Echo issue 4, Nov. 30 by SLP Echo

Echo

VEGAN VICTORY

GAME ON

TUNE IN

Culinary club wins $1,000 grant PAGE 4

Boys’ basketball gets ready for ﬁrst game PAGE 9

Top four podcasts to listen to PAGE 12

Friday, November 30, 2018 Volume 92 Issue 4 St. Louis Park High School 6425 W. 33rd Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Let’s

SLPECHO.COM

Photo Sam St. Clair

Unique: Juniors Kypri Cepeda-Johnson and Nevaeh Emerson participate in the dress code protest.

Junior opposes dress code enforcement

talk

Group protests with T-shirts, posters Dani Orloﬀ & Yonit Krebs daniorloﬀ@slpecho.com yonitkrebs@slpecho.com

race

J Photo Grace Farley

Speak up: SOAR representatives hosted an uncensored panel for students and community members in C350 Nov. 27. Students answered anonymous questions about being a student of color at Park. The questions touched on asking people what their race is, touching natural hair, feeling alienated in honors classes and prejudices students of color face everyday.

Uncensored panel generates discussions Dani Orloﬀ & Grace Farley daniorloﬀ@slpecho.com gracefarley@slpecho.com

or junior Victoria Caraballo, conversations about race and equity have previously been uncomfortable, but she said open dialogue, like the uncensored race panel, fosters healthy discussions regarding race. “I think that even just starting up a conversation in class or starting a conversation with your friends, a lot of people are going to be like ‘oh they’re talking about this, its OK to (talk about),’” Victoria Caraballo said. “A lot of people Because we are don’t think it’s OK to talk about it in St. Louis Park and and they are scared to touch on the it’s so diverse — we subject, and I feel that if people start praise ourselves on talking about it, it is just going to be that — but, we don’t something that becomes a norm.” For the second year in a row, know what diversity senior Students Organized Against is if you really think Racism (SOAR) member Natalia about it. Caraballo said she has participated Victoria Caraballo, junior in SOAR’s uncensored race panel. According to Natalia Caraballo, during the panel members answered questions submitted to the Learning Lab prior to the event, then opened the floor to audience members to ask additional questions. Natalia Caraballo said the forum gave her the opportunity to talk about race and equity in a safe environment. “I felt really good. I felt like I shared everything that I needed to in order to get my message and experience across to people,” Natalia Caraballo said. Assistant principal Jessica Busse said she believes conversations like the panel are valuable to the community. “It’s extremely important in the time that we’re in as a

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country and where we’re at as a community to have these conversations about race and being honest and talking about it, because that’s where change happens,” Busse said. Junior attendee Franny Bevell said the panel acknowledged the diversity at Park. “A lot of our classmates and peers aren’t white, and I think that it is important to know what they go through because (white people) don’t know,” Bevell said. “I think that we need to listen to their views and their experiences at school and within the community.” Senior Maddy Eduardo-Gonzalez said she hopes the panel has a lasting impact on the community and encourages her peers to continue asking questions. “We are able to have impact, when we have more students and community members (attending). I hope that they will want to ask questions and I hope that they will leave with questions,” Eduardo-Gonzalez said. Victoria Caraballo said she feels the conversation is necessary for students to truly learn what diversity means. “I feel like a lot of people think that because we are in St. Louis Park and it’s so diverse — we praise ourselves on that — but, we don’t know what diversity is if you really think about it,” Victoria Caraballo said. Natalia Caraballo said that when the community listens to the individual experiences of students of color, it gives their voices representation. “Knowing that everyone has a different experience and really taking the time to go into the lives of different students who have been in the school for these past years is very fulfilling for them,” Natalia Carabello said. Eduardo-Gonzalez encourages students and staff to ask questions when they are confused. “Asking questions is better than just walking around and assuming, so that you have an answer and an idea (about race),” Eduardo-Gonzalez said.

unior CC Owens said she coordinated a group to protest the enforcement of Park’s dress code. “We made shirts that say, ‘my body is not a distraction,’” Owens said. “We’re trying to break the dress code because (it) has a racist enforcement.” According to English teacher Joseph Weber, Owens and 25 girls protested the dress code in an activism activity Nov. 27. “The girls of their own volition came up with that dress codes in the school are vague and ambiguous,” Weber said. According to Principal Scott Meyers, the administration has focused on conversations about the policy, rather than enforcement. “The consequences we’ve had to deal with are foul language or representation of chemical substances,” Meyers said. Junior Aleah Shumann said she has been dress coded. “I was wearing black leggings, a black crop top and a long button-up shirt. They said that was showing too much skin,” Shumann said. “I was like, ‘OK’ but every female in here wears a crop top.” Junior Maya Quinones, a protest participant, said without equal enforcement, Park’s dress code has no purpose. “If you’re going to do a dress code, make it equal. Otherwise don’t make one at all,” Quinones said. For more content go to slpecho.com

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NEWS

Echo Friday, November 30, 2018

I believe there are many beneﬁts for the community of alumni coming back, not only as a role model, but to give advice. Jack Westrup, senior

WEB PREVIEW

Photo Emily Zeissman

Student works as Chipotle kitchen manager

ccording to junior Elliott Rickert, who started his job as manager at Chipotle at the end of June, his responsibilities are overseeing what goes on in the restaurant. “I’m a kitchen manager,” Rickert said. “I have to make sure all of the food is kept up so that we don’t run out of food.”

Noah Orloﬀ noahorloﬀ@slpecho.com

Back home: Lt. Gov.-elect Peggy Flanagan spoke to civics teacher Brad Brubaker’s freshman honors civics Nov. 15. Flanagan is a graduate of Park. “My mother chose this community because she knew what a gem it was. My family relied on public programs like the child care assistance program, Snap and I was on Medicaid,” Flanagan said. Photo Grace Farley

Lieutenant governor-elect, journalist visit Park Flanagan, Lahammer record interview in old gym, talk to students about experience Photo Abigail Prestholdt

Boys’ hockey wins opening season game pon the boys’ hockey team’s win in its first game against Breck, sophomore Lucas Hand said the win was a strong start to set the tone for the season. “The best part of the game was us winning of course, the win is a big start of the season for us so I was pretty happy about that,” Lucas Hand said.

Claire Bargman & David Bryant clairebargman@slpecho.com davidbryant@slpecho.com

Dani Orloﬀ daniorloﬀ@slpecho.com

pon returning to the high school, Park alumna and Twin Cities Public Television journalist Mary Lahammer said she was emotional. “I’ve been tweeting out photos all morning in my old basketball jersey. I ran cross country, and I went and visited the track and cried a little bit,” Lahammer said. “It was so hard, and it’s great to be back.” Lahammer visited Park Nov.

