotypes

NG AP

WHITE HISPANIC BLACK

Reading scores TREND IN NAEP READING AVERAGE SCORES FOR 17-YEAR OLD STUDENTS ACROSS THE NATION FROM 1971 TO 2012 SOURCE: NATION’S REPORT CARD

AMERICAN INDIAN/ PACIFIC ISLANDER

0.7%

Graduation rates by race

INSTRUCTIONAL COACH NATASHA MONSAAS-DALY

EPHS by race

RACIAL BREAKDOWN OF OUR 3018 STUDENTS

EPHS CLASS OF 2016 GRADUATION RATES

GRAD.

CONTINUING

DROPPED OUT

2 OR MORE RACES

3.7%

HISPANIC 6.9%

36.7%

ASIAN 11.1%

BLACK 68.8%

29.7%

1.6%

MOLLY HOLLENBECK

WHITE 66.8%

3.3%

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

BLACK 10.8%

HISPANIC 60.0%

WHITE 91.4%

7.3%

0.8%

ASIAN SOURCE: MINNESOTA REPORT CARD

in our head saying like we were stupid or that we were bullies or that we were aggressive or that we weren’t really going to amount to anything,” she said. With these negative thoughts constantly in their minds, these students of color would begin to doubt themselves.

Osman believes it’s a difference in resources.

“Some of the black people from this school don’t have the advantages that all the white people have,” she said. “They don’t have tutors, they don’t have easy transportation, they don’t get to meet after with their teachers all the time.” She credits her family for making her education a priority as a part of her academic success.

Osman also sees the lack of diversity in the staff at EPHS as a contributing factor to racial academic disparities. “It sucks not seeing yourself reflected within the staff,” she said. In Minnesota, only 4% of teachers are of color.

Students think that teachers have a large influence on their lives. “ I was raised [...] with a lot of really kind teachers and a lot of teachers

93.8%

6.3%

0.0%

who would always put lots of love and care into every student or at least a lot of love and care into me,” Carter said.

The teachers and staff at EPHS are trying to create better situations for students of color at school. “When we address the whole class, there are students we leave behind and traditionally those are Hispanic and African American students,” said McCartan. For example, the recent push for personalized learning at EPHS is an effort to reach individual students.

For second quarter, all teachers have specific goals for increasing the pass rate of black and Hispanic students. Teachers meet weekly to review data on students. McCartan hopes

“Those statistics aren’t really speaking about their intelligence, but it’s more speaking about the situations that they’re in.”

that these efforts will access the strengths of every student and make education matter for everyone.

Furthermore, all teachers at EPHS undergo three evaluations annually with peer coaches Stephanie Wheelock and Steve Brothers. Two areas Wheelock and Brothers talk to teachers about are the classroom environment and their instructional practices. They have conversations about how to reach each individual student in classes, and address concerns like “if you have two black students who aren’t performing well in your class, what are you doing instructionally, relationship-wise to reach out and help those students be successful,” said Associate Principal Molly Hollenbeck, “not what are you expecting the students to do.”

Outside of the administration, teachers are also working to improve their classroom environment. Last school year, instructional coach Natasha Monsaas-Daly and Wheelock created story continued on page 22 DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

21

COVER Change Crew to give teachers and staff a place to explore their own beliefs, primarily about race, and challenge themselves to make the school better. “We just wanted to do something that was purposeful and actionable,” said Monsaas-Daly.

Last year, the group was primarily discussion-based. This year, the fifteen to thirty teachers in Change Crew have picked action items personal to their lives to explore and work on “trying to find ways that people are actually doing something that can affect change rather than just sitting and talking about it,” said Monsaas-Daly. “For example, some teachers are giving surveys to their students about representation in courses.

Something being done to increase racial diversity in classes is the introduction of freshman counselor meetings. Every freshman will meet with their counselor to go over their four-year course plan. “It’s an opportunity to say, okay if you’re interested in business track and you want to be in DECA, here are the things you’re going to need to take so that you can plan that out,” said Hollenbeck.

Hollenbeck is trying to personally learn and grow her racial identity. As a white administrator, she said, “My privilege allows me to step into it or stay out of it. And I have to intentionally step into it.” One thing she is doing is meeting quarterly with a group of students from Dare 2 Be Real to listen to what experiences and situations these students have had.

In one of the first conversations she had with the students, the idea of educating staff on microaggressions was brought up. Now, in January, there will be a student-led panel that will hold an “afterschool professional development session for teachers around microaggressions.” Within a day of sending out the sign-up for the session, Hollenbeck saw that over thirty teachers were already registered. “Instead of me meeting with a group of kids and taking that and saying ‘here’s what the students told me,’ I want the teachers to hear the kids,” said Hollenbeck.

Monsaas-Daly agrees with Hollenbeck. She said, “I would like to see more student voice in just how decisions are made from a student perspective because I think we make a lot of decisions in school as educators without kid’s input, and that’s where change is going to happen.”

