Issue 5- February 2013

ZE PH

YR US NE W S

Z

www.edinazephyrus.com

THE

In-Depth p. 6-7

Culture p. 10

Features p. 3

The Art of Seduction : All about everyone’s favorite way of finding love.

Gore for the Dateless: Console yourself with horror movies this Valentine’s day.

Edina’s bravest: Taylor Lieber’s fight isn’t just hers.

Volume 33 Issue 5

February 22, 2013

6754 Valley View Rd. Edina, MN 55439

FLU HITS HOME Whether it’s H1N1 (the swine flu) or a filler news segment reminding everyone to get their flu shots, the flu is has become as mainstream as Imagine Dragons has in the past year. Dozens of people have died in Minnesota alone.

This year the problem is with the flu shot itself. The concern is that the percent effectiveness this year is too low and has actually put many at risk. According to Edina High School’s Nurse Ann Little, the percent effectiveness rating for this year’s flu shot is right around sixty percent, meaning that when a patient gets a flu shot, he or she is sixty percent less likely to get the flu than someone who didn’t get it. Nurse Little continued saying “If we didn’t have it, it would be way worse.”

When Nurse Little was asked about it only being sixty percent effective she said “that is way better than zero.” While many of this year’s flu strains are not covered by the vaccine, many still are and getting the shot does help in the recovery process.

Every year the flu virus mutates from the previous year’s flu, it does this to stay alive and adapt from the vaccine from last year. Every year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must give what is according to Nurse Little, their best guess. While this sounds inaccurate, their best guess is still able to protect sixty percent of its users.

Unlike most common medicine, vaccines use the actual virus in the solution. By giving patients a small dose of flu (there are usually three different flu viruses in each shot) the goal is to build up immunity, so even if the virus is caught, the immune system can handle the virus much more quickly.

Growing flu strains might seem like it would be ineffective and possibly dangerous, but a unconventional method has found success. The vaccine is actually made with chicken eggs. Usually two strains of flu are injected into a fertilized egg, where they begin to multiply and intermingle. When this happens, hundreds of different variations of flu strains are created and voila! A flu vaccine with good coverage over most viruses is created.

Even with constant strains of flu allegedly attacking everyone nonstop, according to Nurse Little, our sick numbers have stayed con sistent with last years and Edina has held its own through this seemingly rough flu season.

Matt Woolsey, staff writer

art by Annika Smith-Ortiz

Edina students deeply divided on gun control, gun rights In the last year, some of the most shocking and deadly shootings ever have occurred in the U.S., from Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, to a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. Though everyone is in agreement that these events were horrible, Edina High School students are split about solutions, especially those involving guns.

A seemingly obvious solution, to some, is gun control. Sophomore Joe Druckman said, “I don’t believe people should be able to own any large caliber weaponry.” He went on to say, “If you’re going to own a gun, it should be a small caliber handgun. It should be registered, and you should have all sort of tests done before you get it.” Junior Aaron Schroeder disagreed, saying “It’s our right to own guns, so why should the government take away that right?”

Wayne LaPierre, executive vice-president of the powerful National Rifle Association, said in a speech at the Weatherby Foundation International Hunting and Conservation Awards in Reno, “We believe that if neither the criminal nor the political class and their bodyguards and security people aren’t limited by magazine capacity, we shouldn’t be limited in our capacity either.” He also referenced the second amendment in his rhetoric. But the question is, has this amendment become out of date?

photos courtesy Gage Skidmore and US Federal Government

The combatants in the gun rights fight, from top: NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre and President Barack Obama

According to sophomore Nate Richman, yes. “I don’t think that we can take away all the guns, because our country has gotten so dependant on them, but I think there should be tighter controls on them like background checks, and there definitely should be restrictions on magazine size.” He went on to say “In England they don’t really have guns, and they have extremely lower gun death rates than us.”

How does personal safety relate to gun control, then? Druckman said, “In Connecticut, Adam Lanza didn’t own the guns, his mother owned the guns.

But it was still an issue of a potentially violent person who had ready access to dangerous weapons. And this has to be sorted out somehow.” To many, the answer is mental health screening. Richman said, “There needs to be a better mental health system. I once heard an NRA representative say ‘we need a list of all the crazy people’, and we need something better than that. We need mental health support kind of like Alcoholics Anonymous.”

Edina students are less divided when it comes to guns in classrooms, though.

Richman said “I think guns in the room pose more of a hazard.... I don’t think schools have that much control over what goes on in the classroom, not enough for me to feel comfortable with a gun in the classroom.” Schroeder agreed.

“No guns in classrooms. That’s actually a horrible idea.”

Jackson Van Dyke, staff writer

The official newspaper of Edina High School

2

News

www.edinazephyrus.com

Volume 33 Issue 5

February 22, 2013

6754 Valley View Rd. Edina, MN 55439

Ban on women in combat lifted “No matter who is in combat and who works behind the scenes, every soldier has just as important of a role,” commented junior Sophia Reyes, an EHS student enlisted in the Army Reserves.

On January 23rd of this year, the United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced a lift on the Pentagon’s 1994 ban on women in combat. This ban read: “women shall be excluded from assignment to units below the brigade level whose primary mission is to engage in direct combat on the ground.” Basically, women were not allowed to fight on the ground level except for in brigades.

Despite this ban, women still fought and died in battle across by fighting as support on and off the frontlines. In the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is estimated that hundreds of women fought and died as support on the frontlines during combat according to the New York Times. With the 1994 ban still in effect despite the lives of these women lost and unrecognized, many women in the armed forces decided to take a stand and voice their opposition to the ban.

Many protests and lawsuits later, military officials began looking at this issue more seriously, bringing it to the surface in this past year until

finally this January the Joint Chiefs of Staff unanimously recommended that Panetta lift ban.

For the fourteen percent that make up women in the military, this means significant change and great gains. Now, not only will women be allowed to serve in direct combat on the ground level, but they will also be allowed to serve in higher offices of the military.

“With the lift on the ban, I can see myself reaching one of the higher ranks in the Army. It’s hard to reach those ranks when other male soldiers have combat time which sets them off as better than the females who weren’t allowed in combat” commented Reyes. In a recent memo sent by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, he believes the lift on the ban will “eliminate all unnecessary gender-based barriers to service”.

Not only does this mean significant change for just women but also for the entire military. While the goal is to implement these changes as soon as possible, Panetta recognizes that time is needed to allow these changes to come into full effect.

According to a Defense Department official, services will have until May of this year to come up with plans for implementation. However, services will have until January of 2016 to

have the lift on this ban in full effect.

With this lift on the ban has come excitement from both women and men inside and outside the military.

Along with last year’s repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, many are excited about recent changes in the military.

“With the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and now the lift on the ban, I fell that the military is as close to equality as it has ever been” said Reyes.

