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October 20, 2020| 41:1

COMMENTARY

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Zephyrus staff 2020-2021 Editorial Board Art Boettge, media coordinator Madeline Brandel, visual editor Sophie Charnell, visual editor Michael Crater, outreach coordinator Mia DiLorenzo, head staff writer Dedeepya Guthikonda, media coordinator Matthew Hovelsrud, online editor Sadie Johnson Sieben, manager Ellen Mi, editor-in-chief Reagan Stanchfield, copy editor Alexis Yi, print editor Page Editors Liliana Hanson Hanna Jaeger Isadora Li Caroline Seiler Linnea Shively Izzy Wagener Advisor Daniel Amborn

Staff Writers Althea Barrows Nora Franssen Maren Fullerton Eleanor Hutcheson Sage Jezierski Urva Jha Hannah Owens Pierre Pavithra Sankar Reilly Shane Photographers Rhea Hammond Lilian Simmons

Letter from the Editor

Ellen Mi editor-in-chief

n a year like no other, the Zephyrus 2020-2021 staff is committed to providing the Edina High School community and other Edina residents with regular content. While we won’t be publishing any physical copies of our paper this year, we will have online versions of each issue and continuous digital publishing. In spite of this year’s obstacles, Zephyrus will adhere to the same practices of student journalism we were founded upon through innovative methods. Our online website, edinazephyrus.com, will house the majority of our work this year. We are working hard to increase our digital presence

Artists Anabelle Jakala Elizabeth Lundberg Lydio Olson Nora Riter Laryn Scribner Ellanor Splinter

Letters to the Editor

by keeping you up to date on our Instagram and Twitter accounts, creating innovative multimedia pieces, and relaunching Humans of Edina, a project we took on a few years ago that brings the essence of the large-scale work of Humans of New York to our local community. With our entire publication accessible to you by any device, it is our goal to provide you with a constant source of news and journalism in this highly unpredictable school year. We understand that many are perhaps uninspired by the state of the world, but we urge you to continue to stay informed and find light in the potential the future holds. As always, we’re grateful for your support and readership. We hope to create new ways for engaging with our audience and can’t wait for what the coming year holds.

On the inside... What’s going on with the 2020 Presidential Election? page 6

To share an opinon or voice a conern over issues in Edina or an article Zephyrus has published, submit a letter to the editor online by clicking ‘Contact Us’ and then clicking ‘Send Us A Letter.’

Policies 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 a designated forum for student expression that recognizes the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of the press, and abides by Tinker standard. Opinions published in Zephyrus do not necessarily reﬂect the views of the entire staff, adviser, administration, or entire student body. Submissions and letters are printed based on space available. Letters should be mailed to the school or given to the adviser or a staff member.

On the cover Art by Elizabeth Lundberg

Edina expands food service program in pandemic page 12

Find Zephyrus online @edinazephyrus

EHS teacher Sarah Irons on being a surrogate mother page 4

NEWS

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Edina expands lunch and breakfast programming ue to the COVID-19 pandemic, many families around the US have struggled to provide meals for their families. In an attempt to assist families facing food insecurity, Edina is offering free school lunches and breakfasts, as well as curbside meal pickup and delivery, to all students. Previously, Edina has operated under the USDA’s “National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program.” This required students and families that did not meet the set income guidelines to pay the full price set by the district. However, in March, the USDA allowed all schools to switch to the “Summer Food Service Program” or SFSP. Typically SFSP is only available to schools based on area eligibility, but because

of changes allowed by the Minnesota state government, Edina was able to take advantage of this program to help families of any income level. “With the pandemic, there’s a lot of hidden needs too, that are not just financial, [such as] with mental health [and] with time being at home with kids learning. So we’re trying to free up some of that burden by giving families meals,” Edina’s registered dietitian Alexandra Turnbull said. With the aid of this program, school lunches look a lot different this year. Any meal received is automatically free, unless purchasing a-la-carte options, like snacks or juices. The menu is substantively altered as well, with only cold options available at the moment, “We’re just trying to work out the kinks and then hopefully be able to expand to more hot items,” Turnbull said. Students are also required to take the entire meal and

are not able to leave out any components to ensure they get a balanced meal. Once a week on Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Edina is offering curbside meal pickup in recognition of student’s need for meals at home. Three meals are provided for hybrid students, and five are given to Edina Virtual Academy students for the entire week. Families with transportation complications can sign up for meal delivery, which can be requested from the Google Form on the district website. Unfortunately, because of large demand, the form has been closed for the time being. “We’re putting it on pause while we can determine the logistics of operating with that volume of meals. It’s a great thing to be able to help with such a need for families,” Turnbull said. Those interested in curbside meal pickup can access more information on the Edina Public Schools website.

photo by Lily Simmons

Sage Jezierski staff writer

Lunch time: cafeteria worker hands out bagged lunches at food station.

photos by Michael Crater

Captured: the BLM movement in Minneapolis

A project years in the making: eight new solar panels installed at the high school

Alexis Yi print editor

dina High School made a significant step towards sustainability over the past summer with the installation of eight new solar panels on the roof. The installation is the culmination of several years of work by Project Earth, the environmental club at EHS, in collaboration with EHS administration and environmental companies. The project began in 2017 when Project Earth members created a video on solar energy for a video contest, which they won. The club then directed their attention towards creating a concrete plan for installation at EHS and fundraising. Eventually, they collected $20,000 for the project. The panels are now wired to the Project Lead The Way lab, and data from the panels is already accessible by teachers to use in class.