Ultimately, some see the racial academic disparities as a systematic problem. “I think Eden Prairie Schools, not EPHS, needs to make a concerted effort that the lense of equity is at the forefront of everything we do,” said Monsaas-Daly. Personalized learning, peer coaches, Change Crew, counselor meetings and staff personally trying to become more racially aware are steps toward closing the racial achievement gap and increasing diversity in the classroom.

Whatever it is, many are working and will continue to work to close the gaps.

22

DESIGN BY KELLY PU

WALKING IN SO ELSE’S SHOES

Fo th

BY KAREN LARIONOVA

T

he students in Dare 2 Be Real planned walks around EPHS for staff, school board members and district administration. The walks are designed to show the racial dynamics in the hallways.

I went on the walk during the school day with junior Sarah Elhassan. We embarked on the walk, starting with the “white wall.” Juniors and seniors congested the main hallways that lead to classrooms, the old commons and the north entrance.

Elhassan pointed out that the white wall, commonly known as just “the wall,” looks down upon the diversity of the old commons. The predominantly white students at the wall come in from the A Lot, the most expensive parking lot, and stand near the north entrance.

During the walks, run by Dare 2 Be Real, the teachers “somehow knew about the walls, but they didn’t know all about it,” said junior Dzao Vu, another Dare 2 Be Real member who conducted the walks.

The teachers knew about the negative connotation of the wall, but they were unsure about Top: Old Commons Wall Bottom: New Commons Wall

the reasons why. “Having people in a large group gives them the confidence to do these stupid things that offend people,” said Vu. For example, Elhassan walked with me through the hallway and said, “I’ve experienced firsthand where I’m walking with a friend and they’ll be like ‘Allahu akbar.’” She said instances of harassment, racial or not, are common at the wall.

We moved on to another point of controversy: the Eagle Nation picture by the north entrance. We stared up at it together for a minute before she asked if I wanted to play the “spot the minority game.” Elhassan said, “We can count on our hands the number of minorities you see in this photo.” We counted four people of color.

However, Elhassan and Vu do not have a problem with the picture because it’s accurate.

“It does actually represent us because it’s majority white kids, and it’s a football game,” said Vu. Elhassan and I moved on to the photo above the stairs to the old commons, titled “We Are Eden Prairie.” Out of twelve students, only 5 are white. “That photo is forcing diversity, and that’s the photo I have an issue with,” said Vu. Then, we walked across the school to the east entrance to observe the minority walls:

OMEONE CAUSE AND EFFECT

ollow me on my guided walk hrough the halls and walls

BY KAREN LARIONOVA

“I

t’s difficult being a minority in a majority white school, especially in higher level activities and clubs,” said junior Sarah Elhassan.

Elhassan.

Certain EPHS extracurriculars have a clear racial divide. Coaches and club leaders discuss the causes and effects of If people of color don’t join sports at a young age, it’s nearly impossible for them to join in high school, according to Student Activities Coordinator Mike Grant.. “We want to take down barriers, and there are a lot of barriers for diverse people to be in our programs,”

MIKE GRANT

ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR

black, Hispanic, and Somali. “They weren’t included at the white wall, so they made their own wall,” said Elhassan.

She believes that the minority walls are more inclusive but are still too loud, crowded and segregated. “I appreciate the fact that some of the walls near the new commons were created because they didn’t feel like they belonged,” Elhassan said, “however, it still is segregation.”

Finally, we stopped at the new commons.

Both Elhassan and Vu agree that the old commons has more security guards while the new commons look nicer and more open. “If you sit down here, you will get looked at,” said Elhassan. “It’s not as welcoming as the old commons is, but you also notice that it’s a lot whiter here.”

Even though the new commons is exclusive, the old commons has segregation, too. Vu said that there is a place where the Somali girls sit and a place where the black boys sit, but she thinks “everyone does that.” People always sit with the same friend groups, which is natural, said Vu. I realized that segregation and racial issues are a big part of the social dynamics in EPHS. “The walks demonstrated EPHS life, including race and background, to show adults the best and worst aspects of the school,” said Elhassan.

Diversity in extracurriculars

he said. “Many of the barriers are set up by our youth sports.”

The path of entry starts young in sports.

High school sports are often exclusive because inexperienced students who try out cannot compete with the more experienced students.

“When you get to 9th grade, it’s already too late,” Grant said.

However, it’s difficult for EPHS to control youth sports because most EP children don’t play sports through schools. English teacher and EPHS soccer coach Rob St. Clair said that, although the soccer team has many Latino players, the team lacks Somali representation.

“I think they play soccer, but I don’t think they come out for school soccer,” he said.

Many students go to individual companies for sports and activities. “We don’t have any control over how they promote and how they encourage diversity because they’re literally money-making and for-profit entities,” Grant said. If people of color don’t have access to youth sports, high school sports will inherently be less diverse.

The lack of representation affects even the spectators. “There is not diversity on the fields, but there is in the stands,” said sophomore Sabirin Mahaned.

“We want to take down barriers, and there are a lot of barriers for diverse people to be in our programs. Many of the barriers are set up by our youth sports.”

In clubs, as well sports, racial divides are evident and something that the school hopes to change.

In quiz bowl, for example, diversity is crucial for a widespread knowledge of all of the possible topics in tournaments, said Josh Axtman, English teacher and quiz bowl coach.

The quiz bowl team is predominantly male and Southeast Asian or Indian. However, Axtman said that it’s been hard to encourage diversity.

“It’s harder to be the first in any new place,” Axtman said.

To encourage diversity in the school community, Grant said that he puts people of color in visible positions. During pep fests, for example, Grant usually has people of color

speak. “Strategically, if we do that more and more, we’ll see more and more kids feeling comfortable with saying they want to be part of what this school is,” he said.

The divisions in clubs and sports are not unique to EPHS. “Students tend to gravitate to where they see others like them,” said Axtman.

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

23

COVER

DIVERSIFYING EPHS STAFF FADUMO ABDI

ENGLISH TEACHER

A new teacher representative

BY INIKA SHETTY

I

f students walked into room 211, they would be able to meet our new English teacher Fadumo Abdi. Recently, Abdi has joined Eden Prairie and added a fresh approach to teaching.

Since education is a well-known field dominated by white females, many students lack racial representation among their teachers.

Students of color have approached Abdi addressing their joy of seeing a teacher that resembles them. Abdi described her experience taking on the representation of many students by stating that, “I am happy that I am able to represent Somali or even Muslim students.

However, then I am faced with the burden, so to speak of, of representing all non-white students.” The fact that there are students that come up to Abdi and express their gratitude for her presence shows “that we have a problem if one person is to represent so many different individuals,” said Abdi.

Becoming a teacher can be a difficult path.

There were two reasons that Abdi decided to work towards becoming an educator. One reason went along with her success in academics and her connection with her teachers. “My last year of high school I was bullied, and the thing that gave me solace were my teachers,” explained Abdi, “They made me feel like I belonged to the school, even if no one else believed that. I wanted to be that for someone.”

The second reason she became an educator has to do with her commitment to change.

Abdi moved back to America at age seventeen and was able to understand the connotation of being black in America and how she fit into that dynamic.

She was able to see the penalizations students of color were getting for simply being a

24

DESIGN BY GRETA NESS

“I can understand the experience from a black perspective and an immigrant perspective, but I am not part of one community, I am part of many communities.” person of color. This systematic discrimination manifests in our grades, our suspensions, and our restrictions at Eden Prairie. Abdi believes “in not sending students to restricted or giving them penalizations. Sometimes, the one teacher who lets you be yourself, that is the only place you have that.”

Why are there not more educators of color?

Abdi addressed two potential reasons. Some students may not see the people around them in teacher positions. “If you are looking to adults in your life, if you have no teachers of color, you may think that teaching is a white thing, and that perpetuates the problem,” she said. In addition, people may be intimidated by the potential responsibilities. Some may be tokenized as “the black teacher” and expected to combat racism while setting an example for others.

As an individual, Abdi has many experiences that have given her a special perspective on the world and on being a person of color.

However, “I do not speak for all black people,” stated Abdi, “I can understand the experience from a black perspective and an immigrant perspective, but I am not part of one community, I am part of many communities.”

When it comes to being a teacher, Abdi tries to reach out to all students and get them to be where they need to be. She firmly believes that “everyone student would be willing to do the work if the teacher has put in the work.”

Though Abdi is a person of color and an educator, she is also a multifaceted individual.

Abdi stressed that though race is a large part of who she is, it is not her entire existence.

With continual efforts to diversify the staff and student body at EPHS, future representation looks very promising.

STUDENTS SPEAK UP ABOUT RACE

Q: Are the different walls a good thing?

A: I think the wall is not a race thing but it is

more about class. Most of the wall is based off of people in a certain socioeconomic group and they are at the top of the chain. It is less of a race thing. -Senior Sanjana Seethemraju

A: I think you just hang out with whoever

you hang out with. Mr. McCartan once said to me in class that even if the school is cliché the boundaries are soft. I think it is true, I can talk to anyone I want to but I do not have too.

-Senior Idman Adan

Q: Have you experienced racist indcidents?

A: At CMS, there was a male who made a

comment on my hair and though I do not remember it specifically, I still recall having the white girls around him laughing at me.

-Sophomore Jasmine Carter

A: I grew up in the south and I am a white

girl so things were considerably easier for me then my friends. When I would go shopping with my white friends, the security guards and employees would all be extremely nice and welcoming. When I went with my friends of color, we noticed that they would follow us around and people were giving her dirty looks. So in my personal experience, I have noticed less prejudice in Eden Prairie than in other places.

-Sophomore Gabrielle Pittinger

A: I am white, and I grew up in a private

catholic school that had mostly white students.

When I transitioned to a public school, I got introduced to a whole new range of ethnicities and it was a great experience seeing what other people believe. In my other school, people thought less of people of color and that being white gave them a sense of entitlement. It was an enlightening experience to come here and realize that people are the same no matter what skin color they have or what they believe in.

-Sophomore Amelia Gailloux

A: I am a white male, but I grew up in a bit

of a poorer town, with a lot more culturally diverse areas. I have been able to talk to everybody and I believe you should make friends with everyone you can. -Sophmore Liam Miller

A: I guess I might have more opportunities

and it is not very fair but I think that is how we have been socialized. -Senior Jack Zwettler

FACING RACISM IN THE SUBURBS

JUNIOR

MOLLIE LARSON

A student perspective

BY INIKA SHETTY

A

s soon as she entered the classroom, the racist jokes, the eye-pulling, the bullying, and the verbal abuse began.

Junior Mollie Larson used to attend high school in the Twin City Suburb of Delano, a Caucasian dense town of 5,400 people. As an Asian and an adoptee, Larson faced bullying from a young age.

11.1%

of Asian-American students across the nation that were victims of bullying report being bullied because of their race compared to 7.1 % of black victims 6.2% of hispanic victims and 2.8% of white victims.

SOURCE: INDICATORS OF SCHOOL CRIME AND SAFETY, 2010 REPORT

“People would say random racist things to pretend they are speaking Korean, but they were clearly not,” said Larson. The verbal assault would continue with Kim Jong Un jokes and remarks about her birth parents. As Larson continued throughout her education, the bullying and the hurtfulness increased.

It reached a peak after the election. “My town is very Republican, and [after the elec-

“Here the people do not care about the color of your skin or the shape of your eyes, it is about what is inside of you. It is a completely different environment.” tion] people tried to be more intentionally hurtful than funny,” Larson described.

Recently, race has been a topic of tension United States. Despite the fact that every individual has different experiences, many people still face racism in their daily lives. Mollie Larson is an example of how racial prejudice is not a distant problem, but is present in even suburbia Minnesota.

At a young age, Larson was diagnosed with depression due to the constant racial bullying.

After multiple years of daily racist onslaught, her depression worsened. It was even harder for Larson to come to the conclusion that “it was my friends and the people I knew for years who were bullying me.” After an event in her math class, where a male student harshly criticized Larson’s Korean camps and parents, she was admitted to the hospital. Larson returned to school in January 2016, when she transferred to Eden Prairie.

“I wanted to switch to a bigger school that had more diversity,” said Larson “When I got here, it was not like I stuck out like a sore thumb. People did not even know I was new.”

Larson explained the difference between her old and new high school by stating “here, people do not care about the color of your skin or the shape of your eyes, it is about what is inside of you. It is a completely different environment.”

When she first came to the school, she took pictures of the things around school that promoted different racial backgrounds. “The murals, the paintings, and the posters, Eden Prairie does such a good job of making people feel welcome and accepted,” said Larson. For her, the acceptance she faces and the diversity within EPHS’s halls is a “cherry on top” of the quality of education and the staff present.

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

25

OFFCOURT WITH OLVIER Put some respect on Baker Mayfield’s name

BY OLIVER TAYLOR When discussing the best quarterbacks in this year’s draft, you can expect to hear about the likes of Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. Astoundingly, the most dominant quarterback in college football rarely makes an appearance in that conversation.

Enter Baker Mayfield, who should be the first quarterback taken in the 2018 NFL Draft. Mayfield, is a finalist for the prestigious Heisman Trophy and lead Oklahoma to the 2nd seed in the college football playoffs.

Mayfield has enjoyed a phenomenal senior season, highlighted by his 41-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Furthermore, Mayfield had 4,340 passing yard at a 71% clip. Mayfield’s production on the field is indisputable, but his reputation off the field and questionable behavior hurts his draft stock.

In February, Mayfield was arrested in Arkansas for public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and fleeing. Mayfield pleaded guilty to all of the charges as a part of a plea bargain agreement.

On November 18, Oklahoma throttled Kansas 41-3. Mayfield posted 257 yards through the air and had 3 touchdowns. Before the game, Mayfield offered a handshake to Kansas’ captain. Kansas’ captains stonewalled Mayfield, not even acknowledging his offer. Mayfield laughed, presumably aware of the onslaught that was coming.

However, during the third quarter, Mayfield let his emotion get the better of him. Mayfield looked towards the Kansas sideline and grabbed his crotch. As a result, he was benched for the first drive of Oklahoma’s next game against West Virginia.

Turning 23 shortly before the draft, Mayfield is still a young man with plenty of learning to do. By no means should his actions be condoned, but his honesty about his regret is proof that he will learn from his mistakes, tweeting after the Kansas incident that he vows to “earn your respect back and prove that that I can handle myself in every situation, on and off the field.”