However, changes such as these don’t come without controversy. Like the critics of the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, there are many critics of the lift on this ban. A survey of current Marines shows that seventeen percent of male Marines would leave if women were allowed in combat roles. This opposition to the lift comes not only from men in the Marines, but from women as well. According to polls taken by the Huffington Post, 23 percent of American women oppose allowing women in combat roles.

Now as the military moves closer and closer to equality with allowing women in combat, all we can do is wait until these changes are finally implemented and look forward to future changes in the ever-evolving 21st century military.

Hayley Morrison, opinion editor

art by Annika Smith-Ortiz

Minnesota’s attack on taxes

Compulsive shoppers, beware. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is proposing changes in Minnesota’s tax code that will add stress for fans of designer clothes, online shopping, and a whole lot of other things.

The changes have to do with the most important part of the tax code, at least to many high school students – the sales tax. Under Dayton’s new budget, Minnesota’s overall sales tax would go down – from 6.825% to 5.5% - but certain high-priced goods and services, such as clothes over $100 and lawyers’ bills, would get taxed for the first time. The same goes for some basic things, like auto repairs and haircuts.

These reforms are part of Dayton’s overall plan to help eliminate Minnesota’s budget deficit by changing its tax structure, and are part of a package deal that includes tax increases on upper income brackets, a higher cigarette tax, and more allocation for public schools and universities. Naturally, there’s some disagreement over the particulars, and there’s a fair chance the budget won’t get passed in its current form.

Nevertheless, some Edina students are a bit frightened. When asked whether the changes in the sales tax would affect her shopping habits, junior Emma Chen said, “Maybe. When it comes to more expensive things, I’d definitely not have to pay an extra however many

dollars. So I guess I’d be a bit more wary about my purchases.”

Some Edinans, though, are unperturbed. “[The changes] wouldn’t affect my shopping habits at all, becuase I’ve shopped mainly at places like Target and thrift stores all my life,” said junior Paige Harrington. “Sales tax has never been a huge influence on what I’ve bought, so I wouldn’t really care either way.”

Micah Osler, news editor

art by Annika Smith-Ortiz

New year, new government Have you noticed the rising gas prices around Edina?

Recently, Iran’s oil minister, Rostam Qasemi, admitted that petroleum exports and sales had dropped by 40% in the past nine months because of Western sanctions. Qasemi has consistently denied that Iran was having problems selling its oil, which is its largest source of revenue. Additionally, according to Gholam Reza Kateb, the head of the parliament’s budget committee, the decline in oil sales and banking sanctions have caused a 45% drop in revenue.

But a new year comes with new changes. Hillary Clinton leaves her post as Secretary of State next month. She is seen as one of the most popular Secretaries of State in recent years.

Clinton is known for on issues like democracy and human rights.

So, what is the U.S. Foreign Policy going to look like under the new Secretary of State?

Well, Senator John Kerry is taking over and he spoke of climate change and its link to U.S. domestic energy policy.

However, Kerry faces formidable challenges in his new job.

Obama’s first administration made little headway at solving foreign policy problems in Iran, Syria, North Korea and elsewhere. Kerry also will deal with a White House that prefers to keep decisions on key issues of war and peace in its own hands.

During his confirmation hearing last week and other appearances, Kerry gave some signals of what he intends to emphasize.

He said he would begin an effort to renew Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, a process that has been nearly dead since the Obama administration’s opening initiative was abandoned two years ago. Kerry also said he intended to work toward preventing global warming.

For many hopefuls, the foreign policy changes signal a new air of improvements and that gas prices around the U.S will become stable again.

Anna Zhou, staff writer

Features 6754 Valley View Rd. Edina, MN 55439

February 22, 2013

Volume 33 Issue 5

3

www.edinazephyrus.com

#PrayForTay One student’s optimistic battle

photos courtesy of The Gold Hope Project

“I want to work with the CIA. If that doesn’t work, I’m just going to be James Bond.” Taylor predicted with a chuckle.

Taylor Lieber is a sophomore who was attending Edina High School until she was diagnosed with cancer on her brother’s, senior Mikey Lieber, 18th birthday on October 25. Leading up to the diagnosis, she had a persistent headache. Her parents thought nothing of it until eventually the left side of her face became numb. That’s when the Lieber family decided to take action. It’s good they did, because it turned out that Taylor had a fast growing sarcoma the size of a golf ball pressing on her optic nerve. For those of you who don’t speak cancer, a sarcoma is a cancer of the soft tissue.

The good news is that Taylor’s aggressive chemotherapy has been going smoothly with minimal side effects. There are fourteen cycles in her treatment plan, and she has completed six. Not being able to get everything needed here in Minnesota, Taylor will be taking trips to Indiana for proton radiation therapy. There, she will be sedated and bolted to a board in a body cast with a mesh face mask on. Maybe that sounds like a medieval form of torture, but this type of chemo is actually much safer because proton beams will be launched to attack the cancer without going through her eyes, which could result in memory and vision loss. This therapy can last up to an hour a day, five days a week for seven weeks.

Regardless of how strong a person is, cancer always has side effects. Taylor finds that she gets tired easily and her bones ache, which requires lots of sitting breaks while walking. Initially, she lost a lot of weight but she managed to gain it back which was critical to her success, otherwise she would’ve needed to be put on a feeding tube. Even though it’s hard to go from warm to cold environments and she finds it hard to breathe outside, she feels generally fine.

One of the biggest changes came when Taylor realized it was time to cut her hair. At first she donated her long locks, but even with her short bob, her hair kept falling out so one day she and some friends shaved her head together. Many things went through her head during and after this process.

At first she thought, “Oh God, I’m going to look like an alien.” After it was over, “Alright, I don’t have to get up early to do my hair anymore!” She did mention that many people stare whenever she takes off her hat in public but she left things on a funny note, “I still carry around a hair binder so if anyone needs one, ask the baldy.”

Because she looked so good sans hair, Taylor was asked to be the model for the Gold Hope Project.

The foundation’s main goal is to reach out to “kids and families affected by Childhood Cancers.”

Along the way, Taylor was inspired and decided she wanted to give back, so she started selling bracelets for $5 each. All the proceeds go to the Cancer Kids fund which provides “equipment [to the cancer floor of Minneapolis Children’s Hospital] that makes treatment more bearable,” mother Lauren Lieber explains. So far, they’ve raised over three thousand dollars. If you are interested in purchasing a bracelet, email Lauren at lauren@liebergroup.com. They will continue to sell them until they run out.

Despite everything that’s happened in the past year, Taylor’s brother Mikey said, “Taylor has kept her sense of humor and personality.” They don’t see each other as frequently as they used to, but they enjoy bonding by going to Yogurt Lab whenever they can. Taylor can’t come to school, but she still tries to stay connected through Facebook and events like dances. This year she will have attended all three. She still seems happy and bubbly and noted, “I always tell people I’m still me.

