March 2019

Spring Break

Your Guide to

Cover Story | 14

May Referendum| 04 Maddie Hilligoss | 13 Adidas vs Nike | 19 Minnesota Twins | 26

EPHS NEWS MAGAZINE

March 2019 | Vol. 58 | No. 4

CONTENTS

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Mike Holm Test Prep Offered at EPHS Spring class from 2:45 to 4:15 Mondays and Wednesdays April 29 to June 3 (no class May 27) Summer classes from 8:15am to noon PSAT and SAT July 29 to August 2 ACT August 5 to 9 Need more information about these or other classes?

Contact Mike Holm at mike@mikeholmtestprep.com 2

DESIGN BY SYDNEY LEWIS

Holm Gets Results Jacob Rhee, Laura Balboa, and Jack Engelbrekt: 33 Canyon Pergande and Joe Sullivan: 32 Anya Zubar improved her reading and English scores by 12 points each.

Callie Potvin improved by 6, Jonathan Gibson and Kassidy Alger improved by 5, and Sydney Spears and Nick Manthana by 4 Emma Coburn improved her reading score by 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS POLICIES MISSION STATEMENT The Eyrie strives to be an accurate, informatory and entertaining publication for the students and faculty of Eden Prairie High School, Eden Prairie MN. 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 recieved, the Eyrie reserves the right to edit letters for length and content.

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS In this issue the Eyrie, staff explores the ways you can make your spring break the best that it can be. Whether you’re travelling or staying in Minnesota, our guide will help you make the most out of your break. Our cover explores activities to do if your spring break is a staycation, the highlights of the spring break trip to Washington D.C. and how to document the perfect vacation. In this issue, you will also find stories about the upcoming referendum and teachers’ bias in classrooms.

Our entertainment, opinion and feature sections showcase a wide range of interests including music, theatre, movies and sports. We hope you enjoy this issue of the Eyrie!

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.

UPDATES theeyrie.org

INSTAGRAM @theeyriemag

MEMBERS EDITORS Kira Parrington Sydney Lewis

COVER

NEWS

WEBSITE EDITOR Karen Larionova

YOUR GUIDE TO SPRING BREAK 14-17

MAY REFERENDUM 4 POLITICAL BIAS IN THE CLASSROOM 5

PHOTO EDITOR Bella Beck

OPINION ADIDAS VS NIKE 19

SPORTS

IT ONLY TAKES ONE PERSON 20

WHY THE MINNESOTA TWINS WILL WIN THEIR DIVISION IN 2019 22

SELFISH ISN’T A BAD WORD 22

SPOTLIGHT ATHLETES 27

TWITTER @the_eyrie

BUSINESS MANAGER Carter Aakhus COLUMNISTS Bella Beck Sydney Lewis Nick Walfrid

STAFF Andrew Nosal Baylee Brabender Bella Beck Carter Aakhus David Nelson Funmi Banjoko Karen Larionova Katherine Kregness Kira Parrington Nidhi Maurya Nick Walfrid Sydney Lewis Vishalli Alagappan

14-17

OPINIONETTES 23

MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

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NEWS

EDEN PRAIRIE SCHOOLS 2019 REFERENDUM POLLING LOCATIONS • Immanual Lutheran Church - 16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie, MN 55346 • St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church - 13600 Technology Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 • Prairie Lutheran Church - 11000 Blossom Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55347 • Grace Church - 9301 Eden Prairie Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55347

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DESIGN BY KATHERINE KREGNESS

BY KAREN LARIONOVA

O

n May 14, residents of the Eden Prairie School District will be able to vote on a one-question bond referendum that, if passed, will grant the district $39.9 million for building and school environment improvements. There are four main projects that the money would fund: moving 4-year-old preschoolers into elementary schools, moving 6th graders to CMS, adapting classrooms to personalized learning and improving security, which includes protective glass and lock-down equipment.

In 2015, the process for this referendum was kicked off. Through Designing Pathway, a facilities inspection led to further discussions about how to improve the spaces in schools. Afterwards, in 2016, a design team was set up to create an “academic vision for the next 10 years,” according to superintendent Josh Swanson. “We had a thoughtful, intentional and carefully planned-out process to make sure we were including the community as we went along.”

After Swanson provided information to the Eden Prairie school board, the board voted on Jan. 7, 2019, to open the vote to the public in the form of a referendum.

The board had many conversations about the tax impact the bond would have on Eden Prairie. If the referendum passes, the tax impact on the average Eden Prairie homeowner would be $6.50 a month, which is based on a $350,000 median value home.

A large portion of the money will go to CMS, which would include changes to the performing arts center, lunch schedule and student pick-up and drop-off. CMS has not had a major renovation in 25 years, and additional gym space and music space will also be added to CMS if the referendum passes.

The most significant changes will be to the performing arts center, though. “We

are in need of a larger theater space, especially if 6th grade joins CMS,” said CMS principal Nathan Swenson. An improved performing arts center will also allow the community to make greater use of the space, he said.

EPHS would also receive money from the referendum. “We’ll be able to reconfigure half of our classrooms and all of our commons spaces,” said principal Robb Virgin. “We want to have our space match up with personalized learning.” The first focus group to design these spaces would be created the day after the vote if the referendum passes, he said.

The district has already started its information campaign for this referendum.

Schools are handing out information for the community, but no district employee is allowed to advocate for or against the referendum when they’re on the job. Both Virgin and Swanson said they have no plans to campaign on their own time.

If the referendum doesn’t pass, all goals and construction would be either pushed back or completely delayed until further funding. According to Swanson, security would take at least a decade to upgrade to the degree of the referendum, and grade configurations would not change at all without the funding of the referendum.

Because the referendum voting process is similar to other voting processes, any resident of the EP School District who is at least 18 years old can vote. Polls are open on May 14 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at four polling locations.

To find more information on how or where to vote, visit www. mnvotes.org or www.

EPvote2019.org

POLITICAL BIAS CLASSROOM IN THE

BY KATHERINE KREGNESS

T

he debate over politically biased teaching in social studies classrooms has been raging for generations, but many people don’t seem to acknowledge how difficult it really is for teachers.

Most social studies teachers agree; personal bias is not something that they can erase from their teaching.

Humans naturally express their opinions whether it be consciously or not. “I don’t know that you can teach social studies and not have bias in the classroom to a degree,” said Craig Hollenbeck, a social studies teacher. “There are times when there will be bias and there will be opinions shared, and I think that the important thing, for me, is that students know that.”

Teachers have a reputation for being more liberal, which can be a cause for concern from many. “We have to be very careful because we have a lot of influence over kids, so we have to

in order to present students with many viewpoints without swaying their opinions.

All three teachers agree that there is a distinction between biased teaching and offering an opinion to a class. Sibley draws this line when teachers tell their students what to think and how to feel.

Political tensions have been rapidly rising over the past couple of decades, pushing more and more moderates to the extremes of politics.

According to Sibley, the aggression and hostility found in our current political climate make neutral teaching increasingly difficult as more students come to class with a predetermined viewpoint.

“If you get too far to either side of the spectrum, you start to think you’re right about everything when you aren’t,” said Sibley.

Teaching becomes even more difficult when the conversation takes a personal turn. Many students feel persecuted by some political standpoints and teachers have to find a middle ground between telling students how to think and making sure they feel safe in the classroom.

Hollenbeck emphasized this point by saying, “If a reporter with a disability gets mocked, I want my students with disabilities to know that I will stand with them. If Mexicans get called rapists, I want my Mexican students to know that I will stand by them.Those things are personal for me.”

Luker expands this idea, saying, “When it comes to bias, it’s usually powerful because it’s emotionally charged.” He goes on to explain that emotions aren’t something you can tell someone to ignore or turn off. Tensions tend to rise rapidly in classes where students take things personally, he finished.

Facts have also become a problematic point in many classrooms. Telling students the reality of a situation can be easily perceived as blatant bias in an era where “facts don’t always matter and people can dismiss facts because they are inconvenient to someone,” said Hollenbeck.

All three social studies teachers agree: Biased teaching is near impossible to avoid, and it seems to be a recurring struggle. Educators must try to be as fair as they can, tell all sides, and think about issues even when they spike controversy.

