Pony Express - Issue 3, Volume 69

S T I L LWAT E R A R E A H I G H S C H O O L

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PHOTOS BY ADDY ROCK

On Dec. 22, seniors Gigi Zawislak, Sonja Anderson and Kendall Arsenault sung at the National Honors Society’s anunal winter Coffeehouse. This year, the NHS is donating proceeds from the performance to the charity Morgan’s Message.

National Honor Society donates winter Coffeehouse proceeds to Morgan’s Message ADDY ROCK Photography Editor Coffeehouse is a talent show fundraiser put on by the National Honor Society (NHS). It is one of the many fundraisers they put on throughout the year. NHS stages two Coffeehouse shows a year, one in the winter, and one in the spring. This year’s winter shows were at 6 and 8 p.m. on Dec. 22, 2023. They consisted of 13 acts, which went through an audition process.

There were a variety of performances such as bands, soloists, duets and dance numbers. Both shows had large crowds gathered in the auditorium to see these acts display their talents. The event is a popular draw for parents, families, and students, both present and past. Many graduated students who were in Coffeehouse in previous years like to come back and watch the performances on their winter break.

This year, the emcees for the winter show were senior Meredith Christensen and junior Aidan Uglem, while other NHS students helped ensure the show was a success. This is the second Coffeehouse show Uglem has been part of. He joined NHS as a sophomore and was part of last year’s spring show. Uglem and Christensen are both officers for NHS and have worked on past fundraisers together.

“I chose Coffeehouse because I went in the spring last year and it was a really cool event, and I thought it would be fun to do again,” Uglem said. “I’m friends with Meredith and she was already signed up to volunteer so I thought it would be fun to do it with her.”

NHS selects a different cause for each show to donate the proceeds to.

They donate to nearby community centers, foundations, nonprofits and more. The NHS officers have meetings

every couple of weeks to prepare for NHS events and membership meetings. At the meetings, they choose what cause(s) they want to donate the proceeds of the event to. This year, they selected Morgan’s Message as the beneficiary for the Winter Coffeehouse and raised around $2,000.

Christensen explained NHS selected Morgan’s Message because of the recent chapter started and the work they have done to help student athletes with their mental health.

Morgan’s Message is a non-profit organization that advocates for student athletes mental health and works to create a platform supporting student athletes. Their main message is, “You are more than an athlete.”

Morgan’s Message has an education program (MMEP) that supports students and motivates them to become leaders and advocate mental health for students at their schools

and in their communities. MMEP works with volunteer student athletes (ambassadors) at high schools, colleges and universities throughout 45 states in the US, as well as Canada and England. The program is growing and has around 4,500 ambassadors which spread across 1,500 campuses. There are currently six college campuses in Minnesota with a chapter, two of which are the University of St. Thomas and Hamline University.

SAHS is one of many high schools with a chapter. There are currently five ambassadors and around 30 members. The SAHS chapter is made up of students from several sports with the highest number of members being on the girls’ lacrosse or girls’ soccer team. read more at sahsponyexpress.com

Stillwater Pony Express @StillwaterPE @sahsponyexpress

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Feb. 2, 2024

The Pony Express

News

El Niño:

Nordic ski team deals with lack of snow KAYLEE LOWE Copy Editor

Due to the strong El Niño conditions happening in the Pacific Ocean, it is leaving Minnesota with no snow. Right now the frigid winter air is kept in Central and Northern Canada. Minnesota is known for having a very snowy and cold winter, and is also known for its winter sports such as hockey and skiing. The nordic ski team is currently trying to find a way they can still practice daily and continue their season without the snow.

In the meantime, with the struggle of the snow in the nordic ski teams season, they have been training in the high school, running or trying to find a place that has artificial snow so they can get some practice in. When the team goes to practice skiing, they normally ski by themselves or train by themselves. But this season is different due to the lack of snow here in Minnesota.

“The lack of snow makes it hard to train. So yesterday, I did some intervals on a point six kilometer loop and I feel like I’m not getting the same amount of volume and training that I did last year. I’ve only had a couple races so I don’t really know how it’s affected it [her ski performance] but it’s made it hard to train and keep up the motivation to go in a loop,” senior Annika Fuhrmann said.

El Niño has not been a huge problem in the past few years. The last time El Niño happened was back in 20182019. The last impact on Fuhrmann was back in her 7th grade year. Having no snow means that the team has to

find artificial snow in order to get some practice time in before the next race.

“There were races that we learned about the night before because they were trying to make it happen. But the past two years, it’s been incredible. We had our first race, scheduled last year, which rarely happens and barely did happen. We didn’t do any dryland last year so it’s sucks coming from really good. A really good snow year to really bad snow year,” Fuhrmann said.

The nordic ski team has not been able to do their normal team bonding this year because they all train by themselves. For the past years, the team has been very close so they have been able to perform well. Team bonding gives the team an opportunity to hangout in practice and outside of practices. Team bonding also helps with getting closer as a team.

“It’s been incredibly hard. I think where we get most of our team bonding most years is from being able to ski together and that hasn’t been happening. One just because of how small like the loops are that we have to ski on and so if there’s so many people like all the teams are practicing there, they can’t really all ski in groups just because like we have to weave in and out of people. But team bonding especially on like, the flip side of that outside of skiing has been non existent. Where last year, the boys and the girls and all of us like the varsity and JV, we just all get together and just hang out and we’re all like best friends. And I think a lot of our seniors

GRAPHIC BY BELLE LAPOS left which was hard, but also just with lack of snow and lack of motivation, honestly that comes with that it’s been incredibly difficult,” senior Bailey Holmes said.

With the issue of snow, the nordic ski team is trying to find a way to get practice time in and try to prepare for their next ski race. The main part of skiing is to have snow. It is hard to prepare for your winter sport if they do not have the main thing to help them prepare.

“I think speaking for me and oth-

ers the lack of snow has not allowed us to be fully prepared at this point in the season. The lack of gate time and just time on the hill has a pretty big effect on one’s confidence on the snow as well as their ability in gates.

I think as we get farther in the season myself and others should bounce right back and get back in the flow,” junior Dylan Riniker said.

Read more at sahsponyexpress.com

Robotics team optimistic for coming year AVA ASPENGREN Business Editor The robotics team is an award-winning group of people who dedicate a great deal of time and effort to support and participate in their team. They meet Tuesdays and Thursdays August to December and everyday from Jan. 6 to the end of the summer.

The team’s financial support comes from fundraising and donations from sponsors such as 3M, Stillwater Glass and Delta Modtech rather than school funds.

The team will compete Jan. 27, at the Da Vinci Fest and they will also compete in a world-wide competition later in the year. The team consists of college students and other high school students of all ages.

Kris Haugen was the former lead mentor on the team, who sadly passed away Jan. 12, 2023, due to brain cancer, leaving the team devastated. Physics teacher Chris Mentz, with students in college, stepped in and gave the team a sense of hope. Mentz wanted to get involved in something along with his day to day physics classes and had a great interest in leading the obotics team. He keeps everyone on track and provides the adult presence placing an emphasis on safety “We’re trying to be better about

PHOTO SUBMITED BY NOAH BLUESKY The robotics team is in Grand Forks, ND for the competition that they had been working towards for months. Now, the team is preparing to compete at Da Vinci Fest on Jan. 6. safety in particular, and in the training associated with the safety, Just making sure that students who are using machines have been trained to use them safely,” Mentz said. He is helping the team to work together and to get a new robotics classroom to expand their work space.

