Wednesday, November 5, 2014
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VOLUME 33, ISSUE 2
Read about the importance of sexual health education in schools. Find out where HHS stacks up compared to other schools in sex education.
www.hopkinsrp.org
No junior left behind
Girls soccer makes history
by Randy Marchione Staff Reporter When the Minn. state law mandated all juniors to take the American College Test (ACT), HHS focused on organizing an in-school testing session to ensure easy access to the exam. “The state is changing the test requirements and making students take the ACT instead of passing the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) because [the state] feels it’s more applicable for life,” said Ms. Serena Schmidt, counselor. “They’re trying this out for college assessments.” The ACT tests to see how much knowledge a student has retained in their schooling. The ACT test is split up into five different subjects: english, math, reading, science, and an optional writing test. Minn. will soon be the 11th state to require all high school students to take the ACT.
First Royals girls soccer team to ever reach state tournament
Sports, page 11
New social media policy
Practice ACT will take place during school on Nov. 12, followed by mandatory, free ACT on April 28
In response to recent issues, HHS updates its rules
News, page 2
Krietzman at Conserve
ACT cont. on page 3
Students striving for nirvana Five minutes before she goes to sleep, Amy Bach, junior, meditates. “You let your mind focus on one thing, which is Buddha,” Bach said. Bach, like her mother, is Buddhist. Every Sunday, Bach wakes up at 6 a.m. to volunteer for three hours in the kitchen of her Vietnamese temple, Chùa Ph ậ t Ân, in Rose-
ville, Minn., before spending an hour chanting, meditating, and listening to a monk’s lecture. “The temple is very open, and it feels like a second home to me. I can go there often. Everyone respects you,” Bach said. “Before, [the temple] was actually just a small house, but the neighborhood around it respected the culture, and they bought a new house, so the temple is just building and expanding.” According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2012, there are about 3.9 million Buddhists in North America. This makes up about one percent of the North American population, with 99 percent of all Buddhists
living in Asia. Bach has been Buddhist her entire life, as her mother was brought up Buddhist in Vietnam. Her Vietnamese father, on the other hand, was not. “My [maternal] grandma is really religious, and she’s very traditional. She kind of pushed my mom to make me a Buddhist child in the family,” Bach said. “Personally, it’s really fun. Even though I’m Buddhist, I can still celebrate Christmas because my dad is Catholic.” She visited her parents’ birth country once during third grade when her grandfather was diagnosed with stomach cancer. She was able to spend a great deal of time learning about her back-
rankings and two in the Lake Conference before beating Edina and then losing to Lakeville North in section playoffs. Tyler Lee, senior, only lost three games while starting at the quarterback position. “It is a pretty good feeling not losing a lot of games and knowing that your team has your back. The group of guys that are playing together mesh really well.” Lee said. “We just
have each other’s backs.” In the 2013 season, the football team did not win a single conference game, and was ranked last in the Lake conference. This year, they beat every team in the Lake Conference except the perennial powerhouse, Eden Prairie. “We worked hard for it. We are all very competitive and we want to win,” said Harry Momoh, senior captain.
Drew Sension, senior captain, has reasons for why he thinks the team did well this year. “We are playing more as a team and not individuals. We know we are a family and have to play as a family, ” Sension said. The coaching staff was also
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ground. “[My father’s hometown] was more of a southern area, and my mom’s [hometown] was a city, so I got to discover a lot about my culture, how things happened, and the differences between the areas [people] live in,” Bach said. Chris Dinh, senior, another Vietnamese Buddhist, also volunteers and meditates at Chùa Phật Ân every Sunday. “[Religion] influences a lot of my morals,” Dinh said. “[But] Asian Buddhism is very different from what western people think is Buddhism.” BUDDHISM cont. on page 8
Ruby Krietzman, junior, attends semester school for environment
Feature, page 9
Web story: Buckfest 3 HHS bands, rappers, and DJs hold third concert
Photos, story, video on hopkinsrp.org
Football season ends after loss in section quarterfinals by Lauren Goodman Staff Reporter On Oct. 15, the Royals played in the Conference Championship for the first time in the 11-year Coach DenHartog era. The game ended 28-34, with Eden Prairie winning in the last minutes of the game. Even after the close loss, the boys were ranked number 10 in the metro high school football
FOOTBALL cont. on page 11
Tajuan Winston, senior, on the field. The football team won their first section game against Edina on Oct. 24, but fell to Lakeville North on photo by Madison Petty Oct. 31.
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MMR indicates progress for school by Brit Stein News Editor HHS has reached 81.87 percent for 2014 in the Multiple Measurement Rating (MMR), an increase of almost seven percent from 74.99 percent in 2013. “Not many people know that Hopkins is showing some really great growth points in MMR, and it’s a thing to celebrate. Hopkins is making great gains,” said Mr. Adam McDonald, Associate Principal. The MMR is a measurement of school performance implemented by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). MMR measures each school based on state test scores, growth in student achievement, reduction of the achievement gap, and graduation rates for high schools. Schools earn points in each category and the percentage of the possible total score determines the school’s MMR score. “The MMR is kind of like one of those mystery boxes that everyone tries to figure out. A lot of it is linked back to Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) scores,” McDonald said. Dianne Schimelpfenig,
Hopkins Public School District’s director of teaching, learning, and assessment, believes that the increase in MMR shows immense progress in certain areas. “If we look at the progress that was made from 2013 to this year, 100 percent of the student groups met their proficiency targets, and high percentages met their growth and achievement gap targets. Almost every student also met their graduation target. The number is reaffirming the good work of students and teachers that is going on at the high school,” Schimelpfenig said. Schimelpfenig explains that the district spends a lot of time looking at how students are achieving success. “MMR is one of many important indicators. I hope there will be continuing progress. But, because these are based on MCA results, the student body is rotating, so we expect some amount of variability in the future,” said Schimelpfenig. Since the classes of students rotate every year, McDonald explains that the increase in MMR only reflects growth points from one class to the next. “When dealing with MMR,
you’re not comparing apples to apples, you’re comparing apples to oranges. When you go from class to class you’re not measuring the same group of students. Still, the MMR gives [HHS] a general overview of how [HHS] is doing as a building. It’s important information for us to know,” McDonald said. As a part of the overall MMR, the MDE calculates the Achievement Gap Reduction, a domain which measures the ability of schools to get higher levels of growth from lower performing student groups. “MMR is the first measurement of what the achievement gap is and what that looks like for individual schools. Current research stresses the importance of the learning gap and learning opportunity. The MMR increase shows that Hopkins is making some achievement strides in that area,” McDonald said. “Students in our African American populations, Latino populations, and Free or Reduced Lunch populations had some great gains on the MCA.” Schimelpfenig believes that the work HHS staff does to bridge the achievement gap is a factor for the recent increase in scores
“Hopkins does a lot to ensure that different student groups are able to find success. For example, we might pull out a student who receives ELL services and see what their growth looks like in both math and reading,” Schimelpfenig said. “Hopkins looks at what supports are already in place and sees if there is additional assistance that can be implemented to help students reach success,” The administration believes that MCA test scores have risen in part by two programs HHS has implemented: the late start prep sessions and specialized TASC. The Math and Language Arts departments have worked with sophomores that are taking the reading exam and juniors that are taking the math exam during two different two hour prep sessions in order to provide specific preparation for the tests. HHS has also developed specialized TASC sessions for the science and math MCAs where students could come during the regular TASC time and receive specific exposure to test questions. McDonald explains, however, that better performance on MCA and an increase in MMR are not necessarily the most im-
portant indicators for success amongst HHS students. “MCA is the basic information that everyone should use leaving our institution. [HHS] is not satisfied with basic, [Hopkins] is not satisfied with proficiency. We want students to excel, and when they reach wherever they’re going that they have the skills necessary to be successful,” McDonald said. According to McDonald, the measuring stick HHS uses to measure success is students’ college readiness. In order to determine college readiness, HHS analyzes student survey information, alumni experiences, and parent surveys, along with hard data, such as the amount of students attending four year institutions after high school, two-year institutions after high school, and students’ success rates at those schools. Another statistic HHS uses as a measure of college readiness is the American College Testing (ACT). ACT is the aptitude with which colleges measure how successful students are. “I’m not sure if MMR really depicts how we’re doing holistically as a building,” Mcdonald said. “I think that other measurements, such as the ACT
for example, are other indicators that HHS can point to and discover what we do well and how we can improve as a school.” The administration believes that the increase in MMR is something HHS should be celebrating, but is also something that must be put into context. “One of the ways we will communicate this growth is in our annual report that our communications office will be sending out later this year,” Schimelpfenig said. “[The report] talks about the improvement in MCA test scores along with other programs that are doing really well in the district such as world languages, Advanced Placement, and other things that aren’t measured by the MCA test.” In comparison to other components of measurement, such as ACT scores and overall MCA scores, McDonald believes that HHS is not where it wants to be for all of its students. “At Hopkins, we are preparing students for their next journey. The MMR talks about a baseline, and we’re moving everyone incrementally up, which is great. But, as an institution, our goal is to really push for the stars,” McDonald said.
