ROYAL
the
page
CRASHED. C-Spread, pg. 6-7 A discussion of the party culture at HHS. Students share experiences and consequences that have followed. This also includes perspective from the police and health experts on teen substance use.
Thursday, March 27, 2014 Volume 32 Issue 7
Support for adapted sports By Callan Showers Feature Editor Molly O’Toole, senior, ended her basketball career as captain of a three-time state title-holding team on March 8, 2014, in a section semi-final game they were favored to win. However, after her own season ended, O’Toole looked towards the next sport on her schedule. On March 19, the HHS adapted bowling team had their first practice. As President of the Special Ed Awareness Club (SEA), O’Toole made sure they had an audience. O’Toole started SEA with Taylor Beckenbach, senior, this February. SEA meets on Monday mornings at 7:00 a.m. in room E118 to work towards establishing their goal of breaking the barriers between HHS students with and without disabilities. “I believe that if we’re able to show to people the different qualities we see in people with disabilities, we’ll be able to change the way students at Hopkins interact with other students in the special ed department. I think a lot of people want to support them, they just aren’t sure how to do it, and we’re working to change that,”
hopkinsrp.org GSA hosts 2nd GROM By Addie Lennon Staff Reporter Prom is a high school experience that many students look forward to and still have memories of as adults. However, not all students feel comfortable attending the traditionally boy-girl dance. Kaylee Grunseth, senior, is a member of the GayStraight Alliance (GSA) club at HHS and helped to plan HHS’ second annual GROM. GROM is the name for an all-inclusive dance designed to be a safe environment for anyone who does not feel comfortable attending their
own prom, or for those who want to show support. “GROM is important because some people aren’t comfortable attending their own prom. Hopkins is pretty diverse so it’s fine, but some schools aren’t as open. It’s important for all people to feel welcome and get that high school experience,” Grunseth said. GROM took place on March 14 at the Eisenhower Community Center. The event was DJ’ed by Asher Weisberg, sophomore, and many students spent the night on the dancefloor. There were also photo GROM cont. on page 2
Top: Adapted bowling members Cameron Bishop, eighth grade, Joey Bittner, junior, Manny Castillo IV, junior, Alex Aune, junior, Zach Schuda, sophomore, along with SEA members Lajana Morris, junior and Sydney Baird-Holmes, sophomore, adapted bowling member Grant Petersen, senior, and SEA member Molly O’Toole, senior, pose at the SEA Club Bowling Practice at Tuttles. Lower Left: Adapted Bowling member Grant Petersen, senior, prepares for his turn to bowl. Lower Right: Zach Schuda, sophomore, gets in the zone before he begins to bowl.
Photos by Roxanne Krietzman
Beckenbach said. This spring, the goal of SEA is to rally superfans for the HHS adapted bowling team. According to the Minnesota Adapted
Athletics Association, adapted sports “provide youth with disabilities the same opportunity as other students to enjoy the benefits of a quality high school
sports program.” The six boys on the HHS adapted bowling team practice from SEA cont. on page 9
Top to bottom, left to right: Kaylee Grunseth, senior, Sam Greenwald, junior, Jae Bates, senior, April Felt, Mathematics, Lindsey Fagerstrom, senior, Kaitlyn Dorsher, junior, Madison Clague, senior, and Dolan Cassidy Senior, pose for a photo at GROM. GROM took place on March 14 at Eiesenhower.
Photo by Suzanne Navarro
Extended winter turns a cold shoulder on spring athletes By Nate Pasko Sports Editor For HHS spring athletes, another extended winter will not simply mean poor driving conditions and freezing windchills. It will mean weeks of repetitive indoor practices and stunted development, as well as fewer outdoor games, meets, or matches. Most spring sports teams are normally indoors at this
time of year due to regular Minnesota winter weather. However, if winter conditions prevail for longer than usual, teams will be in the same predicament as last year, when playing areas were snowbound well into April and unplayable for a few weeks after that. The tennis team currently holds captains’ practice in the WJH activity structure, which presents a multitude of problems for athletes.
“Tennis is a lot of sprinting back and forth with quick changes of direction. The floor inside the West [ Junior High] structure is slippery, so when you plant your foot, you slip, and it’s hard to recover,” said Chase Johnson, junior. “Also, the ball moves much differently on the structure’s floor than it would on a concrete tennis court.” The track and field team also faces difficulty with indoor training, including the fact that
the team is deprived of arguably their most useful indoor resource as a result of scheduling conflicts. “We are unable to use either the elevated indoor track or the track on the floor of the Lindbergh Center, as those areas are occupied by teams that need the whole space, like softball and baseball,” said Mr. Nick Lovas, head coach. “This also means our team doesn’t have access to the sand pits [for field athletes]
or any of the other track and field equipment.” Field athletes face major difficulties when confronted with extended winter conditions. “Though the runners can clear the outdoor track, the throwing team can’t clear the big grass field in front of the throwing pits, which makes it difficult,” said Zach Johnson, senior captain. “We also can’t throw discus indoors, and the outdoor shot put rings will be
flooded for weeks after the snow melts.” Athletes in throwing events are not the only ones impacted by an extended winter. “Indoor surfaces are far different materials for pole vaulters than outdoor surfaces, and we can’t wear our spikes indoors,” said Adam Tarshish, senior captain. In certain respects, however, SPRING SPORTS cont. on page 11
Lindbergh College Fair 2014
Content on hopkinsrp.org
Rock the Smile concert
Last Thursday, HHS hosted its annual college fair with more than 100 college News representatives pg. 3
Count your banners: Hromatka’s viewpoint on negativity toward HHS basketball
Operation Smile hosts benefit concert featuring Ries sisters
Variety pg. 5
RP Thursday, March 27, 2014
the
2 news
Administration formulates plan to build sign By Ingrid Werner Staff Reporter People drive down Cedar Lake Road every day without even realizing that there is a high school right behind NJH. HHS has been working on putting up a new school sign for at least six years. All of the other high schools in the Lake Conference have a sign, along with NJH. Ms. Patty Johnson, Principal, said that there has been talk about replacing the old sign since she started working at HHS. “[HHS] has always wanted a big, beautiful sign on Cedar Lake Road,” Johnson said. “The concern is getting permission from the city.” The signage committee has run into problems dealing with restrictions on signs in the Minnetonka City Ordinance. It states that signs must
have a certain ratio at the base of the sign to the sign itself. They must be within the requirement of square feet. Ms. Katie Williams, Buildings and Grounds, has been a part of this project from the start. “[HHS] used to have a sign with removable letters that would always fall apart. When the Minnetonka City Ordinance changed, the old one was out of ordinance, but it was grandfathered in,” Williams said. In time, the old sign broke. The base of it is still on the side of the road. Although both HHS and NJH needed new signs, NJH had one built first. “[We] decided a big sign for NJH was a priority. The activity structure is used by lots of people. For the football games, buses and visiting fans, they need to know where to enter the parking lot,” Wil-
RP
BRIEFS
Media center installs OverDrive library The HHS Media Center installed a new book check-out system with the program OverDrive. Ms. Victoria Wilson, Library Media Specialist and Department Chair, applied for a grant through the Hopkins Education Fund two years ago. Now, the program is up and running. OverDrive is a US digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, music, and videos. It is similar to an online library. Using their Moodle sign-in information, students and staff can electronically request books and download them directly onto their smart devices. The HHS OverDrive online library is accessible through the Media Center link on the HHS homepage. This means it is accessible anytime and from anywhere that Internet access is available.
DECA goes international From May 3 to 6, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) will host its 68th annual International Career Development Conference (ICDC) at the World Conference Center in Atlanta. ICDC is the highlight of DECA’s year, where 16,000 DECA students, alumni, advisors, and business professionals meet primarily to compete in business, marketing and entrepreneurship oriented competitions. Nine HHS DECA students qualified to attend this event: Eli Badower, Ryland Dorshow, Jadeira Lu, Owen Tazelaar, and Ian Vaughan, seriors, and Simran Mishra, Kristina Myankova, Brit Stein, and Katherine Swenson, juniors. At ICDC, they will compete against the top DECA students from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guam, The People’s Republic of China, Korea, Japan, and Germany.
Ceramic students serve community On Tuesday, March 11, over 1,000 bowls were auctioned at the Hopkins Center of the Arts to support the local ICA Food Shelf in the 16th annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser for Hunger. There, the city of Hopkins held a silent auction to sell the unique bowls, and local restaurants donated soup and bread for anyone who stopped in. HHS students in Ms. Chamberlin’s Ceramics block two and three classes made bowls in class to be donated to Empty Bowls. Students began creating bowls on Feb. 6 and made their final touches by March 7. HHS donated more than one hundred bowls to the event. This year, Hopkins hoped to raise $80,000 at Empty Bowls. They exceeded their goal, ending up with a total of $81,428 to be donated to ResourceWest and the ICA Food Shelf.
