| MONDAY | DATE: OCTOBER 11TH | ||
| TIME | BUS DEPART/RETURN | EVENT | DETAILS |
| TUESDAY | DATE: OCTOBER 12TH | ||
| TIME | BUS DEPART/RETURN | EVENT | DETAILS |
| 5:00pm | Girls Soccer vs. Two Rivers | at Two Rivers High School | |
| 7:00pm | Boys Soccer vs. Holy Angels | at Academy of Holy Angels | |
| WEDNESDAY | DATE: OCTOBER 13TH | ||
| TIME | BUS DEPART/RETURN | EVENT | DETAILS |
| 5:30pm / 5:30pm 7:00pm | 4:30pm / 8:30pm | C-Squad / JV / Varsity Volleyball vs. Harding | HOME |
| THURSDAY | DATE: OCTOBER 14TH | ||
| TIME | BUS DEPART/RETURN | EVENT | DETAILS |
| 5:30pm | Diving Conference Meet | at Humboldt High School | |
| FRIDAY | DATE: OCTOBER 15TH | ||
| TIME | BUS DEPART/RETURN | EVENT | DETAILS |
| 6:30pm | Swimming Conference Meet | at St. Catherine University | |
| 7:00pm | 5:00pm / 8:45pm | Football vs. North St. Paul | at North St. Paul High School |
| SATURDAY | DATE: OCTOBER 16TH | ||
| TIME | BUS DEPART/RETURN | EVENT | DETAILS |
| 9:00am | 8:00am / 2:00pm | Varsity Volleyball Tournament Benilde-St. Margaret’s | at Benilde-St. Margaret’s |
Monthly Archives: October 2021
Plato’s foundation
By: Parker Rowen
I recently read 5 dialogues from the Greek philosopher Plato. The dialogues of “Euthyphro”, “Apology”, “Crito”, “Meno”, and “Phaedo”, are some of his writings where he recites the teachings of Socrates’ through a series of conversations between Socrates and various other Athenian residents, in which Socrates establishes a very clear, and critical pattern of thinking.
During your time in school you may have heard of, and participated in, a “Socratic Seminar” during which you were asked a question that you and the other students were directed to discuss and dissect what the question was asking, and what it meant. Socrates was the one to invent (or at least popularize) this style of thinking, hence the name “Socratic”.
This type of question and answer based discussion has become essential in our courts. If you have ever watched a show, or movie about lawyers or court cases, you have probably heard of the term “cross examination”, which is when the person on the stand is asked questions by a prosecutor in an attempt to pick apart their story and dismiss or disprove it. Socrates is the foundation for this.
This leads into Socrates’ influence on the courts, and debates in general with the concept of “burden of proof”, which in law means that the accuser (in criminal cases the prosecutor, and in civil the plaintiff) must lay objective truths both parties agree upon, by providing evidence to establish such.
Socrates’ style of questioning and discussing has had a major impact on our courts, changing the way we argue and discuss evidence in a trial. Before Socrates, as you can see in “Apology”, there was not much room for disputing evidence. Before Socrates, one would approach the courts as an accuser, displaying their accusations to a jury. Then, the defendant would approach the court, and the same jury with their reasons as to why they are innocent.
Before Socrates, many did not have proper debate skills, and so couldn’t prove they were or weren’t being wrongfully accused, and often pleaded using their family or health as a means of defense.
Socrates’ showed the people a better way to argue, and that the better defense is to break down what they are truly saying and dispute it with evidence through question and answer based responses. During Socrates’ trial, early in “Apology”, it was made very clear that Socrates was not a popular resident of Athens, one might even call him somewhat of an outcast, but despite this he was able to get 140 of the 500 present in the jury, along with 5 out of the 10 judges, to vote against giving him the death penalty, by breaking down his accusers accusations of “corrupting the youth”, and proving that it was a falsehood.
Although it didn’t work out for Socrates, his teachings have helped shape our court systems, and many of these teachings have been used to help prove the innocence and guilt of so many. Through Socrates’ teachings, Plato was able to help establish a foundation for our justice system.
Recommended reading: Five Dialogs Second Edition (Hacket, 2002)
Schools impact on students’ mental health
By: Grace Blumer-Lamotte
Many students struggle with their mental health during school. Some struggle with ADHD, anxiety, depression, etc. These struggles can affect their long-term education and health. Some consequences consist of affecting the students, others, their school, their communities, and the larger society.
According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, students mental health problems can affect a student’s energy level, concentration, dependability, mental ability, and optimism, hindering performance. Research suggests that depression is associated with lower grade point averages, and that co-occurring depression and anxiety can increase this association. Depression has also been linked to dropping out of school.
I asked two students this question: “How has school impacted your energy levels, concentration, dependability, mental ability, and optimism?”
The first student was a freshman, and they said that “School is a waste of my energy levels. It puts a lot of stress on parents and the students.”
The second student was a senior, who said, “Throughout my years of education, I have only found one year to be easy and helpful on my mental health. And that year was elementary school. We learned a little and did not have 7 classes a day. I am extremely stressed out senior year with college applications and my grades.”
Another one of the consequences that mental health issues is that it affects others around you. According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, peers, family members, faculty, and staff may be personally affected out of concern for these students. Staff play an important role in educating students. They also play a big part in the students’ lives. I have had teachers that act like my own family.
Depression and anxiety can have harmful effects on relationships and work productivity. Roommates, peers, faculty, and staff also experience profound grief over student suicides and suicidal behavior.
I asked the same two students: “Has a staff member ever affected your education? If so, how? Was it a positive or a negative impact?”
The freshman said, “It was a positive impact because they help me with my work, while being a good educator.”
The senior said, “Most of my years of school I always had a favorite staff member I could go to for advice and help. I feel that staff members play a big role in students’ education.”
According to MPR News, up to one in five kids living in the U.S. shows signs or symptoms of a mental health disorder in a given year. So, in a school classroom of 25 students, five of them may be struggling with the same issues many adults deal with: depression, anxiety, substance abuse. And yet, most children — nearly 80 percent — who need mental health services won’t get them.
Mental health is an important aspect of school. Whether you struggle with a mental illness or family issues at home, students normally struggle. There will always be something outside of school that distracts the student from their education.
How micro trends and fast fashion contribute to climate change
By: Mila Hart
I know we all love shopping and keeping up with the latest trends, but did you know that the fashion industry is one of the most harmful contributors to climate change? Here’s why.
A micro-trend is one that quickly rises in popularity and falls even faster. Fast fashion is trendy clothing that is mass produced as quickly and cheaply as possible.
In the past 100 years trends have gone from lasting a decade, to lasting three to five years, to now only lasting a few weeks before everyone moves onto something else. A large contributor to the increase in micro trends is social media.
Because the micro trends cycle has rapidly increased, more and more clothing items are being mass produced through fast fashion. Clothing production almost doubled in the last 20 years and people are only keeping those items for half as long.
According to the World Resources Institute, “[T]he fast fashion industry is responsible for nearly 10 percent of annual global gas emissions and is the second largest consumer of the world’s water supply”. 85 percent of textiles go to the dump each year. Experts say the “equivalent of one garbage truck of clothing is burned or dumped in a landfill every second”.
Here are some ways you can make a difference and reduce the carbon footprint of your clothing.
First off, thrift! Thrift! Thrift! Thrifting is an amazing way to be a sustainable shopper. And while you’re thrifting you may as well also donate your old clothes that you don’t want anymore instead of throwing them away.
But if you want to buy new clothes, select clothing items that are sustainably made and avoid synthetic materials like polyester. Studies show that polyester releases nearly three times more carbon emissions than cotton.
What’s happening with Pipeline 3?
By: Sarah VonBerge
Line 3 has been a pipeline that’s been running since the 1960s, when it was originally built. It was originally a pipeline that stretched 282 miles from Alberta, Canada to Wisconsin, United States of America. Overtime, the pipeline has eroded and once carried about 760,000 barrels of oil per day but now only carries about half of that amount.
