Sleep & the Teen Brain

Volume 4 • Issue 4 www.threesixtyjournalism.org December 2013–January 2014

Minnesota Teens Report Stories & Issues That Matter

sleep & the teen Brain Teenagers continue to underestimate a full eight hours of sleep at their own peril, but is too much homework or technology to blame? n Page 12

Staying grounded Jeremy Messersmith keeps his music goals minimal. n Page 8

personal pride Young voices help shape the same- sex marriage debate. n Page 16 Kimberly Martinez Volume 4 • Issue 4

Frequently asked questions

What is ThreeSixty Journalism? ThreeSixty How did ThreeSixty Journalism start? The Writers in this issue Simone Cazares, St. Paul Conservatory for Journalism is a youth journalism program of the program began as the Urban Journalism Workshop Performing Artists • Ellie Colbert, Washburn HS • Mairead DeBruin, College of Arts and Sciences at the University of in 1971. UJW provided basic journalism training to Avalon School • Dillan DeGross, FAIR School Downtown • Tyanna St. Thomas. The non-profit program is committed Minnesota high school students, particularly low- Dickerson, University of St. Thomas • Dami Gilbert, Robbinsdale to helping Minnesota teens tell the stories that matter income and minority teens, at summer camps at the Cooper HS • Hannah Gordon, Washburn HS • Nichelle Heu, Harding in their lives and communities. University of Minnesota. In 2001, the program moved to HS • Madie Ley, Elk River HS • Kimberly Martinez, Harding HS • Shay the University of St. Thomas and became a year-round Radhakrishnan, Math and Science Academy • Elena Renken, St. Paul What is ThreeSixty’s mission? ThreeSixty’s program with a full-time staff. Central HS • Lana Rubinstein, River Falls HS • Amolak Singh, Nova mission is to bring diverse voices into journalism and Classical Academy • Brianna Skildum, Roosevelt HS • Danielle Wong, What’s the name ThreeSixty Journalism mean? related professions and to using intense, personal Eastview HS • Thomas Wrede, Cretin-Derham Hall • Gabie Yang, instruction in the craft and principles of journalism In 2006, the program’s name changed to ThreeSixty Forest Lake Area HS • Mina Yuan, Wayzata HS to strengthen the literacy, writing skills and college- Journalism to reflect the program’s growth and the Illustrators in this issue Isaura Lira Greene, Great River HS • readiness of Minnesota teens. range of backgrounds among the students we serve. Aamino Hirmoge, Harding HS • Kimberly Martinez, Harding HS • We are interested in telling stories from all parts of our Mina Yuan, Wayzata HS Whom do you serve? ThreeSixty Journalism community, using a variety of media tools, including directly serves more than 100 Minnesota high school words, photos, illustrations and video. Publisher: Lynda McDonnell students each year via after-school classes, weekend workshops, school partnerships, individual coaching How can I get involved? To submit ideas, Editor: Thomas Rozwadowski and summer journalism camps. About 60 percent of essays, photos or artwork, email them to info@ Design Consultant: Diana Boger the students served come from low-income homes threesixtyjournalism.org or contact Editor Thomas Community Outreach Editor: Katie Johnson and more than 70 percent come from communities Rozwadowski at [email protected]. Communications Marketing Coordinator: Briana Gruenewald of color. We serve thousands more via our writing To arrange classroom visits, contact Community contests, print publications and website—www. Outreach Editor Katie Johnson at katie.johnson@ Administrative Assistant: Tyanna Dickerson threesixtyjournalism.org. stthomas.edu or Executive Director Lynda McDonnell Editorial offices at [email protected]. Mail 5057, 2115 Summit Ave. St. Paul MN 55105 651-962-5282 [email protected] for minnesota teachers ✁ Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. ThreeSixty is grateful to the following individuals who donate their time If you would like to receive ThreeSixty free of charge four times a year, send the following information to and expertise to the success of the program: [email protected]. ThreeSixty Journalism Board of Advisors Brian Bellmont, Name Bellmont Partners Public Relations • Sue Campbell, MSP Publications • David Cazares, Minnesota Public Radio • Dennis McGrath, McGrath School Buckley Communications Counseling • Dr. Dina Gavrilos, University

School phone and extension ( ) Number of copies (60 maximum) of St. Thomas • Dr. Kristie Bunton, University of St. Thomas • Mike Burbach, St. Paul Pioneer Press • Doug Hennes, University of St. Thomas Email • Duchesne Drew, Star Tribune • Lida Poletz, Weber Shandwick • Scott Libin, Internet Broadcasting • Sara Pelissero, WCCO-TV Address Ex officio member Dr. Terence Langan, Dean, College of Arts & City, State, Zip Sciences, University of St Thomas Major supporters include our advertisers, donors and the To get an individual subscription through the mail, send a $25 check for one year (four issues) to: following organizations • Marketing coordinator, ThreeSixty Journalism, 2115 Summit Ave., Mail 5057, St. Paul, MN 55105 Best Buy Children’s Foundation Bremer • • • • Please include your name, address and email address. Foundation Carl & Eloise Pohlad Family Fdn. Carlson Comcast Dow Jones Newspaper Fund • Gannett Foundation • Google • Hubbard Broadcasting • Mall of America • StarTribune • University of St. Thomas

2 threesixtyjournalism.org Personal Pride Personal choice

It didn’t matter that some couldn’t even vote yet. Young voices helped shape this year’s historic political battle to pass same-sex marriage legislation in Minnesota by phone banking, door knocking, and perhaps most important of all, talking about their families. ThreeSixty reporter Elena Renken spoke with teens and same-sex parents about the impact of marriage equality on their past, present and future, and further examined the political and personal ramifications with the man who orchestrated the Minnesota ground game for same- sex advocates, Richard Carlbom. Yet as the celebrations continue, St. Thomas student Tyanna Dickerson reflects on her own beliefs—and how dedicating herself to religion may have changed her vote, but (hopefully) not her friendships. n Pages 16-19

Send comments to ThreeSixty Journalism contents December/january Send your letters to ThreeSixty Life on the east side A Harding senior explores how her much-maligned neighborhood in east Journalism at 2115 Summit Ave., 20 St. Paul has shaped her background yet fuels a desire to get out. n 4 Mail 5057, St. Paul, MN. 55105, or comment online at www. Faith in a box At the moment she should have been forging an important bond with Catholicism, threesixtyjournalism.org a once-proud “Jesus Freak” began examining her faith in new ways. n 6 You can also join ThreeSixty @16 with Jeremy Messersmith With a new album arriving in February, the self-proclaimed Journalism’s Facebook fan “Pied Piper of wuss rock” chats about his struggles, successes as a musician. n 8 page or follow us on Twitter@ ThreeSixtyMN Fan-demonium Anything can happen with fanfiction. And that’s the way readers like it. But what would J.K. Rowling have to say about a pregnant Harry Potter? Hmmm … n 11 Connect with us online No rest for the bleary A mountain of AP homework, plus extra-curriculars, plus part-time jobs, plus house chores, plus … it’s no wonder teens are struggling to get eight hours of sleep. n 12

YourTurn contest winners What does marriage mean to you? Teen readers responded—some Thank you Finance 22 with wedding bells on; others, not so much. n 14 & Commerce College crisis? It should be one of the best times in your life. Yet the agony of applying to The print version of ThreeSixty college—and, of course, waiting to get in—can be difficult to navigate without help. n 20 Journalism magazine will be published four times during the Q&A with Trent Tucker Do we care about high school sports too much? The former NBA star n 2013-2014 school year. Finance talks about his role as the Minneapolis Public School District’s new athletic director. 22 & Commerce in Minneapolis Language barrier The “R-word” carries an overwhelmingly negative connotation in the has donated printing of the developmentally disabled community. Can a campaign help put a stop to it? n 27 publication. We are grateful for Fresh, fast and for students this generous gift. Hector Ruiz is living the American dream. His third Minneapolis restaurant, La Fresca, aims to extend that vision to local high school students. n 30

December 2013 / January 2014 3 Letter from the editor

conversation led me (along with about their backyard, so why not finalized at this very moment. I’m Own your story. executive director Lynda McDonnell) offer the Pioneer Press an opportu- not sure that a resolution needs to be to Johnson High School after its nity to see what you, the everyday reached, only that it’s a positive step student council reached out to us east side teenager, believes to be for all parties—media and students Own your voice. about recent Pioneer Press coverage. true? alike—to facilitate conversation and They were upset by a perceived rash That’s your story. Own it. (gasp!) learn more about each other. of unfair youth labeling after that I’m happy to say that a meet- That’s journalism. It’s a mantra here at same violent surge—in particular, ing between the Pioneer Press and And guess what? Anyone can ThreeSixty, the idea that whether Thomas Ray Widstrand’s near-fatal beating in Johnson student council is being own it. you’re a teen reader or (hopefully) Rozwadowski August. Editor teen writer, you should own the We met with several motivated Online curriculum power of your life experience— Johnson students who were ready what you see on a daily basis at to have their voices heard. In fact, Stories with this icon have curriculum online tied to home, school and in the commu- can just pick teen brains for unique on our walk to the student coun- online the Minnesota Common Core Standards. Visit www. nity. Without it, we don’t have a insight. cil room, one of the teens said the curriculum threesixtyjournalism.org/teachers for more informa- magazine. Have you ever thought about how group letter to the editor they were tion. Three stories in this issue with curriculum are After all, if adults always steer the that reflects on you as an eastsider? crafting would serve “to continue “Faith in a box” on page 6, “No rest for the bleary” on page 12 and “The narrative, you can’t really complain Slight nod. the feud.” game within the game” on page 23. when stereotypes or misconcep- Do you enjoy living on the east Wait … what feud, we asked? tions force you into a role of their side? Slight nod. Shouldn’t you be just as upset as choosing. Does what other people say about a Pioneer Press columnist that an Strong voices While driving Nichelle Heu, a the east side matter to you? OK, now innocent man was beaten within an Harding senior, back to St. Thomas’ we were talking. inch of his life by a group of young Carlson --Supported Content Carlson, an international travel campus after a fall ThreeSixty event, Sensing a switch had been acti- people on the east side? and hospitality company based in I asked her about the summer vated, Nichelle and I developed an Slight nod. Minnetonka, is committed to protecting children from sexual exploi- violence in east St. Paul that grabbed essay that veered to various corners Instead, we implored them to tation and trafficking. The firm trains all employees in its hotels to headlines. of her east side upbringing, good look at journalism as a community recognize and report suspicious activity. As part of its commitment These are some of my favorite and bad. It’s a story she knows and dialogue to create greater respect to protecting women and children, Carlson is supporting ThreeSixty moments in ThreeSixty, when away should get to tell. But first she had to and understanding. Reporters, by Journalism’s coverage related to the empowerment of young women from the stress of deadlines—you own it. their very nature, are hardwired to during the 2013-14 school year. We are deeply grateful for this support. know, the pesky part of my job—I Coincidentally, the same explore. They can’t know everything

Trust none: Don’t open yourself Because it helps define who we do my best to make people smile. My life on to anybody because they might are as eastsiders. I’m also fiercely independent. Part betray you with that information. of that is just my nature as a young For me, I don’t tell anyone my ON YOUR OWN woman who needs to get things the east side business. I keep to myself. I don’t Daily life on the east side isn’t all that done. But most of it is also a product want anyone to know anything exciting. I live on Earl Street, in the of living on the east side. about me besides my name. The only middle of the Payne-Phalen neigh- In fact, I don’t think you can person I trust is my boyfriend. borhood, about four blocks from survive here without embracing your What you learn in east St. Paul shapes who The people you trust are your Johnson High School. independence. I see it in a lot of my you are, how you can get out “day ones.” I don’t necessarily love the east friends. We all balance school and These are the friends who you side, but I don’t hate it either. part-time jobs, for me, multiple ones. know will be there in the long After all, living here has made me Not having a driver’s license means run, through the good and bad. who I am. It’s all I know. I take the bus everywhere. I always “Trust none.” It’s not based on how long you’ve Being an eastsider means I don’t have to check my phone when the Nichelle Heu It might not be an original motto Harding High known the person, but the loyalty let people step on me and I always buses are due so I get to my destina- only said in east St. Paul, but it’s one School that lies within your friendship. speak my mind. Not that I have a tions on time. That responsibility is that several teenagers swear by on It’s a rare quality, and you might tough exterior. Anyone who knows on me, no one else. this side of town. only have a few “day ones” you me would probably say I’m an Basically, I feel like a 17-year-old The way we, as eastsiders, carry we’re from and who we are as a can truly trust. extremely positive person, always with a 20-year-old mindset. I don’t ourselves lets others know where community. Why is this important to us? laughing and cracking lame jokes. I depend on my parents except for a

4 threesixtyjournalism.org bed to sleep in. No one asks where from the McDonald’s on Maryland trouble and helped me concentrate What does living on the east side of St. Paul mean to you? I am, so I don’t feel the need to tell Avenue, I saw two girls fighting each on more important things. I had fun ThreeSixty asked several members of the student council at Johnson High them. other in the parking lot. A larger with my friends and always got my School to share snapshots of their life so readers could see the neighborhood Then again, that’s also the prob- group had jumped in, so it was homework done before dinnertime. they know and appreciate—through their eyes. Here’s how they responded: lem. Since I’m only 17, I can’t choose broken up fairly quickly. But while it was great when I was to wake up to a nice breeze and Later that same night, my friends at an age where I couldn’t really cause “I hear from people who don’t know about the east side ocean waves down in South Beach. I and I were walking down Maryland that much trouble, when I got older, I and they’ll say, ‘Oooh, they like to fight’ or ‘Look at her, have to accept being an eastsider. My and bumped into one of the girls found myself pulled into new groups. she thinks she’s bad!’ That’s what people think about parents decided to live here, so that’s who had been fighting. We had a When teens start high school, so us, like we always have a bad attitude or everyone where I’ve grown up. mutual acquaintance, so she and her many factors come into the pic- wants to get in your face all the time. friend stopped to tell us they were ture. You’re introduced to differ- “There’s stuff here that’s real, I mean, crimes do MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS going to another house to fight again. ent crowds, your hormones are all happen. But there are really good parts to the east side, Just like you can’t choose your family, In times like that, I just try to crazy, and really big changes in your too. I think you can connect more with people here you can’t choose your home. This is ignore what’s happening in my sur- social circles can happen overnight. and become more open with your opinions because what I want people to understand rounding area. Everybody just wants to fit in, so you see everything. I just feel like I have a completely different perspective of about the east side, especially with Don’t get involved. Don’t talk maybe you start acting out, or you other people and the reasons they do certain things or say certain things.” all the bad news circulating about my long. Mind your own business. skip school if your friends start doing — Josalyza Thao, 16, junior neighborhood. Like I said before, “Trust none.” it, or because your parents don’t give Summer in east St. Paul was you a curfew, you stay out later than “Being here has made me look at cultures differently. particularly newsworthy, for all the WHAT CAN WE DO? you should. Because everyone came from a different background wrong reasons. According to a Pioneer Press article to come to America. Except in the classroom, we learn On June 11, 17-year-old Vincent about the Widstrand beating, nearly Taking control about white people or Europeans coming here for Allison was shot on Payne Avenue one-third of residents in Payne- Going into my junior year of high religious freedom, so we already have their backstory. by gang member Kelvin Nickles. Phalen are under 18. school, I realized that I needed But written underneath, or maybe between the lines— Earlier that night, about 30 people Maybe our problems are worse to stop being a follower and start to know where other people come from, that hidden had been involved in a fight. Nickles than everyone else’s, I don’t know. becoming a leader. I had to get rid of history for like, the Chinese or the Hmong—no one shot Allison as he and his gang tried That’s what people who don’t live on the friends that would tempt me or really looks at that. But here, you have all this diversity to make a run for it. the east side seem to think. hurt my chances at college, so I just around you, so you can ask questions of each other and re-educate each other. Nickles and I attended Murray But no one is perfect, especially started saying “no.” Then you’ll see how similar their journey was and you can relate to them Junior High School together. We not teenagers, and I think that’s what It’s hard at first, and they’ll give because it’s just like your ancestors or your father or grandparents.” weren’t friends or talked much, older generations are pushing us you a hard time. But then you get in —Peevxwm Yang, 17, junior mainly just walked past each other in to be. It’s why a lot of us hear their the habit of it. the hallways. advice and let it go out the other ear. I had to realize that my junior “If I were from someplace else, a suburb, I definitely But it’s a reminder that these No one else really knows what my year was a turning point if I ever wouldn’t know about the Hmong culture as much as I are the people you see every day. life is like, so while I don’t mind your wanted to leave the east side. I do. All throughout my schooling on the east side, I’ve Whether it’s to the rough-looking advice, why should I listen? How can needed to start thinking about my always been with people of different cultures. I think teen who ditches class or the popular I trust it? future. it prepares me for the real world. I’d like to go into jock everyone knows, we’re never I think a lot of teenagers here feel If I didn’t make that choice, I’d be international business for a career, so I think it really really sure as eastsiders what could the same way. Don’t try to make us stuck in the same situation all of my helps to be aware of other cultures, or the fact that happen next on our block. be exactly like you were as a teen- life. I’d end up letting what everyone not everyone does things the same way, not everyone Probably the most shocking ager. We don’t live by the same rules. told me about being an eastsider celebrates the same holidays, that sort of thing. Being incident came on August 4 when We don’t have the same community. define me. an east sider makes you more aware of those differences and not to expect the 26-year-old Ray Widstrand was Especially once we get to high That, in the end, is what ended up same thing from everybody.” almost beaten to death after walk- school. motivating me to do better. —Sarah Wolters, 17, senior ing past a group of 40 to 50 young I’m proud to be a product of I had to want it for myself, had to people watching a fight near Preble recreation centers on the east side. want to be better than what people “One thing I really appreciate about this side of town is Street and Minnehaha Avenue in Hazel Park, specifically, played a told me I could or should be. As the dancing. Not just for my race, but for a lot of other Dayton’s Bluff. huge part in my life. much as I appreciate my neighbor- races. It’s a really big thing that bonds people together Widstrand, a bystander who lives Every day after school, I’d go there hood, no, I don’t want to live here and it’s had a big impact on my life. I see it as this really in the neighborhood, appeared to be with my friends to hang out and do forever. great way for everyone on the east side to know each in the wrong place at the wrong time. homework. We’d set up activities for I still don’t have all the solutions other, and though I haven’t really gone anywhere else, Then again, I see these scenes all the grade school kids and help Crystal, or know what the future will bring. it seems like something only we’re into and get to do. time. a staff member at Hazel, pass out But if I’ve learned anything about It’s not just Hmong, but Chinese too, or some people One night in August, I decided snacks at 4:30. being an eastsider, it’s that the only do hip hop, some Korean, Indian and Thai. Everything.” to take a late walk, and a few blocks Going there kept me out of person you can trust is yourself. —Hlee Yang, 17, senior

