Humans are returning to the Moon!

March 23, 2022 HPSH Plaid Line Leave a comment

By: Reed Morris

Image taken from: Artemis Program
https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails
/image/artemis_identity_moon_mars.jpg

NASA is currently working on returning American astronauts to the Moon. The Artemis Program is the follow up to the Apollo missions that first landed Neil Armstrong on the moon. The primary goal of these upcoming missions is to learn more about the geology and history of the moon, as well as to start treating the moon as a passageway for the human race to reach much farther into space.

Image taken from: Artemis Program
https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/

The first launch of the Artemis program will take place in mid May 2022. NASA is sending the new crew capsule ‘Orion’ on an unmanned test mission to circumnavigate the moon once and return to earth as a safety test.

Assuming the launching and return of the spacecraft is successful, the following mission will be essentially the same except it will have a crew on board. The final launches, will be manned missions to the surface of the moon to establish surface living bases, and finally give humans a strong foothold on the lunar surface.

The next big step will be the construction of ‘the Gateway’. The Gateway will essentially be a smaller version of the International Space Station, but it will be orbiting the Moon, as opposed to Earth. The Gateway will allow an extremely efficient and repeatable way to execute missions on the moon.

The station will have two main purposes. The first is that Astronauts will be able to live and work on the station, allowing more detailed exploration of the lunar surface from above, and secondly it will act as a gateway (hence the name) for astronauts traveling from Earth to the Moon and back.

Finally, by 2024, Artemis will have landed it’s first missions on the moon. These missions mark the beginning of mankind’s colonization of our solar system, and a huge leap forward for human based space exploration.

Movies/TV/Theaters

How does the show ‘Shark Tank’ affect entrepreneurship?

March 23, 2022 HPSH Plaid Line Leave a comment

By: Abdihakim Mohamoud

Image taken from: Shark Tank—And its effects on entrepreneurship
https://www.koimoi.com/television/shark-tank-season-13-featuring-new-guests-in-indian- american-businessman-nirav-tolia-kevin-hart-to-premier-from-this-date/

The famous entrepreneurial themed reality show ‘Shark Tank’ is notorious for enhancing some of the biggest businesses out there. But what exactly does being on the show do for entrepreneurs?

Landing a deal with one of the sharks can obviously lead to tremendous exposure for your company. However, even appearing on the show at all is extremely beneficial marketing-wise. TJ Hale, producer of the ‘Shark Tank Podcast’, reportedly said that even an appearance on the show results in $4-5 million in marketing exposure.

Another former ‘Shark Tank’ appearance, Derek Pacque, is a perfect example of not needing funding to succeed. He turned down a deal from billionaire Mark Cuban for 33% of his coat business, claiming his company wouldn’t grow after the deal. The “Shark Tank Effect” worked its magic, and Pacque ended up at Fashion Week for his first gig.

In recent studies, a mind-boggling 94% of ‘Shark Tank’ appearances were successful after their feature, solidifying that the most obvious reward from appearing is sales. PostureNow and The Bev Buckle did $50,000 and a whopping $300,000+ after they were featured on the show.

Appearing on ‘Shark Tank’, not just produced thousands in sales for entrepreneurs, but also attracted investors who watched the show. However, it is required that business owners must give up 5% of their company just to appear on the show—without guaranteeing traffic to their company.

Not every entrepreneur leaves the show better off than when they arrived. An example of a relatively bad deal is Jay Kriner, who took the shark’s deal, giving up half of his company for $50,000, seemingly undervaluing his equity, and basically giving his company away.

All in all, the majority of entrepreneurs believe that an appearance is very well worth it and beneficial. However, business owners must be aware of the risks that can come with it, and be mindful of the deals they are being offered, and whether it’s worth it or not.

For more information, please visit:

https://nwirc.com/shark-tank-effect-entrepreneurship/

Getting To Know/History

What is Women’s History Month?

March 23, 2022 HPSH Plaid Line Leave a comment

By: Grace Blumer-Lamotte

Image taken from: https://www.achievementfirst.org/womens-history-month-the-past-is-present/

Presidents have been issuing yearly proclamations for certain months ever since 1995. Women’s History Month is in March of every year.

According to the official Women’s History Month website, “Celebration of contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.”

Some of the well-known women that made contributions towards Women’s History Month include: Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Abigail Adams, and Sojourner Truth.

Rosa Parks deserves a major role in women’s history because she helped initiate the Civil Rights Movement. According to History.com, “She refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955.” She was one of the first woman, of African American descent, that stood up against racism on public transport.

