November Issue-2020

Statesman NOVEMBER

THE COLOR ISSUE

JOSHUA JACKSON: THE MAN BEHIND THE BAG chloe houwman pg. 12

TABLE OF CONTENTS PERSPECTIVES 46Warning! Indigenous people at risk

36The Intersection

veronicA iSeminger

mArA fendricH

21Hair

43The death of Black Friday

mArgAret Ann mickelBerg

PAige gordon

40-41A woman not for all women 28-29 The little engine that could: A lesson on cArly WHeeler

27 S t a t e s m a n Paper Editors-in-Chief: Sara Croghan, Cameron Rhode and Carly Wheeler Online Editors-in-Chief: Madeleine Kemper and Molly Wetsch Feature Editors: Lilli Eppinga and Anna Engels Entertainment Editors: Avery Blackman and Adyson Sand Sports Editors: Gage Gohl and Caleb Hiatt Perspectives Editors: Daniel Bethke, Henry Haft, Chloe Hartje and Chloe Houwman News Editor: Abbie DeKramer Staff Writers: Olivia Brost, Claire Brown, Hannah Cisar, Anna Engels, Carter Ericson, Mara Fendrich, Kaden Fossum, Paige Gordon, Veronica Iseminger, Emma Johnson, Madyson Lawson, Charley Lockwood-Powell, Kate McCartney, Margaret Ann Mickelberg, Alexis Miller, Baily Plourde, Lydia Sarbacker, Gavin Solomon, Kate Tollinger, Jamison Vetter, Thompson Wakefield and Carson Woods Adviser: Katie Kroeze The Statesman’s purpose is to inform and entertain with an honest and accurate approach. The opinions of students, staff members and faculty are expressed in a tasteful manner. The Statesman is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association and the Journalism Education Association. The Statesman was awarded a Pacemaker in 2007 and was nominated for the 2012-2013 year. The Statesman has received Superior and best newspaper in the state of South Dakota. The editors and adviser take responsibility for the content of the Statesman.

opresssion SArA crogHAn

6-7 Cult following of Jaws (Satire)

4-5 Empathy politics

12 ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS FEATURES 38 Henry HAft

Avery BlAckmAn

11Gone too soon

44-45The supernatural trend of 2020

HAnnAH ciSAr

20Blue light glasses emmA JoHnSon

AnnA engelS

32Teacher’s to-to coffee orders AdySon SAnd

8-9Basketball preview

18Battle of the bubble

kAden foSSum & ree BAireddy

37Lack of lacrosse

24State recap

gAge goHl

AlexiS miller

gAvin Solomon

Joshua Jackson: the man behind the 26Students on the road to teaching 12-13 bag cHloe HouWmAn kAte tollinger 47Behind shop doors 33 Starring Maestra Conover cAmeron rHode 10Teacher superlatives cArter ericSon oliviA BroSt

44

34Coping with COVID BAily Plourde

16-17Only LHS kids would know lilli ePPingA & ABBie dekrAmer

22 Double the trouble

38-39A day in the life of Jackson Paslay tHomPSon WAkefield

23HOSA: Calling the shots for a future in medicine cAleB HiAtt

14In vs. out of state college experience lydiA SArBAcker

NOVEMBER clAire BroWn

27Anderson: The reptile wrestler cArSon WoodS

I Y E PAT H P O L I T C S I M Y T E PAT H P O L I C S I M Y E PAT H P O L I T C S I M Y T E PAT H P O L I C S I M Y T E PAT H P O L I C S I M Y T E PAT H P O L I C S I M Y T E PAT H P O L I C S I M E PAT H Y P O L I T C S I M T Y E PAT H P O L I C S M TI

by Avery Blackman

Since the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century, Western societies have emphasized scientific evidence and reasoning over feelings as the basis of knowledge when considering political action. This is not the case anymore. Today, emotional appeals are the center of American politics, while factual data and logic are of little importance.

America is more affected by political polarization than ever. One would think that if only both parties could become more empathetic to one another, this may subside. However, in reality, the opposite is true. It is our ability as humans to empathize with one another that is tearing us all apart. It seems to happen that you hear about a social issue on the news (or more likely see it on an Instagram story), it pulls at your heartstrings, and you subconsciously (or purposefully) form a stance on the issue. In some peoples’ minds, there is only one reasonable response or solution to the problem, so logically, whoever disagrees with them must have terrible morals or values. The “other side” begins to look more and more like the enemy, while in actuality it is often possible to empathize with more than one group of people.

In no way am I trying to attack anyone who has an emotional reaction to a social injustice. Afterall, being able to empathize with one another is

4 PERSPECTIVES

and the next thing they know they have found a group of people who share similar sentiments. This inevitably turns people towards supporting a specific political party, maybe subconsciously at first, but it is awfully easy to turn from being a moderate to leaning far to the left or right. Then, once someone has their political identification sorted out, politicians’ appeals to pathos just begin to resonate more and more, and someone who used to not pay much attention to politics now actively starts political conversations because they feel so strongly about the issues.

Anger appeals have become particularly popular in political rhetoric, and the effects are quite substantial. According to a 2008 study performed by Nicholas Valentino, a political science professor at the University of Michigan, anger depresses information-seeking behaviors. “Angry citizens are then more likely to look for partisan or ideological information in a web search on candidates,” and as a result use this information, rather than policy information, to make their voting choices. This type of biased search also makes angry citizens less likely to correctly recall the actual issue stances of their preferred candidate. Additionally, a 2010 study

by Michael MacKuen, a political science professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, found that “anger triggers a partisan style

a basic human ability. The problem is that the use of overemotional political rhetoric uses these feelings as justifications for supporting a specific political party. Politicians use certain language specifically to trigger people into knee-jerk responses, thus earning their support without having to educate them about specific policies much at all. A politician can drop a few buzzwords, point a finger at a supposed enemy, call out a social injustice that they see as wrong (without even needing to specify their plans for solving it) and they are greeted with a round of applause from an audience of pledged supporters.

I partially blame social media for this surge in emotional politics.

Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are all centered around the distribution of photographs. Pictures are much more likely to elicit an empathetic response than words, and the ability for anyone to retweet an image or post it to their Instagram story means that one photograph can influence millions in only a couple of minutes.

Additionally, because people don’t hold back when it comes to sharing their emotional reactions to social media, the comment sections on a post can be filled with very harsh words that could potentially be quite convincing to some individuals.

With the entire world’s opinions available for anyone to see, one will inevitably find some emotionally charged post that strikes a chord,

DESIGN BY AVERY BLACKMAN

of citizenship, leading individuals to dig-in and defend their pre-existing attitudes.” Thus, an angry citizen is more likely to rely on political habits and is less likely to compromise.

It seems as if once anyone lets themselves become emotionally invested in something, their ability to objectively consider new information is arguably reduced to nothing.

Furthermore, those who allow their feelings to entirely justify political actions result in no one being able to have a civil conversation about politics. The way to prevent a calm discussion from turning into a heated argument is for both people involved to respect each other’s opinions, but given today’s political climate, this is a highly rare occurrence. It would be nearly impossible to acknowledge a very polarized side’s argument as reasonable if it’s based almost entirely off of emotion instead of evidence or logic.

There is one important benefit of emotional presidential campaigns, however. When people get more amped up at a political rally or by a political debate, they are more likely to actually go out and vote.

Emotional appeals do more to inspire action than informing voters about policy, ultimately increasing voter participation. Although, I will leave you with this question: Is it really a good idea to persuade uneducated individuals to vote solely based on their feelings?

STATESMAN 5

[SATIRE]

Whether you are a senior, a freshman just stepping into LHS or a middle schooler, I’m pretty sure you are well acquainted with the LHS chemistry teacher James Jarovski (Jaws) and his cult-like following.

Some of you may be wondering, how do I join The Cult of Jaws? Well, it’s not very easy. There are actually a series of trials that one must complete in order to join. I have done in-depth research in order to bring you all the facts about joining The Cult of Jaws.

The first trial is joining one of his AP chemistry classes. If you are only in Accelerated Chemistry, I’m sorry but you will not be allowed entrance into The Cult. Jaws only wants the most highly intelligent students/ followers in his order. Joining one of his classes is one of the easier parts of the trial; the levels simply get more and more difficult until he determines which students are worthy of The Cult. Step two is also not very difficult, but it is a test of perseverance and loyalty for his young apprentices.

They must tutor his young and future members that are currently only in Accelerated Chemistry, but one day will possibly take AP. The truth is,

6 PERSPECTIVES

these Accelerated Chemistry students are already at a disadvantage. Like I said before, to be a part of The Cult you must be the highest level of intelligence, and those who are the highest level of intelligence don’t need extra help from older students. Jaws makes note of the students who need extra help and remembers it for the future if they ever try to join his order.

Step three in joining his cult is when it starts to get more difficult.

If you are truly worthy of The Cult, this part won’t be as strenuous for you as it would be for other students.

The young apprentices must achieve at least 90% in the class. In the past, it would have been 92.5%, but Jaws actually changed the whole grading scale in order to bring in more members. It’s true, but anyways, let’s move on to the next step in joining his cult. You must make something special for him, whether it be making a whole periodic table of elements where every element is a cutout of his face or making t-shirts with his face on it. He enjoys seeing his own face everywhere, so making him happy by showing him his own face is a sure-fire way to get initiated into The Cult immediately.

There are two more steps to joining his cult and these ones are by far the most difficult. Step six is arguably the most difficult: The Mole Day party.

For those of you who aren’t renowned chemists or a high school chemistry teacher, you will have no idea this holiday even exists. A mole is a unit of measurement in chemistry which is 6.022*10^23 units. Mole Day was derived from this value, and it is Oct. 23 from 6:02 a.m. to 6:02 p.m.. The students from every class period host a “Mole Day party” for Jaws, where they go to extreme lengths from playing corn hole to importing donuts from other states. The chemistry students that host the best Mole Day party are given “extra credit”. We all know what that really means - their chances of joining The Cult of Jaws just skyrocketed. For those students that didn’t win Mole Day, tough luck, you’re a loser. But there is one more way that the students who didn’t come out victorious on Mole Day can still be initiated: the end of the year AP test. If you perform well on that test, you will be taken into consideration for The Cult. This is the end of the line for all other students who weren’t his favorites, didn’t win the Mole Day party, and didn’t perform well on the AP test. These students will never again step foot in his room.

On the other hand, we have the students that were accepted. These students will most likely peer tutor in Jaws’ room during the following years of their sentence at LHS, and will help Jaws determine which young students will one day be a part of the order. This process is eternal and will forever be a part of the culture and heritage here at our school. It is rumored that they have cult gatherings in the basement of LHS, and if you listen faintly you can hear the followers chanting stoichiometry problems.

DESIGN BY CARLY WHEELER

STATESMAN 7

GET INTO THE GAME WATERTOWN YANKTON WATERTOWN

Dec. 4

Dec. 11

MITCHELL WHS

Dec. 15

OGHS

Dec. 18

OGHS

Dec. 19

BVHS

Dec. 22

MARSHALL

Dec. 31

WHS

Jan. 5

By Ree Baireddy

YANKTON RHS

Jan. 8

RHS

Jan. 14

MITCHELL

Jan. 19

HURON HURON HURON HURON

Jan. Jan.22 22

BVHS

Jan. Jan.23 23

WHS WHS

Jan. 28

OGHS

Jan. 29

BROOKINGS BROOKINGS

Feb. 2

RCSHS RCSHS

RCCHS RCCHS

Feb. 13

Feb. 12

HHS

Feb. 16

ACHS ACHS

Feb. 19

Feb. 20

OGHS

Feb. 23

HHS

Feb. 26

By Kaden Fossum

The ‘19-20 LHS boys’ Basketball season ended in heartbreak after losing in the first round to Rapid City Central 48-52 which caused them to not qualify for the State Tournament that ended up getting canceled due to COVID-19. The team hopes that the ‘20-21 season will end differently with a whole new upcoming team.

Coach Jeff Halseth has confidence in his team’s abilities for the upcoming season even with the major loss of seniors in the preceding season.

“We have always been a defensive team and even though we haven’t been able to work with the team that much yet this year, I believe that we will be able to provide the same if not better results for the upcoming season,” said Halseth.

Many of the boys basketball players also believe that the upcoming season will give them a shot at redemption for LHS and themselves. The coaches and players know that a State championship will not come easy because of the competition and the skills of other high school teams.

“I think the biggest competition has always been the other Sioux Falls teams, and they will definitely put up a good fight for this season,” said senior Luke Smith.

Although their ‘19-20 season was cut short, the group of boys led their team to have a successful season with an overall record of 13-9. Even with the loss of the numerous seniors such as graduates Max Burchill and Sam Fawcett, the LHS boys’ basketball team is still confident they will have a successful season with a lot of talent still present. The team has seven returning players for the ‘20-21 season: seniors Carter Brost, Surafel Berhanie, Luke Smith, Alex Tong, Ryne Hammerstrom, Ty Schafer and junior Caleb Hiatt.

“We work really well and hard together to accomplish everything we know we can do, but we also make time to have fun off of the court as well,” said Berhanie.

The loss of seniors was heavily impactful for the team and their main goal for their upcoming season is to try and rekindle their energy and teamwork to produce the same results as their ‘19-20 season. With a whole new group of starters in the upcoming season, Halseth hopes that the seniors will step up and show the juniors how to lead just like the seniors from the class of 2020 showed them.

“We lost a lot of good leaders last year,” said Smith. “But I think we have a good bunch of seniors this year that will be able to lead the time and work together so we can all be successful in the long run.”

For the last couple of seasons, the LHS girls basketball team has been one of the dominant teams in class AA. They placed second in the ‘18-19 State tournament, and last year they were seeded 6th place before their season was cut short due to COVID-19. With almost an entirely new team, the LHS girls basketball team has a lot to accomplish this offseason to be successful.

“We had one of the most dramatic losses of seniors in the state. We need to change how we look at things. Before we can start winning games we need to learn how to mesh well with each other and play as a team,” said senior Jaydyn Fikse.

Fikse is the team's only senior and is a 4-year varsity player. She has been on the team through their past successes and knows what it takes to win. New and upcoming junior players like Mya Nieman, Adyson Sand and Kaia Jensen will need to step in as key players to see the team's success through.

“With the big loss of seniors, we will need to have players step up and fill their shoes so we can ultimately be successful,” said Nieman.

Their ‘19-20 season was a success with a 16-6 record. The girls basketball coach, Matt Daly, believes that the ‘20-21 season will be another triumph for the team. Daly knows that the team dynamic will be new, but believes the intensity and work ethic the seniors brought to the team last year will carry to the new group of players this season.

“Losing 5 college level basketball players and nine seniors in total will really have an effect on the team dynamic, but the seniors last year really built a strong culture of work ethic for the team. We also sat five sophomores on the Varsity bench last year to help our transition into this new season,” said Daly.

Even though their season got cut short in the preceding season, the girls believe that the ‘20-21 season has more to offer.

What is your pre-game ritual?

“For the whole season, I eat three eggs and two pieces of bacon.”

What is your good luck charm?

“My headband.”

What is a quote you live by?

“It’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, it’s about the size of the fight in the dog.”

KAIA JENSEN PHOTOS BY REE BAIREDDY DESIGN BY REE BAIREDDY & KADEN FOSSUM

RYNE HAMMERSTROM

8 SPORTS

PIERRE PIERRE

*BOYS GIRLS

What is your pre-game ritual?

Eat Jimmy Johns.

What is your good luck charm?

My grandparents.

What is a quote you live by?

“Eat, sleep, breath basketball,” Mya Nieman.

STATESMAN 9

CELEBERITY CELEBERITY LOOK-ALIKE LOOK-ALIKE

PASTRANO PASTRANO

BEST BESTBEARD BEARD

TUTTLE TUTTLE

Due to COVID-19, many restaurants and businesses are unfortunately having to shut down. This pandemic continues to impact local business in Sioux Falls, because stores and restaurants are financially not able to stay open. When COVID-19 hit during the beginning of the year, many people started to stay home more and not go out to lunch or dinner as frequently, in an attempt to keep themselves safe. Since these businesses had no customers during this time, they simply had no business.

