May 25 Edition of The Spartan Speaks

DECA goes International p. 3

Seniors’ Post-Secondary Map p. 10-11

Taste of the World p. 7

VOLUME XLIX • EDITION 4 • JUNE 1, 2018 • ORONO HIGH SCHOOL • LONG LAKE, MN • SPARTANSPEAKS.COM

NEWS

Orono says farewell to a legend: Mr. B. Emma VandenEinde Copy Editor

After 25 years of serving around the school district, principal David Benson has chosen to retire after this school year, according to an Orono newsletter from

Superintendent Karen Orcutt on Dec. 19, 2017. Benson served as a principal for Orono Middle School starting in 1993 until switching over to Orono High School in 2005. In addition to his years in Minnesota, Benson also spent 20 years in Idaho teaching social studies and working as a principal.

“I am fortunate to have worked beside this great principal,” Orcutt said, “Mr. Benson is an incredible advocate for children, teachers and parents … [and] he embraced the work that needed to be done to bring all students to their highest levels of learning.”

Benson oversaw many aspects of the school in order to keep everything functioning. Although every day is different, Benson says that everyday he typically would attend faculty meetings about learning and education, prepare emails of communication to parents, make decisions on the structure of the school schedule and fill out the necessary paperwork and bills.

Benson also hosts many talks with the different grade levels throughout the year as a means to get to know the students and give them encouragement.

“He has done a wonderful job of balancing student needs with faculty,” Erickson said, “It’s rare when both sides are supportive of a principal’s actions; it’s typically one or the other [that gets their way].”

From his years of experience, Benson said he has gained a lot of insight on how to be a leader. He said that leadership is only necessary when things are tough, because if everything was easy, there would be no need for leadership.

He views leadership as something that Even though he can requires a lot of be serious with the work but can be seen rules, most students as an opportunity in are familiar with disguise. Additionhis social, easyally, he recognizes — Dr. Karen Orcutt, going side. Patrolthat mistakes exist Superintendent of Orono Schools but it is essential to ling the hallways and cafeteria of the learn to turn around high school, it is easy to spot Benson in and find a different road. his Jordans and jeans as he smiles at the students walking by. As a frequent visitor “I have this faith, and sometimes it’s hard of after-school activities, he is perceived to stick to, but I have realized that if you as a very hands-on principal who goes out treat people in the most positive, respectful of his way to be accessible and supportive way … they will ultimately do their best,” to students at events, according to social Benson said. studies teacher Doug Erickson. ►See BENSON on page 6

“I am fortunate to have

worked beside this great principal. Mr. Benson is an incredible advocate for children, teachers and parents ... [and] he embraced the work that need to be done to bring all students to their highest levels of learning.”

Photo/ Betty Mueller Principal David Benson, hard at work, always has a smile for students and staff.

FEATURES

New club gives students a voice and impacts all of OHS Vivian Rohrer Sports Editor

“The one who tells the story defines the culture,” and if not everyone’s voice is heard, then not everyone is represented.

Developing student voices is critical; it involves working together and, rather than a one-way communication, is an ongoing dialog. According to BethAnn Berliner, listening to student voice is the practice of educators intentionally and systematically eliciting student viewpoints on a specific topic for improvement purposes. Student voice is heard by not only other students, but the school's community, parents, and other leaders.

Current senior, Guy Mohs,

began this club in order to focus on inclusion and connection.

He shared that the Student Voice Club is inviting to anyone interested in listening or sharing events, issues, and certain topics they want to discuss.

Student Voice Club inspired themselves as they learned that many voices can come together and achieve what they believe.

This year, members of the new club discussed breakfast being available in the morning at school with the district office, so next school year at Orono High School breakfast will be an opportunity every day to all students.

Other head leaders, teachers Erin Head and Jeff Aman support this club in hope for all students who want their voice to

SECOND SEMESTER FINALS SCHEDULE Monday, June 4: Tests in hours 1, 5, 2 Tuesday, June 5: Tests in hours 3, 5, 4

be heard to join and experience a new group of diverse people that together bring thought provoking ideas.

Wednesday, June 6: Tests in hours 6, 5, 7

9:00 a.m. – Graduation rehearsal - seniors

“I think the Student Voice Club is a great way for students to come together and brainstorm ways we can make OHS an even better place to be. I’ve really enjoyed learning what is on students’ minds and hearing their ideas,” history teacher, Mr. Aman said.

7:00 p.m. – Graduation Ceremony

Once a month a club meeting is held, benefiting student ideas and interactions. Different activities and performances are held during the meeting to expand thoughts students might attain during the 40 minute session. The idea of the club is

►See VOICE on page 9

Thursday, June 7: Last day of school

Daily schedule on testing days: 7:50-8:00: breakfast/snack 8:00 - 10:00

Testing

10:00:-10:15

Snack Break

10:15 - 11:00 Spartan Hour (no meetings) 11:00 - 12:30 5th Hour

A Lunch: 11:00 - 11:30

B Lunch: 11:30 - 12:00

C Lunch: 12:00 - 12:30

12:30 - 2:30 Testing

News

Best wishes to all departing teachers Emma VandenEinde Copy Editor Amongst a year of many changes around the Orono School District, one major change is the number of teachers taking the next step in their phases of life.

As of June 8. 2017, 10 teachers from all buildings--Schumann Elementary, Orono Intermediate, Orono Middle and Orono Senior High--will be resigning from their current positions, according to the minutes of the Feb. 12 school board meeting of this year.

These teachers include: Jennifer Henry, Christine Locker, Diane Dingmann, Janice Engelhardt, Ruth Larson, Janelle Junttila, Tim Haislet, Julie McMerty., Suzanne Kehret and Doug Erickson.

Jennifer Henry has served as a special education teacher at OHS for kids who have struggles with learning in areas such as ADHD and Autism. Henry is moving to Bentonville, Arkansas with her husband on his job offer, and although she hopes to continue working with youth, she is still not sure if she wants to try something new. She said that she will miss the close relationships she has built here at Orono as well as making a difference in these kids’ lives.

After 30 years of working as a speech/language pathologist for Schumann Elementary, Christine Locker has chosen to retire. On a daily basis, Locker would provide therapeutic speech services to students, track progress on goals and report results to teachers and

families. In her newfound time, Locker plans to help out with the daycare of her two grandsons and spend time relaxing, reading and volunteering.

cal activities while also spending more time with her two sons who work on opposite coasts of the U.S.

“It has been rewarding to follow the progress of students as they have moved through the grades to graduation,” Locker said.

“I have loved working with so many eager and hard working learners here at Orono,” Larson said. “I have found that, for the most part, the students I have had ask good question and seek to really understand the material I teach them.”

Lots and lots of biking is one of the many things Diane Dingmann plans to do in her retirement after teaching physical education at the Intermediate School for 18 years. In fact, a friend of hers suggested that she should get a new bike after her graduation that could cost up to $10,000.

Dingmann says that her favorite memories from Orono come from seeing her third through fifth graders all grown up at sporting events and graduation, and she will miss having fun with the kids while watching them learn.

Janice Engelhardt has chosen to retire after her many years of teaching. She taught a variety of subjects at the high school including: ninth grade English, humanities and performing arts.

Engelhardt has helped produce many shows on the OHS stage, such as The Pajama Game.

Orono Middle School will dearly miss Ruth Larson after her 28 years of teaching sixth through eighth graders math, predominantly geometry and algebra to eighth graders. Prior to her time at the middle school, she spent six years teaching at Prior Lake Middle School. In her retirement, she plans to do more physi-

Copy Chief Katie Udell News Editors Celia Brown Lindsay Craft Erica Crosby Feature Editor Mandy Johnson Sports Editor Vivian Rohrer Opinions Editor Ellie Burr Visuals Editor Jazmine Borreson Copy Editors Sonia Driskill Sarah Stern Emma VandenEinde Online Editor Ellie Fasbender Collage/ Emma VandenEinde Orono Staff members who are pursuing other areas of work or retirement in the following year are Jennifer Henry, Christine Locker, Diane Dingmann, Janice Engelhardt, Ruth Larson, Janelle Junttila, Tim Haislet, Julie McMerty, Suzanne Kehret and Doug Erickson.

Tim Haislet said he has many fond memories from his 25 years of teaching at OHS, many of which provoke laughter. Amongst all his stories, he is known for the time he carried a kid into the nurse’s office on April Fool’s Day pretending

that they were dying, shaved off all of his hair to introduce himself to the kids as a substitute teacher and called the wife of science teacher Jeremy Buch just

►See TEACHERS on page 5

Dr. Steiner to take on principal position this fall Cari Spencer Editor in Chief

Dr. Amy Steiner, a current assistant principal at Minnetonka High School, will take on the principal position at OHS this fall. She brings impressive work and academic experience, a desire to connect with students and staff, and a passion for student voice--not to mention a love of movies, literature and travel.

“I want [students] to know that I’m really excited to be coming here, this is such a great opportunity for me. And I am genuinely just really excited,” Steiner said, “I want to hear from students, I want to talk to students and I want to get to know students.

I’m excited to hear what they’re passionate about and how we can best support them.”

Steiner started her early career with a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas where she majored in English and minored in philosophy as well as a master’s degree in special education from the University of Minnesota. She began teaching as a language arts teacher at Whipple Heights Day Treatment in Rochester and eventually became the lead teacher there.

Steiner said that her leadership role at the day treatment kickstarted her gravitation towards a career in administration.

ing to school board member Sarah Borchers. Through formal interviews, interviews with OHS teachers and a tour around the school to interact with students, “It always felt really right, it was the final three candidates were just kind of a natural fit,” Steiner narrowed down to Steiner. Susaid. perintendent Dr. Karen Orcutt From that job had the final say on, Steiner on hiring, but developed a the school board resume with and a selecample work tion of teachand educational ers served as a experience that recommending will converge at body--their vote OHS this fall. was unanimous, She has worked according to an as an EBD Orono school (Emotional and district news — Dr. Amy Steiner, Behavioral Disincoming OHS Principal release. order) teacher in the Shakopee school district, “She consistently had very a dean of students at Shakopee thoughtful answers to a variety High School (2004-2007), an of questions that had anything assistant principal at Prior Lake to do with managing teachHigh School (2007-2012) and an ers and staff; interacting and assistant principal at Minnetonka working with students, parents, High School (2012-2018). While community members; disciworking, she earned her doctorate pline philosophies; her passions degree in educational policy and around education,” Borchers said, administration from the Univer“[when] they took her on a tour sity of Minnesota. of the high school … she stood out hands-down. It’s one thing More than 40 applicants applied to prepare for an interview, it’s for the Orono principal posia whole other thing when you tion, with applicants that came are interacting in a more casual even from out of state, accordatmosphere.”

“I want to hear from students, I want to talk to students ... I’m excited to hear what they’re passionate about and how we can best support them.”

Spartan Speaks Editors in Chief Nikki Praus Cari Spencer

Serving over 600 students each week since 1989, Janelle Junttila has diligently taught music at both Schumann Elementary and Orono Intermediate School for almost 30 years. After conducting all-school concerts and helping kids learn about music, she now plans to continue her music passion by teaching piano lessons at Schmitt Music.

Additionally, she wants to spend more time focusing on her family.

“Orono is a special place and I love it here,” Junttila said. “I have many great memories here.”

June 1, 2018 The

2

One of the classes Steiner dropped in on, was business teacher Keith Jurek’s marketing class. There, some students were able to gauge their first impressions of her.

“She seemed very experienced and professional. When students asked her questions she handled them well,” junior Emmett Halloran said. “She seemed very straightforward which can be beneficial to us as students as far as knowing her expectations and rules.”

“She seemed confident and presented herself well. The class mostly asked her about where she was from and her background in the education field as well as what her thoughts were about Spartan Hour,” junior Katherine Gilster said.

Since Benson announced his retirement, whether or not the new principal will put dramatic changes in place has been a cause of concern for many students-especially in regards to the lunch room speakers and Spartan Hour.

As for general change, Steiner said that her first year will be for listening and observing rather than immediately putting changes in place.

►See STEINER on page 9

Contact Information The Spartan Speaks 795 Old Crystal Bay Rd. N. Long Lake, MN 55356 Website www.spartanspeaks.com E-mail spartanspeaks@orono.k12. mn.us Adviser Kyle Ann Herring Principal Dave Benson

Policy Statement The Spartan Speaks is a public forum, with its student editorial board and adviser making decisions concerning its contents.

Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board.

Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or policy of the staff of the paper, school or administration, unless so attributed.

The Spartan Speaks does not necessarily endorse the products or services of advertisers.

Letters to the Editor We welcome and encourage readers to submit Letters to the Editor regarding current issues, school topics, or about articles appearing in The Spartan Speaks newspaper or appearing on www.spartanspeaks.com.

Please email or submit your letter on spartanspeaks.com. We only publish signed letters, so include your name.

News

June 1, 2018

3

Remembering Nelly Sam Antonenko Staff Reporter Zach Nelson, a loving husband and father tragically passed away on March 22. Nelson was only 34 years old when he joined his daughter Natalia in heaven.

He may have left our world early, but he lived everyday as if it was his last. He was always looking for ways to give back to his community.

Zach “Nelly” Nelson was more than a husband and father. He was a coach and a friend to all in the hockey community. Nelson graduated from Anoka High School and later played college football for a Division II school.

He was considered very athletic in high school. He played football and hockey for Anoka and was fortunate enough to win a High School Hockey State Championship.

career lasted until college, his coaching career had just begun.

He coached for a few high school teams such as Monticello and ended up coming to Orono to coach the boys varsity and junior varsity teams. Nelson made such a big impact everywhere he went in every way. Whether it be a joke or an inspirational speech before a game, he always knew what to say.

The Orono boys hockey team worked extremely hard this season and was rewarded by winning the High School State Championship. Nelson was able to be apart of two state championship, one with his own high school team and the other with a team he had coached for just one year.

Nelson will always be remembered as one of the funniest coaches that the team had on the bench. He always had said the right thing at the right time.

Even though Nelson’s player

Photo/ Courtesy of the Nelson family Nelson holds up the trophy of his second state championship.

If the team was losing a game he would come up with a great speech to get some energy into the boys. He put everyone in a good mood no matter where he was. Nelson’s sense of humor is what he was known for, he always had a positive attitude and had a joke ready for any situation.

As the hockey community of Orono comes together after this tragedy, they come up with ideas to help and support the Nelson family. There is a Go Fund me for the Nelson family trying to raise money for their expenses during this hard time. Their goal is to raise a total of $40,000 for the family; they are currently sitting at $38,358.

Another great way that the Orono Boys Hockey team is coming together to help Mrs. Nelson and her family is by paying for the expenses to play youth sports for her children.

For the next 5 years families from the Orono community will be giving an annual donation to help pay for the expenses so that Nelson’s children have a chance to play youth sports.

As Nelson passes on to the next life, the prayers of the hockey community and the entire Orono community are with the Nelson family. I personally was touched

by Nelson in many ways and I know as a fact that I was not the only one he touched in his lifetime. Nelson was a coach to some of the high school students but was more than that, he was a friend and a part of our family.

Person First campaign aims to make all included Zach Adams Staff Reporter

is to shift focus from a person’s disability to who they are as a person.

The Unified club at Orono has been very successful in creating campaigns to make the high school a better place to be. Their latest campaign called “Person First” was discussed in their last meeting on April 30 and will be put in place around May 23.

The main goal of this campaign

Junior Fischer Eiss is a member of Unified. “Not only does this end the stereotypical categorization of how kids with special needs are looked at, but it also gets people to learn more about these amazing kids,” Eiss said.