Enbridge, the company who is building the pipeline, said that it would be cheaper to just completely make a new line instead of repairing the old one. The new Line 3 is expected to go 330 miles instead of only 282 because it is now being built around the Minnesota Ojibwe Leech Lake Reservation, which adds about 50 miles. According to Reutuers.com, as of September 1, 2021, Enbridge is planning on being able to transport 620,000 barrels of oil per day beginning October 1.
There are conflicting thoughts on whether a new pipeline is a good idea. Some agree with it and others do not; on one hand, it will bring more oil and on the other it could bring even more climate change than the world is already facing.
Some agree with the new pipeline, saying that it will make getting oil from place to place very easy. Pipelines are safer for transporting oil than trucks or trains, after all. The rebuilding of Line 3 is expected to make 4,200 jobs in the 2 years of construction, although it will only make about 20 permanent jobs.
All over Minnesota, people are constantly fixing roads and other power utilities, so many just see this new Line 3 as the same thing. Even though we have a limited supply of oil and they’re looking at better ways to use power, the demand is still high and oil means money.
Enbridge has already spent $100 million on safety measures for both the workers and the environment. The towns and cities that have been around the building of the pipeline are currently booming. The line is bringing more people into their hotels, restaurants, and stores, which is bringing in more money for them. In the end, the new Line 3 is expected to boost the economy by $2 billion.
Many are concerned about how this new line will affect the environment. The USA’s biggest inland oil spill came from Line 3 in 1993 and split 1,700,000 gallons of crude oil into the Prairie River in Grand Rapids, MN. Even 30 years later, the river hasn’t completely recovered. Many are worried it will happen again in multiple places but especially in the Mississippi River, as it crosses it twice.
The new Line 3 will bring more carbon-intensive oil for decades to come and blocking Line 3 instead of rebuilding it will help stop/limit emissions. Our earth is suffering and many are upset that we aren’t doing anything to help, but instead doing things that will only make it worse.
One of the biggest concerns about Line 3 is how it will affect indigenous people. Even though it will go around the Leech Lake Reservation, there is still a chance of a spill which will disturb their ways of life. If oil spills into their lakes, rivers, or wild rice fields, it will greatly affect their food supply. Because they are so dependent on the environment, they, and others, are very worried about how this new line will affect them; not only while it’s being built, but also in the future.
Not only are they worried about their environment around them, they are also worried for the women. Native women are going missing in extreme numbers and many have never been found. In June, state locals arrested 6 men involved in sex trafficking in Beltrami County. 2 men who were arrested were working on Line 3. At the beginning of this year, another 2 Line 3 workers were arrested in Itasca county for the same thing.
Line 3 is very dangerous, not only to the environment, but to people. Enbridge swears that they will make sure that everyone who interacts with line 3 in any way will stay safe and protected but there’s really no way to do that. No amount of money will guarantee people won’t go missing or that the environment will get healthier. There may be good news and thoughts on the other side as well, but neither out weigh each other.
For more information, please visit:
Bloomington mosque bomber sentenced to 53 years in prison.
By: Citlaly Castillo-Thoren
The person who bombed the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center in 2017 has now been charged in federal court. According to the Department of Justice, the charges where: “Intentionally defacing, damaging and destroying religious property because of the religious character of that property, intentionally obstructing and attempting to obstruct, by force and the threat of force, the free exercise of religious beliefs, conspiracy to commit federal felonies by means of fire and explosives, carrying and using a destructive device during and in relation to crimes of violence, and possession of an unregistered destructive device.”
The suspect was initially charged under the name Michel Hari, but they have since came out as transgender and her name is now Emily Clair Hari.
She was the leader of an anti-government militia from Illinois called the “White Rabbits”. She drove from Clarence, Illinois, to the mosque in Bloomington, Minnesota, in a rented pickup truck. She had strong anti Muslim beliefs and she attacked the mosque so the Muslims would feel like they’re not wanted in America.
Also, her federal defender is trying to say the attack was because of gender euphoria which caused her to have inner conflicts controlling her actions.
Emily was brought to trial and convicted as a man.
She arrived in Bloomington early on the morning of August 5, 2017, and went to the mosque and threw a pipe bomb through a window where it exploded. There were people praying in a room a couple rooms down. 12 people were hurt but there were no fatalities. On one of the days of the trial, they had the people affected by the bombing give testimony about how it affected them.