15 to interview Park alumna and Lt. Gov.-elect Peggy Flanagan, the first Native-American female to be elected to this position, for her show, “The Almanac.” Brubaker said freshman students in his period four honors civics class and others attended the interview. Flanagan attributes the various opportunities she received to the community in which she grew up “I tell my story because I think it matters. This community really wrapped their arms

around us, and I was able to be lifted out of poverty,” Flanagan said. “I am a proud graduate of St. Louis Park.” According to Lahammer, her family was drawn to the excellent academics in the district. “My parents are both former teachers and they picked St. Louis Park as the place to raise their family because of the education and now the highest ranking indigenous woman in the (United States),” Lahammer said. Flanagan said she encourages students to embrace the diversity of Park. “Learn to be a free thinker

and learn to be in a community that was diverse but also where we valued each other, and that’s something that I’ve tried to bring into the work that I’ve done since leaving Park,” Flanagan said. Brubaker said Flanagan and Lahammer are two role models for Park because they have continued to pursue their careers and influence others. “I think it’s good for students to know that you can come from just being another kid at St. Louis Park High School,” Brubaker said. For more content go to slpecho.com

Driver and Vehicle Services understaffed Some wait months to take driver’s test Gabe Kaplan gabekaplanslpecho.com

Fair Use 20th Century Fox

Queen documentary depicts success lthough Freddie Mercury has been gone for almost 27 years, his story remains relevant today. “Bohemian Rhapsody” touches on difficult topics like sexuality and the AIDS epidemic. “Bohemian Rhapsody” opens with the story of Farrokh Bulsara, a teenager living in England with his strict Tanzanian family.

Mira Malka miramalka@slpecho.com For more content go to slpecho.com twitter.com/slpecho facebook.com/slpecho

hen junior Shaqued Ben-Harush found out she would have to wait over a month to take her driver’s license test, she said she was frustrated. “It took my mom a few days before (the Department of Public Safety) could get back to her, and we got the appointment over a month later,” Ben-Harush said. “They should get back to you faster because taking a few days to schedule the appointment a month in the future makes it take a while, and it’s not fair.” According to Park driver’s education instructor William Wodarski, the delays are caused by understaffing. “There’s a couple of reasons why the appointments for the license test take so long to get. First of all, because of the fact that they now have a new computer system, and secondly

because they are understaffed,” Wodarski said. “They only can take so many people based on how many examiners they have at the test centers, and this usually is affecting only driver’s license tests.” Sophomore Jonah Smith said he was able to schedule a test, with a several month long delay, by calling the Department of Public Safety’s Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division. “I tried scheduling it online multiple times,” Smith said. “(The phone number) allowed me to schedule an appointment eventually. I wasn’t able to get an appointment until Feb. 13.” According to Wodarski, The DVS’s current backup began over the summer and the division is beginning to catch up with appointments. “The Department of Public Safety told me that as time goes on, more and more appointments will become available, but the only way you can check

Photo illustration Sadie Yarosh

License test information

is every day on their website,” Wodarski said. In order to take the the test, Wodarski recommends his stuThe wait: dents plan ahead and schedule When you schedule an their tests month in advance. appointment for your driver’s “Don’t wait until last minute test, you will likely get an on a Friday and say to your parappointment in one to three ents, that ‘I want to take my test months. on Monday.’ Plan your driver’s training and your six hours of Strategies to schedule behind-the-wheel, and as soon test earlier: as you start, two months before 1. Test outside of Twin Cities the six months (with the permit) 2. Call DVS daily are over with, be sure you go on the website to set up your ap3. Go to a test station pointment,” Wodarski said. and wait for someone to The Minnesota Department cancel of Public Safety declined to comInfographic Mira Malka ment. Source William Wodarski

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Although people are making money, at the same time, it would be generous for them to donate their clothes instead of selling them. In my opinion I would prefer to donate my clothes. Denzel Thomas, sophomore

STUDENT LIFE

Echo Friday, November 30, 2018

Instagram success

Secondhand sales used as alternative to donating clothing Maddie Schutte maddieschutte@slpecho.com

fter purchasing secondhand clothes from another student’s Instagram, freshman Logan Epp said she decided to upcycle some of her own items after seeing the success of her peers. “I just saw it on other girls’ stories, and I thought it would be a good idea to sell clothes,” Epp said. “I bought something from another girl’s Instagram at school and it worked really well.” Epp said to keep her account successful, she used good descriptions for her items and promoted them. “I think I advertised it well and gave good explanations of what it was, and I also picked things I thought other people would like,” Epp said. “I made over $100.” According to sophomore Grace Loveland, using Instagram to sell used clothes is a good alternative for students if they don’t have a job and need to make money. “If they’re looking for ways to make more money, if they don’t have a job, it’s a good idea,” Loveland said. “Both people can benefit from it (and) you can make money off of it.” Junior Hattie Kugler said she kept in mind what

Photo Illustration Grace Farley

other people would want when selecting the clothes she put up for sale and donated the items that didn’t sell. “I put clothes that I don’t wear anymore — that other people would like — and put low prices on them,” Kugler said. “The clothes that people didn’t buy, I donated. It helps you make money.” Sophomore Raquel Wallin said she chose to donate her clothes, rather than selling them using social media. “I donate my clothes so I wouldn’t start an account, because I feel like the place I donate needs the clothes more than I need money,” Wallin said. According to sophomore Daniel Goldenberg, he prefers to buy clothes firsthand, but if a secondhand option with a cheap price arose he would take it. “I’d rather buy it new, but if someone has a good price. If it was a nice shirt and $5, I would text them and try to buy it,” Goldenberg said. Epp thinks selling clothes on Instagram is a great alternative if kept updated by showing off the clothes. “I think it works really well and everyone can make a profit off of doing it if you take good pictures and keep people updated if they have any questions,” Epp said.

Echo Friday, November 30, 2018

WHAT'S THE POINT

Age diﬀerence expands comfort zone Isaac Wahl isaacwahl@ slpecho.com

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FEATURES

avesdropping at a graduation party, I overheard a woman looking for a young male actor to audition for a show. We ended up talking later that day, and I could tell she was hesitant to ask if I was interested in auditioning. That turned out to be the beginning of my first professional show. After an audition later that week, I was cast in the show “Revolt of the Beavers” in the 2018 Minnesota Fringe Festival. In July, I remember walking into the first rehearsal and feeling What’s the ill. I felt confident, POINT? but it was my first Age is time benot an ing in an indication all-adult show, and of talent I did not know what to expect. The rest of the cast believed I was in college. Once I told everyone I was still in high school, I sensed a slight shift in the way people treated me. It was never bad, but there was a sort of doubtful, condescending attitude in the atmosphere. The cast was kind to me, but during the early rehearsals, age created some odd barriers. This confused me because in my eyes I was not a child, but to others I was. The cast began to get to know me and realized that I was not what they thought based on my age. By closing night, I saw a shift in the relationship I had with the cast compared to the first few meetings. Besides the show introducing me to the world of acting outside of high school, which presented me with many valuable learning opportunities and experiences, I made strong connections with cast members who I still keep in touch with today. I will never forget our producer emailing us saying the sales in our show did so well that she was able to pay all of us. Money was never my goal, but receiving my first check from doing something I care about was refreshing and reassuring. I learned how the gap between ages is smaller than society likes to make us think. By overcoming that mindset, I was able to have an amazing experience as a member of an all-adult cast.