Briefs by Claire Benton
liams said. Along with Williams, Mr. Mark Etzell, Buildings and Grounds, has been closely involved with the HHS sign issue. “This process has been drawn out so long because the Minnetonka City Ordinance is very restrictive, which isn’t bad; it’s just the truth,” Etzell said. The signage committee has to submit a specific proposal for a sign to the City of Minnetonka, and, if it doesn’t follow ordinance, they must apply for a variance. A variance is a proposal asking for an exception to City Ordinance. They have avoided certain variances in the past because of cost. The signs directing traffic in and out of the parking lot are also out of ordinance. Because they are easier to get approved by the city, they will be changed in the spring once the ground is in good condition. “They will go in as soon as
they can be pounded into the ground,” Williams said. HHS is not the only school waiting for a sign. Buildings and Grounds plans to give all elementary and secondary schools in the district choices between two similar looking
signs. Each school’s sign will have a brick base, and individual schools can choose between a removable letter board or a permanent message. All signs will be internally illuminated. Looking forward, the signage
committee has prepared a budget and a plan. “Alice Smith and NJH have signs, and next Meadowbrook and Tanglen will get theirs,” Etzell said. “HHS will have a sign sometime in the next two or three years.”
Buildings and Grounds predicts that HHS will have a new sign within the next few years. NJH recieved a new sign this year. Photo by Brit Stein
GROM offers all-inclusive dance GROM Continued from page 1 oppertunities and food that was available for purchase. “Anybody who isn’t comfortable bringing their date to prom is welcome at GROM, as well as [straight] allies,” Grunseth said. Though GROM was put together mostly by students of GSA, they also had help from Ms. April Felt, Mathematics, who is the adviser of the club. She did the administrative work and helped to make sure that students had everything needed to put on the dance. “I think GROM is incredibly important for kids who maybe don’t have the opportunity to attend their own prom. It provides an outlet for those students to make new friends
and see people like themselves,” Felt said. GSA aimed to have a range of students of different sexualities and schools attend the event. Jae Bates, senior and leader of GSA, explains the diversity of students that attend GROM. “It’s not just Hopkins [at GROM], and that’s kind of the point of it. Private Christian school students who don’t feel comfortable expressing their gender identity or bringing a same-sex date to prom get a chance to do that. A lot of schools are close-minded, and students at those schools should still get to have that high school experience. We have people come anywhere from Delano to the Metro to Wisconsin,” Bates said. This year, 120 teens at-
tended GROM, which is more than last year. “This year was a really big success. Even though we had more people it was equally as fun as last year,” Grunseth said. GROM is not necessarily an alternative to prom. Many HHS students that attend GROM choose to attend prom as well. “I’d say the majority of people go to both. Last year I only went to GROM, but for my senior year I’m planning on going to prom as well,” Grunseth said. GROM is similar to prom, but on a smaller scale. It is a more relaxed environment, which provides different benefits to prom. “GROM is less stress than prom as in getting ready and stuff, and you know you’re
not being judged so you can actually dance and have fun. Personally, I had so much fun dancing with my friends the whole night, and I didn’t even care that I probably looked crazy,” Grunseth said. GROMs are put on by GSAs nationwide, and help to build community and lessen the isolation that LGBTQ students may otherwise feel.
It provides an outlet for those students to make new friends and see people like themselves. - Ms. April Felt, Mathematics
Sammler, Rexroth split new roles as advanced studies coordinators By Cybill Biehlmann Staff Reporter Mr. John Sammler, Science, and Mr. Rick Rexroth, Social Studies, replaced Sarah Garcia as the new advanced studies coordinators. "Advanced studies is a way of saying accelerated or high standing program for students,” Rexroth said. As the advanced studies coordinators, they work with all the accelerated programs to make sure classes are functioning efficiently. "We work to overlook the College in the Schools, Advanced Placement, honors programs, and other advanced programs in the school. We
get teachers the right resources and make sure they get the right training in order to teach the class properly," Rexroth said. Within the next couple years, advanced studies coordinators Rexroth and Sammler are planning on implementing some new changes. "We want to expand the AP curriculum as much as possible. I also am working on moving Juntos to make the AP Spanish test possible to HHS students," Rexroth said. As the AP exams approach, Sammler sees an increase in the amount of work he has to do. "I make sure all the students that want to be regis-
tered for the AP exam are prepared," Sammler said. While many students take AP courses, not all register to take the exam. “Some students, especially [students] in AP classes as seniors, tend to not register for the exam. Sometimes, it is because they already know what college they will be attending, and that school may not accept a certain AP credit,” Sammler said. With other tests and busy schedules, some students have found difficulty with the strict schedule of the AP exams. Margarita Lyadova, junior, faced the problem of having a final test in her class at the University of Minnesota on
the same day as her AP calculus exam. "I immediately contacted Mr. Sammler to have something figured out. Fortunately, I was able to find an alternate day so that I could still take both tests,” Lyadova said. Rexroth and Sammler are responsible for helping solve the problems that students in advanced programs face, along with many other responsibilities. “It’s our first year working as the coordinators, so we’re just trying to keep things stable for now, and then, hopefully, later we can make the changes we want, like adding to the number of AP classes,” Rexroth said.
news 3
the
RP Thursday, March 27, 2014
College Fair equips students for the future By Joe Greene Front Page Editor More than 100 colleges were represented Thursday, March 20 as HHS held its annual College Fair. Because of overcrowding last year, the event was held for the first time in the Lindbergh Center. For students, this was a time to explore their college options and begin to envision life after high school. During the month of March, the Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling brings college fairs to high schools all across Minnesota. While most high schools hold the fair after school, HHS is unique in that the fair is held during the school day. “We make it a priority to
have the College Fair during the school day because we want to ensure that as many students can attend as possible. If we had the College Fair in the evening, it would be a lot harder for students to attend,” said Ms. Shannon Bailey, District Director for Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and 10th Grade AVID Teacher. During the College Fair, representatives from colleges across the state and across the country come to equip students with vital information about their colleges and the application process. “It was so awesome to talk to different representatives and get a better idea of what their schools is about and whether it’s a good fit for you. I feel more prepared for the applica-
tion process now,” said Qiturah Jones, junior. “I loved meeting all the different representatives at the tables. I got to introduce myself, tell them what I’m interesting in studying, and really get to know the general philosophy of the school,” said Kira Conley, junior. Bailey administered the event alongside Ms. Lara Runck, HHS counselor, and member of the AVID sight team. Both Bailey and Runck were thrilled to see what unique opportunities the College Fair would bring students this year. “It’s amazing how resourceful the College Fair can be to students. My favorite part is watching that unique interaction between the students and the college representatives.
Having that face to face interaction allows students to ask the representatives direct questions, and that’s crucial,” said Mr. Xeev Xwm Vang, HHS counselor. Bailey loves seeing kids enthused about talking to college representatives. It’s exciting to watch kids gain exposure and have more questions for me, so I can help them further,” Bailey said. “I really loved how much bigger the College Fair appeared in the Lindbergh Center. There was so much more room. It felt more relaxing, I felt like I had so many options ahead of me that I could see so clearly,” said Tanner Meeks, junior. “I got to see how many college options there were out there. Initially, before the fair,
I wasn’t expected over 100 swer sessions about the colschools, which was incredible. lege process with Bailey and I’m so excited to now enter my Runck, a list of colleges seniors junior year with more perspec- have applied to, and posters tive on what I can do after high depicting myths about applyschool. There’s so many op- ing to college. College Week is not the tions,” said Victoria Maranell, only event this spring geared sophomore. The College Fair is part towards helping students of the larger College Week achieve their college dreams. that went on between March Two-year community colleges 17 and March 21. Bailey and will be coming to TASC durRunck focused this event to ing the month of April to anmake it a “college on the mind” swer any questions from sophomores, juniors, and seniors. week. “The focus will be mostly “I find that most kids I meet and interact with in high on seniors who are trying to school want to go to college, reach those later deadlines but they get overwhelmed and some community colleges don’t really know the right have, but we welcome all three steps to make their college grade levels to attend these informative TASC sessions,” hopes a reality,” Bailey said. In addition to the fair, Col- Vang said. lege Week will also include lunchtime question and an-
Students speak with college professionals and admissions staff at the College Fair. The College Fair and College Week were geared towards helping students achieve their college dreams.
“[The College Fair] was an extremely engaging time. I have a better perspective now on how to choose my college, and I know more colleges I’m interested at looking at,” said Ian Tennant, junior.
Photos by Roxanne Krietzman
Obituary: Staff member of fourteen years remembered By Rachel Hall and Ingrid Werner Staff Reporters Debra K. Hillman, Special Education, passed away on March 7 at the age of 63. Hillman was a part of our community, working with special education students at HHS for the past 14 years. She attended classes with special education students first and second block. Third and fourth block, she helped with Structured Study, a class where her students have the opportu-
nity to get help with any subject. Ms. Jane Mogol, Special Education, was a close friend and coworker of Hillman. “Debbie went above and beyond. She would sit in on classes; if she didn’t understand, she would go home and study the subjects her students were learning so she could teach better,” Mogol said. To her coworkers, Hillman was a positive part of HHS. She looked forward to coming to work every day. “She loved her job. In 14 years, she rarely took
sick
days,” Mogol said. In addition to teaching at the high school for 14 years, Hillman also had three students graduate from HHS. Hillman’s students struggle with her passing, but Mogol says they are progressing every day. “When they first found out, they couldn’t sleep. Now they’re doing fine,” Mogol said. “They are going to be okay.” Hillman will be greatly missed by family, friends, staff members, and students.
Many teens take wrong messages from movies By Christiaan van Lierop Staff Reporter Recently at the Academy Awards in Hollywood, which celebrated and crowned the best movies of the past year, “The Wolf of Wall Street” was nominated five times. It did not, however, win any of the awards it was nominated for. No one can be totally sure, but this is probably due to the main character amassing millions of dollars by doing immoral, illegal things on Wall Street. Not to mention, many explicit scenes with naked women and copious amounts of drug use. All while dropping the Fbomb liberally throughout every scene; 508 times during the movie (2.81 times a minute) according to International Business Times. The acting, directing, and cinematography is unquestionably great, but something else also needs to be considered: the way it influences the adolescents in the audience. There is a noticeably big difference between what the movie makers intended and what most teenagers take away. The makers claim that they are not condoning the behavior portrayed in the film, and they are in fact rejecting it, stating that anyone who thinks that the film glorifies the excess is missing the boat entirely. I do not doubt that this is
T
op 10
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
:
true; the moral at the end of the movie is clear. However, most teens who see the movie are not able to look past the money and the partying to see what the makers of the movie are really saying. I’ll admit it was tough for me at first. What are kids going to be more attracted to and more likely to listen to? The two and a half hours of the main character living the good life, with more money than he could possibly spend? Or the half-hour at the end where he gets put in jail for a few years for the illegal things he did? Even without all the expensive toys and the outrageous parties, the characters are portrayed with a certain confidence and playfulness that might make young people want to emulate them. Here is a tip: resist the urge. Look deeper into what you are seeing and realize that the writers are portraying the excess to say something about the people and what can become of someone who chooses a similar path. If we cannot step past the debauchery on the surface, movies like this will continue to be looked at as bad influences. Not only that, but we will also not be able to comprehend what the makers are really trying to say. By not shedding light on what they are trying to say, we are missing the point entirely.
Highlights of the
Boys Basketball State Tournament
Semi-final fan turnout Super friendly security guards Beach balls
Tyus Jones’ tweet: “Hopkins has the best band in the state by far” Salty Shakopee fans Target Center’s chicken tenders
JP’s flops
Kamali’s “You mad or nah” face Amir’s shot: SportsCenter #1, Royal Page #2 #GetGrantOnEllen
RP Thursday, March 27, 2014 Speaking up for equity and inclusion the
4opinion
By Naomi Borowsky Edior in chief In my three years at HHS, I have rarely been stopped in the hallway and asked to show my pass. Though I enjoy this privilege, I have to wonder whether this is true for all students. While hall paras smile and nod at me in the hallways (even when I am too lazy to get a pass), I have often witnessed students of color being stopped. I don’t know if the reason I’m not stopped is because I am white or simply because I’m a familiar face in the hallway during fourth block as a member of the Royal Page staff. Or maybe it’s one of many other possible reasons. I do not mean to say that hall paras are racist. Not at all. What I am saying is that we all hold prejudices, and we must become aware of them and do
something about it. We must ask ourselves: what can I say or do to be an advocate for equity and inclusion in our building? At school, I hear the word “ghetto” used all the time – “That party was so ghetto” or “Those people are so ghetto.” But what are we really saying? What does the word ghetto actually mean? Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ghetto as “a part of a city in which members of a particular group or race live usually in poor conditions.” Urban Dictionary defines ghetto as a word that rich white people use to describe everything that’s not “clad with lilly polos and pearls.” When I hear the word “ghetto” being used to mean “black,” I should speak up. I shouldn’t accuse people or make them feel embarrassed, but this
is a place to start the conversation. This is a place to step back and think about what we’re really implying with our words. Again, we must ask ourselves: what can I say or do when I hear this word to be an advocate for equity and inclusion in our building? Putting a stop to the prejudices in our society will take a great amount of work. I am not saying that it is our job as high school students to end all racism in the world. However, it is absolutely our job to speak up when we see discrimination in our own building. I do not need to feel guilty for being white. But I do need to be aware of the prejudices that people of color face that I am never forced to think about because I am white. I like to call myself a Minnesota Enthusiast. Simply put, I think our state is the best place
on earth. But the reality is that Minnesota is near the bottom of the rankings when it comes to the racial employment gap, health care quality by race, and racial disparities in rates of arrests. The Alliance for Excellent Education reported that in Minnesota in 2011, the overall high school graduation rate was 77 percent. However, only 49 percent of black students graduated from high school. The Minnesota I know and love celebrates diversity and believes in taking care of one another. Speaking up when someone says ghetto or standing up for a fellow student who is stopped in the hallway by itself won’t change the statistics. However, if each one of us uses our voice in our everyday routine to advocate for a more equal and inclusive HHS, together we can move in the right direction.
“Mission Impossible V: Ryland and Jacob drive to HHS” By Ryland Dorshow Opinion Editor and Jacob Moore Staff Reporter (Note: please read in “Man vs Wild” voice for full effect.) Day 1: We’ve been stuck on Cedar Lake Road for 18 hours now. We are roughly 100 yards west of Lindbergh Drive. Our adventure began this morning after I picked Jacob up for school. Everything seemed to be going fine until we got past the stop light at Holiday. We couldn’t see the deadly traffic up ahead. If only we had seen it, we could’ve stayed on Hopkins Crossroads and taken the safe route. Unfortunately, we turned right onto Cedar Lake Road where we’ve run into a
very dangerous situation. I predict we will be to school within 48 hours. Day 4: Things have taken a turn for the worse. Jacob’s starting to smell really bad, and we’re down to our last package of Kazoozles. We also only have four Arizonas left to drink, and Jacob had to use one for urination. The roads are gridlocked and our pace has slowed to two yards a day. With both of our phones dead, we are forced to listen to the radio (Ke$ha and Pitbull). Day 9: We are running out of gas. If we don’t arrive soon, I’m afraid we won’t arrive at all. We are heading north on Lindbergh Drive now: only 20 yards from the parking lot at this point. I have no doubt
that we should arrive within the next day. It is imperative that we make it to class by dawn at 7:47 and not a second later; if we get caught in the sweep system, we could have another five days added to our journey. May God be with us. Day 12: We have been stopped 5 yards shy of our destination. There is a driver in front of us who cannot comprehend the two-lane entrance into the HHS parking lot. She seems confused; befuddled; lost. Nobody feels sorry for her, as she is trying to simultaneously drive and Instagram a picture of her Starbucks. Day 14?: We have lost track of the days. 14 is only a guess. Jacob still smells. Day 15?: We made it to
class, but eight seconds late. We have been deported by the paraprofessionals. The sweep system got the best of us. There is a long line of other students who were also seconds late to class. We are lucky enough to be toward the front of the line, so our wait time should only be roughly two days. Those in the back are setting up tents due to their anticipated 7 to 10 day wait. Day 17?: After roughly 17 days, we finally made it to class. As a senior, I missed study hall and a dodgeball tournament in gym. Jacob, being a junior, missed 17 AP Calc units, 12 Spanish tests, and has 432 pages to read for AP Euro. But we made it.
Twitter censorship in school affects freedom of speech The staff editorial represents the viewpoint of the Royal Page. As citizens, we reserve the right to free speech. But once we walk into the school building, the administration has the authority to take away that freedom, and punish students for their speech. The Tinker v. Des Moines Supreme Court case established that schools cannot censor students speech unless the speech will cause substantial disruption in school. Thus, it makes sense that the HHS student handbook says, “The policy of the Hopkins School District is to protect students’ free speech rights while, at the same time, preserving the district’s obligation to provide a learning environment that is free of disruption.” But the question is, when is something consid-
ered a disruption to learning? Where is the line? When is it okay for the school to take away a student’s rights? Recently, an HHS student was threatened with suspension for a tweet joking about a inappropriate student-teacher interaction. According to Mr. Trent Lawson, Assistant Principal, the school does not directly monitor tweets. However, if an inappropriate tweet is reported to them, the administration will always respond. “If it is disruptive to the learning environment, like an argument, a major disruption in the halls, in the classroom, if it’s a fight, physical confrontation, if students are feeling fearful and that there is going to be retaliation, then we have to respond to it in some way. It’s not an option. We have to respond to it,” Lawson said. We absolutely agree that when any student feels unsafe, the school must step in. However, the line between when a
tweet is “disruptive to learning” and when it is not is thin and unclear. In some cases, it seems like suspending a student for a tweet and bringing it to public knowledge is more disruptive to learning than the tweet itself. Not nearly as many people would have looked twice at this student’s tweet if it had not been reprimanded for. The threatened suspension only lead to more tweeting from students. There were several tweets throughout the day on the subject of this studentteacher interaction and whether suspension would be an appropriate punishment. Students were checking Twitter during class, and trying to figure out what had happened. Rogers High School’s Reid Sagehorn, senior, was suspended from school until April 22 for a tweet in February. Sagehorn replied to an anonymous twitter account that facetiously stated that Sagehorn had a relationship with a teacher. His
reply was “Actually, yes.” Rogers High School suspended Sagehorn for two months for a sarcastic, two word reply. Most people would maybe chuckle at Sagehorn’s reply, and then scroll to the next tweet, forgetting all about it. Because the school had decided to suspend Sagehorn for two months, they have a bigger disruption than they ever could have predicted. Was this tweet so “disruptive to learning” that it deserved a two month suspension? We understand that the school is trying to create as respectful an environment as possible, and there are certain situations when it is appropriate for them to step in. But in some cases, if the school does not involve themselves, people will keep scrolling on to the next tweet.