Emily Claire Hari did not plead guilty, but was found guilty and sentenced to 53 years in prison.
How has COVID-19 impacted students across Saint Paul?
By: Musab Mohamud
While COVID-19 has been sweeping across the globe, schools, religious sites, and sports venues have been shut down. Even that is an understatement, as it seems the world has been put on hold by the fear of this dangerous virus.
Saint Paul Public Schools were postponed in early March of 2020, which according to many students feels like it was many years ago. A quote taken from one student reads, “It feels like we’ve been gone for a lot longer than 18 months. I had to find other ways to communicate with my friends because I couldn’t meet with them in the early months of lockdown.”
Another common theme with the students I interviewed was their fear of getting sick without prior knowledge of the virus. During the first spike of COVID many doctors and health officials were still scrambling to find the cause and nature of the virus. You can only imagine what kind of effect this would have upon an uninformed student base.
Many students across the district suffered lower grades during asynchronous and online school. The principal of Highland Park Senior High had to implement methods of credit recovery, which would ensure every student could receive their credits. One quote that pertains to this subject is: “I really had trouble keeping up with the work we received at the end of freshman year because I had no face-to-face connection with my teacher.” This is a sentiment shared by many students across the school. While online school made things a great deal easier, many students still struggled without a school presence.
Even now, during In-person classes, people are still in resentment of the mask rule and would love to see their friends’ faces. With many different perspectives upon the impact that COVID had upon students, a common answer is a resounding negative impression about it.
Islamic celebrations and customs
By: Sumaya Noor and Fatima Mohamud
Islam has two main celebrations: Eid-al-Adha, Eid-al-Fitr; these are celebrated by all Muslims (or almost all). There is also the celebration of Ramadan, and the celebration of Ashura, the latter of which is mostly celebrated by Shia Muslims.
Islamic Celebrations and Customs
Ramadan is a period of fasting and prayer that lasts for 30 days. It’s to recognize the less unfortunate and bring ourselves closer to Allah.
Muslims wake up before dawn to eat and drink, refrain from eating or drinking throughout the day, and then have a meal to break their fast after sunset. Some Muslims may eat dates to break their fast before having the evening meal. If you forget and accidentally eat something or drink water, your fast is not broken and it is not a sin. However, if you eat or drink on purpose and tell it off as an accident it is a heavy sin and is extremely prohibited.
Some exceptions can be made during fasting, such as pregnancy, being old, being too young, or being ill. You can make up for missing days of fasting by adding it onto the end of Ramadan, meaning if you missed two days of fasting, you would add two days after Ramadan to make up for skipped days.
Reading verses of the Quran daily is extremely common in this month of importance. The Quran is a holy book that is well known because of its importance to practicing the rules and stories of Islam. Non-Muslims can read the Quran if they are curious about the religion and want to seek out more, but first they must wash their face, ears, hair, legs, arms, and mouth. This process is called the Wudu. Muslims cleanse themselves in this process before touching the Quran, and praying, and it is broken if you make contact with any haram (prohibited) animals such as pigs and dogs.
Muslims pray five times a day. The times change during the year because of the different seasons but some stay the same. Fajr, the first prayer is before sunrise. Duhur, the second prayer is around midday. Asr, is also midday but closer to sunset. Magharib, is at sunset, and Isha, is at night near common sleeping times (8-10 pm).
Many Muslims visit the Kaaba, located in Saudi Arabia, for prayers throughout the day. Millions of Muslims practice this tradition of Islam for every year of their life until they are old and too weak or to go without eating.
What is Eid-Al-Fitr?
Eid-Al-Fitr is one of the two Islamic holidays that is always celebrated the day after the month of Ramadan. It’s very popular for people to go to their local mosque or spend the day with family and friends. It means the “Celebration of Breaking Fast”. On this day it is a sin to fast because people are supposed to enjoy themselves and not starve if it is an option.
Many people visit family, go out and have parties to celebrate their strength shown during the past month.
What is Eid-Al-Adha?