Junior Jojo Orth is a current Project Earth leader who joined the club in the 2018-2019 school year, and she’s proud of what the club has accomplished. “I'm actually really happy [with] how the project turned out,” Orth said. “The Edina School Board, and just people in general, were kind of iffy about it. So we raised the money. We got the solar panels. And the last thing was just getting it on.” Orth’s sister, Cecelia Orth, was one of the originators of the solar panel project, along with Caroline Sundal and Natalia Swanson. All three graduated EHS in 2019. Project Earth collaborated with the EHS administration, including EPS director of Buildings and Grounds Eric Hamilton and Principal Andrew Beaton, along with various companies and organizations. This included intensive discussion over logistical details, such as where the panels could safely go and how they could be wired. “I thought it was awesome,” Principal Beaton said. “You've got a group

of dedicated students that over a long period of time did fundraising, did conferences. . .I think it's an example of some young people that really were motivated and engaged with the environment.” Other solar panel arrays have also been installed at the Transportation Services facility and Cornelia Elementary School, although those were done without Project Earth’s involvement. Project Earth is now moving on to other projects, notably a sustainability plan for the EHS community. Junior Ana Martinez joined the club in her freshman year; she cites her environmental engineer mother as a motivation. She is now one of the club leaders. “We really want to focus on how we can really make a difference right here [in Edina],” Martinez said. “If we come up with a sustainability plan for the high school addressing everything, energy, waste, transportation, that'd be our contribution. . .our way to help fight this problem.”

FEATURES

Monday, October 19, 2020

EHS alumna Olivia Pierce inspired to publish song “X-Ray”

ollowing the death of George Floyd and protests across the country, Edina High School class of 2020 alumna Olivia Pierce—known as artist Moyana Olivia—was inspired to formally publish a song she had previously written to speak out against police brutality. After Minneapolis resident Philandro Castile’s death at a traffic stop in 2017—and the subsequent acquittal of Officer Jeronimo Yanez—Pierce channeled her frustration into an original song, “X-Ray.” “[It is] principally about equal rights for all and liberty for each and every one of us like it says in the Constitution,” Pierce said. In the three year period between writing and publishing, Pierce polished her lyrics to make every word count. “I could have said ‘caught up’ [in the pre chorus], but I chose to say ‘hung up’ to call out to the history of lynching black people in the United States,” Pierce said. Her soulful style blends harmonies into the music and adds more emotion to her intentional lyrics. Along with publishing her song this September, Pierce also released a music video set in the aftermath of Uptown protests in the early summer. She draws attention to the pain of police brutality as she stands among rubble; “It’s important to talk about the pain that’s happening in our communities…but then we also have a call to action,” Pierce said. Juxtaposition with shots of murals supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, the George Floyd memorial, and views of the Minnesota State Capitol highlight her call to action for Minnesotans—use your voice to vote for change. Although a majority of EHS students are unable to vote until the next election, she emphasizes that youth can still make a powerful difference. “Just because you’re not 18 doesn’t mean that you still don’t have a voice…you can still use your voice to get the word out by sharing things that you’re passionate about,” Pierce said. As a current college student and first-time voter, Pierce’s first steps into the adult world were tumultuous. “I’m growing

photo courtesy of Olivia Pierce

Linnea Shively page editor

Black Lives Matter: Pierce poses in her new music video

art by Mallika Srinivas

EHS students plan to join military after graduation

enemy territory. Boettcher is enlisted as a nuclear engineer in the Navy. Boettcher and Seeger were drawn to the military because of the challenges and benefits it brings, which are more abundant than one would think and include “free college, housing, [and] food, [as well as] medical, dental, [and] optometry [insurance],” Seeger said. The two also expressed that the traditional college plan didn’t appeal to them. “I’m not a huge fan of the standard college path, so I looked into the armed forces and realized the benefits of joining and decided that was the best path for me,” Boettcher said. He added that one can choose to continue their career in the military or pursue a different area. However, joining the military still comes with considerable challenges. “[The hardest part for me will be] getting

Nora Franssen staff writer

magine walking out of high school and straight into the armed forces. Edina High School seniors Sam Seeger and Matt Boettcher won’t have to imagine for much longer. Seeger is enlisted in the Marine Corps as Recon, where soldiers explore an area to gain information, such as scoping out

Interior design teacher Mrs. Irons: the two-time surrogate art by Ellanor Splinter

Celia Vedder staff writer

two times for families living in Australia and Brazil. When discussing the process of becoming a surrogate, Irons had a unique approach to it. “I didn’t give them up; I gave them back. I was simply babysitting the babies until they were big enough to go home,” Irons said. Irons said, “When I think back to the moments when I held my own babies for the very first time, the complete and utter happiness that I was feeling, the feeling of my heart exploding with love; and I think about being able to help someone else have those feelings and experience that life changing moment; that’s why I chose to be a surrogate, that’s why I did it.” According to Irons, one needs to be very giving and have the knowledge that they aren’t getting anything in return to be a surrogate.

McLean gains valuable experience via internships

Isadora Li page editor

t Edina High School, one teacher in particular is known as the science teacher with the accent. For Gavin McLean, whose accent is a British Scottish hybrid, tweaching wasn’t always what he thought he’d pursue. His variety of interests, ranging from law enforcement to the sciences, gave him an array of career possibilities. The combination of experience and interest eventually led him to his role as a science teacher at EHS. As a high school student in the United Kingdom, McLean was initially interested in joining the UK Police Force. He participated in internships where he observed police officers in their day-to-day activities. “Following along as a detective to officers on the beat to crime labs to kicking down doors, it’s pretty cool stuff,” McLean said. After a high ranking officer prompted him to gain a degree in order to get a higher ranking at an accelerated rate, McLean attended college at Stirling University in Scotland.

Following his second police internship, McLean decided that the sensitive nature of the work would be difficult to separate from his personal life, so he instead began studying biochemistry. After a number of years teaching science in Scotland, McLean moved to the United States in order to be with his wife, and began teaching at Hopkins High School. In order to add nuance to his career, he decided to seek out positions involved in communications, technology, and administration. After a couple years at EHS, McLean was promoted to the science area lead, on top of teaching forensics and chemistry. To students interested in following a similar path to McLean’s internship experiences, he has advice. “The more you expose yourself to those experiences, the more you will not only guide yourself in what you really love, but at the very least you will remove what you hate,” McLean said. “Don’t spend your time pursuing what you think you should be doing and, in fact, go for what you are actually interested in.”

photo by Lily Simmons

hen thinking about the future, the thing that comes to mind for most highschoolers is college and possibly a career. It’s typical for teenagers to hear about the term surrogate through the multiple celebrities who have taken that route instead of having kids themselves, such as Kim Kardashian and Sarah Jessica Parker. But it’s fairly rare to find a teenager who considers being a surrogate at such a young age, unless you’re Mrs. Irons of course. Sarah Irons, who teaches interior design and child psych at Edina High School, always dreamed about being a surrogate one day and even told her husband on their first date that it was her goal. Irons is a proud mom herself and believes if others have the ability to be there for someone else, they should. “Being a mom was so important to me, it was always my dream—if I wouldn’t have been able to have children, I would have been heartbroken, and I would have hoped that someone would have been willing to help me,” Irons said. She has now been a surrogate

through MART (Marines Awaiting Recon Training) and BRC (Basic Reconnaissance Course),” Seeger said. “Altogether to get into Recon, it’s about a year of hard training and assessments I have to pass.” For Boettcher, it’s the strict discipline and schedule that he finds challenging—a drastic change compared to his current way of life. So, why consider joining the armed forces? “I think if someone has a career they are interested in, they should look into that career in thwe military because of the benefits, and it is something that you will always be proud of doing,” Boettcher said. “I just think that people should explore options in the military or talk to a recruiter even if you think it isn’t for you because you never know, you might find a good path for you.”

Foresnsic Fun: McLean demonstrates aspects of forensics, such as ballistics and blood splatter, in his classroom

ACTIVITIES

Monday, October 19, 2020

Tutor Center opens its doors A

Q&A: Girls United expands their borders to include Twin Cities suburbs

Hannah Owens Pierre staff writer

new school year has started, the leaves are changing colors, and Edina High School’s Tutor Center is back in session. Since it opened, students seeking academic helpw have headed to EHS’s Tutor Center, available in the Media Center Commons. Yet, with COVID-19 changing how activities operate, coordinators have made adjustments to keep the program running. Starting this year, asynchronous and virtual tutoring are available. Students who wish to receive virtual help can log onto a Google Meet or use a Google Form to receive feedback within 48 hours. “With students at home for hybrid and EVA, we wanted to make sure everyone had a place to get help. We had several tutors step up and want to do live tutoring from school and home. They saw the need and wanted to provide that service,” Science and Math Center coordinator Lindsey Kruppstadt said. Despite the new challenges posed, the staff is eager to provide support: “We knew the need for peer help would be greater than in years past. . .[and] wanted peer tutors to support both the teachers and students, who will have less time to connect,” Writing Center Coordinator Kristin Benson said. During the day, some tutors work online in Google Meets, while others hold in-person conferences. EHS’s Tutor Center provides a welcoming environment for all. “It is a place to get judgment-free help from students who have been in your shoes. . .at all stages in your process and all levels of school,” Kruppstadt said. “There is no question too big or too small!”

Caroline Seiler page editor

he Edina chapter of the larger Minnesota organization, Girls United was recently founded at Edina High School. Shreya Konkimalla and Meaghan Kiely are co-presidents of this club. To join the Girls United GroupMe, direct message their Instagram @ehs.girlsunitedmn. Zephyrus: What does the main Girls United organization do? Shreya Konkimalla: The club was started in Hopkins and it started as a club, but then they’ve been established as a nonprofit. The work they do is mostly centered around legislation in the Minnesota community. By having the Girls United chapter in Edina, we want to focus more [on] a local and school level. Z.: Why was Girls United started in Edina? Meaghan Kiely: [Girls United] wanted to outreach more and get it to all of the suburbs. [They] thought it’d be really important to have it in Edina because it’s one of the bigger schools in the area. SK: I also don’t think there’s a club that specifically focuses on women’s empowerment and education as well on various issues relating to women. And one of our goals is to create that education to create that dialogue because I think we all know that there’s a lot of diversity points at Edina. I think there’s a lot of resources that Edina as a school has that maybe other places don’t.

photo by Rhea Hammond

Z.: Does Girls United have anything planned for this year yet? MK: We want to focus on different topics each month, and in terms of actual action pieces, we want to work together with other clubs like [Edina] Safe club, so that when we bring issues to the administration. There’s power in numbers. SK: Besides at the school level, we also have plans to hopefully donate to women’s shelters and do drives for menstrual materials and other things.

From bell masks to mics off: COVID-19 brings changes to music programs Dedeepya Guthikonda multimedia coordinator

Hard at work: Tutors wait for students to tutor with their masks on

hile COVID-19 has brought a variety of changes to twhe school year, it has equally, if not more extensively, impacted extracurricular activities at Edina High School. Whether it be fine arts, clubs, or the activities fair, all of them have had to adapt their programming. Music programs With COVID-19, the structure of music programs has required significant—yet necessary— changes. Along with basic safety guidelines such as staying six feet apart and wearing a mask, playing music in a group setting poses an additional health risk of its own. The nature of singing and playing wind instruments increases the possibility of infection from airborne particles. As a result, the choir has taken to having classes outside, and band students wear masks with special openings designed for blowing through instruments. Band instruments are also outfitted with bell masks, which help cover vent holes. Additionally, practice rooms only permit one student at a time, with a thirty-minute break between each session. Another difficulty with the music programs has been the split between the alphabet. “We try to get a balance of each instrument, but when you take and separate them by the first and second half of the alphabet, it’s difficult to have,” said Andrew Richter, band director at EHS. Music programs have also had to work simultaneously with students at home and in-class. Students who are at home often play with their speakers on and micro-

EHS Clubs and Activities

art by Lydia Olson

Caroline Seiler page editor

phone muted. In orchestra, students use drones to help them match a note. “[The students at home] are not getting any feedback from me. I’m hoping that the trust is that they’re still feeling like they’re being part of the whole group and still advancing skills,” Richter said. The department is trying to figure out how concerts will work, as well. So far, some of the ideas in place are to live stream students playing spaced apart in the larger audience space or do prerecorded concerts. “We’ll find a way to celebrate that as much as we can. We’re here to share that performance is not necessarily a summative experience. It’s more of the reward for all the work that we put in,” Nicholas Gaudette, orchestra director at EHS, said. Even with the new safety measures in place, students are still finding ways to connect. “[We’re using] the humor of the whole experience to connect us together,” Gaudette said. Students in band still have plans to order their infamous section merch. “We’re relying on students to [fill] that void there,” Richter said. Despite all the changes this year has brought, and the cancellation of widely anticipated performances and tours, the music programs and students involved are making the best of it. “We’re exploring why we play music, and I think that’s a real positive thing is to have time to reﬂect,” Gaudette said. Continue reading this article online at edinazephyrus.com to check out new changes to clubs this year. Clubs With COVID-19 and hybrid learning, clubs have also been navigating a new way to keep running. Some clubs are still able to meet at the school, like Outdoor Sports Club, run by senior Lizzy Van Ert and junior Ana Martinez. “Since it is an outdoor club, safety guidelines allow us to still meet every other week, we’re still being cautious about everything,” Van Ert said. The club engages in a variety of outdoor activities such as nature walks and outdoor games. “It gives you something to do to get out of the house, especially after a full day of online stuff,” Van Ert said. Aticle continues online at edinazephyrus.com

STUDENT LIFE

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

"The Social Dilemma" "Enola Holmes" is reveals that social a satisfying update media is selling you to "Sherlock Holmes" Lilian Hanson page editor

time. “I hope that our students become really thoughtful consumers… Part of what I think that means is being willing to pay for the news that you take in and being really careful f you are not paying for the product, about the amount of time that you put into then you are the product.” In Netfsocial media,” Bademan said. lix’s newest documentary, “The SoThis documentary does a phenomenal cial Dilemma,” various social media experts, job outlining the controversial practices of including former executives from Facebook, social media like addictive features and lack Instagram, Google, and Pinterest, discuss of privacy. The testimonials from actual enhow this common saying embodies the dangineers who gerous evolution designed the of social media programs and advertising. that they now As modern denounce teens, we were will make raised on the you want to internet, and we delete your don’t notice the social media subtle changes accounts, or that software at the very engineers have least, put been making your phone to social media down and replatforms for consider how years. Features you spend such as the like your time. button, tagging In people, excessive other scenes, notifications, and actors recommended portray an posts are drawAmerican ing us into the family of five platforms more struggling than ever before. with the Additionally, overuse of companies are technology, collecting data, making the such as engagedocumentary ment time and familiar and geographical loposter courtesy of Netflix relatable. cation, to model However, there your notifications and recommendations, are numerous scenes that cross the line into enticing you to spend more time online. over dramatization, such as the son’s quick But, going back to the quote, we get this slide into the “extreme center” ideology and product—social media—absolutely free, the sinister personification of a social media which means that advertisements are the algorithm, which ultimately detracts from the company’s source of revenue. Therefore, documentary’s credibility. when designing social media platforms, the Without these science-fiction and engineers are working in the interests of giant dystopian images, the documentary is a great corporations rather than users. watch to learn about advertising and social The documentary is even generating buzz media with the input of credible industry at Edina High School. AP World Literature experts. Overall, I would rate this documenteacher Theresa Bademan is recommendtary four out of five stars due to the unneeded ing that her students watch it on their own dramatization. Reagan Stanchfield copy editor

ne of many Sherlock Holmes adaptations, the highly-anticipated “Enola Holmes,” focuses not on the famous detective, but rather, his younger sister. The film opens with Enola explaining that her mother has disappeared and that her elder brothers are coming to resolve the issue. The situation deteriorates as they insist that, rather than continue with her unorthodox, jujitsuand-chemistrybased education, she be sent to a finishing school. Of course, Enola plans an escape and quickly becomes tangled up with a controversial reform bill, a secret society, and a fellow runaway: the Marquess Tewksbury of Basilweather. From a technical standpoint, “Enola Holmes” is absolutely wonderful. Composer Daniel Pemberton demonstrates his musical range with the score, alternating between the bright, adventurous main theme, warm strings, and a mysterious glockenspielflute element. The cinematography creates an immersive feeling, showcasing the elegant Victorian-inspired production design and classically Holmesian set with birdseye angles and sweeping wide shots. Consolota Boyle’s costuming is absolutely beautiful and looks like it was pulled straight out of a street in 19th century London. Furthering that delightful period feel, Victorian-style engravings accompany Enola’s narration throughout the movie.