You would never describe a person by saying “this is my big nosed friend Luke.” Instead of this, you would say, “This is my friend Luke.” The same logic applies to talking about students with special needs. Instead of using the label of a disability to describe a person--”This is my autistic friend Luke”-- introduce them as a person first--”This is my friend Luke.”

“They’re just kids like everyone else, it just happens that they have special needs,” senior Thomas Lecy said.

Photo/ Courtesy of Michelle Swenson Students come together to create a poster for their campaign.

A disability that someone may have does not define them for who they really are. By placing their name in front of the disability it shows that there is more meaning to the person that goes beyond their disability. You can participate in this campaign by following the right way to talk to people who have special needs and remind others how to do so as well.

Photo/ Keith Jurek DECA dogs at the international conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

DECA takes on international conference in ATL Mandy Johnson Features Editor

After the success that Orono students had at the district and state conferences, around 20 students traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to participate in the International DECA career development conference. The conference was held at the Georgia World Congress Center and took place on April 21-24.

DECA is a non-profit student organization with more than 215,000 members participating from all 50 states, D.C., Canada, China, Germany, Guam, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Spain.

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe, according to DECA Inc. Every year about 18,000 high school students, advisors, businesspersons and alumni gather at the national level conference to develop knowledge and skills for college and careers, according to the International CDC website.

“I loved presenting at nationals because we were competing against people from all over the world, and we got to meet so many new people,” senior Sophie Andrews said.

Keith Jurek has been the Orono DECA advisor for 25 years. His favorite day every year is preliminary competition. He loves talking with students before they go in and after they come out after presenting. It is always a highlight to see how great kids feel after their time with the judges.

“We had 20 students go this year, which is more than average. We usually only send about 14-18,” Orono DECA advisor and marketing teacher Keith Jurek said.

Every year the Orono DECA program travels to nationals with the Sauk Rapids DECA program.

The students that traveled to the national conference had great success with their projects and

presentations.

“Realistically as an advisor, even with such high hopes I only wish for two or three groups a year to advance to finals. This year we had six of seven teams make finals; I would never expect that,” Jurek said.

Sophie Andrews, Will Larson, and Thomas Lecy placed second in the nation for their Public Relations Project. Their project was based on Orono’s Unified team and bringing it to more schools in the future.

“Our project was about spreading Unified, which is a branch of special olympics, to other schools.

Unified brings people with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team to compete,” Andrews said.

Seniors Natalie Brekken, Rachel Constant and Anna Hughes placed in the top ten at the national conference in the category of Financial Literacy. The seniors worked with the Marketing 1 and DECA students to create “The Real Game of Life” to help them with their future marketing careers.

“We did a financial literacy promotion project which is a chapter project where you essentially try to educate a group of people about financial topics.

Our project was called ‘The Real Game of Life’ because we modeled the lessons after the board game,” senior Anna Hughes said.

“We chose to do this project because it’s really important to understand the basics of finances before going into the real world.”

Seniors Lilly Peterson, Lily Prine and Jack Randolph worked with Tanglewood Farms Honey this past year, a business started

by Orono students, and placed in the top ten for their Entrepreneurship Business Growth Plan Project at the International DECA conference.

Juniors Sarah Michel and Mckenzie Pearson placed in the top 16

►See DECA on page 7

News

4

June 1, 2018

You can avoid that unexcused absence Sarah Stern Staff Reporter An increasing number of students are receiving unexcused absences due to not correctly following Orono’s attendance policy.

Many students are not aware of the criteria around what constitutes as an excused absence. The attendance policy can be found online in the OHS Parent and Student Handbook.

for vacations, club sports, or college visits, they are required to bring in a written note to the main office at least three days in advance. A purple absence slip will be given to students to bring around to each of their teachers. This allows both students and teachers to be prepared and caught up with their schedule.

“I think that the

Photo/Lindsay Craft Poster advertising Spartan Plaza pavers displayed in the mezannine.

New plaza for fall 2018 Lindsay Craft News Editor Orono High School announced the new Orono Spartan Plaza to be completed by the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year. The plaza will offer an outdoor community space for events held by the school. It will be located in between the new sports center and the already existing Pesonen Stadium.

The center of the plaza will be laid out with granite pavers that people can purchase to show school spirit. The bricks rage from $200 to $2500 depending on the size. These custom bricks are made to honor and support the school, a teacher, a classmate, etc. The purchaser of the brick gets to decide what goes on it.

A replica of each brick is made so every buyer can have a copy of their own. These are at no extra cost and are included in the purchase. Personal messages, graduation dates and a shout out to a favorite teacher are examples of what people can choose to put on their granite paver.

10 percent of every brick purchased goes to support the Orono Foundation for Education’s Annual Grant to Orono Schools, according to Orono Spartan Plaza. The money goes towards funding everyday class materials as well as different programs such as STEM and world languages. Aside from purchasing a brick, normal donations can be made through the website as well.

To purchase a brick and show school spirit, visit https://frsengraving.com/oronospartanplaza/#/ to get started.

policy is organized and efficient in some aspects. However, I believe there should be a change for emergency absences that aren’t covered by the handbook.”

“I think that the policy is organized and efficient in some aspects. However, I believe there should be a change for emergency “The policy has —Audrey Hykras, absences that been in place senior aren't covered for twenty by the handplus years and book. In the past I have been is actually a policy made by given unexcused absences for the school board. Parents and missing days I couldn't plan for students can easily access the three or more days in advance,” policy on the Orono website. senior Audrey Hyrkas said.

Until 2012, all parents were required to sign a form conTo report daily absences, they firming that they have read must be called in by 9:30 a.m. the entire attendance policy,” To determine if it is excused administrative assistant to the or unexcused, the office referassociate principal Heather ences the attendance policy 503.

Delong said.

More information can be found in the OHS Parent and Student In order for students to be credHandbook. ited for pre-excused absences

PTO hosts second annual family service night Mandy Johnson Features Editor

second annual Family Service Night on April 20 at the Orono Intermediate School.

The Orono Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) sponsored the

Family Service Night features

• Brand Planning • Creative

a variety of opportunities for families and other community members interested in participating in simple and fun hands-on projects that benefit

• Digital Strategy & Marketing • Sales Support

• Media Planning & Buying • PR

Call to discuss your marketing needs, 952.404.1178 www.cmmarketinggroup.com

non-profit organizations in the community.

Various local organizations were set up in the gym where parents and students worked together to complete a service project while learning about the organization and discovering how their families could stay involved with the organization in the future.

All activities were suitable for students in grades K-5.

Organizations that participated in this service night include the Ronald McDonald House, IOCP, the Family Partnership, Orono Healthy Youth, Doing Good Together, Pinky Swear, local food shelves and many more.

Families were asked to bring a gently used book to donate to Read Indeed, a local charity started by senior Maria Keller.

This charity has donated more than one million books to children around the world.

Each Do Good Together (DGT) Family Service Fair includes

projects such as educational toys for children in crisis, dinner kits for low-income families, toys for orphaned animals, “happy mail” for children struggling with serious illnesses and hygiene kits for homeless families, according to the DGT website.

There has been a strong staff presence supporting the event both years that this fair has been going on at OIS, and they are looking forward to others who would like to participate next year.

Family Service Night was a wonderful opportunity for families to come together to learn about service and how to stay involved with the community in the future.

If you want to know more about future service events, or if you would like to help or know of any OHS students looking for volunteer opportunities, please contact the K-12 Service Learning Coordinator, Jennifer Lubke.

News

June 1, 2018

Businesses take a stand against gun violence Sarah Stern Copy Editor Large companies and businesses are starting to become involved in the controversy over gun control and deciding to break ties with the National Rifle Association.

Dick’s Sporting Goods has recently raised the most attention on the issue. The company has decided to show their opposition to the NRA by stopping the sale of assault weapons, removing high-capacity magazines from their stores and not selling guns to anyone over the age of 21, as stated by The Washington Post.

The reason behind Dicks Sporting Goods’ decision was directly related to the Parkland Shooting, as they have a connection to the tragedy. During a press conference, the company’s CEO Edward Stack revealed that 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, the Parkland school shooter, bought a gun from one of their stores. Although it was not the gun used in the shooting, it prompted the store to reevaluate how they are selling and marketing their products, according to an article published on Investors Business Daily.

“Businesses, like politicians, have ties with the NRA just to receive funds. In exchange, this process gives the NRA endorsement from said businesses and politicians,” senior Nadeen Bunkers said, “I think that businesses should cut ties with the NRA because in this day and age of gun control controversy, it is bad for business to associate with an organization that is in the middle of the gun control debate. After tragedies in schools, movie theaters, and workplaces, it does not suit one well to endorse this association.”

One major way that the NRA is able to gain and maintain followers is by partnering with large companies that offer discounts for their members.

These businesses range from big name hotels to airlines and rental car companies, according to Business Insider.

The Enterprise holdings and the First National Bank of Omaha were the first to take action on Feb. 22. The Enterprise holdings include Alamo Rent A Car, National Car Rental and Enterprise Rent-ACar. They cut all discounts to members in the NRA. Prompted by feedback in customer service, the First National Bank of Omaha has decided to stop selling NRA-branded credit cards, according to CNN Money.

One of the leaders of Orono Students Against Gun Violence Club Gabriella Bann has interest in the movement. “I think that businesses should take action to ensure that gun violence meets its end worldwide but specifically the USA with recent events. Businesses should take incentive to ensure the establishment of universal background checks which will make it so people who shouldn’t be handling guns are unable to buy them,” Bann said.

Major airlines including Delta and United Airlines are also making a statement to the public.

United will no longer allow discounted flights to NRA meetings. Similarly, Delta removed discounts for all NRA members and has asked to have the company’s’ information taken off the NRA website, according to CNN Money.

On the other side of the debate, FedEx has announced that they will continue their NRA rewards program. They made a statement saying that the company supports the Second Amendment right for Americans to own guns. However, they would like to see a change in the background checks needed for potential gun owners, according to Business Insider.

The movement has had a large impact on our society. It has also been taken to social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Users are directly calling out companies that support the NRA by using #boycottNRA in their posts. The hashtag has made about 2.1 million impressions on the sites.

Two seniors nominated for Triple A award

Audrey Patterson Staff Reporter This past January, seniors Kevin Cornelius and Gabby Germanson were nominated for the Triple ‘A’ Award, an award that is sponsored by MSHSL and

honors high school seniors who thrive in academics, athletics, and fine arts throughout their high school careers.

On Jan. 28, Cornelius and Germanson traveled to a banquet hosted at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter where they were recognized as the nominees from Orono High School. This banquet identified both a male and female nominee from schools in the 2AA section who have also excelled in the three aspects of the award.

The nomination criteria consists of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the date of nomination and participation in League-sponsored athletPhoto/ Courtesy of Gabrielle Germanson ics and fine arts activities.

The school selects their Gabrielle Germanson and Kevin Cornelius with their medals. nominees through a

multi-level process, including a recommendation letter from a teacher.

“Our band teacher, Mr. Arnold wrote a letter of recommendation for both Kevin and I,” Germanson said.

Academically, Germanson has taken a cumulative of 7 Advanced Placement courses while maintaining one of the highest GPAs of her class. Germanson has played basketball for four years, two of them on the varsity team. She has also been on the varsity track team for four years.

In Wind Ensemble, she plays the clarinet and is a two-time Minnesota All-State clarinetist.

“When we are looking for the nominees, we think of the people that do a lot of stuff and do it really well. Both Kevin and Gabby are extremely successful in band, do very well academically, and both are on state

Humboldt strong

5

Sam Antonenko Staff Reporter

leagues and organizations really helped raise money for the families who had lost a loved one.

On April 6, the hockey world was shaken by a horrible tragedy. The Humboldt Broncos were on their way to a playoff game in Nipawin, Saskatchewan when they collided with an oncoming semi-truck. The crash occurred at an intersection where one of the vehicles had gone through a stop sign colliding with the other.

Since the crash happened around playoff season for most hockey leagues, the NHL ( National Hockey League) decided to support the cause by putting stickers on the back of every player’s helmet that had the Broncos logo on it. It also had the saying “Humboldt Strong” on the stickers.

The crash tragically killed 14 people including 11 of the players of the SJHL (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League) hockey team along with other staff members of the organization.

The friends and families of the players mourned the loss of their sons. Only a few of the hockey players made it out but were hospitalized due to the severity of their injuries.

However, the NHL was not the only organization that wanted to support the cause. The entire hockey community all around the country decided to place all of their hockey sticks outside their homes as a sign of respect for the hockey players that were lost in the crash.

The saying that went along with this action was “Sticks out for Humboldt.”

As the hockey world was notified about this tragedy, the survivors of the crash laid in their hospital beds sitting and praying for those who lost a loved one that day. This is when the hockey community really came together. The support of other

On the night of April 7, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Winnipeg Jets, along with many other NHL teams wore the name “Broncos” on the back of their jerseys the entire game to honor the victims of the crash.

TEACHERS from 2 so he could match outfits with him. Among teaching various science classes, he also started the science team and coached baseball for many years. He hopes to spend more time with his grandchildren on his farm in retirement. “[You] know it is time to retire when [you] walk through the lunchroom and a kid yells, ‘Hey! You’re really good friends with my grandpa!” Haislet said, “and then another kid yells, ‘Yeah!

He’s good friends with my grandpa too!’”

Julie McMerty has taught various English classes during her 9 years at Orono. In addition, she has taught at Cloquet High School for 36 years, coached speech for 15 years and directed plays for 35 years. She says that she will miss watching her students improve their speaking and writing skills in and outside of the classroom. In her retirechampionship winning teams,” band teacher Tim Arnold said.

Cornelius has been a member of both the varsity soccer team and the nordic team. In the arts, he is a member of the Wind Ensemble, his specialty being the saxophone. Academically, Cornelius is a member of the National Honors Society and “[he] really nerds out in [his] two favorite subjects, math or physics, [he] even enjoys doing the most mundane problems just for fun,” Cornelius said.

“Honestly, this award isn’t as much about me receiving it as

ment, McMerty plans to read, volunteer, travel and spend time with friends and family.

Lastly, Orono High School will dearly miss Doug Erickson after his extensive 45 years of teaching a variety of classes such as Economics and Leadership. In addition to his teaching, Erickson has also served as the varsity coach for baseball, basketball, soccer and golf. He said that he will miss interacting with the students in his classes and senate as they were never afraid to share their ideas and thoughts. Even in his retirement, he plans to continue his position as the Director for State Student Councils and Honor Societies for the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals.

The Orono School District and its members will miss these teachers and the legacies that they have created throughout their years. it is the Orono school system that gives me the opportunity to achieve it.” said Cornelius.

Cornelius advanced to the received the award on the state level, representing the 2AA section as the male winner. On March 24 at the Lowes Hotel in Minneapolis, Cornelius, along with three other students from high schools around the state, was awarded the Minnesota State High School League Academic, Arts, and Athletics Award. Cornelius will receive a four-year $1,000 scholarship.

Features

6

June 1, 2018

Photo/ Carol Sulander Principal Dave Benson helps clean up from an after-school picnic the school used to have for employees.