Eid-Al-Adha is another Islamic holiday. This celebration is to honor the prophet Ibrahim for willing to sacrifice Ismael in the name of Allah. The holiday includes sacrificing a sheep, cow, or goat and prayers.
“Eid-Al-Adha” literally means “Festival of Breaking Fast”. Some Muslims may go to sacrifice an animal to honor their prophet and Allah. This is done in good manners and the slaughter is quick.
What is Ashura?
Ashura is an islamic holiday that is greatly celebrated among Shia muslims.
It marks the day Moses was saved by God and when Noah left the ark, which is on the 10th of Muharram. Shia Muslims mourn this day because of the martyrdom of Hussein. Many will participate in activities, during their mourning, that many may consider extreme, such as sacrificing their blood.
‘Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ movie review
By: Eva Olson
A new Marvel movie recently came out on September 3rd called ‘Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’, and I went to go see it. It follows the story of Shang Chi and his complicated past with his father, who wears the ten rings and uses them for money and power. His father sends assassins to bring him home to help him search for Shang’s dead mother, and destroy her village because he believes that she is alive and the village is keeping her prisoner.
I thought the theme of the movie was great; there was a good balance of both sad and funny topics in the movie and I was never bored while watching it. The funny parts made me laugh, the fight scenes were suspenseful, and I loved the bond between the main character and his best friend.
I thought they did a great job with the casting for the characters and the costumes were very good in my opinion. I also enjoyed how there were many ties to the original Avengers movies and other Marvel movies and characters.
I also loved the overall look of the movie. The visual effects made everything look so realistic and interesting and the fight scenes were perfect and very entertaining to watch.
The pace of the movie was very good and so was the camera work and scenery. I also loved the cultural representation in the movie. The plot was amazing and I loved the way the movie ended, the after credit scene also left me wondering.
I really hope there will be a sequel but overall, the movie was very good and if you like Marvel and haven’t seen it I would one hundred percent recommend watching it. 9.5/10 rating
Sports schedule for: 10/4-10/9
| MONDAY | DATE: OCTOBER 4TH | ||
| TIME | BUS DEPART/RETURN | EVENT | DETAILS |
| 5:30pm | JV Football vs. Como Park | HOME | |
| 5:30pm / 5:30pm 7:00pm | 4:30pm / 8:30pm | C-Squad / JV / Varsity Volleyball vs. Humboldt | at Humboldt High School |
| TUESDAY | DATE: OCTOBER 5TH | ||
| TIME | BUS DEPART/RETURN | EVENT | DETAILS |
| 4:15pm / 7:00pm | JV/Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Como | at Como Park High School | |
| 5:00pm / 7:00pm | JV/Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Como | HOME | |
| 7:00pm | Swimming and Diving vs. Harding | at Humboldt High School | |
| WEDNESDAY | DATE: OCTOBER 6TH | ||
| TIME | BUS DEPART/RETURN | EVENT | DETAILS |
| 5:00pm / 5:00pm | JV/Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Minnehaha Academy | at Minnehaha Academy | |
| 5:30pm / 5:30pm 7:00pm | 4:30pm / 8:30pm | C-Squad / JV / Varsity Volleyball vs. Johnson | at Johnson High School |
| THURSDAY | DATE: OCTOBER 7TH | ||
| TIME | BUS DEPART/RETURN | EVENT | DETAILS |
| 5:00pm | Swimming and Diving vs. Central | at Humboldt High School | |
| 5:15pm / 7:00pm | JV/Varsity Girls Soccer vs. South St. Paul | at South St. Paul High School | |
| FRIDAY | DATE: OCTOBER 8TH | ||
| TIME | BUS DEPART/RETURN | EVENT | DETAILS |
| 6:00pm | Football vs. Mound Westonka | HOME | |
| SATURDAY | DATE: OCTOBER 9TH | ||
| TIME | BUS DEPART/RETURN | EVENT | DETAILS |
| 10:00am | 7:00am / 2:00pm | Boys / Girls Cross Country Alexandria Meet of Champions | at Arrowhead Resort |
| 10:00am/12:00pm | JV/Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Central | HOME |
Plaid Line + PRIZM + Scottie News 