Junior Jaxson Bluesky has a big dream and passion for the robotics team. Jackson is a leader on the team and encourages many students to engage and help bring the team to nationals this year.

“It is an unparalleled experience; having hands on competition

and interactions with manufacturing and building,” Bluesky said.

The team has been around since 2007 and makes one robot each year. Their first robot was called Jeff. The robotics team will prepare for the Da Vinci Fest and continue building. The team has built many robots since 2007. A robot from 2019 had a wheel system that could intake cargo and score on the low and the mid level rocketship and the front and top cargo ships. It was a semifinalist at the 10,000 Lakes Regional competition.

To join the team students do not need any prior experience and there are many different ways you can participate on the team to help out.

They have sub teams that consist of electronics, business, programming and mechanical and each of the different teams has their own leader who will check in with their team.

The team has gone through many challenges in their season and has plans to have a huge comeback this season in honor of the former leader Kris. Current member Eddie Roots talks about the struggles with their lead mentor, friend and person they looked up to passing away and the impact on how the team is run.

Read more at sahsponyexpress.com

Read more at sahsponyexpress.com

Feature

Feb. 2, 2024

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The Pony Express

Oren Hamilton persues future professional videographer career BINIAN TSEGAL Business Editor Senior Oren Hamilton fell in love, maybe not in the most regular way. He found his love in videos. Hamilton is a well-distinguished videographer within the community who loves what he does and "loves to chase the highlights."

Throughout his career, he has begun to record for professional summer leagues, professional matches and sports teams within the school.

Hamilton has found appreciation from his classmates and teachers for his talent in creating videos.

"I just love to make these videos. It was for fun at first, but it's become more and more serious," Hamilton said.

For the last year, he has worked on his craft and has managed to create content that everyone can enjoy. He has grown himself a large following on multiple platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Between all of these platforms, he has collected about 3,846 followers.

Between all of his pages, he has used his exposure to reach over 300,000 views and only pulls more fans of his work with every video.

Some people think they can just be good at anything and just hop right in and be the best there ever was. Yet, that's just not correct, for Hamilton this journey has taken around a year to get to where he is, and every flopping video, every long night editing, every cent spent on equipment and tickets, every message left on seen, every game with no highlights to inspire—all built up to the videos he makes now and the recognition he has collected along the way.

PHOTO BY ADDY ROCK Senior Oren Hamilton takes live action videos of a sporting event. He posts his finished videos on his Instagram Hamilton Films.

"Sometimes I can end up spending hours on videos they can take long to make, but as they progress I like to look at how the videos come along and it helps to motivate me to finish them," Hamilton said.

He is one of the few high schoolers who can now claim to be someone

who knows what it really means to work and reach his goals.

This summer, Hamilton had the opportunity to film for the Da Beauty League, a league composed of NHL players and players with talent from other leagues. With the gift of this opportunity that resulted from his

hard work of that year, he recorded and made videos for their entire summer season.

"I'm just grateful for the opportunity and am glad I had fun," Hamilton said.

Hamilton also likes to makes videos for the hockey team, but also is not limited to the football or baseball teams or any other individuals who hire him. This work might seem long, tiring, or boring, but for Hamilton? Never. He loves to "watch it all come together." The progress is what motivates him to do better, and this mindset has worked very well for him.

Most importantly, Hamilton is his own person outside of just recording. According to senior AJ Stratmann," Oren is actually a really nice person," and "more humble than his status might make him look."

Just with one scan from the outside, anyone can tell Hamilton is actually just a very talented and kind kid who loves hockey. Your perception of him could only get better when physically meeting him, though someday Hamilton may win awards for his video editing. Within this school, he has already won many people's alliance with his attitude and smile.

Hamilton has been looking into colleges such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to continue pursuing a career in videography. He has plans to take cinematography classes in an effort to continue working on his recording skills and has high hopes for his own future. With luck, Hamilton hopes he will find what he is looking for in whatever school he chooses to attend.

Wagner celebrates years of education work TYSON BLAZER Copy Editor Dan Wagner, a teacher who has had an impressive 40-year teaching career, has left a lasting impact on the lives of countless students.

Wagner began his teaching career in North Carolina after graduating from Duke University and later taught in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. His diverse background includes not only teaching, but also coaching basketball a sport that he is really passionate about. Wagner played an important role in establishing the Eastridge basketball program.

Having retired from teaching English in 2022, Wagner chose to return to the classroom as a substitute teacher. His decision to be a substitute teacher was not only driven by his love for teaching, but also by the flexibility it offers. As an avid volleyball referee who travels across the country for tournaments, subbing allows Wagner to pick and choose the days he works.

His years of experience also makes him an expert at being able to adapt to different classroom environments.

“I try to say hello to people. I try to be positive. I play a stupid song every Friday when I sub. People smile at that stuff. Makes people smile. I know it’s dumb but it’s better to be around positivity than negativity.”

-Dan Wagner "I kind of know how things are going in each classroom. Since I'm old, I've been through all of this.

There's almost nothing a student can do or say to me that's going to surprise or upset me," Wagner said.

Wagner's dedication to education goes beyond the classroom. Last

year, he accepted a long-term subbing position in English, showcasing his commitment to helping students even after retirement.

Wagner also wants to be a positive influence within the school community, "I try to say hello to people. I try to be positive. I play a stupid song every Friday when I sub. People smile at that stuff. Makes people smile. I know it's dumb but it's better to be around positivity than negativity," Wagner said.

In reflecting on his motto in life, Wagner shared, "If you do what you love, you never really work."

With 40 years of teaching, he expresses gratitude for having fun teaching, coaching, refereeing and playing golf. Wagner believes in treating people well, "people are people, and if you treat people well, they'll treat you well," Wagner said.

Junior Ron Bruflodt said that Read more online at sahs.ponyexpress.org

PHOTO BY STELLA MCHUGH Substitute teacher Dan Wagner poses with a cardbord cut out of principal Robert Bach. He has many silly traditions such as playing the song ‘Friday’ by Rebecca Black.

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Oct. 27, 2023

The Pony Express

Opinion

Block Schedule increases options BELLE LAPOS Layout Editor-in-Cheif

According to the Foundation for Economic Education, the same public education system has been used for roughly 150 years. It is a system that does not acknowledge factors like teenage sleep schedules and learning styles. Because of this, many schools across the country have updated their schedules, all fighting to make general education more accommodating for a larger population of students and staff.

This is not a new concept, “American students must have more time for learning. The sixhour, 180-day school year should be relegated to museums, an exhibit from our education past,” the National Education Commission on Time and Learning explained in 1994.

In mid-December students were asked for input on school start times and possible block scheduling. This has been locked in as a viable option for the coming years. Although there is no verdict, many perspectives were considered in the process.

A similar concept of blocking was experimented during COVID-19. For some, like senior Kallie Fahs, there is doubt about its true impact.

“To a certain extent, I liked having only three classes per semester just because it didn’t feel like there was as much pressure in terms of homework. But at the same time, you have to remember that they were trying to squeeze our entire curriculum into one year depending on what class it was. That was also kind of stressful from a student perspective,” Fahs explained.