You don’t have to treat me differently because I have no hair. I’m still the same person.”

Sarah Aydinalp, staff writer

Battle of Backyard Hockey Rinks Junior Cullen Ryan’s Rink: Complete with spotlights for some nighttime puck, a homemade Zamboni, and blue lines and red lines to boot, Cullen Ryan’s outdoor rink is definitely a standout. It is constructed on Minnehaha Creek and along with the excellent surrounding scenery Ryan said that he once saw a fish “frozen in the ice, just looking at me.” Ryan’s favorite memory of the outdoor rink is when, “My parents had a friend who won the Stanley Cup over and one of their other friends asked him if he knew anything about hockey.”

Sophomore Taylor Williamson’s Rink: Built on her outdoor sport court, this rink is notable for its pristine sheet of ice. The ice is flawless, free of any bubbles, holes, or distortions. It has backstops at each end of the rink to catch the occasional errant shot and sports two nets and more than enough room for Williamson to hone her skills for the Edina High School girl’s varsity hockey team.

Junior Trip Adams’ Rink: Spanning the entirety of his front yard and lined with boards, this rink “is pretty big” said Adams. However, with size comes some disadvantages, as Adams acknowledged, “Shoveling for sure... It’s four times the size of my driveway and we had to shovel before we put ice down after that huge snow.” Even so, Adams still loves having an outdoor rink because, “it’s kind of the hub of the neighborhood.”

photos by Matt Dulas

Junior John Terwilliger’s Rink: Fitting perfectly in his backyard just feet from his deck and picturesquely fringed by trees, Terwilliger’s ice sheet is the archetype of classic outdoor rinks. Terwilliger said that he loves that he can, “just go out anytime and practice and have buddies over.”

Matt Dulas, staff writer

4

Features

www.edinazephyrus.com

Volume 33 Issue 5

February 22, 2013

Couple features

6754 Valley View Rd. Edina, MN 55439

How much do these couples know about each other?

Juniors Brian Atkin and Maddie Boyer What’s she afraid of?

BA: Heights MB: Heights What’s your anniversary?

BA: December 17th, 2011 MB: December 17th, 2011 Who’s her celebrity crush?

BA: Eddie Redmayne MB: Eddie Redmayne or Matt Smith What’s her guilty pleasure?

BA: Chocolate MB: Reading books

What’s his favorite sports team?

MB: St. Louis Cardinals BA: Cardinals What’s his favorite food?

MB: Pizza BA: Fried Chicken and Waffles Who’s his celebrity crush?

MB: Mila Kunis or Jenna Louise Coleman BA: Jenna Louise Coleman What’s his guilty pleasure?

MB: Baking BA: Netflix photo by Talia Edelheit

Seniors Jack Hartwig and Ava Pydych What’s his favorite sports team?

AP: Doesn’t watch sports JH: EHS Green Lanterns Ultimate Frisbee What’s his favorite food?

AP: Qdoba JH: Qdoba Who’s his celebrity crush?

AP: Taylor Swift JH: Ava Pydych What’s his guilty pleasure?

AP: World of Warcraft JH: World of Warcraft

What’s she afraid of?

JH: Claustrophobic or Polar Bears AP: Monsters biting my feet in bed What’s your anniversary?

JH: September 6th, 2012 AP: September 6th, 2012 Who’s her celebrity crush?

JH: Jack Hartwig AP: James Franco What’s her guilty pleasure?

JH: Jack Hartwig AP: Bringing him shopping with me

photo by Jake Freeman

Two more interviews online at edinazephyrus.com Anna Ellingboe and Ellie Lagorio, managing editor and coordinating editor

The Beef with JTVD

A pretentious sophomore’s take on life in the bubble A lot of stuff bugs me. Some of the most annoying things have to do with feet. From leggings, to foot bouncing, to shuffling, I just can’t stand them.

There’s a classic look here at Edina: tall white socks in crocs or moccasins, which is fine. The problem arises when you pull your socks over your leggings. This creates a line from the end of the leggings inside the sock. So there is a geometric pattern of the sock that is abruptly interrupted by an uneven ring. This becomes even worse when you reverse the socks and leggings, and you see a distorted pattern of elastic lines underneath the smooth consistency of the legging.

Next we have the classic foot bouncer. Someone who is so filled with energy, and so bored with the material of the class that they just need to bounce their leg. They don’t realize that they are slightly touching your desk in their bounce, making your desk shake just enough to shift your concentration to the incessant bouncing.

This brings us to the classic foot shuffler. This person is too cool to actually take steps. The advocation to lift your foot and move it at least a few inches is too much. They shuffle down the hall holding up traffic. They need to make sure everyone notices that they are so rebellious and bohemian, that they don’t need to walk like everyone else.

Jackson T. Van Dyke, staff writer

art by Annika Smith-Ortiz

Learn to deal

If you need proof that there are some things technology can’t change, just look at card games.

Sure, most of us were first exposed to Solitaire on a computer, and sure, maybe some of us (i.e., me) never got beyond making that cool swooshy thing with the cards. But by and large, card games have stayed offline and analog, and they’ve acquired some devotees at Edina High School.

Take EHS junior Luke Peilen, for instance. Peilen, a cards enthusiast, plays for at least half an hour a day. Luke plays Mao with his friends whenever possible. “I love its combination of strategy, deductive reasoning, and absurd cruelty,” Peilen said. “It’s just so fun!”

Junior Paige Harrington agrees. “I love playing cards!” Harrington exclaimed when asked about her card-playing habits.

“My favorites are BS and King’s Corner. Also, Solitaire, because I’m a loner.”

Interested in a little lo-tech fun? Here are a few card games to try out: Crazy Eights: Sort of like Uno. Actually, it’s exactly like Uno, but without Wild Draw Fours, and all those evil cards do are start fights and end friendships anyway.

Blackjack: It’s the game you always see people in Vegas playing in movies. Apparently, it’s better if not played in a smoke-filled casino against a glorified carnie who’s probably going to end up with a significant amount of your money.

Speed: A favorite of junior Abbie Barnes (and one I’m partial to, as well), but one that hasn’t quite migrated to Edina yet. Google the rules – they’re a bit arcane - but it’s pretty much a contest of reflexes, wrist strength, and victory dances.

Ultimate Loser: Any middle schooler would be willing to teach you how to play, or at least sort of teach you how to play and then laugh at how you fail to comprehend the complicated rules. But fun nonetheless, especially once you get to laugh at other people.

52-Card Pickup: Play only against enemies and very good friends. You know the rules.

Mao: All hail the Chairman. For more information, contact Luke Peilen or Micah Osler. But please, for the love of Zeus, don’t Wikipedia it. That spoils the, er, fun.