REDROSSA

TEACHER SUPERLATIVES by

by Olivia Olivia Brost Brost

TRENDIEST TRENDIESTTEACHER TEACHER KROEZE KROEZE

CELBRITY CELBRITY LOOK-ALIKE LOOK-ALIKE BERKE & BERKE & DIXIE DIXIE D’AMELIO D’AMELIO

BEST BESTDRESSED DRESSED ORTMEIER ORTMEIER

MEYER MEYER

PIZZA HUT

BOOKS N BREWZ

MOST MOST ATHLETIC ATHLETIC STRAND STRAND

JANSEN JANSEN

FASTEST FASTEST GRADER GRADER

RedRossa Napoli Pizzeria is a well-known pizza restaurant in Sioux Falls. They serve fresh, wood-fired thin crust pizza that originated all the way from Italy over one thousand years ago. For some, RedRossa was a fan favorite, causing the restaurant to more than likely be packed with hungry men and women before the pandemic. RedRossa announced on July 25, 2020 that they were going to close “indefinitely” due to construction nearby and COVID-19. RedRossa states on their website that they hope to re-open in the future, but for now, are going to remain closed for the safety of their employers and their customers.

The first Pizza Hut was opened June 15, 1958. Since 1958, Pizza Hut has expanded to over 7,000 locations around the United States. Pizza Hut claims to sell at least 250 pizzas per day. Clearly Americans not only love pizza, but they love Pizza Hut. Unfortunately, the only dine-in Pizza Hut in Sioux Falls, on West 12th Street, has closed permanently. Due to COVID-19 and the lack of income, Pizza Hut filed for bankruptcy. Fortunately, there are two other locations in Sioux Falls, although they are doing delivery only.

MOST MOST LIKELY LIKELY TO TO BRIGHTEN BRIGHTEN YOUR YOUR DAY DAY

10 10 FEATURES FEATURES

GONE TOO SOON

by Hannah Cisar

BEST BESTHAIR HAIR

PHOTO PHOTOPROVIDED PROVIDEDBY BYWIKIMEDIA WIKIMEDIACOMMONS COMMONS

MOST MOSTLIKELY LIKELY TO TOBE BEPRESIDENT PRESIDENT DOYLE DOYLE&&PAUL PAULRUDD RUDD

CLASS CLASSCLOWN CLOWN CHIARELLO CHIARELLO

MOST MOST LIKELY LIKELY TO TO BECOME FAMOUS BECOME FAMOUS FRAU FRAU

BURKETT BURKETT

PHOTOS BY OLIVIA BROST PHOTOSBY BYSARA OLIVIA BROST DESIGN CROGHAN DESIGN BY SARA CROGHAN

The global pandemic has claimed yet another Sioux Falls restaurant. This time closing down the local Books N Brewz Pizzeria located at the corner of Eighth Street and Weber.

Books N Brewz was a new bookstore and restaurant in Sioux Falls, but will unfortunately be closing less than a year after opening. This pizzeria was primarily a music venue which served pizza on the side. Books N Brewz opened in the beginning of April, which was very unlucky timing since that was the beginning of the strike of COVID-19.

Pizza is very popular not only in Sioux Falls, but all over the world. With more than 20 different pizza restaurants located in Sioux Falls and over 61,200 pizzerias in the United States, it is clear that Americans love their pizza. This is why it is unfortunate that these three pizzerias, along with several other businesses, are going out of business due to COVID-19.

However, with the hopes of a vaccine for COVID-19 comes the hope of many re-openings for the many businesses that Sioux Falls is losing every day.

DESIGN BY HANNAH CISAR

STATESMAN 11

have to carry around my lunch.”

Jackson’s bags are not the only unique feature of his style. His sense of fashion stands out in the crowd due to the maturity and sophistication portrayed in each ensemble. “[The inspiration for my outfits is whatever] catches my eye, really,” said Jackson. “I am currently into florals, and I will never ever wear sweatpants to school.

I absolutely despise them. My thing is, when I am wearing sweatpants I feel like I am in my pajamas all day, and I cannot stand that feeling.”

Unlike most high school students, one will always find Jackson put together in an outfit that has been carefully selected. He likes to style his outfits around a particular piece that will create just enough sophistication and poise.

“I am always wearing a pair of jeans, black, khaki or grey,” said Jackson. “I have a lot of sweatshirts and jackets, so sometimes I will style the outfit around those pieces. If I want to wear a statement piece of jewelry, I will style things around that. In the winter I love sweaters, but that is about as casual as I will get. Otherwise,

it is always button-down shirts.”

One might expect Jackson to be considering a career in the industry (due to his clear knowledge and expertise in the fashion world), but his plans could not be more different. After high school, Jackson plans on attending Embry-Riddle, an aeronautical university.

“I want to get my degree in Aviation Business Administration because my dream job is to be an airline executive,” said Jackson. “I have always loved to travel and one time when I was in the Minneapolis airport I thought to myself, ‘it would be so cool to be able to control all of this.’”

Jackson takes his academic responsibilities seriously and does not fail to push himself when he is choosing his courses. He is enrolled in numerous accelerated and AP courses.

“This year I am taking AP Language and Composition, Accounting at the CTE Academy, APUSH, Accelerated PreCalculus and AP Physics II,” said Jackson.

In addition to a rigorous course load and involvement in multiple extracurricular activities, such as Math National Honor

Society, English National Honor Society and previous involvement in orchestra, Jackson still finds the time to work and pursue his interests in the fashion industry.

“Outside of school I work for my aunt,” said Jackson. “She has a marketing firm here in Sioux Falls. I am currently working as an entry-level accountant. Most of what I do involves organizing receipts and adding them to spreadsheets.”

With increased amounts of free time due to lockdown, many people sought out different ways to occupy themselves.

“I watched a lot of TV and then I tried my hand at writing a book,” said Jackson.

“I had been watching a lot of ‘Murder, She Wrote,’ so I was like ‘I can write a murder mystery. Let’s try this.’ I got through three chapters, however, summer came, and I decided that I wanted to separate myself from all things academic.”

LHS is filled with individuals who possess unique talents, and behind every talent, there is a unique story of how it came to be; this is undoubtedly the case for Jackson.

JOSHUA JACKSON: the man behind the

BAG.

by Chloe Houwman Creativity: the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work. The use of creativity in one’s life varies from person to person; it can be depicted through works of art and word or through clothing and music. For LHS junior, Joshua Jackson, his creativity is shown through his hand-made designer bags and unique sense of style. Jackson brings his new ideas to the forefront of the school, unlike anything seen before.

One of the attributes that makes Jackson stand out most are the designer bags that he carries with him. However, these are not typical designer bags; they are made by Jackson out of one simple 12 FEATURES

material: duct tape.

“In eighth grade, I started getting interested in handbags and I wanted to buy one,” said Jackson. “I decided that I needed something to carry my materials in because backpacks alone did not do the job. The first bag that I made was a mockup of a Chanel bag [made out of duct tape], but it fell apart instantly. Freshman year, I made a better one once I was able to figure out how to best craft the bag. I made another bag that was a little bit larger so it could fit my lunch, scarves, pencils, sunglasses and food. It was a big Louis Vuitton bag.”

What some may consider an obsession, others denote a form of art.

“There was a time when I was making

bags every weekend, and I eventually ran out of room for all of them in my closet,” said Jackson. “I am not ashamed to say that I have 46 roles of duct tape.”

As Jackson has grown older, the space that he needed from each bag shifted.

When he was an underclassman he needed more room to carry his materials and thus needed a bigger bag. However, Jackson is able to diversify his bag selection with different sizes now that he no longer has to carry as much around.

“The one that I am currently using is supposed to replicate a Birkin bag. I made this one my freshman year, but it was way too small, so I couldn’t use it then,” said Jackson. “Now that I have open lunch, I can use this one again since I no longer

DESIGN BY CHLOE HOUWMAN PHOTOS BY CHLOE HOUWMAN & SARA CROGHAN

STATESMAN 13

At the end of high school students are tasked with the life-changing decision about their plans for the future, whether they choose to head straight into the workforce or dedicate the next years of their lives to college, this monumental decision weighs heavily on students’ minds. With thousands of universities across the nation, the choice of whether or not to move to a new location or remain close to home is immensely difficult.

Upon speaking to previous LHS graduates, there appears to be several pros and cons for both in and out of state experiences. Georgia Conlin, a second-year student at Chapman University in California, has found herself pleased with her choice to leave South Dakota. Conlin has adored the change in scenery and encourages others to venture out of the state and explore new places and opportunities.

“I wanted to go out of state to experience living in a place that is

different from South Dakota and to meet new people as well,” said Conlin.

“Although it can be scary if you are able to, just go for it because it is so worth it.”

On the other hand, Emma Osmundson, a freshman attending SDSU, speaks very highly of her decision to stay in-state and the many advantages of sticking closer to home.

“The benefits of an in-state school are that you get in-state tuition and local scholarships,” said Osmundson.

“You can go home more often, and you most likely know more people at the university and are more familiar with the area. A con would be the lack of some independence, but you can still meet new people and have a good experience anywhere.”

Additionally, Max Honner, a sophomore, experienced the best of both worlds when he transferred from USD all the way to Grand Canyon University in Arizona.

“The social aspect of school at USD was very similar to what it was in high school,” said Honner. “I went into the

school year knowing a ton of people which was good, but I felt it was harder to grow and meet new people.”

Honner raved about the new setting and all the amazing opportunities the move has led him to, along with the newfound freedom he has in Arizona, he encourages others to do the same.

“Going out of state this year has forced me to meet more diverse groups of people from across the country and create close friendships that I didn’t know were possible,” said Honner.

As these different perspectives show, there is no single right option when deciding between in and out of state. The decision is completely dependent upon the person and what they are looking for in their college experience, however, both options have proved to be paths that led to a positive and successful college life.

by Lydia Sarbacker DESIGN BY KATIE KROEZE

14 FEATURES

STATESMAN STATESMAN1515

O ON N O ON NLL LLYY LLH

by Lilli Eppinga & Abbie DeKramer H

by Lilli Eppinga & Abbie DeKramer YY LLH HSS SS KKIIDD KKIID WO DSS SS W OU U W WO OU ULLLLDD KKN NO D DK Oww While there are many schools in the district, LHS holds KN NO .... are many schools in the district, LHS holds Owunspoken While there w several secrets that are only known by the ..... . several unspoken secrets that are only known by the

THE RECTANGLE LUNCH TABLES THE RECTANGLE LUNCH TABLES Schools such as RHS and WHS are so used to the

Schools such as RHS and WHS are so the circle tables, that they forgot about theused goodtoole circle tables, that they forgot theup good fashioned rectangle tablesabout that take halfole of the fashioned rectangle tables that take up half of the LHS lunchroom. Many students have mixed opinions LHSabout lunchroom.

Many students opinions which one is better, but have eithermixed way, lunchtime about which one isat better, looks different LHS. but either way, lunchtime looks different at LHS.

A-WING’S GOOD CONNECTION A-WING’S GOOD CONNECTION

It is impossible to even Itattempt is impossible to even watching Netflix attempt watching Netflix or texting someone back or texting someone back during a class in the during a class the classes E-wing.

Theinonly E-wing.

The only classes one would be able to find a oneconnection would be able a is into thefind math connection is in the math and science wings; the only andarea science wings; only in the schoolthe without areathe in blocked the school without internet. The the best blocked The spotinternet. in these wings bestcombined spot in these wings is any classroom combined is anyhallway, classroom in the A-100 which in the A-100 hallway, which would more than likely be a would more than likely be a math class. math class.

students and staff of the school. Among these secrets, hold students and staff the school. these hold the foundation in of which LHS wasAmong built on, andsecrets, it is about the foundation in which LHS was built on, and it is about time they are exposed. time they are exposed.

THE KILLER CROSSWALK THE KILLER CROSSWALK

Only LHS students have heard the Only LHS students have announcement to cross theheard street the where the announcement to cross the crosswalk is, (instead ofthe thestreet street where like most crosswalk is, (instead of the street like most students were,) since cars were getting a little students since to cars were getting a little too closewere,) for comfort students.

Students too close for comfort to students.

Students and parents are usually in a hurry to get out of and usuallyasinwell a hurry get out of theparents parking are lot hassle, as thetorushing the parking lot hassle, as well as the rushing cars down Cliff Ave, therefore kids crossing cars down Cliff Ave, therefore kids crossing at random times is not ideal. Although, at the atdefense random is not ideal.

Although, atlot thesize oftimes the students, the small parking defense of the students, the small parking lot size causes most freshmen, and some sophomores, causes most freshmen, and some sophomores, to have to park in all sorts of places around the toschool. have to park in all sorts of places around the school.

Mainly seen in the A-wing of LHS—or track meets—is the Mainly seen in the A-wing of Rice LHS—or track meets—is the dude quartet: Jansen, Jaws, and Naasz.

They all chose dudesimilar quartet: Jansen, Jaws, Rice and Naasz.

They all chose career paths, teaching math, chemistry or coaching similar paths, math, or coaching gymcareer classes.

Theyteaching stroll down the chemistry hallways huddled side by gymside classes.

They stroll down the hallways huddled side by not laughing and reminiscing about something, probably side that laughing and reminiscing about something, probably not funny. Many students have spotted them together outside that of funny.

Many students have spotted them together outside school, and their connection remains the same, whether in of school, their connection remains the same, whether in schooland or not. school or not.

THE DUDE QUARTET THE DUDE QUARTET

16 ENTERTAINMENT 16 ENTERTAINMENT

LHS is known for its extraordinary band LHS but is known for its extraordinary band program, other schools are probably not aware program, but other schools are probably of the extra length that is taken by instructorsnot aware ofstudents, the extraand length that taken by instructors and it can beis seen all around the and students, and it can be seen around the school building. Band directors Dan all Carlson school building. directors (pictured) and Sam Band Anderson, showDan theirCarlson talents (pictured) and Sam Anderson, show their talents by serenading students with various instruments, by serenading students instruments, simply just standing outsidewith the various classroom doors. simply just standing outside the classroom Jazz band students and [other groups] play at doors.

Jazz band events, students andin[other groups] play at most special even the lunchroom during most special events, even in the lunchroom during lunch periods occasionally. Students can be seen lunch periods occasionally.

Students can be seen practicing their pieces on all kinds of instruments, practicing their pieces on all kinds of instruments, especially orchestra students playing together to especially orchestra students playing together to improve their performance. improve their performance.

HALLWAY SERENADING HALLWAY SERENADING

THE POOL THE POOL

For the past decade or so, the ‘pool in For the past decade so, theto‘pool in the basement’ rumor has beenorknown the basement’ rumor has almost all students at LHS. Sincebeen back known to almost all students at LHS. Since back in the day, they started the renovation in the day, they started the renovation to build one in the basement of the tohowever, build one the basement of the school, forinsome reason, they school, however, for some reason, they filled it in and never finished it. filled it in and never finished it.

PHOTOS BY ABBIE DEKRAMER PHOTOS BY ABBIE DEKRAMER

The unluckiest of all LHS students are those who go from unluckiest of all students are those who go from math inThe A-wing to Spanish inLHS E-wing to science in A-wing math in A-wing to Spanish in E-wing to science in A-wing and then truck it back to world geography in E wing, and truckclasses. it back To to world geography in E wing, and that’sand onlythen morning truly master the technique that’s only morning classes.

To truly master the technique of making it from the tennis court to the interstate in seven of making it from the tennis court to the interstate in seven minutes we recommend practicing on the track twice a week. minutes we recommend practicing on the track twice a week.

We all have become accustomed to We all jamming to have songsbecome such as accustomed “Big Time to jamming to songs such as “Big Rush”, “High Hopes” and other lateTime Rush”, “High Hopes” andthrough other late 2000’s artists while walking 2000’s artists while walking the halls. When your ears start tothrough bleed thethe halls.

When your ears start to bleed from continuous reminder of middle from the continuous reminder of middle It is not a secret that LHS school we encourage you to try an notsmallest a secretparking that LHS school we encourage you to try an has oneItofisthe alternative: earbuds. has one of the smallest parking alternative: earbuds. lots in the district, and with the lots in the district, and with the number of students that have number ofand students that have parking passes parents parking passes and parents picking up kids, the lot makes picking kids, the lot makes for one of theup most chaotic for one of the most areas, creating accidents chaotic and areas, creating backups that take at accidents least 30 and backups that take at least 30 minutes to escape.

Students minutes to escape.

Students are careless when opening are careless when opening their doors or when they park theirpast doors when two feet the or line and they park two feet past the line and additionally very aggressive very aggressive whenadditionally trying to leave school. when trying to leave school.

THE E TO A WING HIKE THE E TO A WING HIKE

OUTDATED MUSIC OUTDATED MUSIC

DESIGN BY LILLI EPPINGA & ABBIE DEKRAMER PHOTOS

BY BY LILLI EPPINGA DESIGN LILLI EPPINGA & ABBIE DEKRAMER PHOTOS BY LILLI EPPINGA

THE WORST PARKING LOT EVER THE WORST PARKING LOT EVER

STATESMAN 17 STATESMAN 17

B BU L E E TT A L OF OF THE THE

BB

by Gage Gohl

by Gage Gohl After a three month delay to the NBA season After a three month delay night, to the NBA due to COVID-19, Sunday Oct. season 11, the due to COVID-19, Sunday night, the Los Angeles Lakers claimed theirOct. 17th11,NBA Los Angeles Lakers claimed their 17th NBA championship, tying the Boston Celtics for championship, tying theinBoston Celtics The for the most championships NBA history. the most championships NBA history. The combination of talent, sizeinand chemistry was combination talent, size and chemistry what broughtofhome a record tying amountwas of what brought home championships to LA.a record tying amount of championships LA. the first three rounds After cruisingto through After cruising through theoffirst rounds of the NBA playoffs, none the three competition of the NBA playoffs, none of the competition was quite as tight for the Lakers as the was quite as when tight they for the Lakers as the championship, matched up against championship, when they matched up against a veteran coach in Eric Spoelstra and a tough a veteran coach led in Eric Spoelstra and aDue tough core of players

by Jimmy Butler. to core of players ledfrom

by Jimmy Butler. to the complications COVID-19, theDue NBA the complications COVID-19, theinNBA finals were forced tofrom be held in Orlando a finals were forced to to be keep held in ‘bubble’ customized theOrlando players in a ‘bubble’ to keep players safe, withcustomized no fans allowed tothe be there safe, with no fans allowed to be there live. There was a huge question as to live. huge this question how There much was of a afactor wouldasbetoon how much of a factor this would on court the outcome of the series with no be home the outcome of the series with no home court advantage. In a six game series, the Lakers advantage. a six game playoff series, the Lakers ended theirIn six season drought ended their acquired six season playoff drought with a newly superstar with a newly superstar Anthony Davisacquired and the four time Anthony Davis and James. the four time finals MVP LeBron finals MVP LeBron Although thereJames. was some Although doubt as to there whetherwas the some Lakers doubt as to whether the Lakers would be able to find their rhythm would be able to find this season after the their threerhythm month this aftercrowd the three delay,season and no in LAmonth to fill delay, and no James crowd in to fill the stadium, ledLAthe way in the stadium, led first the finals way in 10 in helping his teamJames win their helping his team win their first finals in 10 18 ENTERTAINMENT 18 ENTERTAINMENT

years. James averaged 29.8 points, 11.5 years. James averaged rebounds, 8.5 assists and a29.8 Finalspoints, MVP in11.5 his rebounds, 8.5 assists and a Finals in his 10th NBA finals appearance. After MVP 17 years in 10th NBA James finals appearance.

After 17 in the NBA, showed no signs of years slowing the NBA, slowing down and James helped showed his teamno in signs every of way to the down title. and helped his team in every way to the title.

After the tragic death of an old Laker After the Kobe tragic Bryant, death of several an old Laker superstar NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, several NBA players stated that the loss was just another players stated that the loss was just another motivator for them to secure this title. James motivator to secure James spoke out for as them to what it was this like title. to play for spoke out as to what it was like to play the Lakers this season and bring homefor a the Lakers thisforseason and bring home a championship Bryant’s team. championship Bryant’s “To continuefor his legacy team. not only for this “To hiswe legacy not the onlygame for this year butcontinue as long as can play we year but long as we can play the game we love,” saidasJames. love,” James.

Aftersaid being the favorites to win the After being thethefavorites win2019the championship from beginningto of the championship from the beginning of the 20192020 season, the Lakers were only asking for 2020 season, the their Lakers were asking for the chance to finish title run only during the time the chance to finish theircoming title run during the time of the pandemic.

After back to finish the of the pandemic. to finish the season and goingAfter 19-10coming in theback Orlando bubble, season andasked goinghow 19-10 intothe bubble, James was it felt winOrlando a championship James asked how itinfelt to win a championship with nowas fans or family attendance. with no fans or family in attendance.

“It don’t matter where it is when you win a “It don’t matter is when youMiami, win a championship,” saidwhere James.it “The bubble, championship,” said James.

“The bubble, Miami, Golden State, it doesn’t matter. When you get to Golden State, doesn’t When you in getthe to this point, it’s itone of thematter. greatest feelings this point, it’s one of the greatest feelings in the world.” world.”

The joy of a championship was existent through Thethan joy ofjust a championship existent through more James. Fromwas fans, to family, to more just James.

From to family, to fellow than Lakers, they all could notfans, have been happier fellow they17th all could not have been happier to haveLakers, won their championship. to have won their 17th championship.

DESIGN BY GAGE GOHL PHOTOSBY BYGAGE KEVORK DJANSEZIAN / GETTY IMAGES DESIGN GOHL PHOTOS BY KEVORK DJANSEZIAN / GETTY IMAGES

STATESMAN 19 STATESMAN 19

BLUE LIGHT GLASSES

by Emma Johnson

HAIR

DESIGN BY EMMA JOHNSON & SARA CROGHAN, PHOTO BY SARA CROGHAN

by Margaret Ann Mickelberg

Like most teenagers these days, I am joined at the hip with technology. I check my phone first thing in the morning, do schoolwork on a Chromebook and then I go home to write on a computer for hours. The time I spend on screens adds up quickly.

Around two months ago, I realized that my eyes were becoming more dry than usual and I was having frequent headaches. While walking around downtown, I came across blue light glasses and, on a whim, decided to buy them.

What is blue light anyway? Blue light exposure can be found anywhere from phones to computers and even the sun. According to Medical News Today, blue light is around 400-500nm (nanometers) on the electromagnetic spectrum. Peak damage to your retinas happens around 440nm, falling right into the middle of the blue light spectrum. A side effect of blue light can be dry, irritated eyes that lead to migraines. Another side effect is that it disrupts your body’s production of melatonin. Melatonin helps regulate one’s circadian rhythm, the part of the brain that dictates consciousness. In an article published on All About Vision, Dr. Sheri Rowan stated, “the average time on devices and screens is around 11 hours a day.” With the daily time spent looking at screens already high and only sure to climb higher, there has to be a way to solve the problem of dry eyes.

One possible solution: blue light glasses. They have specially crafted lenses that reduce potential damage to the retina from long periods of exposure by reflecting a portion of the blue light.

Some glasses have a yellow tint to their lenses while others are clear and look like normal glasses. Yellow tinted lenses reflect blue light better than clear lenses, as they are closer on the spectrum than white light.

Ophthalmologist Rishi Singh found that most eye discomfort comes from a condition called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

CVS comes from constantly shifting eyes over a highly contrasted screen.

“When you stare at a digital screen for too long, you are not blinking very often which causes the cornea to become dry and irritated,” said Singh. “When you focus on something close up like a screen, or even a book, our eyes are strained and contracted 20 FEATURES

which can cause discomfort. When you look at an object in the distance, your eyes relax.”

Personally, blue light glasses have been effective for me. After having to adjust to a slight shift of having yellow-tinted vision, I found I was able to work for longer periods of time on my computer without having intensely dry eyes. A few weeks later, I realized that I had been having less headaches from the glare of the screen. When I would read or write before I went to bed wearing my glasses, the time it took me to fall asleep was reduced drastically. Instead of staring at a bright screen, a softer glow was emitted and I was able to sleep more soundly.

Product marketing manager at EyeBuyDirect, Caroline Dubreuil, found that blue light disrupts your internal clock, making it harder for you to fall asleep.

“When you use your digital devices, especially late into the night, we’re actually telling our bodies to stay awake,” said Dubreuil.

“Research has shown that wearing blue light glasses three to four hours before bedtime can lead to better and more restful sleep.”

While using blue light glasses is a small solution to combat CVS, practicing good screen hygiene lessens the chance of getting CVS even more. Harvard Health suggests buying a matte screen protector to reduce the glare, increasing font size to make text easier to read and changing to a softer lighting by switching from light mode to dark mode can help prevent CVS. Dr. Singh suggests that before rushing out to go buy blue light glasses, using eye drops and sitting an arm’s length away from the computer are techniques to try first. The 20-20-20 method is another way to reduce eye strain.

“The 20-20-20 method is looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes,” said Singh. “Turning off your devices at least an hour before you go to sleep can help as well.”

Blue light glasses are either a hit or miss. Some customers swear by them, saying that blue light glasses have drastically changed their lives. Others do not notice a difference after wearing them. If you experience constant eye strain and a disrupted sleep schedule, you may want to consider if blue light glasses would be a possible solution for you. Whether you decide to absorb yourself into the world of blue light glasses or try to tough out the digital tension, take care of your eyes. They are the only pair you got.

Some kids are raised in restaurant families, mechanic families or bakery families… I grew up as a salon kid. I’m accustomed to blow dryer noise, the smell of hair products and constantly “trying something new” for the sake of change.

My family is one of style. My dad’s side of the family is obsessed — to put it lightly — with pretty things: good looking makeup, hair, nails, furniture and art. My great grandpa started multiple hair and cosmetology schools in town and my grandma owned the Village Hair Salon & Spa for nearly my entire childhood. My dad grew up in a family of all girls: his two sisters who sandwiched him in age and his artist mother. So, naturally, the man has an underlying passion for beauty and looking good. This is never an assumption an onlooker would make about him; he graduated with a law degree, can take apart and rebuild any motorized vehicle and only ever wears a pair of jeans and one of his five favorite plaid button downs. However, the environment in which he was raised was something he never could shake. One of the many lessons his mother taught him was passed down to me: change your hair whenever you want to.

That lesson might sound like advice a Barbie doll would tell a child, but it’s probably one of the most valuable lessons I’ve been taught. Changing hair style, cut or color is so simple that most wouldn’t think much about its importance. A lot of people have been taught to associate changing and caring about appearance with ditzy, aloof, self-obsessed girls; I, on the other hand, have been taught by my dad that a person’s appearance is their art. Our outside image is our perception of our inner person. Of course, when my dad gives me suggestions on hair style he means to literally change my hair, but the reality is that changing hair is an expression of personal or lifestyle change. Being comfortable with changing something small can build comfort in experiencing bigger changes.

My dad’s parents got divorced when he was young.

His family had to move from Moorhead, Minnesota to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and start a new life away from everything that was familiar to him. With this significant change in his life, he was forced to adapt to and accept the new situation presented. My dad had to find some sort of inner peace amidst the chaos of an upside down world — he had to find comfort in change instead of comfort in consistency.

ARTWORK & DESIGN BY MARGARET ANN MICKELBERG

In the world of beauty, things are always changing.

People are metamorphosing into who they want to be and who they want to express themselves as. Being in a salon environment so often, where people go to spark up something “new” in their lives, I have gotten used to seeing change and the joy — and sometimes disappointment, good thing hair grows back — that it can bring. I was taught that change is okay regardless if the result is amazing or not.

A little while ago I decided to get curtain bangs cut into my hair and switch my part to the center. I don’t regret it. I haven’t really changed my hair since I was four years old and decided to cut a chunk out of my long blonde hair with a pair of kitchen scissors like Mulan did with her sword. When I came home after my appointment, my dad was excited about my decision to make a fairly significant style change.

Not just because I looked better, but because I felt refreshed and more like myself.

The reason why my dad has always been so adamant about encouraging me to change my hair if I want, is because he wants to encourage me to jump out of my comfort zone in every way I can — and not just when it comes to hair. He knows it’s hard to face change head on, but just like hairstyles, change is temporary. Good or bad, time will pass and life will change again. Being comfortable with switching up your hair is essential to finding the best style, so why not take the risk and jump into every change you can?

STATESMAN 21

Double ouble D

the the

trouble trouble

by Claire Brown

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a twin, or even a triplet? Many people have thought about being a twin at least once in their life, but only 1 in 250 people are lucky enough to get a chance to experience it. At LHS, twins are all around us in the hallways, we may just not always notice them.

THE THE RIDDLE RIDDLE TWINS TWINS

When people see Marisa and Trina Riddle, they would probably not think they are twins. Marisa and Trina are fraternal twins, but they do still share a few traits such as hair color, eye color and the shape of their noses. One of the most common mix-ups about them is that people assume Trina is older because she is taller than Marisa, however, Marisa is the older twin by just one minute. Marisa is better than Trina at sports, but Trina is better at math than Marisa. The Riddle twins may not have many physical traits in common, but based on personality many people can recognize they are twins.

THE PETERSON SISTERS

Liv and Nev Peterson are not the typical set of twins: they are Irish twins, siblings that are born less than a year apart. When the Peterson sisters stand next to each other, it is very hard to spot differences, even though they are not technically identical twins. They act alike and their appearances are very similar; the two are close to the same height and they also share the same hair color. When trying to tell them apart, their eye color is the best indicator. The sisters both share a passion for singing, fashion and anything else artrelated. The older sister, Liv, is better at dancing and English, while the younger sister, Nev, is better at baking and math.

Liv and Nev have a 10-and-a-half-month age gap, but they seem like any other set of twins born on the same day.

When in the halls of LHS, do not be shocked if you think you are seeing double. At LHS, twins are more common than you might think. Triplets are not as common, but there are still a few sets here at LHS. Watch out for all the trouble coming from the doubles.

22 FEATURES

THE THE BOYENS BOYENS TWINS TWINS

People commonly make the mistake of assuming the Boyens twins are identical, which is actually impossible for sets of boy-girl twins 99.9% of the time. Ethan and Emma are both juniors at LHS, but Ethan is older than Emma by five whole minutes. A key difference and way to tell them apart besides their gender — is their height.

Ethan is much taller than Emma. They both share a few of the same hobbies such as running and music; however, Ethan is better at running while Emma is better at singing. Although they are different genders, that does not weaken their bond.

THE THEBRANDSRUD BRANDSRUDTRIPLETS TRIPLETS THE BRANDSRUD TRIPLETS

Christopher, Jacob and Zachary Brandsrud are part of the 0.0123% of people that are born as a triplet.

The Brandsrud triplets are seniors at LHS and they were each born within 1 minute of each other. Zachary is older than Jacob, the middle child, by 30 seconds. Christopher is younger than Jacob by 30 seconds. When they were younger, Zachary and Jacob used to look identical to each other, but now they all look a little bit different from each other. They do share a similar hairstyle, but other than that, they all have their own unique characteristics.

They all enjoy spending time together, especially when playing video games.

Sometimes the Brandsrud triplets can even tell what the other one is thinking because of how close their bond as triplets is.

by Caleb Hiatt There is no doubt that medicine is an extremely important career field. Evidence of this has only been magnified throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout this time, interest in the medical field has also been on the rise. HOSA, which stands for Health Occupations Students of America, is a nationwide organization that helps students discover the wide field of medicine. HOSA allows students to start their own HOSA clubs at their school and this year, LHS has one for the first time ever. “[HOSA] is about discovering different healthcare opportunities and learning more about them,” said senior and the HOSA club president Jaydyn Fikse. “So far, the meetings have consisted of presenting a variety of information about different health careers.”

The field of health occupations is very broad, and it can be hard to really find a passion amongst it all without guidance.

“What sets HOSA apart is that there aren’t any clubs related to the medical field at Lincoln,” said

Fikse. “It’s a vast field that I know a lot of students are interested in pursuing in their future.”

For students like Fikse, HOSA is a great way to prepare for and discover possible future careers.

“HOSA benefits students because it allows them to discover the endless realm of medicine, all the way from EMT’s to genetic counseling to surgeons,” said Fikse.

Fikse enjoys how HOSA allows her to surround herself with an experience that she has always been interested in.

“My favorite part of HOSA so far is just being able to involve myself in the medical world,” said Fikse. “I’ve always dreamed about it and watched ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and all that stuff, but I’ve never actually immersed myself in it.”

But apart from the informative side of the club, HOSA also likes to have a bit of fun with a healthy dose of competition.

“We also talk about different events you can compete in at the State conference and we do fun stuff like Kahoots,” said Fikse.

Members of HOSA get the opportunity to compete at the State conference which comes

with its own set of benefits as well.

“If you happen to do good at the State conference and make it to nationals, a lot of universities you might be looking at could see that as very appealing,” said Fikse. “You can also get scholarships through HOSA.” Fikse recommends HOSA for students looking to explore the medical field and learn about career path choices. Students also have the opportunity to start an internship through HOSA. “[HOSA] is very beneficial, especially if you want to pursue a healthcare career,” said Fikse.

“It’s a convenient way to learn about all the options out there, get involved in different programs that work with healthcare facilities, and we have a really fun time.”

ARTWORK & DESIGN BY CARLY WHEELER

PHOTOS BY KATE TOLLINGER DESIGN BY CLAIRE BROWN

STATESMAN 23

“I really couldn’t have asked for a much better way to close my career, winning both titles.” said Stenberg. “I was really proud of the grit my teammates had.”

better after the fact,” said McConnell. “We needed to hit better in order to put up more runs, with that being said I’m always disappointed when we lose.”

LHS FALL SPORTS: THAT’S A WRAP

by Gavin Solomon

TENNIS Once again, the LHS girls tennis team won the State title.

This was their fifth State title in a row, outscoring their opponents by 42.5 points. AvaGOLF Leonard, a State champion The LHS took home the State titlewith while Nash in both singlesgolfandteamdoubles, was very pleased what Stenberg also claimed one of his own. Stenberg crushed every by at least Of the boys she andopponent her teammates werefiveablestrokes. to accomplish.

Sheonwasthe varsity golf team, Stenberg, Bennett Geraets, Luke Honner and Jack Hilgenberg shoot through twois disappointed that her combined senior yeartoand LHS617tennis career rounds at the State tournament, beating the runner up, Watertown, by five strokes. Stenberg was enormously proud over. of what he and his teammates accomplished.

“I really couldn’t have asked for a much better way to close my career, winning both titles.” said Stenberg. “I was really proud of the grit my teammates had.”

“The key things that helped our team win would be the support from other teammates,” said Leonard. “When I found out I won State, I wasTENNIS overwhelmed with emotions.

Initially I didn’t feel ready to be done as a senior.”

Once again, the LHS girls tennis team won the State title.

This was their fifth State title in a row, outscoring their opponents by 42.5 points. Ava Leonard, a State champion in both singles and doubles, was very pleased with what she and her teammates were able to accomplish. She was disappointed that her senior year and LHS tennis career is over.

“The key things that helped our team win would be the support from other teammates,” said Leonard. “When I found out I won State, I was overwhelmed with emotions.

Initially I didn’t feel ready to be done as a senior.”

24 SPORTS 24 SPORTS

SOCCER LHS boys soccer ended their season a little earlier than they would have liked, losing to Watertown in the quarter finals by a SOFTBALL score of 0-1. With that being said, Finley Ziebarth wished that Gabbie McConnell the LHS softball team were COVID-19 would haveandallowed them to prepare for games like disappointed after their loss in the championship. The team had a great season ending the year 18-6, but would have loved normal. to have come home with some heavier hardware to end the season. McConnell wished that the batting could have been better in the last game of the season.

“I think Corona obviously made things more difficult this year all around,” said Ziebarth. “One thing that we really could’ve used was group film sessions. It was really important that everyone is on the same page and knows each other’s responsibilities, andSOCCER that was missing.”

“It’s easy to come up with a few things we could have done better after the fact,” said McConnell. “We needed to hit better in order to put up more runs, with that being said I’m always disappointed when we lose.”

LHS boys soccer ended their season a little earlier than they would have liked, losing to Watertown in the quarter finals by a score of 0-1. With that being said, Finley Ziebarth wished that COVID-19 would have allowed them to prepare for games like normal.

The girls soccer team lost in the playoffs ending their 2020 season earlier than they wanted. These girls battled hard in their first round at state but ended up losing to RHS 2-1. Ella “I think Corona obviously made things more difficult this year all around,” Ziebarth. we of really Westaby, a juniorsaid soccer player “One at LHS,thing wasthat proud the way could’ve used was group film sessions. It was really important that everyone samethey pagewould and knows each other’s her team playedis on butthewished have prepared better. responsibilities, and that was missing.”

The girls soccer team lost in the playoffs ending their 2020 season earlier than they wanted. These girls battled hard in their first round at state but ended up losing to RHS 2-1. Ella Westaby, a junior soccer player at LHS, was proud of the way her team played but wished they would have prepared better.

“I think that we could have been better prepared by practicing more game-like,” said Westaby. “I think that we gave it our all on the field and things just did not go in our favor.”

“I think that we could have been better prepared by practicing more game-like,” said Westaby. “I think that we gave

on the field and things just did not go in our favor.”

DESIGNitBYour SARAallCROGHAN PHOTOSBY PROVIDED

BY KADEN FORSSUM, SIERRA BROWN, AVA LEONARD, NASH STENBERG DESIGN SARA CROGHAN PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KADEN FORSSUM, SIERRA BROWN, AVA LEONARD, NASH STENBERG & GABIE GABIE MCCONNELL MCCONNELL &

STATESMAN 25 STATESMAN 25

StudentS tudentS on on the the

RoAdtototeAching teAching RoAd

ANDERSON: THE REPTILE WRESTLER

by Carson Woods

byKate KateTollinger Tollinger by

These three three college collegestudents studentsare arenow nowon onthe theroad roadtotobecoming becomingteachers teachersand andare are trying their best These trying their best toto learn what handling a classroom is like.

Student teachers at LHS are overcoming obstacles and learn what handling a classroom is like. Student teachers at LHS are overcoming obstacles and learning how how to toadapt adaptto tothis thisyear’s year’schanges, changes,but butmost mostimportantly, importantly,they theyare are headed towards learning headed towards successfulcareers careersasasteachers. teachers. successful QueStionS ueStionS Is teaching teaching what whatyou youexpected expecteditittotobe? be?

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4.

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SStudent eAcheR tudenttt eAcheR#2 #2

Maxwell inin biology with Shawn Ferry.

HeHe MaxwellLarson Larsonhas hasbeen beenstudent studentteaching teaching biology with Shawn Ferry. attends SDSU and is now finishing up his education by student teaching at LHS. attends SDSU and is now finishing up his education by student teaching at LHS. 1.1.“I’d it it toto be.”

“I’dsay sayit’s it’spretty prettymuch muchwhat whatI expected I expected be.”

2.2.“Not quite yet, but I’ll be there pretty soon I expect.”

“Not quite yet, but I’ll be there pretty soon I expect.”

3.3.“Not that I wanted to to either gogo into “Notuntil untila acouple coupleofofyears yearsago. ago.Before Before that I wanted either into pharmacy or chemistry.

I decided chemistry was not quite for me after a couple of of pharmacy or chemistry. I decided chemistry was not quite for me after a couple weeks in college.” weeks in college.”

4. “It’s a lot more distant and [I am] trying my best not to get as close contact 4. “It’s a lot more distant and [I am] trying my best not to get as close contact with people as I can. Wearing my mask is a big thing.” with people as I can. Wearing my mask is a big thing.”

5. “I hope to be a biology teacher anywhere that’s offering me a job.”

5. “I hope to be a biology teacher anywhere that’s offering me a job.”

SStudent teAcheR #3 tudent teAcheR #3 Taylor Brown has been student teaching English with Becca Mager. She student taught last

Taylor Brown has been student teaching English with Becca Mager. She student taught last semester and then came back this fall to finish off her year. She attends USD and is aiming semester and cameteaching back this fall to finishofoff year.here She at attends to complete thethen student requirement herher degree LHS. USD and is aiming to complete the student teaching requirement of her degree here at LHS. 1. “This year it’s a little crazy. I did not expect a pandemic to happen, so online learning 1. “This year it’sthat a little crazy. did to not a pandemic to happen, so online learning was something taught me Ihow beexpect flexible.” was something that taught me how to be flexible.”

2. “Yes, at first I did not think a year residency was necessary. I thought that it was too 2. “Yes, at first teach, I did not a year was necessary. thought thatreally it wasglad tooI long to student andthink too long to residency wait to graduate.

But now,I I’m actually longa to and too long to wait to graduate. But now, I’m actually really glad I got fullstudent year of teach, experience.” got“No, a full year ofwant experience.”

3.

I did not to be a teacher until my senior year of high school.”

3. “I’m “No,glad I didwe not want a teacher my Isenior of high 4. are backtoinbeperson just until because wouldyear not want to school.” start the year not 4. “I’m glad are back in person just because I would not want to start the year not knowing the we kids.” knowing kids.”around Sioux Falls, either in the Sioux Falls School District or around 5.

“I hopethe to teach 5.

“I hope to teach around Sioux Falls, either in the Sioux Falls School District or around 26 FEATURES here. I would love to teach at Lincoln.”

26 FEATURES here. I would love to teach at Lincoln.”

DESIGN & PHOTO BY KATE TOLLINGER DESIGN & PHOTO BY KATE TOLLINGER

For most people, this past summer was spent much differently than previous summers in attempts to stay away from COVID-19 dangers. Most people spent their summers socially distancing or at home trying to keep themselves and their family members safe.

Others took their own social distancing activities to the extreme. Samuel Anderson, a band teacher at LHS, spent one part of his summer wrestling rescued alligators on a reptile farm in the South Central part of Colorado.

Anderson was first intrigued by the idea of wrestling alligators about a year ago when he visited Colorado Gators, a reptile farm in Mosca, Colorado with two of his kids. When walking out of the park, he happened to notice that he could wrestle the alligators for a small price and he knew that his life would not be complete until he got the chance to do so.

Wrestling alligators arguably can boost one’s confidence by overcoming the fear of stepping into a predator’s natural habitat. Anderson felt that this experience gave him a leg up in certain areas of his life.

“I could forever increase my bragging rights and selfimage,” said Anderson.

So, this past summer, Anderson called upon his friend Matt to road trip with him back to Mosca, Colorado to take on the fearful task of wrestling with one of the world’s most dangerous animals.

Wrestling alligators is not DESIGN BY SARA CROGHAN

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SAM ANDERSON

an easy task to do by any means, it comes with lots of worries but also excitement.

“I was super excited leading up to it but the first time stepping into a pool with 15 alligators was a bit unnerving,” said Anderson.

Anderson knew alligator wrestling came with many challenges. “Even though they are heavy, pulling one out of the water was relatively easy but committing to leaping onto its back was a challenge,” said Anderson. “After pouncing, they usually wiggle a bit, and it took all my physical strength to hold them down. Letting go was not an option until I was ready, I underestimated how strong they are, and my arms were exhausted after a few hours of gator wrestling.”

By facing the animals head on, Anderson was able to work his way from the little alligators all the way up to bigger ones. Although, during the process he did have a few scares, which was expected.

Alligators are notorious for

ripping people’s fingers off and often causing serious harm. Without 100 percent commitment to wrestling the alligator, it can be a very dangerous adventure.

“One turned and almost got me, it took an hour or so to build my confidence back up for the next one,” said Anderson.

Even though he was terrified at the time Anderson it turned out to be a very memorable moment.

Anderson was also able to create many other memories during this adventure.

“I got to help transport one and carried it on my back. I named him Al and we will always share a special bond,” said Anderson.

Wrestling alligators is not a normal day to day activity for most people but for Anderson it was an exciting possibility. During the summer months when Anderson is not busy with teaching the LHS band, he hopes to go back and try it again. Anderson enjoyed it so much that he would like

to go back, and recommends that others who are not afraid and willing to accept the risk of losing a finger or hand to try it out as well. The risk of losing a limb can be minimized with proper gator wrestling techniques that are taught by the instructors.

During his adventure, Anderson learned new information and built his confidence by taking on one of the world’s most dangerous animals.

Anderson was able to overcome fear and get back into the pit after almost getting bitten by one of the alligators.

“No matter what other challenges I will face in my life, I will always know that I have wrestled alligators and survived so I can survive just about anything else,” said Anderson.

Now that school at LHS is back in session, Anderson hopes to bring some of what he learned back into the classrooms to show the students that they can do anything they want to.

STATESMAN 27

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THE LITTLE TRAIN THAT COULD: A LESSON ON OPRESSION THE LITTLE TRAIN THAT COULD: A LESSON ON OPRESSION

““

At that point, At that point, you are no you are no better than better than an oppressor an oppressor yourself. yourself.

capable of. Sometimes, in today’s world, groups are in even given capablethese of. Sometimes, today’s compensation or advantages in world, these groups are even given attempts to even the playing field. compensation or advantages in These good however, attempts to intentions, even the playing field. still feed into this handicapped These good intentions, however, label, andinto ultimately give people still feed this handicapped an identity before they canpeople decide label, and ultimately give it for themselves.

They aren’t able an identity before they can decide to think they can, because society it for themselves. They aren’t able has already theysociety can’t. to think theytold can,them because Not because they are incapable, has already told them they can’t. but circumstances.

Not because because cruel they are incapable, It doesn’t matter whether it is a result but because cruel circumstances.

It of genuine empathy or a doesn’t matter whether itprejudice is a result plaguing society, harm being of genuine empathy or aisprejudice done. plaguing society, harm is being

””

by Sara Croghan, editor-in-chief

by Sara Croghan, editor-in-chief

T T

here once was a train whose engine brokewas down andwhose was here once a train stuck at the bottom of a tall engine broke down and was mountain.

It needed another train stuck at the bottom of a tall to pull it upItthe mountain.

After mountain. needed another train asking many trains for help, the to pull it up the mountain. After only train thattrains obliged tiny asking many for was help,a the blue train.

The little train, despite only train that obliged was a tiny its size, worked hardtrain, and pulled the blue train.

The little despite stranded train all the way up the its size, worked hard and pulled the mountain, chanting think can” stranded train all the“Iway upIthe over and over again until the task mountain, chanting “I think I can” was overcomplete. and over again until the task

was complete.

This story has been told to millions around the world since This story has been told to its debut in 1902, and has seen millions around the world since various in form. its debutmanifestations in 1902, and has seen The message, however, remains various manifestations in form. the same: there is however, value (and arguably The message, remains the necessity) in being optimistic when same: there is value (and arguably faced with in a difficult task. It’s when the necessity) being optimistic classic, “If you can dream it, you faced with a difficult task. It’s thecan do it,” but thisdream phraseit,not classic, “If does you can yougocan both ways? do it,” but does this phrase not go

both ways?

When I began planning this story I went out to interview some When I began planning thisLHS story students.

I asked each student, “If I went out to interview some LHS you are told that you are incapable students. I asked each student, “If of something andyou believe it yourself, you are told that are incapable are you more or less likely be able of something and believe ittoyourself, to do that thing than you would if are you more or less likely to be be able instead you were told and believed to do that thing than you would be if you could dowere it?” After asking only instead you told and believed a handful of students the answers you could do it?” After asking only were unanimous—people answered a handful of students the answers were unanimous—people answered

“less likely.” I could have continued asking more Istudents, butcontinued after just “less likely.” could have the first few interviews, my question asking more students, but after just started to feel futile.

Of course, one the first few interviews, my question would able toone do startedbe toless feel likely futile.to Ofbecourse, said thing.

It’s the age old story of would be less likely to be able to do the that it’sold thestory message saidtrain thing.

It’scould; the age of that Disney has forever been lacing the train that could; it’s the message its While this message thatmovies Disneywith. has forever been lacing is heartwarming and inspirational, its movies with. While this message it with an obvious flip side. If is comes heartwarming and inspirational, the little train didn’t believe could it comes with an obvious flipitside.

If do it, would it have made it up the the little train didn’t believe it could mountain? answer insinuated do it, wouldThe it have made it up the by all the tales we’ve been told since mountain? The answer insinuated birth is no. by all the tales we’ve been told since birth is no.

People, or groups of people, who are repeatedly they People, or groups told of people, face disadvantages, regardless who are repeatedly told they of whether or not the disadvantage face disadvantages, regardless of actually exists, at a whether or not are the still disadvantage disadvantage.

The practice actually exists, are still at a of naming injustices disadvantage.

The creates practiceanof environment that ostracizes naming injustices creates an and sets the people in question a environment that ostracizestoand different standard.

Not because sets the people in question to a they are functionally inferior, but different standard. Not because because the alleged treatment they they are functionally inferior, but face puts them at a disadvantage, because the alleged treatment they and a sense, they are being face in puts them at a disadvantage, labelled as “handicapped”.

Growing and in a sense, they are being up and living with this label is labelled as “handicapped”. Growing not conducive towards an even up and living with this label is playing field when it comes to not conducive towards an even what people believe they are playing field when it comes to

what people believe they are DESIGN BY SARA CROGHAN DESIGN BY SARA CROGHAN

done.

Since the mid-1900’s, the U.S. Government has passedthe laws Since the mid-1900’s, U.S. and acts in the name of Native Government has passed laws American all the and acts inreparations the name offor Native former injustices Native Americans American reparations for all the faced their hands.

Currently, formeratinjustices Native Americans the poverty rate on reservations faced at their hands. Currently, is 28.4%, rate compared to a 12.7% theatpoverty on reservations national average, according to the is at 28.4%, compared to a 12.7% US Census.

The failure of these national average, according to the reparations could be attributed US Census. The failure of these to many different factors, but this reparations could be attributed example falls into the greater to many different factors, but debate this around failure andgreater merit of examplethe falls into the debate welfare.

Thefailure poverty onmerit reservations around the and of is often a prime cited example in welfare. The poverty on reservations the argument against welfare.

It is often a prime cited example inis argued that monetary assistance the argument against welfare.

It is can create dependency.

Is this argued that monetary assistance dependency also reflected in the can create dependency.

Is this way these people see their personal dependency also reflected in the capability?

Can societal sympathy way these people see their personal function in Can the same waysympathy monetary capability? societal reparations do? function in the same way monetary reparations Repeatedlydo? enforcing in someone the idea that they are oppressed, Repeatedly enforcing in someone regardless of intention, is arguably the idea that they are oppressed, no better than actively oppressing regardless of intention, is arguably them.

If an individual, better, a no better than actively or oppressing group, feels there is an issue witha them. If an individual, or better, their treatment, they will see it. group, feels there is an issue with They will feel it, without having their treatment, they will see it. to be told so. So, don’t tell them They will feel it, without having how they are being treated, let to be told so. So, don’t tell them them decide for themselves.

There how they are being treated, let is harm to be caused by wrongly them decide for themselves. There asserting personal of is harm toabe causedview by wrongly someone else’s disadvantages. asserting a personal view of Don’t deal theirelse’s hand disadvantages. in life for them.Don’t At someone that point, you are no better than deal their hand in life for them. Atan oppressor Letbetter themthan be the that point,yourself. you are no an engine, the person, who can. oppressor yourself. Let them be the

STATESMAN 29

engine, the person, who can.

STATESMAN 29

although not very extensive, although not very extensive, of a of bed of a veggie kale veggie of a bed a kale blendblend offers appealing plates such offers appealing plates such Located inside of the Cherapa Located inside of the Cherapa topped a choice of sauce. topped with with a choice of sauce. asscallops, sea scallops, top sirloin top sirloin and and Although indowntown the downtown PlacePlace in the area,area, Ode Ode as sea Although the dishes presented the dishes werewere presented chislic.

It is versatile enough It is versatile enough for for nicely, to Food and Drinks an ideal chislic. to Food and Drinks is anisideal nicely, the taste wasquite not quite the taste was not as as the cheeseburger demographic, the cheeseburger demographic, dining in Sioux Inspired dining spot spot in Sioux Falls.Falls.

Inspired satisfactory. is served best served satisfactory.

Fish Fish is best yet formal enough for business enough for business by both the luxury of Napa Valleyyet formal by both the luxury of Napa Valley and seared, butsea thebass sea bass flakyflaky and seared, but the dinners.

There is aalso a keto/low andFirehouse the Firehouse cuisine dinners.

There is also keto/low and the cuisine of of came out overcooked and lacking menu thatbe can be requested, came out overcooked and lacking San Francisco, it isAmerican an American carb carb menu that can requested, San Francisco, it is an in flavor. was of one This This dish dish was one theof the which a variety of wraps in flavor. restaurant burgers, offersoffers a variety of wraps restaurant with with burgers, pastapasta and andwhich pricier options, being $38, so its pricier options, being $38, so its and salads to choose as well seafood dishes, appealing to a wide and salads to choose from,from, as well seafood dishes, appealing to a wide quality was rather disappointing. as vegan and gluten-free options. quality was rather disappointing. of people. as vegan and gluten-free options. rangerange of people.

However, the veggie kale veggie Whatever diet preferences However, the kale blendblend was was entering the restaurant, IWhatever one’sone’s diet preferences UponUpon entering the restaurant, I are, Ode to Food and Drinks was greeted a friendly hostess are, Ode to Food and Drinks has has very very good.good. was greeted by a by friendly hostess covered. also welcome Overall, promptly showed my family themthem covered.

TheyThey also welcome Overall, to Food who who promptly showed my family Ode Ode to Food and and families with their kids menu, and me to our table.

I had made families with their kids menu, and me to our table. I had made Drinks a pleasant ambiance; Drinks has ahas pleasant ambiance; which has typical choices a reservation 6 p.m. which has typical choices like like a reservation for 6for p.m. on a on a the dining is clean, the tables the dining area area is clean, the tables chicken a grilled cheese Friday night, which is highly chicken stripsstrips and aand grilled cheese Friday night, which is highly are spaced comfortably and are spaced comfortably and the the sandwich. recommended aswait the wait sandwich. recommended as the timetime can can is spectacular. viewview is spectacular.

TheirTheir staff staff is is While restaurants, to three hours. to Food While manymany restaurants, like like be upbetoup three hours.

Ode Ode to Food also quite welcoming and the wait also quite welcoming and the wait Minervas, bread or a salad and Drinks is open during Minervas, offeroffer bread or a salad and Drinks is open only only during service is prompt and friendly. included the meal, and dinner hours, 11a.m. included with with the meal, Ode Ode to to service is prompt and friendly. lunchlunch and dinner hours, 11a.m.

The menu a variety of crowds The menu fits afits variety of crowds and Drinks not. They to 2p.m. andp.m.

4-8 p.m. and Drinks doesdoes not. They do do to 2p.m. and 4-8 (4-10(4-10 p.m. p.m. FoodFood and accommodates special an appetizer menu on weekends), it makes an appetizer menu filledfilled with withand accommodates special diets,diets, on weekends), so it so makes sensesense havehave whether thatlow be carb, low carb, pricey options like Thai chicken whether that it is generally that be veganvegan or or options like Thai chicken that it is generally busy.busy.

ApartApart pricey lettuce and Szechuan gluten downfall dine-in, the restaurant cupscups and Szechuan baby-baby- gluten free. free.

One One downfall of theof the fromfrom dine-in, the restaurant also also lettuce We however, did, however, receive provides take-out and catering backback restaurant is the small portion ribs. ribs.

We did, receive provides take-out and catering restaurant is the small portion sizessizes complementary raspberry sorbet,and higher services. complementary raspberry sorbet, and higher prices, but the services. prices, but the foodfood served with a choice of champagne.

Near the entrance is a wide bar served with a choice of champagne.

Near the entrance is a wide bar of high-quality.

I would highly is of is high-quality.

I would highly Forentree, my entree, I ordered that opens todining the dining I For my I ordered that opens up toup the area.area.

I recommend Ode to Food and recommend Ode to Food and “Tortellini Carbonara,” a was pleased see the thattables the tables theirtheir “Tortellini Carbonara,” a was pleased to seetothat Drinks youlooking are looking Drinks if youif are for a for finea fine cheese-filled tortellini spread to adhere tortellini pastapasta with with werewere spread apartapart to adhere to to cheese-filled dining experience, whether dining experience, whether that that Carbonara and bacon pieces. distancing guidelines.

ThereCarbonara saucesauce and bacon pieces. socialsocial distancing guidelines.

There be for a school formal or another The sauce can be substituted are only few booths, aswalls the wallsThe sauce can be substituted for afor abe for a school formal or another are only a fewabooths, as the special occasion. red curry sauce, which would are filled windows, sauce, which would add addspecial occasion. are filled with with largelarge windows, but but red curry a bit of spice to the dish.

There there are plenty of tables to sit at.

I there are plenty of tables to sit at. I a bit of spice to the dish. There are protein also protein options to to add to did appreciate the simple design are also options to add did appreciate the simple design of of the pasta for an extra cost: grilled the restaurant; impressive artwork, the pasta for an extra cost: grilled the restaurant; impressive artwork, chicken and sauteed shrimp.

I bright fixtures and stone chicken and sauteed shrimp. I bright lightlight fixtures and stone the shrimp, which included pillars decorated the space. the shrimp, which included pillars decorated the space.

NextNext chosechose five jumbo pieces.

The pasta totable our table wasopen an open window five jumbo pieces.

The pasta was was to our was an window served a large, intokitchen, the kitchen, a chalkboardserved on a on large, whitewhite plateplate with with into the and aand chalkboard shredded cheese sprinkled on top. listing the current specials.

For shredded cheese sprinkled on top. listing the current specials. For It looked very appealing and tasted example, the appetizers are $2 off It looked very appealing and tasted example, the appetizers are $2 off excellent much better than a during happy hour and there is live during happy hour and there is live excellent - much better than a cheese tortellini alfredo. music on Thursdays.

There also isbasicbasic cheese tortellini with with alfredo. music on Thursdays.

There also is While it was quite delicious, a large patio overlooking the river While it was quite delicious, I wasI was a large patio overlooking the river disappointed because the dish and the new Arc of Dreams, which disappointed because the dish and the new Arc of Dreams, which is supposed to be served a is a beautiful view to look at while is supposed to be served with with a is a beautiful view to look at while grilled baguette slice, like many enjoying dinner. grilled baguette slice, like many enjoying dinner. restaurants to Food and Drinks restaurants oftenoften serveserve with with Ode Ode to Food and Drinks has ahas a otherother pasta, but I did not receive talented kitchen staff, led by Chef pasta, but I did not receive one one talented kitchen staff, led by Chef my meal.

Bob Allen has worked at many with with my meal.

Bob Allen who who has worked at many The rest my family ordered top-tier restaurants around The rest of myoffamily ordered top-tier restaurants around the the the Chilean Sea Bass, a fillet on top country. regular menu, PHOTOS BY CHLOE HARTJE the Chilean Sea Bass, a fillet on top country.

TheirTheir regular menu, PHOTOS BY CHLOE HARTJE

by Chloe Hartje

by Chloe Hartje

RESTAURANT RESTAURANT REVIEW: REVIEW: ODE FOOD ODE TOTO FOOD AND DRINKS AND DRINKS

30 ENTERTAINMENT 30 ENTERTAINMENT

DESIGN BY CHLOE HARTJE DESIGN BY CHLOE HARTJE

STATESMAN 31 STATESMAN 31

“I “I am am very very happy happy II became became a a teacher, teacher, II love love interacting with kids interacting with kids and and the community,” said the community,” said Maestra Maestra Conover.

Conover.

During the school year, teachers and coffee are an inseparable pair. With early mornings and insubordinate students, it only makes sense for teachers to have a trusted and caffeinated drink to enhance their daily regimen. I committed myself to tasting five of the most interesting coffee orders provided by LHS staff.

by Adyson Sand

Kristi Oskar-Groen: Cold brew with skim milk and two pumps of pumpkin syrup (Starbucks) Oskar Groen’s drink of choice is a fall staple.

With a strong punch of pumpkin, the bold cold brew flavor was buried beneath the first-class fall time syrup. The drink was on the sweeter side but found a fluid balance with the skim milk and pumpkin syrup combo.

Despite the perfect unity the flavors had, the cold brew fell short of monumental. This iced coffee beverage made the long list of over-hyped fall drinks.

Overall rating: 7/10

32 ENTERTAINMENT

Meghan Anderson-Finch: Latte with sugar-free vanilla and skim milk (Scooter’s) Anderson-Finch’s go-to order did the bare minimum on the flavor spectrum, the drink lacked any special additions, contrary to the other orders. The minimalistic drink was heavily driven by the coffee bean rather than syrups and sweeteners.

This sugar-free vanilla latte is easily interchangeable with any at-home coffee, but it is still an acceptable contender for those who prefer a more classical coffee drink.

Overall rating 6/10

Joni Bushfield: Decaf hazelnut latte with half the syrup (Starbucks) Bushfield’s drink left no room for improvement. The roasted hazelnut flavoring carried this drink to a perfect score. Bushdield’s order best replicated the authentic coffee flavor that many of the other drinks lacked.

Overall rating: 10/10

Emily Kegley: Decaf white mocha (Caribou) The decaf white mocha was an unexpectedly delicious drink. The idea of decaf coffee felt unorthodox to me but the drink still managed to serenade the taste buds. Although the white chocolate flavor was almost indistinguishable, the other components of the drink spoke for themselves. This decaffeinated mocha satisfied my coffee craving without the crash that came with the other lattes on this list, making it one of the most memorable drinks.

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Myles Gosmire: Campfire Mocha with an extra shot of espresso (Caribou) The Campfire Mocha from Caribou embodied the infamous summer treat with melted chocolate steamed into espresso and coated with a toasted marshmallow flavoring.

Caribou offers two alternatives for the typical milk chocolate addition: dark and white chocolate. The variety Caribou offered was a pleasing surprise but did not distract from the nutrition label. With a laughable amount of sugar and a total of 900 calories, this drink acted more like a dessert rather than an iced beverage.

It definitely was a huge It definitely was a huge transition for Conover, moving transition for Conover, moving away from her family and friends away from her family and friends and to the US. On top of that, and to the US. On top of that, Conover had to adjust to the harsh Conover had to adjust to the harsh change in climate. South Dakota; change in climate. South Dakota; however, happens to be where she however, happens to be where she found her love for teaching. found her love for teaching.

“I was a substitute here at LHS “I was a substitute here at LHS for about a month. I really liked for about a month. I really liked it, so I went back to school at it, so I went back to school at Augustana. Then applied for my Augustana. Then applied for my teaching license. Now I am in the teaching license. Now I am in the process of getting my master’s process of getting my master’s degree. That way I am able to teach degree. That way I am able to teach Spanish like a second language. I Spanish like a second language. I am very happy I became a teacher, am very happy I became a teacher, I love interacting with kids and the I love interacting with kids and the community,” said Conover. community,” said Conover.

Although Maestra Conover loves Although Maestra Conover loves teaching, she also has a love and teaching, she also has a love and passion for yoga. As a matter of passion for yoga. As a matter of fact, she created a yoga club at fact, she created a yoga club at LHS, which previously met every LHS, which previously met every Friday after school. However, Friday after school. However, because of COVID-19 they are because of COVID-19 they are unable to offer the club. unable to offer the club.

“If I was not a teacher, I would “If I was not a teacher, I would work as an archive for colleges or a work as an archive for colleges or a yoga instructor,” said Conover. yoga instructor,” said Conover.

Maestra Conover has a lot on her Maestra Conover has a lot on her plate each day, having to deal with plate each day, having to deal with the stress of being a teacher, and a the stress of being a teacher, and a mother of three children. However, mother of three children. However, she does her best to keep a smile she does her best to keep a smile on her face and to put one on the on her face and to put one on the face of others. face of others.

S TA R R I N G MAESTRA

CONOVER

by Carter Ericson

by Carter Ericson

Overall rating: 8/10

ARTWORK & DESIGN BY ADYSON SAND

Fifth-year Spanish teacher, Fifth-year Spanish teacher, Maestra Conover, certainly has Maestra Conover, certainly has her work cut out for her, being a her work cut out for her, being a mother of three kids, attending mother of three kids, attending yoga classes, and teaching multiple yoga classes, and teaching multiple classes every day. Conover is able classes every day. Conover is able to get through these long days with to get through these long days with her special morning routine. her special morning routine.

“I wake up around 5:45 a.m., “I wake up around 5:45 a.m., then I like to drink coffee while I then I like to drink coffee while I talk with my husband, after that talk with my husband, after that I pack my lunch and then I will I pack my lunch and then I will walk my dog Blakei for about 10 walk my dog Blakei for about 10 minutes,” said Conover. minutes,” said Conover.

Conover loves living in Sioux Conover loves living in Sioux Falls, but it is very different from Falls, but it is very different from her childhood where she grew up her childhood where she grew up in Mexico City, Mexico. in Mexico City, Mexico.

“Mexico was beautiful. I grew up “Mexico was beautiful. I grew up in a big city with millions of people. in a big city with millions of people.

I would go to museums and see life I would go to museums and see life everywhere. I would play outside everywhere. I would play outside and go shopping,” said Conover. and go shopping,” said Conover.

“All my family lived close to me “All my family lived close to me which was exciting, we would have which was exciting, we would have lots of parties with my family. lots of parties with my family.

However, it was a lot safer back However, it was a lot safer back then compared to how it is now. then compared to how it is now.

Also, I was able to see the beautiful Also, I was able to see the beautiful volcanoes. Overall, it was very nice volcanoes. Overall, it was very nice growing up there.” growing up there.”

ARTWORK BY CARLY WHEELER ARTWORK CARLY WHEELER DESIGN BYBY KATIE KROEZE DESIGN BY KATIE KROEZE

STATESMAN 33 STATESMAN 33

Coping Coping with with

COVID

BY BAILY PLOURDE

BY BAILY PLOURDE

Although the close contact rules have been altered, Although theof close contact to rules been altered, the difficulty continuing stayhave on top of grueling the diffi culty of continuing to stay on top of grueling schoolwork remains exhausting. Luckily, LHS has schoolwork remainsforexhausting.

Luckily, provided mentors students who haveLHS hadhas to provided mentors for students who have had get to quarantine. They serve as a guide to help kids quarantine.

They serve as a guide to help kids get back on track and prepare them to tackle the rest of back on track and prepare them to tackle the rest of the school year. the school year.

“

Teaching them the skill of approaching a Teaching them the skill of approaching a teacher and communicating something teacher and communicating something to them is a skill that a lof of students to them is a skill that a lof of students need to learn, said Spencer. need to learn, said Spencer.

”

To begin their day, Spencer and Bierstedt start by To begin theirofday, Spencer and Bierstedt start by getting a list all of the students who have come getting a list of all of the students who have come back from their two week long hiatus, also known back from theirThey two week longlist hiatus, also go known as quarantine. use this to then and as quarantine.

They use this list to then go find those students during whichever class theyand are fi nd thoseinstudents during whichever class at they are currently to discuss the overall situation hand: currently in to discuss the overall situation at hand: how is school going? how is school going?

Mid-day, these mentors will use this time to work Mid-day, these this time to them work one-on-one withmentors studentswill anduse collaborate with one-on-one with students and collaborate with them to create the best possible plan for them individually. to create the best possible plan for them individually.

PHOTOS BY SARA CROGHAN PHOTOS BY SARA CROGHAN

Bierstedt also takes the time each day to call Bierstedt alsowho takes day to call the students arethe at time homeeach on Department the students who are at home on Department of Health quarantine along with a few virtual of Healthstudents quarantine along with a few virtual academy starting soon as well. academy students starting soon as well.

“We also spend some of the beginning and end “We some ofwith the the beginning and and end of thealso dayspend coordinating counselors of the day coordinating with the counselors and administrators staff along with any teachers we administrators staff along with any teachers we need to,” said Bierstedt.

“Just to make sure we are need to,” said Bierstedt.

“Just to make sure we are all on the same page at all times.” all on the same page at all times.”

Their job takes patience and goodwill. Not only do Their job takes patience and goodwill.

Notstudents only do they devote their entire days to assisting they devote their entire days to assisting students but they have proven to greatly impact the lives but they havehere proven to greatly impact lives of students at LHS. By the end the of week of students here at LHS. By the end of week two, they had helped over 245 students better two, had helped 245 students their they academic careers.over By putting studentsbetter in a their academic careers.

By putting students have in a stronger position to succeed, these mentors stronger position to succeed, these mentors have created a healthier outlook on school itself. created a healthier outlook on school itself.

One of their greatest desires is to equip these One of their is tofor equip these students withgreatest enoughdesires life skill them to students with enough life skill for them to confidently acknowledge their abilities to succeed. confi dently acknowledge their abilities to succeed.

Spencer and Bierstedt hope to give these students Spencer andlife Bierstedt to give these students important lessonshope in communication, time important life lessons in communication, time management and planning that will help them management and planning that will help them overcome challenges throughout their lives. overcome challenges throughout their lives.

S

Readmore morestories storiesonline online Read atlhsstatesman.com lhsstatesman.com at

The best best way way ““ The

ScanQR QRcode codeto tosign signup upfor fora a Scan monthly subscription monthly subscription

to predict predict your your to future is is to to future create it. it. create

““

These mentors have assisted the students of LHS on These mentors assisted of LHS on everything fromhave learning howthe to students communicate with everything from learning how to communicate with teachers, to rescheduling tests and assignments. teachers, to Spencer rescheduling tests Bierstedt, and assignments.

Sarah Busse and Adam the two Sarah Busse Spencer and Adam Bierstedt, thetheir two COVID-19 mentors here at LHS, have used COVID-19 mentors here at LHS, have used their knowledge and abilities to help students make knowledge abilities to help any students personalizedand plans to overcome deficitsmake the personalized plans to overcome any citsway. the remainder of the school year has comingdefi their remainder of the school year has coming their way.

With their help, students can create a timeline for With their help, students timeline for themselves that will keep can the create teachera in the loop, themselves that will keep the teacher in the loop, along with making their transition back to daily along making their transition back to daily school with life easy and comfortable. school life easy and comfortable.

DESIGN BY BAILY PLOURDE DESIGN BY BAILY PLOURDE

34 FEATURES 34 FEATURES

STATESMAN3535 STATESMAN

N N O O I I T T C C E E S S R R E E T T N N I I E E H TTH r

end

by

Since the mainstream refocus on the “Black Lives Matter” movement following the killing of George Floyd, the utilization of social media platforms for awareness on injustice has gained traction like never before. From this summer to now, however, the fire has died back down. A recent Pew Research survey from this states that this September, only 45 percent of white adults in America somewhat support the “Black Lives Matter” movement, down from 60 percent in June.

In instances of police brutality in the 2010s that were given attention in the media, it was nearly impossible for non-black individuals to overlook the power police commonly abused. Still, many continue to deny that the issue is not centered around any individual. Our activism is not rooted in a desire for equality, but rather a diversion from criticism and an attempt at redemption.

We never seek justice for others of our own accord, only when overwhelmed with moral obligation.

The time has come for predominantly white communities such as Sioux Falls to look critically at our approach to race, where it comes from and how it impacts the people around us. White allies are overpowering black voices and platforms. If we continue down this path, we are set to collide with a force that, if we are not adequately prepared to face, will strip us of our footing entirely. It is the notion that we are not enlightened in the way we think we are, or worse, that we are hardly enlightened at all.

Think of it like this: If it was reported that a team won a relay race, but not that they won because one of the runners

36 PERSPECTIVES

M

F ara

ich

sabotaged their competitors, everyone would assume that the winning team was the fastest and most capable, including its members who were not aware of what their teammate did. When it is brought to their attention, however, they have two options: to either take responsibility for what happened, or to pretend that it didn’t.

We are responsible for how current and future generations are taught about race as a whole, as well as how to come to terms with our history. But, because we have been dodging blame and conversations about race for so long that we are unaware of our wrongdoings, where do we go from here?

LHS teacher Xavier Pastrano, for one, knows that the best place to start is with discussion.

“In the last two years, we’ve really tried to use this creative control to diversify the themes, authors and writings discussed in class,” said Pastrano. “We want our classes and the material to reflect the incredibly diverse world we live in.”

Because race plays such a crucial role in American society and how we identify, there is no choice but to teach it early in education. The message is sent across that racism exists and that it is wrong, but not why it is wrong. When we do not acknowledge that eurocentrism exists not because white people are deserving of social dominance, but because they seized it through violence and greed, it leads white children to believe that they are superior even if they denounce oppression.

Let it be clear that many people in this position who vouch for equality truly believe that they are being helpful, and that it is not too late to adjust what they have gotten wrong.

The dismissal of blame where it is necessary set up privileged individuals to fail in activism, but it is not acceptable to

continue the cycle by diminishing the harm brought on minorities.

“The dismissal of prejudicial behavior simply because of the date in which it occurred is, I think, irresponsible, and it becomes a catalyst for some of the ignorance and bigotry that we see today,” said Pastrano. “For example, let’s say that someone reads a book about the Atlantic Slave Trade and all the atrocities that occurred within.

After reading, the individual thinks, ‘Well, that was then, and this is now.

Slavery isn’t around anymore, so it’s not an issue.’ I think that this kind of thinking completely glosses over the shockwaves of behavior and ideologies that can be felt today. It trivializes the ramifications of racist behavior of the past and the impact that those centuries of beliefs have on us today.”

Coming to understand the gravity of oppression and the role it has played in American society is dreadful for white individuals who have been kept in the dark, but it is no more dreadful than what people of color have had to face for as long as they can remember. There is no way to undo the damage, but all hope is not lost.

“When it comes to older texts that may contain problematic content or outdated depictions and thoughts of certain demographics, I think the best thing a teacher can do is face it head on and make it a center of discussion,” said Pastrano. “It may be uncomfortable, but ignoring it only exacerbates the already difficult issues of misinformation and ignorance.”

The journey of enlightenment is full of dark, twisting paths. We do not have to solve the issue in one day, even if it were entirely solvable in the first place. We will simply cross that bridge when we come to it.

DESIGN BY MARA FENDRICH

Sioux Falls has been known for its “Obviously I am all for lacrosse has experienced a great deal. outstanding sports teams for many becoming a school-sanctioned sport,” “I joined the team in the very years, but its lack of a lacrosse team said Miller. “But, there are many beginning. It was only a small startoften goes unnoticed. Here at LHS, reasons why we’re not… monetary up, but it began with a [lacrosse] and within the Sioux Falls School issues, the struggle to find players camp,” said Miller. “My mom signed District, lacrosse has yet to be added and so on.” me up and since then, I’ve been to the list of sanctioned sports for Despite the challenges, there is involved.” high school athletes. The question is, great opportunity for the Sioux Falls Likewise, BY ALEXIS sophomore Joe MILLER why? Well, there are many causes… area. After all, South Dakota is the Osmundson BYbegan hisMILLER time with ALEXIS

BY ALEXIS Sioux Falls has been known for its has experienced a great deal. MILLER “Obviously I am all for lacrosse shortage of players, high expense and the team after their initial camp. neighboring state of sport,” Minnesota, “I joined outstanding teams for for many thea team in the very becoming a school-sanctioned Sioux Fallssports has been known its has experienced great deal.

“Obviously I am all for lacrosse Sioux Falls has been known the for its has experienced great “Obviously I am all forarelacrosse lack ofsports growth lacrosse Unfortunately, hasthefistartnished practically thethere midwestern capital for years, but its lack ofteams a across lacrosse team beginning.

It the wasa team onlyhe adeal. small said Miller.

“But, many outstanding for many “I joined in very his becoming a school-sanctioned sport,” outstanding sports teams for many “I joined the team in the very becoming a school-sanctioned sport,” often unnoticed.

Here at LHS, up, but it began with a [lacrosse] reasons why we’re not… monetary years, goes but its lack of a lacrosse team beginning.

It was only a small startsaid Miller.

“But, there are many community. time Itwith Spark; afterstartthe 2019hockey “But, and lacrosse. years, but itsthe lackSioux of a lacrosse team beginning. wasthe only small said Miller. there areplayers many and FallsatSchool camp,” Miller.

“Myamom signed issues, to find oftenwithin goes unnoticed.

Here LHS, up, butsaid it began with a [lacrosse] reasons the whystruggle we’re not… monetary often goes unnoticed.

Here at LHS, up, but it began with a [lacrosse] reasons why we’re not… monetary Due to this, anFalls LHS student and season canceled due to “Minnesota is fiandlarge lacrosse District, lacrosse has yet to be School added me up20 and since was then,mom I’vesigned been and so on.” and within the Sioux camp,” said Miller.

“My issues, the struggle to players and within the Sioux Falls School camp,” said Miller. “My mom signed issues, the the struggle to findthere players to the list of sanctioned sports for involved.”

Despite challenges, is District, lacrosse has yet to be added me up and since then, I’ve been and so on.” senior, ZachhasMiller, isbelooking to get hethen, made I’ve the decision to state,” Miller. “We’d have the District, lacrosse yet to added meLikewise, upCOVID-19, and since been and soopportunity on.” said for high school athletes.

The question is, sophomore Joe great the Sioux Falls to the list of sanctioned sports for involved.”

Despite the challenges, there is to theWell, listword of sanctioned sports for involved.”

Despite challenges, therethe is the out. some additional pursue other athletic opportunities. chancethe play top-notch athletes. why? there areWith many causes…

Osmundson his time with area.

After all,toSouth Dakota high school athletes.

The question is, Likewise, began sophomore Joe great opportunity for the SiouxisFalls high school athletes.

The question is, Likewise, sophomore Joe great opportunity for the Sioux Falls shortage of players, high expense and team after their neighboring state ofyou Minnesota, why? Well, there are many causes…

Osmundson began hisinitial time camp. withoffers a area. After all, South Dakota iswill thetake the information and further explanation, Despite this, Osmundson still But, I can tell this a why?

Well, there are many causes…

Osmundson began his time with area.

After all, South Dakota is the lack of growth across Unfortunately, has initial finished his practically the state midwestern capital for shortage of players, high the expense and the team after he their neighboring of Minnesota, there is a possibility forlacrosse growth unique perspective onthe thecamp. team. while; we’re enough for this shortage of players, high expense andwithin the team after theirafter initial camp. neighboring state not of bigMinnesota, community. time with the Spark; 2019hockey andthe lacrosse. lack of growth across the lacrosse Unfortunately, he has finished his practically midwestern capital for lack ofthe across lacrosse Unfortunately, he canceled has finished his practically the midwestern capital for seven sport. last season was one to yet, we grown in my Due togrowth this, an LHS the student and 20 to “Minnesota is have a large lacrosse community. timeseason with“My thewas Spark; after thedue 2019hockey andbut lacrosse. community. time with the Spark; after the 2019hockey and lacrosse. senior, Zach Miller, is looking get COVID-19, hewas made the decision state,” said Miller.

“We’d have the Due to this, an LHS studenttoand 20 season canceled due to “Minnesota is a large lacrosse remember,” said Osmundson. years, andisit’s to out. this,With an LHS student and 20 season was canceled due to “Minnesota aa possibility.” large athletes. lacrosse theDue word some additional pursue other opportunities. chance to play top-notch senior, Zach Miller, is looking to get COVID-19, he athletic made the decision to state,” said Miller.

“We’d have the senior, Zach Miller, is looking to get COVID-19, he made the decision state,” said Miller.

“We’d have the “Playing varsity as a freshman Miller has been a part of the Sioux information and further explanation, Despite this, Osmundson still offersto a was a But, I can tell you this willathletes. take a the word out.

With some additional pursue other athletic opportunities. chance to play top-notch the word out.

With some additional pursue other athletic opportunities. chance to play top-notch athletes. there is a possibility for growth within unique perspective on the team. while; we’re not big enough for this information and further explanation, Despite this,experience.”

Osmundson still offers a But, IFalls can Lacrosse tell you team, this will a cally, good moretake specifi information and further explanation, Despite this, stillone offers a But, I can you thisinwill take a the sport.

“My perspective last Osmundson season was yet, but we tell have grown myfor seven there is a possibility for growth within unique on the team. to while; we’re not big enough this there is a possibility for growth within unique perspective on the team. while; we’re not big enough for this Osmundson was fortunate enough Sioux Falls Spark, for seven years.

In remember,” said was Osmundson. years, and a possibility.” the sport.

“My last season one to yet, but weit’s have grown in my seven the sport.

“My last season was one to yet, but we have grown in my seven “Playing varsity as a freshman was a that Miller a part thehuge Siouxgrowth remember,” Osmundson. years, andhas it’sbeen a there possibility.” to end hissaid years with teammates his has of been remember,” said Osmundson. years, andtime, it’s team, a possibility.” good experience.”

Falls Lacrosse specifi cally, “Playing varsity as a freshman was a Miller has been a more part of the Sioux “Playing varsity as afortunate freshman was afor his Miller hasSpark, been part ofFrom the Sioux were supportive and grateful among the afor club. additional Osmundson was enough Sioux Falls seven years.

In good experience.”

Falls Lacrosse team, more specifi cally, good experience.”

Falls Lacrosse team, more specifi cally, to Osmundson endtime his years with teammates that his time, there been hugeyears. growth enough Sioux Falls Spark, for seven In withwas thefortunate group. Over the past players tohaschampionship games, he Osmundson was fortunate Sioux Falls Spark, for sevenadditional years. In were and grateful enough forthat his among club.

From to endsupportive his years with teammates his time,the there has been huge growth ve years seasons, heOverhasthefor experienced to endfihis with teammates that his time, there has been huge growth time the group. past players he were with supportive and grateful his among to thechampionship club. From games, additional were supportive and grateful for his among the club. From additional championships, tournaments fi ve seasons, he hasOver experienced time with the group. the past and players to championship games, he time with the group.