School attempts to balance social media with student learning by Justice Feldman Staff Reporter As the prominence of social media has rapidly increased in recent years, public school boards have been racing to keep up with it. Social media has become prominent in the lives of many high school students. However, the distinction between personal life and school life is a controversial one, and HHS administration is deciding where to draw the line. Specifically, school officials are concerned that social media makes it easier for students to engage in inappropriate communication. School board officials across the country have adopted guidelines that prohibit K-12 students from using social
media to communicate for noncurricular purposes. HHS implemented its social media policy as students began using cell phones and computers during school hours. Each year, the Hopkins School Board updates the social media policy to ensure the safety and security of students. This year, the HHS social media policy states that text messages or other electronic communication, such as Facebook, Twitter, voicemail, photos, or videos that are generated outside of school and used in a manner that causes disruption to the learning environment is considered bullying. Last school year, there were multiple incidents in which HHS students posted inappropriate tweets and Instagram
posts outside of school that caused turmoil between students, which led to altercations at school. The Hopkins School Board looked at all reported incidents regarding social media mishaps in an end of the school year meeting. During their conference, they decided to change the policy for the new school year. Many students around the country are frequently punished for content they or others post on social media, even when the school community is not the intended audience. It is currently unclear how much authority school districts have to restrict student use of social media or to control what students post online. Recently, when an HHS student posted an ethnic slur
on Twitter, he found himself suspended from school for what the administration labeled as a disturbance. “HHS policy guidelines are to be implemented with the intent of affording all First Amendment protections. Discipline is to be delivered when use has a nexus to the school or district and materially or substantially disrupts the learning environment,” said Ms. Traci Meyer, Dean of Students, referencing the HHS Student Handbook. This policy was also utilized when, on Oct. 13, an HHS student tweeted explicit photos of students that were sexual in nature and was subjected to disciplinary action. Some school officials are trying to find the middle ground on social media. For example,
Juniors to take mandatory, free ACT Continued from page 1 Juniors will be taking the ACT in school on Tuesday, April 28. “The ACT is an opportunity to gauge how good my learning is, and where I am academically. After the ACT, I can start looking for the right colleges based on how I do,” said Alia Stewart, junior. Stewart believes that the test was a good opportunity for her and her classmates to represent themselves. “A lot of students are taking
the ACT anyways,” Schmidt said. “The MCA wasn’t really an important test for most people. This is something the students can really buy into, and it means more to them taking the ACT.” Schmidt also mentioned that seniors will not be required to pass the GraduationRequired Assessments for Diploma (GRAD) test in order to graduate. Instead, seniors who were not able to take the ACT last year have the opportunity to do so this year by signing up for their own free test with the juniors. For sophomores, PLAN testing will continue as usual.
Parker Brown, junior, took the test as a sophomore. “I don’t think this testing will have much effect on our learning in school, especially because they express the subjects we learn on this test,” Brown said. There will also be a practice test for the ACT on Nov. 12. This practice ACT will not count towards the actual test score, but it will give newcomers a feel as to how the test operates, along with what an individual’s strength and weaknesses are. “I’m glad there will be a practice ACT before the real
one,” Stewart said. “It’s a good time to really see how this test is going to be.” According to the Minn. state law, practice isn’t necessary for juniors who take the ACT. However, along with a few other schools, HHS will administer a practice test to help increase student success. “The ACT is going to be a great testing experience for everybody,” Stewart said. ”It’s a great chance for HHS students to see how much of an impact our learning has really made on us.”
the Minnesota Department of Education developed guidelines that say teachers can create professional social media sites, such as Facebook pages for a class or project, but should not communicate with students through their personal pages. “Say, you’re partying outside of school. You decide to post a picture of yourself on social media participating in illegal activities, and the school administration finds out about it. I think that you should be subjected to disciplinary action,” said Mr. Jarrin Williams, Language Arts. Some students in Minn. have filed lawsuits in response to their First Amendment rights being violated by school districts, resulting in a rapidlygrowing body of law defining the boundaries between stu-
dents’ free speech and legitimate disciplinary action. There are no concrete rules for determining when schools can and can’t punish a student for statements made online. A review of the most notable cases, however, does shed some light on which factors the courts find most important in reaching their decisions. The Minn. courts say that posts on social networks are protected unless they are “true threats” or are reasonably calculated to reach the school environment and pose a safety risk or a risk of substantial disruption of the school environment. “We will do everything in our right to protect our students and ensure they have a safe learning environment,” Meyer said.
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Teens Alone opens homeless drop-in center by Morgan Downing and Imran Baksh Staff Reporters On Thursday, Oct. 30, Teens Alone, a non-profit organization, had an open house for The 915 in Hopkins. The 915 is the first homeless drop-in center for teens in the west metro. According to DoSomething.org, 39 percent of the homeless population in the U.S. is 18 years old or under. Teens Alone is dedicated to helping teens between the ages of 12 and 21 who are homeless, running away from home, abuse drugs, or are suffering from depression. While Teens Alone focuses more on giving counseling to teens who need support, the 915 will offer young adults between the ages 16 and 21 health services, assistance in finding jobs, and a shelter as soon as they arrive on the site. “What we’re offering at The 915 is free counseling for kids and young adults who want to talk to someone. We also offer case management, housing assistance, working with some of the resources in the area,” said Lawrence Nutter, counselor at Teens Alone. Since 1990, Teens Alone has helped more than five thousand of the city of Hopkins’ teens and their families. Teens Alone believes that unaddressed personal issues such as family and school conflicts can lead to dropping
out of school and homelessness. Because of this belief, Teens Alone is committed to helping teens across the Twin Cities by providing free professional counseling and a host home program. “Teens Alone doesn’t judge. We aren’t there to tell people how to behave. I see it as being a second pair of eyes. I tell kids that they do have strength and are doing so much, even though there isn’t that much support,” Nutter said. Ms. Shanna Jadwin, HHS guidance counselor, believes that Teens Alone is a phenomenal resource. “I think that we are incredibly lucky to have that resource available free of charge to our students, and I am personally very grateful that we can give [this program] to our kids,” said Jadwin. “On average, there are about 4000 students that are homeless in the metro area. Teens Alone defines homelessness not just as kids living on the streets, but as kids that are hopping from couch to couch because the situation at home isn’t so great. [Teens Alone also defines homelessness as] kids staying in a place that is only temporary. That’s why we make [housing at The 915] all-inclusive,” Nutter said. At HHS, Lisa Ashley, social worker, is also the Project Focus advisor, a club whose mission is based around teen homeless-
infographic by Randy Marchione
ness. Ashley believes that a positive school environment can be one of the few constants in a homeless teen’s life. “There are support staff here that can help. [Homeless teens] can get meals and they can get fed. They can even get clothing,” Ashley said. Ashley added that every year Project Focus reaches out to people who were willing to donate basic amenities such as clothing and bottled water. Once the donations are collected, they are put in Ziploc bags which are then distributed to the homeless. Alexis Dorfman, Ellie Maag and Katie Dorsher, seniors, are the student leaders of Project Focus. Dorfman believes that
though teen homelessness can be a hard topic to talk about, it’s important that the word gets out there. “What if it was you or someone you knew that was homeless? It would seem more important to you then. That’s why Project Focus works [to help] the homeless. Even with a small group of people, we believe we can make a difference in our community,” Dorfman said. Dorfman acknowledged another project that Project Focus had done in the past regarding teen homelessness. “We did a book drive for [homeless] teens at the beginning of the year. We collected a ton of books that are for teens that could use for school or just
wanted to read for fun. We’re planning on giving away the books to an organization who focuses on homeless teens, [like Teens Alone],” said Dorfman. While Project Focus and similar service projects provide basic amenities for many homeless people in the West Metro, The 915 is designed specifically to go beyond the necessities, and provide free counseling and housing for homeless teens. Nutter explain that talking with teens and learning about their lives is the best way to improve a homeless teen’s situation. “Basically, I get to know the student and explain my role, which is to talk with them and kick around some ideas. I also work with families where the
teens feel like they’re not being heard,” Nutter said. “I talk to parents and find out that they also feel like they’re not being heard. Then, I mediate discussions and [eventually both parties] realize that they care about each other.” Jadwin credits Teens Alone counselors like Nutter for being able to talk with teens who are going through tough times. “High school can be a time where students are figuring out who they are. There is a lot about this transition that calls for support. Anyone can benefit from talking about their problems,” Jadwin said. Nutter hopes that teens who find refuge in Teens Alone don’t feel obligated to owe him or the other counselors anything in return. “I get thank you so much, I owe you,’ but [Teens Alone] is here to help you. I can speak for all the counselors at Teens Alone when I say we love doing what we’re doing,” Nutter said. Because of his past, working with homeless youth is especially rewarding for Nutter. “I grew up with hardships in my life, and I didn’t really have a lot of people that I could talk to about it. Knowing that there are people like me that are helping teens through some of the same hardships that I had is a great. Knowing I could be changing someone’s life is the best part of the job,” Nutter said.