Micah Osler, news editor

Sports 6754 Valley View Rd. Edina, MN 55439

February 22, 2013

Volume 33 Issue 5

5

www.edinazephyrus.com

Captains McGrory and Woodward go head to head 1. Where will you be playing basketball next year?

2. When did you start playing basketball?

3. What is your favorite basketball memory?

4. What is your favorite pump up song to listen to before a game?

5. What opportunities and experiences has Edina basketball given you that you will take with you to college next year?

6. What are your pregame rituals?

7. Who was the most influential coach in your career so far and why?

8. When did you score your 1000th point, and what did that mean to you?

photo courtesy of Mary Claire McGrory

8. What do you think about Woodward / McGrory?

1. I’ll be attending Creighton University to play Division 1.

2. I started paying organized basketball when I was in second grade.

3. Going to State last year has been my best basketball experience so far. Accomplishing something together as a team for which you’ve worked so hard is an amazing feeling.

4. I don’t listen to music before games because I enjoy using that time to talk to my teammates and coaches.

5. I’ve really enjoyed the experience Edina basketball has given me to represent my community and be a role model.

6. I don’t really have any rituals. I just make sure I am properly fueled and well stretched.

7. Mike Amos, my AAU coach and trainer throughout high school, has been very influential to me. Each off-season, he has helped me add elements to my game and prepare me for the upcoming season. He has also helped prepare me for college through both training and recruiting.

8. Earlier this year, I scored my 1000th point. While it’s never been a goal for me, it is neat to be in a group that includes such great players. I’m thankful for everything that has gone right to get me to this point because I realize there are many exceptional players who, for reasons outside of their control, didn’t reach this milestone.

9. Wordward is a very good ball handler and shooter which makes creating his own shot look effortless. I think all of these attributes will help him continue his success at Penn State.

photo courtesy of Graham Woodward

1. I will be going to Penn State to play Division 1.

2. I started playing basketball at the age of three, and haven’t looked back since.

3. My favorite basketball memory is winning the state championship in fifth grade with some of my best friends. It will always be a moment to remember.

4. My favorite pump up song to listen to before a game is “Skyfall.”

5. I think Edina has really taught me a lot about me as a person. I have had to deal with a lot of adversity, and I think that has helped me grow as a human being.

6. I have many pregame rituals. I always have Brueggers, I always lock my car three times while walking to the gym, and I always put on my left shoe before my right shoe.

7. Jay Fuhrmann has taught me so much there is to know about basketball and just about life in general. He was really able to show me how much fun the game really is. He still continues to help me to this day.

8. I scored my 1000th point the second game into the season this year against Lakeville North, and it was a great accomplishment for me. It was very special, but to be honest, I could not have done it without any of my teammates.

9. McGrory is a really special player, and I think she is going to go on and do great things at Creighton, and beyond!

Vivi Engen, online sports editor

Continuing Edina legacies

photo courtesy of Brianna Bellows

Bellows family posing with the Stanly Cup in 2002.

Edina is full of legacies. Whether they are in music, academics, or sports, families have built up reputations for their children to follow. This year, the number of sports legacies at Edina High School has come to an all-time high. Ranging from swimming to hockey, families are looking to their current high school students for greatness.

Senior Brianna Bellows is the daughter of former NHL player Brian Bellows. Playing hockey and lacrosse, Bellows is continuing her father’s legacy, while still realizing what she wants to do personally.

“I’m at the point where I have accepted that I’m not going to go further with my career in sports,” said Bellows. Though her father played in the NHL for twenty years, it is Bellows’ brother, Kieffer Bellows, who is following in their father’s footsteps. “Being a Bellows is a huge pressure. Not so much for my sister [Lydia] and I, but more so for my brother. He is ranked four out of forty for the WNHL draft year…

He’s doing really well.” Bellows has honored her family’s legacy throughout her time at EHS, representing girl’s hockey and lacrosse, and showing that the Bellows’ family name is still as strong as ever.

Senior Sean Satterthwaite, has not a parental legacy to follow, but a sibling one. Satterthwaite, a swim team captain, is following in his brothers, Chris and Tim’s [class of 2009 and 2011], footsteps. “Chris was captain of the high school team, won several state championships, won the Ivy League swimmer of the meet [at Harvard], and went to D1 NCAA’s. Tim was also captain of the high school team, won many state championships, and is swimming at Cornell, planning on going to the Ivy’s later this year,” Satterthwaite said. As a senior, Satterthwaite is following his brother’s legacies by being a swim team captain and pushing himself to go as fast as he can. “My parents expect me to do everything I can to go as fast as I can, but besides that, there really isn’t a lot of pressure from my family.” Satterthwaite is also looking forward to breaking his brothers’ state records; one has already been beat by teammate Eric Huft earlier this season.

All of these legacies have been passed down through the different families. But one thing remains constant- each family supports each other, and expects that the teenagers only do what they are capable of achieving.

Talia Edelheit, news editor

8 Opinion

www.edinazephyrus.com

Volume 33 Issue 5

Locked out: the EPAC crisis

Shortly after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, Edina High School changed their security policies at the Door 3 entrance. Students and visitors are not allowed to enter the EPAC entrance during the hours of 8:35am- 3:10pm.

This security change bodes problematic for seniors who are allowed off school property for senior release and PSEO classes.

For those of us who park in the EPAC parking lot, grabbing a bite to eat during lunch includes catching a cold on the long trek to Door 7.

Having the security staff enforce the administraton’s decision to lock the EPAC doors is ineffective and ultimately puts their own safety at risk, besides inconveniencing students.

Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, the perpetrators of the Columbine massacre, appeared to be students just like you and I. On the day of April 20, 1999, Klebold and Harris walked in Columbine High School with a nine mm semiautomatic handgun (hidden under Klebold’s coat), 12 gauge double-barrel sawed off shotgun (hidden

in Klebold’s cargo pants), a carbon rifle (hidden under Harris’ coat), and 95 bombs. Obviously they managed to fit in enough to be able to walk in and rampage the entire school, and so could an EHS student, if they were wearing a backpack and weren’t stopped by security personnel.

When Adam Lanza walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012, he shot six of the elementary school staff members and killed twenty innocent children. photo by Sloane Nilsen Those staff members could have easily been Arlou, Tony, and D. A person so intent on massacring an entire school is not going to be delayed by a locked door alone.

Locking the doors at EPAC would be a minimal obstacle for a shooter, but it is an obstacle for seniors who are trying to enjoy their long-awaited lunch and PSEO freedoms. I wouldn’t mind being searched when walking into EPAC or Door 7; I have nothing to hide. But simply locking doors and forcing students to walk outside in the frigid weather isn’t fixing anything.