For these reasons, staff members, like teacher Brady Hanni-

GRAPHIC BY GABBI CHAU gan, were put in place to examine options with the new plan.

“A group was put together and went and looked at other schools. We had a rubric to show what we wanted out of the new schedule and see more opportunities for kids. I wanted to take a look at how that works and talk to other schools to see where that all fits in and things that they wish they did a little bit differently,” Hannigan said.

This group of staff members looked into many different schedule plans that have been implemented around the area.

These have been more than just

Spotify

bad for small artists GIBBY STRUB Layout Editor

Fair use image from daughtersofcain.com Ethel Cain is a small indie artist from around Tallahassee, FL. She released her newest album “Preacher’s Daughter” in 2022. the album tells a poetic story.

Fair use image from gothbabemusic.com Goth Babe is an alternative artist from Tennessee who makes music with his dog Sadie. His latest single is called “Backwards.” It is an upbeat fun tune.

In 2024, Spotify plans to stop paying artists who do not make 1000 streams yearly. This affects small artists who are just trying to start. It is nothing to be surprised about because the music industry has never treated music artists with consideration.

Ever since the phonograph, the music industry has been a dirty trade. Record labels stealing music rights and not paying artists enough are just a few things artists have dealt with.

Spotify should be paying artists no matter how many streams they get. The company is still making money from them and the artist should see some of it.

Spotify makes money from artists through advertisements and monthly payments, which are all generated by the work of the artist. It does not matter if it is $3 or three $3000, it is still money that is owed to the artist.

Even worse, Spotify only pays 0.3 cents per stream, which is a laughable amount. That means for every 1000 streams, the artists will only receive $3. For years, artists have wanted more pay on Spotify, but have been ignored by the large corporation.

block plans, looking at “a seven by two and four by four in person.

We’ve also looked at others. For instance, Hudson has a block but they do have a modified block where they do an A B day,” Hannigan added.

There are many options set as a possibility, allowing members of this group to make changes to properly adhere to students and staff. This group has worked with schools, advisors, and students to find the “right fit” plan as Hannigan explained it.

Although they are doing the research, is not completely up to them. Ultimately, it will go to

the school board and superintendent after a proper list of choices is put together.

Depending on the schedule put into action, its main goal is to allow for more opportunities within the school. Allowing students to experience a learning experience that best fits what they want to participate in and get out of their education.

“People wanted more improvements to mental health and they wanted more options. As a teacher in a department that has the most elective options, I think giving kids options is fantastic,” Hannigan concluded.

There is no reason why Spotify can not pay their artists more because Apple Music pays 0.8 cents per stream and has the same amount of expenses.

“They’re going to have like $11 a month from you and they have so many users, and all they have to do is run servers and pay some employees,” senior Andrew Droske said.

The music industry has taken advantage of artists for decades, and it all starts with record labels.

A classic example of this is with Taylor Swift when she could not get the rights to her music from Big Machine Records. Big Machine Records is a subsidiary of an even larger company called Universal Music Group, which is one of the big three commercial music companies that dominate the music industry. These three groups control almost all streaming services, due to the companies having rights to the music. If Spotify or Apple Music does something a large record company does not agree with, then legally they can pull all the music they own off from the site.

Swift could not get rights to her music because she signed an agreement that said that they would hijack her music rights. Because of this, in 2019 she had to go through immense lawsuits and court dates.

She also had to remaster the albums that she previously made so that she could possess the music that she created. She still got wrapped up in legal troubles because of this. When this topic was brought up, Droske explained that anybody should be able to have rights to something they creatively designed. It does not matter what label they are signed to. The artists were the ones who made it, so they should have the rights to it.

Although this new update will affect smaller artists’ ability to make money, most musicians en-

joy making music and would do it without getting paid. Artists have an easier opportunity than ever to get music out to the public than any other time in history. Soundcloud and TikTok have given a platform for small artists to get their music out to a large group of people. The whole point of art is to make people feel an emotion through something physical.

For most artists, it is their passion to continue making music.

For real artists with passion, it is “not about the money. They’re going to do it no matter what,” junior Jacob Hansen independent music producer said.

Music is bigger than the industry it is trapped in. Record labels and streaming services may have a hold on most musicians, making it difficult to make a living off of music. Most artists have a passion for music, so no matter what the large industry throws at them, they wont quit because it is something they love.

“I think Spotify really should pay their artists more, and I think that would just help music become better as a whole as an art,” Karas said.

GRAPHIC BY COLE NUSS

Editorial EIC COLUMN

Feb. 2, 2024

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The Pony Express

Students concerned over changing start times PONY EXPRESS STAFF

Pony Clapback Ava Biederman Sexism has been going on for more than 3,000 years. It started way back when the first two men and women were created in the Jewish lore. There was Adam and Lilith, this was his first wife. While it was never directly mentioned within the Bible it is believed her and Adam were both made up from dust and Earth. This made the two individuals equal. When Lilith refused to be unequal and continue her “wifely duties”, Adam became enraged. She ran away from their home (the garden) and refused to come back. She was labeled a terrible person, however, many people view her as the first women to stand up for her rights against sexism.

Simply taking a glance at society, everyone can agree that sexism and women’s rights have improved greatly since the creation of the Jewish lore. However, many women still deal with sexism in places like school.

Now it just is better covered up behind “jokes” and acceptance within the world.

As young women start to grow up, these sexist comments start to mean something.

It makes a girl think or change who they are just to pleasure the social norms around her. read more at sahsponyexpress.com

District leaders have proposed plans to change school start times. Now, administration wants to change the start times from 7:40 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

Staff has said it is scientifically proven students learn better when starting later. When kids wake up in the morning, as early as 5 a.m. it is hard to be alert by 2 p.m., especially when sitting in a classroom for hours and learning so many new concepts.

School start times have serious implications for how students learn and preform in their education.

It is hard to get to bed on time when kids have a lot of homework, sports, after-school jobs or other hobbies they like to pursue after school hours. However, with later start times, it pushes everything back, causing students to get home even later. Despite this, schools that have already made this change in later start times have seen significant improvement in improved grades, reduced tardiness, reduced absenteeism and improved graduation rates.

Research also suggests an early start time for elementary students increases prime morning instructional time, which is advantageous to younger learners.

However, students are not in favor of the later start times. In a school start times survey sent out by the school, 25 percent of students said current start time satisfied them and only 14 percent said they were dissatisfied. However, in the same survey, 31.6 percent of students only get around 6-7 hours of sleep per night. Scientific studies show teenagers 13-18-years-old should be getting at least 8-10 hours per night.

Early start times do have an impact on a typical students sleep schedule.

The thing most students worry about with later start times is their after-school responsibilities. This could be sports, part-time jobs or

14%

GRAPHIC BY GABBI CHAU

25%

52%

dissatisfied with satisfied with participate in current start time current start time extracurriculars FROM A DEC. 2023 DISTRICT SURVEY OF SAHS STUDENTS helping out with younger siblings.

Out of 1,116 responses, 52 percent of students in a school survey said they participated in extracurricular activities and sports, with 48 percent saying they dealt with a part time job on top of school. Sixty-percent of students say they were involved in non-school

related activities such as club sports, volunteer work or religious activities.