BENSON

Photo/ Carol Sulander Principal Dave Benson on the left enjoys some food with Superintendent Karen Orcutt in the center at the staff picnic.

from 1

Of all of the memories he has walks through the hallways. acquired over the years, Ben“I like to see son said that people smile, he will most [because I miss the sense know] someof purpose that thing good is he gets from happening to being in Orono them,” BenSchools. Like son said, “It’s iron sharpalways there if ens iron, he you look for it.” shared how he was inspired Many students when he would are disap— Dave Benson walk down the pointed to hallways in the see Principal OHS principal middle of an Benson leave. hour and see teachers instructAccording to Erickson, during ing and students working, often the school board meeting deswith smiles on their faces. ignated for gathering student opinions on qualities for a new Even when it is easy to get principal, a board member recaught up in the day-to-day marked how they should really routine, Benson said he was rebe hiring Benson again as the minded of his purpose on those students were describing all

“I like to see people

smile, [because I know] something good is happening to them,” Benson said, “It’s always there if you look for it.”

of his characteristics.

Additionally, Erickson shared how a few years ago seniors placed sticky notes all over Benson’s car, but instead of using it as a senior prank, every student of the graduating class wrote mini thank-you notes on the sticky notes. These would later end up in a memory book Benson made.

“I believe that’s the biggest thank-you card [any] principal

“He is such a great guy.

Many schools are not as fortunate as us, to have had a principal like him.”

— Anders Gulbrandson junior

has received,” Erickson said.

plans to travel west and exclusively camp and As a whole, fish--two of his many students favorite hoband faculty are bies--as well as proud of the spend time at work that Benhis cabin on the son has put into St. Croix river. the high school.

Benson also plans to spend “He notices a month travelstudents for ing around Euwho they are rope with his and what they wife in October do, not just the and possibly loudest voices plan another — Olivia Erikkson in the school,” trip for the two senior Olivia of them in the senior Eriksson said. spring.

“He’s excited about helping students see their accomplishThe students and staff of ments through and [he’s] Orono wish Mr. Benson a happy willing to make accommodaretirement, and will miss seeing tions for them.” him every day at OHS.

“He notices students

for who they are and what they do, not just the loudest voices in the school. He’s excited about helping students see their accomplishments through.”

This summer Benson said he

“He is such a caring person, and so

“He got a standing ovation at the choir concert last night, and it was well deserved; he showed a lot of support for everything.”

— Oscar Edwards-Hughes senior

trusting of both teachers and students.

I really appreciate the trust he placed in me, and the understanding he always showed through difficult situations. I will miss his flexibility, his responsiveness to situations, and the best donuts ever that he brings to faculty meetings!”

“If

I had to choose one principal out of the four under which I have served to end my career on, it was an honor to end it with Benson.”

—Doug Erickson leadership teacher

— Grace Nohner English teacher

Thank you from the staff of The Spartan Speaks Nikki Praus and Cari Spencer Editors in Chief We have both enjoyed watching the newspaper’s growth so much this year. We are amazed at the development this paper has gone through and the talent that is present on this paper.

We could not have done it without our incredible writers, Mrs. Herring,

our readers and the entire OHS staff.

We thank everyone who helped with our efforts and want to give a big thank you to Mr. Benson for being such a great supporter this year (and throughout the past years).

Thank you for reading The Spartan Speaks.

Photo/ Carolyn Fritz The Spartan Speaks staff members thank you for your readership.

Features

June 1, 2018

7

Orono family’s volunteering at shelter changes lives Mandy Johnson Features Editor The Kovalik family volunteers at First Covenant Church Homeless Shelter about two times a month in downtown Minneapolis, located across the street from the U.S. Bank Stadium. They began volunteering in 2012 as a way to get involved with the community around them.

First Covenant Church Homeless Shelter provides a shelter for about 50 men and women per night that are experiencing homelessness. These men and women are welcome to stay for a maximum of 90 nights at a time.

Before this year, First Covenant was only available as a shelter during the winter months, but beginning this year they partnered with St. Stephen’s Human Services and will be offering shelter year round. First Covenant Church Homeless Shelter has been in service for about nine years.

First Covenant provides the space and volunteer coordina-

tion to provide and serve a hot meal nightly to anyone in need.

A typical night is led by volunteers. They are the ones that provide a meal by purchasing the ingredients, making the food at First Covenant, serving the hot meal with the occasional dessert and cleaning the kitchen after everyone has finished eating.

Generally, the volunteer session runs from about 5:30 to 8:30 every night, with dinner served at 6:30, including weekends and holidays.

“I started volunteering here with my family because it is one of the few places that allow kids to do this type of volunteering,” Orono parent Kris Kovalik said.

Each night, the church requires three or more volunteers to help with the meal. On April 18, the Kovalik family prepared a hot meal for about 35 people They went shopping for all of the ingredients to make the meals; they also purchased paper plates and plastic silverware for easy disposal. A family friend of the Kovaliks’ made and served Texas tornado cake as the des-

sert for the night.

“We have been doing this as a family for about six years now, and we go twice a month, sometimes more,” freshman Ryan Kovalik said.

Chicken fettuccine alfredo was served as the main course. It was served with a bread roll, grapes and a side salad. Volunteers count how many people are in the shelter each night to estimate how many plates of food to prepare. People are allowed to eat seconds after everyone has been served the main meal. After the main course, cake and ice cream was served to the guests.

“I like doing this type of volunteering because it feels like we are making an impact because we are in charge of everything,” junior Josh Kovalik said.

Some guests in the homeless shelter are very appreciative of the work that volunteers do; they come up and thank the volunteers for their efforts in preparing this meal after they have finished.

Photos/Kris Kovalik The Kovalik family preparing a meal at the shelter.

“My favorite part is when the guests come and thank us after we finish making the meal,” freshman Noah Kovalik said.“It makes me feel like what I did was really worth it.”

If you are looking for volunteer hours or are just wanting

to help out, First Covenant is always looking for new families and individuals to volunteer, so you can send an email to SHELTER@1STCOV.ORG to schedule a time to serve in the shelter, or visit their website to learn more information at http://www.1stcov.org/shelter.

“Taste of the World” creates global community for students Nina Johnson Staff Reporter In Schumann Elementary classrooms, teachers are starting to engage and teach children about different cultures around the world, creating a global community amongst young students.

An annual tradition in the MAC (MultiAge Community) is a month-long country study, focusing on regions of the world and educating students on the importance

of learning about new cultures. The country study includes many different days -from guest speakers to large group “cruise ships” around the world. One of the most esteemed days, however, is the food tasting day; “Taste of the World,” as it’s called throughout the MAC.

On May 4, 100 students and more than 40 parents gathered upstairs in the MAC to start off the food tasting day. The hallways and classrooms were busy and bustling with excitement and discussion among the students regarding their elation about the day.

“Learning about new cultures and diversity from a young age is beneficial to their growth. It creates inclusivity in our community and it makes being part of the MAC very special,” sophomore Brooke Parten said.

The four classrooms were divided into four regions of the world, with each classroom containing around ten parents. Each parent was instructed to bring a traditional food from a country of choice in their selected region along with a synopsis of the food and the country.

The first room of the day was dedicated to Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

The first and second graders learned about places that only a few students had heard of before, such as Oman, Israel and Taiwan. They were introduced to traditional foods from Ramadan and from the Holy Land.

“My favorite part is that all of the foods are really different from what we have and what I’m used to. They’re all really good and fun to try, though,” second grader Brody Keating said.

Photo/Nina Johnson Students listen to volunteers talk about North and South American dishes.

DECA from 3 with their project in the Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research category. The two were working with the Honey & Mackies restaurant business.

Juniors Jordan Case, Emmett Halloran and Tyler Olson placed in the top 16 at the conference in the Business Services Operations Research category.

Juniors Vivian Rohrer, Jack Kubitz and Natalie Brockman placed in the top ten for their project in the Sports and Entertainment Operations

The other three rooms included Europe, North America and South America. Students appeared intrigued and excited to be learning and trying new things.

“The country study and tasting the foods helps me learn about people who aren’t like me. Days like this are really fun. It’s something I will look forward to for next year,” first grader Sutton Mauer said.

This MAC tradition of emphasizing different cultures has been an large part of the country study tradition for years and will be one for years to come.

“Today was my favorite day. I really love this. Only the MAC kids get to do this every year,” Keating said.

A cultural expansion like this can be eye opening and start classroom discussions, pushing children beyond their comfort zone. The MAC makes learning about new cultures a key part to their everyday work.

Encouraging children to show curiosity and respect toward other cultures is something that Mrs. Johnson from Schumann Elementary says is key to engaging the first and second graders.

“It helps kids to understand that there’s a larger world out there; kids begin to see beyond their small world of Orono.

As first and second graders, it cultivates curiosity for young minds and helps them ask questions. It’s wonderful to watch the kids’ faces as they learn about the new places from around the world,” second grade teacher Stephanie Johnson said.

Research category.

Jurek and the other DECA advisors had many fun things planned for all the students to do while in Atlanta. They spent about a week in Atlanta, and on their days off they ran a 5K and even went to a DECA exclusive concert where Andy Grammer was performing, but overall Orono had a very successful week in Atlanta presenting their project that they have been working on for many months.

“Seeing the kids be rewarded for their hard work is the best part of nationals every year,” Jurek said.

Photo/Kieth Jurek The stage is lit up at a DECA exclusive concert of Andy Grammer

Student Spotlight

8

June 1, 2018

Orono sophomore Junior selected for wins grand prize for roundtable, national AFS Project: Change journalism convention Sonia Driskill Copy Editor After the Parkland, Florida school shooting, students and members of Gen Z have become more active in the national view, sparking protests, debate and the serious question of: are students really safe at school? Is anyone safe in the United States?

As Orono students sat in lockdown Feb. 21, this fear perpetuated itself into students here, changing their opinions on just how safe Orono schools are. While there was no threat, the fear was real--and helped to lead a significant portion of Orono middle and high school

students to walk out on March 14.

“It made us all realize this is a problem that could happen anywhere in the nation. A few days after … I looked at everyone’s eyes.

There was fear there,” junior Carianna Spencer said, as qtd. in the Star Tribune.

Spencer was one of five students to participate in a round-table discussion about gun rights hosted by the Star Tribune on March 21, destined to raise awareness about guns and ask for higher amounts of gun control. She and four other students discussed gun rights, arming teachers, school safety and other gunrelated subjects.

“In terms of the application process, it was kind of unique to everyone there. I found out about this through Mrs. Herring and emailed Scott Gillespie, one of the editors at the Star Tribune,” Spencer said. “Then, they sifted through the people that had emailed, and chose some people for the discussion” “It was really motivational--many people came up to us and thanked our generation for being the change, saying how proud they were that this generation is willing to stand up and speak and advocate for change,“ Spencer said.

Recently, Spencer was selected as the Minnesota representative for the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference this summer. She, along with 49 other high school journalists, will participate in an all-expense paid conference at the Newseum in Washington D.C.; the conference will feature various professional journalist speakers and is intended to Photo/ Jenna Thies inspire students to continue pursuing a career in journalism while mainSpencer holding up a past edition of The Spartan Speaks. taining a “free spirit.”

Sonia Driskill Copy Editor

Every year, AFS, a foreign-exchange program, sponsors five students to go do community service work during a two-week program in the summer.

The competition, entitled Project: Change, allows students to propose a community service project. One Grand Prize winner and four other winners get to go on the program to help bring the Grand Prize winner’s vision to life.

This year’s Project: Change winner was an Orono sophomore: Clare Gagne. She proposed helping Kenyan school children through “the Photo/ Lindsay Craft use of arts, music, and athletics,” as said on the website she built to help Sophmore Clare Gagne. her describe her plan, behind them. “Isolation, self-esteem, https://projectkenya-orphans. and communication” are all issues weebly.com/. She proposed helpthey struggle with, according to ing children to overcome academic Gagne’s essay. She proposes to give difficulties by providing them with a them the ability to access art, music, support system. and sports to increase their support system to help them stay in school.

“In the circumstance that a child is not technically able to continue Gagne will be in Kenya for two schooling because they have failed weeks in August with the other four out, many families will pay for them scholarship winners to help put her to continue their education,” Gagne vision into action. “I wanted to work says in her introductory essay. This with orphans specifically, but I’ll increases the gap between the rich be working in schools instead,” she and the poor children, and the poor said. While she may not be working children that fail out of school can exclusively with orphans, she will no longer continue. be doing good work for students in general, and hopefully what she Many orphaned children fail out does there will stay. because of a lack of structure

Senior boasts award-winning harp talent Cari Spencer Editor in Chief

In 2005, a four year old Sonia Driskill sat still, spellbound by her introduction to the harp.

Fast forward 13 years, through lessons and falling in love with music, and senior Driskill, now 17 years old, has not only started a harp-playing business called SJHDHarp, but has also won the Margaret Ankeny Award--among many other accomplishments.

At a MacPhail early childhood class, Driskill discovered her distinctive instrument. “They brought in a harp one day, and my mom’s comment is that she’s never seen a four year old sit so still for an hour,” Driskill said, “It’s been a steady in my life for my entire living memory. I don’t remember a time I wasn’t playing harp.”

Driskill has harpist and been competmusician who ing in harp performed in competitions a major key, since 2009, as well as the when she won only student the junior level from a public competition at school. the Minnesota Harp SociOn Jan. 27, ety; her most Driskill also recent acperformed complishment Handel’s Conwas finaling certo in B-flat at the Young major for the People’s SymMacPhail Suphony Concert zuki Concerto Association’s competition; annual School Photo/ Karen Haigh she was one Music Audiof four finaltions. As a ists who perDriskill after finishing the Handel Concerto. finalist, she was formed with earned her the Margaret Ankeny able to perform Handel’s Conthe MacPhail faculty orchestra.

Award, including a $500 grant. certo in B-flat major at OrchesShe said that Handel’s Concerto tra Hall for a panel of profesin B-flat major is her favorite “I was definitely the weirdsional musicians including the piece to play and belongs to her est instrument there,” Driskill associate director for the Minne- said. She added that of the favorite type of music to playsota Orchestra; her performance eight finalists she was the only -compositions from the Baroque

period, an era from 1600-1750 that includes other composers like Bach and Vivaldi.

As for her business, SJHDHarp, Driskill says that she performs for retirement homes, dinner parties, weddings, religious services or any occasion that may call for a harp. She has had the business since she was in sixth grade.

“Music is so important to the world and so important for sharing messages--it’s the universal language. Harp is also a lot of fun since it’s such a rare instrument,” Driskill said.

Next year, Driskill will attend the University of Wisconsin Madison; she plans to double major in harp and chemistry, although she is still unsure if she wants to professionally pursue harp.

9 Features Life after graduation: how Orono prepares students

June 1, 2018

Audrey Martin Staff Reporter

Photo/ Jennifer Lubke Recess Rockstars having fun at the Intermediate School.

Recess Rockstars benefits younger and high school students

June 1, 2018

Jazmine Borreson Visuals Editor Recess Rock Stars is a character education program unique to Orono Schools. The goal of the program is to cultivate a culture of respect, inclusivity and kindness for our students through the recognition and rewarding of positive choices and behaviors.

Students at the high school are helping out with Recess Rock Stars at the elementary school playground during recess; students choose to take time out of their school day to spend time with the younger youth of our community and are able to participate during study hall classes or open classes.

Volunteers go to recess and have fun interacting with students while also trying to “catch kids

VOICE from 1 based off of Human-Centered Design, which is the process used to solve a problem from the people experiencing it.

“I like to see how many people come together, specifically at the first meeting, because it shows people's value to everyone's voice and gives anyone the opportunity to share information on issues that they believe are current,” Mohs said.

being good.”

When a volunteer sees a student doing a great thing (being kind, including other students, taking care of equipment, etc.), they write down the student’s name in a notebook along with their teacher’s name and what they did.

“It’s nice to get away from school for an hour to communicate with other students and teachers in the Orono community,” junior Ozzie Ramsey said.

Eighth grade academic planning teacher Jennifer Lubke is also the advisor of Recess Rockstars.

If this seems like a volunteer opportunity that you would like to participate in, contact Mrs. Lubke at jlubke@orono.k12. mn.us for more information.

to bring awareness to the club by hosting a banner in the cafeteria one day for students to come and post any thoughts or advice they have on sticky notes to inspire other students at OHS.

“I like to see how

many people come together, specifically at the first meeting, because it shows people’s value to everyone’s voice and gives anyone the opportunity to share information on issues that they believe are current.”

“I am a part of the Student Voice Club at my school and currently our group meetings grow by the tens every time because as more people here about the idea behind this club, everyone wants to be a part of it,” junior from Wayzata High School, Jada Winston said.

To help enhance Mohs is handthis program —Guy Mohs, ing down his other schools senior role to Dani have been postPutra next year ing sticky notes and hopes to along school keep this unique club growing, walls to express the meaning of so when he graduates from OHS a single person's voice and asthe Student Voice Club is still sessing dress up days to support an active opportunity for anyone each students voice. to join.

Head said she has future hopes

The college and career preparation at Orono High School has built up to these last few months of the school year as juniors and seniors decide on what to do after high school. Through resources such as Naviance and guidance counselors, Orono students are able to make informed decisions on life after high school.

The college-going culture at Orono is visible: college posters line the guidance office, daily announcements over the intercom for college representative visits in the fall and the array of college prep courses Orono offers such as APs and college courses. 93 percent of the 2017 graduating class went onto post-secondary education, according to the OHS Profile 17-18.

The courses students can take to ensure college readiness are AP classes, honors political science, computer integrated mtg., intro to engineering and design, principles to engineering and design, college accounting and accelerated/honors courses.

These courses ensure that students are ready for post-secondary education and careers.

Naviance is the main center for resources for individual students. There are quizzes students can take to evaluate their skills and interests for possible careers. The website has an abundance of information on careers such as education needed, duties, and salary, according to the Naviance website. Naviance answers many student’s questions without having to schedule a meeting with a guidance counselor.

personal experiences. Career Quests are held in the Media Center two times a year in second semester and any high school student can sign up, according to the Orono School Counseling website. In the past, they have held panels about law and order and finance careers.

“I went to a Career Quest and listened to someone in the medical field talk, but even then, the people that they brought in were like ‘don’t do this career’ and that just scared me off more than anything else. If they are going to do that again, maybe they should bring someone who is passionate about it,” senior Antonia Petschen said.

7

Other paths students take after high school are jobs, gap years and the military. The resources available to students who take these paths are the job board, Naviance and guidance counselors. Additionally, outside programs and businesses can contact the school to put postings up for students.

“I feel Orono could be more accepting with students who decide not to go to college,” said senior Emma Stavig.

Orono teaches students the skills necessary to succeed at the collegiate level and careers. The necessary skills are critical thinking, goal setting and problem solving, according to the “College and Career Readiness: Same or Different?” article. Creating a college and career ready culture, measure what’s needed for success and align high school courses with college and career standards are some of the steps schools can take to prepare students better for college and careers.

“As counselors it’s important that we recognize that we do try to do our best that college isn’t always the best path immediately after high school graduation for everyone. We do try our best to support everyone on their own individual paths whatever that might be,” said guidance counselor Jaclyn Silbernagel.

“In Guatemala, in the grade that I left in, we did not learn how to write essays, so coming here has taught me how to write essays and how to present my work for college, future and jobs, eventually. It has also taught me that I have to be more invested in the community and I have to do more activities that would be good for me as well as other people,” senior Nicole Gutierrez said.

For insight on careers, Orono holds Career Quests in Spartan Hour. Each panel has a different career with three professionals in that specific field.

They show students their path to their career and

Students can prepare for their future by “mapping out that journey for themselves as an individual,” Silbernagel said.

STEINER from 2

On the topic of Spartan Hour and speakers, specifically, Steiner said that she would have to learn more before making any decisions.

“I don’t have any plans to [take Spartan Hour away]. The teachers said that kids really like it, and I heard from students that it would be helpful to just have a really set schedule and know when it is,” Steiner said, “I think [speakers] would be something I’d have to talk to the kids about as well as the lunch staff … we have that at [Minnetonka] and it’s the lunch staff who do it. It’s a nice way for people to relax, but it has to take into account everybody and can’t hurt anyone. It’s a conversation.”

Although Steiner does not have any immediate changes planned, she said that she plans to be visible and proactive in creating relationships with students. Just like principal David Benson, Steiner said she will go to the cafeteria during lunch and the hallways

during passing time; she also wants to go to various sporting and extracurricular events to get to know the student body.

“I have to think in long terms like what has been going on, instead of coming in day one and changing things. I would be interested in students giving me feedback on how they think it would be best to get information, whether its meeting with student groups, surveys, but I’d like to hear from students for sure,” Steiner said.

She said she also feels strongly about giving students opportunities to make their voices heard.

She mentioned a couple of clubs at Minnetonka that allow different students to share their opinions, such as a principal advisory council that features students who typically go unrepresented.

From her past education, to her previous jobs and experience with student voice, it’s clear that Steiner has an impressive CV. That’s not to say that she isn’t human either, though. She said that she likes horror movies but “also love[s] dumb romantic movies and comedies,” she tries

to read as much variety as possible, and that she loves to explore new places and cities where she can learn about different people, traditions and foods.

“When we go somewhere new, we always try to find a neighborhood or somewhere we can explore because I like learning about different kinds of people and different traditions and cultures and foods,” Steiner said.

She and her husband met in college and have nine total nieces and nephews whom they love spending time with.

Between the time of her hire and her start this fall, Steiner has been and will continue to meet with teachers and other faculty to find out more about Orono and begin transitioning.

“I trust her,” Naylor said, “I’m excited to have a principal that is going to continue the strong advocacy for students and teachers that Mr. Benson has done--the students and teachers are also really important to Dr. Steiner.”

Congratulations Class of 2018!

10

S

Map com Jazmine Visuals E Eve Hanson Eric Ittel

Oscar Edwards-Hughes

Henry Bell Max Bjorklund

Nathan Roiland

Jhonn Ellie Eskuche Mara Holm Anna Hutter

Frank Kokesh Jack Swenson

Ethan Hanson

Jenna Lulling

Grace Graham Billy Woods Jake Michel

Mirand Tommy Deters Colton Codute Guyvenson Mohs Nick Gabrielson Jackson Maki

Alayna Alhlstrom Ana Cole Charles Cole Casey Rod Evgheni Ivanov Paris Kyes Drew Pfister

David Anderson Kayla Demartini Kelly Ketola Ellie Schaible

Tori Everson Henry Jaffray Ben Kill Chris Nordlie Antonia Petschen Joshua Sheridan

Tricia Johnson Billy Lynch

Sydney Donaldson Tavo Moline

Tomรกs Calderon Jordan Jaekel Mara Norton

George Goldade

Blaine Bauman Olivia Hedeen

Abbie VandenEinde

Edison Steele

Jacqui Pfaff

Justin Kasbohm Graham Mehaffey Sophie Myers Emma Stavig Grace Josin

Mollie McGrann Tate Welty

Nadeen Bunkers

Lila Paul Luke Sladek

Daniel V

Ale

Braeden Christiansen Olivia Chumbler Lauren Hansen Claire Henneman Audrey Hyrkas Sophia Larsen Will Larson Jarvis Omersa Marcus Ostvig Lilly Peterson Nikki Praus Brendon Prentice Paul Sanford Jeremy Skalla Zane Taylor Emma Thomas Michael Boschwitz Macey Chelstrom Kevin Cornelius Clayton Dawson Nick Gherardi Emily Goman Benjamin Greiber Henry Larson Kristen Rascher Olivia Silvernail Lake Martin

W

Colin Sim

Bekah Lyrek Chase Blum

Erich Pinske

Hanna McDonnell

Sam Martinez

Chris Spacek

Transition Program Jean Hauff Sarah Koehler Nick Fullerton Amelie Wall

Apprenticeship Devon Johnson

Lainie Henderson

Jack Suchy Thomas Walker

TJ Carlson Alyssa Denneson

Cailyn Hawk Greta Paa Audrey Patte Kira Reymann

Jackson Zilverberg Emma VandenEinde

Gap Year/ Work

Harry Graham Wyatt Hemstock Cameron Jablonsky Kate Juusola Aaron McKee Bevan Sullivan Emma Koltes Aaron McKee

Ben McKee Josh Hughes Andrew Evans Sydney Mytty Alex Pfister Zach Rutherford Kelly Lawson

Regan Welch Thomas Lecy Timmy Dudley Alex Mesenburg Conner Olsen

Note: Students who filled out the Naviance survey and responded to our requests for information are included on this map. If a student is not listed, they did not respond by May 23.

*This map is not geographically accurate.*

Seniors’ post-secondary plans

Juni 1, 2018

11

mpiled by: e Borreson and Ellie Fasbender Editor and Online Editor Jack Maiorino

Davey Burns

ny Cavas

da Waade

Elsa Soderstrom Ellie Thompson

Simone McGuire Cole Wetterstrom Hannah Rippberger Lizi Norton Kaysie Scott Elizabeth Hauff Adam Kotula

Andy Baran Olivia Eriksson Maeve Banavige

Zane Raiche

Ashley Clemens

Caleb Olson

Scott Gorsuch

Van Dervoort

Lilly Prine

Calvin Torgerson Shane Hewitt

exis Buesgens Bobby Striggow

Emily Way Sam Abler Luke Fischer Michael Hornbaker Shauna Maloney Hayden Sande Stewart Sheldon

Dane Korsi Owen Albrecht Markus Anderson Jonas Bull Quin DeCubellis Colin Geelan Gustavo Gutierrez Nicole Gutierrez Caleb Limesand Olivia Litecky Griffin Sage William Stephenson Lukas Van Dyck Sam Pugh Nathan Schultz Spencer Overturf

Peter Sherek

kins al erson

Baileigh Januik Mandy Johnson Kyle Sipprell

Chas Klammer

Caroline Koehl

Paige Krasnoff

Nicole Neuberger

Serena Laing

Celia Brown

Andrew Swanson

Alex Berger Sophia Andrews Brooke Ament Samuel Bartel Sonia Driskill Peter Erpelding Abby Fay Kayla Gehring Anna Hughes

Jack Randolph Anna Soshnik Ella Larson Natalie Brekken Jennifer Haus Kelly Rash Campbell Sampson Natalie Brekken

Rachel Constant

Natalie Cumming

Maddie Loder Audrey Martin

Alice Vanderlinde Chelsea Landis

Harrison Lindbloom Ellie Burr Ivy Barrett

Sarah Stern Jane Guidera

Sydney Vieth Logan Anderson Grace Limesand Christian Babo Evan Babekuhl

Eden Schiltz

Leah Goehring

Ryan Paul Natalie Scott

Max Blaschke Gabby Germanson Maria Keller

Lindsay Craft Erica Crosby John Ellis

Paige Gill

Jackson Burgess Holly Harrison Charles Apple Lizzie Brick

*This map is not geographically accurate.*

12

Features

June 1, 2018

To take or not to take a GAP Year Isabella Koch Staff Reporter

Only 1.2 percent of accepted college students take a gap year, according to Gap Year Association. A gap year is the time between high school and another form of education such as college. A lot of decision making goes into this process.

Students all over the world decide to take a gap year but it is not as common in the United States, according to Think Beyond the Borders.

“I was raised in the expectation of going straight into college,” senior Brooke Ament said.

The disadvantages of taking a gap year vary depending on the type of person you are. Overall, the top points include, not experiencing enough of the “real world” during high school, not being emotionally or mentally ready to be alone, and lastly the need of money to complete the gap year goals, according to Chris Brower from the Classroom.

However, not all students think those disadvantages hurt the idea of a gap year but increase it.

“I am taking a gap year so that I can be in the real world before I decide what I want to do in college. I started to get accepted into colleges and realized I didn’t know what I was going for,” senior Harry Graham said.

Two key points corresponding with the advantages of a gap year are expressed through the idea of being burnt out from the competitive pressure of high school. The other is a desire to “find out more about themselves,” according to the Gap year Association.

“For me it was good and it opened many doors but it might not have opened them for others,” former gap year participant Gerry Brockman said.

Senior Brendon Prentice said he is going straight into college because he does not know what purpose a gap year would have for him.

Over 48 percent of gap year participants go into a volunteer program while they are away, according to the Huffington Post. United Gap year is a program where they place young adults into different volunteering settings. This includes over 23 different countries with different opportunities.

This program has five different expectations for the young adults. They include immerse yourself in a world outside your own experience, gain a new appreciation for the world around you, discover the richness of giving back and helping others, learn how to live outside your comfort zone, appreciate the value of hard work, empathy, and kindness.

Another dilemma the Gap Year Association identifies, is the consistency and achieving the hard working goal to go back into college.

Senior Brooke Ament made her decision to go straight into college knowing that going back to school would be difficult.

“It would be hard to go back to college after being able to do what you wanted to do everyday,” Ament said.

However, many students think that their plan to go back will not be shadowed by the “gap year life.”

“I think it will be hard to go back at first, but I will be alright after I get back into it,” Graham said.

Although the percent is only 1.2 here in the United States, it is rising all over the world as different opportunities become available.

Photo/ Nikki Praus

College: are dream schools only for the rich?

Anna Soshnik Staff Reporter The dream, for many, is to receive that golden letter of acceptance from the “perfect” college that sits right outside the line of attainability. Today however, that dream has turned into a nightmare as students everywhere are facing a crude awakening by the price of not only their dream schools but every college across the nation.

A study provided by CQ Researcher showed that since the year 1981, tuition alone at both private and public universities has increased annually at rate of about 10 percent.

Additionally, the College Board released their annual “prices-of-higher-education” report this October stating that tuitions of American public universities have risen 14.1 percent from the last academic year.

Said studies only considered the tuition of colleges, so costs like transportation, academic books, and room and board fees were not calculated.

“When I finally got into the details of what it costs for me to attend UCLA, I was thanking god for my grandparents [for paying my college tuition].” Senior Mollie McGrann said, “I was shook when I saw the number $62,000 on UCLA’s website, how is someone going to pay for that without spending the rest of their life in debt?”

Debt after college has become just as dangerous as the initial price tag of college.

Someone with a bachelor’s degree will earn 40 percent more than someone with only a high school diploma, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Researcher Reed Kareim states in his article “Expanding Higher Education” that even with a gap in earnings this big, the person with a bachelor’s degree will be wasting much of that extra money on paying for the rest of the four years they spent in college.

The total student debt nationwide has increased 350 percent in the past 13 years, according to online article Student Debt by researcher Tom Price for the CQ Researcher database.

“My only worry right out of college was getting a job,” University of St. Thomas alumni Dan Ament said. “As a parent of a senior in high school, I would probably still be paying off my college debts if I were going to college in today’s day and age [...] it’s just unrealistic.”

Even with the extreme price increases, applicant pool size has not fallen whatsoever; because of this, colleges are able to charge any price they like knowing people will always pay for a good education according to studies done by Dennis Doyle a Senior Researcher at the Hudson institute.

“It is sad because so many deserving applicants I see do not get to go to college because of financial restrictions, especially in the past few years,” Admissions Counselor for the University of Minnesota Prerna Subramanian said The amount of freshman undergraduate applicants solely has risen by 7 percent from 2015 to 2016 and is still on the rise, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, “I was nervous that Alex [daughter] wouldn’t have a chance at some of her top college picks because of how competitive admissions seem to be nowadays,” parent of prospective college student Michelle Mesenburg said. Mesenburg later added that during her own college search she had no worries because she and her parents knew exactly where she would attend from the start.