December 2013 / January 2014 5 online curriculum

us to determine what we believed We were in the car and I had doubting Christianity with every step Faith in a box was the answer. offered to drive. I wanted to be in I took to the church altar. This gave me an open door to control of the situation, and honestly, t begin questioning my faith, to ana- I thought her reaction might cause Since Confirmation, a build-up of lyze it and turn over unknown rocks. an accident. tension, turmoil and angst has over- Conflicted feelings confirm a new I know he didn’t intend to sway my “Mom, I don’t think I want to get flowed in my gut. approach to religious identity faith. He just wanted me to explore confirmed.” My best friends, both atheist, it deeper. Silence. continued to give me grief about my Each Sunday, the debates with Her lack of a response was more traditional set of Catholic values. I my Confirmation class grew more of a slap in the face than if she had found myself surrounded by people I 2 Bibles heated, the topics more controver- yelled at me. couldn’t begin to explain my faith to. 12 Christian rock/alternative CDs Madie Ley sial. By the time spring came, I was The silence continued for two Furthermore, I couldn’t shake the 1 neon pink “Jesus Freak” shirt Elk River uncertain about what I was declaring weeks. She rarely acknowledged my stereotypes. My Catholicism brought High School 1 Baptism certificate, candle and with my faith. presence and neglected my attempts overgeneralizations that I no longer gown On the surface, I was more ready at communication. wanted to be associated with. In 1 photo album of mission trip for Confirmation than any of my Eventually when the ice broke, general, I didn’t know what I wanted pictures way out of. classmates. I knew inside and out she approached the situation calmly. to be associated with. 3 wooden Tau crosses of St. Francis From birth to 10th grade, I was what they hadn’t the slightest inkling. But to me, her words were burning These bottled feelings eventually 1 confirmation pin sold. I went above and beyond my Patron saints, Bible verses, prayers, my brain, regardless of whether they escaped and found their home in 1 “Jesus Freak” testimony book peers at church—volunteered, went church history. I was dedicated to were spoken or shouted. “the box.” 2 devotion books on mission trips and retreats, partici- knowing everything I could. “I think you should reconsider One particularly sleepless night, Numerous decorative crosses pated in youth group. But I soon learned what it meant your decision before you regret it.” I grabbed a cardboard box and put You name it, I was there. to truly explore my faith. At the same “Mom, I’ve thought about this for everything connected to religion A girl I used to know resides I loved every minute of it. time, I also became aware that being a long time. I’m not nearly old enough and God in it. My room was in a box. Folded, packed and shoved Enjoyed the looks people gave me rooted in my church came with to decide if I want to be Catholic for desolate and empty. I saw firsthand to the back of my closet. when I displayed my faith in extraor- labels, stereotypes and assumptions. the rest of my life.” just how deeply I was rooted in A girl I used to know—defined by dinary ways, be it serving poor com- I could no longer find confidence Looking back, I understand why Christianity. faith, once so out in the open—sits munities, leading worship activities in my “Jesus Freak” identity. my mom reacted the way she did. Once I had collected everything, I idle between four walls of cardboard, or teaching kids about Catholic True, the stereotypes regarding Prior to our discussion, I hadn’t told sealed the box and tucked it away. collecting dust. Though I look at the values. I fed off the way people were homosexuality, abortion and other her I was struggling with my faith or I wanted a clean slate—not neces- box’s contents from time to time, inspired to have faith like mine. hot-button social issues represented showed any signs of drifting from my sarily to start over, but to remain this once familiar girl has become a Except just when I was supposed the most outspoken facet of follow- family’s traditions. blank until I knew what I wanted out mystery to me. to cement an important bond with ers. It also happened to be the polar I was still her little “Jesus Freak.” of my spirituality. I felt as if I was in How did she display herself so my faith, I began to drift from it. opposite of what I believed in. With so little time before a free fall. openly like that, without caring what In my freshman year of high Is this really who and what I want Confirmation, I didn’t give her a Free from Catholic guilt. Free people thought? How did she gain so school, one man in particular to be associated with? Should I be chance to think things over. As from my parents. Free from myself. much confidence with who she was? reached out and taught me to committing my life to Catholicism selfish as my actions were, I wanted t Where did she learn to be so devoted question the bigger picture. My when I haven’t explored other her to be OK with my decision. I That was 10 months ago. to something so intangible? Confirmation teacher, who had been options first? wanted her to think I was acting I still can’t define where I’m at I was raised in a strictly Catholic a family friend long before I was his Being a typical teenage girl, I did with maturity by choosing to with my faith, and I don’t think I’ll family. Granted, I was never sent to student, lit a spark in me. He made what we do best. Overanalyzing the explore my options before commit- ever be able to. Or if I even want to. Catholic school, but with a family Confirmation class something to decision I was going to make in a few ting to one. That’s the beauty of spirituality. so connected to the church—my look forward to. months became a daily pastime. Above all else, I thought I was It’s a multifaceted part of our lives mom currently works there—I never Our class discussions about polit- My knowledge became a entitled to act however I wanted, that we can shape into whatever we thought to look beyond my bubble ical issues, underlying messages in hindrance as the sacrament date with no regard for how my actions want it to be. This, above all other of faith. the Bible or the ever-thriving “what approached. I mulled things over, would affect the people I love. things, is the most important lesson I was pre-programmed to act, talk happens after we die?” were never and after a month of biting my After a few argumentative I’ve learned from my experience. and pray a certain way. I was born concluded by our teacher giving us tongue, finally summoned the cour- months, I finally gave in and got con- Nothing we do should fit so into a trap that I grew to fight my definite answers. Rather, he left it to age to speak with my mom. firmed. My faith remained unsteady, neatly in a box.

6 threesixtyjournalism.org Live. But it’s not. This man, a grown Isn’t it a wonder, man, is a respected artist for comics like “Iron Man.” What is the world coming to when even the creators of (nerd) women? comic books berate women for wearing the same costumes that they’ve given their creations to wear? Which brings me to a subject that In a galaxy (not so) far away, Mr. Harris also briefly mentioned: females face an unfair backlash “Real nerds.” Women are constantly interro- gated when they declare their love for a fandom. We’re constantly asked Nerds are cool. to recite an obscure piece of trivia, Sure, they’re still the same weird Mairead just to prove that we actually like kids worshipping “Star Wars” in their DeBruin whatever it is. Stop. It’s ridiculous. Avalon School parent’s basements. Only these days, If I tell a person that I’m into that’s not someone to shove into a “Star Wars,” they should take that at Aamino Hirmoge locker for fun. face value rather than raise a cocky This opinion isn’t disputed much Women are accused all over the eyebrow and ask me what the spe- in our society, no matter if the nerds Internet (by both men and other with bullets. We’ve established that. Half of a double standard. cies of alien that Han Solo killed in in question like sci-fi, or fantasy, or women) for enjoying TV shows like Now, I’m going to move onto the A woman will put a ton of time the Mos Eisley Cantina was called. comic books, or regular books, or “Sherlock” and “Supernatural” not stuff that seems like it’s really diffi- and energy into creating an awesome Maybe I do know that, maybe I’ve television shows, or British actors (a for the plots, but for the attractive cult for people like you, hypothetical costume that looks exactly like the been a “Star Wars” fan all of my life little too much, actually), or video actors that convey said plots. Women sexist gamer dudebro, to grasp. one in the comic book. Yet when and spend days reading about that games—or all manner of other who are into male-dominated fan- GIRLS CAN DO EXACTLY they wear it proudly to a convention, very information. Maybe I’m just an quirky things. doms like comic books or games are WHAT YOU DO, EXACTLY AS they’re called a “slut” for dressing excited newcomer who watched “The The reason for this awesome- accused of pretending to be into nerd WELL AS YOU, AND FOR THE like, say, Wonder Woman, even Empire Strikes Back” last Tuesday. ness—the thesis of the nerd, if you culture only to attract male attention. EXACT SAME REASONS! though Wonder Woman herself isn’t It doesn’t matter! If I say I like will—is presented by author and For the people who do this, I have And in the case of gaming, those at all regarded as “slutty.” something, and you like it too, vlogger John Green, who said that a few rhetorical questions that I will reasons are to relax and have fun— Or maybe the cosplayer doesn’t shouldn’t we just be able to have a nerds are “allowed to be unironically promptly answer for you in ranter’s not to end up with the saliva of an have the same physique, or skin decent chat about it, maybe get really enthusiastic about stuff.” fashion. entranced female all over your shoes. color, or about a trillion other things excited and shriek a little? Well, almost. Firstly, why do you play “Call of This issue doesn’t just apply to the that shouldn’t matter. What matters You know, be nerds? Some nerds are persecuted if they Duty” or “Halo” or whatever your consumers, though. In many cases, is that a woman wanted to come to Isn’t this just a small reflection of try to fully express their nerdity. I’m poison is? To sit down with some it slithers its nasty self all the way to a convention dressed like Wonder the world as a whole, anyway? Men speaking, of course, about the nerd friends, eat some chips and get the mainly male creators of popular Woman. are so awesome and can get through girls. around to filling some ghosts/zom- nerd culture. This insane brand of slut-shaming life with little flak about what they Apparently, a person’s gender is bies/Nazis/robots/aliens with bullets, Superheroines are routinely was brought into the public eye last choose to do, but women are subject enough to make them totally worth- right? depicted in skin-tight leotards with year when comic book creator Tony to so much inquiry and criticism for less as a nerd, enough to brand them Do you play games—any games at flotation-device breasts poking Harris posted on his Facebook page their choices. a mindless fool. all, not just the two I mentioned—in out like children of The Blob from about the way female cosplayers I used to like being nerdy for the If you’re a man, you can go ahead the hopes that a girl will see you massive keyholes in front. And the were supposedly “preying on boys” at ways that it was so different from and appreciate unironically. It’s cool, and decide to fall at your feet while backs? Basically thongs over the tail conventions. the rest of the world, a weird little you’re doing it right. drooling over your ineffable beauty? ends of spines seemingly made of His longer post resembled some- escape. But now I see that the only But if you’re a woman … “Oh, do Of course you don’t. You play it to elastic. thing that you’d find on the wall of a real discrepancies, at least in the case you actually like that? It’s somehow sit down with some friends, eat some These are both grossly impractical 12-year-old boy whose other inter- of sexism, are the amount of sci-fi totally mystifying as to why you’d like chips and get around to filling some and frighteningly chauvinistic. But ests include screaming racial and/or gadgets involved. that! You’re a fake!” ghosts/zombies/Nazis/robots/aliens it’s worse when seen for what it is: homophobic slurs at people on Xbox Good job, nerd culture. Good job.

December 2013 / January 2014 7 Whether he’s playing the main Simone Cazares stage at First Avenue, opening for Neko St. Paul Case or signing a deal with Glassnote Conservatory for Performing Records, Jeremy Messersmith has made Artists his mark as one of the most accomplished singer/songwriters in the Twin Cities. 16 But he hasn’t let success go to his head. successful career to the next level. He After all, Messersmith remembers organized a set of popular “supper club” what it was like to play shows in cafés shows at audience member homes, signed @ for only ten people. Sometimes just a to New York-based Glassnote Records bartender. (home of Mumford & Sons) in March, Not that playing sold out shows feels and put the finishing touches on his new any different to him now. Messersmith album, “Heart Murmurs,” which will be is still doing the same thing he’s always released with a headlining First Avenue done, just for more people and with more show on Feb. 22. media attention. Before touring with BOY this fall, “It`s not like I now have a collection of Messersmith spoke to ThreeSixty reporter ivory backscratchers,” Messersmith joked. Simone Cazares about growing up as Often infusing elements of Elliott a teenager in Washington, immersing Smith, The Beach Boys and The Beatles himself in the Twin Cities music scene, into his music, Messersmith tells and how he’s assessing himself not just as stories through his songs—each album a musician, but as a person. dedicated to a phase of his life or challenge he’s facing. Recently, he released What was it like growing up in Washington his new single “Tourniquet,” an upbeat, as a teenager? lullabye-like pop song that uses the Well, I grew up in rural Washington, tourniquet (“When there’s nothing left kind of by Yakima in this place called the to do, I will hold you close and wrap my Tri-Cities. I grew up in this little town arms around you”) as a metaphor for called West Richland. It’s a desert for love. one, so there aren’t really any trees that For Messersmith, the trick to finding you would associate with Washington. success in music was “just to be wonder- The two main industries are basically fully obsessed with whatever it is you love agriculture, a lot of farms, and Hanford doing. I had to suck for a long time. And Reservation, where basically the U.S. was you just have to do that. You just have to in a hurry to build the atomic bombs for be OK with sucking.” the Manhattan Project. They found all Since releasing his last album— this plutonium in the (Hanford) desert, “The Reluctant Graveyard,” which NPR but they didn’t really know what they named one of its top ten albums of were doing, so it ended up being this huge w/Jeremy 2010—Messersmith has taken his already environmental disaster. About this series

Messersmith This marks the fifth installment of ThreeSixty’s “@16” series, where our teen writers interview Minnesota newsmakers and difference makers about life as a

Submitted 16-year-old high school student. Who should we talk to next? E-mail thomas. On his new album, “Heart Murmurs,” Jeremy Messersmith tackles the topic of love, which he admits, “I’ve [email protected] with your suggestions. sort of been baffled by for awhile. Like, wait a second, what is that exactly? I’m still really confused by it.”