I think (the grant) is cool and a good opportunity for them to make better food. Izzy Segal, sophomore

City awards Vegan Club $1000 grant Grant will mitigate costs for club meetings, food Katie Hardie katiehardie@slpecho.com

ccording to Vegan Club leader Lara Garcia, who is a senior, the club celebrated multiple birthdays and a new grant with vegan coconut cupcakes. According to club member senior Delaney Wallerich, the meeting Nov. 14, was about celebrating the members of Vegan Club. “Today we made cupcakes to celebrate the multiple birthdays we have in the month of November. It was really fun and amazing,” Wallerich said. Club member and senior Khalyma Robinson said the birthday celebrations and the news about the grant were exciting. “I feel great,” Robinson said. “There’s a lot of things to be celebrated. We’re learning about delicious vegan food that’s sweet and tastes good. We’re also celebrating us, which is nice.” Garcia said the grant will provide the club with many opportunities in the future. “This means I won’t have to pay for everything anymore,” Garcia said. “We also have ‘Chinook Books’ to sell to help costs, but (I have only) sold one book.”

Photo Katie Hardie

Sweet treats: Senior Cecilia Brown hands a club member a vegan coconut cupcake. Vegan Club celebrated multiple birthdays and a new monetary grant Nov. 14. The grant covers the ﬁnancial burden of purchasing food for meetings.

What is in a vegan coconut cupcake? • • • • • • •

1 cup self-raising ﬂour 1 cup coconut ﬂakes 3/4 cup caster sugar 3/4 cup non-dairy milk 3/4 cup melted coconut oil Juice of 1/2 lime 1 tsp vanilla extract Infographic Katie Hardie Source Exceedingly Vegan

Robinson said prior to the grant, purchasing all of the club’s food and preparing for meetings had put a strain on Garcia. “I feel very happy we have (the grant), just because I know Lara spent a lot of mon-

ey before getting it. She spent over $200 on the first few meetings of the club, so getting the grant is a good thing,” Robinson said. According to Garcia, writing the request for the grant did not take long, but the process of receiving it did. “I got the grant today, (but) I wrote it a month ago. I got it from Laura Smith, who works with the city, over email. We got $1,000,” Garcia said. According to Wallerich, getting this grant will affect the club in a positive way. “I think it’s an amazing opportunity for us to expand our knowledge upon the community about veganism,” Wallerich said. “It’s a very fun club and everyone should join.” According to Garcia, the next Vegan Club meeting will be after school Dec. 5 in room B222.

Band to collaborate with Park Singers Band looks forward to winter concert Amaia Barajas amaiabarajas@slpecho.com

s senior Lexi Lee, who plays clarinet in the wind ensemble, nears the last winter concert of her band career, she reflects on ending band and saying goodbye to another high school experience. “It’s weird to think about. I know everything has to end eventually in high school, but I’ve been in band my entire high school career and so it’s weird that even that is starting to come to an end,” Lee said. According to high school band director Steven Schmitz, one of the songs the wind ensemble will be performing at the Dec. 3 concert holds personal meaning for him. “We have ‘Distant Land; A Prayer for Freedom,’ which is really important to me because I learned about it when I was teaching last year in South

Africa, and I got to visit where Nelson Mandela was in prison and so that was written for both the fall of the Berlin and the release of Nelson Mandela in 1999,” Schmitz said. Schmitz said that he is looking forward to the band's collaboration with Park Singers on the song “Distant Land; A Prayer for Freedom.” "I’m really excited because we get to combine with the Park Singers, who’s a fine group, and we don’t really combine band and choir as often so they’ll be singing with our playing,” Schmitz said. Senior Ben Klepfer, who plays trumpet in the wind ensemble and sings tenor in Park Singers, said he has confidence that the band will be able to execute everything they have been practicing in preparation for the winter concert. “I think it will go well, it always does. Mr. Schmitz does a good job at getting us prepared and we do a good job of working and listening in class and getting our stuff together,” Klepfer said. Schmitz said the concert will be different than past years and

Winds: Senior Ana Armbrecht plays the ﬂute at the joint band and Park Singers practice Nov. 28. The combined group will perform at the band concert Dec. 3. Photo Carissa Prestholdt

he hopes the concert will lead to more musical collaborations. “I’m just excited. Hopefully it opens up more opportunities in the future to work with choir and orchestra, because in the past we’ve just had one soloist come sing with jazz band. Otherwise there’s not as much collaboration as I think we would like,” Schmitz said. Junior Mitchell VonEschen, who is a percussionist and baritone said he is excited to perform "Distant Land" be-

cause it is different than other pieces the band has worked on. “I am really looking forward to the piece 'Distant Land', which we’re going to play with Park Singers because I think it will be really cool," VonEschen said. "I’ve always wanted the music classes to combine in some way and I hope we do more of that in the future because it sounds really pretty." According to Schmitz, the band concert will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Auditorium.

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I think that (Fokuo's) got a lot of talent to be singing at that level, and I'm very impressed by it.

FEATURES Echo Friday, November 30, 2018

Paris Lim, freshman

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Junior sings in selective youth choir VocalEssence performs with Josh Groban

Amaya Fokuo, junior What did VocalEssence do with Josh Groban? I sing for a company called VocalEssence. VocalEssence basically got an invite from Josh Groban’s people to pick a gospel choir of about 20 people to sing backup for him. What does being in VocalEssence entail? It is a performing arts program for singers. We are trained as professionals, but what makes us different is that we are a more diverse group than the norm. A lot of us come from low-income backgrounds, different nationalities, some of us are even refugees. We are pretty unique (for that), but besides that we are a normal performing arts company. What was the most memorable part of the night? After the performance, a lady recognized me and she asked for a picture and an autograph. It was the craziest experience of my life. What do you think others got from this experience? We have been trained to be students who are also performers. Doing something getting to work with someone that amazing was a really great learning experience.

Photo Ben Sanford

Sing it: Amaya Fokuo rehearses in the VocalEssence choir Nov. 19. The group of high school students rehearses every Monday 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Augsburg University. The next VocalEssence concert is at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1. What does VocalEssence normally do? Every season we have a different concert experience we are going for, so each year we add on. This year we are doing choreography, so we all had to learn to get used to having choreographers there. We put a lot of time in — it's three hours a week on Monday nights. We have concerts all the time and dress rehearsals. How can students get involved in VocalEssence? We do auditions at the start of the year. You can’t audition for this season because we closed auditions at the start of October. But Dr. Philip Schultz is contracted for performances in the music department. He usually recommends people that he thinks would be a good fit for the choir.

What have you gained from being in this choir? I gained a new sense of family. I am with these people all the time, and we learn so many things about each other. We go through a lot together. What is your favorite part of the choir? I work with a lot of cool people, not just my fellow comembers, but guest artists that come in, and other choirs from around the world that I didn’t even know existed. I have sung songs in Turkish, Latin and Hebrew. It has totally changed my perspective on music. Do you have any advice for other musicians? If you love music, do it because music is pretty cool. Marta Hill martahill@slpecho.com

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asey Hunter, a sophomore, said Global Learning Fellow Nelly Korman knows the best ways to teach Spanish. “She knows what she's doing, and she knows what she talking about or teaching,” Hunter said. The NEA Foundation selects from applicants with one teacher per state, according to The NEA Foundation. Korman said as a fellow, she participates in activities relating to global learning education. “We engage in professional development around the topic of global learning education,” Korman said. “We engage in a variety of other activities like webinars and work through some modules that are related to global learning education.” Korman said she applied because she wanted to teach students in new ways.

Dahlia Krebs dahliakrebs@slpecho.com

Photo Ruthie Posada

Students to live in Israel

hen junior David Khabie found out about Alexander Muss High School in Israel, he said he was intrigued. “My freshman year, I went to an Alexander Muss meeting and it really stood out to me as it is a once-ina-lifetime experience and just sounded so interesting and fun,” Khabie said. “That’s why I chose to go.” According to senior Leila Raymond, who will be going on the same program with Khabie, the experience will include regular schooling as well as unique learning opportunities based around Israeli sites. Gabe Kaplan gabekaplan@slpecho.com For more content go to slpecho.com twitter.com/slpecho facebook.com/slpecho

IN-DEPTH

Echo Friday, November 30, 2018

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It’s outrageous that women should be expected to may more for the same thing that is branded diﬀerently. Maya Lee, sophomore

What’s at cos TAKING ACTION

Items to donate to STEP • • • • • • •

Tampons Pads Shampoo Conditioner Body wash Adult diapers Bladder control Infographic Creston Halstead Source St. Louis Park Emergency Program

Art Maggie Klaers

Pink tax sets women at a disadvantage Tamar Gewirtz & Kate Schneider tamargewirtz@slpecho.com kateschneider@slpecho.com

ccording to senior Grace Lynch, students unaware of an underlying issue in the prices of feminine products may be unknowingly spending more money than necessary. “We all need products like shampoo, conditioner and deodorant, and so just small things like that can add up, especially for high schoolers,” Lynch said.

Understand pink luxuries

my Stephenson, head of local Michigan-based organization, Helping Living Period, said she was astonished by the unreasonable prices of essential women’s products and the effect that it has on the female population. “My friend and I founded (Helping Living Period) three and a half years ago after we read an article in the Huffington Post how homeless women don’t have access to pads and tampons,” Stephenson said. “They resort to using socks and newspaper and unimaginable unhygienic things.” According to Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), the pink tax is a legitimate tax implemented by the government as well as the term used to describe disproportionate pricing of products marketed toward different genders. Stephenson said most states apply the pink tax to necessary feminine products. “(Menstrual products) are still taxed in the majority of states in our country, and it’s not covered under federal programs either, so it’s just expensive,” Stephenson said. According to MPR, nine states, including Minnesota, have repealed the pink tax from products. The program director of Period, Eira Nylander, said she believes many other states’ and countries’ tax menstrual products because of misogynistic viewpoints. “Other medications and products such as Viagra, hair loss medication, even chapstick are not (priced fairly). That affects the way people look at menstruation,” Nylander said.

Accor ferences b “I’ve s scooter, e scooter w Ross said Accor the lack o “A lot menstrua cultural n that,” Ny Lower are alread to Stephe pay the ta “Whe thing tha for,” Step buying pr Stephe price disp for all wo “The e a pure co paper, yo said. Nylan tors beca shelters. “(Prov zations d clothes, t they do n Stephe grams in the pink t “Its no Children. financial (for WIC there, wh

Pink

Lynch unfair, bu women. “I thin ing gende to,” Lync dollar tha expensive continuou Ross, said the e tariffs on “Thin ently and governme times cert come into Junior

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If women were not taxed more than men, there would be more money to go around for our community.

IN-DEPTH

Echo Friday, November 30, 2018

Thomas Hanson, freshman

st for female consumers

rding to Birdfeeder adviser Sophia Ross, the price difbetween sexes even apply to children’s toys. seen where there’s a boy’s scooter and a girl’s exactly the same thing and it says that the girl’s was like $49.99 and the boy’s scooter was $29.99,” d. rding to Nylander, her career has made her realize of knowledge revolving around luxury priced items. t of people don’t even know that there is a tax of al products. I put so much emphasis on changing norms and social media is a very strong weapon for ylander said. r income families are affected the most because they dy struggling to pay for other necessities, according enson. She said they do not have the extra income to ax on pads and tampons. en you have a fixed income, this is just one more at you have to pay for, that you don’t have the money phenson said. “Families have to choose (between) roducts or getting food.” enson said she believes that despite the causes of the parity, feminine hygiene products must be affordable omen. equity issue covers a lot of different things, but from ost standpoint we don’t have a choice. Like toilet ou have to have (menstrual products),” Stephenson

nder said Period primarily serves homeless menstruaause of the lack of resources available even within

viding products) is something that a lot of organido not bear in mind. Shelters have food, they have they have different types of services available but not have menstrual products,” Nylander said. enson said there are many financial assistance prothe United States that do not provide items under tax to those who qualify for the programs. ot covered under WIC, which is Women, Infant and . That’s where you can get groceries and things and assistance,” Stephenson said. “Even if you qualify C), you still can’t get free pads and tampons through hich is kind of ludicrous.”

k at Park

h said the extra tax on women’s products is not only ut it creates an endless cycle that is detrimental to

nk it is pretty messed up that companies are targeter and who they’re marketing and selling products ch said. “Not only do women make less money per an men do, but by making women’s products more e, they’re then having to spend more and it is just a us cycle that is kind of screwing over women.” who is also a business marketing teacher at Park, extra cost for women’s products may be because of n imports. ngs that we get from other countries are taxed differd so that’s not anything that we could control. It’s the ent’s control on negotiating our tariffs and sometain products for females are taxed more when they o this country,” Ross said. r Yoni Potter said he believes the pink tax is an un-

Comparing prices Deodorant “Dove” 2.7oz Men: $4.39 Women: $4.89

Body wash “Nivea” 16.9oz Men: $5.39 Women: $6.59

Razor “Gillete” 3 blade Men: $7.99 Women: $8.90

Additional costs for females: “Tampax” tampons: $6.99 “Always” pads: $5.49 Infographic Sam St. Clair & Evie Nelson Source Target

necessary and unjust payment inflicted deliberately by the government. “I think it’s really unfair that in our society, where women get paid less, they’re expected to pay more for products that they need. The government considers them to be a luxury but they’re really necessities,” Potter said. Nylander said her organization targets primarily local homeless youth and young adults, yet often finds challenges with viewing the end result. “It is hard to get our numbers and statistics because the only thing we can do really is get those products to shelters. We look at how education and cultural notions of what periods are and it effects the way people look at it,” Nylander said. Ross said there are different places around the school where students can get hygiene products if they need them, including the Birdfeeder. “I do know if you go to the nurse’s office, you can always get a free tampon or pad if you need it,” Ross said. “Here at the Birdfeeder, we would be more than happy to help supply those things for students that we’re already serving food with if they need it.”

Rethink pink When it comes to making these products accessible, head of the music department and choir teacher John Myszkowski said he believes it is a good idea for teachers to provide menstrual products for students. “I think it kind of takes the stigma away from it. It is natural, most women go through it, and for centuries they have,” Myszkowski said. Stephenson said she agrees providing these products openly would allow for a discussion and help reduce the stigma around menstrual products. “The more it is discussed just removes that stigma and makes things more equitable. It removes the shame from it,” Stephenson said. Nylander said once communities break the taboos concerning the pink tax, we can move forward in providing

more knowledge and not being afraid of the issues females face. “Once you educate kids about anything that definitely breaks that stigma and makes people more comfortable to speak about certain things,” Nylander said. French teacher Kyle Sweeney said when emphasizing on menstruation products, the restrooms would be a good place to hold them and more convenient than always going to the nurse’s office or a friend. “It would be a lot easier if there was a basket of various things in the bathroom, I don’t know why we don’t do that, it seems like something (Park) could do,” Sweeney said. Nylander said Period is making efforts within schools to change the current situation, including starting chapters for those who seek change in attitudes inside their local communities. “We’re trying to push a lot of policy changes in schools and universities and we have chapters across the nation,” Nylander said. Stephenson said vending machines stocked with these supplies would be a great solution to encourage students to take action themselves. “There’s still always people in your school that need the products, no matter where you live. You can make it a fundraising effort to purchase the machine and purchase the products to go in it. That to me would be huge,” Stephenson said. According to Potter, the pink tax on women’s products should be taken away if in reality they are the same as men’s. “I think that the extra tax should definitely be taken away and that companies that make products for men and women should make them the same price if they’re really the same product,” Potter said. Freshman Pema Dolkar is a firm believer in that feminine hygiene should come at no cost at all, that they are simple necessities. “Pads and tampons should be free in public places, just like they have toilet paper because it’s not something that we can really control and we shouldn’t have to pay just to be hygienic,” Dolkar said.