Ashley Smith, online editor in chief

February 22, 2013

6754 Valley View Rd. Edina, MN 55439

Excused absence

I’ll admit right now: I’m a hypocrite. For the first two weeks of second semester I had a bad cold, and I only missed two days of school before returning to class, trying to keep up with my schoolwork.

Yet I hate it when people come to school sick. It’s so frustrating to be sneezed and coughed on, and you can only sanitize your hands so often. Why are people with sore throats, booming coughs, and explosive sneezes sitting in class?

Senior Jack Swiler said that there is “definitely” pressure to come to school sick. He explained, “It’s obnoxious having to do makeup work when part of the time it’s something we do in class that you have to do at home along with homework. Everything piles on top of itself.” This is exactly why I came to school sick– I knew that if I stayed at home and rested, I would return to a pile of makeup work taller than Mount Everest, and I would spend weeks staying after school trying to catch up.

Once you get to school, there’s also the issue of the great tissue box shortage. So many classrooms are lacking in hand sanitizer, tissues or any other resource for sick students. It’s cold and flu season, and we need a better system. Swiler suggested, “Instead of some classes having six boxes and some having none, they should have a better way of distributing Kleenex throughout the school.” I recommend bringing a pack of personal tissues to school. If you don’t, you may end up using paper towels from the bathroom and rubbing your nose raw.

So in the meantime, do your best to stay healthy and wash your hands. In the foreseeable future, I’m sure that students will continue to come in to school coughing and sneezing, but try to think twice before you do. Use your judgement and be considerate about covering your mouth. Still sick?

Swiler recommended (and I agree): “Luden’s cherry cough drops. Best cough drops ever.”

Andrea Kimball, editor in chief

photo by Jake Freeman

Shooting for freedom One of the biggest discussion topics around the country and in American politics is gun control: who can own a gun, how many guns you can have, and where you can buy them. In light of the recent shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, talk of restricting gun rights has surged to the top of political agendas on both sides of the aisle.

Solutions to the increased amount of gun violence around the country go from arming teachers to banning assault weapons altogether. All in all, it’s my opinion that guns don’t kill people, people kill people and the restriction of gun rights may lead to more tragedies and a heightened illegal gun trade.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is our country’s foremost defender of our second amendment right, the right to bear arms. Recently, the NRA has had a spike in new members likely due to the talk on Capitol Hill of restricting the right to own a gun. The benefits of being an NRA member include different amounts of financial coverage for gun-related accidents, advocacy for the protection of the second amendment, and, most importantly, gun safety and training programs. When the Bill of Rights was written, owning a gun had been essential for many Americans

Zephyrus Staff

since the beginning of colonization. I believe that it is safe to say that in 2013, owning and knowing how to properly use a gun is no longer a necessary means of survival.

However, this makes restricting gun rights all the more scary. If there are fewer legal guns owned by Americans, fewer people will seek out gun safety and training programs, thereby increasing the chance of a deadly weapon falling into untrained hands.

It’s no secret that any American can find the opportunities to get whatever they want, legal or illegal. Restricting the right to own certain types of firearms, namely military style assault weapons, would only add fuel to the fire and create one more thing for people to sell illegally. According to a recent figure from CNN, our government has already spent more than one trillion dollars on the war on drugs since 1971. Following the first quarterly retraction of our national GDP since 2009, the possible amount of money that would be spent trying to eliminate illegal weapons from circulation is a cost we may not be able to afford.

Some Americans believe that taking military style assault weapons out of the equation is the answer to the problem, that if people don’t have these guns that shoot-

ings will no longer happen. Though this idea makes sense in principle, I believe that it is an insufficient answer to a growing problem. A gun can’t load, aim, and pull its own trigger, a person has to do that. Guns aren’t going to change all of a sudden and become completely safe; that’s not what they’re made to do.

I believe a change has to come from the person holding the gun, not what the person is holding. The Aurora and Newtown shootings have raised questions about the state of mental health in our country, a thing that may be suffering financially as a result of the recent recession.

It’s not an excuse, but I don’t think that Adam Lanza or James Holmes were qualified to own or operate the weapons that they used.

The tragedies in Aurora and Newtown are definitely dark spots in American history. All the same, I don’t think that taking away a certain type of firearm is going to stop these awful things from happening. Some problems can’t be legislated away.

Alex Van Gorp, ad manager

art by Nick Crain

editors in chief: Andrea Kimball, Ashley Smith copy editor: Rayelle Washington art editor: Sloane Nilsen managing editor: Anna Ellingboe advertising manager: Alex Van Gorp coordinating manager: Ellie Lagorio news editors: Micah Osler, Talia Edelheit, Alex Van Gorp features editors: Sarah Nealon, Hannah Sommerville, Ellie Lagorio sports editors: Jack Hultstrand, Vivi Engen in-depth editor: Clare Ling opinion editors: Jake Freeman, Hayley Morrison, Alex Van Gorp culture editors: Megan Couture, Christina Dovolis, Ellie Lagorio back page editor: Sloane Nilsen staff writers: Sarah Aydinalp, Perry Bruder, Drew Davis, Matt Dulas, Madison Hobbs, Jackson Van Dyke, Matt Woolsey, Anna Zhou head photographer: Jake Freeman photographers/artists: Julia Bolter, Nick Crain, Talia Edelheit, Tom Gaasedelen, Abby Gieseke, Cici Holmquist, Elizabeth Jarvey, Anna Pugh, Raquel Radenbaugh, Zai Rutter, Jessica Smith, Annika Smith-Ortiz graphic designer: Tom Gaasedelen advisor: Elizabeth Barniskis

Zephyrus is a monthly publication produced by students of Edina High School; 6754 Valley View Road; Edina, MN 55439; (952) 848-3800 x3087. Zephyrus is an open forum for student expression that recognizes the First Amendment guarentee of freedom of the press, and abides by Tinker standard. Opinions published in Zephyrus do not necessarily reflect the views of the entire staff, advisor, administration, or entire student body. Submissions and letters are printed based on space available. Anonymous letters may be printed only if a Zephyrus advisor or editor knows the author’s identity. Letters should be mailed to the school or given to the advisor or a staff member. Zephyrus reserves the right to edit any letters for clarity and length.

Opinion 9 6754 Valley View Rd. Edina, MN 55439

February 22, 2013

Volume 33 Issue 5

www.edinazephyrus.com

W h a t ’s t h e g a i n w i t h M a r y J a n e ?

Pro-Legalization

Kid Cudi once said, “Struggle is the enemy, but weed is the remedy.”

The fact that marijuana is illegal seems to be causing more harm than good from an economic standpoint. With recreational marijuana being legalized in Colorado and Washington, the drug is paving the path for economic success and personal freedom. Within the past five years, more and more people are beginning to favor the legalization of the world’s most popular illegal substance. And they’re right.

