Daily Archives: January 12, 2016

Advice/How To

Class of ’16

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I realize that coming back from Winter Break is really making people want the school year to just end or Spring Break to begin. From going from sleeping in for a week and half straight right back to waking up early, staying in school for six and a half hours, and then having homework to do after school can be a huge switch in a small amount of time, but we should be used to it right? We’ve been doing it for how many years? It still doesn’t make it easier. Sometimes, it seems to make it harder – especially for seniors.

Seniors, this is our last year- and our last semester coming up. This is it, and we’re done. Some of us are off to college, some of us have jobs lined up for us, and some are moving away. We all have a plan for something, and I hope none of you plan on being here another year – or even having to go to summer school after the rest of us are graduating. We’ve waited 12-13 years for graduation day, and this last year can be the most stressful with figuring out college, working part time, and getting all your last credits together.

I have seen a lot of people slacking – not coming to school, falling back on homework, and using “senior slide” as an excuse, but honestly most of you guys probably “senior slid” for the past four years. This is the year that counts. Colleges will be looking at your current grades, and your current attendance. Do well because on graduation day when YOU are walking across that stage, sitting next to your friends, laughing, thinking about how you’re going to miss everyone, YOU’LL be able to say “I finally made it.”

So, come to school, do your homework, give it all you’ve got; this is your last year. Don’t waste away the past 12 years because you’re lazy this last one. Also, come see your friends. You’re never going to be surrounded by these specific people everyday again.

I have a friend that didn’t do too well in school; she had many problems with school – with the people, with her anxiety, and with the homework. She dreaded coming to school, and she swore up and down that once she left she was never going to look back. She graduated and is now in college and I hear her over and over again saying “I wish I could go back, it was so easy.”

You guys might believe life after high school is going to be easy but that’s when it all really starts. You’re eventually going to have to start paying rent, you’ll probably be working and in school, and you’ll have so many more responsibilities than you do now. So, take this one responsibility that you have and make the most out of it, because you will regret it if you don’t.

Local

Your favorite mall just got bigger

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If you have been to the Mall of America recently, you may have noticed the large extension to the mall that just opened right before the rush of the holiday season.

Even before any of the physical additions had been added on, the mall changed their logo in 2013 to start the process of creating a new image.

The mall has also undergone physical renovations to the inside of the main original mall. They started to replace the old dated brown and yellow flooring and uncomfortable benches throughout the mall and put in new modern white flooring and new sitting options. These renovations to the original mall are still happening and will continue until they have completed the modernization phase.

The new additions include a completely new north grand entrance and offers a new modern walkway into the mall. It also includes a JW Marriott and a medium size multipurpose building that they have said will be used for office space, more nightlife and entertainment options and smaller boutique style retail.

The north food court was also revamped and has many new high end food chain restaurants along with a few cheap fast food restaurants, the new higher end restaurants are opening in the near future.

The owners of the Mall Of America (Triple Five Group) have also submitted plans to expand the mall even more in phases. They plan on having the next phase open by October of 2018 and this will include high end retail, a hotel, more parking and much more. By the end of all of these additions, the mall will comprise of 8.8 million square feet.

Clubs and Activities

Black Student Union

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A new club called Black Student Union (BSU), has started at Highland Park. This club is focused on bringing awareness to problems in the black community, giving back to the community, and educating people about black history. It’s held in Ms. Noah’s room 3312 every Wednesday from 2-3. Other clubs at school that are like BSU are the Asian Culture Club (ACC), Union Latina, and the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA).

The National Black Student Union (NBSU), was originally in Wisconsin and for undergraduate students, according to the NBSU website. Our BSU at Highland does activities to promote discussion about social injustice issues. Like a privilege walk and presentations about the advantages and disadvantages in our society.

IMG_0454John Edwards, a freshman at Highland Park Senior High and member of BSU, expressed why we need a BSU in our school, “It helps people be aware about issues going on within different groups of our community.”

Kennedy McTeague, also a freshman at Highland Park Senior HIgh and member of BSU, says “It was a fun and reflective place to be. It was a safe place to talk about your ideas and thoughts about issues happening.”

You can follow BSU on twitter @hphsbsu, where there will be profiles of members of BSU and updates about events happening within in the group.

Entertainment

2016 Horoscopes

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See what the future has in store for you in 2016. This year is all about intense efforts and shining success, every effort you make will be rewarded in due time.

Aries (March 21 – April 19): This upcoming year is the year that you take control of your public image and be great at the work of your preference. As the year begins you will be uplifted and more overpowering than most.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): There are lots of important and big changes happening in your life in 2016. People are starting to see you differently, even if you haven’t changed a thing. But remember to be adaptable and most importantly, be happy with yourself.

Gemini (May 21 – June 21): 2016 is a going to be a great year for you. During this year you will be more focused on making progress and getting or holding the things that are most important to you. Also, this year, you won’t feel rushed into making decisions without solid answers and information.

Cancer (June 22 – July 22): This is your year to make sure that the people in your life are the ones you want the most. Romance plays a big factor in your life this year; partners will be more interested in you, so let them make you their priority.

Leo (July 23 – Aug 22): 2016 is the year that you become true to yourself, this year will be spent working hard doing what you love and having fun while doing it. Your social life this year will become more and more busy due to all the people enjoying your energetic vibes.

Virgo (Aug 23 – Sept 22): This year you will be overflowing with abundance, charm and new ideas. All your bright new ideas this year are very practical, which you can put to good use and make lots of progress this year. Libra (Sept 23 – Oct 23): 2016 is a lucky year for you, in multiple ways. Your social skills are highly impressive this year which will bring great satisfaction and happiness. Your amazing talents will bring great opportunities to your family, friends and yourself.

Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 21): This is your year to let go of anything holding you back to fulfill your needs. With clear thinking and determination you can accomplish anything that your heart desires this year.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21): This is the year to develop talents and skills that will take you far and fast. During this year you will be very creative and make the best use of everything that comes your way.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19): 2016 is the year that you’re able to accomplish anything, even more than you imagined by sticking to your favorite way of doing things. Your achievements, big or little, will give you great satisfaction this year.

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18): This is year you will be acknowledged and rewarded for all the great hard work you do which will make you a shining star. You will never be lacking excellent ideas even though they may not seem significant at the time.

Pisces (Feb 19 – March 20): This is the year you feel more bold about money, possessions and yourself. In 2016 you will become very powerful at anything you do. Most of what you do this year will happen by the help and cooperation of others.