8 threesixtyjournalism.org The Messersmith file

Profession: Musician, signed to whatever it is you love doing. Glassnote Records Just do it. I mean, the only Age: 34 way you’ll actually get better High school: Homeschooled is if you spend lots of time What do you do for fun in a place enjoyed when they went to public College: North Central University, just doing it … That’s going to super computer geeks. And they are like that? school. So, for an hour a day, I would Minneapolis apply to any field you go into. very comfortable working with data Well, I think generally what you go hang out with kids and play Find ‘em: On Twitter @jmesser- The more you do it, the better systems or operating systems. I don’t would do in any small town. I went to trumpet. But do I wish I (hadn’t been smith and www.jeremymesser- you get at it. You have to come know, it seems like there is definitely see a lot of movies, well the ones that homeschooled)? Well, a lot of the smith.com out of your shell a little bit and a math/computer geek crossover into would come there. So no art house time I do. It’s sort of like asking, ‘Do Best advice for teenagers: “Be discover what you’re really music. I learned a lot. I remember the stuff. I don’t know, I feel like I was a you wish you hadn’t gotten spanked wonderfully obsessed with good at.” first couple of computer programing little bit different in that I was a geek as a child?’ No, I wish I hadn’t gotten classes I took where the goal was to growing up. I wasn’t really into sports spanked as a child. But at some level, be able to program computers using so much. I played baseball until I was I think it’s made me who I am, so I or six friends, it was generally OK. much control. But Glassnote, they’re as little code as possible. So basically, about 15 and then realized I was like, can’t really discard it. But would I I started playing at the Acadia really artist-centric, and they’re actu- you want to be super, super lazy. And terrible at it. So for me, I was kind of homeschool my kids? If I had kids? about once a month, and really, ally a small label. They’re kind of get- I was like, ‘This is amazing! This is my playing a lot of video games, bowling, Probably not. grabbing any other kind of gigs ting bigger now, with Mumford (& calling. I can totally do this!’ mini golf, stuff like that. I was really I could get. So I played at coffee Sons) exploding, but they’re still very But that kind of minimalism, not involved with church too, so I spent a You mentioned participating in band shops, open mics, I would just play artist-centric. They like to sign bands using more code than you need to, lot of time there. at a junior high school. Had you for, like, anyone. I wasn’t picky. The and artists who are maybe a little bit is something that I very much apply always been involved with music? whole time, I was just learning how different than the mainstream. Big to my songs, as well. And I think I’m You were also homeschooled. Did The church I grew up in, the denomi- to write songs. I mean, for the most respecters of the process. somewhat known as a songwriter, that affect you in any way? nation was called the Assemblies of part, nobody was really at any of my I was having a conversation with which implies, like lyrics, you know. (With a smirk). I think it affected God. They were known for a kind shows. I’d be lucky to play for, like, (Glassnote founder) Daniel (Glass) … But I’m actually very minimal on me. I mean, I think a lot about how of rambunctious music. It was very ten or 15 people. And that would be and he was like, ‘Look, we may fight lyrics. I try to cut out words that homeschooling has affected me. participatory, so I remember when I an amazing night. So, at the time, I about things, but I want you to know I don’t need. I think it’s the only I was homeschooled from when I was six or seven, my dad would sit in was working at Dunn Brothers and that you’re the artist and you’ll win form of writing I’m actually good at. was in kindergarten until I was 15 … the front row, pull out his trombone playing some shows. And then I every single fight.’ And I was like, Because I’ve done some reviews and when I went to do post-secondary and play along with hymns and stuff. started doing bedroom recordings. ‘I’m sold!’ articles, that sort of thing, but I’ve at a community college. I guess one I remember being given like a block, And then eventually, I finally got a never been really happy with the way of the benefits (of homeschooling) a shaker and a tambourine as a small bunch of demos to make my first I imagine it feels good to be in a they came out. For me, it’s just too would be that it kind of turns you into child, and it was kind of very partici- record. place where you’re free to explore many words. a self-starter. You do all your own patory in that way, which was one of That was the first thing that got what you want with your music. work. Well, I mean, I had my parents the best things about it. I mean, obvi- me any kind of press. I got a write I must say, it doesn’t really feel any Do you have any influences in terms pushing me to do things, but it teaches ously I played in church every single up in City Pages. I went from having different to me … I haven’t really of lyricists who spoke to you in that you to figure out your own systems Sunday. And usually Wednesday like five people at shows to it being changed. Although it seems like it’s minimalist style? on how to reward yourself, because nights … but it was a very small packed! And ever since then, there changed people on the outside, their Elliott Smith is a good one as far as your time ends up being unstructured. church, so half the time there were have been people at my shows, which perception. Like, ‘Oh Glassnote! packing a lot of emotion. I think he The down side is that you miss out on more people in the band than in the is kind of nice. That’s a really big deal.’ I’m like, ‘I was a great lyricist, but … his chord hanging out with people your own age, pews. Which is very funny to me. guess so.’ It seems very normal to progressions are incredible. I think and at least for me, there was the lack You recently signed to Glassnote me. I just don’t get excited about that that carries a lot of weight. That was of other viewpoints in a huge school When did you start establishing your- Records. How have you been able kind of thing. a big one. setting. My parents were Christian self in the Twin Cities scene? to deal with the pressures of that John Lennon would be another fundamentalists. I was raised strictly The one place that would take me and stay true to what you want to do You have a computer science degree. one, as well. His rule kind of was, ‘If in that worldview. It wasn’t until I got was called the Acadia Cafe, which instead of what everyone else says How did you get from there to a you’re writing rock ‘n’ roll lyrics, then to college that I was exposed to a lot of used to be on Franklin and Nicollet you should do? music career? you just try to say whatever you gotta other ways of thinking. … and it was really the only place in Well, I was very, very picky with Well, my parents were kind of like, say as simply as possible.’ And that’s town where you could book a night what label I signed with. I’ve been ‘Look, can you at least try and do it. Like, you don’t try to fancy it up or Do you wish you would’ve gone to without having to send in a demo. approached by a few labels over the something real before you go out and dress it up. You just try to say what a regular school? You could just say, ‘I’m a musician. years who were interested, a couple do these artistic things?’ The funny you’re saying very, very simply. That Well, (my parents) did take me to Can I get a night here?’ And they of big ones, a few majors. And I just thing is that most of the musicians can be a hard thing to do. Finding band and music classes—because would just be like, ‘OK.’ As long as always said no. It would have been an I know and work with, especially just the right word is such an agoniz- band was something that they you brought in some people, like five artistic compromise. Giving up too some of the sound engineers, are also ing experience sometimes.

December 2013 / January 2014 9 Carlson --Supported Content

It doesn’t help that both genders start feel- romanticize about depression or self-hatred. Give yourself a break ing contradictory pressures from elementary Because I’m young, it feels like everything school on. that goes wrong is the end of the world. But I Last summer, I had to do something with realize that one day all my current problems Look in the mirror to see your worst critic my time. Colleges don’t want teenagers who will seem trivial. sit around and watch TV for hours on end. I I worked hard to change the way I react had no passion for the engineering camp my to self-criticism. But it took weeks to sink in, parents were pushing me towards. Instead, I and I still don’t entirely believe it. Sometimes I was far different than anyone else at preferred writing. I look in the mirror and think, “Oh god, my my school when I moved from Stillwater to Shay Radhakrishnan That’s how I ended up applying for a journal- nose is huge.” But then I immediately dash that Woodbury in 4th grade. Math and Science ism camp. All ten of us were from different thought. Academy Stillwater and Woodbury are both suburban parts of Minnesota, representative of different “I don’t care,” I tell myself. “Never mind my towns with little ethnic diversity. However, cultures. Nobody even listened to remotely the nose. No one’s paying attention to that, anyway.” when I went to school in Stillwater, my class- same music as the next person. But the first I can still look back at something I said an mates were too young to notice differences My hair became less easy to manage. I had three days cleared and all of us became good hour ago and deeply regret saying it. Then I between themselves and their peers. skin breakouts all the time. I thought I was fat. friends. realize, eh, in a few years the only person who’s I arrived in Woodbury at the age when The smell of curry stuck to me no matter how I felt appreciated and wanted that feeling going to remember I said that will be me. people noticed differences and began making hard I scrubbed. I still wore whatever my mom to spread to everything else I did. I didn’t want And most likely, unless it was something friends who were similar to them. I didn’t bought me. And, of course, I was still annoy- to feel like I did before. There’s nothing to amazing, even I’ll probably forget. follow their religion. I ate food that “smelled ing-—my loud, high-pitched voice carried weird.” My two front teeth seemed to be at least through the hallways with ease. a mile away from each other. Except my close friends always contradicted And I had a confused sense of humor: me and said I was being too hard on myself. When my teacher talked about guerilla war- Everything negative I had to say was me being fare, I heard gorilla warfare. I giggled until my my own worst enemy. Just stop it, right? teacher gave me one of those looks. Then they turned around and criticized I also didn’t dress or work the way other themselves. But that’s stupid, I thought. All my girls did. While they wore Abercrombie & friends are hilarious! They’re smart! They’re Fitch stitched across their chests, Hollister great people! down their legs and Uggs on their feet, I was That’s when I caught it: Everyone is his or still letting my mom pick out clothes for me. her own worst critic. No one spends as much Everyone knows how that usually ends time with you as—well, you—so you’re always up: T-shirts emblazoned with “Daddy’s Girl” going to judge yourself the harshest. and butterflies in tacky shades of pink. At Society makes it so that magazines tell girls that point, the only thing I had going for me that they need to be skinny and have an unat- were my brains—which, let’s face it, only got tainably perfect face with clear skin. They need attention when someone needed help during a to be demure, funny, confident, sweet, smart— group project. actually, maybe not so smart—all these things I was alienated for two years, or at least until that cannot be combined into a single person. I switched off the regular public school course We know the “perfect” girl in the magazine for middle school. Even at Math and Science doesn’t actually exist, yet we feel pressure to Academy, a public charter school also in look like that. Woodbury, I clashed with a lot of popular stu- Guys have pressures too. Men are supposed dents and, I’ll admit, had annoying tendencies. to be emotionless, strong-willed, protective, Above all, I struggled with my self-image. intelligent, outdoorsy and physically buff.

The only thing I had going for me were my brains—which, let’s face it, only got attention when someone needed help during a group project.

10 threesixtyjournalism.org world and somebody else’s charac- Fan-demonium ters can help you figure out basic plot. It can help you figure out how to show basic character.” Teens are coming to similar Anything goes in the ever-popular realizations. fanfiction universe … well, almost “I have definitely enjoyed writing more after I started reading and

Staff writing fanfiction,” Deutscher said. “I Lyda Morehouse, a published author and passionate anime fanfiction writer … noticed myself gradually warm- Imagine “VeggieTales’” Bob based in Minneapolis, got her start in fanfiction but admits that the standards are ing up more to writing and trying to the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber Mina Yuan much lower than those set for novels. improve as a writer, as well as reach- yowling songs about purple orcs to Wayzata High ing out more, joining the school School J.R.R. Tolkien’s elven lord Elrond. on multiple combined fandoms. sleepless nights spent watching writing club, enrolling in more writ- Or John Watson’s mustache fall- Although fanfiction has existed since old episodes of “Doctor Who,” said ing classes … improving my vocabu- ing deeply in love with investigator Shakespearean times, why has it technology is able to “spread our art lary to try and make my fanfictions Greg Lestrade’s hair. Gabie Yang exploded so recently? across the world and reach more sound more polished.” Or perhaps a pregnant Harry Forest Lake Lyda Morehouse, a Shamus people.” Yet the genre is not void of Potter suffering from swollen cankles Area High Award-winner and passionate “And as generations like ours are drawbacks. School while Draco Malfoy tends to him anime fanfiction writer based in exposed to this amazing realm of “One of the bad effects is that lovingly. Minneapolis, credits it to our instant possibility, we embrace it and create you never get out of it,” Morehouse While these strange topics seem Some may think that this is far too gratification culture. more like it, gaining popularity with said. “It’s partially because it’s hard to be worlds apart, one common time-consuming for practicality, “I think (the genre) is really popu- each piece,” she said. to make the jump out of it in terms thread pulls them together: but the number of devout fanfiction lar because we go through things so of kudos. It’s really hard to stop and Fanfiction. lovers is widespread. fast,” Morehouse said. “You know, we JOLT OF INSPIRATION write a novel for a year when no one The genre is defined by Urban On fanfiction.net alone, the want to hang onto some things that Sites like fanfiction.net and watt- is cheering you on, whereas it’s a lot Dictionary as “a work of fiction “Harry Potter” fandom hosts more we really care about.” pad.com have been emerging stars, easier to just write the next install- utilizing characters from a book, than 662,000 stories and 26,000 Emily Deutscher, a freshman at thousands wandering through the ment of your giant “Sherlock” fic— television show or movie, as opposed crossovers—which are stories based Wayzata High School who admits to vast archives for hours on end. you know 20 people will instantly to original characters.” Popular “fan- Readers and writers claim that not give you kudos.” doms,” or kingdoms of fans, include What is fair use? only are fan-driven compositions Morehouse, along with most “Sherlock,” “Doctor Who,” “Harry entertaining, they’re also education- fanfiction lovers, also knows that the Potter,” “Lord of the Rings,” as well United States copyright law includes a doctrine called “fair use.” It spells ally beneficial. standards for online fan works are as real person fictions (RPFs)—or out various instances by which a re-purposed work could be considered An author of 15 novels, much lower than those set for novels. fanfiction based on real celebrities fair, such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching and research. Morehouse began teaching science “I’ll skim through a fanfiction, and stars. It includes four factors for determining whether a work is fair: fiction, fantasy and fanfiction classes and I’m like, ‘Hmmm,’ but if it’s good at the Loft Literary Center in the enough, sometimes I’ll keep going,” Fanfiction lovers are devoted • What’s your purpose? Are you doing this for educational or early 2000s. Now a writer and artist Morehouse said. “I wouldn’t do that when it comes to their fandoms, and critical purposes? in the fandom of “Bleach,” a Japanese with a novel. I would never put up many insist that this new breed of • Is the work you’re borrowing from published or unpublished? manga series, Morehouse learned to with that for a novel. ‘Oh my God, writing is actually better than origi- • How much of the original work are you using? write by crafting fanfiction for “The bad grammar, you’re out.’” nal fiction. • Are you harming the market for the original work? “It enlarges the universe where Dragonriders of Pern.” characters live. It’s written by a fan, Before the idea of transformative fair use came to light in the “In some ways what’s nice about QUESTION OF OWNERSHIP for a fan,” said Christine Luo, a fresh- ‘90s, derivative works were judged using the four fair use factors (being a) fanfiction writer and a new Yet a bigger concern surrounding man at Wayzata High School who alone. Nancy Sims, copyright program librarian at the University of writer … is that so many elements fanfiction is not that it is a giant reads “Sherlock” and “Doctor Who” Minnesota, admits that “thinking about fair use that way can be really are established,” she said. “Characters black hole or encourages lax liter- fan stories. confusing, because on almost every one of those points—if you have can be hard to establish when you’re ary standards. Rather, is it a blatant Luo confesses that she reads fan- smart lawyers—they can argue each one any different which way.” learning to write, and so can plot. So violation of copyright laws? written works almost every night. maybe being able to use somebody’s fanfiction continued on page 13