variety5
the
RPThursday, March 27, 2014
House of Cards collapses on HHS
By Madeline Martodam Staff Reporter In a land of “Honey Boo Boo” and “Duck Dynasty,” Megan Thacker, Tim Bergeland, and Hannah Boggess, seniors, spend their time absorbed in the political thriller “House of Cards.” “House of Cards is about the power struggle between positions in the White House. People are always fighting to get the best and highest control level,” Thacker said. According to Business Insider, 670,000 Netflix subscribers spent this past Presidents’ Day weekend binge-watching the whole 13-episode second season. “It gives the idea that there is a quid pro quo system in Washington, meaning that there’s people who agree
to do certain things because of the expectations and the fact that money and power are involved,” said Mr. Rick Rexroth, Social Studies. Boggess and Bergeland, former AP U.S. Government and Politics students, are some of many at HHS who watch this show frequently. “I think the show is very unique because it doesn’t have a protagonist and an antagonist. All of the characters are kind of in their own moral gray area,” Bergeland said. Students watch political television to see a different portrayal of politics. “It is an interesting perspective to have on politics and ties it into the lessons really easily,” Boggess said. House of Cards was nominated for nine Emmy Awards and won three.
“There’s a good balance between more substantial political issues and the more superficial scandalous things,” Bergeland said. Bringing in $3 millionplus per episode, House of Cards can be found exclusively on Netflix. “I think with all the hype it’s getting, it’s such a good show that it does its own advertising,” Bergeland said. The scandal of the show is the draw for these viewers, as well as the mystery behind the power-hungry characters. “I don’t think all of the incidents make connections to reality, but certainly the fact that there are politicians with power and the fact that there are a lot of people that aren’t politicians with power,” Rexroth said. Though Rexroth appreci-
Francis and Claire Underwood are the main characters of House of Cards. They are played by Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. Illustration by Maddie Malat
ates the realistic aspects of the show, some students disagree with the corruption involved. “It’s kind of depressing to have such a cynical view on politics where everyone’s corrupt. I think there is corruption, but I don’t think it is
completely like that,” Boggess said. All HHS viewers interviewed suggest this show to more mature viewers who want to take a look at a portrayal of political scandals. “You have to be careful
about drawing too many connections. It’s definitely a fictional show, and I think a lot of people like to treat it like it’s a documentary. That being said, I do think there’s corruption that goes on in Washington, D.C. ,” Bergeland said.
Students rock to music with smiles
By Samantha Ostenso Staff Reporter
When Elle Tigner, junior, and Annie Share, senior, were chosen as leaders of Operation Smile, they were most excited
for the club’s annual benefit concert, Rock the Smile. Operation Smile is a world-wide organization that helps fundraise money so that children in third world countries can have surgery to fix their cleft palates. A cleft palate is a medical condition which involves a child being born without the roof of their mouth. “We’ve been doing Rock the Smile for several years at HHS, in addition to our other fundraisers we do throughout the year, like selling sweat-
Infographic by Kelsi Johnson
shirts and our coin drive we do at the elementary schools,” Tigner said. Every year, corporate Operation Smile has a big concert to raise money in Virginia. Inspired by this benefit, Hopkins joined up with Wayzata’s section of Operation Smile in hopes of starting an Operation Smile benefit concert in Minn. “Wayzata’s Operation Smile is really big on an international level. The President of their club is on the international board, so this year we decided to work with them so we could expand our fun-
draiser to make more money,” Share said. At the concert, many performers came from schools, including Minnetonka and Wayzata. Even HHS was represented with the sister act of Josie Ries, senior, and Allie Ries, sophomore. “Annie came up to me in the hall about a month ago and asked if my sister and I were interested in performing at Rock the Smile. My sister and I both thought it was a great cause and were really happy to be playing our music to help raise money for those in need,” Josie said.
Besides the music, people really enjoyed the baked goods that Meg Jenny, senior, provided for free as another way to fundraise for Operation Smile, and they also had a photobooth set up. Anna Guettler, junior, a first time Operation Smile member and Rock the Smile attendant, had a great time at her first benefit concert. “I had a lot of fun at the concert. The Ries sisters were one of my favorite performers along with the band from Minnetonka: Counterfeit Democracy. Also, Meg’s brownies were so good. I think they sold
out in ten minutes. Another thing a lot of people liked was the photobooth. It was a fun thing to do in between sets,” Guettler said. One of the main priorities of Operation Smile members was for attendees to have a good time. “This year we had a really good turnout. It was a mix of Wayzata, Minnetonka, and Hopkins kids, along with some adults,” Tigner said. “We also raised over 600 dollars for Operation Smile.” Rock the Smile 2014 was a success, and Operation Smile plans to expand it further.
Lovato fans invade Xcel Teachers listen to music, too Viewpoint: Nelson sees Lovato concert
By Erik A. Nelson Staff Reporter I have attended classical concerts throughout my life. Music by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven was always on the program, but this was my first concert that did not feature classical music. Yet, the music of Demi Lovato had the same emotional power as music by the classical masters of the past. In the fall of 2010, at the age of 18, Lovato entered rehab to treat eating disorders, addictions to cocaine and alcohol, self-harm, and depression. In addition, Lovato was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental illness that runs in my family. Despite all these setbacks, Lovato is in the same league as Miley Cyrus, both some of the most successful stars to have appeared on the Disney Channel. She was first exposed to the public’s attention through her performance in
the hit Disney Channel movie, Camp Rock, as well as her original series, Sonny with a Chance. She also has recorded four critically acclaimed albums. Although I love Lovato’s singing and acting abilities, the main reason why I admire her is because her life story is a lot like mine. She has given me hope in my ability to achieve my dreams, and yes, even boys like me can admire a celebrity of the opposite gender (not just for their looks.) When she revealed that she suffers from bipolar disorder, it felt like we connected instantly without meeting each other face to face. I grew up with a lot of difficulties, including a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, as well as an anxiety disorder. Her recovery and her advocacy for people who suffer from mental illness inspires me. Currently, Lovato is on her “Neon Lights Tour.” Most
of the music for this concert came off her most recent album, Demi. The tour made a stop at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on March 18. She exploded into the concert with her hit single, “Heart Attack.” But, my favorite moment was a speech she gave. “You guys are worthy of life and love,” Lovato said. Those words hit me right in the heart. I am grateful for her ability to empathize with other people, and I wish more celebrities would be honest like her. She performed for about an hour and 15 minutes, and my expectations were definitely met. Some of the other songs included the ballad “Warrior,” “Made in the U.S.A,” and “Neon Lights,” which was the spectacular finale to an unforgettable night. I nearly cried during “Warrior”. She has empowered me to stay strong and to believe in myself, and for that reason, I am fortunate to be a Lovatic.
By Peter Kramer Staff Reporter Teachers at HHS don’t just write tests on the weekends. In fact, several staff members like to spend their weekends getting down to the sounds of live music. One of these teachers is Mr. Dain Liepa, Language Arts. “I try to go to at least one concert a month,” Liepa said. Although Liepa has been out of high school for twenty years, he believes that the allure of the concert experience remains unchanged. “I remember when I was in highschool, me and my friends camped out for Phish tickets,” Liepa said. Liepa thinks that a big change in the music scene has been the accessibility to youth. “It was always very frustrating to wonder if I could get into a show because of my age. Now, however, I think it’s cool that if you’re a young person interested in a band that’s playing an 18+ show, your par-
ents can take you to see the concert. When I was growing up, that wasn’t the case, which meant that we would have to get creative,” Liepa said. Ms. Andrea Sebenaler, Spanish, has been going to rock concerts since her days in college. Senebaler has been to over 50 different concerts, including Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and Elton John. “A good live concert gives you a natural high,” Sebenaler said. Sebenaler is a “seasoned rocker” and values talented musicians who work hard while on stage. “Looks seem to be almost as important as talent is now a days. Now people have to have a look or persona for all the music videos and photoshoots they do. I do, however, think that musicians with true talent will last longer. I can’t help but wonder, will Miley Cyrus be able to fill an arena in 30 years? I doubt it. But Mick
Jagger has been doing that since the 60s, and he isn’t a very good looking man,” Sebenaler said. Mr. Douglas Dart, English, has had a harder time getting out to see shows being a husband and father to four children. Still, Dart has many fond memories of concerts past. “For me, it was all about the venue. I once saw a show at the State Fair in Utah in the livestock building. All the cement made for some wild acoustics, and the moshpit wasn’t too bad either. I will admit I used to slam-dance back in the day,” Dart said. Liepa thinks that one of the greatest parts of being a concert goer and a teacher at HHS is the interactions it creates with the students. “It’s always fun for me to see kids wearing concert TShirts and talking to them about music,” Liepa said. “It gives us a chance to create a friendly relationship over something we are both passionate about.”