University of Minnesota’s official website concludes the average cost of attendance is around $15,000-30,000 per year. According to the Minnesota Department for Employment and Economic Development, the cost of living in Minnesota is about $50,000 per year. With this data, the average college student is adding about 50 percent of their cost of living on to their expenses every year for as many years as they choose to attend a university.

A pattern is seen as interviewed Orono community members are questioning the practicality, or “realisticness”, of paying for college. As a junior preparing for the college decision process, Caroline Robson said “I am scared college is no longer realistic.”

Sports

June 1, 2018

13

Freshman golf star: Girls 4x100 relay sprints ahead Camille Kuznik Hannah Thillman Staff Reporter

Lindsay Craft News Editor Camille Kuznik is a freshman golf star. She is only 15 years old and has been golfing since she was two and has been playing on the Orono Varsity Golf Team for three years now. On top of playing on the team, she takes year round lessons at the Edinburgh golf course.

“Even though we are all worse than her, she never judges us.

We can always ask her for help and she knows what to do to help us become better golfers,” senior Mandy Johnson said.

Golfing seems to run in the family, as both her older brothers and dad play as well. She said that her older brothers have been her biggest motivators and influencers throughout her golf career. What pushes her the most is seeing her brothers try so hard and watching as it helps them get into better colleges.

Camille has allowed many accomplishes throughout her golfing years. In spring of 2015, she competed in the Drive Chip and Putt Championship in Augusta. At this time she was only 11, and still managed to place no. 6, according to Minneapolis WCCO. She also holds a course record of 67 at the Pioneer Golf Course.

She also competed in the 2016 MN-WI Jr. PGA Cup at SentryWorld Golf Course in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, according to PGA Minnesota Selection. She was representing the Minnesota Team at the competition. She also played in a worldwide tournament held in California and placed no. 3 in her age group out of 150 people.

During the 2017 golf season, she placed no. 10 in the state tournament. Her goal this year is to place in at least the top three.

“She is the best player and always has a really good attitude.

She’s been playing varsity since she was in seventh grade. She loves the game of golf and she’s fun to watch because she attacks the golf course,” varsity golf coach Gary Severson said.

As well as being a great golfer, she is also a great motivator on the team.

“She is really funny and I love her. She is really talented and one of the best golfers in the state! She always has a positive attitude and gives us good advice on how to improve,” senior Nicole Neuburger said.

The only downside of the golf season is missing school. Golf starts to negatively affect school when the team has multiple golf matches in one week and they have to leave early several days a week. This results in missing class and getting behind in work.

“Camille is a great golfer and helps us to be better. She encourages us even on our bad days,” sophomore Liz Gibson said.

Not only is she a golf star, but is also very accomplished in skiing.

She also participates in downhill skiing in the winter During the 2016-2017 season, she was the number one qualifier in Minnesota for the Junior Olympics and placed no. 8 in the race. She is also part of something called Central Team, which is eight girls and eight boys from around the country that meet together in Colorado to train.

“Teamwork really plays a role in an individual sport like golfing and skiing because it’s helpful to have others there to support you and help you to not stress out over every bad shot. It’s all about just having fun with others,” Kuznik said.

Following the success of last year’s 4x100 relay team, and the graduation of one of the members of the team, the dynamic of the team has had to shift.

Last year’s varsity 4x100 relay team--consisting of alum Emma Sternberg and current seniors Patricia Johnson, Lauren Hansen and Kayla Gehring--broke the school record with a time of 48.83 seconds. At the end of the 2016-2017 school year, Emma Sternberg graduated, leaving an open spot on the team. The spot was filled by Sally Richardson, making her the only junior on the varsity 4x100 relay team.

“Breaking the school record last year was a big accomplishment for us, we’d been working really hard all season with hard workouts and practicing hand offs everyday so they were perfect.

It was exciting to see our hard work pay off. Lauren, Patricia, and I all definitely miss Emma Sternberg, because of how close we had all gotten with her. With Sally Richardson in the relay in place of Emma, after getting our handoffs with her down, it has started to get better and better and I think we can accomplish just as much with Sally on our relay,” Gehring said.

After Emma Sternberg’s graduation, the 4x100 team had to not only find a new member to fill Emma’s spot, but they had to bond, so that they all worked together as a team. In order to have a successful relay, there has to be a lot of trust with the people that run with you.

“We have really bonded from

Camille Kuznik: the golf star in action.

Lauren Hansen after the event

Sally is the only junior on the team with seasoned seniors, but has been holding her own this season.

“Being the only junior on the relay team is a little sad, because I know that next year I won’t get to run with them. I’m kind of treating this year like my senior year, just because a lot of the experiences that I’m having are one-time things. It’s a little intimidating running with the girls that broke the school record for the 4x100 last year, but everyone is really supportive of me,” Richardson said, “I definitely think that every time we succeed in something … we get closer, and feel a collective joy and hope for future successes. They also have been super supportive of me joining the team this year.”

With the progressively bettering times from this track season, it is possible that the relay team could break the record again. At the Spartan Invitational, they received their best time of the season at 50.23 seconds, where they got first place. The team

that got second place was 1.32 seconds slower than the Orono 4x100 relay team.

“I went to the Spartan Invitational on May 3rd to watch my sister Maggie Kittridge run. While I was at the meet I saw the varsity 4x100 relay team run. They were really good, and insanely fast. A second doesn’t seem like a lot of time, but my sister has told me that a hundredth of a second can win a race, so seeing a team get a whole second faster than another team was really cool to see,” junior Ellen Kittridge said.

The relay team has been working hard to break the school record that was set last year, and they plan to do it with their lucky baton.

“Before each time we race we get in a little huddle and have a quick pep talk and we pass our baton around and each kiss it.

We also use the same baton for every meet, we think of it as our good luck baton that we don’t let anyone else use,” Hansen said.

Here comes Diggins!

Jennifer Haus Student Reporter

Happy, bubbly, sparkly, driven, glittery, humble. All of these are words that are capable of describing cross country skier Jessie Diggins, one of our newest Olympic Gold Medalists, the 2018 winter Olympics’ flag bearer for the United States, third place competitor in the 2018 Tour De Ski (7 races in 9 days), second place overall skier from the 2018 world cup, and Minnesota native.

This year has been Diggins’ breakout year on the world cup.

Since starting on the circuit at 19 years old, Diggins has been grinding away, putting in hundreds upon hundreds of hours of work each and every year, and now it has finally paid off.

Photo/ Alayna Eichstadt

constant support from everyone on the relay and since we pretty much all run the same events we get to warm up together and just hang out which is really nice. The most difficult part of the relay would have to be consistency of our race pace and hand offs. You never know how fast Photo/ Justin McCoy everyone is going to run at any given Trisha Johnson, Kayla Gehring, Sally Richardson day,” Johnson said.

“She’s always been talented enough to be this good,” St. Scholastica coach, NBC analyst and announcer and former pro biathlete Chad Salmela said.

Her method for success is simple, focus on improvement. In the words of Diggins herself from her blog post “Looking Back”: “I expect quite a lot from myself !

Not in terms of results. I’m smarter than that. I know there are so many things in XC skiing that are out of my control, and it would be silly to place any amount of my self worth on a number on the results sheet.

What I expect from myself is that I constantly give everything I have and fully commit to each and every training session, team practice, and race.”

This year, that focus has paid off, especially as far as her classic racing is concerned. She has managed to break down her own barriers with classic skiing to actually make it to a classic sprint final and eventually podium, which for someone as previously skate sided as she has been, was a big part of her success this year, according to Salmela.

Now let’s focus on young Jessie. In an interview with Brian(‘speedy’) McCollor, Orono

nordic coach and Gear West employee, he recounted the story of his first memory of Diggins.

At the 2011 junior national races, held at Theodore Wirth Park just outside of Minneapolis was when Speedy first encountered Diggins.

He was working the start and finish area of the races and would watch the competition in between his stadium duties, he remembered the races as being relatively close, without much separation between the competitors, that is, until Diggins was racing.

“It was literally like she was skiing in a different race than the other competitors. You could tell she was just a different kind of athlete. It was really fun to watch,” McCollor said. At this time Diggins would have been in her senior year at Stillwater High School.

Since those races she has significantly improved, and a reason for that improvement is what both Speedy and Salmela described as ‘the Kikkan factor.’ Yes it was

►See DIGGINS page 18

Sports

14

June 1, 2018

MN pro sports Discrepancies between male make history and female sports at OHS Zach Adams Staff Reporter

The last 10 years of Minnesota professional sports has been a slippery slope to say the least.

Having your favorite team finish the season off with a losing record was just another typical year for a Minnesota fan. The Washington Post did a study on States with a professional sports team in all five major sports leagues and Minnesota ranked dead last in winning percentage. However, Minnesota sports finally achieved their greatness in the 2017-2018 season.

“I expect every team other than the Twins to make it every year,” Minnesota fan Lucas Jorgenson said.

Not only have these expectations been met, but they have been exceeded. The 2017-2018 is the first time in history when the Wild, Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves and the Lynx all made the playoffs in a one-year span.

As you dive into each team specifically, you can see how they created history in Minnesota sports.

The fan favorite Minnesota Wild have been no surprise in making a postseason appearance. Including this year, the Wild have made the playoffs for the last six years straight. In the 2017-2018 season the wild finished fourth place in the Western Conference with 45 wins and 26 loses.

With high hopes heading into the playoffs, the Wild were eliminated in the first round to the Winnipeg Jets. The state of hockey will have to wait until next season for a chance to hoist Lords Stanley's Cup. “I was shocked as a wild fan to be eliminated in the first round, but at least we’re contending for the cup,” junior Sam Bazil said.

The Minnesota Vikings had very high expectations coming into the season. And, quite frankly, they met these expectations with thirteen wins and three loses during the regular season record. Sam Bradford, Vikings 2016 star quarterback, ended up getting injured the first game of their season and in replace of him was Case Keenum. Keenum lead the Vikings into the NFC championship where Vikings fans across the state had their hearts broken in a tough loss.

However, in the game before, the Vikings successfully launched the first walk-off touchdown in the fourth quarter of a postseason game. This play will forever be etched into Vikings history as the Minneapolis Miracle.

“It would have been really cool to watch the Vikings in the

Super Bowl playing at their own stadium,” junior Alex Danielson said.

The Twins had one of their biggest comeback seasons in the history of their organization in 2017. In 2016, they finished dead last in the entire league with 59 wins and a franchise record of one hundred and three losses. However, with a bunch of additions to their coaching staff the Twins caught fire.

They finished the season second place in the American League central division and made the wildcard game in the playoffs.

They lost that game, but made MLB history by making a playoff appearance after losing one hundred games or more in the season prior.

“I’ve always been disappointed by the Twins, but they really surprised me last season,” freshman Mitch Adams said.

Keeping all eyes north, the Minnesota Timberwolves made their first playoff run since 2004. The Wolves added shooting guard Jimmy Butler from Chicago to their already stacked lineup. Butler ended up leading the team in points and provided the Wolves with some veteran presence. The team constantly moved up and down the conference standings and finished off in eighth place.

Unfortunately they had to play the Red Hot Houston Rockets and could not shut down their star point guard James Harden who single handedly won the series four to one. Even though they got out earlier in the playoffs, they proved that they will be able to contend in the NBA for years to come.

Last, but definitely not least comes one of the most dominant teams in the last decade for the WNBA. The Lynx have had more success than any other Minnesota team since their creation in 1999. They have secured four championships in just seven years. They lost in the championship two seasons ago to the Los Angeles Sparks, but took their revenge by winning the championship against them this year. The Lynx might not be the most popular team in Minnesota, but they are for sure one of the best.

“It is sad to see a dynasty like the Lynx not receive as much recognition as they deserve in Minnesota,” junior Danny Eckerline said.

You couldn’t ask for more as a Minnesota sports fan when all the teams receive such amazing success. With relatively young players on the teams across the board, the future for Minnesota professional sports is very bright.

Caroline Robson Staff Reporter

Title IX, passed in 1972, assures equality between the genders in publicly funded institutions. One of the largest institutions this legislation had made an impact on is sports, including high school, collegiate and even professional. It has made leeway for girls sports to emerge among male dominated athletics for the past 50 years. Regardless of gender, sports are a very big part of high school students lives and social activities, whether as athletes or spectators.

While this legislation has had a major impact on high schools around the country, Orono High School specifically has seen a lot of athletic success in both girls and boys sports since 2012. In the past five years, OHS has earned boys and girls state soccer championships in 2015 and 2014 respectively, with both teams competing multiple times in the state tournament, as well as a girls basketball championship in 2017 and boys hockey state title in 2018.

Orono High School, where there are an equal number of sports per gender, according to the Orono Athletics site, is not unique in their athletic equality in comparison to competing schools. On an interactive map from The Atlantic, the state of Minnesota was researched to be one of the states with the fewest percentage of high school with sports gender gaps. This research demonstrates that fewer than 10 percent of high school in the state have a large gender gap in athletics.

Social Implications

Students at Orono and high schools around the state would agree that sports generally are associated with a positive social stigma. Creating friendships and team bonding, improving teamwork abilities, and being centripetal forces of the community are just some examples of this belief. While it is unrealistic to believe there are no downsides socially to athletics, many athletes focus on the positive experiences they have when playing sports.

“Socially, sports are one of the most important things for a school district. Whether developing relationships going to games, or the kind of bond that can’t be built outside of a sports team, I think sports are super important,” Kyle Johnson, second grade teacher and lacrosse coach, said.

male sports are harder mentally and socially. Four time Olympic gold medalist tennis player, Serena Williams, faces backlash for being too masculine because of her athletic ability. Since the passing of Title IX, it had become substantially easier to be a female athlete than in the past, yet it is still a fight many female athletes face, even being a professional athlete. Much of society still believes that women are not fit to be extreme athletes, as demonstrated by the criticism of Williams.

“I think [girls and boys sports] are equal but different. They are competitive in their own ways.

Like there is as much stress on them mentally so it is equal,” Markus Anderson, multi-sport varsity senior said.

Whether there is a difference in viewpoints between males and females, or it is highlighted by athletes of different sports, there are discrepancies between athletes at Orono and how they view athletic equality. Highlighting the differences in the treatment of athletes and athletics is the base to uncovering any inequalities athletes face at OHS.

Support

There is a very distinct difference in the support that sports receive - made visible by the number of fans at each event. Boys sports typically have a higher number of fans than female sports.

Football is the greatest overall, while boys soccer, hockey, and basketball fan sections still tower high over their female counterparts.

“Yes. Definitely more people go to boys sports because they are more intense, and it is a cycle effect like more people go to boys games so then they are more fun to watch,” junior Emma Dalton said.

Aside from a difference in the support boys and girls sports receive, there is a disparity between sports, even with the same athletes playing other sports in the off season.

“I think people care more about other sports. Like there is more support for football over lacrosse. The whole community is there to support [football],” Anderson said.

Aside from different treatment and support of athletes based on the sport they play, many athletes and Graphic/ Ohio University Libraries students see visible attitudes of teachers and peers on and off school grounds. This includes leniency on schoolwork, bending of the rules, extra attention, and special favors that any other student would Along with stigmas about the benefits of sports, not be considered to receive. there also come implications and expectations based on the gender of the sport. Sports rules are “A lot of athletes get special treatment... Most of different by gender, and there are sports that are them wouldn’t get treated that way if they didn’t considered to be ‘only boy’ or ‘only girl’ sports. play their sport. Honestly the special treatment While many may believe that physically, mens happens especially with boy varsity athletes. sports are tougher because of the rough nature of Generally the varsity stars. We all know who they many of the games, many are unsure of how this are,” Dalton said. transfers over to the social aspect of high school athletics.