December 2013 / January 2014 11 online curriculum

No rest for the bleary

Underestimating sleep could lead to dangerous health effects for teenagers

With sports and speech team piled on top of rigorous Danielle Wong Eastview High Advanced Placement and Honors School classes, Rachel Schmidt’s crazy

schedule doesn’t allow much room Isaura Lira Greene for sleep. If she’s lucky, the 15-year-old about is getting in your bed.” Eastview High School student might The reason sleep can be so easily a gradual movement toward deeper What Chen is experiencing is big inhibitor of sleep patterns, be able to squeeze in a nap before sacrificed? Schmidt has big goals for sleep. After about two hours of deep called the “Sleep Phase Shift.” This Wahlstrom said. facing a mountain of Chemistry, herself: Four-year-college, medical sleep, the brain becomes incred- biological phenomenon causes Schmidt makes sure to turn her AP U.S. History, Honors American school and a future career as a crime ibly active, leading to Rapid Eye adolescents to release melatonin (the phone ringer off before she sleeps Literature, Algebra 2 and Spanish lab technician. Movement (REM). brain’s sleep serum) around 10:45 so that it isn’t distracting. However, homework. By establishing a strong work “You have about four periods of p.m. to about 8:30 a.m., a full 90 min- Wahlstrom said that even if a phone “I also will get up during the early ethic now, Schmidt said she’s hoping REM sleep,” Wahlstrom said. “It’s utes later than adults or pre-teens. is on “vibrate” or “silent,” it could still morning to work after sleeping for “that it won’t be hard to do later on where all of the processing (in) your Because of this shift, teens find wake a person up. about three or four hours. Then I will in life.” brain (takes place) for all of the fac- it difficult to fall asleep before 10:45 “The blue light that’s coming off do some work and go back to bed,” “I do it because it allows me to tual information you learn during the p.m. and completely wake up before of the screen of your iPad, your com- Schmidt said. “Depending on how get done what I need to and still day before.” 8:30 a.m., as their brains and bodies puter or your iPhone is an alerting much homework I have, I may do function,” she said. “There are only The information that your brain are still in biological sleep mode, signal,” Wahlstrom said. “It actually this a second time, but usually I only 24 hours in a day and I do my best to processes comes in as bits and frag- Wahlstrom said. signals the brain, ‘You gotta wake up, need to wake up once to get all of my make the most of them.” ments. So when a teen gets less than it’s morning.’” work done.” eight hours of sleep—or in Schmidt’s CAUSE AND EFFECT Since homework often is the Being habitually active at night, INSIDE THE TEEN BRAIN case, divides sleep up—it cuts down Besides natural factors, there are also reason why teens don’t get enough Schmidt typically gets her “second Although this sleep schedule works the amount of time the brain is able external sources such as homework, sleep, it’s not unusual to hear a teen- wind” around 11:30 p.m. For most for Schmidt, how well does it work to “file away” important information, exams and extracurricular activi- ager complaining, “Ugh. I have so parents, this is a time when they for her health? leading to disorganization. ties that prohibit teens from getting much. Don’t teachers know that we expect their kids to be asleep. But Dr. Kyla Wahlstrom, director of “It’s a big bunch of spaghetti. It’s a enough sleep. have lives, too?” Schmidt has conditioned herself to the Center for Applied Research and mush,” Wahlstrom said. The demands of technical theatre Having been a teacher and a follow a new routine—one where Educational Improvement at the Michelle Chen, a 15-year-old often create difficulties for Chen. principal, Wahlstrom has heard the distractions and drowsiness won’t University of Minnesota, said that on Eastview High School student, “Tech reduces the amount of time homework complaint before. She lead to sloppy assignments. average, teens should be getting at usually feels exhausted after 10:45 I have to do homework, which in doesn’t think that teachers are neces- “I think that it’s better to break least eight consecutive hours of sleep p.m. and can’t find the motivation to turn sacrifices the amount of time sarily at fault, but they should learn up your work,” Schmidt said, “so that each night. finish her homework. She also said that I am able to sleep,” she said. more about teens and sleep patterns. you aren’t exhausted versus pushing During these eight hours, the that it’s very hard for her to wake up Because teens are living in a “And maybe they might cut back a through and doing poorly because teen experiences stages of “non- in the morning, around 6 a.m., to much more technologically advanced little on their homework,” she added the only thing that you can think Rapid Eye Movement” (non-REM), head off to school. era, electronic devices are also a with a smile.

12 threesixtyjournalism.org Whatever the sleep pattern, Evaluate your own sleep patterns. Are you able to get as much think Wahlstrom advised teens to remain sleep as you’d like? If not, what’s the main cause and how could spot consistent since the body loves rou- you change it? tine. Though it might not be ideal for everyone, Schmidt’s early morning While a few late night or early In addition, some teens begin method could at least allow her body morning cram sessions might not to have trouble in their social lives and brain to adjust to interruption be the end of the world, teens that because they are more irritable and over time. consistently get less than the neces- stressed. They can also find it harder According to Wahlstrom, the sary amount of sleep could face to relate with friends. number one way to get enough sleep potentially life-threatening health “I like being well rested because is to manage your time and plan problems. I feel better and it puts me in a ahead.

According to research pre- good mood,” Schmidt said. With Staff “If you really want to do well in sented at the University of the proper amount of sleep, she’s Having been a teacher and principal, Dr. Kyla Wahlstrom of the University of school, you should not be staying up Minnesota’s recent Sleep and Teens also more alert and doesn’t fidget or Minnesota knows the demands facing today’s teenager. Her advice: Set a healthy late and only get four hours of sleep Conference—a national gathering daydream as much. sleep routine and stick with it. to get your papers done,” she said. in October that included experts “You ought to be planning a little bit on human fatigue—teenagers with MAKING CHANGES in the performance of its students. Despite those positive effects, further ahead so you can get more less than six hours of sleep drive In order to accommodate the Sleep According to Wahlstrom’s research, Chen remains skeptical. sleep, because then you will actually with a reaction time equivalent Phase Shift and help teens get more students were awake and ready to “This would only cause those who do better in school.” to having a blood alcohol con- out of their day, schools across the learn, there was less depression— already sleep late to sleep even later, Or look at it this way: Before tent level of .05. They’re also two nation have been making changes to and perhaps most telling of all—92 which would still cause them to be you compromise a good night’s to three times more likely to get their start time. percent of parents in Edina said their tired and not be awake anyway,” she rest, think about how it will make depression and/or experience sui- Edina schools made the first teenagers were “easier to live with.” said. “Students who value sleep and you feel the next day. Does it make cidal thoughts, which makes them change in 1996, Wahlstrom said. More schools in the Twin Cities want to be ready to learn will sleep sense to stay up and study for a final more susceptible to drugs, alcohol, The school district changed the start have been making modest changes, earlier and ensure they are awake that you’ll end up yawning through risky behaviors and obesity, time from 7:20 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. but “every bit of improvement helps in the morning either way. And stu- anyway? Wahlstrom said. and found dramatic improvements kids,” Wahlstrom said. dents who don’t, will not.” Sleep on it.

fanfiction from page 11 ‘Sesame Street,’ the more you go away from the Profit is an important factor in the debate. Popular authors also have mixed feel- Nancy Sims, a copyright program librarian original, the more likely it is going to be fair One of the four fair use factors asks whether ings about their art being re-purposed by the at the University of Minnesota, said the issue u s e .” you are harming the market for the original public. involves a lot of gray area. There are no defined “Twilight” fanfiction “Fifty Shades of Grey,” work. For example, authors like Morehouse, rules, just legal opinions that can vary across in Sims’ legal opinion, does just that by taking “If you’re just somebody doing it as a hobby J.K. Rowling (“Harry Potter”) and Suzanne the board regarding fair use. a “fairly quick turn away from the original.” and not for profit … you’re less likely to be Collins (“The Hunger Games”) encourage However, an idea from the ‘90s called trans- Additionally, “there are some things that aren’t able to harm the market for the original if fans to write their own interpretations of formative fair use—taking an original work and copyrightable, and a generic plot outline or a you’re just doing it for fun,” Sims said. “There original work. However, Anne Rice, author shaping it into something else entirely—allows generic character description (aren’t).” are some really interesting arguments about of “Interview with the Vampire,” and Terry for a stronger argument against violating copy- Fanfiction readers and writers vehemently fanfiction and market harm where people say Goodkind, creator of “The Sword of Truth” right, Sims said. deny that it violates copyright laws, and some fanfiction actually, usually, drives sales.” series, prohibit their fans from taking such “If you take a story about ‘Sesame Street’ go to great lengths to avoid legal issues. Among all the gray legality, Sims urges liberties. characters and you make them … space-going “It’s not like these stories are being made writers to be aware of websites’ editorial poli- “I do not allow fanfiction. The characters researchers ... this is very, very different from for profit and everyone I read puts disclaimers cies. She cites an example from 2007 when are copyrighted. It upsets me terribly to even your original ‘Muppet Show,’ your original on their stories,” said Megan Hogan, a Forest LiveJournal wiped several fan communities think about fanfiction with my characters,” ‘Sesame Street,’” she said. “And then, especially Lake Area High School sophomore. “They are stemming from copyright and pornography Rice wrote on her website. “I advise my read- if ... they don’t really act a whole lot like they just stories, people writing about their favorite concerns. YouTube is also able to take content ers to write your own original stories with do on ‘Sesame Street,’ they’re confronting books, movies, etc. I don’t see why that’s a down if they have a private agreement with your own original characters. It is absolutely completely different problems than they do on problem.” another company. essential that you respect my wishes.”

December 2013 / January 2014 13 YourTurn Winners

without a thought to the are ultimately too fluid to What does marriage gravity of the ceremony I ever be encompassed and had just reproduced. Maren Elkins defined by our laws. And My parents both so, in regards to such a mean to you? remarried when I was in third grade, specific union, I believe that every- and it was only then—at age nine— one should do what’s right for him For most teens, marriage is so Gramps popped the big question, nowadays don’t get married,” she said. that I began to understand just how or herself, whether or not it fits our far in the future that it can be a diffi- and they were married 25 days later. “They are missing out on so much marriage was defined. The weddings culture’s limited expectation. cult topic to contextualize in personal My grandparents had barely known joy. Promise me you will get married, themselves were vastly different. For those who spend days dream- terms. But, the contentious subject each other two weeks—two weeks!— Kitra. Will you promise me that?” My mother’s took place beside a ing of the designs on their wedding has been in the news a lot lately, so before they decided to get married. I only had one answer. glittering lake, with scores of noisy cake’s icing, I can only send my good we were interested in your thoughts Married. One commitment. For life. “I promise.” guests trailing over verdant expanses, wishes—but the rest should know on marriage as an institution and the People probably said they were while my father’s passed in under a that their desired paths of partner- relationships you’ve witnessed that crazy. People probably said they were half hour, within an air-conditioned ship are in no way lesser. Marriage is have framed your opinions. moving too fast, and maybe they government building attended only a choice to be made by the individ- Second place ($50 prize) Judges were impressed! They were. But in the end, they were really by myself and a pair of witnesses. ual, based upon personal goals and found a majority of the 72 submis- just in love. Head over heels, pass I began to understand at this values, and absolutely no one should sions to be unexpectedly sensible the tissues, mushy-gushy love. And Maren Elkins, Southwest point that what I had before ever feel obligated to enter into it. and genuine. The four winning essays their love lasted through five states, High School trivialized in play was something of stood out in terms of varied perspec- three children, seven grandchildren immense significance. Something tives, examples and analyses. and more than 50 years of marriage. Judges notes: “(This essay) wonderfully that, with just a handful of words and Third place ($30 prize) It lasted until my grandfather passed describes the personal and cultural a gesture of devotion, tied together away on June 4. tensions in how marriage is defined, entire families, transcending dif- I remember sitting in the waiting and (Maren) responds with a clear, ferences in culture and custom. Ka Vang, Harding Senior First place ($100 prize) room at the ICU with my grand- engaging voice to explain her inter- Marriage is the ideal for a couple, the High School mother, my parents and my aunt and pretation of realities that have been flawless union. Right? Kitra Katz, Minnehaha Academy uncle. I remember being allowed to created for (her) by others. Wow!” Certainly not. Judges notes: “Ka takes a brave stance go alone into my grandpa’s room, Marriage, as I learned once my against the cultural expectations her Judges notes: “(Kitra) painted a and kissing his forehead, telling him Since I was five-years-old, the word mother engaged in it for the benefit relatives have for her future. Rather picture from personal experience and goodbye. But one of the things I “marriage” has evoked a very distinct of my then-unborn younger sister, is than simply rebelling for the sake of used that experience to respond to the remember best was Charlotte kissing image for me: bride and groom, about financial welfare. Marriage, I rebelling, she gives tangible reasons question. I thought it was very well- my cheek, reaching for my hand and side by side, bedecked respectively understood when I saw my father’s for her argument.” written and imaginative.” telling me how Fred had lived a full in an exquisite cream gown and a girlfriend assume the title of “step- life. And he had, with my grand- smart black tuxedo. I’d frequently mother” sans gossamer veil, is a Marriage, to a small extent, is impor- When Fred Katz met his future wife mother right by his side. replicate this event with my plethora legal contract—albeit one heavily tant to me, however I do not see for the first time, he wasn’t exactly Though Fred may not have intro- of stuffed animals throughout my weighted by the associations that myself getting married in the future. Prince Charming. In fact, he was duced himself to Charlotte as her preschool and kindergarten career, society and pop culture heap upon it. I clearly understand that others want drunk. However, by the end of the Prince Charming, in the end, that’s always crafting the iconic costumes This isn’t to say, of course, that to spend the rest of their lifetimes night, he sobered up enough to exactly what he became. And what out of paper and Scotch tape. Pairing it can’t be of momentous emotional with their loved ones; however, I convince her that he was he was until the day he male Dalmatian puppy with female significance. For some don’t think that a ring actually a pretty decent died. She found true love, ginger kitten, male parrot puppet people, marriage is the bounded around the guy and asked her out true adoration. with female owl, the latter of which perfect choice—includ- finger and a marriage to dinner. From then on, So two months ago, would emit a hoot of celebration ing, I am overjoyed to say, certificate is what defines Fred and Charlotte—my when I sat next to my when I squeezed her plush belly. all the men, women and true love. Honestly, I have grandparents—went on grandma on her couch and The guests, arranged in lines, would others to whom the state seen many marriages a date nearly every single she started to talk about afterward enjoy all manner of plastic of Minnesota has finally around me fail and part night, and quickly fell in marriage, I listened. confections. Eventually, I grew bored, allotted their proper of me is scared to be in love. So quickly, actually, “I don’t know why and the animals were swept away, rights. But it shouldn’t be such a situation. Even that by the 17th night, Kitra Katz some young people my mind shifting to its next activity idealized. Relationships Ka Vang though vows are made

14 threesixtyjournalism.org the technoology issue

that clearly state both parties shall be together show my family and all my Hmong relatives that through the good and bad, I feel as if love never even though I am a girl, I don’t need a husband really does last. To avoid heartbreak, such as my to get me far in life. That’s why I spend so much married partner leaving me, I have decided to time on my education and if I were to go and get just not get married. married, then I would be going back on every- Another reason is that I want to focus on thing that I believe in. Sometimes my Hmong my education and my future career. Maybe relatives ask: “What about starting a family?” because of the United States’ schooling system In the Hmong culture, having a family is a big or its economy during tough times, I have deal. The children will go onto take care of their been driven to think that the only people in life parents when they are old and they are the ones who truly succeed are those with an educa- who continue our legacy. I, however, believe that tion. When I get older, I wish to dedicate all later on in life if I truly desire a family, I can just my time to my career. It’s something that I’ve always adopt. I don’t need to get married just for been spending a lot of effort on, such as going the reason of having children. to school. I feel that if I fall in love, get into a In conclusion, I just don’t see myself getting relationship, and then get married, I will be married in the future. After all, I don’t want distracted from my true goal in life. And there- to experience heartbreak. I can always fill the fore, I don’t see myself in a marriage at all. emptiness in me through the satisfaction of Though marriage is very important in my my work and I can finally go against all the Hmong culture, I want to be different. I don’t standards that my culture has set up for me as want to be the stereotypical stay-at-home mom a Hmong girl. Why? Because marriage is only a that defines a lot of Hmong women. I want to small part of true happiness.

other person that you love him a lot and you need him for the rest of your life. Honorable mention ($25 prize) Now that I have grown up, I don’t think that way. I’m still thinking that marriage is a Wendy Leon, LEAP High School very big step in life, but it’s not important to be happy or show love to the other person. Judges notes: “Not only did (Wendy) include Around 41 percent of first marriages and 60 actual numbers to back up her findings, she percent of second marriages end in divorce. I did her research in coming to a thoughtful think this happens because they don’t know and informed decision on marriage.” each other as well as they thought. They didn’t spend time to talk about their thoughts or When I was a little girl, I liked to play with future ideas before. Or because marriage isn’t my friends and pretend that I was a bride and the same as being in a relationship. I was going to get married to my best friend, I won’t say that I wouldn’t like to get mar- Bryan. I liked to wear my mom’s veil and hold ried, of course I would. However, I don’t want the bouquet from her wedding to hurry to get married. I think to because I really felt like a bride that get married I would like to know way. I used to say to my mom that I the person that I am going to marry was practicing for my real wedding more, spend more time with the ever since that moment, to make person and discuss plans and goals. it perfect on my wedding day. My I don’t want to get married and then mom smiled at me and said that it end in a divorce as many couples was a good idea. At the time, in my nowadays. As a Spanish proverb mind, a wedding was very neces- says, “It is better to wait than regret sary and important to show the Wendy Leon it later.”