Heroin growing concern for Boost TASC new opportunity Hopkins community members Students attend presentations by local community by Hillary Donovan Sports Editor On Wednesday, Oct. 15, the police and citizens of Hopkins and Minnetonka met at the Hopkins Center for the Arts to discuss the rising issue of heroin in Hennepin County. In 2008, Hennepin County had six deaths caused by heroin overdose. In 2012, the number rose to 37, and again to 56 in 2013. So far in 2014, there have been 39 deaths attributed to heroin. Two of the 56 recorded deaths occurred in Hopkins, with the same amount in Minnetonka. Eight overdoses of heroin that did not result in death were recorded in Hopkins as well. This indicates an obvious rise in addiction throughout Hennepin County. With 225 heroin-related arrests in Hennepin County alone, the police and members of the community are worried. “[The police] are doing as much enforcement and education [about heroin overdoses] as we can. We are trying to get people aware of what is going on. We want people to know the signs of an overdose and call the police if they are concerned. People don’t know that we won’t
pursue them if they call the police about an overdose for their friend,” said Renee Meuwissen, detective. “They are too worried that we will go after them for substance abuse. [The police] doesn’t want the friend, we want the dealer.” Recently, eight people were arrested in Minneapolis for dealing heroin across the Twin Cities. One of the dealers arrested was an HHS alumni. Dan Moren, Assistant Special Agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Twin Cities office, has found that since arresting these eight individuals, the police have eliminated $1.6 million in annual drug proceeds. “This is an issue not in our community but all over the state,” said Hopkins Police Chief Mike Reynolds. The police have found that heroin is being brought up from Mexico and sent into Chicago by the Mexican drug cartel. From Chicago, the drugs are transported to Minnesota. Lately, what used to be a high demand in prescription drugs has transferred to heroin. Police authorities have noticed that since prescription drugs have become more expensive and harder to get ahold of, addicts have moved onto the
cheaper alternatives. “Heroin has become cheap. It’s easier to get than the prescription pills, and it’s stronger. People turn to the streets once they can’t steal pills their parent’s cabinet anymore,” Meuwissen said. According to the police, prescription drug use has gone down along with the availability of the pills. At almost every police station in Hennepin County, there is a designated bin to place prescriptions that were not fully used. One of the two deaths attributed to substance overdose that occurred in Hopkins in the past year was of a 72-yearold man. The man was addicted to his prescription pills. Once he could not get ahold of them anymore, he turned to heroin, which ultimately ended his life. “It is not just a young person’s drug anymore. People are dying the first time they try heroin. It has become a glamorized drug, and people don’t know how strong it really is,” Meuwissen said. “It isn’t the same drug from the woodstock era, it is stronger. We are doing everything we can to stop the spreading. We know we can’t eliminate it altogether, but we can corral it.”
members during TASC time to extend their learning by Isabel Hall Staff Reporter
Students who are caught up in their studies, interested in extending their learning, and are looking for an opportunity to network with local community members, now have the option to attend Boost TASC. Boost TASC is a new opportunity for students that will take place at HHS this school year approximately once per quarter during Thursday TASC. Mr. Rick Rexroth, Social Studies, is not only a teacher at HHS but also an advanced studies committee coordinator along with Mr. John Sammler, Science. As part of the Advanced Studies commitee, Rexroth identifies ways to aid students in their studies, whether they are students who are not coming to school and failing their classes, or want to exceed and take PSEO. “This year, Sammler and I were challenged with what we could do with TASC beyond what it’s already doing. TASC is a place to make up tests, get help, retrieve information from teachers, and sit down with teachers one-on-one. Students who have their act together
want time to meet with their basketball team or with their National Honor Society. We kept students from doing that because we don’t want to pull kids from the academic piece,” Rexroth said. Rexroth wanted to create more valuable academic opportunities for students. Rexroth came up with Boost TASC, an alternative TASC environment for advanced students. “The idea behind Boost TASC is to provide speakers and presentations that can provide valuable information to students now and when students leave this building. Boost TASC will provide opportunities to see extension speakers and bring in real people from the real world who do real things,” Rexroth said. The criteria to attend the presentations include grades of Bs or better in all classes of the term and good attendance. The first Boost Tasc took place on Oct. 23. The guest speaker was Greta Grosch who is a local performer, writer, and a corporate trainer. Grosch talked about how to make the most out of your own skill set. She also talked about the positives and negatives about being an
entrepreneur. “I enjoyed having something to do during TASC instead of just wasting time. I look forward to having different speakers who have been successful in different areas of life,”said Nathan Schmid, senior. Rexroth hopes that Boost TASC will allow students to receive real information relating to their skills and career interests. “We are all good at something, so we have to find a way to use what we are good at, but then also discover what it is we want to learn,” Rexroth said.
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Opportunities offered by the Media Center
Do students use all of the resources provided by the Media Center, especially their books? by Gannon Youakim Opinion Editor Walking into the HHS Media Center, I survey my environment. I notice media staff hard at work, a multitude of technology, and shelves upon shelves of books. Most of all, I notice a fountain of resources waiting to be used. What an amazing gift. The Media Center has grown into a palace of knowledge that can be accessed by any student or faculty member. It contains books, e-books, desktop computers, laptop computers, databases, and a host of other tools practically begging to be used. Despite its versatility, most students probably do not notice this boon. Yeah, yeah, a library. We all know what that is, we grew up with one. Students might know what a library is, but do they know what it does? More specifically, do they know what ours does for us? Ms. Victoria Wilson, library media specialist, described the library as a place where students can get the resources they need, when they need them. “It’s very important for a library to be not only bricks and mortar, like a place to walk into, but also digital. If you can’t be here, you can still get the resources,” Wilson said. The Media Center fulfills this mantra in many ways. They
have computer labs and media carts available at school, and laptops available to be taken home. It is even possible to check out Wi-Fi hotspots if you need Internet access. The Media Center’s technology allows access to one of their greatest assets: online resources. These consist of databases and research e-books that students can use to obtain information on a variety of topics whenever they want. I do not think that the Media Center is completely acknowledged by the student body. We walk by it every day when we cross the mall, ignorant of the institution that can bridge the gap between our lives at home and at school. The problem lies in the fact that there are not many ways to inform students about what the Media Center offers. “I don’t have a way to say things to kids other than when they come in here. I don’t have a pulpit or anything,” Wilson said. It is pitiful that it is so hard to inform students of the Media Center’s multiple commodities. All it takes is a stop and a few questions to make this discovery. Students may even become aware of all the books the Media Center has. As of September, the Media Center has 10,271 books, with 182 added just that month. Not only is it easy to just stop by and
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Media Center Resource Usage 16,009
10,271: Total number of books in the library
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Total Fiction Checkouts 2,380
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pick one up, but students can also check whether the books they want are available. If the Media Center does not have the book you want, they will get it for you. On the HHS webpage, under the Media Center section, there is a hot link that allows you to request a book. Click it and fill out the information on your book. Your book will be purchased, shipped to the Media Center, then hand delivered to you. “You’re the first person that gets to read it because you’re the first person that gets it into the school collection. I have a Google document I share with Barnes and Noble,” Wilson said. “I put in what we want, and the
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Total Book Checkouts
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Barnes and Noble representative at Ridgehaven looks at it, fills [the order], I either pick it up or he drops it off, we process it, look up the kid’s schedule in Infinite Campus, and deliver the book.” Reading is at the top of my list for things to do in my free time, so you can imagine my disappointment when I only learned of this outstanding service as a Senior. I hope that all of my peers take advantage of it to make up for all the times I have missed out. But what if my fellow students do not use the book request system? And, subsequently, what if it’s because they don’t want books? What if the whole reason the Media Center is left
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on the wayside is because students aren’t reading? Then students are underestimating the value of reading, especially where it will benefit them educationally. According to Ms. Dawn Hansen, Reading and National Honors Society advisor, it is a staple of life. “All academic study, whether it is on a computer or in a book, requires reading. It’s a survival skill,” Hansen said. Hansen teaches a reading class called Response to Intervention. It focuses on improving the reading skills of students so they can have a successful career in school and wherever they go after. As part of her (RTI) class, Hansen requires students to
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read one book a month. “Everyone who has made it, or has been successful [in anything], has put in at least 10,000 hours of practice. We try to show the kids that you are going to get better if you take the time,” Hansen said. I agree with Hansen. I have been a successful student so far in my high school career, and I recognize how copious amounts of reading have impacted my success. You read faster, you understand vocabulary words from memory or context, and you can identify themes more quickly. This story is not over! Go see the rest at hopkinsrp.org and visit our other content while you are at it.