CRA to
Idea part
As the sun begins to set on a Friday night, the lights go off, the music goes on, and the red Solo cups come out. This is Hopkins in 2014. It could also be Arlington Heights, Illinois, Riverside, California, or it could be Dawson, Minn., where a party for about one hundred people in an unoccupied farm resulted in the death of a star athlete as he tried to flee from the cops. The party culture at HHS is not unusual; it is an issue that is pervasive across the nation. A majority of students know the dangers associated with alcohol use. They are taught time and time again about the potential consequences. However, according to Holly Magdanz, One Voice Coalition Coordinator for Hopkins Public Schools, this information is often disregarded. “The brain does not develop fully until the mid-twenties. It’s part of our job to educate young adults and teens about the associated risks, but, even with this knowledge, it’s part of the teen brain to take risks. It’s part of normal development,” Magdanz said. Every three years, surveys are conducted at HHS to determine the amount of students using alcohol. The results of the 2013 survey display that, with the exception of 9th grade females, the percentage of kids using alcohol at HHS is less than the percentage in all of Minnesota. According to the survey, 19 percent of
11th grade males and 22 grade females at HHS rep within the past 30 days, co percent of 11th grade males 11th grade females in the st This data reveals that a grade students choose to av “It’s not that I just don parties, but I don’t want to people who are making bad need to be part of that, espe part of a sport,” said Sydney nior captain. Even with the large nu who chose not to use alcoh interviewed on and off rec believe the partying culture veloped as a way to relieve up throughout the school w “At parties, whether yo not, you kind of just let loo When you’re with a small you kind of have to be norm you’re at a party, you can comes to mind,” said a stu to remain anonymous. He as Smith throughout this st Emily Schultz, senior, al on the weekend. “It’s just a time for me to peers in a different way tha Schultz said.
42 58
Some students at HHS have two addresses and two birthdays, and they can recite both within seconds. One address is where they go home to every night; the other lives only on their fake ID. “I have a friend that knows someone who makes them, so I bought two fake IDs. They were $100 and work every time,” said Smith. “The guy at the liquor store now knows my name.” Smith purchased and sold alcohol to his friends until his profit equaled the amount he spent on his fake ID. “I got booze for pretty much anyone that wanted it for a while because I didn’t want to spend money on a fake. Now that I’ve made my money back, I try to tell people I don’t have it,” Smith said. The maximum penalty for using a fake ID to buy alcohol is 90 days in jail and/ or a $1000 fine. Students without fake IDs have still found ways to obtain alcohol for the weekends. “I get [alcohol] from people who are already 21,” said Schultz. “You could even ask someone walking into the liquor store to get you a bottle and hand them money, and they would do it. Alcohol really isn’t hard to get.”
Before party
This center spread is a discussion of the party culture at HHS. Substance use among teenagers is not unique to HHS; this is a national issue. Several students shared their experiences with engaging in the partying that happens at HHS along with the consequences that have followed. This also includes perspective from the police and health experts on teen substance use.
the
44
ASHED.
umber of students hol, many students cord for this story e at HHS has destress that builds week. ou’re drinking or ose and have fun. group of people, mal, but then when just do whatever udent who wished will be identified tory. lso enjoys partying
The end of a party is usually marked by the arrival of the cops. But the party ending is the least of the problems: legal ramifications can follow. Last year, police gave out 65 minor consumption citations in Minnetonka and 33 in Hopkins. A lesser used ordinance is also available in cities within the Hopkins school district -- the Social Host Ordinance. Providing alcohol to individuals under the age of 21 has been illegal for many years, but until recently, there has been no way to punish the person who provides a place for underage drinking. That is where the Social Host Ordinance comes in. In Minnetonka, the ordinance makes it illegal to allow people under 21 to gather if the host knows alcohol will be present and fails to take reasonable steps to prevent underage people
o interact with my an I do at school,”
23 8 7
18
Leaving minors
Most students interviewed reported that they are able to leave parties without any legal trouble. For others, partying has come with serious consequences. In the incident that recently occured near Dawson, Minn., not only did a student die, but the host and the host’s father were charged with crimes under the Social Host Ordinance. Schultz has received three minors. When someone receives a minor, they have four options: an alcohol diversion class, an online alcohol diversion class, Sentencing to Service (STS), or probation. STS, according to Hennepin County, is a program in which people work, learn new skills, and gain self-confidence while completing community improve-
21
79
The Royal Page polled 100 HHS students during fourth block on March 19, 2014.
permission and supervision. That means underage drinkers can consume alcohol with their parents in their own home. Parents cannot, however, pro-
ment and restoration projects. Schultz chose STS as her penalty for her first two minors. “When I did STS, I was just raking leaves, so that wasn’t really a penalty for me. I do community service on my own time anyways,” Schultz said. When Smith received a minor this summer, he was put on probation for six months. After hiding from the police in ditches for two hours, Smith and his friends got into a car, thinking they had avoided trouble. However, that was not the case. “I was in a car, and we had a sober driver, but he got pulled over, and the cops breathalyzed everyone, and we got minors,” Smith said. While being on probation did not stop Smith from drinking, he was aware that breaking parole would result in serious ramifications. “I didn’t pay a fee or anything. I
After fact
vide alcohol or a place to drink for their children’s friends.
just had to not get caught for six months. If I got caught drinking, I would get two minors on my adult record and failure to go through probation,” Smith said. “All three of those would go on every job application, and I would have to tell colleges.” There are also penalties for receiving a minor at HHS. At the beginning of every sports season, students participating in a sport are required to sign a contract, promising not to use drugs or alcohol. When an athlete at HHS gets a minor, the athletic program is notified, and that individual must sit out. Some HHS students participate in another sport during their off-season so that this penalty does not impact their primary sport. “I did a second sport so I could get my two weeks off and play my other sport,” Smith said. “By the end of it, I had to pay like $500, which kind of sucked, but now I can play my real sport for my whole senior year.”
the
The Royal Page polled 100 HHS students during fourth block on March 19, 2014.
from possessing or drinking alcohol. The main way police respond to parties is through complaints. “If we get complaints about a suspected party, then we are going to go there and stay until there is a resolution,” said Jason Tait, HHS Resource Officer. Complaints aren’t the only way police find out about parties. “The easiest way to be informed about a party is being called by a neighbor. Events usually get louder and louder as more alcohol is consumed, but we also monitor social media to try to find them,” said Troy Pass, Minnetonka Police Officer. Once at the party, the officers try to enter, and if needed will issue citations. “If we are not allowed in, there’s always a judge on standby for Hennepin County to give us a warrant,” Pass said. One exception to the rule is drinking in one’s own home with parental
with
percent of 11th ported alcohol use ompared to the 29 s and 27 percent of tate of Minnesota. a majority of 11th void alcohol use. n’t want to go to be surrounded by d decisions. I don’t ecially because I’m y Rosenzweig, se-
cops
ty The come
Several students interviewed expressed that even with the risk of a minor, the consequences are not enough of an incentive to stop partying. “I wouldn’t necessarily say that [getting a minor] changed my behavior, but it makes me more cautious of where I’m partying, when I should leave the party, and other things like that,” Schultz said. Schultz’s experiences with STS and the alcohol diversion class were not enough to stop her from drinking entirely. She believes that the programs are insufficient. “I think most people party, and then they go to STS or to classes and just look at it as ‘Okay, I got a minor; I just have to get this over with,’” Schultz said. “The class
is just what you hear all the time, like, ‘alcohol is bad for you,’ and we obviously know that beforehand, but we still do it.” Jane Kleinman, Health, believes that when students continue to drink, it is not only a poor judgment choice; it is a disorder. “It is a disease. It isn’t a character trait,” Kleinman said. “They are not bad kids, but when they continue to make mistakes like that, it puts them in a point of concern for having a substance abuse disorder.” Kleinman believes that students who drink now are often unaware of the toll that drinking can take later in life. She has seen this pattern with former stu-
dents. “They just don’t see it when they are in it. I think students continue to drink because they love it. They love it more than they dislike the consequences,” Kleinman said. After receiving her third minor, Schultz now sees the end of high school as a time to re-evaluate her behavior. “I regret every minor I’ve gotten, especially this last one because it was at my own party,” Schultz said. “Now, as I’m getting ready to graduate, I think I really need to be more careful and maybe chill out on the drinking and partying for a bit.”
