All posts by HPSH Plaid Line

The Apple Tree Musical – HPSH Thespian Society

April 28, 2015 HPSH Plaid Line

HPSH Thespian Society Presents: The Apple Tree

By: Maeve Gimpl

Save the date!

Highland Park Senior High School theater students are performing the Broadway musical, The Apple Tree in May. Adults and children of all ages are warmly invited to come and enjoy this show at the HPSH auditorium (1015 Snelling Avenue South).

Performances are 7:00pm on Thursday, May 28; Friday, May 29; and Saturday, May 30. There is also a matinee performance on Saturday May 30 at 2:00pm. Tickets are available at the door. Adults $8, students and seniors $6.

The Apple Tree is an upbeat and comical performance sure to be entertaining for people of all ages. It’s a combination of three song-filled acts that all maintain the pattern of portraying Man and Woman throughout different time periods. The musical begins with the heart-warming play, “The Diary of Adam and Eve”, a story of the first couple on Earth and their adventures in Eden. Following is “The Lady or the Tiger”, which is a play consisting of an ancient royal kingdom with a princess, a brave soldier, and a very unique justice system. Finally, “Passionella” closes the musical with a fairytale performance about a yearning chimney sweep who is granted her wish of becoming a stunning, Marilyn Monroe-inspired movie star.

The musical is co-directed by HPSH Musical Director Kate Mendenhall and Park Square Theater Director Stephen Houtz. The community arts organization, Friends of Highland Arts, is supporting HPSH’s well-anticipated spring musical with promotion, volunteer coordination, and fundraising through advertising sales and concessions. www.friendsofha.org

Highland Park Senior High invites both new faces and old to their spring musical. Come support the Theatre and Music students and programs at HPSH. The Apple Tree is sure to offer plenty of smiles and a night of pleasant entertainment.

Entertainment

Friends of Highland Arts Showcase

March 11, 2015 HPSH Plaid Line

By: Maeve Gimpl

Looking for a great way to support our school and community this month and have fun at the same time? Introducing Highland Park’s first-ever Spring Highland Arts Showcase, a collaboration of the senior high school and the Friends of Highland Arts organization. On March 19, students, teachers, and the whole community are invited to join FHA for an evening of the best of Highland Senior High’s dynamic arts.

This free event will feature many of Highland Park’s art students. A concert will include performances from the HP choir, band, orchestra, dance, theatre, and visual art students. An exhibit of visual art pieces will be displayed both on screen, in the auditorium, and in the lobby. As well as being able to enjoy the performance and displays, there will be face painting and activities for kids. Concessions will also be for sale.

For those who are still unfamiliar with Friends of Highland Arts, it is a non-profit organization developed for the benefit of all students involved in the arts within the Highland Park community. Their mission is to help support arts education and programs within our Highland Park schools and community. Your attendance at the Highland Arts Showcase would help support FHA’s important mission.

Please, join the community on Thursday, March 19, in the Highland Park Senior High Auditorium for a very fun and free event.

“Come see, hear, and support the talent and creativity of the HPSH students!”

Lobby opens at 6pm, concert begins at 7pm

Clubs and Activities

Math Team M4 Press Release – Highland Goes to State!

January 29, 2015 HPSH Plaid Line

By: Tate Bosler

On Monday, Highland’s math team defeated Central for a third time this season, which is enough to send the team to the state tournament for the 20th year in a row. The team has one meet left in the season on February 9 at home, which will secure this title, as well as the division championship.

Highland has been performing very well over the last decade, regularly getting second place in the Saint Paul City division to Central. At a meet last year, Highland came within grabbing distance of winning a meet, taking second to Central by only one point.

This year, though, things have been different. Highland started the season by winning a meet in November, defeating Central by nine points. The team won again at Humboldt later that same month. And this third victory will give Highland the title of Division Champions – a title the team has not held since 2005.

The final meet of the season is a home meet, held in the cafeteria and math classrooms on Monday, February 9. Topics for the meet include puzzle problems, probability, and similar triangles. Final division results will be announced immediately following the meet.

