By Kaycie Bellrichard With the holiday season quickly approaching, it is important to think about what we are thankful for. There is so much to appreciate; like a warm home, getting an education, having clean drinking water, and having good friends. Personally, I am most thankful for my family. They are always there to support me and make me feel loved. One of the most … [Read more...]

By Makayla Braaten Have you ever been driving and notice a painting on the side of a building? Would you consider that art or vandalism? Graffiti is writing or drawings on a wall or other surface, usually as a form of an artistic expression, without permission and within public view. Furthermore, where is the line between art and vandalism? Ironically, if you look up … [Read more...]

By Alison Freese School in today’s society just takes up too much of a student’s day, let alone their childhood. From eight in the morning to three in the afternoon, we are forced to sit in our desks and learn things that are supposed to help us in life. By shortening a very long, tiring school day by two hours, this would give students more time for sleep, and other … [Read more...]

By Bethany Schneekloth It was the middle of summer and the milkweed plants outside of the house were covered with monarch caterpillars, but upon closer inspection with my dad and younger siblings, we began to notice that there weren’t many chrysalises around the area and the ones that we did see were odd. We decided to start bringing them inside like we do most years. We … [Read more...]

By Zara Wilkemeyer The air had been crisp and cool on the ninth of October. Neither too warm, nor too cold. It had been quite a day to be outside in the warming sun. I had gone on a field trip that day, to the Walker Art Center and the Minnesota Institute of Art in Minneapolis, with my art teacher as our guide.  We had left the school at 8 a.m. and didn’t arrive in … [Read more...]

By Laura Vettleson-Trutza As quoted in one of my favorite songs, “ I am not a Robot” by Marina and the Diamonds, “It’s better to be hated than loved for what you’re not.” When I was young, I was very shy around others. I wouldn’t talk or interact with anyone. I was known by others as the really quiet, yet nice one. At home, however, I was definitely not quiet. I seemed to … [Read more...]

By Annalise Shupe We’ve all heard different varieties of the same phrase before. I’ve heard the phrase throughout the entirety of my childhood; “Enjoy this time in your life because it’s going to be over before you know it, you’re going to miss it, so live in the moment.” Now a major stage of my life is over, I have graduated high school. With that, all of my “lasts of high … [Read more...]

By Travis Vatland Finally, the school year seems to be coming to a close. As my classmates and I set off on our new adventures, I have taken some time to reflect on what my journey this far has been. Seems like every year I remember has distinct highs and lows.  I have learned quite a bit from this 12-year journey. This essay is for everyone still in high school, and it is … [Read more...]