By Josh Gallop, Danielle Fogelson, and Alex Felemovicius, Editor in Chief, Staff Reporter, and C-Spread Editor of the Royal Page
the
RPThursday, March 27, 2014 8 feature HAP, MAAP, and STARS lead Getz to success The Royal Page 2013-2014
Editors in Chief Naomi Borowsky Josh Gallop
Front Page Editor Joe Greene
C-Spread Editor Alex Felemovicius
News Editor Brit Stein
Opinion Editor Ryland Dorshow
Feature Editors Phoebe Cohen Callan Showers
Variety Editor Lily Goldfarb
Sports Editors Hillary Donovan Nate Pasko
Photo Editors
Roxanne Krietzman Maddie Malat
Business Editors
Kyle Makey Brian Yu
By Andrew Zhou Staff Reporter Ms. Sheila Getz, Work Experience Coordinator, was surprised to receive an email from Mr. Scott Neiman, Hopkins Alternative Program (HAP) Coordinator, a close co-worker, congratulating her for winning an award that she wasn’t supposed to know about until later in the day. Getz was named the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs (MAAP) Educator of the Year at the 2014 MAAP Conference in Duluth on Feb. 20, 2014. She was nominated by Neiman for her work in alternative education. Carol Peterson, senior, is a student of Getz, and she has formed a very close connection with her. “She drives us back and forth places when we need to, and she buys all of our supplies with her own money,” Peterson said. “Sheila does a lot for us. She’s always there.” At HHS, Getz works in HAP, providing another option for students who aren’t succeeding in their mainstream learning experience.
From left to right: Cameron Carver, junior, Mariah Athey, senior, Nicole Dube, senior, Carol Peterson, senior, and Cameron Rodriguez, junior are members of the Hopkins Alternative Program (HAP) at HHS. They attended a STARS conference this fall.
Photo provided by Sheila Getz
“HAP is a regular education option, like AP or Honors classes are an option for students, so it’s nice that students have different kinds of choices to consider as far as what’s the best educational environment for them,” Neiman said. Peterson especially appreciates the personal nature of HAP classes, and finds the program to be very beneficial. “I had a lot of trouble in junior high. My grandparents passed away, so I had a lot of difficulties,” Peterson
meet with others in Minnesota and listen to speeches, attend breakout sessions, and learn how to improve classes and support students. Getz attends these conferences and applies what she learns at HHS. “It’s a good way for us to collaborate with other educators in alternative education. We find out what they’re doing, what’s not working, and how we can make this a better place for our students,” Getz said. Specifically, this includes her coordination of the MAAP
By Brit Stein News Editor
a good head on his shoulders.” For Jack, one of the most challenging parts of the job is dealing with death and illness. The first thing Jack does upon arriving at work is check the list of passings. “The death is frustrating. You build bonds with people, and you get angry and sad when they’re gone, and it happens pretty quick. Death teaches you to remember people through memory and value every second of life,” Jack said. Jack has a strong support system at home. “We let him know that we’re always available to talk, that we’re here for him basically. We’re always going to listen,” Mark said. The patients Jack assists suffer from memory loss, dementia, Parkinson’s, or are in a wheel chair. “There are a lot of things [about the job] that change you. When you go home at night, it doesn’t make sense; you realize that the world is not very pretty, and it’s really hard to live with,” Jack said. Ellie Kozberg, sophomore, also volunteers at Sholom on Saturday mornings. Kozberg too experiences the difficulty of volunteering at a nursing home. “[Volunteering] is hard at times. There is a woman who asks me my name and tells me the same sentence multiple times in a minute. It brings me back to my grandparents and makes me thankful that they are so healthy for their age,” Kozberg said. According to the organization’s website, Sholom’s primary mission is to recognize that the elderly are individuals with psy-
Royal of the Month Bass works with elderly at Sholom
Web Editor in Chief Sam Hromatka
Staff Reporters
Claire Benton Cybill Biehlmann Danielle Fogelson Rachel Hall Kelsi Johnson Bradley Kaplan Peter Kramer Addie Lennon Josh Margolis Madeline Martodam Jacob Moore Erik A. Nelson Samantha Ostenso Madison Petty Lucy Pierro Ben Segelbaum Margo Strifert Lindsey Tradewell Christiaan van Lierop Ingrid Werner Andrew Zhou
Adviser
Sharde Frazier, senior How does it feel to be the March Royal of the Month? “It feels really good to be recognized for my academic achievements.” What’s your favorite class? “English, because I love writing papers and the creativity it requires.”
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 available for $20.
said. “We’re a lot closer to the teachers. Some of the classes are maybe four or five people.” According to the Minnesota Department of Education, alternative education programs have grown from 4,000 participating Minnesota students in 1988, to over 162,000 students today. This means approximately 17 percent of Minnesota public students take alternative education options on a part-time or full-time basis. MAAP conferences allow alternative education staff to
STARS (Success, Teamwork, Achievement, Recognition, SelfEsteem) program at HHS. “We have a student version of [MAAP],” Getz said. “They get to go to breakout sessions where they get to learn how to become good leaders, how to become positive role models, how to stand up for themselves, and learn about situations where they can take charge and make a difference in the community.” STARS lets students in alternative education programs throughout Minnesota compete in a fall and spring conference surrounding community projects and leadership skills. They are also able to visit the Capitol to speak with legislators. Currently, eight HHS students are involved in this program, including Peterson. At any given time, approximately one hundred students are enrolled in HAP. They are interviewed by Neiman, and those participating in STARS are interviewed by Getz. “It goes beyond being a teacher,” Neiman said. “[Getz] also builds the types of attributes and qualities needed outside of school to succeed.”
are
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.
What class has pushed you the hardest? “Chemistry was the class that pushed me the hardest, due to all the equations you have to memorize and all different types of bonds.” What is your favorite thing about school? “Learning new things everyday.” What are your plans for the future? “I’m going to go to Normandale for two years to get my generals. Then, I’d like to go to Fisher College in Boston to work on brain development or become a Special Education teacher.”
At 7:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, Jack Bass, junior, wakes up to prepare for an eight hour shift at Sholom Community Alliance, an assisted living home in St. Louis Park. “I engage in recreational activities with the elderly patients, the residents of the home. I try to involve the residents and add a more productive or meaningful day for them,” Bass said. Bass volunteered for three and a half years at Sholom before he applied for a position in the assisted living residence as a therapeutic recreation assistant. “My job is to encourage the residents to socialize and partake in activities that they would have difficulty doing or be unable to do alone,” Bass said. Jack engages the elderly in a variety of activities including anything from playing cards to baking cookies, or simply a one-on-one conversation. “I am the youngest person in my department, and it’s different always being treated like an adult. Then, I come to school, and I have teachers I have to listen to, and it’s almost like a double life. In one place you’re treated as an adult, and in the other, you are just a kid again,” Bass said. Mark Bass, Jack’s father, acknowledges the increased responsibility that Jack takes on at work. “He has a lot more freedom because of the job,” Mark said. “[My wife and I] let him choose his responsibilities, and he captains his own ship in that regard. I think he has
chological, emotional, spiritual, social, and physical needs. “I know most residents on a personal level. I strive to know as much as possible so that they don’t lose their individuality,” Jack said. As difficult as the job is at times, Jack explains that there are many lessons that he takes from assisting the elderly. “I’m more accepting of what happens, and if something happens it’s for a reason. I also hate it when children are disrespectful to their elders,” Jack said. “I’m extra aware of the difference between respect and dislike. You can dislike someone but still respect them; it’s something I find very important.” Since he began assisting the elderly, Jack has discovered a desire to study to be a geriatric physician, a doctor for the aging. Jack’s father supports Jack’s desire to pursue assisting the elderly as a future career. “He’s a good fit for his job. He’s more mature and serious since he started working there,” Mark said. The work that Jack is doing at Sholom is not only recognized by his father, but also by his good friend, Isaac Teplinsky, junior. “Jack’s job is something that others won’t necessarily want to do. The people he assists are facing the hardest time in their life, and Jack helps them with that through his involvement and attitude,” Teplinsky said. “[This job] gives meaning to my life. It gives more than material meaning. It makes me happy knowing that I did what I could to improve the quality of someone’s life,” Jack said.
the
feature9 RPThursday, March 27, 2014 Model UN club introduced to HHS Leaders in Business By Madison Petty Staff Reporter
While a majority of students were at Target Center for the boys basketball quarterfinal game, nine HHS students already had a prior obligation. On March 12, HHS participated in the 2014 Minnesota State High School Model UN Conference at Hamline University. During conferences, students act as United Nations delegates. Participants negotiate, strategize, and formally present their chosen country’s positions within the parameters of the United Nations. “We learn about the world
in AP World History, but we don’t get to experience how different places interact on the world stage,” said Whitney Amanga, junior. “In Model UN, we do.” Simran Mishra, junior, started the Model UN program at HHS in January. After participating in the Best Delegate Summer Program at the University of California, Berkeley last summer, she decided to explore the possibilities of bringing a Model UN program home to HHS. “I met people from all over the world and I thought it was a really diverse program that would be a good addition at HHS,” Mishra said.
Several months after the Berkeley program, Mishra accomplished her goal of bringing Model UN home. Now, she is dedicated to growing this program even further, with the help of Mr. Alex Fisher, mathematics. Meeting every Tuesday after school, their latest venture consisted of preparing themselves for their first conference. “It really helps you gain a multilateral view of the world,” Mishra said. “You learn about how the United Nations works and often what happens, not only from an American perspective, but from a global perspective as well.” Branching off of the United Nations Association of America,
From left to right: Rachel Colestock, junior, Celine Bartels-Mills, junior, Khadro Hassan, junior, Ellie Maag, junior, Whitney Amanga, junior, Erik Rubinyi, junior, Simran Mishra, junior, Evan Hazeltine, junior, and Andrew Zhou, sophomore pose for a picture at their first United Nations conference on March 12, 2014. Mishra formed the club this January. Photo provided by Simran Mishra
the United Nations Association of Minnesota (UNA-MN), located in Minneapolis, works statewide to promote the goals and principles of the United Nations. To learn the inner workings of Model UN, such as the rules of procedure, points and motions, and how to write a resolution, UNA-MN provides instructors for classrooms across Minnesota to teach students. “Globalization makes it a necessity for today’s students to expand their horizons and learn more about the world around them,” said Fatema Walji, Global Classrooms Program Coordinator for UNAMN. “The biggest issues facing our world today are issues that all of us are affected by, and that means we can all contribute towards the solutions.” As of 2014, more than half a million students ranging from middle school to college have participated in a Model UN program around the world. Closer to home, both Edina and Minnetonka have developed programs in their schools, with upwards of 100 students participating. With HHS coming into the picture, Model UN has the potential for making yet another Lake Conference rivalry. “Some schools out there have tons of students in Model UN and I really feel that our school could be one of those,” Mishra said.
Support for adapted sports SEA. Continued from page 1 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Tuttles Bowling Alley in Minnetonka. Cameron Bishop, eighth grader at West Junior High, joined the bowling team for the first year this year. “It seemed like more than just a competition. To me, it’s more than just fun. It’s more than just a game of strength. It’s getting a chance to go in there and try it, and make new friends,” Bishop said. O’Toole’s experience as an athlete is especially influential to her while setting goals for SEA. “The state tournament is the best time of the year, when everybody is at our game. I know that experience, that feeling. If we can pass that on to the adapted sports, that would be incredible,” O’Toole said. Edward Burns, special education and assistant football coach, is the coach behind the adapted bowling team. He believes that attendance at adapted sports game is long overdue. “Usually, most of the people watching are parents. But, the level of intensity in adapted sports is just as high,” Burns said. The idea for a Special Edgeared group was formed in Beckenbach and O’Toole’s Peer Insights class last year.
Peer insights is a “social inclusion class that builds bridges between people with and without disabilities” according to the HHS Course Catalog. “We had a Special Olympics spokesperson come in and talk with us, and that inspired [Taylor and me] to bring it to our own school,” O’Toole said. Beckenbach and O’Toole see attending adapted sports games as a way to make a real difference in the lives of athletes who rarely have an audience. “I feel like many people with cognitive or physical disabilities are often counted out, and it shouldn’t be that way,” Beckenbach said. SEA is also working with the nationwide organization ‘Spread the Word to End the Word’ to stop the use of the ‘rword’- retard and retarded - in derogatory and hurtful ways. “The slogan is that ‘there are many types of fish that can live happily in one sea.’ Many different types of people can live in a community,” O’Toole said. Beckenbach and O’Toole believe that SEA can foster that same inclusive community at HHS. “I think that with enough support from the students at Hopkins we’ll be able to get the word out about the incredible people that we’re supporting in SEA as well as
spreading the word of the different ways that people in the community can support people with disabilities,” Beckenbach said. Beckenbach and O’Toole are passionate about bringing togetherness to the HHS community through SEA. “I’m great friends with people with different disabilities and I know that they, just like anyone else, have something special about them to bring to the world that no one
else does,” Beckenbach said. “[People with disabilities] have so much to teach the world.” When SEA went to the teams’ practice on March 18, Manny Castillo IV, junior, bowled a strike within the first five minutes. Castillo attempted to keep his reaction cool on the outside, but inside he recognized the intensity of the sport. “[When I get a strike it feels] like a lightning bolt going through me,” Castillo said.
By Brian Yu Buisiness Editor The Royal Page periodically interviews successful business men and women working in the Minneapolis metropolitan area. We hope to provide influential first-hand sources of success in business for HHS students interested in the business field. Michael LeSage is an HHS alumnus and the President of Cargill Risk Management. Cargill Incorporated is a food processing company based in Wayzata, Minnesota. LeSage said, “Mistakes will happen, but it is important to talk about them. If someone feels like they are going to be punished for making a mistake, that’s when things get problematic.” Q: As a kid, were you involved in leadership roles or entrepreneurial things? My first leadership role was when I was in Boy Scouts. I became a patrol leader when I was around 12 years old. It was my first time being elected to lead a group of my peers. I learned how to set an agenda for a meeting and determine what we wanted to accomplish. I was given the opportunity to help motivate others succeed at getting their merit badges. Q: What was your college experience? After attending Hopkins High School, I went to the University of Minnesota on the Evans Scholarship for Golf Caddies. It was a tuition and housing scholarship. Minnesota is a very large school, but I was able to make it small through different activities I participated in. In college, I originally thought I was going to be a lawyer. While I was caddying at Interlachen, I was able to talk with one of the members who was a lawyer. His advice was that if I didn’t love law, I should go into the workforce and wait to see if a passion for law emerged. In the end, I never ended up going to law school. Q: How do you manage employees? I spend a lot of time on selecting talent. I look to have a diverse team because diversity of thought is important. As a part of my management style, I try to build consensus from the team. In order to do this, I ask probing questions and actively listen to people’s thoughts. Q: When you are a part of the hiring process, what qualities do you look for? What questions do you ask? When I’m hiring someone, I want a person who has a track record of success in their focused discipline. I like to see people who have shown leadership credentials. I look for people who are engaged, motivated, and humble. I like to focus on team because everyone has to be individually accountable, but it isn’t about the individual. You need collective focus, not one superstar. Q: What fuels your passion for business? What I love about my job is the trading environment. I have worked at Cargill since 1992 when I graduated college, but I have never been bored in my time at Cargill. My job deals with the commodity and currency markets, which are always changing. There are constantly new inputs that feed the market and change the direction of prices. The excitement and competition of the ever-changing environment as well as the customer relationships is what fuels my passion for business. Q: Who are some of the people who have influenced and left a lasting impact on you? My parents have always focused on doing your best. They always knew what my best would look like. My parents wouldn’t set unrealistic expectations for me, but they knew my strengths and what I was capable of. They challenged me at things they knew I could succeed at. I have also had mentors within Cargill who have challenged and pushed me to succeed, while still having my best interest at heart.
Cameron Bishop, eighth grader at WJH, prepares to bowl during practice for the HHS adapted bowling team. This is Bishop’s first year on the HHS adapted bowling team. Photo by Roxy Krietzman
Note: This is a condensed version of the full interview, which can be found at www.hopkinsrp.org
RP Thursday, March 27, 2014
the
10
sports11
the
RPThursday, March 27, 2014
Girls basketball falls short of four-peat By Josh Margolis Staff Reporter Hopkins will not be the first girls basketball team in Minnesota state history to win four consecutive state titles. After trouncing St. Louis Park in the section quarterfinal with a score of 90-25, the Royals were bounced from the playoffs by unranked Eden Prairie. The Eagles led by 19 at halftime and held on to win with a score of 51-46, advancing to the section finals. “Just when you think everything is going well, your season can just end like that,” said TT Starks, junior guard. The loss was especially surprising considering Hopkins won both previous matchups this season, including a 35-point victory over the same Eden Prairie team on Feb. 25. “We worked so hard all season to get to the state tourna-
ment. We knew that we could do it and just came up short, which was disappointing. At the end of the day, we knew we could have won that game,” said Ashley Bates, sophomore guard. In the loss, no player tallied more than nine points for Hopkins, who seemed to be lacking an offensive spark. With Nia Coffey graduating this past school year, the rest of the Royals were tasked with stepping up their contributions. Coffey spent this season playing on scholarship for Northwestern University in Illinois. Coffey led the Wildcats in both scoring and rebounding and was one of two freshmen named to both the Big Ten’s First Team, as well as the conference's AllFreshman Team, by the Big Ten coaches. In the regular season, the Royals posted a record of 223, winning the Lake confer-
ence and clinching the top seed in their section. To put that in perspective, in the three seasons prior, the Royals lost four games total on their way to three consecutive state championships. “You get out the amount of work you put in. Nobody’s ever won four state titles in a row, so [Coach] Cosgriff said that we need to make a historic effort to be able to make a historic mark,” said Molly O’Toole, senior captain. “I think that we could have put in a little more effort rather than just taking it for granted.” O’Toole led the Royals both on and off the floor this season. O’Toole’s leadership led to her being nominated for Ms. Basketball, an award given annually to the best senior player in the state. “I wear my [three championship] rings every single day, and I’m proud of that. I’m proud of our team for all we have accom-
plished. Personally, I’m proud of being nominated for Ms. Basketball,” O’Toole said. Even without a state title, O’Toole was still proud of her team for their accomplishments this season. “After the semifinal game, we got a lot closer. We did win a conference title. It didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to, but, from a relationship aspect, I don’t think it could have gone any better,” O’Toole said. After the season ended in a disappointing fashion, the Royals have started to put their efforts into next season, hoping to make their way back to the state tournament. “We know that shooting is something that we need to work on. Getting in the gym, shooting around, and working on dribbling are the big things,” Bates said.
TT Starks, junior, drives past an opponent. The Royals finished the season with a record of 23-4. Photo by Maddie Malat
Li and Aune overcome challenges in pool By Roxy Krietzman Photo Editor The HHS boys swim team typically swims 200 laps during a practice. With every lap, two swimmers face an extra challenge. Both Kelvin Li, senior, and Alex Aune, junior, swim with only one of their arms. Li swims with only his left arm. “I get less out of my [right] arm than what I put into it. I get tired faster, without going that much faster,” said Li. “I’d rather swim with just my [left] arm and go a bit faster than work harder and go slower.” Mr. Christopher Johnstone, Special Education and swim coach, has been coaching Li for
two years. “Swimming is a symmetrical, full-body workout. Only being able to use one arm or side of your body makes swimming much harder,” Johnstone said. Li was born with nerve damage in his right arm. Because of this, Li was always discouraged from doing sports. “Tennis is something I really liked, but I couldn’t serve very well, and I did wrestling in third grade, but I sucked because I only could use one of my arms,” Li said. “I was always afraid that I wouldn’t be able to do much or I just wouldn’t be good at [sports].” Li joined the swim team during his sophomore year. “I had a few people tell me to do swimming, and a lot of
people were joining. And that’s when I met Alex,” Li said. Like Li, Aune only swims with his left arm. At 18 months, Aune was diagnosed with a brain tumor that caused damage to the part of his brain that controls the right side of his body, also known as hemiparesis. Hemiparesis, which means weakness, causes reduced muscular strength. Before joining the Hopkins swim team in junior high, Aune swam at The Courage Center in Golden Valley, Minn. The Courage Center provides rehabilitation services for people with conditions, injuries, and disabilities in communities throughout Minnesota. Li and Aune motivate each other to reach their goals.
nior captain. “Most of what we do indoors is not at all similar to how we play outdoors, and it’s hard to improve your game when you don’t practice the same way you play.” The golf team also faces a unique dilemma concerning tryouts, which are never concretely scheduled and must occur after courses open for the season. “Though we have to wait until courses open for the season, we also need to find courses that will actually let a high school team use them,” said Paul Vogt, senior captain. “Last year, we had to drive to Hastings for tryouts because that was the only course we could find.” The extended winter will impact the golf team’s schedule, as well as its development. “We will have to reschedule and combine conference matches and maybe even cancel some invites, depending on when we get outside. Once the season gets underway, we have so many matches scheduled into such a short period that we lose most
of our in-season practice time,” said Mr. Gary Westman, head coach. Extended winter conditions will make player evaluation very difficult for Westman. “We do have the ability to hit balls in an open-air range and see ball flight, and this combined with swing mechanics are good indicators of where the player is ability-wise, but there are so many variables in golf that being a good ball striker alone does not make you a good player,” Westman said. “You must think your way around the golf course, as well as be able to pitch, chip and putt, so you don't necessarily get a true feeling of the player’s ability in an indoor setting.” Athletes and coaches of all sports have been forced to devise creative ways to stay interested and focused while practicing indoors. “We have a portable shot put pit that we set up indoors, and we use rubber shots that are the same weight as our metal shots,”
“Alex and I really push each other. It’s nice to rest and swim with someone at the same pace,” Li said. Since joining the team, Li dropped 36 seconds off his 50-meter freestyle swim, and Aune has dropped 40 seconds. According to Johnstone, Aune is always searching for ways to improve. “Before, during, and after every meet, Alex would ask for tips on what he could do better,” Johnstone said. “This season, he made significant time drops, and, toward the end of the season, he decided to try the breaststroke.” “Alex always pushes himself, and he tries his hardest all the time,” said Chris Lauer, senior. “It just goes to show you, no
matter who you are, you can still succeed.” Li and Aune’s presence on the team have inspired their teammates to work harder. “None of the swimmers on the team have a good excuse to stop, because when you look at Alex and Kelvin, they’re always moving, so we have to keep moving, too,” Lauer said. Li recently completed his Senior 500 swim at a conference meet against Edina on Feb. 7, 2014. The Senior 500 is a longstanding tradition where each senior boy on the swim team participates in a 500-meter freestyle swim. “Many swimmers find ways out of this event. Not only did [Kelvin] complete the race, but
he did so with style,” Johnstone said. As Li finished his swim, swimmers and fans from both Hopkins and Edina were on their feet cheering. “It was amazing seeing Edina actually cheer on someone else for a change,” Li said. After seeing Li swim his Senior 500, Aune is excited to complete his next year. “Watching Kelvin recently do his [Senior 500] inspired me to go for it,” Aune said. Next year, Li hopes to return to the Royals’ pool to watch Aune swim his Senior 500. “Kelvin and Alex set the bar for many of the swimmers to practice without complaint and give their best when competing,” Johnstone said.
Extended winter turns a cold shoulder on spring athletes SPRING SPORTS Continued from page 1
athletes in track events are not abnormally harmed by indoor conditions. “In this portion of the season, we build the athlete. We won’t start getting event-specific for another three to four weeks,” Lovas said. The extended winter can cause difficulty for the softball team as well. “It’s hard to adapt to the the outdoor fields once we’re finally able to get outside. It’s especially difficult for the outfielders because they don’t have much room indoors to practice fly balls and long throws,” said Lauren Feagler, junior captain. The golf team is severely impacted by the extended winter, given their inability to practice in the same conditions in which they play. “For captains’ practice, we just hit into the dividers in Lindbergh and putt using floor mats,” said Luke Nelson, ju-
Zach said. “The tennis team does a lot of different drills and games indoors, including a game where we play nonstop tiebreaker points. ” Chase said. “One of our indoor training techniques is increased reps at
a lower distance,” Lovas said. “We do a lot of cross-training and run a lot of stairs, and we have easier access to the weight room than we would if we were outside.” Most spring athletes recognize that it is important to stay
focused and work to get better, even when stuck practicing indoors. “We still have to remember that our practices are important, and we need to take them seriously, no matter where they’re located,” Feagler said.
12 sports
the
RPThursday, March 27, 2014
Boys basketball rebounds back to state By Ben Segelbaum Staff Reporter In the 2013-14 season, the Royals were set to prove the naysayers wrong. “The whole state of Minnesota was kind of against us, saying we couldn’t make it to state,” said John Warren, junior. The 2012-2013 boys basketball team finished their campaign with a two point section final loss to Edina. “We felt the pain from last year’s loss and we kind of let that fuel us through the offseason,” said Stephon Sharp, senior.
The Royals needed to change something. “We focused a lot on defense, taking every game at a time. Last year, we didn’t focus on the all the little things that happened, but Coach [Novak] made sure we knew what it would come down to,” Warren said. The Royals started off the season 5-0 before losing to Apple Valley and the top recruit, Tyus Jones. After that loss, the Royals did not turn back, winning their final 21 regular season games and earning themselves a 26-1 record along with the top seed in the section six
AAAA tournament. With a strong win over St. Louis Park and a big second half against a pesky Armstrong team, the Royals were in the section finals. The section championship against Eden Prairie was similar to the semifinal against Armstrong, as the first half was very close. In the second half, the Royals turned up the intensity, pulling away for a 13 point victory. With that, the Royals were back in the state tournament after missing it by one game last year. “It was an unreal feeling to have the Target Center almost sold out. It was a great experi-
ence I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” said Jake Wright, senior. When the number one team in the state, Apple Valley, lost their section final game, the Royals found themselves with the number one seed in the Class 4A state tournament. In the first round of the state tournament, the Royals faced the Tartan Titans. The Royals began their first state tournament in two years with an eight-point win over the Titans. In the semifinal, Shakopee attempted to end the Royals’ hopes for a title. The game went into overtime, but noth-
ing changed within the first three overtimes. With two seconds left in the fourth overtime, the half-full Target Center was preparing for a fifth overtime when Amir Coffey, sophomore, received the inbound pass and released a 57foot buzzer beater. “I just went to go get the ball and put up a heave and hoped to God that it would go in. I didn’t think I was going to make it, but when it went in, it was just crazy,” said Coffey. The Royals would move on to the state championship game for the first time since 2011 and play Lakeville North. After a strong effort and heart-
breaking finish, the Royals fell just short of that coveted title. “We played well enough to win, but we made some mistakes at the end that hurt us. That’s basketball,” said Mr. Ken Novak, Jr., Social Studies and head coach. Even though they did not win a state title, the Royals were able to put their whole season in perspective. “Overall, the season went pretty well for us. It didn't end the way we wanted it to end, but I felt like we grew as a team throughout the season and accomplished a lot of things that most teams wouldn't be able to accomplish,” Sharp said.
Clockwise from upper left: Stephon Sharp, senior, in semifinal game, Noble Fahnbulleh, senior, in semifinal game, Jake Wright, senior, in semifinal game, Kamali Chambers, senior, in quarterfinal game, Treyvon Edwards, senior, in semifinal game, Kamali Chambers in semifinal game, Amir Coffey, sophomore in quarterfinal game Photos by Maddie Malat and Roxy Krietzman