“If Mexicans get called rapists, I want my Mexican students to know that I will stand by them.Those things are personal for me.” check what we say, be thoughtful and realize that we’re always going to be using bias,” said Civics teacher, Kevin Luker.

Teachers attempt to find different methods for combating their biased influence. Brian Sibley, a social studies teacher, points out that the best way for students to learn is by showing them all of the sides of the argument and allowing them to decide. “My goal is always to try to balance out, especially when it comes to discussion, to try and balance out the political spectrum,” he said.

Luker agrees, saying, “Tell as many sides as you can and always try to play devil’s advocate.”

He will often mask one statement with another

STUDENT OPINIONS “Teachers need to have their own political opinions and communicate them to their students without attempting to sway the opinions of their students in order to open the door for conversation.”

-Lucy Bock, Freshman “I prefer a teacher who offers their opinion over one who doesn’t. It can make a class more interesting and dynamic as long as they leave room in the conversation for their students to have differing opinions. Especially today, pretending to not have opinions on important issues gets us nowhere. We should be practicing forming educated opinions and figuring out why we have those opinions at an early age on political issues, etc. so that we can be educated citizens and voters.”

-Julianna Deibel, Senior “Sometimes, hearing a well-rounded opinion from my teacher helps me understand an issue better, but I’ve also had times where my thoughts felt less important because I felt that my teacher disagreed with me.”

-Eliza Nebeker, Junior “Teachers show their political bias in the classroom; however, I think that most teachers do a good job of saying “This is my political bias and you do not have to believe the same thing as me.” I think the fact that they say that shows that they’re doing their best to let us decide how we want to identify politically.”

-Malorie DeKam, Sophomore “Social studies teachers should incite political discussion, but they should definitely be able to counter students’ arguments.

Teachers should ask ‘what statistics do you have to back that up’ or ‘why do you feel that way?’ If done equally, this can make students think more critically about their positions and be more analytical overall, which also improves ability in debate.”

-Ethan Kane, Freshman

MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

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NEWS

A picture of Stuti Thakkar with her grandmother.

A picture of Stuti Thakkar and her family at her dad’s cousin’s wedding

The ability to speak more than one language

S

BY VISHALLI ALAGAPPAN

eñora Kristin Bastidas, a Spanish teacher, chaperoned a trip for Maple Grove Senior High in 2010 to a sister school in Bogotá, Columbia. The group visited an elementary school that was sponsored by their sister school where the students were able to engage with the kids and learn more about their culture.

The students were learning Spanish. “The experience was really one of a kind,” Bastidas said, “The students got to sing songs with the little kids at the elementary school.” They also participated in an event where baseball gear was donated to some of the community baseball teams.

Most would assume that in Colombia the most popular sport would be soccer because Colombia is a South American country-- South America is known for its soccer legends. General educated guesses, however, can only get you so far. Multilinguality, the ability to speak more than one language fluently, aids in your complete immersion in a language and culture.

Multilinguals, in general, have much different experiences in life as opposed to monolinguals.

Nevertheless, a multilingual’s experiences may be as diverse as the languages they speak.

Bastidas said that her multilinguality has helped expand her social circle and build personal relationships: “Being multilingual definitely helps me connect and helps build solidarity with another person.” She has been

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DESIGN BY VISHALLI ALAGAPPAN

able to make intimate connections with other people, who, without the linguistic tie, would have just thought, “Oh, that’s just an English-speaking person who doesn’t understand where I’m coming from.”

Multilingualism is a tool that permits people to identify with another through linguistic and cultural ties. Stuti Thakkar, a junior, was able to grow closer to her grandparents because of her multilinguality. “My grandparents don’t speak English at all,” she said, and while they are visiting, “I have to stay with them and translate for them, which has helped me connect and identify with them more than if I didn’t speak Gujarati.”

Olena Larionova, a science teacher, said that she does not experience any struggles with being multilingual. “It is all benefit. Students and I can relate because we share the immigrant stories, but for an American born person, it is sometimes difficult to understand that experience.” Larionova immigrated from the former Soviet Union and speaks English, Russian and Ukrainian. When she introduces herself at the start of a new semester, she usually mentions that she immigrated to the United States and speaks Russian and Ukrainian. Such an introduction can spark conversations with students with similar backgrounds.

According to Rubén G. Rumbaut of the School of Social Sciences, CA, 56.7% of multilinguals in the United States are immigrants.

Many times, when people immigrate to the

United States, they end up focusing more on the language that is dominant here and in the process, they forget parts of their mother tongue. Junior Adrian Augustyn attests to experiencing this common occurrence: “I speak Afrikaans. It is not a language spoken in America. Since I only speak it with my aunt, I can lose touch with some words and concepts.”

Some multilinguals report no struggles with their multilinguality, but others say that sometimes there is interference from another language in a conversation. “For example, in English there is no proper male or female [articles],” said Thakkar, “but in Hindi, there are, and what usually ends up happening is that I’ll give a female object a male presence, which usually has a different meaning, so I’ll present an implied meaning that is different from my intended meaning.”

Though many commonalities exist between multilinguals, multilinguality affects every individual differently. Some multilinguals switch between languages effortlessly. “At home, I’ll speak one sentence, but it’ll have three languages in it,” said Thakkar.

To others, switching from one language to another is harder without an external trigger.

A trigger can be hearing someone else speak the language or reading the language. Sometimes a person’s brain is hardwired to think in only one language, so a switch might be a rare occurrence.

The two most common ways through which

Breakfast: really the most important meal?

BY CARTER AAKHUS

A picture of Señora Bastidas in Colombia at the sponsered elementary school.

A picture of Señora Bastidas and her familty.

one can be a multilingual are learning the language in a classroom setting or being raised with that language. When asked if a classroom setting or being around a native speaker was better, typically the answer was both. Augustyn said, “in order to be around native speakers and get the gist of what they’re saying, you need a classroom setting.”

Others think that it depends on age and learning abilities. Thakkar explained that when one is younger, it’s better to be around a native speaker, but as one grows older, it’s better to be in a classroom setting. She continues by saying that the younger one is, the easier one can develop metalinguistic skills; according to ageofmontessori.com, from birth to the age of six, a kid’s brain is like a sponge and can absorb two or more languages equally and simultaneously. When one is older, however, disciplined education of a language is a better tool to develop grammar rules and conventional phrases.

Learning a new language is, needless to say, very applicable to our vast and diverse communities. “I’m currently picking up Spanish,” said Augustyn, “because I just want to learn a language that I can use.”

Bastidas recalls from her trip to Bogotá that some of the students that she chaperoned “continued their relationships afterwards via Facebook with the kids that they met down in Columbia.” Special connections, relatability and metalinguistic awareness. It all comes with a little package named multilinguality.

Every morning, many students find themselves having to make the decision between hitting the snooze button and sitting down for a nutritious breakfast. For many of us, that extra 20 minutes of sleep is more important. Students have all been repeatedly told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In fact, everyone reading this story has likely been raised to believe that. In actuality, however, it depends on a number of factors.

According to an article in “Popular Science,” whether or not breakfast is a pivotal meal for someone depends on their age and daily habits.

EPHS Child Nutrition Coordinator Kristin Treptow agrees. “I think it depends on who you are,” she said. “It’s kind of like being either a night person or a morning person.”

An individual in the practice of eating dinner earlier in the evening will be more inclined to eat breakfast, as would an athlete, who is obviously burning lots of calories. On the other hand, “those who eat late at night often still have calories left in the morning, causing them to not be hungry for another meal quite yet,” said Treptow.

Despite the fact that a morning meal could just be a matter of lifestyle and personal preference, the benefits of eating it are abundant. Higher academic performance, improved behavior and a feeling of overall well-being are all listed as proven advantages.

People who are not necessarily concerned about the advantages may also be indirectly doing themselves other disservices. According to the School Nutrition Association, those who don’t eat breakfast are more likely to become overweight. Binge-eating later in the day becomes more of an occurrence when the food your body needs is not being spread out during the day. There has also been found to be a correlation between those who skip breakfast and those who begin to experiment with drugs and alcohol.