The commentary does feel a bit wearing in places, but Millie Bobbie Brown’s wonderful performance as Enola—infused with wit and emotion—manages to carry it, proving yet again her incredible skills. Her performance is equally matched by Henry Cavill as Sherlock and Helena Bonham Carter as her mother. The only major disappointment is Sam Claflin’s stiff, one-dimensional Mycroft, only furthered by his tritely written dialogue, another issue that crops up throughout the film. Overall, “Enola Holmes” gives off the impression that it would have worked better as a series rather than a two-hour movie. The plot feels slightly disjointed and several elements aren’t fully developed: namely, the central conflict over women’s rights. Because of this, the movie’s final twist doesn’t have quite the punch it could have had. Enola and Tewksbury’s relationship also feels somewhat unearned, poster courtesy of Netflix simply because they don’t have enough time together—something that could have been better developed over the course of a series. However, the film’s occasional flaws are mostly overshadowed by the wonderful cast, action, and production design, creating a satisfying update to Arthur Conan Doyle’s novels. For those wanting a twist on the classic period mystery, “Enola Holmes” is an excellent choice.

art by Laryn Scribner

Masks: from protective equipment to fashion statement

Izzy Wagener page editor

In an age of consumerism, anything can be individualized, and masks are no exception. Many students are taking interest in the role masks can play in an outfit. Junior Sarah Hunt, one of the leaders of the Fashion Club, finds she has to take masks into consideration when choosing what to wear. “If I’m wearing an outfit with a print in it, I don’t want to wear a printed mask. I can wear a plain outfit [with] a cuter mask,” Hunt said. Mask accessorization is capturing students’ notice, even with current class sizes. “Some students will get color coordinating or more pattern matching [masks],” sophomore Tessa Dubbe said. Other popular styles observed by Hunt include prints like black camouflage and surgical masks that deviate from the typical sky blue with colors such as black, pink, and orange. Some innovative fashion companies are embracing the mask as an extension of clothing itself, not just an added

accessory. Elexia Beachwear, an Italian swimwear company, has created a bikini with a matching face mask called a “trikini.” PrettyLittleThing, a fashion company based in the United Kingdom, also caught headlines with the sale of a bodycon dress which sports a face mask attached to the turtleneck. Despite these newer designs, it’s important to note that COVID-19 can’t take all of the credit for introducing masks to the fashion world. Japanese streetwear has long embraced fashionable face coverings. This trend evolved from the more normalized use of masks for everyday colds and allergies in Japan. According to style magazine “Dazed”, while there are plenty of printed designs worn in Japan, simple white masks are still considered the typical choice. As retailers scramble to pivot production towards face coverings following decreased sales, the integration of masks into fashion around the globe only grows more pronounced. Time will tell whether masks are an accessory to stay, as in Japan, or are simply a temporary attempt to bring joy (and profits) in an uncertain time.

art by Nora Franssen

STUDENT LIFE

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

:r e ts o p m i

Althea Barrows staff writer

Since March, unemployment rates in the US have skyrocketed. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate has increased from 3.5 to 14.7%. The rates are even higher when it comes to high schoolers, shooting from 11% to 29.9% Despite these statistics, senior George Gustafson has continued working at The Waters Senior Living, a retirement home in Edina. Gustafson has been working there for over a year and started when he was sixteen. We spoke with George to get an inside opinion about how the pandemic has affected his work. “From March to July the rules were really strict, and the residents couldn’t leave their room at all,” Gustafson said. Not many employees have quit working at The Waters since the start of Covid, but some have been laid off or have had to leave due to medical conditions. Normally, Gustafson also participates in Ultimate Frisbee, Architec-

ture Club and Church, but a lot of his extracurriculars were cancelled due to COVID-19, giving him more time when to work. George stated his favorite part of the job was his coworkers: “They’re mostly kids my age, and not all of them go to EHS, so it’s kind of a cool variety,” Gustafson said. The Waters have now loosened up on their precautions when it comes to Covid. “They can visit outside with each other and they can visit with guests, and they can go into the dining room for dinner,” Gustafson said. However, retirement homes are not in the clear yet and still have heavy precautions in place due to the high risk which COVID-19 poses to seniors. “There’s only four or five different places where they can actually visit with people because it has to be outside,” Gustafson said. Despite the changes that the pandemic has made to everyone’s work environment and life, student employees, like George Gustafson, have managed to find ways to enjoy their job during these unprecedented times.

standard crew member or an

Employees adjust to new safety regulations

You will either be a

imposter.

m e m fI b e c r :r e w

"AMONG US" RULES

Working it out: EHS students work through COVID

Go around the

You are essentially

map completing

"it" and must kill a

tasks while trying

crew member

to figure out who

without being seen.

the imposters are.

A player is killed and round one ends.

Player with the most votes is removed from the game.

If the imposter(s) are voted out, the game is over and the crew members win.

Discuss with all alive players to try and figure out who the imposter is. After a period of time, a vote will occur.

If the imposter(s) are not voted out, a new round begins and the process repeats until:

imposter is voted out.

Crew members complete

art by Nora Franssen

all tasks.

infographic by Matt Hovelsrud

The

Popular online game "Among Us" provides community during a time of disconnection Matthew Hovelsrud online editor

racticing social distancing to ensure the vitality of our public health system has made many people feel disconnected from their community. Spending much of their time online, students have turned to the internet to fulfill their desires for social interaction. As a result, virtual video games have been a popular way for friends to connect in a way that provides both entertainment and social interaction. The new trend-setting game “Among Us” has sparked many Edina High School

students’ interests. “[Among Us] is a social deduction game in which the crewmates attempt to finish tasks while two impostors... anonymously eliminate as many players as they can,” senior Matt Kumar-Montei said.

the boredom of staying at home all day,” sophomore Ryan Jiang said. “Among Us” is a great example of a video game that has instituted a new sense of connection as students stay home and practice social distancing. “[Among Us is] a great way to hang out with lots of friends at once and do something with all of them. Not a lot of games can provide that,” Kumar-Montei said. art by Ellanor Splinter Even though it is currently a trendy In regards to what game that will most likely phase out of about the game popularity, ‘Among Us’ has provided key unis appealing, “the thrill of not being able to derstanding of how modern day students are trust anyone completely without any realstaying connected during times of isolation. world consequences can be a nice contrast to

OPINION

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

To pajama, or not to pajama Ellen Mi editor-in-chief art by Laryn Scribner

Hypocrisy in the Senate

Art Boettge Multimedia Coordinater

he death of Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, 2020 was a shock for all of America, regardless of political party. Appointed in 1993, RBG served until her death in 2020. She was a champion for equality, women’s rights, and the environment. In the aftermath of her death, America __faces choosing a new Supreme Court justice. In the United States, justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. A similar issue occured in the year 2016 with Antonin Scalia, former Supreme Court justice. Scalia’s death in February 2016 led Barack Obama to nominate Merrick Garland for Supreme Court. However, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnnell denied the appointment on the grounds that it was an election year, thus prohibiting Garland from being admitted into the court. Any man with this much power should certainly have been questioned, even back then. Fast-forward to today, where Senator McConnell is allowing the seat to be filled by current president Donald Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barnett. When asked whether or not he would fill it, his first response was “Oh, we’d fill it,” according to NPR. This is a shockingly stark reminder that senator McConnell holds too much power. Now, the Supreme Court will feature a 6-3 lead of Conservatives to Liberals, all at the whim of one man. This means numerous reforms including the Affordable Care Act, Obergefell v. Hodges, and Roe v. Wade could be overturned in courts, according to Politico.

What results is the Supreme Court being based more on timing rather than actual voter support. Instead of Supreme Court justices being selected in a democratic fashion, they are selected by the timing of the need for a new justice. Senator McConnell’s blatant hypocrisy on this case and his blocking of Obama’s appointment of Merrick Garland should absolutely be challenged. It is clear, however, that McConnell’s choice was based out of a desperate attempt to secure a majorityconservative Supreme Court, according to the Associated Press. According to election forecast websites like Five Thirty Eight, Biden is expected to win the election 86 of 100 times. Clearly, McConnell fears the implications of continuing with his previously established trend of blocking a seat to be filled in an election year, despite RBG’s departure from the court being even closer to the election date than Scalia’s. Senator Mitch McConnell should be expected to uphold the system that he put in place himself, regardless of whether or not it would be in his own interest and in the interest of his party. Overall, if such an important American governmental decision can be in the hands of hypocrisy, then serious change must be made to the way Supreme Court justices are selected—for example, letting justices be selected in a democratic fashion, rather than by nomination. Or, allowing the vote to take place in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to allow for a more democratic vote and a more democratic America.

he last thing anyone wants to do when they’re sitting at home, attending back to back Google Meets and completing daily attendance-based assignments, is put on a pair of jeans. With many students completing a majority of their schoolwork at home in the hybrid and Edina Virtual Academy learning models, a new moral dilemma stands: should students be able to wear pajamas during school hours when they’re learning at home? In Edina Public Schools, there aren’t any guidelines that specifically prohibit wearing pajamas when students are learning at home, and with the ability to turn off their cameras during Google Meets, students aren’t necessarily discouraged from wearing pajamas either. According to a report from the United States Department of Education, numerous studies reﬂect that students are more engaged in their learning when they are comfortable in their learning environment. But with students learning fully online at home at least three days a week this

art by Betsy Lundgren

Hoco is a no go

Sadie Johnson Sieben manager

enior year was stripped from the class of 2020 and now the class of 2021, but there may be a chance to change that. Unlike previous years, we are currently missing out on Edina High School’s usual homecoming traditions. Even though the football season has resumed, there will be no annual homecoming game for fans this year. Not only has this added to the bleak state of our school spirit, but the one event students thought had a chance of happening has now been washed down the drain. The final activity still in question is the semiformal homecoming dance. As a senior, I am disappointed that I’m losing my last homecoming dance. Some high schools in the nation have taken the risk to plan their own dance. In St. Louis Park, Benilde St. Margaret’s put on their own alternate homecoming, including spirit days and an activity night for each grade. Alternative activities for art by Ellanor Splinter

semester, there isn’t a physical classroom that can regulate the comfortability of their learning environments. For students with a busy household or a difficult home-life, the answer to more productive learning might just be wearing pajamas during school hours. However, some students might find that dressing in clothes they would typically wear to school helps them stay on track during their school day at home. “Whatever people decide to wear, as long as it is designated as work apparel they’ll get more quality work done because they’ll be more focused,” a 2016 article about productivity by Forbes said. So what’s the answer? Should students wear pajamas or not? Students are given the freedom to express themselves when they’re at school, so they should be able to do so when they’re learning from home as well. So, regardless of whether you feel more positive about your learning in a plush bathrobe or jeans, dress in the way that optimizes your academic experience this year.

homecoming, specifically just for seniors, would provide the class of 2021 with a chance to salvage the traditions of senior year. Having a dance on the football field while wearing masks might be a safer idea. Most students have taken it into their own hands to form “FOCOs,” fake makeshift homecomings, consisting of getting dressed up, going out to eat, and possibly having a small gathering afterward. These nights have brought back some spirit to the students, but not all have the opportunity to be involved in them. As a senior, I would opt to do a FOCO at this point. At least it would satisfy the tradition for my fourth and final year of high school. Students can hope and wish for a school-sanctioned homecoming dance, but the chance is slim. We are still living in a global pandemic, and with the winter coming soon, there looks to be no change for the better in the situation. Nevertheless, it is now your chance to do what you can and safely plan your own night out with some friends to make your own new tradition.

HEAD TO HEAD

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Being in school is invaluable

Maren Fullerton staff writer

chool is an invaluable piece in the development of students on both a societal and intellectual level. Although students faced a culture shock when returning to school, being in-person provides many things online learning cannot: reconnecting with people, accountability standards, and a sense of normality. The principle goal of school is to provide students the assets they need to succeed in a capitalist workforce. From home, these skills cannot be mastered in the same way as they are expected to in school. Quarantine was a life-changing experience for all of us. Without societal standards to keep us in the box of conformity, many of us hatched out of quarantine a new person. Some people came out, others cut their hair or dyed it, and all of us learned how to be alone. Quarantine in itself was a mental battle for everyone. The separation from people lessened the weight of society's vision of a perfect person and allowed room for personal growth and experimentation. Being introduced back into an in-person world was scary, to say the least, but it was necessary. While we stumbled around social interaction that had been missed, our struggles served as a reminder that in the workplace, bosses expect our people skills to be impeccable. Be it a positive or negative moral, competition is a valued American ideal that demands professionalism. While culture binds us to an idea of perfection, it also provides a set of standards that prevents people from straying too far from what is humane. Whether society is a monster of conformity or a form of regulation, it exists in the workforce in a larger sense than in high school. This is the purpose of high school—to prepare students

to succeed in the workforce. Being in school provides a standardized place for social development to progress. It is important as a student to be directly in contact with teachers in a setting that demands respect for authority. Accountability to do work to the best of your ability is forced upon you when a teacher calls you out for not doing homework, and learning is easier when you can engage and ask questions instead of mindlessly watching a video. When a student is forced to confront a teacher for help or to point out a mistake, skills that are necessary in the workforce are demonstrated. Nevermind school as a learning place, it is so important to be among peers and see friends that would not otherwise be seen outside of school. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that being physically at school can, “provide opportunities to facilitate social-emotional development that are difficult, if not impossible, to replicate through distance learning.” Being surrounded by people was missed in lockdown and has made us recognize the value of friends and family. Simply being surrounded by other students in the same situation is a reminder that nobody is alone. Yes, changes need to be made to the educational system to better fit the needs of all students. Yes, school is exhausting. For people with barriers to their education like mental illnesses or problems at home, school can be especially difficult to thrive in. Learning time management and how to deal with stress is even more important to students struggling with these things. School is an opportunity to practice for when a time comes in which you are busier than ever before—adulthood. Learning at home is simply impossible for many students. The stress caused by family and access to the internet and food is diminished when attending school. School could be modified to appease the needs of all students, but even for the ones who are struggling, it is the right place to be.

In the end, school is the best place for everyone. It provides mental relief in the presence of peers while also developing functioning citizens. I concede, school causes everyone copious amounts of stress, but I also acknowledge the skills and endeavors I am able to partake in due to school. It is a necessary component of the happiness and progression of education in order to prepare students for the workforce.

art by Annabelle Jakala

Hybrid or EVA: Which provides a better learning environment?

Hanna Jaeger page editor

even months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the world isn’t getting any more used to it. People are desperate to get back into offices and restaurants, and they long for the socialization we all once took for granted. Reopening processes are beginning, albeit slowly, including Edina High School students being given the option of hybrid learning this semester. However, a month into the 2020-2021 school year, it still seems that Edina Virtual Academy, or EVA, is the more enriching choice. Hybrid students come into school two days a week.

The first half of the alphabet takes Monday and Tuesday, followed by the second half on Thursday and Friday. Their masks stay on the entire time as they sit in quiet, nearly empty classrooms, appropriately socially distanced from their fellow scholars. These are, of course, measures EHS is taking to keep its students and staff safe, the importance of which should not be undermined. Nevertheless, it makes for an uncomfortable, almost dystopian atmosphere that is sure to wear on the psyche of Edina’s teens. With half their friends gone, designated walkways, and an invisible six-foot forcefield around each kid, the social aspect of going to school is just about eliminated. School is looking like something out of a “Hunger Games” novel. Teens are craving familiarity, and nothing is more familiar than one’s own home. EVA students reap the benefits of being able to learn right from their bedrooms and are able to do their assignments at their own pace, step outside for a quick breath of fresh air, and even get a few extra minutes of sleep each morning. All of these add up to a more eased mindset in this world of discomfort. And don’t think that online learning is making students into hermits; EVA students have the opportunity to collaborate with one another through FaceTime and other digital avenues, making for arguably more communication than hybrid students are getting. The most obvious advantage to hybrid learning is the chance for students to make meaningful connections with their teachers. Communicating through a screen is never the same as a face-to-face conversation. But with COVID keeping us apart, and even the way we use technology today, is that connection even there? Kids coming into school are still spending some entire class periods on Google Meets, despite the fact that their teachers are right there in the room. Teachers are having to juggle keeping both their online and

in-person students engaged in their learning, which is not an easy feat. They’re having to create two separate curriculums that fit the needs and accessabilities of every kid under their supervision. This is a lot to ask from a group of people already working ridiculously hard everyday to shape today’s youth into successful, hard working adults. The last few months have brought altered routines, changes in the way we must behave, missed life events, and all kinds of other hardships. Teens are not as well-suited to constant adaptation as adults are. A survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control in June stated that 40.9% of interviewees noticed “at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition” brought about by today’s coronavirus climate. A whopping 10.7% of respondents had considered suicide in the last 30 days. This was coming from presumably well-adjusted adults. If that’s where they were at, there’s no telling what the average hormonal, emotional teenager could be feeling. Furthermore, according to medical journal JAMA, a second wave of mental health struggle is on the way. The best way for us to prepare our teens is to give them a sense of routine, comfort, and familiarity, one that cannot be instilled by the plexiglass barriers and maskclad faces of hybrid learning. Online school gives students a chance to look around them and see something they recognize, something that feels like home. Come second semester, EHS will hopefully have more opportunities to get more kids in school learning, together. But for now, it’s just not plausible. We all did online learning last spring and did well with it, so we know it’s an option. It’s just a matter of determining which option is best suited for each student individually.

For now, at-home learning is what’s best for Edina students

SPORTS

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Successful fundraiser leaves larger impact on Boys’ Soccer Eleanor Hutcheson staff writer

very year, the Edina High School Boys’ Soccer Program hosts a fundraiser. The fundraiser offers every customer a chance to donate by purchasing a meal, which leads to an overall increase in donations relative to other fundraising events. The most recent event took place at Chipotle on York Avenue from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19. Many members of the team, as well as supporters, attended and purchased a meal, making a contribution whilst doing so.

William Nguyen, a senior at EHS and a member of the Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team, discussed uses of the funds they receive through fundraisers. “The fundraiser was generally just for creating breathing room for the team’s budget, “ Nguyen said. “We tend to spend a considerable amount on stuff like pasta dinners, renting out fields, and the merchandise.” By engaging in the fundraisers, students and others can help support the Boys’ Soccer team’s bonding and training events. The event at Chipotle was more than successful. Sophomore Audrey Beyer, who witnessed the event, said, “It was full of people,

so we said ‘meh’ and left.” Many people, including Nguyen and some of the other members of the team, were dining at Chipotle that night. “I think the fundraiser was a success, especially [since] it was at Chipotle, a place where most students would want to eat,” Ngyuen said. Other popular activities such as EHS Orchestra, EHS Debate team, EHS Girls’ Soccer have previously hosted rewarding fundraisers at Chipotle. Sports fundraising has the ability for students to rally in order to support popular activities, such as the Boys’ Soccer team.

Football season is back in action

photo by Reilly Shane Sparse stands: Football makes do without student spectators

infographic by Maren Fullerton

Reilly Shane staff writer

all without a football season wouldn’t be the same. Fortunately, the Minnesota State High School League is reopening high school football for its fall season. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the environment of the games will be different. In contrast to previous seasons, there will only be 125 fans from each team allowed to watch in the stadium, and they must be family members of the players. Fewer games will be played this year. Last season, Edina varsity football played a total of 10 games in their season, whereas this year they are only playing four. The anticipation of the football season this year is high. There was a possibility that the season was

going to be moved to the spring and not begin until March, so this turn of events has been exciting for the players. Even though the season won’t be the same as it has in the past, it will still remain memorable and enjoyable for the athletes. “I’ll miss the fans at the games,” sophomore Joey Teply said. “We have great support here at Edina, and it’s always fun to play in front of a big crowd.” Teply explains that adjusting to new rules and procedures takes a lot of getting used to. “We have to constantly be aware of COVID-19. Social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing your hands regularly makes [the game] feel different,” Teply said. Although there are new orders that they must follow, many players are still happy to have a fall season. “We are working hard and preparing like any other season,” Teply said. On Friday, October 9, Edina Varsity Football had their first game of the season against Maple Grove. The stadium felt empty and much more quiet than a usual home game. Families were allowed to sit beside each other but had to sit six feet away from other families. To maintain social distancing, they had large barriers that expanded six feet across the bleachers. Since there is no student section at the games this season, it is a lot harder for the audience to get pumped up. The players miss not being able to play in front of their peers and friends; it was a huge highlight of the regular football season. The song “We Will Rock You” by Queen usually gets the crowd roaring and hyped up, but at Friday’s game, due to the lack of people in the stands, it barely had any of the crowd going. Their lives have been changed heavily with COVID-19 and so has the football season. They are still fortunate enough to have a season this year, even if there are new rules and orders we must follow.

AOTM: mountain biker Elin Hartmann

Urva Jha staff writer

lin Hartmann, a freshman at Edina High School and competitive mountain biker, has been biking since she was five years old. She has been competing as a mountain biker for the past three years as a member of the Edina Cycling team, and during that time she won the seventh and ninth grade State Championship titles.

Elin Hartmann: My family and parents have always been into the sport and took us biking on the weekends. I didn’t like it too much when I was younger, but I decided to try out the Edina Cycling team and really liked it. Z: How did it feel winning the State Championship title?

Z: What is the best part about being a biker? EH: The best part about being a biker is probably all the new people I get to meet. I have [gotten] to make friends with others from all over the state at races. The community is so supportive and nice. Even though it’s an individual sport, your team still plays a giant role. Z: What is something that biking has taught you? EH: Biking has taught me a lot about pushing past your limit. It also taught me that it’s okay to fall down, you just have to get back up. Z: What does your typical week look like when it comes to biking?

EH: I [train with the] Edina Cycling team, which has practice four times a week. I also do another biking program where I normally go to two practices and also do strength training, as well as going to the gym. Z: How has COVID-19 affected your team? EH: It split up the team, and so we don’t really get to know the other riders as well. The racing is a bit different, and so we all go at different intervals, with fewer spectators. The races aren’t as stressful, but we’re around a lot of faster riders. Z: Do you see yourself biking throughout the next few years? EH: I’m not completely sure. I definitely want to keep biking through high school, but I’m kind of unsure about racing during college.

photo courtesy of Elin Hartmann

Zephyrus: How did you initially get into biking?

EH: I definitely wasn’t expecting it going into the season, but it was exciting!

Off road: Hartmann cycles on the Edina Mountain Biking Team