The math team is on Twitter at @hp_mathteam, led by captains Tate Bosler (@ichiefboz) and Katie Watson (@coffeemoose) and coaches Michael O’Connell and Christopher Anderson. More information can be found at http://www.tatebosler.com/2015/01/28/one-score-for-mathteam/.

Events, School Life

HPSH Showcase

January 21, 2015 HPSH Plaid Line

By: Emma Dombrow

Tomorrow night at 6pm, HPSH is hosting their annual student showcase. It’s a time where prospective families can see the school building, meet teachers, and visit tables where you can learn more about student clubs and activities. Please join us tomorrow for some fellowship and Highland Park pride. More information about this event is listed below.

Prospective Student Open House

Thursday, January 22, 2015

6:00 pm – Auditorium

Please join us for an evening designed for 8th graders and their

families to explore Highland Park Senior High School.

Information on curriculum, academic programs, athletics, activities and more!

Entertainment

Friends of Highland Arts (FHA) Logo Contest

December 14, 2014 HPSH Plaid Line

*This article is a re-posting of a contest announcement from Friends of Highland Arts (FHA) – please contact friendsofhighlandarts@gmail.com with any questions or to request more information.*

Friends of Highland Arts Logo Contest

Friends of Highland Arts Friends of Highland Arts (FHA) is governed by the fundamental belief arts education plays a vital role in enriching the lives of our students, families, schools and communities. FHA supports arts education: music, dance, theater, visual arts, literary arts and cultural arts, curricular and extracurricular programming within HPSH and its articulated-network of middle and elementary schools. FHA is helping students, families and community build connections to our schools, and to each other through supporting arts education.

Logo Design Criteria

Include the letters “FHA” in the design; or “Friends of HA” Creative, but legible. Must be reproducible. Graphic optional. Keep it simple. Logo identity must look good small as well as large. Consider hand-lettering the design. Graphic optional. 2-3 Colors preferred, but also reproducible in black & white. Design with meaning. Design must represent the organization. Study the designs of similar organizations for ideas and inspiration. Optional: Reflect the themes of FHA in your design; Arts, Community, Highland, Friend, Connection, Education and Support

Contest Open to all HPSH students, may submit more than one design. Design due by Thursday December 18, 2014 Submit design to FHA; friendsofhighlandarts@gmail.com Or turn in to FHA mail box, HPSH front office Selection will be announced in early January.

Winner will receive $25 VISA GIFT CARD.

Entertainment, Movies/TV/Theaters

Movie Review – The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

November 29, 2014 HPSH Plaid Line

By: Gigi LeFebvre

Like most movies based off of Young Adult series (or YA for short), the last movie/book is split into two parts. The last Hunger Games book, Mockingjay, was published in 2010 where in shortly the first movie was produced and was a huge hit. For many fans, the last book was disappointing and was hoping that the movie would change a few things that would help improve it, which it did.

The movie starts at least a month after the ending of Catching Fire where Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is now in District 13, the district many thought was destroyed by the Capitol many years ago. The Rebellion against the Capitol has taken base underground in District 13 and are planning on using Katniss as the image for the cause. Katniss not only has to deal with inner demons as she continues to suffer from PTSD but with the treats from the Capitol and from the leader of the Rebellion itself.

Unlike the first two movies, there isn’t much action in this first part. Much of it takes place in District 13 where the Rebellion is planning propaganda (or “Propos”)and getting all of the districts of Panem on their side. The few times Katniss is seen outside is when she’s being filmed for Propos, in which Lawrence shows off her best.

Acting wise, the cast is still very strong. Jennifer Lawrence is powerful as ever and continues to portray a teenager with PTSD appropriately and near flawlessly. Julianne Moore (who plays President Coin, the leader of District 13 and the Rebellion) is able to show that she’s as much of a dictator as President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Best of all, Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark) has greatly improved as an actor in these past movies. Having to play a person suffering from more than one kind of pain and doing it well not easy, but Hutcherson does it.

As a fan of these books and the movies, I have to be honest in saying that Mockingjay is the weakest of the books. They’re all written in Katniss’ perspective, which lets you know that she makes it through the end and that much of the interpretations of the situations are biased. However, the movie was very good.