Senior draft analyst Charlie Campbell spoke with an anonymous general manager. The general manager claimed to have a 4th round grade on Mayfield. Campbell further cited that a college scouting director thinks that Mayfield’s footwork in the pocket is horrendous.

The blatant disrespect for Mayfield’s glaring ability is beyond perplexing.

The Dolphins have to rely on Ryan Tannehill, who has been mediocre at best throughout his career and will turn 30 before the start of next season, to make a full return to form from reconstructive ACL surgery. The Jets’ current starting quarterback is 38 years old and is on an expiring contract. The Bills have shown a complete lack of faith in Tyrod Taylor. The Broncos haven’t been able to get any sort of production out of Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler or Paxton Lynch.

Those are only a handful of teams across the league that are in desperately need of some fresh blood at quarterback, and Baker Mayfield has a better on-field résumé than any other quarterback available.

26

DESIGN BY SOPHIE BRANDSER

When the mind duels the body

BY OLIVER TAYLOR

T

here’s a certain routine associated with an injury.

A trip to the hospital, a diagnosis, a recovery period and rehabilitating accordingly. Yet, there’s a far more intense process involved.

Tackling the mental hurdles that come with an injury can be just as grueling as the physical therapy.

There are instances where a person can’t return to their prior physical ability, which is something that goes far deeper than any scar tissue or repaired bone.

Junior Daejon Wolfe-Brusehaver tore his labrum and required surgery. As a result, Wolfe-Brusehaver was forced to sit out of the football team’s state championship winning run. Wolfe-Brusehaver has been dealing with depression due to not being able to play. Wolfe-Brusehaver is a three months away from making a full recovery.

Sophomore Chloe Skogg, on the JV swim and dive team, suffered a hip stress fracture last season. As a result, Skogg missed a month of swim. During her recovery period, Skogg became the de facto team manager.

While being hurt, Skogg experienced a variety of emotions regarding her own physical health and her time away from the pool. “I was enjoying it because I could come home and do all my homework. But by the end of the third week, it was

more of ‘could I just go back now?’ or ‘could I just swim through it?’ I felt fine,” Skogg said.

Her physical recovery went swimmingly, but there were moments afterwards where Skogg would question herself. “I really wanted to go back, of course, but at the same time, I was a little hesitant when I started swimming again because I could very well hurt it again,” Skogg said. Skogg hasn’t had any complications with her hip injury since.

Shortly after, Skogg was involved in a serious car accident, injuring her back and neck. In an ironic twist of fate, Skogg’s stress fracture came back to help her. “I understood that recovery would take time and everything I was doing was going to help it, but I just had to wait,” Skogg said.

Sophomore Abbey Rivers severely injured her shoulder while playing lacrosse. Rivers would feel inflammation down to her sternum and lungs, making it impossible to sleep at night and forcing her to miss days of school.

To this day, Rivers associates hesitation with her shoulder. Rivers described her clash with being “more nervous about carrying stuff and doing certain things,” but is thankful for now being more conscious about her shoulder and body.

With every injury comes struggles individualized to whoever suffered it, but one constant is the battle within their own mind.

Junior Daejon Wolfe-Brusehaver injured on the sideline at the state tournament.

PHOTO BY BELLA BECK

SPORTS

Winter sports

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MURPHY

Photo highlights of some of the winter sports.

More sports will be featured in our February issue.

8th grader Nia Holloway shooting a free throw.

Senior captain Isy Obiazor “I think we’re doing a lot better than we have been in the past and we play much more like a team.

We’re working towards our goal of getting a couple wins and hopefully we can get to the state tournament.”

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

27

SPORTS

“It’s crazy how close our team is. You can hear everything we say in the locker room in our coach’s room, and I know they hear way more than they want to.”

Crystalyn Hengler on the Girls Hockey Team fights for the puck.

PHOTO BY NICOLE RUPPERT

Senior captain Alexa Dobchuk

Carson Jones races towards the action on the ice.

28

DESIGN BY NICOLE RUPPERT

PHOTO BY EMMA SWANSON

Senior captain Andrew Erwin “I think we will learn and continue to get better and surprise some people.”

Cathleen Ho is lifted into the air during the fall pepfest.

PHOTO BY NICOLE RUPPERT

Senior captain Audrey Hallen “Since you throw each other during stunting, you have to have a lot of trust in your teammates, and there’s no one I trust more than these girls.”

“We’ve got a great group of guys on the team this year and we think we can do something special.”

Sophomore Connor Christensen blocks an incoming shot.

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

PHOTO BY NICOLE RUPPERT

Senior captain Chase Nerison

29

SPORTS

“We’re already improving from last year, and were improving so much meet to meet.

There’s a good vibe this year, I have high hopes.”

PHOTO BY BELLA BECK

Senior captain Ellie Kronlokken

Senior Elizabeth Buse awaiting results.

Senior Anna Pecci does a back hand-spring.