December 2013 / January 2014 15 Personal pride

Teens, same-sex parents reflect on historic fight for marriage equality

When Linda Zlotnick and Mindy Kurzer brought home their Elena Renken second child Anna, 5-year-old Della St. Paul Central Kurzer-Zlotnick was not happy with the situation. While little Della loved her new sister, she did not appreciate the born, we interviewed a bunch of

abrupt shift in her parents’ atten- different pediatricians and said, Mina Yuan tion. One day, she spoke up. ‘How do you feel about gay people “I was really concerned,” Mindy and lesbian families?’” Kurzer said. “I thought it sounded marriage, which Governor Mark had long been denied was a joyful have them grow up in an environ- like she was going to say we should JUST MARRIED Dayton signed on May 14. The new breakthrough that made Kurzer and ment where you’re hiding, or where send Anna back. Instead, (Della) It wasn’t the only way Minnesota legislation took effect Aug. 1. Zlotnick feel as though society had you feel ashamed of who you are,” said, ‘You know what we need to gay couples like Kurzer, 62, and Kurzer and Zlotnick said they finally accepted them as a normal, Zlotnick said. do? We need another mom.’” Zlotnick, 65, modified their were originally only going to get loving family. Kurzer remembers her high Since Kurzer-Zlotnick, a senior routines while raising a family. married for practical and financial Perhaps most surprising to them school biology teacher speaking at St. Paul Central High School, Together for more than 20 years, reasons—and to please Della, who was how personal their hetero- negatively about homosexual- grew up in a world where it was the couple never had the option began planning a wedding before sexual friends and family took the ity, and putting her on the spot normal to have two mothers, why to marry, let alone size rings, taste her parents ever thought a cer- victory. when she challenged him on his not three? cake or send invitations. emony could happen. Since they “When we invited people to the comments. Her parents worked throughout But thanks to the passage of this were denied the freedom to marry wedding, they (were) so excited,” “He said to me, in front of the Kurzer-Zlotnick’s childhood to year’s bill legalizing gay marriage their whole lives, the longtime Kurzer said. “At work, people whole class, ‘So are you homo- create a supportive environment in Minnesota, Kurzer and Zlotnick couple became cynical and discon- (came) into my office with tears in sexual?’” Kurzer said. “And I said, without negativity toward gay tied the knot at their Minneapolis nected, even while attending wed- their eyes.” ‘I don’t know. I haven’t had any couples. But a life like that did not synagogue on Nov. 17. dings for close family and friends. experiences, so I don’t know what fall into their laps—it had to be The road to same-sex marriage “You get to the point where ROAD TO EQUALITY I am.’” painstakingly carved out bit by bit. for Minnesota couples stretches you can’t live like that. You can’t Although these recent political When Zlotnick was in college “We found this wonderful child back to May 2011 when both the live being angry and resentful and changes reflect a more accepting and began to have feelings for care center and this wonderful House and Senate voted to approve bitter and jealous all the time,” society to Kurzer and Zlotnick, it women, she told all her friends that elementary school where our family an amendment that would define Kurzer said. “A lot of our genera- doesn’t erase the intolerance they she might be gay. They refused to was totally supported,” Zlotnick marriage as a union between one tion, we just decided, ‘Who needs experienced to get to this moment. hang out with her. said. man and one woman in the state it?’ Marriage is just a patriarchal Their parenting philosophy was “And so I lost all my friends,” “We joined a synagogue that was constitution. Minnesotans voted heterosexual institution. It’s just a shaped by unpleasant memories of Zlotnick said. “I lost all that because totally accepting,” Kurzer added. the amendment down on Nov. 7, piece of paper. It’s stupid.” the shame and rejection they felt it never occurred to me that people “We went to the kids’ schools— 2012, with 51 percent voting no. Attitudes quickly began to because of their sexual orientation. would reject me.” every time they had a new teacher, The historic vote set the stage change when Kurzer and Zlotnick “I’d grown up where there was That rejection also taught we talked to the teacher. When we for the Minnesota House and explored the reality of their own something wrong with me, but Zlotnick to be far more careful with got a pediatrician when Della was Senate to pass a bill legalizing gay wedding. Sharing in a tradition they I thought it’s unfair to a child to her personal information. Both

16 threesixtyjournalism.org parents are still cautious about the banking, she took another approach “What’s cool about getting mar- topic, referring to each other in to convincing Minnesotans to vote ried is how excited people are for conversation without using gender- against the amendment. you,” Carlbom said. Case in point: specific pronouns and limiting “I videotaped probably 20 or 25 His niece and nephew, both 6, “are opportunities for negative reactions high schoolers talking about why it competing and angling to get a spot as much as possible. was important to them that people in this wedding like you wouldn’t Most of Kurzer-Zlotnick’s expe- vote no, because all of the people believe.” riences have centered around a gen- in the videos couldn’t vote,” Kurzer- eral lack of understanding, though Zlotnick said. “So the whole idea ‘GREATEST STATE EVER’

she admits it’s getting better. behind our specific campaign was Staff No less important are the after She remembers telling a peer in vote no because we can’t.” Della Kurzer-Zlotnick was the driving force behind her two moms, together for effects that, for gay couples and elementary school that she had two “It was amazing to see how teen- more than 20 years, getting married in November. The St. Paul Central senior also their families, continue to shine moms, to which the girl replied, agers plugged into this campaign,” volunteered during the political campaign and helped make youth videos. a light on tolerance and equality “Oh, I won’t tell anyone” before run- said Richard Carlbom, who led the throughout Minnesota. ning away. The day her second grade local fight as campaign manager for family was considered ‘different,’” importance for those with a personal “This political battle for sure class made Mother’s Day cards also Minnesotans United for All Families. Smidzik said. “And this was probably stake in the outcome. changed my mind about the gov- stands out. When the teacher said “I’ve met person after person who, the first time that my friends actually Kurzer-Zlotnick stayed up until ernment,” Smidzik said. “One of my there were only enough supplies for because they had a conversation showed interest in the cause. But it’s 3 a.m. when the constitutional moms said to me, ‘I thought I was everyone to make one card, Kurzer- with their teenage son or daughter, better late than never.” amendment was overturned, texting going to die before they legalized Zlotnick started crying. they came to realize that being told Added Kurzer-Zlotnick: her mother on the floor above her gay marriage,’ and that honestly “I went up to her and just it’s illegal to marry the person you “Especially my friends who maybe when the results finally came in. On broke my heart. But I believe that begged for more supplies,” she said. love is just not right.” (didn’t have) such a good relation- the pivotal day when the Minnesota the government heard people’s cries “I remember thinking that (it) was Kurzer-Zlotnick and Smidzik also ship with their parents, or who House of Representatives passed for the legalization of their love and such an injustice.” recognized a noticeable shift in how haven’t talked to their parents about the bill to legalize gay marriage, the I find that astonishing.” While those instances frustrated their peers approached the topics of this. Talking to them about the Vote Kurzer-Zlotnick family stood out- “I really felt like if the consti- Kurzer-Zlotnick, they did not gay marriage and homosexuality. No campaign was really helpful and side the Capitol with a group from tutional amendment passed that I humiliate her. Quintin Smidzik, a “When the whole Vote No cam- was a really good segue.” their synagogue. didn’t know if I could stay living in senior at St. Paul Central who also paign started, all of my friends were Milestones and major events in May 14, meanwhile, will be hard Minnesota,” Kurzer said. has two moms, tries to respond very supportive and it made me feel the political battle for gay mar- to erase from Smidzik’s memory. Now? “I think Minnesota is the similarly to sentiment that, inten- like they actually noticed that my riage in Minnesota held even more “The day the bill was signed was greatest state ever.” tionally or unintentionally, excludes probably one of the happiest days Carlbom said he only needs to gay people. of my life. I had baseball practice so think back to the 2012 Minnesota “Growing up, people asked I couldn’t go down to the Capitol, State Fair when he noticed two questions (about) why I didn’t have but both of my moms did and I saw teenagers standing near the Vote a dad,” he said. “Of course, there are videos of people crying with joy. No booth. the ignorant people … who despise And it made me feel good knowing A volunteer approached them gay people, but I just think it’s a that people were heard in their fight and asked if they were planning to waste of time to worry about them.” to make their love equal,” he said. vote no. They responded yes, and For Carlbom, the most memo- when asked why, told the volunteer MOBILIZING TEENS rable moment in a long campaign that they were dating and this was Kurzer-Zlotnick’s personal connec- occurred two months after the leg- the first time they had ever told tion to the cause provided plenty islation passed. His two best friends, anyone. of motivation to become part of who had been together for 30 years, “It was crazy that all they did Minnesota’s fight for marriage finally got married. was walk within proximity of this equality. She volunteered with “It was a day I’ll never forget and booth of people who were work-

Jewish Community Action, a group Staff it was really special,” he said. ing to include them in society,” that worked with youth in the Vote Because Linda Zlotnick, left, and Mindy Kurzer grew bitter about marriage, it Carlbom is planning his own Carlbom said, “and they felt com- No campaign. Though a lot of the took some convincing to hold their own wedding in November. However, upon wedding to partner Justin Schramm fortable enough to tell a stranger for work was door knocking and phone planning it, they admitted to having “a lot of fun” with the process. on December 20. the first time that they were gay.”

December 2013 / January 2014 17 that personal change, I think that Secret’s out they’re going to feel like our state reflects their worldview more. I didn’t come out to myself until I was 21. I knew that I was gay probably Q&A with Richard Carlbom as young as 10 or 11 or 12, and the reason I didn’t come out until I was 21 was that I grew up in a family that wasn’t exposed to the LGBTQ Richard Carlbom originally community at all, so I didn’t feel real

wanted to become a journalist. Elena Renken comfortable. I was very cautious and Staff But after graduating from Saint St. Paul Central nervous, and that’s why you stay in Richard Carlbom, who was promoted to the national Freedom to Marry campaign John’s University in 2004, he got the closet. I think changing this law after leading a successful push for same-sex marriage in Minnesota, said he was the political bug. Soon after, he was changes the way young gay teenag- “shocked” at the scale local advocates were able to build their volunteer base. elected mayor of his hometown, St. ers, LGBT teenagers, view them- Joseph. the amendment in November of selves and view their society. it comes to people who disagree infringed upon, now our state law He’s been “in politics ever since,” 2012. One was to make sure that the with you, you should just ask them, ensures that others’ access to taking most notably by leading the grass- campaign was deeply relational. We How do you think people with differ- ‘Why did you get married?’ They’ll care of their spouse and commit- roots charge as campaign manager wanted people to understand that in ent views on gay marriage can start start talking about how they fell ting themselves isn’t infringed upon for Minnesotans United for All order to win we needed to connect to talk about this issue openly? in love, made a commitment and either. It’s the best of both worlds, Families, which helped defeat a pro- with people at the deepest level pos- The first thing that everybody should wanted to start a family. Most of the actually. posed amendment to the Minnesota sible. Second, we knew we needed understand is that everybody’s on a time they don’t understand that’s constitution that would have banned to bring it to massive scale. We journey when it comes to an issue exactly why gay people want to get What is it about Minnesota that same-sex marriage. Six months later, knew that 100 volunteers or 1,000 like this. We have to understand married, too. allowed it to make this transforma- the Minnesota legislature passed a volunteers or even 10,000 volunteers that people who are opposed to the tion so rapidly? bill allowing gay couples to marry in wasn’t going to get the job done. In freedom to marry—they’re not bad What do you say to those members I think that people can personalize Minnesota. order to move the needle from 43 people. They’re not. The second of the public who are still against gay this issue very quickly. But I think The last two years have been a percent to 51 percent, we had to thing is they have the capacity to marriage? more importantly than it just being whirlwind, to say the least. Carlbom figure out how to make it as massive understand the situation differently. I used to think I understood why unique in Minnesota, I think that has since been promoted to director as possible. So we grew it to over It might take them a long time to do they felt that way. I don’t know the approach to how to talk about of state campaigns for Freedom to 40,000 individual volunteers and so, but everybody is on a journey, if I do understand it really. What this changed so dramatically. We Marry—a national group that aims 85,000 individual donors. and if you asked me ten years ago, I know is that a lot of folks have realized that people who get married to get similar marriage bills passed when I was graduating from college very deeply held religious beliefs, don’t get married because of rights in other states. On the personal How do you think the legalization and coming out, if I would ever and I acknowledge and accept and and benefits. We’ve created this front, Carlbom is also marrying his of gay marriage affects teens in get married, I would’ve said no. respect that they have religious misunderstanding about why we, long-time partner this month. particular? Absolutely not. beliefs that ultimately may prevent ourselves, want to get married. We Carlbom, who works out of For teens who are gay themselves, So I myself have journeyed to the them from accepting the fact that have to stop talking about the legal St. Paul, recently spoke with who have brothers or sisters or point where I’m getting married and two people who fall in love and issues and start talking from our ThreeSixty reporter Elena Renken parents who are gay, I think it’s a I’m incredibly excited about it. I’ll want to make a commitment to hearts. When we did that, it actually about the path to success he and deep change. It’s a deep, meaning- say to you that I’ve met person after one another should be able to do connected with people. Normally gay rights supporters helped carve ful change that makes them feel like person who, because they had a con- so. I also know that just because in campaigns, when you discover a in Minnesota. they’re a full part of the state, and versation with their teenage son or they’re opposed to gay marriage great secret, you don’t talk about it that their loved ones are a full part daughter, they came to realize that doesn’t mean that it’s going to be because your opponents might find What made those two campaigns so of society. Not having the freedom being told it’s illegal to marry the thrust upon them. Their church out. Here’s the great thing: We want successful? to marry really set a whole group of person you love for anyone is just will never be forced to marry two to talk about it more and more. We We did an incredible amount of people outside of our society and not right, and that ultimately, the people they don’t want to marry. I want our opponents to know about planning and research to under- separated them from everybody else. freedom to marry is a basic funda- would defend that right. With that it, because there’s nothing our oppo- stand exactly how we would gain the So for some teens it’ll be incredibly mental freedom that they wouldn’t said, I would reassure the person nents can do to prevent people from number of votes we needed to beat personal. For others who don’t feel want to deny somebody else. When that even though their rights aren’t talking about love.

18 threesixtyjournalism.org change the subject? The second option sounded the University of St. Thomas on a full scholar- Test of faith way more appealing. ship. We knew this could not happen without I decided not to cop out. I responded not in divine intervention. the words of Saint Paul, but my own: “I believe But something still seemed to be missing, A shift in beliefs led to a difficult but affirming that marriage is between a man and a woman. so I tried to fill it with church. Church only It took me awhile to accept the truth, but I am on Sundays? Not for this girl. Prayer group on yes vote for the marriage amendment sticking to it.” Tuesday, volunteering on Wednesday, Sunday This conversation marked the beginning school and regular service on Sunday morning. of a new test of my Christian faith. For years I And did someone say something about a new agreed with my friends. Together we went to committee? A long pause held at the other end of the PRIDE festivities each spring and were fans of The church carried the same beliefs that cell phone. Tyanna the popular Gay 90’s nightclub in downtown I held. Feed the hungry and clothe the poor? Dickerson Thoughts raced through my mind as I University of Minneapolis. Check. Create a multicultural community? anxiously awaited my best friend’s response to St. Thomas I had no tolerance for people who held an Check. No specific views of homosexuality? my opposition to same-sex marriage. opposing view, especially fellow Christians. We Check. Will she yell? Will she end our 11-year called them homophobes, bigots and “judg- After two years as a baptized and declaring friendship? What if she starts acting differ- happened if God didn’t want it to.” mental b***hes.” Christian, church had become a major part of ently around me? Should I quote one of the many Bible Now I risked being labeled the same way. my schedule. But behind the smile and façade “Well … I believe marriage is between love verses stating that marriage was between a These names would hurt even more because of Christian perfection were depression, loneli- and love,” she said. “Besides, it wouldn’t have man and a woman? Or should I find a way to they’d be coming from my friends. ness and confusion, along with what felt like As a college student surrounded by peers an identity crisis as I pressed my way through with liberal attitudes toward marriage and college. homosexuality, I knew what they would say. “Love is love.” “This is the 21st century.” “God NEW CHURCH, NEW MESSAGE created all things and made them beautiful.” Then one day, a friend walked by looking like she just saw Jesus himself. She told me how SEARCH FOR MEANING Jesus had transformed her life and how she’d My conversion from a LGBTQ advocate to never been happier. I was frustrated: I had been an opponent of gay marriage did not occur going to church longer than she had, yet I was by some Road to Damascus moment. It was miserable. She suggested that I come visit her inspired by my personal search for a deeper church—Shiloh Temple in North Minneapolis. relationship with God. I was no theologian This church had more foot stomping and or biblical scholar. I was a young, questioning hand clapping, along with many random out- Christian seeking purpose, meaning and truth bursts of “Hallelujah!” and “Thank you, Jesus!” I in my life. clapped and stomped as if I had been attending Growing up, I attended church irregularly. Shiloh my whole life. To top it off, the sermons In the little time I spent there, I learned that touched me in a way that light began to peek there was always music, most people were through my dark feelings of depression. This friendly and they always had cookies and juice was a place where I could really get to know afterwards. What was not to like? God. Church visits became even more sporadic Then on May 9, 2012, President Obama as I got older. Then, in my junior year of high publicly declared his support for same-sex mar- school, my mother and I decided to attend a riage. Score for the LGBTQ community! church right around the corner from our home Score for the Christian church? in South Minneapolis. The church was friendly, I thought so. Until one Wednesday evening. the services inspiring. So inspiring that my The church was full of joyful singing as mother and I became baptized believers. the praise team led the congregation in wor- Things were going well. My family and I ship. Pastor H. took the podium to lead Bible were seeing change in our lives—I even got into faith continued on page 28