Susan B. Anthony is another woman that deserves considerable recognition. According to History.com, “Anthony was a pioneer in the Women’s Suffrage Movement in the United States and president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.”

Abigail Adams is yet another woman that also deserves better recognition. I personally have never heard her name. I also asked a couple of other students and they didn’t know who she was either. According to History.com, “Adams was one of only two women to have been both wife and mother to two U.S. presidents (the other being Barbara Bush). This all happened starting in 1774.

Sojourner Truth is one of the many women that have an amazing story also. According to History.com, “Truth was an African American evangelist, abolitionist, women’s right activist and author who was born into slavery before escaping freedom in 1826.”

I asked two freshman girls, one freshman guy, and one junior girl these questions:

Do you know what Women’s History Month is?
Do you know why we celebrate Women’s History Month?

One of the freshman girls answered, “I know of it.” She then answered, “I don’t know why we celebrate it but I feel like I might have a big idea of why.” She explained that there are important women in history.

The other freshman girl answered, “I know what Women’s History Month is.” She then proceeded to answer, “I really don’t know why we celebrate it.”

The freshman boy answered, “I have heard of Women’s History month but I don’t know anything about it.”

The junior girl answered, “Yes I know of Women’s History Month. I think it is a month to celebrate the women that did good things in history. Such as Rosa Parks and other women.”

Seeing as how most know about Women’s History month’s existence, but not its significance, it’s important to enlighten people as much as possible.

School Life

Scots Square

March 23, 2022 HPSH Plaid Line Leave a comment

By: Carla Tizcareno

Scots Square is the great school coffee shop in Highland Park Senior High. It has been developing greatly over the past few months. They have a wonderful and caring staff.

There are new systems being put in place to make everyone’s experience is more efficient and kind. New products are rolling in like: new creamers, chip varieties, fidgets, hot chocolate, and more. With the good prices and helpful staff it’s really coming together nicely.

Now, there’s a google form QR code so any customer can leave a review or form a complaint in a convenient place to see. New regulations and rules are also helping to make it more useful. Tape has been set up so a line can be formed easily and creates more direction.

Don’t forget, you can also buy school merch like sweatshirts, sweatpants, headbands and more.

The coffee shop is open almost every morning from 8 to 8:30 am and every afternoon from 3 to 3:15 pm.

After a rough couple of weeks after winter break, when their profits got stolen, they are stronger now than ever. Ms. Somerville is working hard to see that all staff members are listened to and understood.

The coffee shop staff is always open to new ideas and suggestions to make the shop better. As long as you bring a good attitude and money; we’ve got you. Some of the staff are working to pool tips to buy quality display stands for the products and to buy new items.

With a long list of things to do that is still growing, the coffee shop staff is ready for the punches. Everyone is welcome and appreciated!

COVID-19

How has COVID affected poverty in the USA?

March 23, 2022 HPSH Plaid Line Leave a comment

By: Caelyn Hippen

Image taken from:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https
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As you can see, COVID-19 has affected our world in many ways, such as the school systems, the economies, social interaction has lacked for many people, the amount of people with depression and anxiety has increased, material shortages across the world, effects on hospitals and health care systems, and on top of that, over 6 million deaths worldwide.

But many don’t think of the way that COVID has affected the amount of poverty in the USA. So you may be wondering, what is poverty? Well, poverty is the state of having few material possessions and/or little to no income. Poverty makes it hard for people to eat, and take care of themselves and/or their possible siblings or children. People who have lived in poverty for a longer amount of time find it harder to find jobs, leading to even less income and amount of luxury than before.

Poverty got really bad over COVID, and a contributing factor of that was another downfall of COVID: the spiking amount of unemployment. Over 18 million people were left unemployed, and 14 million of them couldn’t work because their employer closed their business altogether.

Unemployment is such a big factor in people living in poverty. About 20% of people who make minimum wage live in poverty, because the demands for all survival needs are high (food, clean water, a place to live, etc.).

In 2019, the poverty rate in the USA was 13.4%. This means that 13.4% of America’s population lived below the poverty line.

But, as of 2021, that number has been raised to a pandemic-era high of 17.3% of people. In Minnesota, over 500,000 people live in poverty. That’s 1/10 of the population!

So, for that reason, knowing how many people are struggling with finance and buying necessary items, donate and volunteer to help these people around you. You can make a big difference in your community by donating food, money, or just 1 hour from your day!

For more information, please visit: