GUN LAWS

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School shootings fail to spark gun law change

BY DANIELLE JOHNSON I n the two years since the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, there has been alarmingly few nation-wide laws passed regarding gun control.

In the years prior to the Parkland shooting, the laws in Florida were pretty lackluster, and the state did not have nearly enough to keep its people safe. Florida did not have a requirement for an owner license, no state permit required for gun purchase and no specific assault weapon laws. Since the horrific shooting, there have been multiple laws passed, mostly at the state level and still very few nationally.

One law passed in Florida in the wake of the shooting was named the “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.” This law raised the age of purchasing guns from 18 to 21, banned people “mentally defective” from buying a gun and banned bump stocks. This law is something the state of Florida should have had in place far before this tragedy occurred. Banning things like bump stocks, which make guns much more deadly, and having the age to purchase a gun be 21 seem like very obvious things to have in place. Why should someone not be able to drink alcohol, but able to own a gun?

Multiple other states such as New York, Vermont, California and Louisiana have also passed gun control legislation in response to the shooting. It really frustrates me that something so awful has to happen to have anyone turn an eye and make a change. Lawmakers should be protecting the public's safety so things like this don't happen at all, not just in response to when tragedies do occur.

Trump has repeatedly voiced his support for passing “sensible” gun laws, yet nothing has been passed. The president should take action to get the laws he supposedly supports passed.

Something positive that came out of something so awful has been the March For Our Lives movement. This movement has been one of the most inspiring and impactful movements teenagers have ever started.

This movement was started by a small group of survivors from the shooting that has now become a nationwide movement supported by celebrities, politicians and students from all over the world.

The Parkland shooting has been one of the biggest tragedies the United States has ever seen, and even with the multiple state laws passed since the shooting two years ago, there has been an extreme lack of national gun control. That needs to be changed.

The birth lottery should not be a factor in college admissions

DESIGN BY KATHERINE KREGNESS

BY KATHERINE SUN N ewborns have no control over what family they are born into or what political climate they appear in. Newborns can’t choose their family’s socioeconomic status or race. They simply are what they are. Yet, in college admissions, some high schoolers are being punished for their low-income or minority backgrounds. Applying for post-secondary education is becoming a fight against the odds–a fight against nature. Because of this, college admission policies that attempt to eliminate preference for factors entirely determined by the birth lottery are essential for achieving fair admissions. Without these policies, society would severely limit its intellectual and social potential.

Students from low-income backgrounds are underrepresented in selective universities. In 2002, students from families in the bottom economic quartile comprise only three percent of enrollment in the most competitive schools, while those from the top economic quartile comprise 72 percent. In recent years, little has changed. A 2017 New York Times reported that across thirty-eight colleges, students from the top one percent constitute more of the student body than those from the bottom sixty percent. These stagnant figures are evidence of the problematic socioeconomic stratification present in postsecondary institutions.

As high-achieving, low-income students are denied the world’s top educational opportunities, society suffers an unfavorable loss in potential ideas, efforts and progress. If our nation is constantly searching for more advancements, then why are we denying the brightest and most diverse minds the initial step towards their future?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is complex. The college admissions process is a black box, and there are many elements that stir within it. Despite the benefits of policies like affirmative action, which have not been very effective, low-income students still face many factors that favor wealthier applicants. Academic assessments, preference for demonstrated interest, early action/decision and legacy preference are some of these factors.

Prioritizing academic assessment has harmed low-income students, especially since 76 percent of the US’ most selective universities filter applications through an initial academic review to reject students who seemingly are not capable of handling the institution’s academic rigor. High-achieving, low-income students generally have less access to college prep courses, such as Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes.

As for standardized test scores, it’s no surprise that high-achieving students from the wealthiest families are twice as likely to have taken SAT preparatory courses or tutoring as those from the poorest families. Although free resources like Khan Academy have been aiding many students who cannot afford private tutoring, they lack the personalized feedback and explanations that private services offer. Because of something uncontrollable like family income, many students will never get the chance to be viewed as more than just a number.

For Ivy League schools, early admission rates are three to five times higher than regular rates. However, low-income students are half as likely to apply early because their families are unable or hesitant to commit to the cost of a school. It seems that colleges are more concerned with profit and maintaining high yield rates to gain prestige than blatantly disadvantaging a significant group of students.