December 2013 / January 2014 19 silly example),” Roach said. College crisis? “Secondarily, I am interested in someone who is well-rounded and who will add to the university’s community. If a student has struggled, The details are important, but admissions I am looking for clues about why experts remind teens to enjoy the process they ran into trouble. We conduct a holistic review of each student’s application, so the more a student Mark Brown / University of St. Thomas Mark Brown Selective schools take “demonstrated interest” into account during the shares with us, the better.” While walking around with application process, said admissions director Alexa Tennyson. Colleges are an admissions rep on a college tour, Dami Gilbert looking for students that “want to be” on their campus, which is why direct GET WRITING Robbinsdale contact with admissions personnel is important. Stressing about the essays? You’re your mind might begin to wander to Cooper High the group of jock-ish guys playing in School not alone. the quad. Or maybe to a cluster of that students (might) have an easier Roach’s number one goal is to Essays for each college vary and friends, all wearing campus colors, time being admitted today than 10 make sure that if a student is admit- feature general prompts like “Why joking around the student center. The application process has or 20 years ago,” said Kristin Roach, ted to St. Thomas, he or she will be should you be part of the (insert Perhaps to a dedicated few studying become increasingly complex over director of admissions and financial able to succeed in college. Success college name) community?” or vigorously in the library. the past few years thanks to options aid at the University of St. Thomas. in college doesn’t necessarily mean “Describe a place that has impor- For a large number of high school like early decision, early action, “For me, this makes the environ- having a perfect grade point average. tance in your life.” Others can get seniors, this is the new life they can regular decision and seemingly ment more complex and perhaps Instead, it means being involved, more creative and ask about beliefs, expect in just nine short months. endless requirements for students more stressful for students,” Roach contributing to the campus commu- hopes, rituals and even embarrassing But how do you know which col- to understand. Also, with the rise of said. But I do not believe it is harder nity and thriving academically with a moments. lege you can see yourself living at for technology, a lot of applications have to get into most schools than it was strong yet reasonable GPA. For financial aid and scholarship four years, maybe more? gone digital. 10 years ago with the possible excep- “I want to see good grades in purposes, colleges also can recal- Where do you start? What do However, with a declining tion of some of the ‘flagship’ public college preparatory courses versus culate costs for “special circum- colleges really look at? What are number of teens graduating from colleges that are trying to improve seeing straight A’s in things like stances” on a case-by-case basis. you doing wrong before that even high school, “some would suggest their academic profiles.” ‘underwater basket weaving’ (to use a Common exceptions include changes becomes a reality? in income, high medical bills and Welcome to the dreaded applica- divorce, separation or death of a tion process, one littered with chal- parent. lenges and stress points every step of “One thing I really focus on is my the way. special circumstance essay, because “I’m stressing about applying to through that, the colleges can come college, college essays and managing to an understanding of who I am, my time. Also, I’m worried about and how important college is to my ACT score, and actually getting me,” said Zoey Johnson, a senior at accepted to a college I want to go Robbinsdale. Durreti Wako to,” said Durreti Wako, a senior at Most colleges only ask for one Robbinsdale Cooper High School. writing sample. If you’re applying “When I’m stressed, I go talk to a more prestigious school, they to friends who are in college. They might require three to five samples. help, but the part that makes me Also, more than 500 schools accept overwhelmed in stress is the wait. the Common Application and its

Waiting for acceptance letters. But Mike Ekern / University of St. Thomas essay, which was designed to stream- in the end, it’s totally all worth it. I line the process for students. get to further my education into a College admissions representatives advise that seniors visit campus more than once. Most While the essay process could different stage in life. That’s reward- campuses, like the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, also offer overnight stays where students “make or break a student’s chance ing to me.” Zoey Johnson can have lunch, visit with professors and get financial aid questions answered. admissions continued on page 29

20 threesixtyjournalism.org class when I received a slew of Snapchats for Something to prove a panoramic senior picture taken at Park. The entire day, one thought would not escape my head. “I’m supposed to be in that picture.” Painstaking pursuit of the IB Diploma I should have been standing next to my friends, heading into an exciting, new chapter goes beyond a simple piece of paper of our lives together. The feeling of nostalgia and loneliness set in deep. Kimberly Martinez Two out of 20. NO ROOM FOR FAILURE Kimberly With one glaring statistic from my Spanish Martinez If I don’t receive the IB Diploma, big deal, right? teacher at Harding High School, all the Harding High doctor but instead a graphic designer, which At least that’s what everyone keeps telling confidence I had gained upon pursuing the School apparently isn’t as valued. me. As long as I tried my best. International Baccalaureate Diploma slowly To me, the ramifications are much bigger drained from my body. SOCIAL SACRIFICES than not receiving a piece of paper. It would Seven IB classes and tests, a 4,000 word start of my 4,000-word extended essay. But quieting those doubters hasn’t been nearly mean failure. That all my doubters were right. paper, a required Theory of Knowledge course, To stay in the running as an IB Diploma as difficult as trying to balance my IB require- I’ll have let myself down. all those hours of individual projects, sports candidate, I’d have to stay at Harding. ments with the social life I once knew. Between I try to keep this possibility as far away from and volunteering completed—and still no rigorous essays, 10-minute oral presentations, my mind as I can. Instead, I focus on the good diploma. A NEW CHALLENGE investigation labs and art projects, it takes a lot stuff—that yes, at this very moment I am on Two Harding students out of 20? Really? So why go through all of this pain? I ask myself of energy to schedule anything else in life. track to receive my IB Diploma. Now, the only question that ran through that question every day. Honestly, it becomes easier to stay home All the papers and projects, the starting my head was if it would be worth it—and more The IB Diploma represents a challenge. and work on papers instead of going to a and re-starting of my extended essay, getting importantly, if I was even able to continue to Earning the diploma would mark my trans- football game. I’d just stress out about finishing my CAS activities established, trying to meet pursue the diploma with grim statistics like formation from a once average and unknown those assignments in a shorter amount of time. all my normal graduation requirements—the that. I had already put so much into the pro- student into someone who went above and The fact that I couldn’t move back to Park and obstacles in my journey have only just begun. gram to simply give up at the start of my senior beyond to test her limits. And while receiving rejoin my old classmates also lessened my desire But enough self-reflection. year, though. recognition and a gold medal at graduation to maintain a social life. I even chose to attend Test dates are coming in March and it’s time Then another reality check. Two weeks into would be nice—I mean, who doesn’t love a Park’s Homecoming instead of Harding’s. Except to get studying. Good luck to all the other IB this fall semester, five other students decided to gold medal?—transferring credits to college, deep down I knew that I wasn’t part of that world Diploma candidates in the 3,661 schools all drop the diploma program. priority choice in college selection and the anymore. I was merely intruding. over the world. This all began my junior year when I left availability of scholarships will mean so Just a few weeks ago, I was in my Spanish Park High School, where I started the IB pro- much more. gram. I switched schools due to a change in my I also have too much to prove. To my teach- What is the IB Diploma? living situation, and because Woodbury High ers. To my classmates. To myself. School didn’t offer IB, I chose Harding so I I have always been an art student. That’s According to its website, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is designed to could stay on track with what I already started. how I choose to learn, preferring graphic address the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students, ages 16 to 19, Except this was only supposed to be tempo- design and world crafts to more difficult core as they seek higher education. Beyond curriculum, its core is centered on three parameters: rary and I would return to Park this year—my honors courses. So I understand why others • The extended essay asks students to engage in independent research through an in-depth all-important senior year—to graduate with the would be skeptical of my academic abilities, study of a question that relates to one of their IB Diploma subjects. class I grew up with. even once I entered the IB program. • Theory of knowledge unifies academic disciplines and asks students to examine the But life, or at least life with strict IB require- It’s why some of my classmates refuse “nature of knowing.” ments, has a way of ruining plans. If I went to believe I’m attempting an extraordinary • Creativity, action, service (CAS) involves a range of activities alongside student academic back to Park, I wouldn’t have had enough academic act, and instead question the studies. Creativity encourages students to engage in the arts; action seeks to develop a time or credits to achieve the IB Diploma. I validity of my diploma since I’m taking two healthy lifestyle through physical activity; and service offers community learning with also started the paperwork to open my own IB art classes (film and visual arts) while new academic value. local chapter of a group for Creativity, Action, they’re double dipping in math or science. Source: www.ibo.org Service (CAS) activities, and then there was the They ignore the fact that I don’t strive to be a

December 2013 / January 2014 21 How old were you when you went Balancing athletics back to the U of M to get your degree? and academics 45 or 46. Was it hard for you to reboot and get back to school life? Q&A with Trent Tucker It was scary because everything was different. When I was in school, there weren’t cellphones, e-mailing,

Staff computers. Everything was hand- Almost 25 years after he left the Trent Tucker, a former first round draft pick and NBA champion, didn’t think he written. Conversations with your University of Minnesota as a 1982 Amolak Singh needed to get his college degree en route to a successful pro career. professor were done face to face or first round pick of the NBA’s New Nova Classical over the phone. I had to learn things York Knicks, a nervous Trent Tucker Academy academic life is going to carry much further that thought process got that I’d never even seen before. re-entered the college classroom. farther than your athletic life can. away from me. Most of the guys There were days when I was As he sat alone in class that first I was lucky enough to play who retire at the age of 35 or 36 are nervous, I was afraid. I knew that day, two students came in, processed for me,” Tucker said—including his beyond high school, at the col- very young for everyday life. And it was something I needed to do. It his age as an older man and asked, current job as athletic director of legiate level and then in the NBA, you’re hoping that you’re going to was something that I had to do. That “Are you the professor?” Minneapolis Public Schools, where but I realized, once I had left the have 40 or so years left, and things gave me the confidence to know No, Tucker said politely. Just like he oversees the district’s athletic pro- NBA, that there was one piece still are going to change, so you have to that I could do this. This was a huge them, he was trying to get a college grams for high schools and middle missing. I didn’t graduate the first be prepared for challenges. Having change, but at the end of the day, you degree. schools. time around when I was in college. I that college education behind you have to realize that change is good. “To think that I was entering a At the start of the school year, wanted to coach college basketball, is going to help. whole new world, and that every- ThreeSixty Journalism’s Amolak but they require you to have a col- Do you think other NBA players one else in the class was prepared Singh chatted with Tucker about the lege degree to do that. So, that was a Did you have anything you wanted struggled to fit academics into the and I was like an outcast. I had to relationship between academics and missed opportunity. And when you to do, or planned on doing, after big picture? learn things that I’d never even seen athletics in his life and how it has miss opportunities, you can’t blame retirement? Oh yeah, because of the one-track before. And that was the scary part,” changed since he was a kid. anybody but yourself. When you’re in the NBA, you pretty mind. When you become good at Tucker said. much focus on the time you’re in, something, there is a different type of “You ask yourself if you’re capable When you were in high school, did When you were in college, did you and opportunities pretty much acceptance. Kids today leave earlier and if you have the mental toughness you feel that your family, friends think about academics? come your way. Most guys think to go to the NBA than when I was a to deal with this. I easily could’ve just and fellow students considered No, no. When I was in college, the about whether they’re going to kid. They just changed the eligibility walked away.” athletics to be more important than thing that I focused on was my ath- get into coaching or broadcasting. rules, but the mindset is still very A Golden Gopher standout who academics? letics, and I took a chance. There are That’s it. You don’t really need a different. College recruiters are now later won a 1993 NBA champion- Well, when you’re in high school and so many factors that can go wrong as college degree if you’re going into coming in at a much earlier age. So, ship alongside Michael Jordan on the you become good enough that col- an athlete. I was lucky for all of those broadcasting, but if you decide families are thinking that we can Chicago Bulls, Tucker didn’t need lege recruiters are now talking to you things to go well. But it did come to do something different, that’s make it because of this individual, to fall back on a degree during his about life beyond high school on the back to haunt me when I didn’t finish where that college degree comes and that is a tremendous amount of 11-year career. But after his retire- athletics side, sometimes you think my college degree on time. in handy. When people ask me if pressure to put on a kid. We believe ment from the NBA, he found out about sports more than academics. my college degree has paid off, I that we are good enough to do this just how limited his career options When I go to talk to high school As an NBA player, did you think about say yes. I worked for four years because we have put ourselves in this were. athletes today—who are good and going back to school and finishing at the University of Minnesota in position, but we don’t think of all the “Even to coach college basketball, might be on the radar to be recruited your degree? central administration. It gave me things that could go wrong. you need a college degree,” Tucker by some of these universities—I tell I thought about it, especially the the opportunity to create a middle said. them, “You can’t get one without the first year when I was drafted. I said school program where we brought How does the Minneapolis Public Upon earning his U of M degree other.” You have to take your aca- I was going to go to school and kids on campus and helped them Schools district show the importance in psychology and communica- demics as seriously as your athletics finish my college degree. But the visualize what college would look of academics to student athletes? tions, “other things began to work because at the end of the day, your longer I stayed in the NBA, the like for them. Tucker continued on page 28

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from each local paper covering The game a game. Now bloggers, freelance reporters and national writers cover games and specific athletes, creat- within the game ing a storm of attention that often extends into social media and the front pages. ESPN even televises “Signing Day” press conferences at Media scrutiny, hunt for scholarships high schools. can muddy the prep sports mission It only serves to fuel the hunt for college scholarships and personal attention, Millea said. “Just because you’re an athlete, The smell of cheap hot dogs why should you be at any higher level Brianna and popcorn. The squeak of sneak- Skildum than somebody who’s on the debate ers on the laminated gym floor. The Roosevelt team? Or somebody who just comes stands, filled with spectators and High School to school and does a great job, and supporters, cheering every back and isn’t out for activities?” he said. forth point like it’s do or die. ‘LIVE LIKE A KING’

High school sports make up a play.” John Millea/Minnesota State High School League significant part of many students’ Although it may have seemed like High school sports can provide important life moments and lessons, which A recent example, Millea said, is the lives, not to mention the coaches and an extreme punishment—and a bit of hopefully will have a positive impact on student athletes into adulthood. national attention surrounding Tyus administrators who give time and a rarity to suspend an entire team— Jones, a senior basketball player at attention to each individual athlete. none of the student athletes fought and coaches maintain a lot of Driving across the state for Apple Valley High School. Jones is Yet as high school athletes are Labrum on his actions. control, Stockmo said, and can add games, big and small, has opened ranked as the top point guard in the becoming an increasingly popu- “We looked at it as a chance to more rules or punishments as they Millea’s eyes to the connective tissue country by ESPN. lar media species, are prep sports say, ‘Hey, we need to focus on some see fit. At Roosevelt, there has been provided by high school sports in As an 8th grader, Jones snagged still played the way they should be other things that are more impor- consideration for a school-wide code various communities. Although a spot as a varsity starter for Apple played? tant than winning a football game,’” of conduct, but so far, there is only venue size may be different as you Valley and received his first scholar- Dennis Stockmo, athletic director Labrum told a Utah newspaper. “We a rule sheet for a student’s specific move further away from the Twin ship offer from Iowa as a freshman. at Roosevelt High School, said high got an emotional response from the sport to sign. Cities, Millea said “the game is still He also played for USA Basketball school sports are meant to teach stu- boys. I think it really meant some- Stockmo said the influence of the same.” and attended separate skill camps dents life lessons, whether they know thing to them, which was nice to see today’s professional sports culture “We don’t ever talk about win- hosted by NBA stars LeBron James their value at the time or not. Adults that it does mean something.” on high school students should not ning. We talk about fairness, sports- and Chris Paul. should teach them how to “play hard be understated. Because “society manship and overcoming obstacles. “It’s impossible to describe what and act like young men and women,” GOOD INTENTIONS views sports in the wrong way,” it Learning teamwork,” said Millea, that lifestyle is like … You live like he said—which is easier said than Closer to home, the Minnesota State can create headaches for administra- who writes a column called “John’s a king,” said Millea, who noted that done when winning and scholarships High School League is the center of tors who try to offer perspective or Journal” that acts as a spotlight for Jones has more than 20,000 Twitter are on the line. judgment for high school sports. The guidance. prep sports in Minnesota. followers. In September, Matt Labrum, a league’s governing body decides the High school athletes “sometimes “And we’ve had different initia- In November, Jones committed to football coach at Union High School main rules for each sport, how to see the cars and the money and the tives to stress these things over the Duke in a widely televised ceremony. in Roosevelt, Utah, suspended his staff big tournaments throughout the houses, and they don’t see the sport years. It’s about growth. Student “It’s no fault of his that he’s put team of 80 players due to poor year and establishes a code of con- itself,” Stockmo said. growth.” up on this pedestal, as this superstar academic behavior. After finding out duct that guides how sports should Increased media attention, more high school kid ... (but) it makes him that some players had been skipping be played in the state. ONLY GETTING BIGGER than anything, has changed how different from any other student, just classes and cyberbullying classmates, Although the MSHSL decides John Millea, a media specialist at society views high school sports, because his profile is so high,” Millea Labrum required his athletes to on general rules, coaches still get to MSHSL, believes that Minnesota Millea said. said. return their jerseys and equipment decide the consequences for their high school sports can be a “model Twenty years ago it would have “I wish high school sports could until they “earned the privilege to individual teams. Athletic directors for the rest of the country.” been common to find one person just be high school sports.”