Treptow believes that while there is a wealth of evidence to prove that breakfast is beneficial, that doesn’t necessarily mean it deserves the title of most important meal of the day. “I do think it is important, but I don’t know that it is the most important,” she said. “As long as you are getting your proper nutrition throughout the day.”

On any given day, 51% of kids go to school without breakfast

CREATIVE COMMONS GRAPHICS

MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

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ENTERTAINMENT

The 100% accurate analysis T

BY FUNMI BANJOKO he Franchise film is not a new phenomenon but never has it been revolutionized in the way of the Marvel cinematic universe. With 21 movies released and 10 more on the way the MCU is a masterpiece of not only superhero films but modern cinema. To Celebrate the pending release of Avengers Endgame. I decided to watch every single movie in the mcu and review it. You’re welcome in advance. Now for a 100% correct ranking of every movie in the MCU. If your opinons are different then I’m sorry they’re wrong.

marvel cine

Now the OK Ones Avengers: Age of Ultron(

) 3/6 Infinty Stones

All around ok.

Thor(

Starting with the worst ones The Incredible Hulk (

)1/6 Infinity Stones

Easily the most forgettable movie in the series

) 3/6 Infinty Stones

Let’s be honest Thor movies just aren’t that great.

Captain America: The First Avenger ( Infinity Stones

)1/6

Doctor Strange(

How many times can Bandersnatch Cabbage Patch play the same character?

) 3/6 Infinty Stones

BORING! World War II will always be a tired setting but “First Avenger” somehow manages to make me hate the US military more than I already do.

Captain Marvel(

) 3/6 Infinty Stones

Iron Man 3 (

Feminism?

Corny AF.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2( Stones

) 4/6 Infinty

Thor: The Dark World( Dark Elves are trash.

Fun but compared to the first one the jokes seem forced.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (

) 2/6 Infinty Stones

) 4/6 Infinty Stones

Funny with heart brings all of the same feeling as the first one.

Iron Man 2 (

) 2/6 Infinty Stones

) 2/6 Infinty Stones

Whiplash was probably the worst villain.

Finally The Best of the Best Ant-Man(

) 5/6 Infinty Stones

Came out of nowhere! Paul Rudd plays the character perfectly and while being a hilariously fun ride, it still manages to bring strong themes, particularly humanizing criminals.

Spider-Man: Homecoming(

) 5/6 Infinty Stones

THE BEST SPIDERMAN MOVIE EVER MADE. The characterization of Peter Parker is so accurate that watching this movie evokes the nostalgia of Amazing Spider Man #1 effortlessly.

Thor: Ragnarok(

) 5/6 Infinty Stones

After two lackluster Thor movies expectations were low for “Ragnarok,” but director Taika Waititi delivered by imparting his sarcastic tone on this film, turning Thor from a boring, brooding god to a relatable and kind- hearted hero.

Guardians of the Galaxy(

) 5/6 Infinty Stones

This ensemble film raised countless eyebrows due to its unorthodox cast of characters, but all doubt was erased when “Guardians” hit theaters. It was funny, well written and we all fell in love with a team that most people had never heard of.

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DESIGN BY FUNMI BANJOKO

s of the

ematic universe

The revision of superhero music in film

BY DAVID NELSON

Black Panther(

) 5/6 Infinty Stones

Not only did “Black Panther” break cultural ground for diversity, it was also a great film about power masculinity, shame and racism. The world of Wakanda was crafted beautifully and shows a world where people embrace their differences for the benefits of society.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier(

) 5/6 Infinty Stones

This movie goes against the status quo of superhero movies and plays more like a espionage thriller. This film is able to retain the feelings and aesthetic of a good old superhero movie, but explores themes and actually challenges the hero’s core values, making it a wild ride that leaves you thinking about your own relationship with the government and the people you trust.

Avengers (

) 6/6 Infinty Stones

This film was an instant classic and was the first culmination film of the MCU. Satisfying both new fans and avid comic readers this movie reguvinated the Avengers franchise and made formerly B-list heroes into household names.

Captain America: Civil War (

) 6/6 Infinty Stones

This movie is the only adaptation that is better than the orignal comic storyline. In the comics, the conflict is very one sided. It is impossible to side with Tony, as he is vallanized throughout, but in “Civil War” the movie, the two sides of the war are better justified causing a true moral conflict on the regulation around heroism.

Iron Man(

) 6/6 Infinty Stones

The one that started it all. Honestly, enough said, but to go on, Robert Downey Jr.’s perfomance was so good and the paralells between his own life and Tony Stark’s make his character feel so unbelievably real. Iron Man mangaes to stay true to the comics, while being relevant and criticizing war profiting and the US’ role in the unrest in the Middle East.

Avengers: Infinity War(

) 6/6 Infinty Stones

The hype for this Movie was unreal. We had seen glimpes of Thanos for years and now for him to officially take on the Avengers was a tearjerking treat. Marvel pulled no punches with “Infinty War” and I’m glad they didn’t because the ending of this film was not only satisfying but left us waiting for the next one.

And that’s that. While some of them are works of art and a few are tolerable snoozefests, Marvel has created a world that constantly toes the line of action, comedy, drama and political commentary all while staying true to the spirit and character of the very comic books the movies are based on. I know that when it ends I’ll be in tears, but you can be sure that I’ll be first in line when the next Marvel blockbuster hits theaters.

Music is a vital component to film; it always has been a most vital component ever since films were created. Over the past 20 years, superhero films have been Hollywood’s go-to film for the masses.

With that, there have obviously been more superheroes brought to the big screen.

The opportunity for a musical identity with that hero on screen has given composers the chance to come up with something that resembles a specific character. The best scores for these beloved characters are often memorable, fun to listen to and give you goosebumps.

However, the superhero scores that accompany today’s films have left no impression on me whatsoever. These new compositions are generic and average sounding at best, and the viewer will not leave the theater humming the music to one of these new superhero films. The most prominent of today’s composers Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino and Henry Jackman, simply do not compare to the older generation of composers.

I believe that the works of John Williams, Danny Elfman, Jerry Goldsmith, John Ottman and even Elliot Goldenthal were all inspirational and got your blood pumping as well. For example, “Superman” has a great score done by John Williams. The film has great moments of music that are featured throughout the most pivotal scenes of the film. Even in the action scenes, the music is instantly recognizable and even fits the character.

In contrast, the films of today have music that sounds okay, but if you interchanged that cue with a very similar superhero movie, there would not be much of a difference. A lot of modern superhero scores sound very similar to each other and there’s nothing there that separates the characters from each other. That is what’s missing these days, contemporary film scores lack creativity and most importantly a given sense of identity.

MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

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FEATURE

Donut Shops Review and photos BY KIra Parrington

yoyo donuts 5757 Sanibel Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55343 Yoyo Donuts has won many awards throughout the years for their outstanding donuts. They specialize in their donuts, coffee and homemade ice cream. They have many popular signature donuts including their maple bacon donut. Yoyo Donuts is a very popular and well-known donut shop; however, it is a little more expensive than your average donut place.

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DESIGN BY KIRA PARRINGTON

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BOGARTS 904 W 36th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408 Bogarts Donuts has locations in both uptown and downtown. They are known for catering special events such as grad parties and weddings. You can pre-order one of their delicious Nutella filled or lavender flavored donuts so it’s fresh for you when you get there. Something special that Bogarts does is to surprise one business every month with a box of free donuts. They open at 6:30 a.m., but get there fast because lines are usually out the door!

3 DONUT CONNEcTION 1606, 1037 1st Ave E, Shakopee, MN 55379

Glam Doll Donuts 519 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 Glam Doll Donuts specializes in customizing donuts to cater for special events. They have two different locations in the area. You may have seen their donuts used for prom proposals or even real ones because of the personalized letter donuts that they make. It is a super fun atmosphere, and their donuts are fantastic.

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Donut Connection has over 20 different kinds of donuts, so you’ll be sure to find one you love.

However, they don’t just stop at donuts. They have many different kinds of baked goods, bagels and coffee. Something that I found really special about donut connection is the fundraising program. You can fundraise to receive profit to buy anything from Donut Connection. So if the delicious donuts weren’t already drawing you in, that will seal the deal.

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Sunrise Donuts 9032 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420 Sunrise Donuts has recently reopened. It is located in Bloomington Minnesota and offers very affordable donuts. However, they do not sell a very wide variety of donuts. Their apple fritter donut is a must-eat. It is only open in the mornings, so come here for a lovely donut breakfast served with an ice cold glass of milk.

MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

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ENTERTAINMENT

THE ETHICS OF RELEASING AN ARTIST’S MUSIC AFTER THEIR DEATH

T

BY NICK WALFRID

here have been a slew of notable celebrity deaths lately, but of the current musical artists who have passed away, Lil Peep and XXXTentacion have left the biggest impact on our modern musical scene. With millions of screaming fans both before and after their deaths, both artists were known for creating and expanding on their own unique musical niches.

XXXTentacion’s breakout song “Look At Me!” made its debut in 2017. With extremely gritty bass and vocals, it was among the first examples to surface of a previously unexplored niche of underground rap. He followed “Look At Me!” with an entire discography of extremely loud, bass heavy music, but among those songs, there were a handful of lighter, emotional songs, exploring lyrical topics such as depression and drug abuse.

These new, emotional songs struck a much greater chord with XXX’s fans than the music that had brought them to him in the first place.

Capitalizing on his newfound popularity, he released an album of these such songs. Titled “17,” this album exploded in popularity, hitting the number one spot on multiple charts, and spreading through the airwaves with its creamy guitar melodies and melodramatic lyrics.

XXX then went on to release a similar album to additional success, titled “?,” but two months later, the Florida rapper was shot dead at a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach.

This caused an extreme online reaction, with many of his fans leaking and hoarding his unreleased music with the fear that no more was to come. However, his label continued to release previously unheard music of his.

Much of this music, however, was derided as a step down in quality from his previous releases. It was becoming evident that much of the music which XXX had kept in the closet was supposed to have stayed there. This became extremely apparent when his postmortem album “SKINS” made its debut to muted critical success, albeit at a number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

At this point in XXX’s career, we have to ask ourselves if it is conceivable to continue releasing unfinished songs of his. There is a

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DESIGN BY NICK WALFRID

strong possibility that there will be a point in time when the releases have to stop due to lack of material, and the last of them should be quality music, not unfinished snippets which he never thought would see the light of day.

California rapper Lil Peep had a similar story to XXX, however, his postmortem releases tell a much different tale under the surface of musical production than the public might perceive. Lil Peep was known in life for blending emo, post-grunge melodies and lyrics with traditional rap bass and percussion typically reserved for higher energy songs.

The majority of his songs revolved around mental health, drug abuse, and sex, and despite these messages, he gained a large mainstream fanbase. Most of his songs included guitar chords and auto tuned vocals, and he made music of the kind which had never been heard before.

Peep was a member of the bizarre, experimental label GOTHBOICLIQUE. Other artists on the label had collaborated with him, and songs they had created together had boosted the label’s mainstream success and helped made the emo-rap genre more accessible for traditional audiences.

When he was on tour with GOTHBOICLIQUE, Peep overdosed on fentanyl-laced xanax and died in the back of his tour bus. The events which happened in the hours before and after his death would have a great impact on his postmortem music releases because the actions displayed by others on his label changed public perception of GOTHBOICLIQUE. In the hours after his death, Peep’s best friend and companion artist Bexey posted a video of Peep on the floor of their tour bus, lying passed out with his mouth agape. In the video, it appears that his eyes were still open, but Bexey, likely under the influence of hard drugs, still uploaded the offending material to his Instagram story.

Due to this transgression, Peep’s mother Liza Womack publicly smeared the members of GOTHBOICLIQUE, including producers who were not involved with Peep’s death. In the inevitable postmortem music releases which occurred after the incident, all songs featuring the GOTHBOICLIQUE audio emblem or produced by members of GOTHBOICLIQUE

have been significantly reworked to exclude offending members of the label.

Even artists who worked with Peep in life, such as Coldhart and Døves, have seen their music either pulled from Peep’s discography or simply barred from release. While there is no doubt that certain members of GOTHBOICLIQUE, specifically Bexey, were guilty of immoral actions in the days before and after Peep’s death, many fans believe it was unfair to snub the music of others in the label from promotion.

Additionally, many of Peep’s newer releases have been lambasted as too commercialized, or material he would never have consciously released when he was alive. In Womack’s campaign to eliminate the influences of GOTHBOICLIQUE from music released

by Peep, much of his signature sound was also erased. Since his death, many of Peep’s producers and fans have leaked his unaltered music in a campaign to keep his premortem work separate from his postmortem releases.

These two cases bring us to the question: is it ethical to alter or even to release music after an artist’s death? On one hand, it is important that the material they wanted to go public is able to see the light of day. However, if they wouldn’t have published a song in the form that fans can hear it in now, was it disrespectful to their legacy to release it?

Friends and family of deceased artists have to be able to decide if it is in the best interest of the artist to release music in an altered form. If the music was changed in order to improve the sound quality, it would likely be acceptable in the eyes of the artist if they were alive. However, if the music was altered in order to remove other artists, change the meaning of the lyrics, or in extreme cases, change the genre of the song, the offending producers should be looked down upon.

Profit should not be the first priority when handling the unreleased music of an artist, preserving their art and legacy should be. It is important to evaluate these factors when handling their premortem material, as any errors from people behind the scenes can shine a negative light upon the dead artist. If you cannot preserve the music correctly and keep it the way the artist intended, you should not be anywhere behind the scenes of that music’s release.

FEATURING XXXTENTACION AND LIL PEEP

Maddie “pink taps” Hilligoss makes the cut at the Ordway STORY AND DESIGN BY SYDNEY LEWIS

M

addie Hilligoss opened the doors to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, pink tap shoes in hand, ready for her first audition at a professional theatre company. As she entered, she recognized people, not from everyday life, but from seeing them onstage. Her fellow auditioners were musical theatre majors, professional actors and tap dancers. Hilligoss was the youngest there by at least 5 years.

Hilligoss decided to audition on a whim.

One of her dance teachers at Prairie School of Dance invited her to go audition with him.

She first wrote if off, thinking she would never have the credentials to get cast in a show at the Ordway. Eventually, she looked into it and decided to audition. She put her audition materials together in three days and auditioned right before winter break.

At the first audition, they were put through a series of dances, and only after that were they asked to sing for the directors. Hilligoss chose a song from the musical “Amelie.” In her singing audition, she expected to sing her song and leave. After she sang her song, the directors asked her if she had anything else to sing. She didn’t since she was only asked to prepare one song.

The directors asked her what pop music she listens to on the radio. Admittedly, she said, she is “more of a spotify playlist kind of girl” and that she “only listens to choir and broadway music.” She told them about a folk pop song that she sang at a pepfest earlier this year. They asked her to sing part of it. Without being given

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Rehearsals for ‘42nd Street’ will start in June; performances are from July 23 to August 11 at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul.

a starting note, she sang her part, the harmony, to a song she hadn’t rehearsed in months. The process seemed very loose and unstructured, different from how Hilligoss expected the audition to be at a professional theatre company.

Hilligoss has been tapping for years, with many organizations and companies around Minneapolis. The tap scene in Minneapolis, Hilligoss said, “is more focused on rhythm and improvisation based tap, and is moving away from broadway style tap.” Her experience in this style of tap helped her to impress the choreographer, who kept her around for callbacks.

In the callbacks, the roughly 1,000 auditioners was cut down to 30 people, most of whom were professional actors, musical theater majors and even past cast members of “42nd Street” in Chicago. Hilligoss was shocked when she found out she was invited back for a callback the next day.

Going into the callback, she assumed she had no chance at being cast, so she decided to lay it all out there. When asked to improvise a tap solo, Hilligoss excelled because she wasn’t nervous. In her eyes, she had nothing to lose, she was just there to learn and have a good time. Because of that, she was able to dance her best and not worry about the repercussions of messing up.