By legalizing marijuana the government could save an estimated $13.7 billion on enforcement costs and tax revenue according to economists at the 2012 Shadow Conventions. This money could be put towards schools and creating jobs rather than going down the drain. The only groups that benefit from illegal weed are the drug lords and dealers, whose cartels are actually protected by the government. “Illegal marijuana only leads to more illegal drug trafficking. Why not increase jobs and decrease crime?” said senior Jack Swiler. But illegal weed’s negative externalities don’t stop there. AlterNet reports that prisons are charged $1 billion dollars annually for inmates charged with marijuana related felonies.

Worse, most of the incarcerated prisoners were simply casual users, so why are officials wasting time and resources on practically innocent people?

Though most states are allowing pot to drain their bank accounts, Colorado, California, and a few other states have learned to adapt to weed’s lucrative market. TIME magazine reports that marijuana is California’s most lucrative cash crop, gaining $14 million per year in sales revenue. In addition, Colorado gained $5 million in 2011 thanks to the tax on medical marijuana in 2011, but this number will soon grow by 1200% now that recreational marijuana has been legalized.

But why are people so opposed when the money points towards legalization? Senior Jack Ziegler shared his thoughts: “It’s a moral issue for many seeing as it’s illegal. Why should the government tell you what to do with your body? It’s your life choice.” Because alcohol and tobacco kill more users than weed does each year, it seems odd that the government is being lenient with some substances, but strict with others. “It’s less dangerous than legal substances, and people are going to do it anyways,” said Ziegler.

By looking at the issue from an economic standpoint, it is obvious that marijuana is on its way to becoming legal across the nation.

Christina Dovolis, culture editor

Against Legalization

In the recent election this past November with the legalization of weed in Washington and Colorado, hype has been going up across the country about the legalization of marijuana.

While some may argue that marijuana has a medical use or that it isn’t “as bad” as other drugs, the fact remains that marijuana is a mind and body altering substance that’s harmful to our health.

With so many rising health-related problems like obesity and diabetes, the last thing America needs is more health-related problems due to the legalization of marijuana.

Before you immediately choose a side, it’s important that I clarify some common misconceptions about marijuana.

Myth number one: Marijuana isn’t “that bad” for you. First of all, why would we ever consider legalizing a substance just because it isn’t “that bad” for you? Additionally, marijuana really is “that bad” for you.

According to the NCPIC (National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre), in the short-term, marijuana causes short-term memory loss, impaired coordination, and distorted perception and affects learning and problem solving. Although our understanding of the long-term effects of marijuana are still evolving, many studies have shown that long-term use positively correlates with the development of depression, anxiety, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Myth number two: Compared to other psychoactive drugs, marijuana isn’t very potent and is therefore less dangerous. The fact is that this simply art by Cici Holmquist isn’t true in the slightest. According to howstuffworks.com, marijuana is one of the most potent psychoactive drugs.

Myth number three: The choice to use marijuana is an individual choice and the government should protect that choice as it is our freedom to make it. People who argue this fail to see the fact that marijuana is a mind-altering substance that affects our actions and therefore greatly impacts those around us, and negatively so. Because marijuana is known to have a sedating effect, most believe that the drug always makes you calm and relaxed. While this is true, many other side effects of marijuana include paranoia, anxiety, irritability, and fear, which cause aggressive tendencies that harm the people around us.

In the end, your opinion on whether or not to support or oppose the legalization of marijuana comes down to knowing the facts and deciding what’s best for your body. Once we look at these two things, it’s clear that marijuana should not be legalized.

Hayley Morrison, opinion editor

Loner or lover: the big Valentine’s Day question

We all know being single is a choice, right? Good. Just in case you wanted to snag someone special before the holiday loved by hopeless romantics, here are some factors that may or may not affect your decision to get involved.

photo by Jake Freeman

Not ready to mingle?

Pros: Getting to be stereotypical sans fear of judgment. You guessed it: mouthful after mouthful of chocolate fudge brownie ice cream? All yours.

The best part is, you could eat three gallons and no one would ever know. What’s more, you don’t have to be ashamed to let those tears flow during “The Notebook” because you’ll be alone. Just for clarification, eating ice cream and crying isn’t gender specific, people!

So fellas, this applies to you too. Bonus: buying for one is much less expensive.

Cons: Not being able to cuddle with someone while watching the world’s cheesiest movies. Some may also have the potential to consume their body weight in chocolate which could lead to weight gain. But if you’re looking for a good deal, Trader Joe’s has “Pound Plus” chocolate bars for just $4.99! That’s 17.6 ounces. Score.

Off the Market?

Pros: There are none. Just kidding. Being able to bask in the body heat of another human being instead of the usual cat or dog could be up there on the list. Now that it’s freezing cold outside, snuggling has perks, a.k.a. not shivering indoors. Your significant other just might surprise you with a nice gift and tell you how special you are.

That’s a very real possibility, and then you don’t have to spend your own money on chocolate.

Cons: Having to splurge on someone you’re going to break up with after high school (or long before). You should at least try to dress up and look appealing, unless your relationship is at the old married couple stage where you can wear sweatpants and your boyfriend/girlfriend still thinks you look attractive. In that case, good for you.

Face it: No one actually likes Valentine’s Day. Not even people who are “in love.” To make things simpler for everyone, we should all be single on this horror of a holiday just to spite Hallmark.

photo by Cici Holmquist

Sarah Aydinalp, staff writer

Not so passionate about the Passion Project Let’s talk about the Passion Project: the year-long research paper assigned to the sophomores in September. The goal of this project: no one really knows. All I know is that there’s a ten page research paper due in April, and some kind of presentation of all our projects. I know there are benefits to doing a project like this.

Later on in our educational careers, we’ll have to do many research papers. However, I don’t think adding the whole passion concept is a good way to go about a research paper.

The first problem with the Passion Project is how we were introduced to it. We were acquainted with the project through a presentation about an English teacher’s struggle with stuttering.

However, that was completely overshadowed by the whole Today’s Meet bullying scandal which is a whole other story. I don’t know what we were supposed to get out of that presentation, and I honestly found the online scandal more interesting than the actual project. It really distracted us from the entire project, and

we spent the following weeks talking about bullying and leaving the project on the side. This led to more confusion as to what the project really was.

My topic of choice for the Passion Project was film. I love movies and enjoy making them as well. After we chose our topic, we had to break it down and break it down and break it down. My original topic of film had somehow evolved into the transition into digital film in the 90s. Next we had to find eight sources, which for me was nearly impossible because you don’t find much on Google about the transition into digital film in the 90s. Our teachers encouraged us to go beyond Google, but last time I checked, it’s 2013 and nobody uses encyclopedias anymore. While I was researching, I was bored. I pondered why I could be so bored researching a topic I was supposedly so passionate about. Then I realized, I’m not passionate about the transition into digital film in the 90s at all and I don’t even really care about it.

I could actually more easily write a ten page paper about why I hate the word passion. I’m not the only one; “passion” was on Lake Superior State University’s list of overused words in 2012.

For me, the “passion” project had become the opposite of what it should have been.

In school, we’re here to learn for our lives ahead of us, and I really don’t see how I will learn anything from this. If you’re passionate about a subject, chances are you already know a lot about it. I guess we could be learning how to write a good research paper, but the online research tool that we use, Noodle Tools, has been more a pain than a convenience.

When I’m passionate about something, I like to do it, or watch it, or hear it, not write a ten page paper about it. The bottom line: the project is fine, but ditch the whole passion thing, because passion and ten page research papers don’t belong together.

Drew Davis, staff writer

10 Culture www.edinazephyrus.com

Volume 33 Issue 5

February 22, 2013

6754 Valley View Rd. Edina, MN 55439

Valentine’s Day from Hell It’s not a secret that some people aren’t thrilled about Valentine’s Day. “I feel that [Valentine’s Day] is overcommercialized by Hallmark and other companies,” said junior Kara Gratzek.

Junior Lydia Gutowsky added, “It’s a day for giving people crappy chocolate that’s probably filled with toothpaste.”

“It doesn’t even have a purpose. It’s not a religious holiday, it’s not a political holiday, it’s just a holiday for nothing,” observed junior Neil Febel.

“It makes those of us who aren’t adorable and together [feel] lonely,” stated Gratzek.

This Valentine’s Day, I didn’t eat the pity-Godiva-chocolates my dad bought me while watching sappy rom-coms and sobbing to myself. Instead, I discovered the master plan on how to survive every lonely Valentine’s Day to come. The secret is to fill your February fourteenth with bloodshed, gore, and fear.

Senior Blake Olson said, “I like horror movies because of the adrenaline rush. You’re on the edge of your seat until the end.” Senior Adam Nix added, “It’s just an exciting thing to do.”

Let’s face it; sitting around and watching romantic movies alone will not help you feel better about yourself. However, watching others suffer sure will. Horror movies including “Orphan,” “The Ring,” and “House of Wax” are all great examples of feel-better movies. Ok, well the last one is only to laugh at Paris Hilton being impaled by a spear, but the point is it’s important to watch horror movies on Valentine’s Day. Nothing heals a broken heart like watching some hemoglobin ooze out of a corpse.

Even though February 14, 2013 has come and gone, it’s always a good idea on any day to watch a couple slasher films if you’re feeling blue about your relationship status (or lack thereof.) Trust me; the bitterness of being single truly fades away as Jack Nicholson chases his family through a maze with an axe.

However, for those of you out there that despise lovey-dovey holidays and are in a relationship, why not switch things up a bit next Valentine’s Day and watch some horror movies with your significant other? Significant friends, seniors Sloane Nilsen and Zach Gardner do so. Gardner said,“I really like to watch horror movies because Sloane gets really scared and I like to comfort him.”

Megan Couture, culture editor

Sophomore Sam Benkowski is a fan of free samples. He remarked, “You get to try something new, something you’ve never tried before.” Junior Anne Dovolis shares Benkowski’s love and commented that free taste tests “definitely inspire me to roam grocery stores.” So where are the best places to fill up on complementary food? Here, we compiled just a sampling (ha!) of Edina’s finest.

1. Lunds: Not only does this grocery store offer tastes of its own delicious merchandise, but customers can also try samples of any dish at the attached Big Bowl express restaurant. Although cheese is usually a guaranteed sample, shoppers can occasionally nab a taste of pizza or ice cream. Senior Ben Koop remarked, “I’ll try whatever they’re offering, no matter how weird it sounds.”

2. Breadsmith: After a visit to Lund’s on 50th, shoppers can walk next door to Breadsmith to try samples of the bakery’s products, which range from banana chocolate chip muffins to chocolate babka. Junior Reid Gamble cited his favorite snack from Breadsmith, as “Their banana bread. It’s really good and moist.”

3. Great Harvest: Okay, okay, so this one isn’t really in Edina. However, the extra two minute drive is completely worth it. This bread company offers generous samples of their freshly-baked goods, from cinnamon chip loaves to rosemary roasted garlic bread.

art by Tom Gaasedelen

4. Costco: Although technically in St. Louis Park, many Edina students are familiar with this grocery superstore. Senior Sydney Porter described the plethora of samples available to members, “One time they had those pretzel crisps and Nutella and now I eat that everyday.” However, keep in mind that membership to the store is required for admittance, and customers must be over eighteen to have a membership.

5. Linden Hills Co-op: This natural foods store is chock-full of free samples. At the salad bar, customers can taste a variety of pasta salads and organic quinoa and couscous blends. Sampling is always available for the wide array of soups and stews, and the deli and cheese departments often give out tastes of their products.

6. The Neighborhood Ice Cream Shoppe: Although closed during the winter months, this local creamery is happy to dole out three free samples of ice cream of your choosing. Senior Jimmy Castle, an employee at the Shoppe, recommended the flavors “chocolate almond fudge and birthday cake.”

A final tip on sampling etiquette before you begin your magical journey: It is polite and highly recommended to purchase a product from the store that just provided you with your vital nutrients. While the grab n’ go method may be tempting, please, try to refrain.

Clare Ling, in depth editor

Culture

6754 Valley View Rd. Edina, MN 55439

Volume 33 Issue 5

February 22, 2013

11

www.edinazephyrus.com

Edina students rock out In the hallways of EHS are music stars we didn’t even know existed. Ben Albitz and his band are one example, along with solo artist Alex Brown - have you heard them play?

The band Nine Mile, put together by Edina seniors Ben Albitz, Josh Carlin, Sophia Hilali, and Minnetonka senior Chris Foyer started playing and recording songs last spring. “Out of the blue, Sophia Hilali told me she plays guitar and asked me to be in a band,” said Albitz. With all four members in the school band, and Hilali in choir, the group was instantly set for success.

“We perform in front of friends a lot, but our biggest performance was the homecoming bonfire,” said Albitz. The band is planning on scheduling more performances for the summer. In the mean time, “Nine Mile” is on a short break because of POPS and school. “Normally, we would meet 2-3 times a week at Foyer’s house,” said Hilali. According to Albitz, Foyer has a loft above his garage with all sorts of equipment for both playing, and recording music.

The band has a variety of opinions on their favorite kind of music. “Initially we all said we like rock music, but it turns our that rock is an extremely broad term. Carlin was thinking metal/hard rock, Foyer was thinking classic rock, Hilali was thinking alternative rock, and I was picturing having more of an indie band,” explained Albitz. The disagreements on style ended up making the band very special. “Having four different styles of music really makes us work together. But in reality, we are just a group of kids who like to hang out, go get food, and play some music,” said Hilali.

photo by Ellie McNairy

Another EHS senior, Alex Brown, has made a very interesting mark on the music world. While Brown’s band, “OCD,” is taking a break, he has drifted off towards solo recordings.