“

SPORTS

Echo Friday, November 30, 2018

OUT OF THE PARK

Memories that keep on forever Sophie Olmen sophieolmen@ slpecho.com

s I begin my final season of basketball for my high school career, many thoughts run through my head. I began playing the sport in kindergarten, and I have played it since. From parks and recreation, with everyone playing together, to varsity at the high school — and many teams in between. Including travelling, high school and summer basketball. It has been an experience that I’ll remember forever. From meeting some of my closest friends through the sport, to learning many new things. For example, it has taught me how to manage time, be a part of a team, trust and much more. Over the years, basketball has been like a small community to me within the broader one we are in. I have known some of the girls I have played with for many years and they have become my best friends. This game has What’s the been in POINT? my life for a very long time and the amount of things it has taught me is a good kind of crazy. It has had a huge positive impact on my life and I have learned so much from the game including out of basketball lessons. I have put in countless hours of practice and participating in games or just doing something basketball related. There have most definitely been ups and down, but it pays off in the end. Truthfully, many thoughts have crossed my mind, both negative and positive, about basketball. I have had rough times playing, but I have also had moments that come only once in a lifetime. For those moments, I am glad that I got to be part of it. It has been a long journey for me and now that I am entering my senior season, I am going to make the best of it. I have a lot I’m thinking about. I’m going to cherish every moment I have during the season because it doesn’t last forever. I want to remember all of the amazing moments that I have shared with this game. My basketball experience will stay with me forever.

Memories last forever

It’s crazy how strong (gymnasts) have to be to be able to do those ﬂips.

Ryan Barnett, sophomore

Stick together: Sophomore Erin Brousseau takes possesion of the puck and passes it to a nearby teamate during the Hopkins/ Park versus Benilde game Nov. 27.

Photo Sadie Yarosh

Girls’ hockey loses close game to Benilde Hopkins/Park game ends with ﬁnal score of 2-3 against rivals Sophie Olmen sophieolmen@slpecho.com

ccording to sophomore Erin Brousseau, even though Hopkins Park lost, the team was evenly matched with rival Benilde during its game. “I think that even though we lost, I think it was still a really hard game and I think we played really well,” Brousseau said. “I think it was pretty even like who dominated and I think we still played really hard.” Hopkins Park lost 2-3 to Benilde at

Minnetonka Ice Arena Nov. 27 bringing its overall record to 3-3 according to MN Girls’ Hockey Hub. According to head coach Ryan St. Martin, Benilde had twice as many shots on goal as Hopkins/Park. “I thought it was a fairly even game even though they doubled us on shots on goal. It was really exciting to watch from my perspective,” St. Martin said. Sophomore Abby Meyer said the defeat resulted in disappointment, but the level of intensity was high. “It was the hardest I’ve seen anybody play on our team. I’m new to the team so I didn’t know how big a rival it was with BSM,” Meyer said. “I was pretty disappointed with the loss but I feel like we worked

our butts off.” St. Martin said the rivalry did have an impact on the team because of knowing coaches and players at Benilde and facing them again later in the season. “The main thing is we get them again in a month and we might get them again in the playoffs,” St. Martin said. According to Brousseau, the desire to win brought out the aggressiveness from both teams. “I think just like the aggressiveness and like both teams rivalry and thats been there for a year so I think we both really wanted to win,” Brousseau said. According to gopark.org, Hopkins Park will play Duluth Denfeld at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at Minnetonka Ice Arena.

Gymnasts to face White Bear Lake in meet Team shares preseason goals Tamar Gewirtz tamargewirtz@slpecho.com

ith just a few weeks of practice, this year’s gymnastics team is preparing itself for its first meet of the season. Senior Savannah Romero, captain of the gymnastics team, said the gymnasts are currently working hard in practice to prepare. “We do a lot of dance throughs, meaning we don’t do all of the big tumbling and the skills in our routines. But we’re also working on skills to put in some new skills for

Upcoming meets When 11 a.m. Dec. 1 Where White Bear Lake When 6 p.m. Dec. 11 Where Richﬁeld When 11 a.m. Jan. 5 Where Park Center Infographic Tamar Gewirtz Source gopark.org

that first meet,” Romero said. New gymnastics head coach Dawn

Photo Emily Ziessman

Raise the bar: Sophomore Rachel Stein practices her bar skills to prepare for her next meet. The ﬁrst gymnastics meet is at 11 a.m. on Dec.1. at White Bear Lake Thielen said that this preparation started on the first day of practice. “Right away, from day one, we started doing an endurance conditioning every day, and we add to it a little bit more,” Thielen said. To prepare specifically for the meet, sophomore Eden Swartz said that the girls are practicing many different parts of the competition. “We have a lot of new drills and we are starting to practice routines. Girls are getting new routines,” Swartz said. According to Thielen, this a unique meet unlike any other. “Instead of it just being a varsity invite that has your typical top five varsity spots, it’s actually an eight-girl invite,” Thielen

said. Afterwards, the team will receive feedback from judges on its routines. “Our next meet is against Richfield, which is two weeks after that, (so it) allows us time to take the feedback we get from judges and apply that to our very first important duo meet,” Thielen said. Romero said that this first meet will be an important kickoff to the season in discovering and developing skills and strategies. “(I feel) a little nervous but excited. This first meet on Dec. 1 is a chance for us to put in some new skills (and) try some new things that we haven’t done before,” Romero said. The meet will take place at 11a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1 at White Bear Lake.

“

I think we are going to be pretty good and I have friends on the (boys’ basketball) team that I want to see play.

SPORTS

Echo Friday November 30, 2018

Cailee Byrd, sophomore

Basketball prepares for ﬁrst game

MEET THE ATHLETE

Who Alma Beaton Grade Freshman

Team looks to start oﬀ season strong

Sport Hockey How long have you been playing hockey? For about nine years. Since I was 4 years old.

Kate Schneider kateschneider@slpecho.com

ecause tryouts were so recent, head coach David Breitenbucher said the team hasn’t had as much time to practice as he would like. He said the players have been doing their best to prepare for their upcoming game against Burnsville despite limited practice time. “The first few games of the year are always really interesting, just because I feel like we could practice for another three weeks and we still would struggle to be totally ready for it. We just had tryouts last week so we’re doing everything we can to prepare for the game but there’s just not enough time to implement everything you need to do,” Breitenbucher said. According to senior Anthony Odens, players have been working on their stamina during the games and have had some scrimmages in order to prepare. “We’ve had practice every day and we’ve done a lot of conditioning at practice so we don’t get tired during the games. Also on Saturday, we had some scrimmages to practice,” Odens said. Another helpful factor is the team’s chemistry and how well everyone gets along, according to junior Cole Ewald.