On Christmas Eve, Hilligoss got a call from the production team, telling her that they would like to cast her. They found out that she wasn’t 18 at the time of the audition and needed to confirm when she would be 18 by the time rehearsals start. They explained that this was not her official offer and that she wasn’t allowed to tell anyone. Hilligoss found it very difficult

not to tell anyone that she was just cast in a show at a professional theatre company.

A month passed and she heard nothing from the producers. Eventually, they called with her official offer to be a chorus member for “42nd Street.” She found out later that in that month, the team travelled to New York City and Chicago to audition people because they weren’t satisfied with those who auditioned in Minneapolis.

Though her dancing was impressive, that wasn’t the only thing that made her stand out.

Her “pink taps,” as she calls them, became her trademark throughout the audition process.

The directing staff, along with other auditioners only referred to her as “pink taps,” not even knowing her real name. One of the producers jokingly told her that she was going to have to wear only those shoes to all rehearsals from now on.

Throughout her journey to becoming a cast member of “42nd Street” Hilligoss proved that age doesn’t define talent. Though she was years younger than most other auditioners, she showed that she is a phenomenal dancer.

Hilligoss said, “The show is about an underdog and I think, in a way, I was their underdog.”

MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

13

survival

INSTAGRAM

COVER

BY BELLA BECK

KIT

When going on Spring Break, there should be no other priorities than getting the perfect Instagram picture. With all the expectations around spring break and vacation photos, it’s hard to know where to start. Luckily, your fellow EPHS students have provided some perfect examples. So, when looking for that perfect shot, we recommend you consider the following tips:

1. Make sure to include water in your picture 2. The sky should either be as blue as possible or show as much of a sunset as possible 3. Your face should not be visible 4. Mention where you are either in the geotag or in the caption 5. Let the photo’s beauty speak for itself; don’t overuse filters

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

6. Wear clothing you couldn’t wear in Minnesota in the winter

14

DESIGN BY SYDNEY LEWIS

Spring Break in

E

WASHINGTON STORY AND PHOTOS BY SYDNEY LEWIS

very year students from EPHS travel to Washington D.C. for Spring Break. For the past two years, social studies teachers Josh Wenzel and Craig Hollenbeck have been leading the trip.

They say that the trip is a mix of educational time and fun. If you go, you will of course be visiting monuments and museums, but there are some attractions that you wouldn’t normally do on a D.C. trip.

Wenzel and Hollenbeck’s goal is to immerse students in the culture of D.C. On the trip, students visit various neighborhoods that are outside of the typical tourist destinations. Visiting different neighborhoods and learning about DC as a city encourages many students to look at D.C. as a viable option to live in the future Senior Grace Capouch went on the trip last year and enjoyed it so much that she decided to go again this year. Capouch says that one of the best parts of the trip was listening to Hollenbeck and Wenzel tell random stories about past trips as they walked from place to place, but to be able to hear the

D.C.

stories, you have to be able to keep up with their brisk pace.

One of the most beneficial parts of the trip is watching people exercise their rights within the American democracy. Almost every trip, the teachers say, they see protesters or lobbyists fighting for a cause they believe in. Wenzel said, “How cool is that that in the United States, 30 yards away from where the President of the United States lives, people can protest?”

Students not only get to see places that they didn’t know about, but they get to know people they didn’t know either. Senior Braden Ross, who went on the trip last year, says that one of the best parts of the trip was the relationships she formed with her fellow travellers. She said they created a “DC squad” that still talks to this day.

Whether you have been to DC many times, or have never been before, the DC Spring Break trip is an amazing place to meet new people and learn more about our nation’s capital, because as senior Tana Martinez, who is going to D.C. this year, says, “everything happens in D.C.” MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

15

Staycation Bucket list COVER

STORY AND PHOTOS BY BAYLEE BRABENDER

RESTAURANTS

BLACK COFFEE AND WAFFLE BAR- This is a

modern waffle and coffee cafe with admirable interior design; located in St Paul.

ANNIE’ S PARLOR- Located in southeast

Minneapolis, this restaurant consists of scrumptious burgers and shakes.

CRISP & GREEN- You can find this nutritious cafe located in North Loop Minneapolis.

It has a variety of healthy salads, juices, and more.

INSOMNIA COOKIES- This delicious cookie

store located in Dinkytown, is open from 9am to 3am and is a great place to get cookies late at night.

KAFE 421- Located in Dinkytown, Minneapolis, this calming eatery offers a mix of American and Mediterranean food.

TONY’S DINER- This simple cafe offers

American food and has TV’s available to watch sports and entertainment as well.

CHATIME BUBBLE TEA- With a variety of teas and smoothies, this refreshing environment is a great place to grab a drink.

LORING BAR AND RESTAURANT- This restau-

rant offers homemade pasta, brunch buffet, and other creative foods as well as live music and dancing.

16

DESIGN BY SYDNEY LEWIS

ART AND MUSIC

ACTIVITIES

SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA- Located

EXPLORE YOUR NEAREST TRAILS- The Three

in Saint Paul, MN, this museum offers a variety of exhibits in Math, Science, and technology for all ages to enjoy.

MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART- Located

in Minneapolis Minnesota, this fine arts museum offers exhibits in a variety of different arts.

WALKER ART CENTER- This contemporary art center located in Minneapolis has galleries, a garden, a stage, a cinema, a design studio, and even more forms of art to present to you.

MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER- This library

and museum focused on Minnesota’s cultural past has artifacts, photos, stories and more for you to learn from.

FINE LINE MUSIC CAFE- You can find this

entertaining music joint in Minneapolis, MN.

MINNESOTA MUSIC CAFE- This live music

venue hosts blues, R&B, Rock shows and more for you to enjoy.

TWIN CITIES SWING- Go swing dancing

with your friends at TC Swing. Open from 10pm to 2am, this is a wonderful way to meet new people every Thursday night.

Rivers Park District has more than one hundred miles of bike trails available for you to bike and walk on, many of them in Eden Prairie.

MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM- Walk

through the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

NICKELODEON UNIVERSE- Return to your

childhood with thrilling rides and adventures that can keep you entertained for a whole day.

CAN CAN WONDERLAND- This eclectic, oldschool arcade and mini-golf course will take you back in time and immerse you in art and fun.

BOWLERO- Find the nostalgia of childhood birthday parties with a game of bowling and laser tag at Bowlero in Eden Prairie.

COLOR ME MINE- Show your creativity

and paint your own pottery at Color Me Mine in Maple Grove or Eagan.

ESCAPE ROOM- Build closer bonds with

your friends while testing your mental abilities at one of many escape rooms in the Twin Cities.

MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

17

OPINION

Staff Editorial Seniors, go vote!

Because most elections are held in the fall, very few high school students are old enough to vote, but the upcoming referendum in May would allow most seniors to vote at a local level. If the referendum passes, seniors won’t be impacted before they graduate, but the lasting effects on Eden Prairie schools are so significant that every eligible senior should vote if they can.

The population of people who can vote on this issue is so small compared to most other elections that one vote will greatly impact whether the referendum passes or not. Not only is the population of Eden Prairie small, but the number of people who will vote will likely be much smaller due to the fact that the referendum is the only issue on the ballot.

Not only is each vote impactful, but the results of the referendum are important to all children in the school district, and we have the chance to change their futures. If we don’t vote, we squander the opportunity we have to make a lasting impact on our own community.

The referendum is for $39.9 million, which would change the entire school district. Countless changes, from security upgrades to grade configuration, would affect every child going through our school system. If students don’t vote, a decision made for students will be made by adults who aren’t even in the school system.

The vote is set to take place on May 14, but early voting starts more than a month before that on March 29. If you didn’t get to vote for the 2018 midterms, this referendum is a good time to register to vote and make a big decision for the community.

The referendum is no presidential election, but voting like this will immediately impact all schools and will continue to influence the education of EP schools for years to come. Seniors, if you can vote on this issue, please visit the following website to learn how you can be part of this important local referendum. www.mnvotes.org www.EPVote2019.org

Editorial Cartoon

18

DESIGN BY KIRA PARRINGTON

BY FUNMI BANJOKO

Syd’s Stance What is our school doing to keep us safe?