Over the past players to championship games, he championships, tournaments and five seasons, he haswith experienced everyday games a stable group fi ve seasons, hasa stable experienced everyday gameshewith group championships, tournaments and championships, tournaments and of players. of players. everyday games with a stable group everyday games with a stable group upperclassmen absolutely of “The players.

“The upperclassmen absolutely of players. infl“The uencedupperclassmen me,” said Osmundson.

“I absolutely “Theinfl upperclassmen uenced me,”Osmundson. said Osmundson.

“I knew lacrosse veryabsolutely popular, influenced me,”wasn’t said “I infl uenced me,” said Osmundson.

“I but it was cool that they were popular, up to try knew lacrosse wasn’t very knew lacrosse wasn’t very popular, knew lacrosse wasn’t verymotivated popular, something new; they really but it was cool that they were up to try but it was that they were up to try but cool itnew; was cool that they were up to try me to pursue this passion.” something they really motivated something new; they really motivated players, Miller and meBoth to pursue thisnew; passion.” something they really motivated me to pursueshare this passion.” quality Osmundson, Both players,one unique Miller and me toplayers, pursue thisunique passion.”

Both Miller in common: their one dedication to and the Osmundson, share quality Osmundson, one unique quality Bothshare players, game.

Lacrosse has made anMiller impact in common: their dedication to the and in common: dedication to the on their lives,their and are an hopeful it game.

Lacrosse hasthey made impact Osmundson, share one unique quality game.

Lacrosse has made an impact willtheir do the same forthey other on lives, and areathletes. hopeful it on“This their lives, and they are hopeful it common: experience willdedication certainlyto the will dointhe same for their other athletes. will do the same for other athletes. stay with me throughout my life,” “This experience will certainly game.

Lacrosse has made an impact “This experience certainly said “Asthroughout of now,will I domy not life,” plan stay Miller. with me stay with me throughout my life,” on their lives, and areplan hopeful it on lacrosse inIthey college, but saidpursuing Miller.

“As of now, do not said Miller.

“As of now, Ian do everyday not plan Ionhope to continue in pursuing but will do lacrosse the samein forcollege, other athletes. on pursuing lacrosse in college, but league I hopeortoclub.” continue in an everyday I hope to continue in an everyday “This experience will certainly league or club.” league or club.” stay with me throughout my life,” said Miller. “As of now, I do not plan DESIGN BY ALEXIS MILLER /// ARTWORK BY CARLY WHEELER on pursuing lacrosse in college, but 37 DESIGN BY ALEXIS MILLER /// ARTWORK BYSTATESMAN CARLY WHEELER DESIGN BY ALEXIS MILLERto /// ARTWORK CARLY I hope continueBYinSTATESMAN an WHEELER everyday 37 STATESMAN 37 league or club.”

farming farming stuff. stuff.

It was It was only only until until I I stared stared hard hard into into myself myself I realized I realized sheshe meant meant pharmaceuticals,” pharmaceuticals,” hehe writes writes in in thethe 8 a.m.

8 a.m. entry. entry.

AsAs school school begins, begins, Paslay Paslay enters enters hishis first first class, class, online online Algebra Algebra II and II and geometry geometry B. B.

byby Thompson Thompson Wakefield Wakefield A student A student walks walks down down the the hallway hallway atat LHS. LHS. HeHe is wearing is wearing rainbow rainbow Crocs, Crocs, a vintage a vintage Casio Casio watch, watch, a Hawaiian a Hawaiian shirt shirt and and a face a face shield. shield.

Perhaps Perhaps you you overhear overhear him him discussing discussing hishis positive positive thoughts thoughts towards towards the the Soviet Soviet Union Union oror hishis appreciation appreciation for for something something called called Death Death Grips.

Grips.

You You think think toto yourself, yourself, ‘who ‘who is this is this kidkid and and why why amam I so I so curious curious about about hishis day-to-day day-to-day life?’ life?’

The The scenario scenario I just I just described described is aiscommon a common one one forfor students students at at LHS. LHS. The The eccentric eccentric man man is known is known as as Jackson Jackson Paslay, Paslay, a junior a junior who who is more is more than than proud proud of of hishis unique unique character. character.

A familiar A familiar face face to to marching marching band, band, debate debate and and chess chess club club students, students, Paslay Paslay surrounds surrounds himself himself with with countless countless hobbies hobbies and and interests interests that that influence influence who who hehe is as is as a person. a person.

When When offered offered thethe opportunity opportunity to to bebe written written about about in in thethe Statesman, Statesman, Paslay Paslay was was more more than than willing willing to,to, writing writing seven seven fullfull pages pages about about everything everything hehe thought thought and and experienced experienced in in just just one one day. day.

Paslay Paslay starts starts thethe day day with with a a friend, friend, discussing discussing their their future future careers. careers.

“We “We talked talked about about college college and and stuff, stuff, butbut when when sheshe said said sheshe wanted wanted to to gogo to to school school forfor pharmacology, pharmacology, I I seriously seriously thought thought sheshe meant, meant, like, like,

3838 FEATURES FEATURES

It is It not is not long long before before Paslay Paslay begins begins to to write write about about hishis first first most most prominent prominent interest: interest: music. music.

Throughout Throughout hishis day, day, Paslay Paslay listens listens to to some some of of thethe most most unique unique and and experimental experimental music music I have I have ever ever heard, heard, starting starting with with “Nothing “Nothing is is Safe” Safe” byby clipping. clipping.

Not Not only only is music is music incredibly incredibly important important to to Paslay, Paslay, it it seems seems to to influence influence hishis state state of of mind mind farfar more more than than thethe average average person. person.

AsAs hehe plays plays this this song, song, hehe writes writes thethe following. following.

allall along. along.

NoNo boogeyman, boogeyman, butbut thethe representation representation of of thethe War War onon Drugs Drugs themselves: themselves: The The DEA.” DEA.” Paslay Paslay continues continues to to write write nearly nearly anan entire entire page page explaining explaining how how thethe War War onon Drugs Drugs hashas destroyed destroyed American American families, families, confirming confirming thethe second second biggest biggest interest interest of of his: his: politics politics and and philosophy. philosophy.

The The extent extent to to which which Paslay Paslay hashas read read about about different different political political theories, theories, history history and and moral moral philosophy philosophy is mindis mindblowing blowing compared compared to to thethe average average high high schooler. schooler.

“It“It is by is by farfar one one of of thethe best best horror horror songs songs I have I have ever ever listened listened to;to; thethe imagery imagery plays plays in in mymy head, head, revealing revealing thethe dark dark night night with with thethe luminousness luminousness of of thethe drugdrugproduction production house. house.

AtAt that that moment, moment, thethe bullet bullet slices slices thethe air,air, striking striking down down one one of of thethe watchmen: watchmen: It It Has Has Begun.

Begun.

It plays It plays outout like like a a Taratino Taratino scene: scene: thethe suspense suspense builds builds up,up, then then thethe firefire of of death death ‘n’‘n’ fury fury begins. begins.

AtAt first first it’sit’s portrayed portrayed as as thethe abstraction abstraction of of a monster, a monster, butbut it was it was revealed, revealed, however, however, it was it was thethe feds feds

AsAs Paslay Paslay turns turns onon another another clipping. clipping. song, song, hehe reveals reveals hishis contempt contempt forfor hishis lack lack of of effort effort in in hishis Latin Latin class. class.

It seems It seems that that more more than than any any other other class class Paslay Paslay takes, takes, Latin Latin eats eats at at hishis spirit spirit thethe most. most.

ToTo getget him him through through thethe stressful stressful day, day, Paslay Paslay creates creates anan energetic energetic combination combination of of caffeine caffeine and and thethe music music from from anan experimental experimental hiphip hop hop duo duo named named Death Death Grips.

Grips.

In In APUSH, APUSH, Paslay Paslay introduces introduces himself himself as as ActionJackson ActionJackson to to thethe class, class, thethe name name hehe goes goes byby onon thethe music music sharing sharing website website SoundCloud.

SoundCloud.

In In addition addition to to listening listening to to music, music, Paslay Paslay also also makes makes hishis own, own, inspired inspired byby thethe “noise “noise music” music” hehe cherishes cherishes so so dearly. dearly.

During During class, class, Paslay’s Paslay’s mind mind wanders wanders as as hehe begins begins to to “think “think about about Higurashi, Higurashi, thethe best best horror horror manga manga I’ve I’ve read” read” and and spoils spoils thethe entire entire series series while while sharing sharing hishis passionate passionate views views towards towards literature. literature.

“I see “I see writing writing like like jazz: jazz: Free Free form form and and dynamic,” dynamic,” hehe writes. writes.

“The “The House House of of Leaves Leaves made made meme realize realize how how interactive interactive and and dynamic dynamic literature literature is. is.

ToTo whomever whomever reading reading this this ramble: ramble: Write Write to to your your free free form, form, don’t don’t letlet anan English English teacher teacher telltell you you your your writing writing is bad is bad because because ‘oh‘oh you you didn’t didn’t useuse some some abstract abstract grammatical grammatical structure’ structure’ grammargrammarnerds nerds like like meme care care about.” about.”

Experimental Experimental hiphip hop hop isn’t isn’t thethe only only genre genre of of music music Paslay Paslay enjoys. enjoys.

AsAs hehe listens listens to to “hard “hard hitting hitting violin violin bluegrass,” bluegrass,” hehe daydreams daydreams about about “drifting “drifting in in a smooth a smooth AE86 AE86 down down LA’s LA’s downtown downtown at at midnight, midnight, blasting blasting some some phonk… phonk… smiling, smiling, enjoying enjoying mymy life.” life.”

HeHe writes, writes, “I “I want want to to move move to to California California or or Arizona Arizona after after high high school school and and gogo to to college college forfor computer computer science science or or biochemistry. biochemistry.

I really, I really, really really want want to to have have a relaxing a relaxing lifelife after after high high school, school, butbut under under neoliberalism neoliberalism it may it may bebe difficult difficult forfor meme to to find find peace peace when when people people I care I care about about and and minorities minorities areare being being encroached encroached onon byby capitalism.” capitalism.”

JACKSON PASLAY

A A A DAY DAY DAY IN IN IN THE THE THE LIFE LIFE LIFE OF OF OF

“NOTHING “NOTHING ISIS SAFE” SAFE” byby clipping clipping

Once Once thethe school school day day ends, ends, Paslay Paslay attends attends band band practice practice where where hehe becomes becomes consumed consumed byby hishis hatred hatred forfor late late Russian Russian revolutionary revolutionary Leon Leon Trotsky.

Trotsky.

“AIN’T “AIN’T ITIT FUNNY” FUNNY” byby Danny Danny Brown Brown

“I’m “I’m glad glad hehe didn’t didn’t lead lead thethe USSR USSR or or it would’ve it would’ve collapsed collapsed in in a a mere mere second,” second,” hehe theorizes theorizes while while cleaning cleaning thethe synthesizer synthesizer carts. carts.

Paslay Paslay leaves leaves band band practice practice and and relaxes relaxes byby playing playing Kanye Kanye West West in in hishis mom’s mom’s carcar onon thethe way way home. home.

It is It at is at this this moment moment Paslay Paslay gets gets “the “the biggest biggest acid acid reflux” reflux” of of hishis “whole “whole entire entire life.” life.”

The The second second hehe arrives arrives at at hishis underground underground parking, parking, hehe sprints sprints upup thethe stairs stairs to to grab grab anything anything to to drink drink and and runs runs into into two two young young maskless maskless girls girls who who hehe refers refers to to as as hishis “enemy.” “enemy.”

Wanting Wanting to to recover recover from from thethe horrible horrible chain chain of of events events hehe just just suffered, suffered, Paslay Paslay begins begins to to wind wind down down forfor thethe night. night.

HeHe plays plays a a racecar racecar computer computer game, game, tells tells hishis petpet bird, bird, who who is also is also named named Jackson, Jackson, goodnight goodnight and and eats eats a “a a “a beautiful beautiful English English muffin muffin with with butter butter and and honey honey onon toptop that that hashas been been toasted toasted to to pure pure perfection.” perfection.”

““

Playlist Playlist By By Paslay Paslay

””

I see I see writing writing like like jazz: jazz: Free Free form form and and dynamic. dynamic.

“MANIC “MANIC DEPRESSION” DEPRESSION” byby Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix

“ON GP” “ON GP” byby Death Grips Death Grips

DESIGN DESIGN

BY BY SARA SARA CROGHAN CROGHAN PHOTOS PHOTOS PROVIDED PROVIDED

BY BY JACKSON JACKSON PASLAY PASLAY

39 39 STATESMAN STATESMAN

On Sept. 18, 2020, the U.S. lost a champion of gender equality, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In her final moments, surrounded by family, the notorious RBG famously shared her dying wish with her granddaughter. Even in failing health, she was worried about the future of equality for generations to come: “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed,” said Justice Ginsburg.

Fast forward one month and eight days from Justice Ginsburg’s passing — eight days before the 2020 Presidential Election — and the Senate confirms a replacement Supreme Court Judge. President Donald Trump went ahead with what has been considered a hypocritical political play and nominated Justice Amy Coney Barrett just days after Ginsburg’s passing. Many questions have been raised on the legitimacy of this nomination, but this article serves to clarify one in particular: just because President Trump nominated a female justice to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the Supreme Court does not mean he has honored her dying wish.

We can conclude there is a reason Ginsburg’s dying wish was not solely to be replaced by another woman; she wanted to be replaced

by someone who is representative of what the general public wants and will build upon her groundbreaking legal strides, regardless of their gender. Bonus points if that person is a powerful woman, but they have to be a powerful feminist woman in order to truly uphold the legacy of RBG. The question I pose: is Justice Amy Coney Barrett a feminist?

A few weeks ago, I opened up the Apple News App to find the words “A New Feminist Icon” staring back at me in bold red text. I’m not exactly sure what I expected when I clicked on the Politico headline, but it definitely wasn’t a blown-up picture of Justice Barrett. The opinion, written by Politico columnist Erika Bachiochi and originally published on Sept. 27, 2020, claimed that as a working mother of seven, Justice Barrett “embodies a new kind of feminism.”

There’s no denying that Justice Barrett — now being called the “glorious ACB,” a play on Justice Ginsburg’s lasting nickname “notorious RBG” — is a powerful woman. She is a “top-notch legal scholar,” as described by law students and professionals at the University of Notre Dame, a successful judge on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at the time of her nomination, and on top of

it all, a mother to seven children.

She does it all; she is the definition of a successful working mother.

Republican women from across the nation are taking those facts and running with them in support of Barrett.

“When we look at Judge Barrett, we see an accomplished woman,” said Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).

“We see a brilliant jurist. We see a nice person. We see someone who has been able to balance her family life with a husband and seven children.”

But do we see a feminist? Just because Justice Barrett is a women holding a position of power does not inherently make her a feminist, nor does it mean that feminists should feel obligated to support her.

“If we’re truly playing identity politics, the question is not whether Barrett is a woman,” said columnist Monica Hesse in an article for The Washington Post. “It’s not even whether she supports women. The question is whether the judge, as a member of the highest court in the land, will interpret the law in a way that will allow women to support themselves. If the job of a judge was to be a role model — to live a good life young women could view as an option for their own lives — then, yes, without question, put Barrett

a woman not for all women

BY CARLY WHEELER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

on the Supreme Court. But that, of course, is not the job. The job of a judge is to judge.”

Another circulating doubt about newly appointed Justice Barrett is her relative lack of experience compared to the other sitting Supreme Court Justices. While this topic constitutes a discussion of its own, many of Justice Barrett’s supporters have flipped this seemingly negative aspect into a positive argument for her appointment. Her lack of extensive legal experience as a judge means there aren’t many of her cases to draw as precedent for future rulings, which some claim will leave her viewing cases in a refreshing light.

So, we are left to assume.

Although, there isn’t much room for assumption in this case. Justice Barrett’s mentor, the late Justice Antonin Scalia, has been referred to

as a “conservative legal idol.”

“I guess it’s technically possible that Barrett, at her confirmation hearings, might argue persuasively that her views on Roe v. Wade have changed since 2006. Or since 2013.

Or 2016,” said Hesse. “It seems more likely, though, that after years of promising to take away reproductive freedom or curtail the rights of transgender people, and after publicly lobbying for a Supreme Court amenable to these goals, conservatives have found someone they feel will get it done. And hallelujah, she’s a woman.”

Hesse has a valid point: why would President Trump nominate someone who he doesn’t believe will align with his political views and future goals? It’s an understatement to say that Trump’s political agenda doesn’t exactly stick its neck out for the feminist ideals that fight in

support of equality for all. According to NPR, President Trump has openly declared that he will be nominating pro-life justices that vow to overturn Obamacare. We can reasonably assume that Justice Barrett is not an exception to that declaration.

“Ginsburg was beloved among liberal women because her work opened up doors for the women who came behind her,” wrote Hesse.

“How dispiriting to fear that the next woman to walk through them might shut them behind her.”

Barrett might be the “new kind of feminist,” but I don’t think it’s up to us to redefine a movement that past generations have poured their heart and souls into. What we do know is that she will not be a judge that continues the work of Justice Ginsburg — she will not make consistent decisions that allow women to govern their own lives without facing discrimination — so she certainly doesn’t align with the “old kind of feminism.”

A feminist is not solely a powerful woman; a feminist is a powerful woman who will use her power to fight for the rights of all other women — no matter their race, sexual orientation, religion or socioeconomic class. Justice Amy Coney Barrett is a powerful woman, but not a powerful feminist woman.

ARTWORK & DESIGN BY CARLY WHEELER

40 PERSPECTIVES

STATESMAN 41

by Paige Gordon Most people these days know better than to go out and about during the dreaded Black Friday. Beware!

The risk of getting trampled increases the more they knock down the price on X boxes. It is the day that all retail employees loathe and the day extreme couponers love, or at least it used to be.

There was a time when Black Friday grabbed everyone’s attention with deals, but in recent years, the hype has been dying out. Even before the pandemic, people have been more inclined to do their early holiday shopping online in the comfort of their own home instead of getting mauled by a rampant hoard of shoppers. According to Adobe Analytics, in 2019, online Cyber Monday sales hit $9.4 billion, beating out Black Friday by a good 2 billion. Now that online shopping is the way most people prefer to do their shopping, bigger retailers are attempting to reinvent Black Friday.

Walmart recently announced that their Black Friday, due to the pandemic, will be spreading out, having their savings throughout the month of November with their all new “Black Friday Deals for Days.” Instead of having one big sale on Thanksgiving, there will be three separate events online and in store. All sales start online first and then continue in stores. The first sale starts online

at 7 p.m. EST Nov. 4, the second starting on Veterans Day and the last the night before Thanksgiving, Nov. 25. Other big retailers such as Target and Best Buy, have been attempting this approach as well, as not to lose customers to online stores with better deals.

On the flip side, local businesses have been quietly preparing for Black Friday.

Sheryl Nelson, owner of the popular toy store Kidtopia, has been enforcing safety procedures in stores to ensure that they will be able to stay open.

“We make our customers wear masks at all times when in the store,” said Nelson. “We also have a limitation of 15 people at Bridges and 20 at Dawley Farms.”

And while bigger businesses have not been getting as much attention as they have in the past, Nelson believes that they have been bringing in more customers over the years.

42 AD 42 AD

“We’ve actually noticed more for us but then again, we are a local business,” said Nelson. “ For us it’s a little different for the fact that people don’t mind shopping at the local businesses as much because we aren’t as harried and rushed as the big businesses.”

Kidtopia also plans to do the majority of their advertising via email and magazine prints to market mainly to their regular shoppers with good deals.

“We’ll be doing 20 percent off store wide early at 7 o’clock with treats and stuff that will go all day,” said Nelson.

People also tend to think of all Black Friday events as they are depicted in movies; absolute chaos that brings out the worst in people. Which, of course, can be somewhat true. But sometimes people forget how holiday shopping can be an enjoyable, exciting, experience and that the season should not just be about getting the perfect gift.

“People that come here are usually really friendly and nice. When they come to a toy store they’re usually pretty happy,” said Nelson.

Big retailers and small outlet stores alike are a bit uncertain when it comes to planning out their next steps before the holiday season shopping rush, but if one thing is clear, it looks like turning to e-commerce, and letting local stores have the spotlight might be the best move to keep the tradition of seasonal savings alive. So, is Black Friday dead? Not quite yet. Maybe it just needs a reboot.

DESIGN BY SARA CROGHAN

STATESMAN 43

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by Anna Engels

ik Tok has officially broken the Internet ik Tok with a new has trendofficially almost every week. broken the Internet with a new trend almost every week.

These Tik Tok inspired hobbies come These and go, sparking Tik interest Tokamong inspired millions hobbies come and go, sparking interest among millions and fading out within a week. One and trend, however, fading has yet out to fade, within one perfect a week. One trend, however, has yet to fade, one perfect for Halloween. It is an entertainingfor activity Halloween. with an even better outcome, It isitan is theentertaining activity with an even better outcome, it is the ghost photoshoot. ghost photoshoot.

Originally started on the sensational Originally app, Tik Tok,started @jakejanson88on uploaded the photos sensational of app, Tik Tok, @jakejanson88 uploaded photos of him and his friends dressing him up as and ghosts and his taking friends pictures, stated dressing by a recent article up as ghosts and taking pictures, stated by a recent article on Junkee. Little did Janson on know, Junkee. this leisurely activity Little would did turn into Janson a craze for teens know, this leisurely activity would turn into a craze for teens all over the world, but itall wouldover also concoct the the prevailing world, #GhostPhotoshoot but it would trend also concoct the prevailing #GhostPhotoshoot trend overnight. Thousands of people overnight. are on the moveThousands to recreate this fall-themed of people photoshoot are on the move to recreate this fall-themed photoshoot as a way to hang out withas friends a and way createto lasting hang memories out through with pictures.friends This and create lasting memories through pictures. This simplistic and spooky movement simplistic has been on the and run since spooky early September movement and has no has been on the run since early September and has no indications of slowing down indications anytime soon. of slowing down anytime soon.

The ghost photoshoot has attracted The teens ghost for many photoshoot different reasons. Thehas cheap and attracted teens for many different reasons. The cheap and effortless items to put the effortless ghost look together,items the vintageto styleput photos, the the “Halloween ghost look together, the vintage style photos, the “Halloween vibe” and the overall idea vibe” of having something and the new to overall do with friendsidea are someof reasons having something new to do with friends are some reasons for the appeal among youth. for Thisthe clever shoot appeal consists of among a disposable camera, youth. whiteThis bed clever shoot consists of a disposable camera, white bed sheets, sunglasses (if preferred) sheets, and a creative sunglasses imagination. Going (if to preferred) different locations and a creative imagination. Going to different locations and snapping pictures of a and ghost living snapping out day-to-day tasks pictures adds to a comical of a sideghost of these living out day-to-day tasks adds to a comical side of these eerie shots. eerie shots.

This festive activity, however, This has notfestive gone without activity, some controversy. however, With some has not gone without some controversy. With some believing that the white sheets believing relate to hate groups, thatpeople thehave white shared their sheets opinions relate to hate groups, people have shared their opinions on the Internet that the ghost on photoshoot the Internet could be considered that racist. the This being ghost said, photoshoot could be considered racist. This being said, dressing up as ghosts has been dressing a staple of Halloween up as in America ghosts for decades hasand been has not a staple of Halloween in America for decades and has not caused any dispute in the past, caused so why now? any dispute in the past, so why now?

This current obsession expresses This creativity current and embraces obsession the scary side of Halloween. expresses creativity and embraces the scary side of Halloween.

The speculation of racism The may be aspeculation stretch when talking about ofthis racism ghostly sensation, may as be a stretch when talking about this ghostly sensation, as it seems there are hardly any itdownsides seems to dressing there up as are a Halloween hardly spirit and any creating downsides to dressing up as a Halloween spirit and creating humorous pictures aroundhumorous town. pictures around town.

44 ENTERTAINMENT 44 ENTERTAINMENT

DESIGN DESIGN&&PHOTOS PHOTOSBY BYANNA ANNAENGELS ENGELS FEATURING FEATURINGADYSON ADYSONSAND SANDAND ANDBAILY BAILYPLOURDE PLOURDE

STATESMAN 45

D FE

BEHIND THE SHOP DOORS

BEHIND THE SHOP DOORS

BY CAMERON RHODE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Not only is it seen as a mock to Native Americans, but on top of that, we were doing so without getting educated on their culture or who they really are. All we knew was the same as what most other Americans (our parents and teachers) knew: war paint, hunting buffalo, teepees and dances. They aren’t being seen as modern day people. It reflects how Native Americans are seen to non-natives and the style most often portrayed is rooted from a time of violence in the 19th century when white settlers moved west and displaced the indigenous people that lived there. Their image has been entirely frozen in a time that glorified the white “explorers” and was riddled with sickness, famine and rape and isn’t representative of who Native Americans really are. We need to be learning about who they are as historic people and as modern day people.

Warning!

Indigenous people at risk

Sexualization of the culture is another commonality putting many women of the culture at great risk. When a non-native woman dresses up in a “Sexy Native” outfit it contributes to the same harmful stereotypes that feed into sexual violence and human trafficking towards indigenous woman and girls. In 2016, Lingerie company ‘Yandy’ proceeded to make over $150,000 in profit revenue from “Sexy Native American” costume sales despite the 24,515 petitioned signatures on the Jeff Watton: Stop Yandy From Using Our Culture As A Costume petition on change.org.

Cultural appropriation can be avoided. We can have an honest admiration for a culture, by actively educating ourselves about it and purchasing items from those inside the culture. Buying

BY VERONICA ISEMINGER culture “inspired” outfits and products stolen by name-brand retailers only adds to the harmful appropriating. Don’t assume Can you remember your preschool days? Innocent, sweet, whiffs of Play-Doh and syrup always lingering in the air. Coloring it’s okay to borrow parts of other cultures as some of them have certain traditions and ceremonies specific to who can perform outside of the lines in coloring books and creating one of a kind scribble art you’d proudly present to your parents. Running as fast them. Retailers doing so fuels the damaging practice of borrowing what’s not theirs. Encourage schools to approach Thanksgiving as you could in light up, Velcro, twinkle toes and playing house. as an opportunity to teach kids what the history of Thanksgiving Holidays at preschool were easily the most exciting. Christmas had been pageants, candy cane swords, sugar cookie decorating, was really like and not use it as an excuse to culturally appropriate ornament making and playing in the snow, but Thanksgiving was their customs and cultures in “light-fun.” Have meaningful something else. Of course, hand turkeys and all kinds of fall and conversations with younger generations (especially before Thanksgiving-themed arts and crafts, shared recipes and sharing holidays like Halloween) on why other people’s struggles and sacred traditions shouldn’t be used for dress-up. Little kids are what us little 3 and 4-year-old selves were thankful for, but the biggest tradition at Thanksgiving was dress up day. Our teachers the most impressionable, don’t let them grow up thinking what’s wrong is right. would pull out little teepees and toy horses and we even got to wear cut out feather hats and brown grocery bag costumes with Through accepting and understanding what’s wrong with sharpied-on names like “Chief Elmo” or “Princess Penguin,” and cultural appropriation and how it’s used, together we can learn as we’d play “Indians,” we would share our Thanksgiving meal. and move forward to better approach the future.

It wasn’t until years later that I came to realize how utterly wrong and appropriating that was to actual Native Americans.

Back then, my friends and I never thought anything of it; clearly DESIGN BY KATIE KROEZE none of our parents had questioned it, and some of us would grow up and continue dressing up as Native American boys and girls for most notably Halloween costumes, aesthetics or parties. I don’t believe my childhood preschool had some kind of malicious intent and secretly knew that dressing up 30 predominantly white preschool kids as Native Americans was culturally appropriating them or offensive, but that’s the issue. If you’re not understanding that what you’re doing is wrong, you won’t have any doubt about doing it again or encouraging others to do the same.

46 PERSPECTIVES

E-wing is the place where many stories can be found and told. Most of the time students think of the world language classes or the regular art classes, but one of the hidden gems of LHS are the shop classes.

Christian Swenson, has been running the shop at LHS for a few years now. While the love for woodworking and the shop interested him, it was the schedule that roped him into the teaching profession.

“I got into teaching for [having] the summers [off ] and kinda fell in love with it after the fact,” said Swenson.

“Teaching was not on my radar in college, and after the fact it kinda fell into my lap and I thought ‘I’ll give it a shot’, and I ended up really liking it.”

Swenson did not originally plan to become a teacher, but luckily there are programs, like the Alternative Teaching Certification in South Dakota, that allow for someone with a degree close to the content to obtain their teaching certification.

“My degrees are actually in business management and construction management, and the state has an alternative process for hard to fill positions, like shop teachers and math, science, all those difficult positions are ones that if you have a degree in a related field, like my construction management degree got me this job,” said Swenson. “And then I was able

BY CAMERON RHODE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

E-wing is the place where many stories can be found and told. Most of the time students think of the world language classes or the regular art classes, but one of the hidden gems of LHS are the shop classes.

Christian Swenson, has been running the shop at LHS for a few years now. While the love for woodworking and the shop interested him, it was the schedule that roped him into the teaching profession.

“I got into teaching for [having] the summers [off ] and kinda fell in love with it after the fact,” said Swenson.

“Teaching was not on my radar in college, and after the fact it kinda fell into my lap and I thought ‘I’ll give it a shot’, and I ended up really liking it.”

Swenson did not originally plan to become a teacher, but luckily there are programs, like the Alternative Teaching Certification in South Dakota, that allow for someone with a degree close to the content to obtain their teaching certification.

to go through that process, and now I have my official teaching certification that works anywhere. [Teaching] was a little different from where my original plans were.”

In his shop classes, Swenson teaches classes like woodtech and home maintenance. Swenson enjoys teaching skills that are not often taught anywhere else in school.

“I really like being able to teach kids things that they will actually use in life,” said Swenson. “Especially in my home maintenance class, most people at some point of their life are gonna own their own house. This is stuff that the vast majority of people, at some point of their life, will use. Even if it is not something that we specifically did in class, it will at least have some similarities to the things that we did and they can say ‘well, I did this in that shop class, it’s kinda similar.’”

Swenson also enjoys seeing his students grow in his classroom. This is what keeps him going.

“I really like being able to see my students as they go, especially the ones who haven’t had any background in it, go from no idea what they are doing to being able to independently take a project from just a blank piece of wood and turn it into something

to go through that process, and now I have my official teaching certification that works anywhere. [Teaching] was a little different from where my original plans were.”

In his shop classes, Swenson teaches classes like woodtech and home maintenance. Swenson enjoys teaching skills that are not often taught anywhere else in school.

“I really like being able to teach kids things that they will actually use in life,” said Swenson. “Especially in my home maintenance class, most people at some point of their life are gonna own their own house. This is stuff that the vast majority of people, at some point of their life, will use. Even if it is not something that we specifically did in class, it will at least have some similarities to the things that we did and they can say ‘well, I did this in that shop class, it’s kinda similar.’”

Swenson also enjoys seeing his students grow in his classroom. This is what keeps him going.

that’s actually usable or functional for whatever their project was,” said Swenson Swenson is often fond of seeing the creations his students are able to make from a simple piece of wood.

“I had a student a couple years ago, he made a couple of really cool projects, he made a jeep,” said Swenson. “It was amazing, the detail he put into that and he also made a big walleye cutout that he made into a key hanger.”

The LHS shop classes are open to anyone who wishes to take them, there are no course requirements, and all the classes (Home Maintenance, Woodworking Technology I and Woodworking Technology II) are single-semester classes. For more information, visit Swenson or your counselor.

that’s actually usable or functional for whatever their project was,” said Swenson Swenson is often fond of seeing the creations his students are able to make from a simple piece of wood.

“I had a student a couple years ago, he made a couple of really cool projects, he made a jeep,” said like being able to see my Swenson.I really “It was amazing, the detail students as they go from no idea he put into that and he also made a big what they are doing to being able to walleyeindependently cutout that hetake madea project into a from key just hanger.”a blank piece of wood.

The LHS shop classes are open to anyone who wishes to take them, there are no course requirements, and all the classes (Home Maintenance, Woodworking Technology I and Woodworking Technology II) are single-semester classes. For more information, visit Swenson or your counselor.

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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CHRISTIAN SWENSON DESIGN BY CAMERON RHODE & SARA CROGHAN

I really like being able to see my

STATESMAN 47

S “The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

Abraham Lincoln