The real question is: Was it necessary to split it into two parts?
In some ways, yes. Since they added and changed a lot in the movie, like showing what was happening in the Capitol and in the Districts rebelling, having the first part as a calm-before-the-storm was what was going to set up the main action of the ending. Obviously Lionsgate split it up solely for money reasons, but for the plot it makes the most sense. Reading the book should not be done in one day, it’s far too slow for that. Having the first part show the plans and the consequences of said plans leads up to an explosive ending (badaboom stss).

Four Stars (There would’ve been more if my favorite line hadn’t been cut out)

Entertainment, Local, News

Friends of Highland Arts (FHA)

November 17, 2014 HPSH Plaid Line

By Maeve Gimpl

we-value-the-arts — Image source: http://audubonpto.org/home/arts-reach-starts-this-week/

Friends of Highland Arts (FHA) is a newly launched organization here at Highland that supports both curricular and extra-curricular arts education. Visual, cultural, musical, literary, and performing arts will be supported. FHA believes the arts are a great way to create a stronger community for students, families, teachers, and volunteers.

This new non-profit organization will reach out to the middle and elementary schools in Highland in an effort to support arts programming and to facilitate older students mentoring younger middle school and elementary aged children. The vision is to create a unique Highland Park arts identity.

FHA will also strive to develop community partnerships and funding for arts education. In addition, the organization will provide exciting volunteer opportunities for parents to get involved.

Mrs. Colleen Zuro-White and Mrs. Anne Gimpl (my mom) developed the organization as new parents to Highland Senior last year. Conversations and early reports indicate a great deal of support and enthusiasm for the organization. Highland Park Senior High School’s IB Coordinator Ms. Charlotte Landreau has agreed to serve on the board. After asking what FHA is hoping to accomplish in the near future, Mrs. Gimpl replied, “Right now, Friends of Highland Arts is in its beginning stages. We want to get the word out and create some enthusiasm for our awesome arts programs!”

CALLING ALL THOSE WANTING TO SHOW OFF THEIR EXCELLENT DESIGNING SKILLS: Friends of Highland Arts is looking for a logo to represent their organization. Stay tuned for more info on the HP website.

Questions? Comments? Email friendsofhighlandarts@gmail.com

Prezi presentation “FHA Overview”(https://prezi.com/fwblhccnm3-l/fha-overview/)

Clubs and Activities

Highland Math Team Heading Towards 20th Year at State

November 5, 2014 HPSH Plaid Line

By: Tate Bosler

The Highland Park Math Team had its first meet of the 2014-2015 season Monday at Central High School. While the team has been very successful for a long time – going to the state tournament every year for the past 19 – Monday’s meet brought another triumph as Highland defeated Central and the rest of the St. Paul City Division for the first time in six years, with a final score of 83-74. Juniors David (“D-Wheezy”) White and Katie Watson led the team to victory with 13 and 12 points respectively.

The math season runs from mid-October to mid-February, and it is composed of five meets plus a state tournament in March. Highland competes with the seven high schools in the athletic conference, plus Cretin-Derham Hall and Saint Paul Preparatory School. The meets have four individual events, lettered A, B, C and D, and a team event at the end. Each of the individual events is centered around a specific topic – Event A is mostly algebra, while Event B focuses on topics from geometry – and is worth 7 points. Events are much like short math quizzes, with students only having 12 minutes to complete them.

Eight students are pre-selected as “starters” before each meet, and their scores count towards the school’s score. They also participate in the team event at the end of the meet, a 20-minute, 6-question, 24-point event that they work on together. Highland scored a perfect 24 on the T event this meet.

The math team is well on its way to participating in the state tournament for 20 consecutive years. The team’s next meet is November 24th.