Starting school later according to research studies is incredibly beneficial for students. 11 percent of read more at sahsponyexpress.com

Pony Express Staff Stillwater Area High School, 5701 Stillwater Blvd N, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Print Editors-in-Chief Alison Keeler Belle Lapos Stella McHugh Maggie O’Brien Fen Parham

Layout Editors Cole Nuss Gibby Strub Peter Ownbey Madi Ruchie

Online Editors Mady Richert Anna Agnessi

Copy Editors Tyson Blazer Makayla Shugg Jayda Boutchee Kaylee Lowe

Business Editors Aida Bonneson Mya Brainard Ka’Ron Cloak Colin Tregilgas Biniam Tsegai

Gavin Schuna Dom Slaughter

Photography Editors-in-Chief Ava Biederman Bailey Holmes

Photography Editors Ava Aspengren Cathleen Costello Carmryn Handberg Cody Rasch Addy Rock Lainey Zinda

Political Cartoon Editor

Print and Online Content Policy

Gabbi Chau

The Pony Express is a publication of Stillwater Area High School. This paper is an open forum for the community and students’ views. Letters to the Editor are encouraged. The Editorial Board reserves the right to publish and edit letters: correction will be made in order to correct content, spelling, grammar and length. Letters and comments may be submitted to rooms D220.

The staff editorial is written by the Pony Express staff and headed by Editors-inChief. The Pony Express is a member of the High School Press Syndicate, the Columbia High School Press Association, International Quill and Scroll, National Scholastic Press Association and the Minnesota High School Press Association.

Broadcast Editor-in-Chief Gigi Zawaislak Paige Van Duyne Peter Banister

Video Editors Ian Lunneborg

Camera Editors Netta Hillegass Shea Denning

Social Media Editor-in-Chief

Field Reporters

Lavender Schleder

Adelaide Bielke

Social Media Editors

Advisor

Bella Sakher Amelia Strong Briana Barreiro Victor Gomez-Saligan

Rachel Steil

Digital Graphics Editors

Printers

Rio Atkinson Ava Bentdahl

Sauk Centre

Assistant Advisor Alex Steil

The Pony Express print and online newspapers strive to provide a form of media that embodies the strongest professional standards while working to present current and relevant stories about the community, inside and outside our building’s wall. The goal is to adhere to all legal and ethical standards of best journalistic practices, while informing, enlightening, and entertaining our publication’s readers.

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Feb. 2, 2024

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Media effects emotional health on a personal level PAIGE VAN DUYNE Broadcast Editor-in-Chief As content consumption has skyrocketed since COVID-19, some concerns come with it. From TIkToks to television, engaging in these online media platforms heavily impacts people’s emotions whether positive or negative. It is crucial to recognize how our viewing choices affect our well-being and what healthy consumption looks like.

Media directly affects people’s moods and emotions. A program expressing a negative mood like anxiety and sadness can impact someone’s own emotions to feel that way. Equally, content expressing a happy and exciting mood can do the same.

“It has a great impact and is so significant for how we feel and how we experience the world,” English teacher Donald Pults said.

Individuals seek cognitive gratification when consuming me-

dia. The desire for information and knowledge is why so much time is dedicated to taking in many forms of content.

Additionally, media has addictive qualities hugely impacting a lot of today’s generations. Something as simple as a notification gives individuals a dopamine boost resulting in their brain yearning for more. The anticipation of the next video or post traps people in constant scrolling on TikTok, Instagram Reels, X and many more platforms.

Senior Joy Juniper Bailey added that scrolling through Instagram reels makes her feel addicted and emotionless coupled with its nature as a self-made prison.

In contrast to the surge of dopamine, mindless scrolling triggers stress and anxiety. As both become intertwined it often brings about shorter attention spans and overwhelming emotions.

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When asked how media plays a role in amplifying emotional reactions senior Lydie Mae Laudet thinks that it, “strongly influences people’s opinions on events.”

Seeing even one post can quickly alter an individual’s perspectives on a topic. Likewise, false information is constantly pushed, harming countless people’s viewpoints. According to a Wikipedia study, 23 percent of social media users admitted to having spread fake news.

The average person in the United States consumes media eight hours a day. Individuals must learn how to responsibly consume content.

“If media just becomes a one-on-one experience, then you just get trapped within your own thoughts. You don’t learn to see the media that you’re experiencing in different ways and from different perspectives,” Pults explained.

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Streaming services dominate networks NETTA HILLEGASS Broadcast Field Editor

Streaming services have been on the rise since the debut of Netflix. All students can talk about is “this show, that show, do you have this service?” As of today, most homes have at least one streaming service paid for each month to keep up on the latest TV shows or movies.

In 1998, Netflix started its company sending out DVDs of movies and shows allowing one to launch their website, rent a movie, and later get it in their mail. In 2002, Redbox jumped on this opportunity, though instead of having a website-based company, Redbox had in-person boxes to rent and return movies.

Later, Netflix explored the option of online streaming instead of sending out hard copies. In 2008, other companies started to tag along beginning with Hulu.

Hulu started streaming, and the avalanche of streaming services grew into the services we know so well today.

Many people and families spend up to $140 per year on a single

streaming service. That’s $8.2511.67 monthly if they only get one service. Many households pay for at least four streaming services per month, which can end up being $33 monthly. Many students are not the ones to pay, and reactions to the expense of their preferred services were other than positive.

“A lot of kids spend too much time, but for this… no more than $15 a month because that is an insane price,” junior Noah Wold said.

So far Netflix has been the only company to make major profits from their streaming service. Just last year, Netflix ended up making around $33 billion over the 12 months of 2023. That same year Disney Plus made a fraction of that ending up with $8.4 billion.

Most students only go to other services besides Netflix for shows made by that studio, while Netflix tends to have rights to classic movies or movies not made by themselves. Junior Makenzie Sagel, commented, “[Netflix] has improved as a company throughout the years... finding shows most people want to watch,” so without

that experience, it is expected that the other companies would be behind in profits.

Streaming services alike Amazon Video, Netflix and Peacock, have created a cheaper option by reducing the price substantially.

This contains ads on their service, resulting in a cheaper overall cost per household, allowing each household to gain access to more services for less.

However, many do not appreciate this option. “I feel it’s a little ridiculous that I pay for a streaming service... and I still have to watch advertisements

“I feel it’s a little ridiculous that I pay for a streaming service… and I still have to watch advertisements.”

-Noah Wold Many streaming services have found that they could increase the price per user of the account or outer household user. Netflix itself has added an $8 increase per person to add one or more people to use the account paid for. Countless people fall into this category,

they end up using their extended family’s accounts to lower costs but restrictions make it difficult to arrange. Makenzie added that even with the cheaper options their services would be up to $20 a month.

Another problem that has come up with more streaming services across the globe is licensing. Many services that do not stream their content have licensing issues with different countries making it unavailable in some countries while streaming in others.

This makes it so many people have to pay for a VPN if they wish to watch some of their favorite shows. Junior Ellery Larson wishes they would make the shows more available for people without a way of changing their online location.

Overall, streaming has changed from year to year. Giving everyday people access to more and more entertainment.

With this comes a price, one in four households spends $75 or more on streaming services every month, reaching an all-time high due to the need for more than one service.

Streaming’s evolution over last decade

GIGI ZAWISLAK Broadcast Editor-in-Chief

From the compact and tangible DVD to the never-ending media void of Netflix, how people get their media intake has changed dramatically. The history of streaming services is a story of technological innovation, ever-changing consumerism and the never-ending impact on the entertainment industry. From the early days of dial-up internet to the lightning-speed connectivity of today, streaming services have reshaped how people consume and experience content.

The evolution from VHS to contemporary streaming platforms like Netflix represents a shift in the way audiences consume visual content. In the era of VHS, viewers experienced the physical feeling of inserting tapes into clunky cassette players, dealing with rewind delays and very

limited viewing options. The dawn of DVDs brought in quality and convenience, with sharper images and easily navigable menus.

“I grew up in St. Cloud and there was a video store in our backyard where we would walk to pick out new movies, later when I met Mrs. Steil we would go to Blockbuster to do the same thing,” Brian Steil said, “Then when Netflix came and we paid a monthly amount to get DVDs delivered to our house and now it’s the platform I stream the most.”

In the mid-2000s, Netflix entered the scene as a DVD rentalby-mail service, disrupting the traditional video rental market.

However, the company’s true game-changer came in 2007 when it introduced its streaming service, allowing subscribers to instantly watch a vast library of movies and TV shows online.

Originally, the concept of streaming began to take shape in

the late 1990s and early 2000s when the internet became more accessible and bandwidth capabilities improved. YouTube, launched in 2005, marked a significant milestone by providing a platform for user-generated content. This not only democratized content creation, but also laid the groundwork for the streaming revolution that was about to unfold.

The emergence of streaming services, epitomized by Netflix, revolutionized the streaming business. Netflix not only eliminated the need for physical media, but introduced a neverending library of content accessible on demand. The transition from scheduled programming to the freedom to choose what to watch on your own time clearly shows what a shift there has been in viewer autonomy, with audiences now empowered to curate their entertainment experiences in a personalized

and flexible manner. This evolution signifies not just a change in technology, but a cultural transformation, marking the end of tangible formats and the rise of a digital era where content is king, and accessibility is paramount.

“I pay attention to what movies are out. I listen to movie podcasts. I like movies a lot,” physics teacher Christopher Mentz explained, “A lot of the movies I like are from the 80s… I like looking back on that era and now that they have kind of incorporated my childhood into shows like Stranger Things it’s been a blast for me.”

This shift from physical DVDs to digital streaming began a new era. Netflix invested heavily in original content, producing critically acclaimed series like “House of Cards” and “Orange Is the New Black.” The success of these shows propelled Netflix to the forefront of the streaming industry.

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Feb. 2, 2024

The Pony Express

Student Life

New coach leads the speech team ANNA AGNESSI Online Editor The speech team has a new temporary coach after previous coach Joseph Kalka moved to Moorhead. Kristan Van Houten is the new temporary coach. Her children, sophomore Rylee Van Houten and junior Brendyn Van Houten, are on the team.

Kristan has a background in public speaking, having been part of the speech team in high school. She gained financial expertise as the lead of the booster club for the speech team. Originally from California, she organized a community pageant before moving to Minnesota. Leading groups at her church, she effectively works with both adults and kids. Additionally, she heads a marketing team dedicated to digital outreach through speeches, copywriting and strategy.

Her emphasis on vocal advocacy for financial support is reflected in senior Belle Lapos’ statement, “We’ve had a lot of good funding this year, and it’s nice to have someone in the corner being vocal about that.”

Kristan’s diverse experiences and skills make her a valuable asset to any community or organization.

With the introduction of a new coach, the team has undergone an adjustment period. Brendyn, serving as both captain and the coach’s son, feels an increased sense of responsibility.

Navigating this role as son and captain, he acknowledges the

PHOTO BY BAILEY HOLMES The speech team meets on Tuesdays. The three captains, junior Makayla Duffy-Wightman, senior Belle Lapos, and senior Soren Peterson, are presenting in absence of Van Houten about the upcoming Moorhead meet. weight of leadership. “I find that I am often doing more work outside of my set time for speech which can be great at times but tiring at others,” Brendyn explained.

The assistance provided by assistant coaches Sarah Lauer and Natalie Sintek has played a crucial role in ensuring a

smooth transition for the team. Among the four captains, each has a specific role Lapos manages social media, junior Makayla Duffy-Wightman oversees the website, senior Soren Peterson is in charge of recruitment and Brendyn takes on additional responsibilities as a captain. Lapos affirms that the team is

well-prepared for a successful season ahead, highlighting the collective effort and strategic roles that each captain brings to the table.

Being part of the speech team proves to be a valuable benefit in future endeavors for its members, providing them with experiences that can be used in job applications and college.

“I plan on attending colleges with a highly competitive speech program,” Brendyn said.

Brendyn emphasizes the impact of competitive speech programs on college choices. The diversity within speech competitions is evident.

“I have been in tournaments where there are speeches on everything from Spider-Man to the Syrian war,” Peterson said.

This broad range of speech topics allows students to explore diverse subjects. It enhances their ability to communicate effectively on various issues, contributing to a well-rounded skill set for future endeavors.

The former coach, Kalka, has relocated to Moorhead where he now coaches the speech team. Despite the move, he continues contributing as a side coach for the original speech team alongside Kristan. However, most of his time is dedicated to coaching Moorhead’s speech team. This transition shows the ongoing commitment and support that Kalka provides to the speech community.

“It is going to be interesting having him on a team we are competing against,” Lapos added.

Home Ec. After Hours brings back opportunities for students interested in cooking, baking LAVENDER SCHLEDER Social Media Editor-in-Chief Home Ec. After Hours is a new home economics club that was started by senior Madelyn Elzen and senior Gaby Miller back in November.

They meet in science teacher Stacy Bartlett’s room every Tuesday after school from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and want to spread the joy of baking with other students around the school.

The idea came to the two seniors when they visited Bartlett’s room after school one day. They began

GRAPHIC BY MADI RUCHIE

discussing the vast history of home economics classes from the past and how Bartlett had all of the leftover tools that had been used. Luckily for the seniors, Bartlett was thrilled with the idea of a home economics club when they brought it up, and was willing to be their advisor. The club became a reality in mid-November thanks to their combined efforts.

Both girls, especially Elzen, have had a passion for baking for a long time. Elzen has been cooking since she was young, eventually owning her own baking business called Mooing Munchies. She currently brings her creations to school, selling out of whatever new thing she makes.

It has made her aware of “what goes into it,” according to Bartlett, because of all of her experience.

The love they have for baking has been spread to those who have attended the club. It has gained immense popularity very quickly, just within a couple of weeks.

Some activities they have done so far include cake decorating, crispy day and pasta day.

“It gives more people ideas to do fun things in the kitchen and to have fun with food,” Miller explained. “There are so many people coming to our meetings, and it is amazing to see.”

Unlike other attempts at clubs in the past, this club is special for

how it has grown so much in just a few weeks. It seems to be already running like an adult business, with organization as a top priority.

“This could have really flopped if there were not two people as dedicated as they are to making it successful. They come in, and the things are all sorted out, and they have it all organized,” Bartlett said. “I think because of that, they have not really had a whole lot of growing pains.”

With all of the success they have had so far, they are hopeful for the future. They are currently looking for an underclassman that would have the same dedication and organization that they had this year.

They would “love to talk to you” if someone would be interested, according to Elzen.

Overall, the club has opened up so many opportunities for students to be creative and try something new. Even if the class was retired over a decade ago, there is still a place for the student body to learn new skills that could help them in life and their future.

“It is going to teach a lot of kids that cooking and baking are not boring. It is fun, it is rewarding.

It tastes really good,” Elzen said.

“And it is definitely a valuable skill not just here at school, but once you become an adult and you have to make things for yourself.”

GRAPHIC BY RIO ATKINSON

A&E

Feb. 2, 2024

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The Pony Express

‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ movie astounds viewers MAGGIE O’BRIEN Layout Editor-in-Chief COLE NUSS Layout Editor People waited anxiously on Nov. 17, 2023. They had their tickets and snacks.

They sat in their seats in the movie theater. Excitement buzzed around as people got comfortable. After three years of waiting, anticipation and expectation, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” movie was finally released.

“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” movie is based on the novel with the same name released in May of 2020 written by Suzanne Collins.

The book and the movie are a prequel to the original book trilogy and movie series, “The Hunger Games.” The movie takes place 64 years before the events of “The Hunger Games” and follows a young Coriolanus Snow who played the villain in the original trilogy. Snow mentors Lucy Gray Baird, who is the female tribute of District 12 for the 10th annual Hunger Games.

“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” movie is a magnificent journey with its darker tone, engaging casting and writing that didn’t fail to capture the audience’s attention and hearts. This movie is a cinematic masterpiece.

There are many components that make the movie

stand out including the tone. Unlike many dystopian novels which are focused on a hero attempting to save everyone, this movie is focused on the backstory of a corrupt villain.

From that, there is a darker tone to the movie, which shows the cruel country that is Panem during this time.

The movie does not withhold gruesome scenes and aspects that many dystopian movies do. Even the opening scene implies a horrifying truth of the civil war the country had suffered prior to the creation of the Hunger Games.

Additionally, when it comes to the 10th annual Hunger Games, the movie does not refrain from the brutality of how the tributes were treated. The tributes stayed in a zoo for days before they entered the arena. People came to watch as they would animals in the zoo because people from the districts were not seen as anything different. There are many moments when brutality and violence is used in the movie to show how different Panem was compared to how it looked 64 years later, during the time of the original trilogy.

With the tone, there are complex characters that have large impacts on it. To play and embody characters that are complicated and change so much throughout the movie is difficult. It takes skill and dedication to demonstrate such change and complexity.

It takes an outstanding cast to make accurate representation and impact the audience. Casting can make or break a movie but this movie would not have been what it was without the incredible actors who were chosen.

Tom Blyth and Viola Davis played Snow and Dr. Volumnia Gaul respectively, two of the most difficult main characters to portray. Blyth and Davis

did an amazing job at representing the characters and how they impacted each other and the storyline. Good representation is needed for the story line to have the effect on the audience that is needed. Blyth visually shows how Snow changes throughout the movie in many ways, including his expressions. Davis shows Dr. Gaul’s insanity by the ways she speaks, slowing her speech and using a malicious tone. Not only are the complicated characters casted well but so are the rest of the characters. Rachel Zegler who plays the female lead, Lucy Gray Baird, does a wonderful job playing the free-spirited singer and showing both Baird’s simplicity of her life, but also the complexity of her relationship with Snow.

Overall, one of the most important aspects of the movie is the comparison to the book. Many book-to-movie adaptations have performed poorly over the years because of having too many elements that are different or stray from the book. Especially with the build up of years and anticipation that revolved around it, there were certain expectations that people had.

Furthermore, this book represented the movie very well. It is not possible to put everything into a movie from a book, especially a 500-page book, like “The Ballad of Songbirds

and Snakes.” Although, it got the closest you can get when it comes to being accurate to the book. All of the important plot points were done extremely well and were faithful. The characters were written beautifully and were just as they were in the books. The cinematography and set was extremely impressive and magical to see it come to life. There are parts that are different, for example the pacing. The movie is fast and does leave out a few aspects of the book but that fact pales when it comes to what we received from this showstopper. It is an authentic reflection of the book.

The movie is a nostalgia blast for kids of the 2010’s who grew up with the original movies. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is an amazing prequel that does more than just set up Snow’s background, it also is a remarkable story on its own. Recapturing the mastery of the original trilogy and bringing it into a new light. Everyone should have the chance to see this sensational triumph.

GRAPHICS BY MAGGIE O’BRIEN

‘The Boy and the Heron’ takes over world STELLA MCHUGH Layout Editor-in-Chief

Swirling flames dominate the screen as a young Mahito runs toward his mother’s burning hospital. The bright colors and intense music make it feel as though the audience is being engulfed in flames as well. Through the burning streets, the tragedy is seen in the entire town, but the emotions of Mahito overpower all. His deep connection to his mother and her tragic end drive the rest of the magical movie.

Diving into the world of “The Boy and the Heron” is a magical experience much like that of other Studio Ghibli films. It is full of wonder, mystery, and surprisingly large and very hungry parakeets.

The whimsical animation and music of famous director Hayao Miyazaki has been a staple in the film industry for decades. This

final film is a stunning semi-autobiography of Miyazaki’s career.

From Mahito’s mothers death to the fantasy land that he travels to save her, the themes of corruption and pain run deep. Some of these themes reflect Miyazaki’s own life as his family was forced to flee to the countryside due to the war and his strong connection with his mother.

In the film, Miyazaki is portrayed as the great uncle who rules the fantasy lands and keeps them from destruction. This represents the many movies and fantasy lands that he has created and overseen over the decades.

The movie is a hit with both old and new fans with a 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The opening weekend generated a staggering $127.1 million.

The movie is so loved that it recently won the first Golden Globe for a nonEnglish animated feature film. This was also Miyazaki’s first Golden Globe, his second major award as he won an Oscar for “Spirited Away” in 2021.

In an interview with BBC producer Toshio Suzuki said, “this is the first Golden Globe awarded to a Studio Ghibli film and it is a very special feeling.”

As usual, the animation done by Studio Ghibli under Miyazaki’s close watch is an experience in itself. The film took seven years to complete and required Miyazaki to come out of retirement for the final farewell and it is said to be the most expensive Japanese film ever made.

Particularly stunning visuals were found in scenes with the sweet Warawara creatures. The Warawara are a fan favorite as they are adorable little marshmallow-looking creatures that mature and float into the night sky to be reborn as humans. The dancing light and expansive night sky were a highlight of the movie’s animation.

The animation was done in Studio Ghibli’s iconic physical way though it was the creepiest of all movies produced by them. From

hunched grandmas full of warts to a heron who turns into a little man in the strangest of ways, the oddities came as a surprise. Compared to movies such as Ponyo and Totoro with sweet nature animations “The Boy and the Heron” had aspects of these, but took a different direction.

The Heron who is eventually forced to guide Mahito to his mother is arguably the creepiest of all characters in the movies. He morphs into a small, very large-nosed man.

Going into the movie expecting a whimsical story about a boy and a bird, he was very unexpected.

Though the movie had its strange moments, the visuals were stunning and the complex themes of trauma, war, and family made watching the movie a wonderful experience. The movie captivated audiences across the globe and will go down to be one of Studio Ghibli’s most successful movies yet.

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Feb. 2, 2024

The Pony Express

Sports

Girls hockey determined for success MADY RICHERT Online Editor

This season, girls hockey will be graduating 13 seniors. There is one main goal for the team, and that is to win a state championship title.

With new coaching staff added to the program, there are high expectations for the girls, and everyone knows how hard they must work to win a championship. All of the girls thrive to become the best player they can be and express what WE WILL means to the team.

WE WILL is a saying that every pony girls hockey player knows. It is a statement that describes the teamwork, dedication, discipline and family that has been created in the rink.

“I just think it’s something that like you go out there and try your hardest because as a team we will win, we will go through adversity and like it’s kind of just something like everyone goes through it and just working together as a team.”

-Ashlyn Hoff Most of the girls who play on the high school team grew up and found their passion for hockey here.

Whether that be on the backyard rink, or simply trying open skate, the rink is a spot that all of the girls know as there second home.

“I think everyone on the team has just grown up together, well not me, but the girls have had a lot of success when they were younger,” senior Josie Lang explained. She thinks they are “especially passionate to prove that we’re still good,” at the high school level.

The Rec Center is a place where they are able to turn a team into a family. Everyone at the rink is positive and welcoming to not only the team, but the community as a

PHOTOS BY AVA BIEDERMAN Girls varsity hockeys is currently 14-6 this season. They have been practicing hard and preparing for a chance at State.

whole. The atmosphere is something that is unmatched.

“The atmosphere is always so positive and fun and everyone is so welcoming to me. It is truly a family that cannot be replaced.

All of us are best friends and that makes it so special,” senior Olivia Williams explained.

Lang has been named captain for the 23-24 season. She is a strong leader who embodies the importance of what it means to be a teammate, and what the culture is like playing for varsity girls hockey.

“I think our team culture is very close. We are very passionate and competitive, and I’d say it’s mostly a positive culture,” Lang explained.

Another member of the team is senior Ashlyn Hoff. She is a powerhouse forward who sees the girls more like her sisters than her teammates.

She explained how the girls are like her sisters and they can always talk to each other if they need anything on or off the ice, and that they are always there for each other.

Lang will do everything and anything to win the state title her senior year. She is determined to buy into systems and do what it takes to make a great team dynamic.

“I think we’re really going to have to commit to each other and buy into the little things, and making sure we’re doing everything we possibly can. Especially like on the ice, make sure we’re doing our four check and back check and really committing to our systems,” Lang explained.

There are high hopes for this determined team in the near future. The girls high school state hockey tournament will be held on Feb. 21-24, and the girls hockey team is working hard to take home the state title. The team knows that it will not ever come easy, but the dedication that they pour into endless hours of training will eventually pay off.

Boys hockey team overcomes losing seniors AMELIA STRONG Social Media Editor

The boys hockey team lost 11 seniors from last year and are bringing up a lot of younger players. Their fans did not know how this year was going to be because of all of the new boys coming up to the team and their lack of varsity experience.

However, they have been succeeding tremendously with a overall record so far, as of Jan. 3, at three wins and one loss in the Suburban East Conference and are ranked third, with Cretin- Durham Hall at second and White Bear Lake at first.

The boys hockey team practices at the Stillwater Ice Rink everyday after school at 2:45 p.m. They usually have their games about twice a week.

The team is connected and they all do their best to win their games together.

“Everyone of us has different skills that contribute to how we play as a team.

We are a very tight knit group of guys.

Everyone gets along super well and we hang out outside of school a lot too,” senior Wyatt Carroll explained.

The younger players have opportunities to learn from the seniors and get more playing time on the ice.

“It is fun to learn from the older players who have more experience on the ice and it is a great environment,” sophomore Wyatt Wells explained.

You really have to “trust the process and learn from your mistakes” Wells added about doing his best.

The players coming up to varsity can often feel nervous when stepping out on the ice. However, they can also feel a rush of adrenaline.

“You get a lot of adrenaline and are very pumped up to play with the team and show off what you’ve been working so hard on to get here,” Wells said.

This season for the boys is very different from last. After losing seniors who were not only a big impact on the ice but also off, these players have bigger roles to fill this season.

“I think this year everyone is a little bit more focused. We all have a little bit more to work for this year after our loss of seniors,” Carroll said.

The team is overcoming the loss of the seniors well. They are working

with what they have and using them to the full potential.

“To lose 11 players is tough but most of our juniors this year played a majority of their sophomore year on the Varsity team so they know what is expected of them and how we want to play this season. Having players buy into what coaches are teaching as quickly as possible is the best way to overcome the loss,” head varsity coach Greg Zanon explained.

It is tough on the coaches and the players losing all of these seniors, however they are making to the most out of it.

Zanon explained how it is tough every year losing players. The best thing we can do as coaches is plan ahead of the season on how we pick our teams to try to have the best balance of classes as possible.

“To this point we have played well our first eight games has been filled with top 10 opponents and we have learned a lot in the first part of the year. With 17 games left in our season the sky is the limit for this group,” Zanon said.

Sports

Feb. 2, 2024

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The Pony Express

Adapted floor hockey starts strong CAMRYN HANDBURG, Photography Editor

CATHLEEN COSTELLO Photography editor

More than 50 years ago, Jim Christy was searching for an opportunity to participate in high school sports. His differing abilities prevented him from participating in regular sporting events. Christy approached his gym teacher Ed Prohofski about different opportunities to participate in athletics.

In 1974, after Prohofsky reached out to some other groups in the Twin Cities area, they formed four adaptive hockey teams made up of only males. Many attempts were made through the years to have the adapted sports added to the Minnesota State High School League. In 1992, soccer, floor hockey, baseball and bowling were added to the MSHSL allowing both boys and girls to participate in adaptive team sports.

Today 65 schools and close to 100 students participate in the program.

The Stillwater/Mahtomedi team has been coached by special education teacher Jon McAllister since the inception of the team in 2016.

McAllister said about coaching the team to their first win of the season, “I think we will be right in the middle of the conference, same as we were last year.”

“The players to watch this season are Mason Mora-Clark, Chase McCann, Mubarak Adem, and Wesley Hoveland,” McAllister said.

With a whooping 9-0 win in their first game, the adapted floor hockey team is starting out unquestionably strong. The combined Stillwater/ Mahtomedi team consists of 22 players led by four team captains.

PHOTO BY CATHLEEN COSTELLO The adapted floor hockey team practices to prepare for their next game Jan. 16. They meet for practice Monday through Thrusday for an hour each day.

This year’s captains are senior Maddie Buse, juniors Chase McCann, Mason Mora-Clark and Wesley Hoveland. The captains play a variety of positions on the team.

On the team for two years and playing defense, Buse said, “As captain I want to be a good leader and help others. We have been practicing hard and won our first game 9-0.”

Senior and six year veteran of the

team Gabe King said, “We practice four days a week, Monday through Thursday for an hour a day.”

During practices the captains lead the warm-ups. Three year veteran and goalie McCann said, “My goal as captain is to teach new stuff everyday.”

Mora-Clark has been playing for three years, “As captain, I want to be a good leader and teach everyone how to play.”