As a PSEO student, Brown spends time at the Minneapolis Media Institute, where by the time he graduates high school he will already have a two year college degree in audio engineering. “My dad plays the guitar, so he perhaps is one of the main reasons I became interested in solo recordings,” said Brown.

Brown started singing and playing instruments such as the piano and guitar in sixth grade. Six years later, Brown is spending time in the studio playing instruments, singing, and producing his own music along with well known covers, including the song “We Are Never Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift.

“My work is mostly on my Youtube channel, Brownie398, although, right now, I am working on an album. I am hoping to release it in the near future,” said Brown. He sings almost every kind of music, ranging from alternative to blues.

“I grew up listening to blues music from my dad, but I want to make it as a producer, so I need to be able to to analyze all different kinds of music,” said Brown.

Jack Hulstrand, sports editor photo by Talia Edelheit

Sweet The British are coming Serenades With love in the air and romance on everyone’s minds, this love guru always gets questions having to do with musical wooing. When you want to sweep a hottie off of their feet with dulcet tones it all comes down to the perfect song. Let Zephyrus hold your hand and lead you to the promise land of love.

“Say Anything” Moment: When you want to recreate the quintessential “Say Anything” moment by standing outside the apple of your eyes’ window with a boombox playing a song that will make her fall for you.

“In Your Eyes” -Peter Gabriel “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” -Rupert Holmes Pop: If the one your heart desires is a pop prince(ss) and worships all things Top 40, then obviously 101.3 KDWB will be your best friend in choosing the perfect song.

“As Long As You Love Me” -Justin Bieber featuring Big Sean “One Thing” -One Direction Duets: Sometimes the best way to woo is through a heartfelt duet. This way once you start the song, your hottie will be obligated to join in, leading to love and eventually many babies.

“Ain’t no Mountain High Enough” -Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell “Don’t go Breaking My Heart” -Elton John and Kiki Dee Diva: When the one your heart craves is a diva, then only anthems by divas themselves will suffice.

“Crazy in Love” -Beyoncé “My Heart Will Go On” -Celine Dion Disney: Nothing melts one’s heart faster than a love song from the movies of our childhood. When in doubt always go Disney.

“A Whole New World” from “Aladdin” “Can You feel the Love Tonight” from “Lion King” Rayelle Washington, copy editor

The British are coming! The British are coming! Within the last few years, there is no doubt that there has been a major British invasion. From music icons like Adele to T.V. shows like “Downton Abbey” and “Doctor Who,” their influence has made its way into mainstream American culture.

Senior, Nathalie Manker says her favorite British T.V show is the BBC produced Sci Fi adventure, “Doctor Who.” When asked who her favorite British person was, Manker said, “All of them.

Just kidding, probably actually Lily Loveless because she is an amazing actress in just about everything.”

So, what is it about the British that makes them so likeable?

Manker said, “I think it somewhat has to do with their accents, art by Julia Bolter but the other part is definitely their humor.”

Senior Amanda Thompson backed her up by saying, “The main thing that makes Brits so likable is their accent. And their whole culture just seems so cool. I especially love the Royals and the slang words that British people use.”

Thompson herself is an avid fan of the famous boy band One Direction.

“Something that sets One Direction apart from the American boy bands because of their catchy songs and their looks. Most other boy bands have that one member who’s not as attractive as the rest, but One Direction doesn’t really have that,” She said.

Aside from One Direction, other British artists that are dominating the music scene are Adele, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Florence + The Machine. In fact, four of the five best selling albums in America, in 2012, come from British artists. Adele leads the pack with her album “21.” Alone, it has sold over 10 million copies, making it the best selling album in the U.S for two consecutive years.

But it is not only the entertainment that captures our attention, the Royal Family has also made its mark on American turf. Ever since the royal wedding, people have been obsessed with the traditions and members of the Royals.

Even teachers like Mrs. Nimmo have caught the British fever. “I LOVE the Queen,” she said. “I love the fact that she can only travel by royal stagecoach to state occasions. I love that she proudly wears her crown and tiara as though either one is a normal accessory. I love that she observes the time-honored traditions and decorum of centuries past despite how the world around her has catapulted into the digital age. I love that she doesn’t give a rip about latest trends and what’s ‘cool,’ but rather believes in doing things the right way and with class.”

She also stated that she “can’t wait” to find out if William and Kate’s baby will be a boy or a girl. The baby will be next in line to the throne after William.

So, grab your top hats, drink your tea and maybe start with one of the 790 episodes of “Doctor Who” because it looks like the British show no signs of going away.

Anna Zhou, staff writer

12

Let’s talk about love www.edinazephyrus.com

Volume 33 Issue 5

February 22, 2013

6754 Valley View Rd. Edina, MN 55439

PICK UP LINE WORD SEARCH

show your potential lover that you are not up for a puzzling relationship

WORD BANK Do you have a library card? Because I’m ______________ you out.

Is your daddy a baker? Because you have nice ___________.

Do you know __________? Because your body is really kickin’.

Wait are you a magnet? Because I’m ___________ to you.

Is there an _________ nearby or is that my heart taking off?

If you were a __________ I would pick you first.

Do you believe in love at first ______ or should I walk by again?

If you were a burger at _____________ you’d be McGoregous.

Are you from ____________? Because you’re the only 10 I see!

Somebody call the cops! Because it has to be _________ to look that good.

(Harry Potter) Did you survive ___________? Because you’re drop dead goregous!

EPIC

Colorado Lodging Deals Welcome Afton Alps to the Vail Resorts family.

It’s the perfect time to experience the legendary terrain of Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek Mountain and SAVE UP TO 50% on lodging.

To celebrate, the Vail Resorts Hospitality team is extending the FRIENDS & FAMILY discount at our Vail and Beaver Creek lodging properties.

Book your Colorado Rocky Mountain vacation now and SAVE UP TO 50% on lodging.

RockResorts.com/AftonSpecials OR CALL (877)246-9638 PROMO CODE “AFTON FAMILY”

The Osprey at Beaver Creek, A RockResort The Pines Lodge in Beaver Creek, A RockResort Beaver Creek Resort Properties The Arrabelle at Vail Square, A RockResort The Lodge at Vail, A RockResort The Austria Haus Hotel, Vail Legendary Lodging at the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Vail

Offer valid for stays 1/7 - 4/13/13. Based upon availability, blackout dates and minimum length-of-stay restrictions may apply and vary by property. Offer valid for new reservations only, not applicable for groups. Additional fees and taxes apply.