Team Twitter: @hp_mathteam

Team Coaches: Michael O’Connell & Christopher Anderson

Team Captains: Tate Bosler (senior, @ichiefboz) & Katie Watson (junior, @coffeemoose)

Getting To Know/History

Getting to know our SCSU student teachers

October 8, 2014 HPSH Plaid Line

By: Maeve Gimpl

Ms. Allie Meyer, studying social studies education

As many of you already know, Highland has welcomed two student teachers from Saint Cloud State University. They stand alongside our current teachers here at HP to further engage in their final steps of learning before finally becoming educators themselves. I was able to spend a little time with Mr. Johnson and Ms. Meyer last week to ask them what a normal day for them would look like, as well as how they’re liking it so far.

To start off their regular morning, both student teachers get up bright and early to head to Highland for a long day of work. Ms. Meyer can be found teaching U.S. government with Mr. Zeitchick during the day, while Mr. Johnson heads up to Ms. Rise’s room to help teach geography. Both student teachers were telling me how much they enjoy working with not only their designated teachers but with the students as well!

For Ms. Meyer, this wasn’t her first time student teaching at a school; in fact, she’s on her fourth and final school that she has to teach at before she can finally become a teacher! I asked Ms. Meyer what her first day here at Highland was like. “I LOVED it,” she immediately replied. She proceeded to tell me that her favorite part of teaching so far has been interacting with the students–”and having them make fun of me,” she added with a laugh. When I asked her if she had a least favorite part of teaching, she said she didn’t have one! “I’m right where I’m supposed to be…I’m lovin’ life at HP!”

Mr. Kyle Johnson, studying social studies education with an emphasis on history

Mr. Johnson, just like Ms. Meyer, also said that his favorite part of teaching has been being able to interact with all the people at Highland. “I’ve had a lot of fun meeting the students and getting to know them,” Mr. Johnson admits. “It makes my day to be able to hang out with kids who are fun and have really good things to say!” He also told me that he has enjoyed his time with Ms. Rise both inside and outside of school, adding that they’ve even gone canoeing together on Lake Calhoun. Besides student teaching, Mr. Johnson loves biking, video games, and fantasy football.

It was great being able to get to know Ms. Meyer and Mr. Johnson this past week. One response really stuck out for me. When I asked both of them what their dream job would be, if they knew they could be successful in any career that they pursued, they both responded with confidence, “high school teacher.” This really shows how passionate and excited they are to continue their last bit of student teaching so that they can finally become teachers themselves!

Ms. Meyer conducting some one on one instruction about the Constitutional Convention

Sports

Girls tennis season recap

October 4, 2014 HPSH Plaid Line

By: Emma Dombrow

Last year’s HPSH Girls Tennis Varsity and JV Teams

The girls tennis team had a great season this year, even though three of the starting varsity players were injured and out for most of the season. Our season started out with captain’s practices during the last week of July and will be finished as of Thursday 10/9.

Our season is almost finished, but we still have two more major events left! First is the individual sections at the University of Minnesota. It’s a competition where two singles players and two doubles teams from each school get to skip a day of school and compete. This year from Highland, Anja Savic (10), Leah Barrett (12), Sabrina Hang (11), and Katie Tennis (11) will be competing for the doubles teams. Emma Dombrow (11) and Preianna Swenson (12) will be the two singles players that are competing. Besides being a very fun opportunity, after the matches the players and Coaches go out to BDubs to eat wings and have some team bonding time.

unnamed — 2014 Captains Leah Barrett and Sabrina Hang

Besides the individual sections, we also have our final end of the year banquet at Olive Garden in honor of a great season. At the banquet, varsity letters will be given out to the players, and recognition certificates will be given out to the JV players as well. We will also give our final thanks to our two great captains this year, Sabrina Hang (11) and Leah Barrett (12). They had great team spirit and without their leadership the team would not have bonded together as well.

unnamed-1 — Varsity and JV girls Katherine Jossi, Sydney Linssen, Elisa Machlitt, and Emma Dombrow

Next Year’s Season: If you, or anyone you know, is interested in joining the tennis team, I would highly recommend it! There is always room for anyone who wants to play, and it is a very fun sport with lots of friendly teammates. If you would like to join or have any questions, contact Mr. Shaw or any of the varsity players. Hopefully we will get some new girls next year!

Varsity Players:

(Coach Shaw)

Singles: