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LICE LOUNGE: Moms start lice removal business PAGE 3
After-school theater program tackles social justice BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER
FOREST LAKE — Forest Lake High School is preparing for its after-school program Synergy, which teaches social justice through the arts. The program is made possible through the East Metro Integration District 6067, which serves 10 local school districts with similar after-school services. This year, Sarah Saddler will serve as advisor to the Forest Lake program. Saddler is currently pursuing a PhD in Theater Arts at the University of Minnesota, where she also teaches theater art to undergraduates. In the past, she has worked with middle schools—this will be her first opportunity to work with students on a high school level. Saddler has a background featuring interactive theater techniques that focus on learning. Her experience with political theater is what initially won the attention of EMID, which approached her as a possible advisor. Students who participate do not have to be actors; anyone interested in social justice or the arts is welcome to join. “It is by no means an acting training class,” Saddler said. The sessions, which meet twice a week after school, are meant to be very topical and relevant to the daily lives of Forest Lake students. “We talk about things they might not be able to talk about in [the] everyday school environment, tools they need to become more confident with their bodies and with addressing groups, and making them feel that their opinions matter,” Saddler said. “We’re exploring what’s important to them, what they want to be after high school.” Some of the exercises are more concrete, highlighting day-to-day troubles, concerns and interests of students. This can include academic achievement, civic engagement, understanding leadership style, community issues and other topics. SEE THEATER PROGRAM, PAGE 12
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Pole Barn Studio owner Rochelle Jacobs demonstrates an aerial silk maneuver. The business celebrated its two- year anniversary with a performance last week.
Alternative fitness grows in popularity performers, and this year we had 16.” The pole fitness trend has been growing in the last few years, providing an alternative way for people to stay active. Jacobs said that the studio has around 200 regulars every month, and that 11,000 people have taken classes throughout the studio’s two-year history. Two dancers from The Pole Barn studio competed in the first-ever Minnesota Regional Pole Competition in January—and instructor Abbey Freundschuch actually ended up winning the competition. Jacobs believes that part of the reason pole fitness has grown in popularity is because it works faster than other forms of fitness. “You’re actually using your body as the weight,” Jacobs said. “So if you’re an average woman, you’ll be pulling up 120 pounds every time you do some-
BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER
STILLWATER — Downtown Stillwater fitness studio The Pole Barn celebrated its two-year anniversary last week with a sold-out student showcase Feb. 15. The event had been sold out for weeks, but the studio offered a live stream of the performance online. More than 60 people were in attendance. There were 16 performers, some instructors and some students, who displayed a variety of self-choreographed routines, both with pole dancing and with aerial silks. “The first year we did it in the hopes of showing how proud we were, so now it’s just become an annual tradition,” said owner Rochelle Jacobs. “So we think it’s going to get bigger and bigger and bigger. Last year we had only seven
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thing, versus when you go to the gym and lift 10-pound weights over and over. So you get results a lot quicker.” And the other reason? “And another reason it’s a huge trend is that it’s fun,” she said. “You have a great time and you also gain a ton of friendships. You don’t typically leave there dripping in sweat, but you leave laughing. The next day you’re sore, but at first you don’t realize it because you’re having so much fun at the time.” Jacobs said that class sizes at the studio are typically no bigger than eight, which means that instructors have the opportunity to work almost one-onone with students. The classes are also flexible with the experience level of the students—some students have been dancers since childhood and SEE POLE BARN, PAGE 12
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