This can stimulate feelings of inequality or maltreatment among other students, those who “I definitely think it is harder to be an athlete as a are not treated with the same amount of care and girl, because we have always been seen as less athrespect as their athletically gifted peers. Students letic,” sophomore varsity athlete Georgia Beutler at Orono High School have noted frequently that said. “Guys sports are stereotypically better and superior treatment of athletes is far more commore athletic than girls sports... But I think girls mon in male athletes than with female athletes. sports have cool, under-appreciated aspects like Although Orono has equality in the athletics they finesse.” offer, there may be an underlying social inequality among the genders of student athletes.

From a female’s point of view, Beutler said that overcoming gender stereotypes is a signal that fe-

Opinions Should hate speech be protected?

15

June 1, 2018

Gustavo Gutierrez Staff Reporter

Ever since it was written, the Constitution of the United States has been upheld to protect people’s rights. However, one of the most often debated topics is the limitations of free speech, and more recently, if hate speech should be protected by the First Amendment.

To decide whether to allow or ban hate speech, it is important to first understand what hate speech is. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines hate speech as speech intended to insult, offend, or intimidate a person because of a specific trait. But hate speech not only includes offensive words, but intolerant ideologies as well (such as Nazism or white supremacy). Essentially, if the government banned hate speech, it would ban not only offensive words, but offensive opinions as well.

Should hate speech be protected speech? While hurtful and offensive language should not be tolerated, it must not be banned in order to preserve the right to free speech itself. Even if the speech is hateful or offensive, banning speech based on its content is censorship of speech, which is strictly prohibited by the First Amendment. As former chief justice William Rehnquist said, "the fact that society may find speech offensive is not a sufficient reason for suppressing it."

In multiple Supreme Court cases it has been established that hate speech is protected speech, but the line drawn between protected and illegal speech is ambiguous to most people. The criteria used to decide whether speech is not protected under the First Amendment is based on nine exceptions of free speech. These exceptions include true threats, incitement of violence, obscenity and fighting words. With such broad language it is easy to see why hate speech is so controversial.

Fighting words are written or spoken words intended to incite violence from their target. The difference between hate speech and fighting words, is fighting words have an individual target and have the intention of invoking violence. Hate speech, on the other hand, involves all speech designed to offend or marginalize a group of people. Courts use the fighting words doctrine to differentiate between

hate speech and fighting words. This doctrine came from the case Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire (1942), where a Jehovah's witness called Chaplinsky, insulted a marshall in a public place, and was convicted for disturbing peace.

The case was taken to the high court, where it was ruled that some speech - obscenity and fighting words - are not protected, since they provoke an immediate threat and breach of peace.

In short, if it is a personal attack provoking a violent response, it is not protected speech.

In Cohen v. California (1971), however, a man was taken to court for criticizing the Vietnam War by wearing a jacket emblazoned with anti-war propaganda.

The reasoning was that this language disturbed peace with offensive conduct.

The Court ruled that fighting words did not include offensive language.

The majority ruled that fighting words are “those personally abusive epithets which ... are inherently likely to provoke violent reaction.” Additionally, in Gooding v. Wilson (1972), Johnny Wilson was convicted of a misdemeanor for using “opprobrious words or abusive language, tending to cause a breach of the peace.” However, the court overruled the statute. The court stated that speech considered vulgar or offensive speech is protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments, and the statute was unconstitutional and too broad.

Despite the Supreme Court supporting freedom of speech, many people and college students are adamant about tolerating hate speech. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center in Nov 20, 2015, 40 percent of millenials in America believe the government should prevent people from sharing offensive statements, double the amount of other generations. Proponents of hate speech laws argue that speech should be regulated in cases where statements might discriminate or offend a group of people, since this practice of free speech interferes with the freedom from discrimination.

Nevertheless, the main concern is the implications limiting speech might have in future cases. If the United States banned any form of hate speech it is feared to indirectly increase powers of the government to regulate and censor speech itself on the grounds of being offensive. Once the government has the authority to regulate the language and the accepted ideologies, to ban and shape it within limits set by the leading party, the same government will have the authority to do the same toward other ideologies or groups. In the USSR, for example, any opposition to the party or the state was banned and punishable for treason. While it is far from the reality of the U.S., the government should avoid enabling laws that resemble this type of censorship.

Illustration/ Emma VandenEinde

Photo/ Frank Landis The boys hockey team celebrates after a win during sections.

Being ethical at sporting events is important Graham Mehaffey Advertising Manager

of hand, but when you are losing or the other team is chirping, it’s instinctive to fire back,” senior Anna Soshnik said.

When at a sporting event, cheering is part of the game. Sports teams can win or lose because of their student section or the other team’s section getting to their emotions.

Whether a student section can get into the opponent’s head, or hype their own team up, the goal is the same: get the team you are rooting for to win. Once in a while, however, chanting at sporting events can get personal not only with the players, but with the opposing student section as well.

Other schools can get out of hand when it comes to chanting at sporting events.

For example, an Ohio high school student section sparked in outrage after they used racial taunts towards an Asian basketball player. Students at Elder High School in Ohio chanted “P.F. Chang” at Nate Stockman, a multiracial player from St. Xavier High School during one of their away games.

During each Super Bowl or big season game, there are three teams playing that determine the outcome of the game, according to the NFL: the two teams, of course, as well as the 70,000 fans chanting and yelling for their team to win.

This is not limited to the big leagues. Here in Orono during the section semi-final boys high school hockey game, the early stages of the game were not in Orono’s favor. Orono was playing a combination of six Minneapolis schools at the Parade Ice Arena downtown and the pressure was stacking. Orono was down 2-0 at the end of the first period, and the student sections started to get chippy and chirpy.

“The game was heating up and starting to get wild. Orono was down by two to a team that scheduled to sweep to make it to the finals. The other fan section was flicking us off, getting personal with Babs (senior Goalie Evan Babekhul), and the heat of the game was seeping in,” senior Conner Olsen said.

As a response to the pressure and the other team’s inappropriate actions, Orono’s student section was starting to get caught up in the moment. Orono start chanting stereotypical chants about Minneapolis schools regarding money and social class. Once Orono hit a hot streak by scoring two goals in five minutes to tie up the game into the third period, the chants were more directed to cheering on our own players. Orono ended up winning 3-2 in overtime, but in the following days, the student section got bad attention over social media for the inappropriate chants that were said during the first few periods.

“We all got caught up in the moment of what was going on. Usually Orono never gets out

Although Orono did not direct their chants specifically at certain players or chant racist slurs, the chants said by both student sections were inappropriate. Students at Orono have been taught the pillars of character for years, but in the heat of an intense game we did not reflect our true character.

A Wisconsin high school has banned multiple chirps that students were yelling at their opposing football teams. Chants such at “Sieve,” “Season’s Over,” and “You let your whole team down,” are no longer heard among their fan section.

Staying ethical at a sporting event means to cheer on your team when they are winning or losing; to not yell anything offensive to the players, opposing student section, or the referees; to report any foul language or gestures the opposing student section has done to an athletic director; to let any tensions with the other team go after the game, especially on social media, and to have a good attitude throughout the entire game. By following these moral guidelines, you will be ethical at a sporting event and the experience will be better for every party involved.

“Being ethical at a sporting event I think is crucial for both teams’ student sections so that it protects that school’s reputation and makes the game more enjoyable,” sophomore Sophie Higgins said.

Chanting at sporting events is not meant to be offensive to anyone. Remaining ethical at a sporting event is crucial so that the schools being represented are not looked at any differently than they were before the game occurred. For game attendees, the goal of each game should be to keep reputations safe, have fun supporting your team and be a person of character.

Opinions Sustainable tourism How to improve your benefits environment life and your spring 16

June 1, 2018

Sonia Driskill Copy Editor

Jennifer Haus Staff Reporter As we wrap up the spring break season, it is important to think about the impact of our vacations on the places we go. In 2016, the tourism industry made up 10% of the global GDP, bringing in a total of one point four trillion dollars, according to data compiled by Sustainable Tourism.net.

This industry, though economically prominent, has a significant impact on local ecosystems. As people are learning about what effects their actions can have, the practice of sustainable tourism is on the rise. This type of tourism involves vacationing in a way that either positively impacts or does not negatively impact the social, economic, or environmental situation of the country that is being visited. There are several reasons to practice sustainable tourism and many easy and fun ways to do so if one only knows how.

Sustainable development and sustainable tourism go hand in hand according to a report published by the Western Norway Research Institute. Both focus on the relationship between man and nature and take into account the impact that man can have on the ecological situation of a place. When tourism first began to boom within Europe, there was immense habitat destruction as hotels and other tourist accommodations popped up. There was also a vast expense associated with these endeavors. The problem with this was that as soon as the industry took a downturn and certain countries became more developed in other sectors, all of this expense and habitat destruction became obsolete.

“If people do not practice sustainable tourism, it hampers the longevity of the tourism industry,” senior Alex Berger said.

The situation in Europe throughout the 1900s can be contrasted with the situation of the country of Costa Rica today, in which the tourism industry is the largest economic sector. In Costa Rica, the focus of tourism is one in which the relationship between man and the environment is mutually beneficial. Tourism is focused on environmental learning and preservation, which has allowed the country to greatly profit from tourism without a great deal of expense or habitat destruction, increasing its longevity as an industry.

Not only can sustainable tourism improve the development of a country in the long term, it can also have far reaching effects.

When people experience the true culture and natural beauty of a country, it gives them a connection to those things that they take away from their vacation. This pushes them to take care of the things that connect them to those ideas once they back home.

“If you want somebody to take care of something, they first must care about it,” AP Environmental Science teacher Suzanne Kehret said, referencing a French saying.

This type of tourism, with a focus on experiences and creating connections between people, the environment and new

Spring is a time of renewal--why not change yourself up and feel better about yourself, your future, and the world in general? Many people struggle with anxiety with what may come in the future, or with being kind to themselves--and even if you’re not one of those people, these four tips will help you have an overall better quality of life.

1. BE KIND TO YOURSELF. Being kind to yourself is not as easy as it sounds,and frequently, after you’ve said something not too kind, you’ll want to berate yourself.

Illustration/Katie Udell That’s not the way to go about fixing your negative and self-deprecating comments, cultures in a way that is beneficial for all is though. one of the best ways to make people care about things.

According to Jack Kornfield, the author of The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Ecotourism is a concept that is deeply Teachings of Buddhist Psychology, the best intertwined with sustainable tourism. It is, way to combat negative comments is by as defined by the International Ecotoursaying regular mantras that help refute ism Society, a type of travel that involves what your negative thoughts may be visiting natural areas in such a way that saying. These are phrases such as “May I education and interpretation are involved love myself just as I am” or “May I hold in said travel. There are many benefits to myself in compassion.” practicing ecotourism such as; decreased expense, a diminished eco-footprint, When thinking negative thoughts, gently minimized habitat destruction, and educarefute them by repeating your mantra, tion. However, there are also drawbacks, whatever it may be. Don’t rebuke yourself the main one being a decreased ‘luxury’ for thinking negatively--simply change the as commonly associated with vacations, as thought into something positive. Let the well as a possible diminished experience negative thought pass you by and don’t of the entirety of a place. dwell on it. Self-forgiveness is a massive part of self-compassion.

“I think that if you engaged in ecotourism it would take away some highlights of a Saying your mantra at first will feel place,” senior Lake Martin said. forced, but repetition will make it work and you will slowly start following whatThe main problem with increasing the ever is in your mantra. It will become practice of sustainable tourism is a lack of natural, and a habit. awareness. “Some people don’t even really Like any other bad think about it,” an Environmental Science habit, negative selfmajor at Carleton College, Grace Leslie talk can be broken said. When people are not aware of their and replaced with a actions, they don’t realize that there is a good habit of being need to change them. The main steps to kind to yourself. increasing the scope of sustainable tourism include: increasing education on the 2. SHOW GRATItopic and moving the mindset of the pubTUDE. “Showing lic away from luxury as the main reason gratitude” is more for vacationing. Additionally, change this than simply saying mindset into one of personal responsibil“thank you”--it’s ity, in which people are motivated to be about appreciating everything you have in sustainable on their own accord. life and focusing on what you are grateful for in the present. Start your day by think“It’s almost as if people take recycling ing about three things you are grateful for upon themselves and don’t demand that in your life. This will help your day to be the government provide that infrastrucmore positive, as gratitude helps wipe away ture,” Berger said, reflecting on his own negative emotions such as envy and resentspring break trip cruising around to differment, according to Dr. Robert Emmens, a ent countries in the Caribbean. gratitude researcher.

and whomever you are giving them to feel better. Small phrases such as “I like your skirt” or “You did this really well” can often make a person’s day. Compliments can stick around in someone’s mind for a long time. Also, giving compliments helps you feel better because you get to often see the person grin--and sometimes, they’ll return the compliment as well!

4. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS. Mindfulness is a calming and centering practice designed to help focus the brain. Mindfulness helps reduce stress, anxiety, depression, as well as increases focus, empathy, morality and self-insight. Mindfulness helps with focusing on the present rather than the future and future anxieties.

In practicing mindfulness, observational skills are heightened. A good way to start is by sitting with your eyes closed and running a fingernail over your lip, paying attention to all the feelings in your body.

Sitting outside and listening to all the noises--from nature, the highway/road, kids--is another good practice.

Another option to practice mindfulness is by imagining a simple scenario and describing everything you would see, feel, hear, smell or taste. Some examples include: • You are a small rock slowly falling to the bottom of a clear lake.

• You are a bird flying to find your next source of food.

• Simple scenarios that have to do with new perspectives are usually the best source for this type of mindfulness.

Mindfulness can be practiced whenever; however, it is best done with a mindless, repetitive task such as washing the dishes.

Self-narration, as in narrating everything you are doing and all the feelings, sounds, and sights you are noticing helps focus your brain on the present. An important part of mindfulness is focusing on the immediate present and allowing any thoughts about the past or future float by. Acknowledge the thought, but don’t ruminate on it.

Small changes in your life

can make huge difference the more you practice them. It’s important to start small and build from there. With just a small effort, you can completely change your life.

The average person can do their part to practice sustainable tourism with just a bit of planning. Researching the customs and culture of the place you are staying, along with the places that you plan to patronize is the best way to practice this type of tourism. “Ensure that you know what you’re signing up for,” Leslie said. They can also practice ecotourism whilst on vacation, which is not only fun and educational, but increases the profits for companies that establish a method by which to practice it, allowing them to continue. Knowing the environmental practices and ethical decisions of a place is a great way to be economically, as well as

Gratitude also helps to raise self-esteem, according to a 2014 study published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. Grateful people are also able to appreciate other people’s accomplishments rather than feeling jealous.

Another benefit of gratitude is that it makes you more likely to make friends. A 2014 study published in Emotion demonstrated that showing gratitude towards acquaintances make them more likely to seek out a deeper relationship with you, so send those thank you notes and emails.

3. GIVE OTHERS COMPLIMENTS.

►See TOURISM page 19 Meaningful compliments make both you

Mindfulness is a form of meditation, and all the varieties of mindfulness are varieties of meditation, as well. Mindfulness can be as effective as medication for some people with anxiety, depression, OCD, and a breadth of other mental illnesses.

There are a variety of free apps that can help with guided mindfulness such as The Mindfulness App, Headspace, Calm, Insight Timer, Aura and more. It’s really important to find something that works for you personally. For some, an app is useful, for others, it isn’t.

Whatever your spring contains, it’s important to focus on the present rather than over-focus on the future or the past. It’s important to be kind, for it will make your life better as well as others’. Small changes in your life can make huge differences the more you practice them. It’s important to start small and build from there. With just a small effort, you can completely change your life.

June 1, 2018

Arts & Entertainment

17

Declan McKenna brings “protest songs” to MN Cari Spencer Editor in Chief Outside of an unassuming beige building, a line of teenagers dawning Fresh Prince of Bel-Air-esque windbreakers and mom jeans stretched all the way out to the street, waiting to pour into the Burnsville Civic Center on March 13. Two hours later, they would see a 19-year-old indie artist from London dance around the Garage stage in a sparkly bowler hat and gold tights. But for now, they waited, buzzing from excitement, or perhaps the cold.

Inside, the atmosphere of the venue was like an 80s or 90s time capsule party, from the dress of the concert-goers to the music played before the artists came on stage. Even without a live performer, the audience screamed out lyrics to whatever the intermission stereo played--from “Take on Me” by A-Ha to “Gimmie! Gimmie!

Gimmie!” by ABBA--and danced with each other, regardless of being friends or not.

The wake-up call of 2018 came with the air-dropping of memes from iphone to iphone, every 30 seconds; a sign of classic 21st century behavior.

“All of the people were super nice, and we had this kind of community where we

all loved this artist who isn’t very wellknown,” junior Alexis Mullen said. “We were taking pictures at the wall and everyone was cheering us on saying ‘Yes! Slay!’

It was just a great kind of community.”

Declan McKenna was the main event of the night. Before he took the stage, he was opened by Chappel Roan, a female singer from Missouri who made many new fans, judging from the various “your voice is iconic!” screams that sprung out from the crowd. She played a few songs from her EP School Night, but since most didn’t know her lyrics the crowd got the most fired up when she covered “Dreams” by the Cranberries, an Irish rock band that rose to popularity in the 90’s.

By 7:30 p.m., when McKenna took the stage, the audience was already amped up on music and life, but the show had only begun. As soon as he appeared, the crowd surged forward to get a closer view, as if an extra 6 feet of space had appeared out of nowhere. With an audience composed primarily of high school kids, it was fitting for the set list to begin with “The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home” from his sophomore album What Do You Think About the Car? Nearly everybody in the audience responded by screaming then

moving along as they sung the anthem back to him.

For reasons beside the name itself, “The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home” was the perfect start to the concert; in an interview with New Musical Express, McKenna said that the song is about young people being a movement of change despite the darkness in the world.

The rest of the concert seemed to live out that meaning. From “BethPhoto/ Cari Spencer lehem” to “Paracetamol” teenagers were singing along to lyrics that 19-year-old Declan McKenna interacts with the demanded change--whether it be crowd. change from religious corruption, him that day. In many of his songs, the a patriarchal society or the misrepresendrum beat was switched up from the stutation of transgender issues in maindio recorded versions, but it worked well. stream media.

Each song that McKenna blessed the audience with was a nostalgic concoction of catchy guitar riffs and old-school pop, with a more modern use of synth. The whole performance was raw, his characteristic lisp-like blending of words endearing and genuine; there was no autotune or prerecorded vocal track, but that’s what made him believable. He was real--a real musician and a real dude--playing exceptional songs, and feeling wherever the music took

“You’re a lively bunch,” McKenna said, smiling at the crowd in the same semishy way any normal teenager in front of a crowd would. Although he was comfortable enough to make a few jokes (noteable was his comment about bringing a mini Sprite on stage so he could say “Hello Mini-soda!”--to which the crowd, in his own words, laughed more than the joke deserved), it was clear that he was

►See DECLAN on page 19

Sunflower Bean debuts shoegaze Ty Segall brings album Twentytwo in Blue some punk to Minneapolis

Ellie Burr Opinions Editor

Alt-rock sensations Sunflower Bean debuted their second full-length album on March 23. Twentytwo in Blue is a mellow yet melodic coming-ofage album for the rock trio. Having not released any new material since 2016, the band’s eagerness and musical energy are boundless in the creation and release of this eleven track LP, or full length album.

The band, consisting of Julia Cummings, Nick Kivlen, and Jacob Faber, blossomed in Brooklyn, New York.

It originated while the trio were still in high school in 2013, according to Mom+Pop Record Label. They released their first EP, or half of a full length album, Show Me Your Seven Secrets two years after forming the band and began embarking on tours across the United States.

Due to their success, they were picked up by Fat Possum Records early on in their career. However, they moved on to Mom+Pop Record Label for releasing their latest album, according to Mom+Pop Record Label’s website.

Their unique sound combines distorted guitar and bass sounds creating psychedelic melodies. Cumming brings the band together with her one of a kind edgy vocals. Their early work seems to accurately reflect their not so secretive teenage angst. Grinding the sounds of their instruments together, the band is known for their modern grit and heavy garage rock sound.

However, Twentytwo in Blue strays from this preconceived notion of who the members of Sunflower

Bean are as musicians. This album wanders down a much more melodic shoegaze path, unlike their previous releases. This means that in the recording of the songs, the musical instruments and vocalization seemingly blend together. It is apparent that the band spent a great amount of time writing, producing and fine tuning this record as it displays their hard work.

Songs like “Twentytwo” and “Only A Moment” are softer and sweeter than most of their previous work.

Combining new elements like tambourine and backing string sections, it’s obvious in these songs that the band has instrumentally widened their horizon. The guitar playing is focused more on softer soloing and melodic rhythm sections, rather than their previous use of solely heavy guitar distortion.

Julia’s writing style has progressed as she sings, “If I could do it I would take her in my arms/ I would unwrong all his wrongs/ I could stay here and write a thousand songs/ just to show her that the stars still come out behind the fog.” This is only a tiny sliver of lyrical sophistication present on this album.

Combining their rock edge with their obvious passion for making and playing music, the band has had no trouble being picked up for tours and festivals. Ticket sales have gone hand in hand with record sales and overall listeners. The band has over 282,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

Sunflower Bean will make their way to the Midwest during the summer portion of their album promotion tour. I would recommend grabbing tickets to go see this talented young band play an 18+ show at 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis. The show takes place on June 27 and costs $14 per ticket, according to First Avenue’s website.

Overall, I would give this album a nine/ten rating as I enjoyed it extensively. If the band blended a couple of their song transitions together, leaving no space between tracks, it would have made the record even better. You can find Twentytwo in Blue on all music streaming sites such as iTunes, Spotify and Bandcamp. It is available for purchase for around $9.99. Special edition colored vinyl copies are also available online for order around $20.

She also sings about themes such as growing up and reflecting back on previous events in songs like “I Was a Fool.”

This album no doubt shows the thoughtful side to Sunflower Bean’s writing ability and The band performing live. image.

Photo/ Paul Hudsonn

Nikki Praus Editor in Chief Ty Segall and Freedom Band played at First Avenue on Apr. 7, and it was nothing less than completely wild. The Bed Band came before Ty Segall late Saturday night and there were some more mixed feelings about his performance.

There were drinks thrown at the one man show while people cheering him on. A classic example that ‘Minnesota nice’ can, and will, prevail.

Ivan Antonio, who is in The Bed Band, truly confused the crowd while wearing a flannel over his face and smashing cardboard mountains over his head. People honestly tried to get into his performance and would cheer him on, even when others were booing. It was a loose, strange, confusing performance but with some Lou Reed tendencies and psychedelic guitar, people started to feel it.

Time passed and Ty Segall blessed the crowd with what they all came for, a concert that made you go, “wow.” I have never been to a punk concert and the experience was something I’ll never forget. Ty Segall constantly surprised me with slow beginnings or

psychedelic rifts that would switch into an extremely punk sound within two seconds. The band played one song after the other with almost no commentary to the crowd besides a, “this is awesome, thank you.” This allowed people to really get into the songs and the overall concert.

Ty Segall started off with “Alta,” an example of a song that started off slow, then completely slapped you in the face with punk.

It was the perfect amount of happy and intense which kept people on their toes and excited. I don’t think one person left the concert without being drenched in some sweat accompanied by a smile.

Some may think people who are into punk would be punks, but it was the opposite. You would get a hand helping you up or a, “I’m so sorry,” if you got an elbow to the face. That may sound like an obvious thing to do, but I’ve been to concerts where grown men trampled me, so this was a breath of fresh air. Everyone just wanted to have a good time and people would honestly try and help you have it.

“It was such a new experience and incredibly fun,” senior Anna Hutter said.

18

Arts and Entertainment

June 1, 2018

Minneapolis celebrates national Record Store Day Ellie Burr Opinions Editor Vinyl enthusiasts and music lovers alike hailed from across Minnesota and participated in national Record Store Day on April 21. This day is an annual celebration for people to visit their local record stores to spend time on a beautiful spring day partaking in various events, enjoying live music and taking advantage of special offers and deals. It drew an excited and enthusiastic crowd who itched to see what the day had in store for them.

The first Record Store Day took place on April 19, 2008, making this year its tenth birthday celebration. The first day included around 14,000 independentlyowned record stores, according to Record Store Day’s website. It has become a wildly popular event for people all over the world today. It is now celebrated on every continent except Antarctica.

“It was a fun experience going to different record stores and being surrounded by people who have a

variety of music interests. I was surprised with how crowded each store was,” senior Tori Everson said.

day was seeing all the Prince records and memorabilia that Electric Fetus had set out in honor of him,” junior Abbie McGrann said.

Record stores across the Twin Cities were booming with crowds and live music throughout the sunny day. The Current, a local listener supported radio station, was present at a few stores across the city. Their colorfully decorated van could be seen visiting stores like Electric Fetus and Mill City Sound checking out what each store had to offer, according to The Current’s website.

They continued the day with events for kids which included creating their own album cover and learning how vinyl is recycled, according to the Electric Fetus website. Prizes and goodie bags were also distributed to customers throughout the day.

Possibly the most well-trafficked record store in the state, Electric Fetus, made a great effort to keep its guests well entertained from dawn until dusk. In the morning, they started off selling donuts from Glam Doll Donuts for those who made the trek early. They also promoted local music by inviting Minnesota bands like Two Harbors and Why Not to play for everyone.

“It was really fun to see a lot of people out looking for CDs and records in varying music tastes, but my favorite thing about the

Another notable event that takes place each year on this day comes from Hymies Vintage Records.

This store orchestrated a block party that included live bands and crates full of records for customers to comb through. This year, they obtained 338 different titles for sale, according to Hymies Vintage Records’ website.

A great film full of beautiful references to the 80s, Ready Player One featured strong characters, a great plotline, amazing graphics and a great visual representation of the OASIS, and a very interesting interpretation to the future. The movie was based on the book with the same title by Ernest Cline.

Possibly one of the best books I’ve ever read, Ready Player One is the fantastic story of Wade Watts, a teenager living in Columbus Ohio in 2045. The OASIS is a

Each record store had something different to offer to the day. Other stores including Mill City Sound and Fifth Element offered special discounts and deals for customers,

virtual world nearly every person on the planet now uses. It was the brain-child of James Halliday, an anti-social gamer with an unhealthy obsession with the 1980s. After his death, no one knows who his fortune is going to... and then the hunt is on.

Halliday hid an Easter egg in the OASIS-fetching three keys and completing six challenges, one to get the key, one to get the clue to get the next key, and then finding the actual egg would let the first person to find it to inherit his fortune and the OASIS itself.

The film, directed by Steven Spielberg, was full of the same characteristics. The graphics--especially in the OASIS--were amazing. It was clear the OASIS was not the real world--the people were all clearly animated, but the surroundings looked realistic. All of the characters’ avatars were fantastic.

Ready Player One received 74 percent of positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score of 80 percent. Wade Watts (alias Photo/ Sonia Driskill Parzival) was played by Tye Sheridan while his best Scene from the movie Ready Player One. friend, Aech, was played by

DIGGINS from 13

Diggins who crossed the finish line to get gold this year, yes it is she who has broken down so many records in the past year, but it was her relay partner, gold medal winner Kikkan Randall who paved the way for her success and gave her an example of what it means to be a pro ski racer. Kikkan, who just finished her final circuit on the World Cup and is now retired from racing at age 36, was the original

American XC skiing role model.

It was she who showed Diggins and other American girls that they do have the capacity to compete against the conglomerate of Norwegians, Swedes and Russians that tend to dominate the top spots in races, as she did herself throughout her career.

“Without Kikkan, there is no Jessie Diggins,” Salmela said.

Fast forword to 2018. Throughout the first two months of the 2017/2018 world cup season, Diggins’ results were stellar. She

vinyl sales have been increasing, according to Billboard.

So why are days like this so popular among music lovers? If you ask any die hard music fans, they will tell you it is because listening to music on vinyl is unlike any other music format the technology world has put forth.

In fact, over the past twelve years,

It is celebrations like National Record Store Day that help revive nostalgic vinyl interests and simultaneously excite and teach the younger generations about something that was detrimental to our music and pop culture history.

“More and more people just keep coming in, it’s crazy!” Electric Fetus employee Caleb Stewart said.

Ready Player One: the best virtual

Sonia Driskill Copy Editor

according to the Current.

Photo/Ellie Burr Cheapo Records store in Minneapolis.

Lena Waithe. The villainous Nolan Sorrento, played by Ben Mendelsohn, helped the audience to heavily root for Wade and his friends.

His love interest--known as Art3mis--was played by Olivia Cooke. She was given a much more interesting background story in the film than in the book, and a few key plot points about her were finally elucidated.

The film in general was fantastic, and there is a lot of very interesting content out on the movie site, such as articles about Halliday’s death, a wide variety of 80s games mentioned in the movie and videos about the film. Ready Player One deserved all of the compliments it got.

However, one thing that really frustrated me about the film was how many things were changed from the book. A few key plot points in my opinion were either not mentioned or radically changed.

In the books, Wade is broke, in game and out in the real world. He’s underleveled in the game because he has no money: and to be able to travel to other planets one needs to have money. He’s stuck on the public school planet with nowhere to go. It was important to see the main character being poor and a very big underdog in general-while cliche, it’s always nice to see the

was placing higher than she, and many Americans had previously according to the FIS XC Ski app.

As the new year rang in and the January races began, she continued to improve, finalling in a classic sprint for her first time and later placing third in the Tour De Ski which was, according to USA Today, the first time an American had ever podiumed on the tour.

This was a phenomenal way to prepare for the Olympic Games in which Diggins competed in every single cross country race.

However gold wasn’t necessarily

underdog succeed.

All of the challenges were different in the film--and there were no secondary challenges to get the clue. You got the key, you got the clue. The only challenge that remained the same was the final one--playing Adventure and finding the very first Easter egg ever created.

Another frustrating plot point was Aech’s avatar in the films was an orc. In the book, Aech is a tall, white male--and this is important because Aech, known as Helen in the real world, is an African-American woman. It’s a poignant point about how racism and racial profiling are still around, and having her be an orc was edging into frustration. Aech explains why portraying herself as a white male makes people trust her more and not question her decisions.

Overall, this film was brilliantly done and directed. Cline was involved in the writing of the script, which does imply that the changes were approved by him, namely the largest ones of the challenges changing. It was a great movie by itself, but trying to expect it to follow the book is not a good idea.

I give the film itself a strong 4.5 out of 5 on its own, but at most a 3 out of 5 if comparing it to the book, since it was so different. The book, because of the fantastic plot, characters, and 80s references, earns a full 5/5.

her goal.