30

DESIGN BY BELLA BECK

PHOTO BY BELLA BECK

Junior captain Laura Devine “We still have skills to add and people who can do more, so I think our scores can only go up from here.”

Sophomore Carter Doolittle springs into action.

PHOTO BY LAUREN MURRPHY

Senior captain Adam Nik “We have a great young team and it’s going to be very exciting to start competing over the next few weeks.”

“We’re starting off rough, but I think we will get it straightened out in the end. We should be going to state this year.”

PHOTO BY EMMA SWANSON

Junior captain Jahsa Rankins

Junior Azi Rankins grapples at practice.

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

31

PROFILE

Creating a message

stitch by stitch A

PHOTOS AND STORY BY EMMA SWANSON

needle is brought back and forth through the fabric of a T-shirt, until slowly letters start to form with every stitch: “GRL PWR.” Seniors AJ Kraemer, Allison Nguyen, and Georgia Hughes were assigned the Thinker Project in their honors English 12 class. For the project they needed to pick a topic related to something they had learned in class and present their research. But along with teaching the their information to the class, they also needed to create some sort of risk-taking product and relate it to feminism, the topic that they chose.

At first they struggled with thinking of something to create.

“Me and Georgia actually Googled ‘feminist crafts’ we were so desperate,” Kraemer said. Soon they found inspiration right in the school halls. Kraemer saw a student walk by wearing an embroidered shirt, and thought that it “would be really cool if we could somehow do that sort of thing.”

Since none of the girls knew how to embroider initially, they had no idea how long it would take to create the shirts or how they were going to turn out. It was a task they weren’t sure they could accomplish, but they decided to go for it.

They have made a variety of designs, all with different feminist sayings. On the back of her shirt Nguyen said she embroidered, “‘Girls just want to have fundamental rights.’” They have also made many of the GRL PWR shirts.

When they started embroidering, “it was easier than I thought it would be,” Hughes said. “But it’s really time consuming.” They estimate it can take anywhere from an hour to three hours depending on the shirt.

They learned as they went, occasionally making a mistake or two along the way. “You kind of get into a rhythm and it’s all good but then I think a few times we’ve stitched the shirt to itself,” Kraemer said. She said Hughes once stitched a shirt to her tank top.

The shirts turned out nicely for their project, but other students also wanted a shirt for themselves.They decided to sell them, at first only taking a few orders from close friends due to their busy

32

DESIGN BY EMMA SWANSON

schedules.

However, now they hope to start taking more orders and embroidering more shirts. In the future they “might come up with something more official for people to order them,” said Hughes.

Currently the girls have been having people contact them and telling them what size and color of shirt they would like and what they want embroidered on it.

So far they have sold about fifteen shirts, each for $15, but they plan to donate the money they make not going towards supplies.

They have not decided where to donate yet, but they are thinking a local charity that focuses on women’s issues.

It might have been challenging at first but Hughes feels that “it’s just been a really fun way to do something that’s giving back.”

Interested in purchasing a shirt? Email Hughes at ghughes1027@gmail.com. Let them know the shirt size and color you would like and what you want embroidered on it.

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

33

FEATURE

The daily grind

Coffee shop suggestions in the Twin Cities area URBAN BEAN 822 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55405

PHOTOS AND STORY BY KIRA PARRINGTON As winter is quickly approaching it’s always a good idea to have a tasty place to get winter drinks and treats. In the Twin Cities area there are many amazing places for treats and hot cocoa or coffee.

Urban Bean is a modern coffee shop in with a very neat yet comfortable feel. Their menu has many options drinks but are well known for their speciality drinks.

There is a lot of natural lighting and along with the white walls the whole place is sunny and bright. There are a wide variety of sconces and croissants to get along with your hot chocolate or coffee.

Urban Bean on Lake Street only has indoor seating but there is plenty of room and tables. The modern and simple artwork really ties together the Urban feel.

VICINITY COFFEE 3350 Lyndale Ave S.Minneapolis, MN 55408 Vicinity Coffee is a local coffee shop in the southside neighborhoods of Uptown. The beautiful silver detailed ceiling pulls together the entire ambiance of the place.

If you are looking for a quiet place to work, there is a comfortable back room with couches and a hightop table. It is a great place to go when you also have large groups. The drinks brewed there are from fresh ground beans made right in front of you.

The friendly workers are always there to help if you have any questions. It’s a great place to get your work done or catch up with old friends.

URBAN BEAN

STUDIO 2 818 West 46th, in South Mpls

34

Located on a corner street of the small neighborhoods in South Minneapolis is Studio 2 Cafe. There is indoor and outdoor seating. The walls of Studio 2 are covered with beautiful locally made pieces of art. The cozy ambiance is a fantastic place to go for breakfast with friends or to study alone.

There is a large glass garage door wall that opens on when the weather permits that lets a natural breeze into the cafe. Studio 2 is most well known for their food and bakery items. If you prefer something other than coffee, the homemade chai tea is extremely delicious. If you are looking to visit the weekends would be the time to do it.