December 2013 / January 2014 23 also exist because of our priorities. For example, take the case of Earlier this year, I interviewed Calling a timeout We consider an entertainment indus- Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M’s Rashad Vaughn, one of the top high try—professional sports—to be more Heisman Trophy winner nicknamed school basketball players in the valuable than something essential— “Johnny Football.” nation. At the time, he was going to like education or our safety—which is Earlier this year, he was allegedly Robbinsdale Cooper High School. How much is too much when it comes an unsustainable and unrealistic way caught signing autographs for money, However, toward the end of the year, to our sports obsessed culture? to run our society. which is against college regulations. he transferred to a prep school for Then again, we live in a society Yet his punishment was that he select basketball players just outside where most sports fans can rattle off couldn’t play half of a meaningless Las Vegas. the last 10 Super Bowl winners but game. That accomplished nothing, For high schoolers with excep- Robert Griffin III and Dwyane might struggle to name the current but instead told him that he’s impor- tional athletic talent, fun doesn’t Wade drinking Gatorade. Amolak Singh vice-president. Or who are angered tant because of his athletic gifts. come first. Vaughn transferred LeBron James wearing Nike. Nova Classical and frustrated more by a league lock- Manziel is not the only one at because he would be surrounded Academy Troy Polamalu using Head & out than the government shutdown. fault for thinking he is above the by better coaches and players, the Shoulders. Yet while it’s easy to blame super system. His every move is docu- national spotlight that much brighter. Aaron Rodgers selling State Farm rich athletes or super rich owners mented on ESPN. His Twitter page He’ll probably spend a few years in Insurance. social time. I check scores on my that dole out loads of cash, it’s is endlessly dissected. Fans buy up college. and if he’s lucky, go to the Joe Mauer promoting Kemps. smartphone as often as I can, and a still ignoring the real cause of the his college jersey and turn him into a pros where he’ll get some expensive Teenagers are often told to value good portion of my wardrobe is made overwhelming importance given golden god on campus. He’s not even endorsements and contracts. hard-working Americans such as up of shirts and jerseys of my favorite to athletic achievements over, say, 21 years old! Where do academics fit in? Your teachers and police officers over college and professional teams. One academics. This sort of entitlement culture guess is as good as mine. athletes. Adrian Peterson isn’t paid to of the first websites I visit every day is Us. has negative effects on our society. be your role model. Look to someone ESPN.com. I go crazy over awesome It seems hypocritical for us to First of all, it encourages young kids CAN WE CHANGE? in your own life. dunks and ridiculous plays. I’m a part criticize athletes for making so much and teenagers to adopt athletes as If we really think that athletics are However, five minutes of watching of this sports obsessed culture as money, for acting so self-important, role models simply because of their unfairly valued more than academics, TV commercials proves the opposite. much as anybody. when we’re the ones who spend hun- athletic prowess. Academics almost if we think that teachers are just as We’re a sports crazed society. We And that’s the real problem—that dreds buying apparel or attending live never get talked about. important (if not more) than hockey go nuts over the achievements of we love sports too much. Our collec- sporting events. We idolize them. Are players, then we should find a way to professional athletes—even college tive focus on athletes and our favorite in awe of them. WHERE IT STARTS change that. Blaming athletes for pro- and high schoolers—and often fail to teams is so intense that it throws our On top of that hero worship, think The cause of such a drastic disparity moting the superior status we give to pay attention to the boring, everyday priorities out of order and sometimes about all the time we spend watch- starts in school. For the most part, athletic skills and achievements does accomplishments of those devoted to causes us to do foolish (even danger- ing these athletes on TV. How much in elementary and middle school, nothing but ignore the real issues. protect and teach us. ous) things. we talk about them. We even have coaches, parents and teachers always If we really believe that profes- I get that it isn’t an either/or multiple 24-hour specialized sports talk about how playing sports is sional athletes aren’t as important as proposition. Sports is a beautiful WE’RE TO BLAME channels, not to mention that 21 of about having fun and developing educators, then we have to actually thing. It can unite people from all One way to see how we value sports the most viewed events on TV are life skills. Then, once kids enter show that. backgrounds and often promotes is to look at the paychecks of profes- Super Bowls. high school, the focus completely If we don’t like a college kid like teamwork and character building. sional athletes. According to Yahoo changes. Playing sports is about per- Manziel acting pampered, then Sports organizations also commit Sports, the average NFL player gets NOT ROLE MODELS formance—and therefore winning. maybe we should treat him just tons of resources to community ser- paid $1.9 million dollars a year. That’s In addition, we unfairly hold athletes Everything else is second. How does like any other kid on campus getting vice and worthwhile causes. how much the average American to a higher standard of morality and this change happen so dramatically? a degree. Simply put, it’s mind-blowing to would make in 45 years. Also, the treat them as role models when they In high school, students and If we want the valedictorian and watch the few thousand people who, average NBA player makes about aren’t that different from the rest of coaches know that they are being the star linebacker to be equally in peak physical shape, can perform $67,000 a game—or $3,500 a minute. us. Yes, they are humans who can run watched by colleges, and that they proud of their accomplishments, in a way most of us could only dream The average teacher in Minnesota the mile in four and a half minutes or might have a shot at being recruited then we should recognize them as about. gets paid $53,680 a year. consistently shoot a basketball into a or even earning a scholarship. That equals—and not put one on national I’m guilty, too. As an avid sports True, these athletes get paid a ton hoop 30 feet away. But does that mean puts a lot of pressure on student television simply because he sells fan, I’d be lying if I said that sports because of their highly specialized they should be scrutinized more? That athletes, who then focus on how to tickets and makes the Alabama or didn’t consume a large chunk of my skill set. But these huge disparities they should get away with more? optimize their performance and win. Ohio State coaches drool.

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instructors. Learning to lead In 1964, the Vitalization Act opened JROTC to other services and replaced most of the active duty instructors with retired members of Snapshot of Army JROTC goes beyond the Armed Forces. As a result, the usual military misconceptions Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy have JROTC units as well. For Army JROTC, cadets—the

name given to high school students Thomas Wrede “Fall in!” enrolled in the program—are led Cadets of all grade levels stand at attention before marching inside Cretin- Everyone’s uniform is in excep- Thomas Wrede by 4,000 retired personnel nation- Derham Hall. In the Twin Cities, there are ten high schools with JROTC units. tional condition. Cretin-Derham wide who work as instructors. They, Hall Shoes are polished. Ties are snug. Nguyen said, are the reason the pro- “Cadets learn much more build a strong relationship with Ribbons, straight and centered. gram is successful for teenagers who everyone around you,” said Bo Bo In formation, the Battalion are trying to discover what they want about what it means to be a Thao, a senior at Humboldt Commander announces today’s into the program, we have to join to be as they mature into productive citizen and what it means to High School. plan: “Knockout.” It is a game meant the Army afterwards,” said Melody citizens. Leadership Lab centralizes on to test a cadet’s proficiency while Nguyen, a Humboldt High School “I love being in JROTC. First be part of the community.” Drill and Ceremony. Experienced graduate now at the University of St. of all, because (Lt. Col.) Howard students focus on teaching the executing commands in Drill and Sergeants Major (SGM) David Ceremony—the detailed practice of Thomas. Johnson is an awesome colonel. He’s Berrisford, JROTC instructor skills of marching to younger cadets marching from one area to another “Most people … when they a great resource for my endless ques- so they can become self-sufficient. during a parade or ceremonial event. initially see someone in the JROTC tions about the Army and whatever “Many people see me as a leader, “Right face!” uniform … think it has a direct tie else,” Nguyen said. concludes when students graduate and after joining I’ve felt like I’m Cadets must face to the right to some sort of military service. In Nguyen and her fellow class- high school. However, cadets can actually someone who’s important or they will be eliminated from the fact, students learn very little about mates at Humboldt also received pursue Senior ROTC in college, and and needed for a reason. Getting to competition. the military,” added Sergeants Major nicknames. many times, students are selected for see others look up to me and follow “Left face!” (SGM) David Berrisford, a JROTC “It might sound silly, but Colonel ROTC scholarships. my example (is rewarding),” said “About face!” instructor at Cretin-Derham Hall. actually ‘re-named’ us. I was GI “A lot of kids … look at JROTC Thao, a Cadet Major. “Present arms!” “Cadets learn much more about Jane at first, now am permanently and know every single day it is some- Leadership Lab reinforces the Commands must be given in a what it means to be a citizen and Combat Barbie. This made JROTC thing they can embrace,” said MSG idea that whatever stage you are at specific order during D&C. However, what it means to be part of the become the second family to all of us Peloski, who has worked at public in life, someone is there to give you in “Knockout,” they may be issued community.” at Humboldt.” and private schools as a JROTC direction. Details are important, in the wrong sequence to perplex The core of the program’s cur- The instructors at Cretin- instructor. “There are several broken especially uniform inspections. cadets. Just like the classic game riculum in the classroom centers on Derham Hall—SGM Berrisford, homes. Kids come home and there is By focusing on lessons that pro- Simon Says, false commands may the study of ethics, citizenship, com- Master Sergeant (MSG) Kenneth no structure, there may not be that mote structure and organization, also be given to stump cadets—the munications, leadership, character Peloski and Senior Army Instructor family bond. students learn how to accomplish goal of discipline disguised as spir- building and civic responsibility, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) James “Some of these individuals look something special as a cohesive ited competition and fun. among other subjects designed to Fischer—also aim to provide a sense at JROTC as that bond for them. unit—and of course, do it right. It’s a typical scene in Army Junior prepare young men and women to of belonging to their cadets. At its If it weren’t for the program, a lot “They have a chance to practice Reserve Officers’ Training Corps take their place in adult society. core, JROTC is meant to be a pro- of kids wouldn’t be at that school. leadership with one of the most (JROTC), a nationwide program According to its website, United gram highlighting a mix of disparate It motivates kids to come back day difficult groups. And that’s their that boasts three million cadets in States Army JROTC began with the backgrounds, interests and abili- after day.” peers,” Lt. Col. Fischer said. roughly 1,700 high schools. Also typ- passage of the National Defense Act ties—especially in more economi- Leadership Lab, specifically, “Participating in group-oriented ical is the misconception that joining of 1916. Under the provisions of cally challenged neighborhoods or occurs at least once a week and projects helped me become a JROTC as a teenager means you’ve the Act, high schools were autho- with students who seek discipline. involves every high school grade better leader, more open-minded,” signed up for a life in the military. rized the loan of federal military In the Twin Cities, there are level. It is the heart of team building. Nguyen said. “I became more effi- “I was afraid to join JROTC at equipment and the assignment of ten high schools with JROTC “You get to see students prog- cient as a leader by using all of the first. I thought that when we get active duty military personnel as units, three for the Army. JROTC ress as the year passes and you help I (could) get from my group.”

26 threesixtyjournalism.org “ My professors are passionatpassionatee Language barrier about their subject The “R-word” campaign attempts to change hearts and minds nationwide areas and discerning It’s a common ritual for teenagers. Lana The football team is horsing around, all Rubinstein of my talents. — Elizabeth Otto pumped up for the game. It’s Homecoming. River Falls Hamline University ’15 Several girls are taking pictures on their phones. High School “Gosh, we look so retarded,” one of them I have had blurts out as they make faces upon seeing the Snapchat image. upon bringing her 12-year-old daughter to a ampleample Everyone agrees, so they delete the photo new eye doctor. immediately, ashamed to have any evidence of While there, the doctor said, “I have lots of looking that way. experience with kids who are severely mentally oppoopportunitieunitiess to But what does “looking retarded” mean? retarded”—except she didn’t know her child’s Why that specific word? diagnosis, history or intellectual capacity. That learn and grow.” It’s exactly what the “Spread the Word to she said it in front of her daughter, who Perling End the Word Campaign” is aiming to educate said is “very smart” and understood exactly the public about, and ultimately, put a stop to. what the word implied, made it even more insulting. POWER OF LANGUAGE “I have never, ever heard this word used mnprivatecolleges.org/possible The dictionary defines the word retarded as in a positive way or to compliment someone,” “less advanced in mental, physical or social Perling said. development than is usual for one’s age.” Any form of the “R-word” is unacceptable However, it’s used so flippantly by the public according to the worldwide “Spread the Word that retarded has become a synonym for to End the Word Campaign,” which encourages Augsburg College Hamline University “stupid” or “dumb” while maintaining direct the public to sign a pledge at www.r-word.org. Bethany Lutheran College Macalester College association with the developmentally disabled The campaign’s goal is to eliminate its use and Bethel University Minneapolis College of Art and Design community. “(create) more accepting attitudes and commu- Carleton College Saint John’s University Caty Dongoske, a schools and initiatives nities for all people. Language affects attitudes, College of Saint Benedict Saint Mary’s University associate at Special Olympics Minnesota, said and attitudes affect actions.” The College of St. Scholastica of Minnesota “using the ‘R-word’ is like using any other slur Or as Karleigh Jones, a Special Olympics Concordia College (Moorhead) St. Catherine University or insult. It is just as offensive and hurts a huge athlete from New Zealand said on the website, Concordia University, St. Paul St. Olaf College group of people in our society. “(The word) alienates and excludes. It also Gustavus Adolphus College University of St. Thomas (An) “athlete told me that at their work they emphasizes the negative stereotypes surround- have co-workers who openly use the ‘R-word’ ing people with intellectual and developmental in a derogatory and hurtful way, often referring disabilities; the common belief that people to their coworkers as ‘R-words’... It made the with intellectual and developmental disabili- athlete self-conscious, made them hate going ties should be segregated, hidden away from to work and caused them to second-guess their society.” An excellent and affordable education ability to do their job.” Cece Gillis, an advisor for the Connecting Allyson Perling, a St. Paul resident, recently All Together Socially (CATS) group at River had a negative experience with the “R-word” language continued on page 29