Photo Sophie Livingston

Getting ready: Senior Keyshon Howard signals for the ball from one of his teamates during practice Nov. 27. The team is preparing for its ﬁrst game against Burnsville Nov. 30. There are eight returning varsity players this season.

The key to success • Practice every day • Conditioning • Good chemistry • High work ethic

Infographic Talia Lissaeur Source Cole Ewald & Anthony Odens

“Our strength is we have good chemistry, we work really well together. We have good shooters,” Ewald said. Breitenbucher said in addition to the closeness of the team, the players’ work ethic will lead them to success in the game against Burnsville and those later in the season. “The guys are a pretty close group, which I would definitely say is a huge strength of ours. I think that’ll carry us a long way and I like the work ethic that they showed in

practice,” Breitenbucher said. Ewald said the team’s current weakness is defense and that it needs to focus on that more during practices. “Our weakness is playing defense. We need to practice that more so we can get better at it,” Ewald said. According to Breitenbucher, the team overall has a strong coaching staff and talented players. He said he is looking forward to seeing where that talent will take them this season. “I have a really good coaching staff, we’ve got a good group of boys so for me personally I just think that it’s going to be a good season with our coaching staff and our players,” Breitenbucher said. “It’s a really good mix of guys so I think that’s what I look forward to the most.” The game against Burnsville will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at Burnsville High School.

Participation in eSports grows

ccording to senior Jeremy Frham, “Overwatch” requires quite a lot of skill in order to succeed at gameplay. “‘Overwatch’ is a team-based strategy game,” Frham said. “It takes a lot of coordination and knowledge of the game to fully understand it.” Head coach of the eSports program Jacob Utites said eSports is like other sports, just in video game format. “eSports is video game sports, it’s typically teambased, but there are some individual games where we compete against other teams around the country,” Utites said. Junior Joseph Lindstrom said the team is currently doing amazing in regular season. “The ‘Overwatch’ team

is currently undefeated in season, 7-0,” Lindstrom said. According to senior Thomas Pelowitz, if the team competes well enough, they can attend Nationals again. “We are doing a regular season right now, then we will go into playoffs after this,” Pelowitz said. “If we get first or second in the playoffs, then we can go to another Nationals.” Frham said he believes the “Overwatch” team is still capable of doing well this year. “Right now our team is looking just as strong as last year,” Frahm said. “We lost two players from last year. Our captain from last year was a really good player but we lost him.” Utites said he enjoys eSports because anyone can play eSports and be successful.

What do you like about playing hockey? Skating and being competitive. I really like being competitive and playing against people. I also really like playing with my teammates and being part of a group. Having team bondings and playing together. What position do you play in hockey? I used to play defense, but this year I’m playing left wing. I can kind of play any position. What is your favorite memory of playing hockey? I just like being part of a team. It’s hard to specify but I really like the trip we took last year to Duluth. That was really fun. When we were walking around the lake and stuff, that was really fun. The games up there also were fun and we won, so it’s good. What are you most excited about this upcoming season? I’m excited that we have really even numbers of St. Louis Park versus Hopkins, kids we are a lot more combined as a group and everybody is also younger. There is less seniors so everybody kind of has a say and we all know each other better.

‘Overwatch’ team grinds through season heading toward playoﬀs Tenzin Gyaldatsang tenzingyaldatsang@slpecho.com

Photo Yonah Davis

Gamer boy: Sophomore Nick Perszyk works on his stragies for the Esports team during its meeting Nov. 15. “My number one thing is that anyone who wants to become successful in eSports can,” Utites said. “You can be huge you can be tiny, eSports doesn’t discriminate in that way.” Lindstrom said there is pressure to repeat as champions, but he said he believes the team is up for the challenge. “It might be a little bit different now that we are moving up to play other teams that are good like us, so there might be a little more pressure,” Lindstrom said. “However due to our victories in the past, and still currently our team composition, and our communication and our coordi-

nation we eSports rankings are really Went to nationstill doing • als last year well.” Currently Utites • ranked 7-0 said eSports is • Ranked third growing in in HSEL Fall Minnesota League and in Infographic Staﬀ Member schools Source High School Esnear Park. ports League “Since we were the first program in Minnesota to start, I have helped 10 other schools start programs; Rosemount, Washington, Wilmar — Burnsville is trying to start one up,” Utites said. “There is quite a few schools starting eSports programs.”

What are hoping to achieve this hockey season? Win at least half of our games, hopefully. I’m hoping we can win some of our conference games because our conference is really tough. So it would be really awesome if we can win some of those games. Also, I’m just hoping we have fun and don’t have any issues on our team. Is there a role model you look up to in your hockey career? Yeah, I really like our captains this year. They’re both really great and very positive and hardworking, so I guess I look up to them on and off the ice.

Maria Perez Barriga mariaperezbarriga@slpecho.com

“

10 OPINIONS

Echo Friday, November 30, 2018

Echo

I think (colleges) should bring more diverse people because everybody can be more understanding of others. Mareona Williams, senior

OUR PERSPECTIVE

Successful alumni inspire community

Editor-in-chief: *Dani Orloff Managing editors: *Amaia Barajas, *Grace Farley, *Abby Inveld, Yonit Krebs, Sam St. Clair

t. Louis Park High School focuses on fostering close alumni ties and prides itself on bringing the community back to its roots. Alumni who have accomplished great feats bring success and pride to our school, and offer many useful lessons for students and staff. Minnesota Lt. Gov.-elect Peggy Flanagan returned to her old high school for an interview with Mary Lahammer, another Park graduate Nov. 15. She spoke to freshman civics and economics classes about how her experiences at Park influenced her future as a politician. She encouraged students to be aware of the political changes around them. Flanagan also spoke about her difficulties breaking the glass ceiling as a Native-American woman. The Echo Editorial Board feels it is imperative students in high school have a role model they can look up to who teaches them to aspire for success. The Editorial Board believes both students and faculty can learn from her and others who once learned in the same

Web editor: *Marta Hill Photo editors: Ella Hammerstrand, Carissa Prestholdt Assistant photo editors: Abigail Prestholdt, Claire Bargman Design editors: Creston Halstead, Isabel Kjaer, Isaac Wahl Copy editors: Jenna Cook & Emma Yarger Assistant copy editor: Sofie Geretz, *Tamar Gewirtz, Gabriel Kaplan, Emma Leff, Kaia Myers, *Noah Orloff Social media editor: Hayley Westwood News editor: Sofia Seewald Features editor: Samantha Klepfer In-Depth editor: *Evelyn Nelson Sports editor: Sophie Olmen Opinions editors: *Ruby Stillman Entertainment editor: David Bryant Broadcast editor: Yonah Davis Assistant web editor: Tenzin Gyaldatsang Multimedia editor: Katie Hardie Buisiness editor: Anika Hanson Video editor: Isabella Kanne Staﬀ: Nolan Kelly, Maggie Klaers, Dahlia Krebs, Talia Lissauer, Sophia Livingston, Mira Malka, Ethan Meisler, Samiya Mohamed, Maria Perez-Barriga, Ruth Posada, Megan Raatz, Rachel Salzer, Ben Sanford, Kate Schneider, Madeleine Schutte, Sadie Yarosh, Emily Ziessman, Lucy Zumbrunnen

Photo Grace Farley

Park pride: Minnesota’s Lt. Gov.-elect Peggy Flanagan spoke to Brad Brubaker’s freshman honors civics class. Flanagan attended St. Louis Park and spoke to the students about her time at Park as well as her time in the government. rooms years ago. Flanagan shows the truth of never truly knowing who you will effect in your life. Because of the impact Flanagan’s meeting with the freshman class had, we wish the school had received the opportunity to take advantage of the inspirational lessons she offered. The school prides itself on having a respectable number of alumni return to the school. Park honors the experiences each

individual has made throughout their career. The Distinguished Alumni Award Committee presents the Distinguished Alumni Award at the graduation ceremony every year. We hope future alumni continue to stay in touch and connected to the Park network. That way, we can use the lessons learned from alumni and community members to create a difference wherever life takes us.

Principal: Scott Meyers Printer: North Star Media Adviser: Lori Keekley *Denotes editorial board member MEDIA POLICIES The Echo is the official studentproduced newspaper of St. Louis Park Senior High School. It is published triweekly for the school’s students, staff and community. The Echo is a designated forum for student expression in which students make all decisions of content without prior review from school officials. The adviser will not act as a censor, but will advise students. Students have the final decision on all content. The Echo will work to avoid bias and/ or favoritism. We will strive to make our coverage and content meaningful and interesting to all our readers. We will make every effort to avoid printing libel, obscenities, innuendo and material that threatens to disrupt the learning process or is an invasion of privacy. We will avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth of a photograph unless clearly labeled as a photo illustration. Staff editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board arrived at by discussion and will not be bylined. Bylined articles are the opinion of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Echo staff or administration as a whole. The Echo welcomes reader input. Letters to the editor and suggestions must be signed and should be no longer than 250 words and may be emailed to slpecho@ gmail.com or submitted in room C275. Emailed letters must be verified prior to publication. We will not necessarily publish all letters received and reserve the right to ask the writer to edit for length and clarity. Anonymous letters wherein the Echo does not know the identity of the writer will not be printed. Advertisements will be sought from local businesses and school clubs and sports. We maintain the right to reject any ads we believe to be false, misleading, inappropriate or harmful. The Echo does not necessarily endorse the products or services offered in these advertisements. NSPA All-American and Hall of Fame member; 2011, 2016, 2017 NSPA Print Pacemaker Finalist; 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 National Print Pacemaker Award Recipient; 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 Online Pacemaker Finalist; 2018 NSPA Online Pacemaker, CSPA Gold Medalist; 2013 CSPA Gold Crown; 2015 CSPA Hybrid Gold Crown; 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 CSPA Silver Crown; JEM All-State.

Lawsuit against Harvard University proves unjust cause Attack on aﬃrmative action should be stopped at once Katie Hardie katiehardie@slpecho.com

f Students for Fair Admissions succeeds in ridding Harvard of its affirmative action process in student admission, the precedent will be enough to backtrack America almost half a century. Affirmative Action is a policy that favors those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment and education. Ever since its official introduction into the college admission process in 1978, Affirmative Action has become a major triumph for American minorities. Affirmative Action guarantees people of color an equal chance at a quality education, and depending on their school’s quota status, even grant an advantage. Now, partnered with

known conservative whistleblower Edward Blum, Students for Fair Admissions (SFA) wants to take that all away. According to its lawsuit against Harvard, SFA wishes to ban affirmative action on the grounds capped racial quotas are cheating Asian-American and white students out of admission to Harvard. Speaking as a fellow AsianAmerican who has just as much at stake in applying to college, I say these people need to humble themselves and pick up a new argument. Of all ways to attack the big monster of race in American collegiate admissions, stripping away the one factor admitting a decent percentage of students of color in colleges around the country is not the way to effectively do it. In my admissions process, my ethnicity was one of the

To podcasts: Who’s a podcaster’s best friend? Mic. Art Maggie Klaers

Photo Emma Leﬀ

Ivy issues: Harvard University faces a lawsuit over its use Afﬁrmative Action in its admissions process. Aﬃrmative Action seeks to increase diversity in colleges and businesses.

The hard truths of Harvard admissions • There are 2,000 students admitted out of 40,000 applicants • Only 1,600 available freshman seats exist • Harvard’s acceptance rate is 5 percent • Out of the 26,000 domestic applicants for 2019, more than 8,000 had straight A’s Infographic Katie Hardie Source The New York Times

To pink tax: We would have made a good joke, but we couldn’t afford any tamPUNS.

biggest characteristics I relied on to give schools a reason to accept me. On top of that, the measure of diversity in each school was one of the biggest factors I looked at in applying. If SFA succeeds in wiping away Affirmative Action plans, students like me will see their array of school choices shrink because of low diversity. Affirmative Action is the one thing that ensures diverse representation in schools. If Havard pitches their policies, soon other schools could do the same.

To dress closets: Better deals than Cyber Monday.

I.K., I.W., J.C.

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I think we should let (the migrants) in because they’re just people trying to have a better life.

OPINIONS

Echo Friday, November 30, 2018

Michael Hoikka, freshman

Migrants in caravan deserves an opportunity Inaccurate stereotypes should be dismissed

Talia Lissauer talialissauer@slpecho.com

tereotypes are all around us, they generalize people. Immigrants and refugees have been given a terrible stereotype that for some has stuck: all immigrants are criminals and rapists. This stereotype is enforced by President Trump. He started his campaign by saying Mexico and South America weren’t send-

ing their best people. He has accussed them of committing the crimes that many of them have fallen victim to. According to the Washington Post, Trump said. “(Latin American countries are) bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” Two years after Trump’s presidential campaign, as a migrant caravan of more than 7,000 people are on their way to the United States seeking asylum. Some are applying these generalizations about why the United States should not give them a chance. Those moving with the

caravan have their own unique story that has motivated them to travel 20 miles a day since Oct. 12, according to The New York Times. Some have faced poverty and gang violence and risked everything to try to enter a place where the government is telling them they are unwanted. It is unacceptable to refuse their plight. Laws about migrant asylum allow for all refugees, to stay in the United States if there home country is not safe, because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. According to the World

Population View in 2017, 10.39 percent of the St. Louis Park population is made up of immigrants. They come from all over the world with a diverse perspective of stories and experiences. Everyone is their own person. Race, religion and nationality are all just a way to describe someones identity, as a nation we should never judge someone on the religion they practice, where they are from or the color of their skin. Before making an assumption on immigrants think about Park and how we are surrounded by immigrants that have broadened the diversity.

Art Maggie Klaers

POINT COUNTERPOINT

St. Paul homeless encampment residents evicted by city Nov. 15

According to Kare 11, the city is pointing the residents toward their Winter Safe Space for relocation, however, resources are limited and admittance is referral-based only. Clearing of homeless encampent was the best option Relocation for safety concern Isaac Wahl isaacwahl@slpecho.com

he recent clearout of the St. Paul homeless encampment was done in the best way possible for the circumstances at hand and from a place of kindness, not disregard. According to Kare 11, the inhabitants of said area were notified two days prior to the eviction and also assisted by the city to a Winter Safe Space located in the basement of the Ramsey County Government Center. Not only did the eviction come with a prior alert, but the city also provided them with safer living options. Considering it will only get colder moving into the months of December and January, the eviction of the encampment to safe

PARK TRAIL

locations for the winter seems like the best option for the homeless community. This is mainly to prevent frostbite and other health issues related with extended outdoor time during the harsh winter weather. Not only being a hazard to the inhabitants themselves, the encampment was a safety hazard for drivers on the I-35E interstate. According to St. Paul’s head of safety, Ricardo Cervantes, there have been reports of fires, minor explosions and also trash being dumped onto the interstate due to the encampment. I do not believe the eviction solved any problem regarding the system in which we live where such a large population are left homeless and have a very hard time getting out of that vicious cycle. However, it was the best solution for this specific problem.

Homeless evacuation negatively impacts local communities

STUDENT VOICES

City of St. Paul packs up ‘tent city’ “There are good and bad parts, but for the most part I think it is good to help people.” Hope Kihanya, sophomore

“(The city) needs to do some relocating of money into building shelters for those people.” Oliver Olson, junior

Samantha Klepfer samanthaklepfer@slpecho.com

he evacuation of the homeless encampment in St. Paul removed people from their homes, or tents, at a difficult time of year. No one wants to move so close to the holidays. According to Kare 11, many of the homeless residents have been living there for almost six months. The encampment, located on Cathedral Hill, was to be cleared out by 10 a.m. Nov. 15. When they were forced to evacuate the area, they were also forced to leave the community they built, the friends and connections they made and the lives they knew. This means, wherever they end up, they will have to start over in an unfamiliar area with unfamiliar people.

Homeless people need stability to increase their fiscal opportunities, according to Urban Institute. According to Kare 11, the city believed the residents of the encampment would be in danger as the cold set in. However, most of the evicted relocated to an encampment in Hiawatha, where they will be just as susceptible to cold as they had been before. The city claims the evacuation helps, but there are other, less problematic ways of aiding the homeless — like devoting resources to better shelters. According to Kare 11, the city tried to redirect the displaced to the Winter Safe Space, but it is exclusive and not enough for those in need. Rather than improving the homes of those at the encampment, the city pointlessly forced them to collect all of their belongings and move to another, identical piece of frozen grass.

Maggie Klaers maggieklaers@slpecho.com

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12 ENTERTAINMENT

Echo Friday, November 30, 2018

(Podcasts) are interesting, and I can listen to them for a long time and not get bored. Mona Regan, freshman

Podcasts provide positive storytelling platform 45% of students listen to podcasts 36% of those students listen to comedy

Infographic Katie Hardie, Creston HalsteadDavid Bryant Source 309 students

‘Serial’ Author/Host: Sarah Koenig Producer: This American Life Soﬁa Seewald soﬁaseewald@slpecho.com

ssuming you like the thrill of suspense and find interest in our country’s justice system, ‘Serial’ is a podcast to tune in to. “Serial” is a highly recognized, award-winning podcast that currently includes three seasons, all of which consist of true stories. The first season focuses on one story of a high school senior from Baltimore named Hae Min Lee goes missing as detectives work hard to try and get to the bottom of her sudden disappearance. The second season tackles the story of Bowe Bergdahl, who was imprisoned by the Taliban for five years. However, the military calls Bergdahl a traitor for deserting his base in 2014 and charges Bergdahl with two serious crimes that come to light. Finally, the third season, tackles injustices in the United State’s criminal justice system. It gives listener’s an inside look into the courts of Cleveland, Ohio through the stories of criminal cases.

METRO METRO AT A GLANCE David Bryant davidbryant@slpecho.com

Photos used with permission from Minneapolis Institute of Art, Capitol Records, Good Music, Warner Bros.

Student favorites Out of the 309 students polled, here are the most popular podcasts at Park. “H3 Podcast” Producer: H3H3 Productions Genre: Comedy

“Jenna & Julian” Producer: iTunes Genre: Comedy

“Ear Biscuits” Producer: Mythical Entertainment Genre: Comedy

Infographic Katie Hardie, David Bryant Source iTunes, Youtube, 309 students

‘Terrible, Thanks ‘This American for Asking’ Life’

‘Mortiﬁed’

Author/Host: Nora Mclnerny Producer: American Public Media

Producer: WBEZ Chicago

Author/Host: David nadelberg, Neil Katcher Producer: PRX and Radiotopia

Soﬁa Seewald soﬁaseewald@slpecho.com

Author/Host: Ira Glass

odging around the point gets you nowhere. “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” does the exact opposite by covering topics such as if you really mean “I am good!”or if you are just saying it. Well, “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” focuses on those who just feel terrible. Each episode is set on a new, usually terrible story. However, host Nora McInerny, who lives in Golden Valley, somehow finds a way to tell each story in a unique and humane way. Many episodes focus on sensitive topics such as cancer, sexual assault, murder and traumatic experiences. One episode followed the experience of a women who went to the musical festival in Las Vegas when suddenly, a shooter opened fire on the crowd. “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” is a great podcast for people who are intrigued by listening to others incredible life stories as well as people who want to hear a true life experience.

he podcast “This American Life” is for everyone. The podcast tells several stories about a whole variety of topics, from comedic episodes about car salesman rushing to make their quotas, to more serious topics that take the listener’s inside a murder case or a childhood summer camp experience. The host of “This American Life,” Ira Glass, throws several twists and turns into each episode and makes all of these real stories so captivating. Each story is unique and is told by Glass in a new, different way. However, some listeners say Glass’s narration can get a little tiring and somewhat irritating at times. Each story Glass tells will provoke different emotions for listeners. While some may make you cry for several hours, others will make you laugh out loud. “This American Life” has several spin-off podcasts, like “Serial” and “S-Town.”

or those who are more into laughing hysterically in coffee shops, in the car or in the bathtub, “Mortified” is the perfect comedy podcast. “Mortified” brings light to those embarrassing stories from one’s childhood to life, whether that be a story from summer camp or the story of one’s firsts. The podcast contains several episodes, each a different true story about those uncomfortable and comical moments in life. Several stories are based around diary entries and laugh-out-loud school experiences, such as how a man managed to survive through eighth grade, and “the confessions of a Catholic school girl.” These episodes focus on certain individual’s stories describing their life. Not only does PRX and Radiotopia produce podcasts, but also has live shows nationwide, has books and a six episode series on Netflix. This gives listeners a chance to hear these hysterical stories.

Nov. 4- April 14

Dec. 7

Dec. 8

Dec. 21

Dive into the deep end with the Minneapolis Institute of Art headline exhibit, exploring mysteries of Egypt’s sunken cities. General admission starts at $20.

XXXTentacion is set for the posthumous release “Skins.” His final album offers 10 new tracks and will be available for purchase or streaming on iTunes.

Proclaimed hip-hop artist Travis Scott hosts his “AstroWorld: Wish You Were Here” tour at the Target Center. Tickets start at $35 on the TicketMaster website.

Fantasy film “Aquaman” by DC Comics follows the battle betweem the sea and the surface world. Tickets are available at Willow Creek Theatre for $12.