And out of all these factors, legacy preference is probably the most unfair. Over 80 percent of highly selective universities consider legacies. Since legacies are disproportionately wealthy and white, legacy preference has been called, “affirmative action for the rich.” Legacy admissions are enabling parents to buy their children’s way into universities and manipulate the odds of acceptance–a fundamental breach in ethics and equality.

All in all, the fairness of college admissions depends on students, families, and institutions acknowledging the current

As high-achieving, low-income students are denied the world’s top educational opportunities, society suffers an unfavorable loss in potential ideas, efforts and progress. underrepresentation of low-income students in selective institutions and the on-going bias embedded within admissions factors. A successful solution should include policies that remove preferences for the wealthy, a means of redefining merit, and an effective financial aid policy.

No one chooses what conditions they are born into, so colleges should not discriminate based on disadvantages that are wholly out of a student’s control. Selective universities, which hope to produce the world’s new wave of leaders and innovators, should recognize the unlocked opportunity in supporting high-achieving, low-income students. Let us live in a society where potential is independent of socioeconomic status.

25 THE END OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

BY SYDNEY LEWIS

BY KATHERINE KREGNESS

Slacktivism is the practice of supporting a political or social cause by means such as social media or online petitions, characterized as involving very little effort or commitment. The United Nations has defined slacktivism as when people “support a cause by performing simple measures” but “are not truly engaged or devoted to making a change.”

That in of itself is an oxymoron considering the definition of activism is the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change. Activism is about going out of your way to make change, not doing the bare minimum to feel good about yourself.

Social media activism can be beneficial to a movement--in moderation. It can spread awareness, mobilize a base and encourage people to take action. But the fact remains, social media activism is only the first step of many in the efforts to progress a movement.

The dangers of slacktivism allow supporters of an issue to take a couple of seconds to repost and never have to worry about it again because they have “done their part.” With no skin in the game or personal risk, supporters can stay within the safe confines of their homes and say they tried when their efforts fail to make change.

A constant flow of awareness posts and screenshotted headlines can sometimes be even more harmful to a movement than it is helpful. When a person scrolls through twelve or thirteen pictures of crying parents and floods a day, it’s far too easy to become desensitized.

Consumers become accustomed to the disasters from the safety of their Instagram pages, and find it far too easy to click past without a second thought. This blatant acceptance for global atrocities allows for genocide, famine and bigotry to go unchecked, while protesters are left scrambling to find people still horrified by the headlines and willing to take meaningful action.

Actual lawmakers are far less likely to respond to a viral post with bold actions than they would be if faced with large-scale traditional civil disobedience, demonstrations, or advocacy. Sure, a viral post placing pressure upon an elected official may help to bring an issue to light or discourage stalling, but the number of likes is unlikely to dictate a shift in policy stance.

Slacktivism doesn’t allow for a voter (or non-voter at that) to back up their words with actions. It’s easy to repost a picture of bamboo straws and call yourself a climate activist, but graphic T’s and ableist plastic-shaming won’t create the real structural change necessary to progress the cause.

Every non-Trump supporter has a line that the president either has crossed or will cross. For some, it was when he was elected. For some, it was when he said you could grab women by the p----. For some, it was when the Mueller Report was released. For some, it was when he was impeached by the House of Representatives. For me, it is when he attempts to run for a third term.

Yes, his presidency is illegitimate and his second term probably will be too, but those two are still within the confines of the Constitution. If President Trump attempts to campaign for a third term, he will be breaking the constitution. His supporters will undoubtedly follow him and urge him to act as the Commander in Chief for another four years.

If he attempts to make such political strides, he will be met with a constitutional crisis. He will be in direct violation of the 22nd amendment which states that a President may serve for no more than two terms. In such a case, the American people and the supreme court will be forced to make a decision. Will the Supreme Court uphold the word of the Constitution that they have sworn to protect? In my opinion, the answer is no.

We can assume that in the next four years Ruth Bader Ginsberg and potentially other Supreme Court Justices will no longer be alive. This will give the Executive the power to appoint far-right justices that will allow him to run for a third term.

While news outlets and many democrats talk about Russian interference in the 2016 election, Donald Trump attempts to convince the American public that Ukraine was indeed the one who interfered. This line of reasoning could give the Supreme Court, Donald Trump and his supporters the reasoning they need to demand a third term.

Trump and his administration are already frequent discreditors of the press, with NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly as their latest prey. Once Trump’s incompliance to freedom of the press becomes blatant suppression of thought, our democracy will be broken.

At this point, you may think I’m a conspiracy theorist. I’ll admit, these ideas are not for certain, but they are a possibility of what the next eight years hold. SLACKTIVISM

Of course I’m going to judge you

BY SHARON MICHAEL

Telling a person to not judge others makes no sense. Seriously, it’s like asking someone to look at words and not read them. It’s impossible. Just as meeting a new person and making zero internal judgements about them is. Of course, harsh judgement for the purpose of exclusion and hurt should not occur, but it’s human nature to judge and it shouldn’t be looked down upon. Judgement is necessary, without it, our society may become one wherein everything is permissive and nothing is wrong. Nowadays, many people tend to clump all judgement- good and badunder one banner of “wrong.” It’s come to a point where we no longer see any good in the word “judgement.” And I don’t think that’s okay. What I do think is okay, however, is to be a judgemental person.

Restricted is a joke

BY JADAN FIX

Restricted study is a joke. People have said when you walk in there and all of the students are either watching Netflix or on their phone. Every student I have talked to who has been in restricted says it’s not even a punishment. It is just an extra time to get work done or watch netflix before you go home. People are always talking to each other or the security guards who sit in there. There are always people who walk in and out of the room, and it is never really silent in there. There really is not even any punishment behind having restricted. I don’t know why anyone would complain about having restricted since you literally get to watch Netflix for an hour.

We’re all going to die

BY KATHERINE KREGNESS

So the world is ending. This is not news. We are all very much aware. The real question is this: how are we all going to die? What will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back? Will it be famine? Floods or droughts? Wildfires like the ones destroying Australia? Volcanoes and earthquakes? All very plausible answers, yes. But all wrong. It will be disease. Specifically, the plague. Just take a moment to think about it. Both 1820 and 1920 had massive and widespread plague outbreaks. Well here we are in 2020. What are we waiting for? With the anti-vax movement on the rise, it was honestly just a matter of time. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2020 is the year of the rat. Coincidence? I think not. Time to get vaccinated, folks!

Edit: I wrote this opinionette in early January, before the coronavirus was frequently talked about. Well now look where we are. Not to say I told you so but...

Where identity and music meet

BY MANEEYA LEUNG

List all the Asian-American music artists you know. (That’s Asian-American. So cross it out if it’s k-pop, sorry). Cross them out if they’re male. Now cross them out if they’re half-white. I’d be surprised if you had more than three left. That’s how many match what I see as two large parts of my identity: my race and gender.

My identity is composed of so many different factors. Although race and gender are very surface-level ways of seeing it, sometimes that surface-level view is all I and other people need to either set me apart or group me with others.

When I make an effort to listen to an artist, which in my eyes is the same as supporting an artist, I want to support more people that share my identity. It seems inconsequential, but one day I hope listeners of every race and culture will be able to discover music by artists that share their roots.

L i v i n g w i t h L i f e 3 6 0 FIRST PERSON

BY DANIELLE JOHNSON

Life360 is probably one of the most annoying parts of my life. Life360 is an app that is basically like Find My Friends, a tracking app, but with more features. The app tells you what battery percentage everyone in your “circle” is at, how fast they are driving and the exact driving route they take, where they are, and if your parents are feeling really adventurous, they can get the premium version that costs money with even more features.

I know a lot of my friends and their families use the app as well so it’s nice to know its not just a me thing. My family has had Life360 for about two years now and although my parents usage of it has gotten a lot better, it’s still annoying.

I think the height of my parents’ use of the app was when I got my license last year, and they would see how fast I was going. I am not very good at going the speed limit, which they knew, and they would text me to slow down while I was driving. Texting someone while they are driving with the intention of getting them to drive safer seems slightly ironic, but what do I know.

They can see where I am at all times, so if I was somewhere I wasn’t supposed to be they would know. I know that both speeding and being places you aren’t supposed to be are bad, but I feel like these are normal teenage things that don’t need to be monitored.

Teenagers need handle the consequences of their own decisions if they choose to make ones that aren’t the best. It made me feel like I was having all my freedom taken away from me when I was supposed to be having more of it than ever. I have talked to them a lot about the app since then and how it makes me feel like they don’t trust me, and it has gotten a lot better since then. I don’t get talked to about about my driving anymore which is definitely a plus.

I get why people’s parents, including my own, want their children to have the app.The safety purposes make sense to me and just making sure everyone in your family is where they are supposed to be in case of an emergency is a good idea in theory, but with the driving and more advanced features I feel like the app gets toxic. What is the point of being able to see how fast my dad is going on Highway 5?

Some kids, including myself, also find ways to be able to mess around with the app and make their locations settings different, so it honestly just makes kids even more sneaky with their parents, which the app is trying to prevent anyways. I think if parents want to get the app to use with their kids, they can, but they need to know how to not violate their kid’s freedom and respect their boundaries. As the slogan says, “Feel free, together.”

EDEN PRAIRIE GYMNASTICS

The Eagles are getting ready for sections this upcoming Friday. Get to know more about these hardworking athletes.

BY GRACE PETERSON

Eden Prairie Gymnastics competes under the Minnesota State High School League. As a team, their main goal is to beat out their section and make it to state. They have to practice almost 15 hours a week, so another goal is to have fun while focusing and working hard to improve for this season.

Seniors Kenzie Kluge, Morgan Young, and Ellie Steidle are captains and strive to be good role models and leaders for everyone on the team. “I make sure the girls stays on the task every day at practice, plan apparel, and organize fundraisers,” Steidle said. “I also try to set the best example by being there to support and motivate everyone throughout the season.” They’re also trying to make the most out of their last season together.

These girls have been doing this sport since they were super young, and it takes years and years of training filled with numerous failures and successes to be a good gymnast worthy to wear the EP logo on their backs. Their season consists of multiple meets, invitationals, sections, and if they qualify, they will head to state. Sections is February 14th at Lakeville North High School!

Most people don’t know that gymnastics is a mental sport. When trying new skills, they have to be mentally prepared. Mental blocks are a common occurrence when trying to learn new things.

Gymnastics practice is located in the small gym at the Eden Prairie High School activities center. The gym is like their own little home and they make it personalized with posters and lights. It also is the perfect size for all of the equipment they need to have to be able to practice. They don’t have to share this space for the duration of the season which makes it really nice to have their own turf. “It feels like home in there and I wouldn’t want to practice anywhere else,” Kluge said.

The events are vault, bars, beam, and floor. Some people do all the events and some specialize in individual events. It’s all based on preference and what they want to compete.

To be a part of this hard working team, an athlete needs to have good academics, attendance, and good work ethic before thinking about joining this group. This group of girls spend almost every day together and become very close. “My favorite part of the season is definitely the people I spend all my time with because it’s such a special, amazing group of people,” Steidle said.

Fans are always welcome to gymnastics meets. “I think it would bring a lot more energy to the meets if more people came to support, especially at home meets,” Young said. “But I think the atmosphere in the gym at meets right now is full of support.”

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Spotlight Athletes

Sydney Langseth - Hockey

BY GRACE PETERSON

Q: What are your future plans after high school? A: I plan on attending Minnesota State University Mankato next year and playing Division I hockey there, and I would like to do something in business.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of high school hockey? A: My favorite memory of high school hockey is winning state my eighth grade year. Q: How long have you been playing hockey? A: I’ve been playing hockey since I was 6 years old.

Q: What’s your role as a captain and senior? A: My role as a captain and senior is leading by example and making sure everyone is on the same page for success.

Q: What are your goals for yourself and the team this season? A: This season we want to make it to the state tournament and have good team chemistry.

John Mittelstadt - Hockey

BY JADAN FIX

Q: How many years have you been playing hockey? A: 15 years

Q: What position do you play? A: Center

Q: How has the team been doing this year? A: The team has been doing pretty great. We have been ranked 1st for most of the season

Q: What is your role as captain? A: My role as a captain is to lead the team as a person and as a player. I also have to get our team prepared for games.

Q: Are you excited to keep playing hockey next year in college? Why? A: Extremely excited because I have always wanted to be a Gopher. I've been going to games my whole life, and I can't wait to play for them.

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