There are live local bands and performers almost every weekend that are a delight to go and see.

DESIGN BY KIRA PARRINGTON

STUDIO 2

Winter things to do

BY ELIZABETH BUSE

zle

z a d i Holl

qd

November 24- December 23 Thursdays through sundays Loring Park, Minneapolis Free and open to all ages

ICE CASTLES Stillwater, MN Tickets sold online Enchanted Frozen Sisters: Fri-Sat 12-5pm Fire Shows: Friday-Saturday 6-9pm

A Christmas

Carol November 14- December 30 Guthrie Theater, Saint Paul Tickets sold online

Loyce Houlton’s

Nutc racke r Fantas y

ICE SKATE

MN DANCE THEATRE December 15-23 State Theatre, Minneapolis Tickets: State Theatre Box Office 1-800-982-2787

ry s A Veic Christma

r Elect

December 28, 7:30pm Lightwire Theater, Burnsville Tickets range from $30-75

Opens Friday, December 24 Central Park of Maple Grove Monday-Friday 4-9pm Satuday-Sunday 10am-9pm

European Christmas Market

MACYS

Santa Land November 24 - December 24 Macy’s Herald Square, 8th floor Free Admission

Dec 1 - 3 and 8 - 10 Union Depot East Plaza, Saint Paul

POLAR Wellsfargo DASH Winterskate

FREE ICE SKATING LESSONS

Wigington Pavilion, Saint Paul January 1 Half Marathon - 8am, 10K - 9am 5K - 10:30am, 1800M - Heat 1 - 11:15am

December: 2, 9, 16 January: 13, 20, 27 Session I: 11:00 – 11:30am Session II: 11:30am – 12pm

Disney on Ice

Frozen

February 28 - March 4 Target Center, Minneapolis Ticket can be bought online

f o s Saint Paul Flower or l o e TUBING C atur qeriopadf N y Jo Winter Carnival Shows d an

SNOW

Hyland Hills Ski Area, Bloomington Buck Hill, Burnsville Wild Chutes Snow Tubing, Taylor Falls

November 24 - January 1 Minnesota Landscape Aboretum Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

January 25 -February 10 Rice Park and Landmark Center, Saint Paul

December 2 - January 7: Holiday show January 13 - March 11: Winter show Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, Saint Paul

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FEATURE

Gift of giving e u q i Bout ping shop

Homade

582 Prairie Center Dr #223, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952) 944-2443

Style Hunt 266 Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331 (612) 240-4689

Patina

16502 W 78th St, Eden Prairie, MN 55346 (952) 406-8443

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DESIGN BY ELIZABETH BUSE

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STORY & PHOTOS BY SOPHIE BRANDSER

ooking for the perfect gift for someone special? There are plenty of places to buy gifts. But the most meaningful gifts can come from unique shops around the twin cities. Some boutiques in the area include Homade, Patina and Style Hunt.

Homade is located in the strip mall near the Eden Prairie Center. This little store has a plethora of crafty gifts and decorations. This store has candy, jewelry, notebooks, water bottles, and much more. This store offers home items such as pillows, blankets, wall décor and other decorative items. Homade also holds a craft room, which can be rented out for parties.

During the holiday season at Homade, they sell a variety of seasonal items. They sell seasonal candies from Sugarfina such as the Gingerbread Cookies, Reindeer Noses and Sugar Cookies. Homade also carry bath bombs from Da Bomb that are Christmas themed. These items are perfect stocking stuffers. They also have multiple wall décor items, and glassware for the holiday season.

Patina recently opened in the Prairie Village Mall next to Kowalski’s in Eden Prairie. This boutique has home décor such as rugs, wall art, and other sorts of embellishments; It has home items like dishes and placemats. Patina sells Minnesota clothing, hats and accessories. It also offers crafty things, such as games and coloring books. The range of items in this store will insure that you find the perfect gift.

Some holiday gifts from Patina include unique ornaments and seasonal smelling candles. This store also has cozy blankets and pillows for the winter season. Patina has lots of home decorations such as stockings and snow globes. The store incorporates a very rustic

Style Hunt

Homade theme into all of their items. Walking into this store will definitely get you in the holiday spirit.

Located in Excelsior, Style Hunt is a newly opened store. Style Hunt mainly sells clothing and accessories. This store offers some cool vintage clothing and accessories, as well as fresh new items. Their items are hand picked and extremely stylish. There are also some home and decorative items at this store.

When I walked into this store I was offered a warm drink. This immediately made my shopping experience better. The small action of them giving me a free drink made me feel welcome, and encouraged me to want to look around the store. During the winter season, they offer stylish hats, sweaters and much more.

The items found at this store are always high quality and will definitely be in style.

At all of these stores, I was very impressed by how welcoming and kind the employees of the store were. Holiday shoppers are bound to find the perfect gift at one of these stores because they have so many options.