Against gender devaluation Promoting equality by removing disparities between genders by Lucy Pierro Staff Reporter Growing up as the only girl living in a house full of boys, I found myself being handed a cape more often than a Barbie doll, and frankly, that’s something I’m grateful for. Because my mother lived in Mexico from the time I was four years old, until she passed away almost two years ago, I realized at a significantly young age that I would have to fend for myself as a girl trying to find my identity as a woman. Females enter the world labeled as a dependent. Yet, women give life while men are allowed the advantages. If a female challenges this label, it’s regarded as absurd that she even put forth the effort. The only significant change that has been made in this situation since women were given the right to vote in 1920 was when the U.S. Supreme Court had a spark of realization that sexual harassment should probably be illegal within the workplace just because a woman finally decided to form a case against it. Too often, we forget that we are solely human. Since we all have the right to vote, it sounds funny to say: ‘You’re a human and so are you, but only one of you
is allowed to vote until another human challenges this decision.’ Still today, though, two humans can perform the same job, and as soon as the human’s gender is revealed, it is considered reasonable to pay a female less. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2012 women 35 years and older were paid 75 to 78 percent of the earnings of their male counterparts. However, I have yet to meet a man who is uncomfortable being paid equal to his female counterparts. As a child, I viewed gender discrimination as a sort of inevitable consequence that came with life, something I was obligated to deal with. I never anticipated that this discrimination would become more frequent and more visible until I entered the workforce at 16 years old. This summer, I overheard my co-worker at Interlachen Country Club complaining about working with me because I was “too boring” and “not as fun” as our other male co-workers. Amazed that this came from my 30-year-old superior, I laughed, sarcastically said thanks, and walked away while my manager defended me. What shocked me even more, though, was after work that day when I told my brother, who also works with the captain server, about
this, he paused and said; “It’s just because you’re a girl.” As a woman in the workforce, I have found more people who doubt my abilities due to my gender than those who doubt my work ethic. Emma Watson, actress and United Nations (UN) Goodwill Ambassador, helped launch a new campaign on Sept. 20th , 2014 called HeForShe. The movement intends to involve as many men as possible to aid in finding a solution for the long-standing issue of gender inequality. Watson introduced HeForShe with a speech that went viral just minutes after being given. This movement is certainly a step in the right direction, demonstrating how gender equality affects all people, whether it’s socially, economically or politically. Being the first world-wide organization to engage in the fight for equality within each sex, the UN has gained approximately 183,848 males who have submitted an online agreement to uphold the integrity of this campaign. The HeForShe website addresses that this is a problem within humans, not gender: “The movement for gender equality was originally conceived as a struggle led only by women, for women. Now it’s time to unify our efforts.”
opinion5
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RPTuesday, November 4, 2014
Beyond statistics, scores, stardom by Madeline Martodam Opinion Editor Never have I been the first one to cross a finish line, score an impressive number of goals, or been the team’s MVP. In the world we live in, being average doesn’t earn you the attention and admiration that comes with being a top performer. We tend to focus on the greats, but infrequently shed light on the experiences in which the majority of athletes endure. Yes, I’m a three-sport athlete, but not a future Olympian. I participate in sports because the value of being on a team is unbeatable. A study was conducted by the Livestrong Foundation, an organization that provides support for people affected by cancer. Results showed that students who participated in sports scored 30 percent higher on standardized tests than those who did not. I’m proud to say I get to compete alongside some of the most academically advanced students in the building. The
Lake Conference is renowned for being home to many of the top-performing student athletes in the state. Brad Van Tatenhove, junior, believes you don’t have to be the best to redeem important qualities from sports. “Being involved in sports has given me a time to think freely and just be in my own world,” Van Tatenhove said. Teams have become a second family for me. If you add together the countless hours of sweaty hard work put in by athletes and coaches, you begin to realize that during the season you probably see your team more than you see your actual family. “I’ve met some of my best friends on the cross-country team. I don’t think I would be such great friends with them if I hadn’t joined because that’s where I got to know them. Even if we don’t have anything else in common, we have that together,” said Dominique Brown, senior. It is my fourth year running cross-country with Dominique and I can personally attest to the fact you get to know your
Plenty to be proud of The staff editorial represents the viewpoint of the Royal Page. One day at a time, HHS is becoming an elite institution. Over the last few years, HHS has experienced growth academically, athletically, and extracurricularly. HHS students have a lot to be proud of. Beginning in the classroom, HHS proficiency rates in math, science, and reading have increased dramatically since 2010. In 2010, the Minn. Department of Education reported that HHS proficiency rates similar to those of Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, a school with a coinciding demographic. In the last four years, HHS proficiency rates have increased while Armstrong’s have declined. The proficiency increase is a testament to the strong work ethic of both students and teachers. In 2014, HHS had eight National Merit Semifinalists. To put this in perspective, in the past two years, HHS has had zero Semifinalists in 2013 and three in 2012. Eight semifinalists is an extremely competitive number compared to other schools in the metro. For example, The Blake School, a respected Independent school, which requires a tuition to attend, had only three more National Merit Semifinalists than HHS this year. The 2014 HHS athletic season is also off to a noteworthy start. The boys cross country team placed second in the state tournament, and the girls soccer team qualified for
state for the first time ever. The boys soccer team had its best record since 2007. The football team went 3-1 in, and placed second in, the Lake Conference this regular season. They then lost to Lakeville North in the section 6A final, one step away from s state tournament appearance. One of their most notable wins came against Wayzata, a team HHS hasn’t defeated in 15 years. With the winter and spring seasons still to come, HHS will have even more to cheer about. From 2010 to 2014, HHS has seen a dramatic increase in the participation and creation of student extracurriculars. Students are founding clubs at record speed, and achieving significant turnouts. School sanctioned clubs, HHS National Honors Society, and DECA clubs each have over 100 members. Four years ago, DECA had a mere 30 members. Students are also creating their own clubs, such as a branch of the popular Model U.N., a unique MN Nice celebration club, a She’s the First chapter, and a Technology Club. Other students are volunteering their time during TASC to tutor fellow students. Driven by both academics and a spirit of charity, the students of HHS are becoming increasingly proactive. HHS students should beam with pride over the accomplishments they have achieved in the last few years. It is a great time to be a Royal. Let us all strive to make the future years of HHS a success as well.
teammates on an unprecedented level. The opportunity to meet those you may not typically associate with is great preparation for the future as you’ll be meeting people from all different backgrounds. Although at times it can be difficult, one learns how to work with others even when you don’t share many similarities. In both cross country and lacrosse, the coaches require each athlete to set personal goals. This has proven beneficial as it gives you certain things to pinpoint and work towards. It is amazing to see how a team can evolve due to focus on a specific area that could be improved. There is always room to improve no matter what level you play at. One of the most rewarding experiences I’ve encountered is when I obtained my personal record on one of the most difficult cross-country courses. It was a true testament to the training I put in, making me appreciate the hard workouts I barely survived. “Setting goals does not only benefit me personally, but also the team as a whole,” Van Taten-
Royal Inquisition: Athletics
Alex Kim Junior
Maddi Gelhar Junior
Morgan Holmes Sophomore
What sport(s) are you in? Football and ultimate.
What sport(s) are you in? Volleyball.
What sport(s) are you in? Football, hockey, and baseball.
What’s it like to be on a team? They’re a family you can lean on.
What’s it like to be on a team? You get to be a part of something bigger than yourself.
What’s it like to be on a team? Lots of commitment, but the team is very supportive.
Most rewarding experience? Winning a close game.
Most rewarding experience? Winning our section for baseball. Interviews by Samantha Ostenso
it. From crazy dress up days for spirit, to pasta parties, to team bonfires and outings, to achieving things you never thought possible, the unity I’ve felt from being a part of a team is an experience I will always value. “I’ve met so many new people and have become good friends with them. Working together is what makes the team
strong and tough to beat,” Van Tatenhove said. I am thankful for my opportunities to participate in both individual and team sports. Although the experiences differ, I have taken lots away from each. I would encourage anyone to join a sport because it truly is rewarding regardless of where you rank.
Most rewarding experience? Beating Wayzata in football this year.
hove said. Personal accountability on a team is very important. When you hold yourself to the highest of standards, you demonstrate you are prepared to pursue a collective goal with your team. Certain sports are more about personal victory, but the sense of community teammates bring can definitely make up for
No longer rocking the vote
Does the lack of presence at the polls foreshadow our generation’s disengagement in future elections? Aspiring politician shares his views on the importance of America’s participation in politics by Nate Pasko Editor in Chief According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only about 41 percent of U.S. citizens aged 18-24 voted in the 2012 Presidential election. I find this level of engagement ridiculous. Though our country’s two-step process of separately registering and then voting is impractical when compared to other countries (some, like Denmark and Norway, keep a national register of identification numbers that are automatically assigned when a citizen becomes eligible to vote) and should be streamlined, voting in this country is the easiest and most direct way to make your voice heard on the federal, state, and local level. It is very important that we, as high school students, are involved in the affairs of this country and that we take advantage of our right to vote. This is especially true given this year’s elections. It is not a Presidential election year, which means that voter interest and participation will drop sharply (by about 15 percent, according to the Census Bureau), especially among youth. We are currently at the age in which the decision is made between participating in the affairs of this country or remaining disconnected and disinterested. Many of us are unhappy with the current state of affairs in American politics, and if we want this state to improve in our lifetimes, now is the time to get involved and start making plans for America’s future.
To those who question the value of voting at all, in either Presidential, Congressional, or state and local elections, I ask that you consider the following information. Many believe voting in a Presidential election means nothing because the Electoral College - the institution consisting of 538 electors that officially elects the President and VicePresident - holds the real power to decide the outcome, but it does not. 48 of the 50 states give all their electoral votes to the candidate who wins their statewide election (the other two states, Maine and Nebraska, allocate their electoral votes based on the election results in each congressional district). This direct correlation between statewide election results and the Electoral College means that each vote is undoubtedly important. There is also value in participating in federal congressional elections, as they can be extremely close. For example, Minn. Senator Al Franken won by only 312 votes in 2008. As a federal Senator, Franken’s constituency is massive, and his small margin of victory illustrates the importance of each vote. Local and state races are often won by the slimmest margins imaginable. For example, Minn. State Representative Yvonne Selcer of District 48A won by only 202 votes in 2012. The decisions made by local and state officials have swift and noticeable effects on our lives, and they can be easily contacted and are willing to focus on what we
want them to change or improve. It would be simply foolish to ignore your right to vote in a local or state race. Don’t misunderstand me - I do harbor some of the same feelings of disgust and indifference concerning American politics held by a large portion of the public. In my opinion, our country’s two-party, winner-take-all system is a massive problem. The two major parties are becoming increasingly polarized as much of the public becomes more moderate and centrist, which means that a vast number of American citizens no longer feel that their interests are being represented by their elected officials. I am just as disappointed as anyone that the two major parties seem to care more about disagreeing with and beating each other than they do about making sure our country is being run the way it deserves to be. However, I am also disappointed with the lack of respect held for elected officials by much of America. Most politicians run for office with noble intent and independent ideals that are later corrupted by party leaders who force them to vote along party lines or risk a lack of support, both monetarily and otherwise, in the next election cycle. Regardless of their party affiliation, race, age, gender, or socioeconomic status, elected officials are responsible for the operations of this country and deserve the respect those responsibilities entail. This lack of respect for politicians translates into a general
Voter turnout
59%
percentage in the U.S. in 2012. This was a four-percent drop from 2008’s 63%. Voter turnout in 2010 (a
42%
non-Presidential election year). This was a onepercent increase from 2006. Minnesota’s voter turnout in 2012. This was the
in the nation and 76.1% best three percent higher than the next-closest state, Wisconsin. infographic by Nate Pasko
dislike of politics and is yet another reason many citizens choose to not vote. It is certainly a good thing that Minnesota consistently ranks at or near the top of all 50 states in voter turnout, and I appreciate growing up in a state in which many citizens feel as strongly about the value of political participation as I do. Still, only about 76 percent of eligible Minnesotans voted in the 2012 elections. It is very discouraging when a voting rate of threefourths is the best in the country. So, my challenge to readers who were 18 years of age by Voting Day - yesterday, Nov. 4 - or will be 18 by the next election: instead of complaining on Twitter about issues that concern you, actually pay attention to a politician’s tweets or watch a political advertisement without tuning out within the first three seconds. You may learn something, and you may be motivated to make your voice heard.
Sex Ed th s nin ted n i k p i f Ho graders c od o t n perce leventh- NE meth cy n e and trol as O t pregna ad con even ey h birth sed to pr t time th o the t u s the la according ent sex nn. Stud 013. Mi ey in 2 Sur v
18
I
n health class, HHS teachers are clear: abstinence is the only 100 percent way to protect against pregnancy and STDs. However, they are equally cler about the pros and cons of condoms, birth control, and other methods used to practice safe sex. “Being educated gives people power to make choices,” said Ms. Jane Kleinman, Health Sciences. “We would call [the HHS health curriculum] abstinence-based and within that we stand at saying abstinence is your best choice at this time in your life, for physical and emotional reasons. However, we feel it's important that you have the information.” Giving high school youth this information is not a nationwide mandate. ABC News reported that 23 percent of sexual education is abstinence-only, meaning that anything other than abstinence is taught negatively. In addition, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, as of July 1, 2014, only 22 states and the District of Columbia require that public schools teach sex education at all. Because HHS health curriculum includes information about condoms and contraception, it is considered “comprehensive.” Kleinman believes that it is necessary for students to receive information about sexual
health in the classroom. “[Health class] is one of the few opportunities our students have in life where they're going to be sitting with knowledgeable adults having these conversations in a comfortable way, without judgement,” Kleinman said. Teaming up with the HHS Health Sciences Department is myHealth, a Hopkins-based non-profit organization that provides basic and reproductive health care, education, and mental health counseling. myHealth gives educational presentations in over 120 locations and 68 schools, among them the St. Louis Park, Edina, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie school districts. myHealth Community Education Program Manager Nina Jonson echoes Kleinman’s sentiment of the power of knowing the facts. “Simply put, comprehensive sexuality education is prevention. Young people who are educated and equipped with all the tools and information that they need to make healthy decisions are more likely to do so,” Jonson said. Katie Donovan, sophomore, is a part of the 13-person Youth Advisory Board (YAB) made up of 15-19 year-olds at myHealth. The YAB has helped her realize the importance of being knowledgeable and comfortable with talking about sex. “[During a YAB activity] we had to write down our least favorite chore, but then replace the chore with the word sex. We just try to break down those awkward things that would happen to make them comfortable,” Donovan said. To Donovan, myHealth is a valuable resource to have in addition to HHS health class.
“Health class, for a lot of peopl kind of like ‘Oh, gosh, we talke this today,’ but none of that actua pens. They give you certain situati wouldn’t really happen, but it’s pa job to to inform [myHealth] of wh happens. They do know what ever is, they know what you’re going they know how to approach it,” D said. The only Lake Conference sch Health does not do presentations at netonka High School (MHS). A students do not have a health class schedule. Instead, students are pu of their core classes approximately a year for an “embedded” health p according to Sydney Wicklackz, s MHS. myHealth presented at MHS y but due to community backlash ag comprehensive lessons, they no lo However, myHealth is still listed as health resource in the MHS studen book. Wicklackz has experience with conservative curriculum, but feels l as a senior, she has received adequa health information from her schoo “In middle school they seemed abstinence instead of protection m My teacher made it seem like anyt abstinence was wrong. However, school, my teachers seemed to ac fact that many students do have will do so no matter what they te are taught how each birth control works and why it works,” Wicklack HHS health teachers have enco problems at the junior high level, a “We really wanted condom dem tions to be in ninth grade so that some focus on male responsibility not all up to the females- and we th information is important,” Kleinm “The principals were concerned ab so what we ended up doing is creati ter that goes out to all the parents them we do a condom demonstra how it works so that parents hav information and they can choose to alternative.” When the letter was sent, Klein timated that only about 1 percent o chose to have their students opt ou
ucation Teen Preg na
ncy Rates
The way sexual health education is taught in high schools varies by community and state. HHS teaches it differently than Minnetonka High School, and Minn. teaches it differently than Texas. For this piece, the Royal Page discovered what information HHS gives its students that other comparable schools may not.
in the U.S
.
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Today, at MHS, the biggest problem Wicklackz has is with the embedded health program. “I think the best way to improve how Minnetonka teaches sexual health would be to eliminate embedded health and require it as a credit to graduate,” Wicklackz said. “This would allow us to spend more time on important topics such as sexual health.” Jonson believes that an in-class health setting is preferable, too. “Comprehensive sexuality education validates and values all young people, making the classroom a safe, inclusive space to learn about real-life topics in a way that is applicable to each student, from all backgrounds, life experiences, and value systems,” Jonson said. It also gives students a different viewpoint compared to the information that Kleinman believes students absorb from outside sources. "[HHS students] are seeing [graphic images on the internet], and I don't think parents who are from my generation realize what you know,” Kleinman said. By Callan Showers, Danielle Fogelson and Alex Felemovicius, Editor in Chief, Feature Editor, and CSpread Editor of the Royal Page
The last time you had sexual intercourse, did you or your partner use a condom?
81
percent of Hopkins ninth and eleventh graders answered yes (compared to 65 percent in Minn.) according to the Minn. Student Survey in 2013.