“For me, success at the games will be decided in those moments after I cross the finish line; lungs burning, legs on fire, lactic acid making me want to throw up.

When I’m lying in the snow, that’s when I take my ten seconds to think back on the race and decide if I had ‘success’ or notmeaning, if I dug deeper than I thought possible, raced with courage, and held nothing back.

If I can finish my races and know that I did that, I will have found success,” Diggins wrote in her

last blog post before the games, “Brave Enough.”

The first several races of the games did not disappoint.

Though no medals were won, the U.S. was placing higher than ever before, and the whole team was fighting hard. In the opening race, the 15 km skiathlon (7.5 km skate, 7.5 km classic on top of one another), Diggins placed fifth - not a medal, but the highest ever place for an American woman in an Olympic XC ski

►See DIGGINS page 20

Arts & Entertainment Spicy jams to freshen up your playlist

June 1, 2018

Ajalon Peterson Staff Reporter

Few things are able to bring people together more than music; it is a language entirely its own. A song can melodically string lyrics and acoustics together to convey a certain emotion or message.

It can transport you to an exact moment in time, or remind you of a certain person. The beautiful thing about it is that everyone has their own unique music taste. For many of us, it plays a key role in defining who we are.

is, in my opinion, better). 26 year old Garrett Borns rose to fame from Grand Haven, Michigan. If I could choose a word to describe him, it would be iconic. That sounds horribly cringe worthy and cliche, but it’s true. He made vogue coverage this year by breaking gender stereotypes and wearing short shorts at Coachella. He is truly one of the few musicians that I can click shuffle, and love every song. Freshman Garrett Pesch, an avid fan, remarks, “I feel like their music really made me who I am today, it inspired my edgy side.” Touring: Basilica block party, July 7.

Favorites: “Past lives,” “Fool,” and the entire Blue Madonna album.

have a lot of potential, and I can’t wait until they come out with new music. Touring: Pure Rock Studios in Rochester on June 1st, Basilica block party on July 6 & 7. Favorites: “Waste of Time,” “Coffee,” “Take You,” “All it Will Be,” “Sunrise.”

songs each have a vibe completely different from the rest. Personally I love this about them, but I think they have a lot of potential to embrace and use to their advantage. Favorites: “Too Late,” “Dirty Imbecile.”

19

Touring: Wednesday, July 11 at the Target Center. Favorites: “Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time,” Say Amen (Saturday Night),” “Death Of A Bachelor,” “Victorious,” “Miss Jackson.”

SAFIA- Introduced to me by a Hippo Campus- You either local taxi driver, this Australian Glass Animals- This group’s know this band and love it, or electronica/indie pop band has a music is undeniably unique; each you have not yet had the pleadistinctive vibe. It’s kind of a hit song is an experience all it’s own. sure of being introduced. Their or miss (I only like a few of their What many people don’t know spotify description describes how songs), but I think that they are is that Dave Bayley, a member their music started on the road, worth listening to at least once. of the band, is obsessed with the and how “the back of that van The electronic element vaguely minute details of the music. He becomes a home. The rest of the reminds me of Glass Animals, has a degree in neuroscience and world turns dim and hazy. The but only slightly. I’d be surIf you’re looking for some new spent a few only concrete prised if you could find a group tunes to listen to, here are fouryears travelthing you like them. Favorites: “Listen to teen of my favorites, old and new. ing, meeting have is a trunk Soul,” “Listen to Blues,” “Make strangers, and converted into Them Wheels Roll,” “Together,” Alt-J- This group joined together Cold War Kids- I had always recording his a makeshift bed “Locked Safely.” in 2007 to form what we know heard the name, but I had never stories. Each and your three today as a sort of indie rock/ actually listened to their music. song in their best friends…”

Sylvan Esso- This group consists pop conglomerate. The band’s Huge mistake. They are right up 2016 album, They’re local of Amelia Meath (vocals), and symbol is a delta (Δ), symbolizing there with the Killers in terms How To Be A from St. Paul, Nick Sanborn (instrumentals). change. They’ve got some pretty of general rock music umbrella.

Human Being, and very loved This duo is undeniably compatidiverse stuff, ranging from upbeat I haven’t seen them live, but is based off by their homeble; each one brings such a unique to soulful. They’re a very well their collection of live music on an individual town, to say element to the music, but it works known group; you can’t really Spotify is enough to convince me inspired by the least. Their perfectly. It’s hard to put in to Graphic/ Apple Music music never go wrong with Alt-J. Favorites: to buy a ticket when they come to the lives of the words, but the vocals and instru“Breezeblocks,” “Left Hand Free,” Minneapolis. Favorites: “First,” strangers Bayley Hippo Campus really gets old. mental elements are just so in“Deadcrush.”

“So Tied Up,” “Hang Me Up To met. The group Favorites: I love credibly blended. You have to love Dry,” “Hospital Beds (live).” is quirky, to say the least. In an all of them. You couldn’t possibly when just two people are able to Bon Iver- Indie folk band Bon interview with DIY magazine, make me choose. create such beautiful music. TourIver really grasps what music is, Dan & Drum- A personal the group mentioned how one of ing: Surly Brewing Festival Field, and transforms it. This is what it favorite of mine. I’m not really their members was arrested in The Killers- When you mention July 20 (18+). Favorites: “Coffee,” means to really feel music. Past al- sure how I found these two, but Milwaukee while climbing naked the Killers to someone, they will “Hey Mami,” “Die Young.” bums For Emma, Forever Ago, and I’m glad I did. They are classiover a street sign. “First, he got usually say they haven’t heard of Bon Iver both have a soulful feel, fied as R&B/Soul, although I’ve arrested. That’s not really much them. Mention their hit song Mr. Young the Giant- This band has while newest album 22, A Million never heard anything quite like of a surprise. We know he had Brightside, however, and everyone become pretty popular lately and is simply abstract. This collection them before. I am completely in to pay a lot of bail in America, will know who you are talking leans farther towards the indie of songs is completely raw and love with this band of two. Their but we don’t know how much. about. They are one of my all rock category. I wouldn’t say they unrefined; incomparable to other singer, Dan, has very rich vocals.

Anyway, he was climbing a road time favorites, for sure. When I are entirely unique, but they’ve artists. The group seems to stray Their stuff isn’t for everyone, and sign over the road, and yesterday think of alt-rock, they usually got some pretty good stuff. Defia bit from the multi-instrumental it can be hit or miss, but I would he told us that he was totally nacome to mind. Favorites: “Rut,” nitely some playlist staples. Tourfolk-music vibe that they are definitely say it’s worth a listen. ked when he got arrested. I think “Wonderful Wonderful,” “Flesh ing: catch them on Friday, July known for, and pave a completely They haven’t had a tour yet and there’s a lot more to this story,” And Bone,” “The Man,” “Run For 13 at Lakefront Music Fest 2018. different path with new electronic only play in their local area, but lead vocalist Dave Bayley said.

Cover.”

Unfortunately they are touring features. While the group has you can bet when they come to Favorites: “Gooey,” “The Other with country music artists. If turned a new leaf style wise, the Minneapolis you’ll find me there.

Side Of Paradise,” “Youth,” “Pork Panic! At The Disco- You’ve you enjoy that type of thing it remarkable thing is they haven’t Favorites: “Lester,” “Wanna Ride,” Soda,” “Season two Episode probably heard of them, but might be a good idea to attend, lost any of the emotion. You can “Mona Lisa,” “You’ll Find”. three,” “Life Itself.” they’re too good not to mention. although you definitely won’t see still feel the equally weighty mesThey’re the perfect artist for me there. Favorites: “Something sages, simply woven in a different Early Eyes- I would classify Happy Fits- This group replaced when you’re driving through the To Believe In,” “Silvertongue,” fabric, so to speak. Favorites: “Ho- this local Minneapolis band as the traditional electric bass with city with friends and need music “Cough Syrup.” locene,” “29 #Strafford APTS,” indie-pop. They’re a really nice, an acoustic cello, making for a that you can all sing (scream) “33 ‘GOD,’” “Re: Stacks.” down to earth group of guys. I fresh new sound. The band only along with. Need I say more? met them when they played at has seven songs, but that doesn’t BØRNS- Although most will the Garage this past month, and stop them from creating a unique from 17 recognize the name by radio they were really interactive with impact on the indie music brand. unchanged by fame. He seemed body in the audience was close hit “Electric Love,” few actually the audience. They only have They don’t seem to have “found to him in a way that would be listen to his other music (which eight songs, but you can tell they their sound” yet, as many of their like a regular kid, albeit one with pipes and a knack for writing reserved for only a fraction of thought-provoking lyrics. concert-goers at a venue like the educating people about what is and isn’t beneficial.

Xcel Energy Center. Besides, from 16 The main way for governments to advance sustainMcKenna’s chance at a “reguthere’s something beautiful about able tourism is by increasing signage and regulalar” life ended in 2015 when, at a room full of sweaty teenagers, tions about what is allowed in certain places and just 16 years old, he won the hearts full and throats dry, singsocially and environmentally sustainable when by teaching their own citizens how to act when Glastonbury Emerging Talent ing out songs together--songs vacationing while still having a great time! visiting another place. They also need to work in competition with his original and that are a bit of a protest, really. conjunction with environmental agencies to protect Once an individual is finally in a country, there are now most popular song “Brazil.” natural areas from overuse. even more ways to practice this type of tourism.

The alternative single delves into It’s not just romance and parties The ‘leave no trace’ slogan that originated for the We still have a long way to go as far as complete the corruption of international that teens want to sing about--it’s preservation of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area sustainability in tourism goes, however we are soccer as well as the destruction politics and corruption and a milis a great way to guide tourism. This idea can surely on the right track. Agencies like Nature FIFA 2014 wreaked on many lion shades of emotion too. McKextend into all parts of touring, from limiting trash Conservancy, which work with local communities Brazilians. Although the subenna has recognized that, and production to limiting fossil fuel use to appreciating to stimulate the economy through tourism while ject is heavy, the hook is catchy he’s come across as all the more wildlife without touching it. They can also buy local simultaneously working to protect the environment and surreal, and as soon as the likeable for it. Without a doubt, foods and souvenirs, which stimulates the economy are part of the solution, however individuals and opening beats filled the room it anybody should give him a listen, of the place and decreases emissions. All of these governments still play a significant role. was as if the floor turned into a not just for the rhythm and his things can be done very easily with minimal plantrampoline. voice, but for the meaning as well.

“I think we still have a ways to go before we reach ning and will still be beneficial.

His performance and the vibe at ecotourism in the full definition, but that shouldn’t There was little room for wide the Garage was a memorable five Governments play a huge role in the sustainabilstop us from aspiring to that,” said Jeff Soderstrom, elbow movement, but in a way, it out of five experience--one that ity of the tourism industry as well. Not only do prominent member of the Save the Boundary Wawas better that way. McKenna’s included crowd surfing and a free they set policies for where tourists are allowed to ters organization. music fit the intimate setting; meet and greet afterwards--and go, how many are allowed to come, and what they regardless of being at the front for just $15 tickets it felt like he are allowed to do, but they are also responsible for or the back of the crowd everyshould’ve been getting tipped.

DECLAN

TOURISM

20 DIGGINS from 18 race. The next race, the classic sprint had Diggins finaling and taking home a sixth place finish. The 10 km skate race was initially regarded as her best chance to medal. She ended up placing fourth by mere seconds, but was not discouraged. “I couldn’t have gotten anything more out of my body, and I knew it when I crossed the finish line,” wrote Diggins in her blog post titled “Looking Back.” The four by five km relay was the heartbreaker for the USA team. Diggins wrote about how all of them wanted that medal so desperately, not only for themselves but for each other, and not getting it was painful. Despite this blow, the team remained optimistic.

“When a country has a history with Olympic Gold medals like we do, it’s going to take someone extraordinary, not just physically, but emotionally to break that barrier,” Salmela said.

The second to last race of the games, the team sprint, was really Diggins and Kikkan’s last chance to medal, and boy did they deliver.

In her blog post entitled “Looking Back,” Diggins goes through the race from her point of view from the start all the way up to Kikkan’s embrace on the ground at the finish.

She cited Salomon’s work the previous year crafting skis perfect for the Olympic course in Pyeongchang, her wax techs’ efficiency and knowledge, her coaches’ year round dedication, her teammates’ commitment, and of course the thousands of hours of training built up between her and Kikkan over the years as reasons for the win.

“What Jessie pulled off, beating Stina Nilsson down the stretch to win the GOLD medal instead of just silver or bronze was just absolutely phenomenal,” Salmela said.

Features Since the Olympic games Diggins has been working hard, and not only on skiing. Since the end of the season she has been working with governmental entities to bring a world cup race to Theodore Wirth Park, the site of many high school section races(including Orono’s) and a site for the 2018 World Masters tour.

“I want [young skiers] to have a chance to see the world cup in person. I want them to be inspired. I want them to be able to see where all of that hard work is going to take them,” Diggins said in her speech at the MN House of Representatives meeting held during her welcome home tour.

She is also working with Protect Our Winters, a climate advocacy group for the winter sports community, to work with governmental organizations in order to prevent climate change. According to the New York Times, she supports the carbon fee and dividend solution, which turns the externality of carbon emissions into a more tangible, economic consequence.

“You can look at different solutions for the economy, but you only get one earth to live on, and you have to breathe the air that is on this earth,” Diggins said in an interview with the New York Times.

Apart from her stellar racing, Diggins is an important member of the USA ski community because of her attitude and her ability to be a role model for young skiers. She is committed to competing clean every time, which is a very important message to send to young skiers, especially in a sport where doping is a prevalent issue.

“She’s just so committed to speaking out about the issue of competing clean and em-

June 1, 2018

phasizing that she’s gotten everything out of her own ability and nothing else,” sophomore Avalon Johnson said.

Glitter is another fun aspect of what sets Diggins apart. She started the glittrevolution on the American ski team and at home. For as long as most can remember Diggins has been ‘glittering up’ for her races, and seeing that on the World Cup has caused high school teams here in the states to follow her lead, Orono included.

Coaches and team members all weighed in on different sides of the glitter debate: “I love it!!” Johnson said; “I personally hate glitter,” said Orono senior and 2017/2018 captain Kevin Cornelius; “I’m not a huge fan of the glitter,” said McCollor. Despite personal grievances with glitter however, all agreed that it is an important part of Diggins’ and the USA team’s performance. “It might be the most important piece - only the athletes know,” Salmela said.

As well as competing clean and covered in glitter, Diggins always makes sure to promote the idea of doing everything with positivity and being ready to work hard and suffer for the sport that she loves. This is one of the things that sets her apart from other competitors. She doesn’t define success by anything but how much she gives during a race, how far she can get into the pain cave and stay there. That is why Diggins is such an incredible role model. She makes young skiers believe that we can do anything if we just push ourselves as far as we can go.

Thank you Mr. Erickson From the Spartan Speaks staff: Even though you tried to retire a few years ago, Orono got to have you for a couple more years and we are so happy about that. We thank you for your dedication to the student senate and Orono overall and we are not sure how we’ll go on without you.

More to check out online: Fun things to do this summer by Sarah Stern.

“There are no secrets in this sport, only hard work. Hard work in training. Hard work in being a good teammate. Hard work in recovery. Hard work in fierce positivity. And hard work in keeping alive that ridiculous optimism!” Diggins wrote.

Custom Cakes Baked Goods Cafe

10% Off Bakery Orders Of $50 Or More

Offer Expires 7/1/18 Excludes wedding cakes

491 Willow Drive N Long Lake, MN 952-476-0222