“ The range of

items in this store will insure that you find the perfect gift ”

Seasonal changes are more than just weather

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BY GRETA NESS

or some, the transition into the winter months means more than just adjusting to the cold weather, but adjusting to a new mindset. The colder temperatures and short hours of light are a few reasons why people who live in the northern climates may start to feel down during the winter. Estimates show that 1 in 10 Minnesotans suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), otherwise known as seasonal depression.

This type of depression can happen in the summertime, but it is more common during the winter. Symptoms of seasonal depression are very similar to the ones of major depression such as excessive tiredness, feeling down and drowsy, and losing interest in things. “I start to get feelings of hopelessness as the weather gets colder, and a lot of dissociation,” said senior, Lizzie Arnold. Young people often have a hard time balancing things as they are, but SAD makes it that much harder.

Students who struggle with seasonal depression may have a harder time staying motivated inside and outside of the classroom. “Often times I have no desire to do anything, and it becomes really hard to focus on things and do homework.” said senior Smith. Too much time spent sitting in classes can cause students to feel unfocused and makes people’s minds wander.

People may cope differently with seasonal depression, but a common way is through light therapy. Light GRAPHIC BY GRETA NESS therapy boxes are designed for someone to sit or work by the lamp. The light given off emulates natural outdoor lighting to boost your mood and ease other symptoms.

Another way to help is to be active; doing things outside is a great way to keep moving and get some sunlight. “I am always involved in a winter activity and keep myself as busy as possible,” Smith said. It is important to find a hobby and maintain a schedule to avoid too much down time and sitting. “I knit a lot, I like to find crafts that I can do to keep myself busy,” said Arnold. Staying busy is a key factor in coping with seasonal depression.

The winter months are long in the Minnesota, and at times it may feel never ending. A piece of advice from Smith is to “surround yourself with good people and communicate with your family and friends. People get it.” Seasonal depression is a common thing, and people affected by it should not feel alone or ashamed of what they are going through.

RUPPERT’S RARELY SEEN The Arts and the Oddities

BY NICOLE RUPPERT Over ten years ago, a show entitled ‘Oddities’ appeared on the Discovery Channel. The show followed the three store owners of Obscura Antiques, the most well-known oddities shop in all of New York. And while the unusual program was directed at a different audience, my father and I were some of the most avid watchers of the series. We were allured by the bizarre show and intrigued by the strange items each new episode brought.

At the time, I was under the impression that Obscura Antiques was the only oddities store around. After all, the thought of a place where you could purchase two-headed sheep and retired marionettes was a little unsettling.

However, once the show ended three years ago, the thought of an oddities shop rarely crossed my mind. That is, until I had found myself in the small neighborhood of payne-phalen.

The small area was littered with life and small shops. There was no Target or brand-names businesses, instead Payne-Phalen was packed tight with quaint stores, that focused on necessities and were decorated in bright lights by the shopkeepers nearby. One store stood out with its large banner looming above. The dark colors of the shop almost concealed it among the other rustic colored boutiques that surrounded it. Studio Payne’s door was covered with decorative designs and stickers to lure customers inside, using dark colors to embellish the store’s name written in vibrant gold.

Upon entering the store, I was intrigued by how many things were placed inside the small space. Two levels were stocked full of items for purchase, as well as admiration. One level was decorated in vintage cameras that had been long forgotten by time, alongside VHS cassette tapes that could be bought for a dollar each.

There were many paintings and digitally enhanced artworks that were displayed on the walls, each vastly different from the other. Unlike most paintings and photographs you could find anywhere else, there were no photographs of landscape or the large buildings. Instead, Studio Payne boasted artwork that envisioned a warped reality. Humans were no longer beautiful, but rather selfish and obscene creatures. Works captured the darker side of our humanity, something unseen in usual art galleries.

While staring at the works, I hadn’t even noticed a pair of green eyes gazing at me. A black cat, lovingly named Nightmare, had perched upon the ledge next to me. Not only that, but another cat had wandered from the back room and into the workplace. While there was a sign on the front saying that the employees didn’t bite, I had assumed that it was not literal.

While I am an animal lover, I was intrigued by the vast assortment of animal skulls they had in stock. Not only that, but multiple animals were mounted and displayed throughout the second floor. Each piece flaunted the highest care, with no flaws or cracks shown on each specimen.

Studio Payne doesn’t hide its oddities, and this peculiar shop displays a lot of eccentric items for purchase. Colorful insect taxidermy was placed on shelves, a hulking tortoise skeleton stood in front of the cash register, a few jars kept preserved rats, and I even managed to find a prosthetic leg somebody had donated.

Studio Payne 1129 Payne Ave, St Paul, MN 55130 Open Thursdays-Saturdays 12-6p.m., Sundays 12-5p.m.

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

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PHOTO ESSSAY

All a glow

PHOTOS BY GRETA NESS

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DESIGN BY ELIZABETH BUSE

DECEMBER 2017 | theeyrie.org

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