The Royal Page 2014-2015
Editors in Chief Nate Pasko Callan Showers
Front Page Editor Claire Benton
Design Editor in Chief Alex Felemovicius
News Editor Brit Stein
RPWednesday, November 5, 2014
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8 feature
New record store hits Hopkins by Anne Goodroad Staff Reporter HHS music lovers have a new hangout. Mill City Sound, a new record store, made its way into downtown Hopkins on Aug. 30. Rob Sheeley, owner of Mill City Sound, has wanted to own a record store for most of his life. Sheeley’s personal collection contains around 40,000 records.
“I grew up going to record stores, and then they started to disappear. At one point, Hopkins had three record stores, and now Hopkins just has [my store],” Sheeley said. Sheeley had a lifelong goal of becoming a musician, but a career in musical electronics became a better fit. “I was a musician a long, long time ago, but I wasn’t very good - I just didn’t want to practice,”
Opinion Editors
Madeline Martodam Gannon Youakim
Feature Editors Danielle Fogelson Andrew Zhou
Sports Editor Hillary Donovan
Photo Editor Sam Ostenso
Infographic Editor
Isabella Weisman
Business Editors
Mill City Sound, located in downtown Hopkins, contains a wide variety of music. The store opened on Aug. 30, 2014. photo by Sam Ostenso
by Molly Abbott Ladner Staff Reporter
Web Editors in Chief
Usually, headaches come and go within a few hours. This was not the case for Terese Warden, senior. For two weeks, Warden suffered from constant, worsening headaches. One day, the left side of her body went numb, and her vision became blurred. Warden’s doctor recommended that she get an MRI, a procedure involving a machine that uses radio waves and a magnetic field to scan her head, as a precautionary measure. Warden was pulled out of the MRI early and sent to the emergency room because the doctor found fluid in her brain. “Initially, I was really scared,” Warden said. “When they pulled me out of the MRI and told me something was wrong, I started freaking out. But when I came to grips with what was happening, I just tried to calm myself down.” Warden had to undergo a craniotomy, which is a surgery that involved opening her skull in order to operate. “She had an arachnoid cyst on the inside of her skull, and it was pressing against her brain, causing bleeding,” said Sophie Holm, senior. “They cut off all
Staff Reporters
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Mr. Kocur The editorial represtents the opinion of the newspaper staff. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the administration, the student body or the adviser. Signed viewpoints represent the view of the writer. The Royal Page operates as an open forum student publication, and student editors make editorial decisions regarding content. Advertising information available by mail, fax and phone Annual Subscriptions are available for $20. The Royal Page encourages letters to the editor. Letters are not guaranteed publication, are subject to editing for content and length, must be signed and meet deadlines. Compliments and suggestions are also welcome.
Sheeley said. Mill City Sound has a partnership with 89.3 The Current, one of Minnesota Public Radio’s music stations. The Chart Show is designed by voters who pick their top five tracks of that week, and most of the music played during Mark Wheat’s Chart Show is distributed at Sheeley’s record store. Mill City Sound features alternative rock, pop, and oldies style records, as well as a variety of other music. “I am just as likely to play Atmosphere as I am The Beatles as I am the Black Keys. It’s hard right now because music has so many diverse categories,” Sheeley said. “I still can’t get into Kanye West, but there is a lot of stuff I do like; Alt-J, Atmosphere, The Strikes, Arctic Monkeys, and a lot of local hiphop is pretty good.” No matter what Sheeley listens to, he believes music is a sentimental custom.
“Listening to music is really an analog experience. There is something about holding a record cover, opening it up, looking at this big disc, putting it down, and playing it. There is a whole romance to vinyl that doesn’t exist with a digital file,” Sheeley said. Sheeley believes that vinyl is more than something to listen to. “There is a whole experience with the idea of a record. Once you get into it, it’s fun, and it’s one of those things that you have forever,” Sheeley said. This record store is Sheeley’s retirement job and fourth company. Sheeley has enjoyed his line of work through it all. “To be honest, I’m not in it for the money. If I wanted to make money, I would probably do a thousand other things than sell records,” Sheeley said. “My advice to everybody is find out what you want to do and do it because that’s what you’ll do best.”
Warden feels support after brain surgery
Jacob Ungerman Brian Yu
Bradley Kaplan Ellie Maag
Sheeley said. “One day, I came into practice, and the lead singer of the band put a hand on my shoulder and said ‘Rob, I really think we need a sound guy.’ He meant it was time for me to leave the bass guitar, and that’s how I got into electronics. It turned out to be a good thing, but at the time, it was devastating.” While most record stores focus on just records, Mill City Sound specializes in stereo equipment as well. Vinyl sales grew 40 percent across the country during 2013 and are still growing, according to the Alternative Press website. People who listen to records are realizing how important sound systems are in making music sound more authentic. “When you get into audio and you listen to a live performance, you say ‘Wow, this doesn’t sound anything like what I just heard live.’ People want to start hearing what it should actually sound like,”
Left: Bit Klecker, sophomore, Terese Warden, senior, and Renae Anderson, sophomore, cheer on the cross country team at the sections meet. This was one of the first events Warden attended after her surgery. Right: Warden cuts off most of her hair before her craniotomy surgery. She donated the hair afterwards, which will be used to make wigs for children in need. photos provided by Terese Warden
of her skin and pulled half of it back, then cut into her skull. They had to drain out [the bleeding in her brain] too.” Once the surgeon was done operating on her head, her skull was sealed with a titanium plate, leaving 55 staples that wrapped around her head. This was not only a nervewracking situation for Warden, but for her friends and family as well. “I remember my mom woke me up for school on Tuesday morning and said, ‘Terese is in the hospital’. I burst into tears immediately. She’s my best
friend,” said Holm. If Warden hadn’t gone to the doctor when she did, she might have suffered a stroke or paralysis. Although Warden’s situation was tough, she stays light-hearted about her recent surgery. “She’s just like, ‘alright, it happened. I just had brain surgery, no biggie. I’m just going to live my life,’” Holm said. In order to operate, the doctor had to shave her head. Holm and another one of Warden’s friends both had the exact same response when they found out. “We told her we would
shave our heads if she wanted us to,” Holm said. “Yes, I like my hair, but at the same time, Terese means more to me than what people think of my hair.” Warden decided it would be best to donate her hair. “The doctor was going to shave half my head, so to make the process less difficult, I decided I should chop [my hair] off beforehand and donate it,” Warden said. “It was really hard for me, but it was the right choice.” Being patient with the recovery is the most difficult part for Warden. “I had to stop running and
attending school, and that was hard for me,” Warden said. “My mom had to be with me all the time because the medications make me a little unstable.” However, many people reached out to help make the recovery process a little easier. “Leading up to it, my boss and coaches were very understanding when I wasn’t feeling 100 percent,” Warden said. “I had many friends and family come and visit. I received cards, care packages, and flowers.”
Students find community, stability in Buddhism Continued from page 1 Dinh believes that, despite the overall accepting nature of HHS, some students unfairly judge other Buddhist students. “A lot of people are quick to judge. It helps you fit in if you act American. You don’t talk about other religions,” Dinh said. “Occasionally, you’ll find a
person saying that your religion is not a religion. It’s a way of thinking or you’re worshipping an idol. That’s different with Buddhism. We respect everyone else’s religion.” After being confirmed, Bach was assigned a personal monk named Thay Phap Hoa. She is in contact with him often and has gone to him with many of
her personal troubles. “I can tell him anything if I want to. He helped me when my grandpa passed away. I went to the temple, and I just talked to him about it, and he gave me really good advice,” Bach said. Religion is very central to the lives of both Bach and Dinh, and they practice many different traditions, often on holidays.
“On [holidays], we’re very superstitious. On certain days, you can’t wear dirty clothes, and you can’t sweep the house,” Dinh said. Additionally, they must follow a certain set of beliefs that color their actions and the way they live their lives. “[In my temple], you have to make five promises. No killing,
no lying, no stealing or being addicted to drugs, and no [sexual misconduct],” Bach said. “I have to watch what I say.” Bach plans to remain devout in the future and is glad for the acceptance that has already been shown to her. “Hopkins is really accepting. We are very diverse, and I find that very awesome.”