TRUST club is continuing to promote awareness for the adapted sports programs through information posted in their display case next to the lunchroom. The information includes team members, game times and opportunities to become part of the cheer squad.

Check out the display case and become a super fan for our awesome adapted athletes.

Girls wrestling completes team this year MADDIE RUCHIE Layout Editor

Going from three girls to 16 might sound like a small feat, but this is the first time in school history the girls have a full wrestling team. The team was established two seasons ago, with enthusiastic members, but a lack in overall numbers.

Two coaches help lead the team, Katrina Eggum and Gabby Torger, which is a huge time commitment.

The team meets for practices everyday and attends meets or tournaments on the weekends or during the school day.

The team practices in the wrestling gym, sharing it with the boys team. The boys wrestling team is around three times the size with six coaches to help individual wrestlers. They have had their wrestling program for decades and coaches who have been at the high school for years.

Freshman Peyton Surgenor said at youth practices they just covered basic skills. The boy team has wrestled longer and “do more complicated drills; we learn more.”

In past years, the girls wrestling team has performed phenomenally despite the lack of a team. Last year, freshman Audrey Rogotzke was awarded official state champion, as well as freshman Bianca Eide being a state finalist.

“I think it pushes them in all aspects of daily life, what wrestling teaches you. Never stop, wrestle through things, a match isn’t over until it’s over,” Eggum said.

The coaches really push the idea of putting all their effort into training, even if they do not see any immediate improvement. If athletes start to give up on their goals and put in less effort, coaches know how to help them. Sometimes they will talk to the whole team about habits they need to fix, like giving

PHOTO BY BAILEY HOLMES A wrestler for the girls wrestling team pinned her apponent to the ground during a match on Jan. 1. She got points for holding her opponent down in a restraint. too much attention to their phones, or they will point out individual mistakes wrestlers made on that everybody can learn from. Keeping every girl motivated to continue moving towards their goals, is a major part of what the coaches do. “[Eggum] is always pushing me and she knows my goals and how to achieve them. She never lets me get comfortable where I am.

She always is trying to push me to the next level,” sophomore wrestler Bianca Eide explained.

“I think it pushes them in all aspects of life, what wrestling teaches you. Never stop, wrestle through things, a match isn’t over until it’s over” One of the main reasons there is a girls wrestling team, stems from the youth program. Eggum has been training the youth wrestlers for years, taking time to develop the skills of middle and elementary kids. Many of the current high school wrestlers underwent the

training in this program which sparked their passion for the sport. Eggum loves the girls on her team, not just because they are enthusiastic about wrestling, but because she has watched them grow up through the wrestling program.

The motivation that keeps Eggum coming back each day “is the girls, she loves them” Eggum explained.

Many of the girls use wrestling to stay fit during their off seasons, practicing everyday, undergoing full body conditioning and even working gymnastics into their warm ups, wrestling keeps everybody in extremely good shape. However, despite training on the off-season the girls are still extremely motivated towards wrestling, not thinking of it as a training program.

“What keeps me motivated is seeing how much I’ve improved. I see all the small improvements I’ve already made and, I think, if I stick with it, I can be better,” Surgenor said.

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Feb. 2, 2024

The Pony Express

Spotlight

El Niño; leading cause of unusually balmy winter temps this year BAILEY HOLMES Photography Editor-in-Chief At this point, it is clear that the Midwest is experiencing one of the warmest winters on record, leaving everyone dreaming of a white Christmas, and wondering why Mother Earth has switched to a year-round tropical mindset. Outdoor winter sports lovers get angrier by the minute, what environmentalists are calling a “super El Niño” is just getting started.

Every 2-8 years, a naturally occurring decline in trade winds causes warm water to shift east across the Pacific, temporally pausing the process of upwelling off the western coast of South America.

Upwelling, which is when cold, mineral-rich deep ocean water comes up to the surface, is vital in maintaining the earth’s normal seasonal weather patterns. When the world experiences an El Niño year and upwelling stops, those “norms” get reversed.

“When it’s classified as a strong El Niño event, that is when we start to see greater impacts here, especially in Minnesota or the southeast United States as well.”

-Peter Stenross, AP Enviornmental Science teacher The most significant effect that the Midwest is experiencing as a result of this year’s El Niño is a huge lack of snowfall. Minnesota had the warmest Christmas on record, coming in at 52 degrees as a high and raining consistently throughout the day. Any chance of predicted snowfall was swept away with the rising temps and river water levels. Not only is this making winter look even more grey than usual, but it is also causing major frustration within the snow sports community.

Sophomore Eloise Powell, a member of the Nordic ski team explained how it is hard to stay motivated this season due to the rollercoaster ride of winter weather.

“I think just with the lack of snow it’s been really challenging to want to train,” Powell said.

The Midwest is not the only area of the country experiencing unusual weather due to El Niño. The West Coast is having major storms and

PHOTO BY BAILEY HOLMES Lake Superior waves crash against the rocks at Stoney Point in Duluth, Minn. The lake would normally be at least slightly frozen over, but due to warmer temps and more rain storms, 10-15 foot waves have been rolling in. huge amounts of flooding that are tearing through cities and leaving nothing but destruction behind.

Oregon just got four feet of snow in areas where there would normally be an inch, and waves occurred in New Jersey that exceeded the previous by almost 10 feet.

“It could be in the top 5, it could be in the top 10, and that is significant over the course of recorded Niño events,” Stenross explained.

“We should expect to see greater weather events and greater impacts of those weather events.”

The last El Niño year was in 2018 when the Midwest experienced the same lack of snowfall.

Still, as the years go on there has also proven to be a trend in seasonal depression increasing significantly during these unusually grey winter months. This trend has become especially noticeable this winter, not only with individuals who would normally enjoy snow, but with anyone living in the Midwest.

Powell explained that the greyness that has come with this winter makes it hard to stay positive, but “some days are better than others,” and when the sun is out it “makes everything better.”

These more noticeable effects of this year’s El Niño winter stem from it being a “super El Niño” which is triggered by the Pacific Ocean being two degrees warmer than usual this time of year. There is debate among environmentalists whether this increase in temp and as a result, a stronger El Niño, has

a connection to our current rate of Global Warming and the effects of climate change.

Ben Straka, astronomy and biology teacher, explained that he does not believe it can be scientifically proven if the strong El Niño has a connection to climate change, but there is still no question that the ocean as a whole is warming. “We know that the oceans are warming.”

Data supports that. But El Niño is driven by winds that form and currents that push that warm blob of air or warm blob of water away from us or towards us. So it is really about the positioning of where the warm water in the Pacific is.”

Whether this specific outof-the-ordinary weather event is directly connected to climate change or not, the fact that the oceans are taking the hit for society’s negative effects on the Earth is undeniable. Unusually drastic weather patterns will keep getting worse the more that the world’s CO2 production is absorbed into the oceans while temps and acidity levels continue to rise. El Niño is a clear example of how the powerful chain effect of the earth truly impacts everyone.

So, as the world reflects on the environmental, physical, and mental negative changes of this winter, remember that the earth is not the only thing that can start a chain effect. One person being conscious of their CO2 production, plastic consumption, and overall impact can start a positive trend, so the trends of the climate can stop being negative.

GRAPHICS BY ALISON KEELER