BY SYDNEY LEWIS What is our school doing to keep us safe in our classes? Because the reality is that we are scared. We plan where we will hide in each class in case of an active shooter in the building. We think about telling our parents we love them before we leave for school. We look up every time the door in a classroom opens. Our stomachs drop every time a balloon pops.

The May 2019 referendum tells of its plan to “improve safety and security across all eight schools.” But what does that mean?

Will “protective glass” and “lockdown equipment” keep us safe? The reality, probably not.

They may make us feel safer, but I doubt they will actually make us safer.

Even so, 79% of active shooters on school campuses are current students or recent graduates. What stops a student from walking into school with a gun? No amount of “additional exterior security” will help prevent a hidden weapon that is concealed in a student’s backpack.Students who enter school late don’t show any ID, so anyone could easily put on a backpack and pretend to be a student and be hiding a lethal weapon.

Even prior to the referendum, our schools have put security measures in place.

We all came back to school this school year and saw new security doors with enhanced measures intended to keep us safer. The administration never told students what they were for, never told teachers what they were for, but they didn’t have to. We all knew that a school shooting was not unrealistic, even in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

I know the goal of the district staff is to keep us safe. The point is that it shouldn’t be. We should have laws that prevent people from having guns like background checks and extreme risk protection orders. Our strategy should be prevention, not treatment.

There is no treatment for dead children, there is only prevention.

School safety should not have to be the priority of a school district. Their priorities should be on eliminating the achievement gap, personalizing learning and investing in the arts. Guns in schools are not the responsibility of our school district; they are the responsibility of our legislators.

I don’t feel safer because of the security doors. I doubt I will feel safer after the referendum. Only when our elected officials make legislative change, will I feel safer.

S V I

BY FUNMI BANJOKO

n the conversation of Nike vs. Adidas, I have to side with Nike in regards to the superior design of their higher end shoes. Adidas may have us beat with the standard accessible shoe, I’ll give you that, but when it comes to a sneakerhead’s fantasy, Nike comes out on top.

First of all, Nike is home to the fan favorite, legendary line of Air Jordans. The first Air Jordan shoes, known as the Retro Ones, were released in 1985 and revolutionized the fashion and marketing of sneakers. The NBA deemed the original kicks illegal, but Michael Jordan wore them for every game. Can you blame him? They were dope.

The look of this shoe is so iconic that the main character, Miles Morales in the Oscar Award winning film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse wore them throughout the whole movie. Jordans are one of many shoes Nike offers that people not only anxiously await, but also have no problem dropping hundreds of dollars to own them.

Aside from the iconic status of Nike shoes, the design and fashion-forward thinking of the shoes they release is unmatched by, dare I say, any shoe company in the game.

By experimenting with colors, textures and silhouettes, Nike stays at the forefront of sneaker innovation by pushing the envelope on what shoes can look like.

For example Nike doesn’t shy away from loud patterns as seen in their ‘90s inspired line of shoes. They even recently put Bluetooth in a pair of shoes that sold out in no time. By being unafraid of new things, Nike continues to trailblaze in the shoe design while other brands follow suit.

Finally, Nike has won my heart over with its powerful ad campaigns.

Just recently,a commercial featured Serena Williams and a slew of female athletes in a stand for female empowerment.The ad masterfully combines strong messages about the double standards that female athletes face, but ends with an overall message of fighting for what you want no matter what other people think. In addition to that, last year Nike also released a campaign with the controversial figure Colin Kaepernick, taking a firm stand against racism.

All in all, Nike isn’t just a forward-thinking designer, but a forward-thinking company. Whenever you are wearing their shoes, you don’t just feel cool, you also feel like you are supporting an important company.

I

BY KAREN LARIONOVA

walk into Designer Shoe Warehouse and need sneakers. After walking through the Nike aisle, seeing the neon blue and green sneakers that only middle-aged white moms buy, I go to the Adidas tennis shoes and find cheap, fashionable shoes.

Realistically, Adidas shoes are much better than Nike shoes. Although Nike has its classic Air Jordans, Adidas has been rising to a point where its sleek shoes outweigh the clunkiness of Nike’s.

Let’s take women’s lifestyle shoes as an example. The Nike Air Max 720 is too bulky, the Air VaporMax is too bright and the Air Max 97 reminds me of my dad. On the other hand, the Adidas NMD Runner Shoes, Falcon Shoes and Ultimafusion Shoes are all cheaper and better looking than their Nike counterparts.

Even in the running shoes department, the bright red and blue in the men’s and women’s sections of Nike are embarrassing. At least Adidas can do bright colors right, like with the Pharrell Williams collaborations.

Don’t let big commercials and the new Converse branch of Nike fool you. Commercials cost money, and so does buying a company.

Just because Nike had more time to grow and make more money, doesn’t mean they’re better.

Adidas shoes, classic or not, are cheaper and more fashionable in today’s trends. The 90s looks that teenagers are trying to achieve are better completed with the Samba OG Shoes and Superstar Shoes.

The simple logo goes well with outfits and doesn’t distract from them while the Nike logo is often big, bold and too noticeable.

Don’t even get me started on the Yeezys collabs! The legendary Yeezy Boost 700 Inertia, costing only $300, is infinitely higher end and more fashionable than the new Nike Jordans.

If I’m walking into Designer Shoe Warehouse on the hunt for some fashionable new sneakers, you bet I’m going to head straight to the Adidas section. While moms are busy buying neon Nike running shoes, I’ll be buying the on-the-rise shoe company that knows what fashion is.

PHOTO BY FUMNI BANJOKO

MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

19

OPINION

What the Beck!??

A very serious Cheez-its review

BY BELLA BECK

When selecting a cracker to munch and crunch on, there are many options to go for.

Personally, there is nothing that can satisfy my snacking needs like a Cheez-it. The texture, flavor and shape all play into making them my top choice.

When deciding what kind of Cheez-it to indulge with, the choice is simple. While the four cheese italian has a flavor unparalleled by any other snack on the market, the texture and residue on my fingers make it one of my more rare choices.

White cheddar Cheez-its offer up a similar issue. While their flavor is salty and creates a full flavor explosion across your tongue, there is nothing that can make me willingly endure the sticky, white crust on my fingers after eating just one.

So, with the facts having been presented, I firmly believe original cheez-its make for the best experience and most satisfactory snacking.

20

DESIGN BY BAYLEE BRABENDER

It only takes one person

BY ANDREW NOSAL This story is dedicated to the ones who need It most. The ones who tell the teacher they need a partner for the upcoming project. The ones who wait for their name to be called in Phy-Ed. The ones who gravitate towards a chair in the library instead of one at lunch. The ones who want their voice heard so bad, but are ultimately labeled as the quiet kid. The ones who avoid “those people” because of what could happen. The ones who go to the bathroom to get away from it all. The ones who have nobody to talk to when life gets rough. This one’s for you.

People tend to socialize with others who mirror themselves. That does not mean that nobody mingles outside of their friend group, but the majority of our daily interactions are with people we can relate to. Think of who stands at the railing, by the vending machines, or by the new commons. Each group isolates themselves in “their” spot. There is nothing wrong with groups that enjoy each other’s company finding a place to do just that, but people are ultimately left out.

Think about this. If a person is not in a sport/club/organization, what group do they fit into?

People may choose to go through high school independently, which is totally fine, but there are people who crave a sense of belonging but are afraid to take the extra step. People tend to join activities for two reasons: they know someone already in it or know someone joining it. That is not to say that nobody joins an activity just because they are interested, but it takes a bit of courage to do so.

It only takes one person to make a difference in one’s life. My challenge to everyone is to break every social norm that exists and create a better environment at this school. Next time a project is assigned in class, instead of looking at the partner you have had for ten projects in a row, find the person who needs someone to share their talents with. Next time teams are being formed in PhyEd, do not forget the hidden talent that others are passing on. Next time someone is sitting alone at lunch, choose to move your table over to theirs and listen up because they may become your new friend. Next time someone chooses to put down another for their own benefit, act as if you were in that position and what you would want.

Life is not all about you, but you can make a difference in someone else’s life. There are just so many people waiting for someone like you.

1 ways E

1 The trusty water bottle

Investing in a durable water bottle keeps the crumpled plastic water bottles out of the ever-growing landfills. There are numerous water fountains around the school where you can fill it up. You can also bring your coffee mug with you to most coffee shops and have the barista fill it up for you. Even though disposable coffee cups are made with paper, they are lined with plastic.

2 Record time on your showers

Taking shorter showers makes you more eco-friendly AND lowers your water bill. A fun way to implement this practice would be to time yourself and challenge yourself to get out of shower in the least amount of time possible.

3 Meatless Mondays are sustainable

According to theconversation.com, our livestock farming produces at least 18% of human-produced greenhouse gases. Additionally, to raise livestock, it requires the use of a substantial amount of the world’s water and food resources that can be put to better use in a different sector of our society. Going meatless for even a day or two in a week can reduce your carbon footprint.

4 Food goes into your mouth, not in the

trash.

Food waste is one of leading concerns of the FDA and the energy it takes to cultivate the food is wasted if it is not consumed. Be wary of what foods and how much of it you purchase-don’t buy something unless you know for sure that you’ll eat it. You can also place your uneaten fruit in the fruit bins by the trash stations in the lunchrooms.

Evaluating this decade’s aesthetic

BY NICK WALFRID

BY VISHALLI ALAGAPPAN

arth day is coming up in about a month and as global citizens it is our responsibility to take care of our green planet this April 22. Our air is getting more polluted and foggy by the day.

Our marine animals are suffering at the hands of unethical and irresponsible corporations all the while our landfills are filling up faster than ever. Hence, in honor of the upcoming Earth day, here are ten ways you can be environmentally friendly:

NOTABLY NICK

5 Carpool party!

Carpooling with a friend reduces toxic emissions produced by cars. You can also make use of the carpool lane and get to your destination faster!

6 Avoid plastic utensils

Anytime you have the choice to use metal or bamboo utensils over plastic ones, always choose the more sustainable option. You want to avoid plastic like the plague! Even though plastic is recyclable, after a few five or six times plastic cannot be recycled anymore and eventually ends up in landfills. If you want to take it up a notch, bring metal or bamboo utensils with you in small, portable pouch everywhere you go.

7 Fix it, don’t throw it

Almost everything is fixable. All you need to do is put in a little bit of effort. Say your earphones or headphones are broken, don’t throw it away! There are numerous helpful tutorials online that can guide you through this project.

If it is too complex, you can usually take it to an electronics store and get it repaired.

8 Be thrifty-nifty

Buying second hand can be both environmentally and economically conscious. Most of the clothes that we thrown away when they gets too small or too outdated ends up in the landfills. Selling or buying old clothes from second hand shops are the best way to reduce your fashion footprint.

9 Go paperless

EP schools have already opted to provide students with laptops and iPads that reduce the amount of paper used in schools. To alleviate the demand for paper, let’s be careful about the paper we do use. You can share a single piece of paper with your partner when the teacher asks the class to pull out a half sheet of paper. You can use the back of a paper that you used for a different class.

Over the centuries, the course of fashion, music and art has drastically changed.

In particular, the past several decades have been revolutionary in technological and sociological advancement. In our current age, many groups of people have developed their own visual and social culture, referring to it as their aesthetic. Currently, however, vintage and retro clothing are the most popular aesthetics for people to represent.

Of these retrospective aesthetic eras for people to idolize, the 1980s and 90s are currently the most desirable. Even earlier this decade, the pastels of the 50s and 60s were the most visually appealing for consumers, but since then, social media and popular culture have pushed a gorgeous era of VHS tapes, tattered denim, and primary colors upon us.

However, certain decades are not looked upon as fondly as others. The 1970’s, with its shag carpets, brown and green color pallet and unappealing television is not remembered for being anything other than crusty. The same critiques can be said about the late 2000’s with its overload of neon and cringe-inducing music.

The question is, will this current aesthetic era of smartphones, athleisure and Netflix be remembered as cute and chic, or passé and slobbish? Our social media culture, as well as the way many people dress and behave, could be imitated by teenagers in the 2060’s and remembered as a better time, or could be remembered as frumpy and unappealing.

I believe that the 2010’s will not be remembered fondly. When an era relies so heavily on technology, when that technology becomes dated, so will the culture that it brings. Perhaps classifying things as ‘aesthetic’ and ‘chic’ will become the next great faux paus. Regardless, this idea is open to interpretation, as is what you choose to wear and watch.

10 Petition

Talk with school administrators and congressmen to make our school and the world a more green place. As the old saying goes, little drops of water makes the mighty ocean.

MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

21

OPINONS

SELFISH

ISN’T A BAD WORD Why putting yourself first is a good thing

O

22

BY KATHERINE KREGNESS ur society is seemingly terrified of being selfish. We tend to hold the ideal that other people should always come first and that making others happy should inherently make us happy.

This can be fine, or even helpful to an extent, but it becomes hurtful in excess.

Society's fear of selfishness causes people to become overly selfless and forget about the concept of self-care.

The ultimate goal of humans in general is to be happy. It is incredibly ironic that we choose not to do the things that will undoubtedly make us happy in order to appease other people because society tells us that it will ultimately bring us joy.

Despite people’s aversion to the term, the connotation of the term and the general concept of selfishness, the world is increasingly supportive of self-confidence, self-care and self-esteem. Society tells us to love ourselves and then tells us what is wrong with us. We are told to be confident but criticized for arrogance. We are told that we need to put ourselves first while simultaneously scorning selfishness.

People will often change their answer in order to appease those around them, even if it causes more of a problem. For example, have you have ever had that conversation where you

DESIGN BY DAVID NELSON

and a friend can’t make a simple decision but you both have a clear answer? I certainly have.

You’ll spend fifteen minutes going back and forth saying “I don’t care, you can choose.” and never actually reach a decision because you are both too afraid of seeming demanding or selfish.

The definition of selfish is “lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one’s own personal profit or pleasure.”

Self-care is defined as “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.”

The line between selfishness and self-care never seems to be clearly defined. America’s current culture against self-worth and self-esteem is incredibly harmful, especially to its youth.

We are repeatedly urged to spend all of our time and energy on fixing the problems of those around us, leaving no energy to help ourselves.

The happiness of those around us is inherently more important than our own. This causes us to assume our happiness doesn’t matter at all. It often results in people presuming that the direct cause of their happiness is derived from neglecting themselves in favor of others.

Passing time changes are FRUSTRATING

BY BAYLEE BRABENDER The added minute/minutes to class, and the minutes we lost from passing time aren’t as miniscule as they may seem. This new added time to classes makes it even harder to concentrate. You stare at the clock minutes before the class is supposed to end, and then it dawns on you that you have have to wait two extra minutes.

That's when the devastation kicks in. You are in this hour for even longer than you once used to be. It's ridiculous! A few extra minutes for what!? Focusing on one subject for an hour and a half is difficult as it is, so even just an extra minute or two added in each class is extremely frustrating for students.

Also, losing passing time affects many students more than you’d expect. If you have a science class on the third level, have to grab your backpack from wherever your locker is, and attempt to make it to your history class across the school on the first level.

The couple minutes lost of passing time would have been very beneficial. The loss of a minute or two of passing time also makes it extremely difficult to use the restroom between classes when lines in the bathroom are usually five minutes long.

Our brains are tired. Please don't add even more time to this extended amount we already have. Yes, even a minute can affect us. So many regulations and other things within this school have already changed, we can at least keep this one thing. So please, give

Ink on paper versus e-books

BY DAVID NELSON

I have always believed that reading something that is physically in your hands is a much better reading experience than looking at it on a electronic device. It just feels better in your hands compared to holding a tablet or a computer. You can also have an emotional experience with that physical binding that you will remember whenever you see that book on the shelf.

It also looks a lot better when you have a shelf of books in a room than if you have a kindle or a nook that’s sitting on a desk. It lets people know who you are and what your interests are when people look at that shelf. You don’t get that when all of your books are on a device that most people will not see.