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RPWednesday, November 5, 2014
Nature is Krietzman’s classroom at Conserve by Claire Benton Front Page Editor Some mornings, her professors decide to cancel class for an impromptu canoe trip. Others, her classroom itself is a canoe, deep in the woods of northern Wis. Every day at Conserve School is an adventure for Ruby Krietzman, junior. “We are always outside. We’re always learning through the nature, and we’re always doing something hands-on,” Krietzman said. Last fall, Krietzman applied to Conserve School, a semester school designed for environmentally- and outdoor-minded high school students. Each semester, the school takes 60 sophomores and juniors from all over the U.S. and several other countries around the world. Despite missing two quarters at HHS, Krietzman is still receiving normal class credits. She will return to HHS and start second semester with a regular schedule. Beth Krietzman, Ruby’s mother, visited Ruby recently over Parents’ Weekend and witnessed a day in the life of Conserve. “The only difference [between classes at Conserve and HHS] is you go outside, and
Ruby Krietzman, junior, canoes during one of her daily classes. This is one of the many activities at Conserve School that defies a traditional classroom setting. photo provided by Ruby Krietzman
you sit around a campfire at Conserve,” Beth said. “The difference is you’re outside. You’re still being educated the way you would in a normal high school.” Ruby’s classes include Field Instruction, History of Exploration, Wilderness Voices, and Stewardship. Many of Ruby’s courses are taught outside, deep in the forest of the 1,200-acre campus. “It’s so inspiring to be surrounded by a group of people who love the same things I do,“
Ruby said. “Here [at Conserve], everyone is so motivated to get outside and do adventurous things because we all love [nature] and spending our time outdoors.” Beth was impressed during her visit by the work she saw the students do and the large amount of responsibility given to them. “Not every kid could just go and leave and do that. I think about how hard it would be in high school to just leave your
friends, leave your sports, and live on your own like that,” Beth said. Two prominent features of the Conserve curriculum are Exploration Week and the three-day solo, a 72-hour period where students are sent far into the woods of campus to survive and camp on their own. At the beginning of Oct., Ruby and a team of seven students led by a teacher set off into the Sylvania Wilderness Area, also known as the Boundary Waters of Wis. It was their
Exploration Week. Teams applied the knowledge they had learned in classes to help them survive and understand the environment around them. “Exploration Week has made the most immense impact on my Conserve School experience so far,” Ruby said. “I loved being fully emerged in nature and spending time with my fellow classmates.” Ruby appreciates the ability to apply the knowledge learned in school to everyday life and
feels that Conserve gives her that opportunity unlike anywhere else. “We got the opportunity to go out and apply all this knowledge we learned to the real world, and that’s the difference between [Conserve] and HHS,” Ruby said. The thing that both Ruby and Beth are most impressed by is by the direction Conserve has aided its students in finding one’s passions and build a future with them. “Ruby said to me, right when I walked through the door [for Parents’ Weekend], ‘Mom, I know what I want to do now, and I know what I want to go to college for.’ That was the biggest thing to me, that she actually said that,” Beth said. Thanks to the Conserve program, 120 students like Ruby get to explore a different chapter of their lives every year. After finishing her education, Ruby hopes to help children find that same passion for the outdoors - as a camp director, an outdoor adventure leader, or a teacher, like those who have influenced her at Conserve. “I love everything about this place,” Ruby said. “I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. Now I know.”
Miller’s mission trip helps heal Haiti Royal of the Month by Liam Bronstein Staff Reporter While he would usually familiarize himself with a new school year and schedule, Ryan Miller, senior, took on a new country. Just two weeks into the new school year, Miller was one of 15 volunteers who took a trip to Haiti with Feed My Starving Children, a non-profit charity organization based in Coon
Rapids, to help distribute food and clean water. “The government and economy in Haiti isn’t substantial enough to support its population,” Miller said. “There are hardly any jobs, families are living in shacks, and they have very little food and water.” Due to the pressing need for aid in Haiti, Feed My Starving Children paired with Healing Haiti, another non-profit charity
organization, to send volunteers to Haiti to help out. “We spent most of the time handing out food and water. We also visited a few orphanages where we played with the children,” Miller said. Miller spent most of his time in rural communities and big cities like Cité Soleil, which is regarded by many as the poorest and most dangerous city in the Western Hemisphere.
Top: Ryan Miller, senior, interacts with children while visiting an orphanage on his mission trip to Haiti. Miller traveled there with 14 other volunteers last month through Feed My Starving Children. Bottom: Miller visits an elderly man during a mission trip to Haiti. He delivered water and food to many while he was there. photos provided by Ryan Miller
Cité Soleil is run by the country’s biggest gangs. The gang leaders don’t allow outsiders in or out of the city without their explicit permission. The head of coordination for Healing Haiti has an established relationship with the gangs, who agreed to let the trip into their city. “As long as we wore our Healing Haiti shirts and didn’t wear any jewelry or hats of any kind, we were safe to distribute water and meet with some of the locals,” Miller said. As a severely impoverished community of people with a population totalling almost half a million, food and water is extremely scarce. “They don’t have running water or food [in Cité Soleil] so we brought water to them.We couldn’t bring food because it would cause too much of a riot,” Miller said. Without a government or economy that is suitable for its inhabitants, Haiti continues to be a struggling third world country. Miller hopes to help establish a safer, healthier country in the Caribbean. “Coming out, I didn’t feel like I did anything. I was there for five days and then I was gone, but the only way Haiti is going to get any better is to spread the word,” Miller said. “When you tell people about Haiti and what you’ve done and seen there, more people will get involved and the support will continue to grow.”
Bill Atkins, senior
How does it feel to be the November Royal of the Month? It’s a great opportunity, and it’s cool to be recognized by teachers for my hard work in class. What’s your favorite class? Sociology, because it’s cool to know the reasons behind every thing and why people act the way they do. Which class pushed you the hardest? Spanish 5. What is your favorite thing about school? Coming to see my friends and being in this atmosphere. What are your plans for the future? I want to play football in college and study something sportsrelated.
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RPWednesday, November 5, 2014 10 sports Consistent top three finishes for mountain biking team by Croix JoliCoeur Staff Reporter Division one is a term typically associated with college athletics. However, the HHS mountain biking team brings this term to a high school setting. “We are a division one team, so we are rated at the top and there are 40 teams,” said Ms. Van Pilsum-Johnson, WJH science teacher. With this comes a lot of practice and time. During practice, the team bikes on average 15 miles. Starting at the high
school water tower, the team explores the Minneapolis area and finds places to bike to including Minnehaha Falls, Theodore Wirth Park, Lake Minnetonka, Stone Arch Bridge and many more destinations. With only 22 athletes, the mountain biking team is pretty small. Despite their size, the team has had no problem securing first or second-place finishes in four races this season. They ended the season placing second in state. “The size of our team greatly affects our team results, because it’s all based on a point system,
Left: Claire Dirnberger, senior, biking in River Falls, Wisc. Dirnberger placed ninth overall in the state meet. Right: Collin Maynard, sophomore, racing in the leader’s jersey. Maynard placed first in the state meet, and won four out of five races this season. Photos by Mindy Benton
and the more team members you have, the more potential points you have,” said Nate Latz, sophomore. Even though the team is small, Collin Maynard, sophomore, believes the team is talented regardless and will continue to grow. “The team is a good size, and it’s a fun amount of people. Hopefully we can get more people to join the team and continue to grow,” Maynard said. Carter Eng, senior captain, believes that both positives and negatives come with a smaller team. “There are pros and cons to it. There is a stronger community [with a smaller team], but if it was larger we would get more recognition,” Eng said. The team has traveled for races in Mankato, St. Cloud, and Rochester, Minn., and River Falls, Wis. “Besides waking up early, [the traveling] doesn’t affect us very much. Some of the kids bring their homework with
them and do it before races, but otherwise it doesn’t affect us very much,” Latz said. The race day can start at 6 a.m. and end at 8 p.m. The traveling and the many hours of a race day has given Van PilsumJohnson a different opinion. “Our meets are so far away it’s insane. If I could change anything, it would be the distance. It makes for long Sundays for the team, which makes it hard to get their homework done,” Van Pilsum-Johnson said. Van Pilsum-Johnson has been mountain biking since she was a young girl, and the team has taken the experience from their coach and have applied it to their races. “I biked as a kid and I love [mountain biking], and I like to have kids experience the fun I had when I was a kid,” Van Pilsum-Johnson said. “We seem to be getting more and more members each year,” Latz said. “The future looks very bright.”
Hockey year-round sport for five Elite League players by Nick Mandler Staff Reporter While many winter athletes are awaiting their season, for five Hopkins athletes the season has already begun. Both the boys and girls hockey teams have players participating in the Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League. Grace Bizal, Corbin Boyd, seniors, and Kate Glover, sophomore, all participate in the Elite girls team.
The Elite team consists of mostly high school junior and senior girls from around the state. The team practices on Wednesday nights with tournaments and games on the weekends throughout the fall. The girls league is made up of four teams with 18 players on each team. The players are chosen from all over the state. The team is invitation-only which makes it a very exclusive team. Bizal, who has had a long varsity career, knows the impor-
tance of being ready for the high school season. “[The Elite League] helps you get back into the swing of hockey, and it prepares you for the competition of the high school season,” Bizal said. The Elite team provides the girls with many opportunities for post-high school hockey as well. “There are a lot of good girls there, so they keep pushing you to work hard and get better every game and every practice.
They could all play at the next level, which helps prepare you for what the competition will be like in college,” Bizal said. “Also, there are college coaches at every game on the weekends and it gives girls a good opportunity to get noticed.” On the boys team, Josh Laven and Josh Kuehmichel, seniors, participate in the Elite League. Like Bizal, Laven believes the Elite team will help prepare him and his team for the upcoming season. The boys
league has 16 teams including teams in New York, Colorado, Michigan, and Chicago. “It allows me to speed up my game and get two months of preparation prior to the high school season that many people don’t have and allows me to get up to speed with a higher level of competition,” Laven said. “Also, it will allow me and my team to bring our level of competition up from where it was last year.” Not only does the Elite
team bring benefits for the high school season, there are many benefits for the players and their future in hockey. Laven agrees that the Elite team prepares you for the next level. “It teaches me how the players at the next level play and that the competition at the next level is a really intense, high level competition,” Laven said. “It is really preparing me and teaching me. It gives me experience at a level I would never have had otherwise.”
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RPWednesday, November 5, 2014
Left: Eva Charlesworth-Seiler, senior, takes a goal kick. The girls varsity soccer team made it to state this year for the first time in school history. Right: Emma Klancke, senior, dribbles the ball up the sideline against Eagan. Klancke had ten goals this season. Photos by Claire Benton
Girls soccer ends record breaking season by Ely Harel Staff Reporter For the first time ever, the girls soccer team made it to the Minnesota State High School Tournament. The team finished the regular season with a record of 9-5-2, including wins over conference opponents Wayzata and Minnetonka. Rolling through the section tournament, the Royals beat Minneapolis Southwest
and Robbinsdale Armstrong. For the conference championship, the girls played conference rival Wayzata at Wayzata High School. Corbin Boyd, senior captain, scored a goal in the second overtime to seal the championship and send the Royals to the state tournament. After losing to the eventual state champion the last four years in the section finals, the Royals were relieved to finally break that trend.
“It honestly feels like a dream come true,” said Emma Klancke, senior. “It feels like we have finally proven ourselves to others because no one thought we could do it.” Coming into the season, the team was full of experience, including nine seniors who have been playing high school and club soccer together for years. Along with experience, the Royals felt like they had their most balanced team ever.
“In the past, there have been one or two star players, but this year, the whole starting lineup is strong and it’s a big team effort instead of a few players standing out,” said Klancke. Using their depth, the team felt like they brought extra intensity to their games. “We all wanted to make this a season to remember. I think this helped the team bring intensity to every game and we just took it one game at a time,”
said Olivia Geiwitz, senior captain. On Oct. 21, the Royals made the trek out to Cottage Grove to play Eagan in the opening round of the state tournament. Eagan came into the game with an undefeated record of 18-0-1 and was named the number one team in the state. Eagan jumped out in front for an early lead with a goal 10 minutes into the first half. Scoring two goals in the second half,
Eagan sealed a 3-0 victory to send the Royals home for the season. Despite an early exit from the state tournament, the season was still the most successful in girls soccer history. “It’s great to know that you are a part of something that is the first time [for HHS],” said Geiwitz. “All of our work paid off because we were the first to go to state and that is an achievement.”
Junior high swimmers prove their worth by Trianna Downing Staff Reporter
This season six of eighteen girls varsity swimmers are seventh and eighth graders. To be on varsity at such a young age, the athletes must show an exceptional talent for the sport. Though the girls may seem young for varsity athletics, their statistics and race times have proven their capability. Varsity coach Kristen Steenvoorden looks past their ages to focus on their talent. “Given how fast they swim, I forget how young they are,” Steenvoorden said. “Sometimes you have younger players who want to fall back and not step on anyone’s feet, but they’re all very driven swimmers. I’ve gotten very lucky with them.” Varsity captains Kate Segar and Andrea DeFreese, seniors, notice the positive changes that occur when younger athletes are part of a varsity team. “You grow up a lot emotion-
ally,” DeFreese said. “You push yourself, your coach pushes you, your team pushes you. And in a good way, to make yourself a better person both in and out of the pool.” Both captains confirm that mental toughness is one of the methods necessary to get an athlete through countless laps and drills. “We put in a lot of hard work,” Segar. “Having that team support behind you is important.” Despite the age gap that sets them apart from the other varsity swimmers, the seventh and eighth-grade swimmers allow their ages to be an asset to their work ethic. “[Being younger] makes you want to work twice as hard because the others are a lot older,” said Atianna Hernke, eighth grader. “But we made the team, so we’re not super different from them. We all want to work hard to reach our end goals. We’ve proven that
Kala Guettler, eighth grader, swimming the breast stroke. Guettler is one of six seventh and eighth graders on the girls varsity swim team. Photo provided by Kala Guettler
we’re not just junior-highers.” The girls agree that the older swimmers have been supportive, whether during practice, at meets, or out of the pool. “They’re all really support-
2
Volleyball record in past 19 matches Place in state by the boys cross country team
28
Average points per game for the football team
33
Goals scored by the girls soccer team this year infographic by Isabella Weisman and Kyle Makey
the team. “It’s really helpful that they’re older than us,” said Abbigale Sanders, eighth grader. “They know more so they always help us, kind of like they’re
Football season ends in sections
GO FIGURE 13-6
ive of us. They’re all super kind, and they’re always cheering at the end of the lane for us,” said Kala Guettler, eighth grader. The young athletes believe the age diversity is beneficial to
our mentors. They’re like our sisters and moms.” From the experience they’ve had from being on the team, the girls agree the positive atmosphere will continue when they welcome younger swimmers to varsity. “We look up to [the older girls] so much so we’ll know what to do when the younger girls come,” said Molly Meland, eighth grader. Two other swimmers participating on the varsity swim team are Sophia Stolfo, seventh grader and Julia Fromstein, eighth grader. Both are students at NJH. As for advice for any younger player, varsity or not, Segar has words of wisdom to inspire the athletes. “Don’t be afraid to go out and try out for a team,” Segar said. “If you really go out for it, you should remember that there’s always people behind you and cheering for you to succeed. No matter how young, everyone’s excited to see you do what you love.”
SPOTLIGHTATHLETE Cross Country
Pre-Race Routine : “I
get focused and ready for the race.”
Post Race Routine: “After the race, I
eat a banana or an
apple and I take an ice bath.”
Brett Nelson, 12
FOOTBALL continued from page 1 also pleased with the team’s performance and results in the season. “I was really proud of our effort [at Eden Prairie] in the first half, we gave up a couple touchdowns and got behind a little bit, but our kids showed really good character and came out in the second half and did a great job working hard and we got real close,” DenHartog said. “I think if we had a little bit more
time, we could have gotten them in the end.” Heading into the Lakeville North section game, they had won 5 out of their last 6 games with the only loss being to Eden Prairie and a win in the first section game to Edina with a score of 37-36. On Friday, Oct. 31, the team lost 26-7. Coach DenHartog was proud of the boys even after the loss to Lakeville and reflected on what made the season different from the past.
“The senior class’ leadership helped out in really close games. In other years, they might not have had as good of leaders as we have had this year,” said DenHartog. The football team had about 40 seniors this year. “Hopefully this year’s senior group set a great example of how to work hard and be good teammates, and I think the younger players saw that and I hope in the future they can be similar to this group,” said DenHartog.
RP Wednesday, November 5, 2014
B Glad
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12 backpage Lead by Anne Goodroad and Lexi Thate, seniors When: Tuesday mornings at 7:05 Where: S253 What: Plays board games and will later organize a bake sale to benefit Lexi Thate, Molly Abbott-Ladner, Elizabeth Tigner, and Holly Wilson, seniors play a board game. B-Glad discussed ideas on how to raise money for animals.
Photo by Nick Mandler
animal shelters.
The Thirst Project
Lead by Rae Akinsanya
When: Every Thursday at 7 Where: W112 What:The money raised by this club will go to help build wells in underdeveloped countries to gain access to clean drinking water.
“What caught our
W
and Rowan Ellis, seniors
“We created this club
because Harry Potter is awesome and we want to bring Harry Potter fans together.” Rosey Reuder, senior Lead by Mary Kate Evon and Rosey Reuder, seniors When: Every other Friday at 7 Where: W108-112 What: Discusses Harry Potter, plays trivia, imagines what another Harry Potter book would be like.
Harry Potter Club
Minnesota Nice Club
NEW
CLUBS AT HHS
attention was that the Thirst Club is a youthFantasy run organization. We Sports wanted to help spread the Club message.” Lead by Erik Jansa and Rae Gregg Warshaw, seniors Akinsanya, When: Tuesdays from senior 2:45-3:15 Where: S130 What:This club analyzes sports statistics to strategize for a fantasy sports team.
Backpage by Isabella Weisman, Infographic Editor
The members of the Minnesota Nice Club pose for a picture at their first meeting. They discussed which causes they would like to support this year.
Business Fundraising Alliance
Photo provided by Champ Nelson
Lead by Julia Laden and Brit Stein, seniors When: Every other Wednesday at 7 Where: S253 What: The club volunteers locally and works to uphold the saying
“Minnesota Nice” Lead by Mason Halpern throughout and Brian Yu, seniors the Hopkins When: Every other Monday at 7 Where: S130 community. What: This club unites business-minded individuals. BFA partners with existing clubs at HHS to organize and execute fundraisers for their cause.