Whenever I look at my bookshelf, I remember the times where I would spend hours upon hours reading and thinking about the various situations happening in the story. I sometimes go back and look at passages where I fondly remember reading. The whole experience with those physical manifestations are full of memories and experiences for me personally You are also more likely to concentrate on what’s happening on page than on a computer screen. If you are reading something on a computer one might get distracted and pull up a youtube video that could be completely unrelated to what was being read. Overall, I believe that when you are reading a book that has physical pages that you can touch and feel, it creates an experience that cannot be replicated by an electronic device.

Your hair is not Blonde

BY KIRA PARRINGTON

The new trend of dying your hair silver today and calling it blonde is quite popular. I’m not saying I don’t like the hair color. It’s calling it blonde that is weird to me. Like yes, go for it, dye your hair whatever color you want.

But there is a difference between dying your hair platinum blonde, silver, grey, and white. When people dye their hair grey and call it blonde, they are just lying to themselves.

Do what you want with your hair but don't label it something just to fit a trend. There are so many other things you can do to be basic.

Concerts are

OVERRATED

BY SYDNEY LEWIS You are surrounded by strangers that, though they are in a giant facility, stand way to close to you. The guy next to you kinda smells like weed.

The music is so loud that you can’t even hear your friends. The lights blind you and change so much that your eyes have to readjust every 10 seconds.

You’re seeing your favorite artist, but they aren’t playing any of your favorite songs. The people around you start moshing, but you’re so small that you just get trampled. It takes so long to get home, and the whole time you listen to that artist and realize that they sound so much better on the recording than they did live.

You wake up the next morning with no voice, exhausted, and have to go to school and face math class while your ears are still ringing.

Memorization vs learning

BY CARTER AAKHUS Whether it be math formulas, foreign language vocabulary or names of important historical figures, students spend a criminal amount of time desperately attempting to memorize the various textbook definitions for tests.

All the quizlets, kahoots and note cards help to drill the data into your memory, but for how long?

Oftentimes, students, myself included, are memorizing information that we do not yet understand.

Part of the problem is teaching new material the day before a test and part of it is encouraging rapid-fire mnemonic devices.

Learning this way is a guarantee that the student will forget the material by the year’s end.

I personally feel that more time should be spent on ensuring that the information is actually learned and can be applied to different situations.

This method of teaching must be altered to include interactive activities wherever possible. Many teachers already have this in practice, and as any student will tell you, it is much more effective.

MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

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FEATURE

SMOOTHIE DIY

24

DESIGN BY BELLA BECK

STORY AND PHOTOS BY BAYLEE BRABENDER If you are staying at home over spring break and want a quick, easy, and delicious drink to make, these three DIY smoothies are perfect for you. These smoothies will give you a taste of the tropical feeling you probably wish you could feel, as well as having a tasty and nutritious drink to fill you up.

“Tastes like a Wendy’s frostie” (pictured below)

3/4 cup of almond milk About 15 ice cubes ½ tsp vanilla 1-2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder ⅓ of a banana

Raspberry Energy Boost Smoothie

2 frozen bananas ½ cup of frozen raspberries 1 tbsp of Chia seeds 1 tsp Maca powder 1-2 cups of coconut water or nut/ seed milk

Stress Reduce Smoothie (pictured on pg 24)

1-2 cups lettuce of choice ½ cucumber 1-2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries 1-2 cups coconut or regular water

MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

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SPORTS

WHY THE MINNESOTA TWINS WILL

T

WIN THEIR DIVISION IN 2019

BY ANDREW NOSAL

his will be the first season since 2004 that the Minnesota Twins are without their superstar, Joe Mauer. Brian Dozier, a participant in the 2014 Home Run Derby and 2015 All-Star Game, was traded from the Twins last season and will begin the year as a Washington National.

The AL 2017 Manager of the Year, Paul Molitor, has been fired as the manager of the Twins and newcomer, Rocco Baldelli, will test his luck at managing. With all of these subtractions, the Twins are looking at a tough road ahead of them. But don’t count them out just yet. Here are five reasons why the Minnesota Twins will win the AL Central and participate in the playoffs in 2019.

The Cleveland Indians and their Payroll Cuts - Last season the Indians won the AL Central by 13 games, but the question is can they repeat that success? Over the offseason they parted ways with Edwin Encarnacion (3x All-Star), Yonder Alonso (career .265 batting average), and Yan Gomes (2014 Silver Slug Award Winner) because they needed to shed payroll.

The team did bring back Carlos Santana after one year in Philadelphia, but even Cleveland fans know this offseason was a loss for the team.

Offseason Additions - The Twins lost players through trades and the free agency market, just like the Indians, but their compensation was far greater. Designated hitter Nelson Cruz (6x All-Star) is sure to add a powerful bat in the lineup.

Outfielder Marwin González (2017 World Series champion) is hoping to drive his batting average up to where it once was 4. and lead the outfield. First baseman C.J. Cron had a career best in home runs (30) and walks (37) last season, so expect the same for the upcoming year.

Pitching Staff - The Cleveland Indians dominated in 2018 in the field of pitching. Their team’s earned run average was 3.77, in comparison to the Twins which was 4.50. But do not be surprised if the Twins pitching staff takes charge in 2019.

José Berríos will lead the pitching staff coming off his AllStar season, and Kyle Gibson will follow him up after a season in which he had a career high in innings and a career low in ERA. New Fan Favorite - Since Mauer is now retired, the question is who will be the new face of the team. I believe that player will be catcher Willians Astudillo. He joined the team last season and made a huge splash on the field. His offensive numbers were quite strong, but more importantly, he was all over the news. He plays the game with such charisma that fans could not help but praise him.

If he plays a full season with the Twins this season, I predict he will statistically be one of the best catchers in the league, and everyone will have the number #64 on their backs.

The Bottom Three - The Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers found themselves in the bottom of not just the AL Central but the American League last season.

Anything is possible, but with each of these teams barely making any moves over the offseason, they are predicted to play similar ball this season.

Prediction: The Twins win-to-loss ratio will be 89-73 in 2019.

26

DESIGN BY CARTER AAKHUS

New Manager Rocco Beldelli

PREDICTED LINEUP:

1. Jorge Polanco 2. Jonathan Schoop 3. Eddie Rosario Nelson Cruz 5. C.J. Cron 6. Marwin Gonzalez 7. Max Kepler 8. Jason Castro 9. Byron Buxton

Catcher Willians Astudillo

PHOTOS FROM CREATIVE COMMONS

Gabby Anderson - badminton

BY CARTER AAKHUS Q: How long have you been playing badminton?

A: “This is my third year playing for the team.”

Q: What does the average week look like? How many practices are there versus games?

A: “It’s usually two games a week, an hour after school. Right now we have morning practices 6-7:30.”

Q: What is your favorite part of being on the badminton team?

A: “The fun environment. It’s a lot of goofy people having a good time.

Very positive.”

Q: What are your goals for yourself and for the team?

A: For the team, I would say for us to have one win against Harding or Johnson, which are both schools in St. Paul that are tough to beat. My goal for myself is to know everybody’s name on the team. There are 95 girls!

Q: Do you plan on continuing to play badminton in some way next year?

A: Maybe if there is an intramural team available to me, but it would just be casual if anything.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

James Hammond - fencing

BY ANDREW NOSAL Q: When did you start fencing?

A: “Fifth grade”

Q:Where do you fence?

A: “With the Youth Enrichment League in Chaska.”

Q: What do you find so fascinating about the sport?

A: “It is full of contact and really fast, and there is a lot of physicality. A lot of the game is strategy based.”

Q: What is the best memory you’ve had in regards to fencing?

A: “My first meet as a captain of the team was a really close match against Wayzata; a true competitor at the time. It was me against the other captain and I remember going up how nervous I was. My sword arm was shaking and it was really close. I think the final score was 45-44.”

Q: What would you say to someone who is interested in fencing?

A: “Give it a try. It doesn’t hurt.”

PHOTO SUBMITTED

MARCH 2019 | theeyrie.org

27

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