December 2013 / January 2014 27 tucker from page 22 out, and sit down and have conversa- young people to fulfill some of their This issue’s artists The key is communicating. The tions, not only with the students but goals and dreams. Everyone can’t people who are in charge have to also with the parents. School, despite make it in the sporting world, but continue to stress the importance of its challenges, is the best place for it does teach you a whole lot and n Aamino Hirmoge is a senior at Harding academics and give them a reason a young person to be. It’s the safest it builds relationships for years High School in St. Paul. A graduate of to understand why this is impor- place for a young person to be. If we and years … opens up different ThreeSixty’s June Intermediate camp, tant to them. The more that we can can keep you in school, we have the doors for you as you move forward. she plans to pursue a career in journal- share with young people, the more chance to help you. There are a lot of life lessons to be ism or film, all while staying wonderfully that message can be passed down to learned as an athlete, especially obsessed with “Harry Potter” and My future generations. Do you think we emphasize sports when you’re part of a team because Chemical Romance. too much? Does that trickle down you have to trust and depend on In your job so far, have you seen any to high schoolers and how they per- others, but also you have to work so challenges regarding the relationship ceive the world in terms of athletics that they can trust and depend on n Isaura Lira Greene is a senior at between athletics and academics and academics? you. So, you carry a huge amount Great River School in St. Paul. A grad- which you hope to tackle? I don’t think we promote it too of responsibility both on the court uate of ThreeSixty’s 2011 Intro camp, I hope to continue to get the message much. It is an opportunity for and off the court. she loves reading Markus Zusak and J.K. Rowling, listening to music, watching TED talks and writing poetry. faith from page 19 Some of my fellow Christians The Bible made clear that roman- study. He talked to us as a father believed that same-sex relationships tic relationships are, indeed, between would to his children, warmly and were sinful while others believed a man and a woman. Same-sex n Kimberly Martinez is a senior at affectionately. Then he began to they were no different than hetero- relationships are wrong. Harding High School in St. Paul. A grad- discuss things that were going on sexual relationships. Some were just With all my strength, I tried to uate of ThreeSixty’s June Intermediate in the nation, including Obama’s as confused as I was. make sense of it. Then I remembered camp, Martinez enjoys spending time announcement, and his voice I looked at articles online. I went that I took this book in faith when I on Tumblr, sketching in her journal and became more serious. to campus dialogues. There were first came to Christ and was offered going to art museums. She has several “Jesus loves all sinners!” he many interesting perspectives, and salvation. Did it make sense then? career paths in mind, including journal- shouted. not all were black and white. No, it barely makes sense now. But ism and graphic design. “Amen!” the congregation I took it in faith and found it to be exclaimed. NO ROOM FOR GRAY true. “He loves an adulterer just as However, any gray area disappeared I decided to take it on faith n Mina Yuan is a freshman at much as He loves a liar.” as Election Day 2012 approached. We again—not just for myself, but also Wayzata High School. A graduate Louder shouts of agreement were asked to vote on the Minnesota for my family and friends. Faith is of ThreeSixty’s July Intro camp, she erupted. marriage amendment, which would not just about an individual. It’s plays classical piano and cello, speaks “He loves a liar just as much as He define marriage in the state constitu- about the people who surround a Chinese, enjoys drawing and is “far loves a prostitute.” tion as one man-one woman. It was person. too addicted” to J.R.R. Tolkien for her More shouts and claps. important for me to vote. So what does that mean for my own good. “And He loves the prostitute just I began to ask my Christian gay friend Micah? as much as He loves the homosexual!” friends who were attracted to the As the gospel reveals and as Amid the shouts of praise, I was same sex. Some thought that there Pastor H. confirmed, God loves all. quietly dumbfounded. What did he was nothing wrong with it. Others Jesus died for all. For the liar, the sat on the phone with my best friend, because in the end that is what faith mean? were confused about their feelings prostitute, the prideful, the preju- a passionate LGBTQ advocate. and life are all about. Homosexuality is not a sin, is it? and torn about how they related to diced, the drug addict, the homo- Arguing? No, rather agreeing to As for Christians who oppose What about my friend Micah, their faith. sexual and the list goes on. disagree. same-sex relationships, we must who was gay and loved Jesus just as I realized that the matter of How do I put this faith in action This conversation was a triumph make it our responsibility—with the much as I did? What about all believ- homosexuality was more than a through God’s love and not through for both of us: We talked, listened hand of God—to educate and remind ers who were part of the LGBTQ hot topic and a political vote. It social prejudice? and respected a perspective very dif- people of the evils of prejudice and community? was about human beings who have The first act of faith was on ferent from our own. discrimination in hopes of promot- Over the next few months, I had been judged, hurt and discriminated November 6, 2012 when I voted As a result, we are still best ing valuable conversations amongst discussions with fellow Christians, against. yes for the Minnesota Marriage friends. Micah and I are friends and people of all kinds. And lastly, we homosexual and heterosexual. I I decided to look at the book that Amendment. stay connected as much as pos- must bring the love of Christ to all. joined dialogue groups online and first led me on this Christian walk, Fast forward to May 13, 2013, sible. As for the rest of the LGBTQ offline. Lastly, I tried to digest God’s the Bible. I prayed for understanding. when the Minnesota Senate community, my support will always Tyanna Dickerson, a ThreeSixty alum word in order to discover the truth What I found was not what I wanted approved same-sex marriage, and be there, not for same-sex relation- and South High School graduate, is a for myself. to hear or believe. sent the bill to Gov. Dayton to sign. I ships but always for the individuals, junior at the University of St. Thomas.

28 threesixtyjournalism.org Admissions from page 20 “favorite teacher” or the class that Colleges want to know about “No one is like you. Don’t feel as university and also possibly the fed- of getting admitted,” Roach advised they are doing well in. you—what makes you unique and if you have to use a gimmick to stand eral and state governments.” not to stress out, but rather embrace Colleges “are looking for those how you might have an impact on out—overly complicated essays, Also, don’t make a decision the opportunity to tell their personal letters to be creative,” said Carol their campus. It’s also important to video submissions … won’t necessar- without visiting colleges. Colleges story in a creative way. Warndahl, career center director at show colleges that you care about ily give you an edge,” Tennyson said. have specific “visit days” or are able “I tell students what is important Robbinsdale Cooper. “Students go something, Roach said. to accommodate students on campus about the essay is a) write well … use to teachers (for a class) that they’re “I’ve been working with my A LITTLE DREAMING for a personal visit. spell check, have someone proofread doing well in, but your transcript College Possible coach and mentor Don’t let the sticker price scare you, “If you like what you see, come it and be sure you don’t have any already tells them that you’re doing on my special circumstance letter. either. Students and parents are back to do an overnight stay, class- offensive language in the essay, and well there.” I’m proud of it,” Wako said. “I feel more concerned than ever with how room visit, and more,” Tennyson said. b) write about something that will Instead, get letters of recom- very confident about it, too. I wrote they are going to pay for a college “The overnight stay is the best way to provide the admissions committee mendations from teachers in courses about the story of my life and about education, but it’s wise to at least find out if a school is the right fit for with insight about you. where you have struggled but made some setbacks I’ve had that have explore options before writing them you. Make sure to stay overnight at “Tell a story, especially if you an effort to get better. molded me into who I am today.” off because of cost. your top two or three schools.” have gone through trials in life. It’s “If you can get a teacher to Alexa Tennyson, senior associate “People make assumptions Lastly, dream a little. an opportunity to tell your story explain that you worked hard, looked director of admission at Hamline (thanks to media hype) and they “Consider your academic and help the admissions committee for extra support, etc., it can really University, said some students are eliminate options before checking interests and strengths and pursue understand more about you.” help the admissions committee too focused on getting into the most things out,” Roach said. “There was a schools that meet your needs. But ... understand your work ethic, which selective school possible. Instead, day when a person could work over let yourself dream about a school in LETTERS OF is a good predictor for how you may “students would be better served by the summer, save that money and a location that is appealing to you, RECOMMENDATION succeed in college,” Roach said. focusing on the school that is the use it to pay for their entire college or one you perceive to be out of your Not every college is looking for best fit for them.” bill. That’s not possible today, and price range, or one that is far away letter of recommendations, but the MAKE IT PERSONAL That should carry into the parents should not have that expec- from home or closer to home than ones that do want standouts. One A flawless math career isn’t quite application process, where stu- tation of their children. Paying for you may have been thinking about. common mistake that students enough to turn the head of a college dents are encouraged to simply “be a college education takes a number Pursue the dream and see what hap- make is asking for a letter from their admission officer. themselves.” of parties—student, parent, college/ pens,” Roach said.

language from page 27 When asked how she would educate others essential to the campaign’s message. We retardation” and its variants were originally Falls High School, said “most people don’t to describe her brother, Yang simply said, want our youth to be a driving force in an attempt to convey greater dignity and connect the word with a group of people, and “He’s special.” the battle to end the use of the ‘R-word,’” respect than previous labels had. While he they usually say, ‘I am sorry.’ Most people, Dongoske said. acknowledged that the word has taken on adults included, don’t have a clue the word is EDUCATION AND OUTREACH more negativity in the past decade, Fairman offensive … (they) truly don’t know and don’t That CATS at River Falls is partially run by RESTRICTING SPEECH argued that “restricting speech of any kind mean to be hurtful.” teens helps incorporate their involvement But will banning the word solve anything? comes with a potential price.” Yet kids and teens hear others saying it, so and paves the way for fellow students to take In a 2010 Washington Post editorial titled “Words are ideas, and we should be they say it. Monkey see, monkey do. a stand against the “R-word,” Gillis said. At “Saying it is Hurtful. Banning it is Worse,” reluctant to surrender any of them,” Fairman Bonnie Yang, a sophomore at Johnson Special Olympics Minnesota, the “Spread author and law professor Christopher M. wrote. “Freedom of expression has come at High School in St. Paul, has heard the the Word” campaign also encourages schools Fairman wrote that attempting to eliminate a dear price, and it is not worth abridging, “R-word” used to describe her 12-year-old to be creative with outreach efforts. “retarded” from all vocabulary isn’t the best even so we can get along a little better.” brother, Matthew, who has developmen- A favorite, Dongoske said, is to hold a way to address the problem. Dongoske disagrees. To her, the “R-word” tal disabilities. She said it takes personal school-wide assembly. In November, the “The words themselves are not the will always promote the misconception that experience to understand why the word is “so group held one at Forest Lake High School culprit; the meaning we attach to them is, developmentally disabled people do not have offensive.” for 1,500 students and featured a combina- and such meanings change dramatically anything in common with “normal” mem- “My relationship with my brother is really tion of speeches from Special Olympics over time and across communities,” wrote bers of society. close. And actually, during the summer, athletes, students with intellectual disabili- Fairman, who also noted that “gay and queer “They have jobs, go to school, play sports my cousins came over and asked, ‘Why is ties from Forest Lake, videos, live music, a and even the N-word can be insulting, and work hard just like everyone else. When Matthew so retarded?’” Yang said. banner signing and more. friendly, identifying or academic in different people use the ‘R-word,’ it takes away their “I was like, ‘What? He’s not retarded. “The student-driven vision of ‘Spread contexts.” power, self-esteem, confidence and breaks He just learns slower.’ I always have to tell the Word to End the Word Campaign’ is It’s also ironic to Fairman that “mental them down,” Dongoske said. people, ‘He’s the same as us. He just learns “Working … with our athletes has differently.’” If you had the power to ban one word from the English language, what would it inspired me to fight harder for inclusion in think She also acknowledges that not every be? Why do you consider that specific word to be so powerful? What are more our society. People with intellectual disabili- spot teenager (or adult, for that matter) “is mature appropriate alternatives that can be used? ties deserve the same rights, treatment and enough to know how it can affect someone.” respect within our culture.”

December 2013 / January 2014 29 As of ThreeSixty press time, work at La Fresca was being finalized for an early-to-mid-December opening. Ruiz said the restaurant will also transform into a 36-seat, higher-scale dining experience at night. La Fresca is located at 4750 Grand Ave. S, Minneapolis.

eatery to fit the dining desires of “(I) bring in tomatoes from this craft, but he wants students to give Fresh, fast and nearby Washburn High School stu- guy … I call him ‘Grandpa Bob’ … him input. dents who leave school for lunch. that I’ve been doing business with “We can do soups. You don’t Citing the limited neighborhood for five years. He’s gonna give me the (have) seven, you got five bucks? for students options—chains like Subway and best and local draw,” Ruiz said. “I like Soups and bread. I wanna know Brueggers—La Fresca will offer a to be the best of the best. That’s my what students want. Somali kids? unique, non-processed menu. problem.” Lamb sandwich. I know the culture; “That’s the whole focus … I want For young patrons of the new Mexican, Asian, Middle Eastern, Hector Ruiz’s new La Fresca targets teen (teenagers) to eat healthy,” he said. restaurant, that should prove to be a cause I want it to be for you guys,” eaters at nearby Washburn High School “And you guys wanna eat good, (at good problem. he said. “I wanna be here as long an) affordable cost.” A variety of homemade, organic as you (Washburn students) want Ruiz promises a variety of home- sandwiches with an authentic me to.” made sandwiches, with sides like Mexican twist will be the main fea- Along with providing whatever When he was only 13, Hector chips and guacamole, salads or fries, ture on La Fresca’s menu. All sand- food students crave, Ruiz hopes to Ruiz left the comfort of Morelos, Ellie Colbert and a drink for around $7 or $8. wiches will be served on homemade work with Washburn administra- Mexico for something unfamiliar. Washburn Understanding that students need a bolillo, a Mexican baguette with tion to arrange for a percentage of High School “My dad (brought) me to America quick option during the lunch hour, “crunchiness.” Options will range his La Fresca proceeds to go to the with a loaf of bread and a glass of the “press and go” style will make it from a Cochinito—marinated pork high school. He said his Mexican water—when I (caught) the bus from easy to pop in and out, he said. in a dry pepper sauce, ham, avocado culture, and more than 20 years as a Mexico City to Tijuana—following Hannah “La fresca,” in English, translates and a black bean jalapeño aioli—to a south Minneapolis resident, foster the American dream. And I’m still Gordon to “fresh”—and that’s exactly what all vegetarian sandwich with roasted red that desire. dreaming it until I can’t,” Ruiz said. Washburn of the ingredients will be. Confessing pepper, Mexican mozzarella cheese, “I think American entrepreneurs, High School His American dream? Cooking that it’s a lot of work to get local, avocado and black beans. they should give back something,” and serving culturally-focused food homegrown meat and vegetables, Ruiz expects the daytime menu he said. in his community. Ena and Rincon 38. Soon to be Ruiz believes it ultimately results in to evolve. Not only does he plan to Having left Mexico almost 25 Ruiz does that daily at his south added to that list is La Fresca. Ruiz the best quality and variety for the incorporate an ice cream shop after years ago, Ruiz is inching closer to Minneapolis restaurants, Cafe is designing the new, deli-style food he serves. he returns from Mexico to learn the his fully realized American dream. He received a formal cooking education from Le Cordon Bleu in Minneapolis and eventually studied under a master chef in France. The son of a caterer, Ruiz experimented with cooking as a child. However, before making it his life’s work, he tried to ignore his calling five times, dabbling in jobs like UPS driver and helping his dad in a shipping and receiving business. Finally, he caved. It wasn’t worth the internal battle of denying his roots, and he ultimately ended up back in the food industry, staying true to his passion. “I don’t think money is the drive for me. I do it because I like it … because I love it,” Ruiz said. “Don’t

Staff do (anything) because you have to Homemade guacamole (right) and the Cochinito (marinated pork in a dry pepper sauce, ham, avocado and a black bean jalapeño aioli) are just two of the options that or because (of) money … Love is will be offered at Hector Ruiz’s new La Fresca restaurant. priceless.”

30 threesixtyjournalism.org “The Way I Work”

of Minnesota has an undergradu- Buggin’ out ate program called Environmental Science Policy and Management. It’s a great starting point for aspiring entomologists, Ferrington said, since Insect world continues to amaze it gives science students a better University of Minnesota entomologist understanding of research, observa- tion and patience. All are vital if you eventually want to be hired as one.

When you see a bumblebee nes- Staff “What we typically do is, students Dillan Leonard Ferrington of the University of Minnesota has devoted much of his tled in a purple hosta flower, Leonard would get a degree, perhaps in DeGross research to aquatic insects, which “continue to fascinate” because of their vast Ferrington, a professor and research environmental sciences or biology or FAIR School numbers and importance to ecosystems, food webs and fisheries. entomologist at the University of Downtown ecology, and then they would go on Minnesota, urges you to think of the to a graduate program at a masters positive interactions instead of the Zealand, Tasmania and Puerto Rico, entomologist. level,” said Ferrington, who also men- negative. at the age of three while watching a among other countries. “Literally, you have to take every- tors graduate students at U of M. For instance, instead of worrying spider’s web. Out of all those locations, thing with you and you have to get “So, it typically would take four about the bee’s stinger, think about “I tried to learn as much as I Mongolia has a special place in his ready for it, get prepared and carry years of college and the two years how it plays a key role in the pollina- could all the time about insects,” he heart. supplies,” he said. “It isn’t like a vaca- of graduate school to really develop tion of flowers. said. “I can remember my father, “We worked for about a month, tion. It’s work. It really is hard, but a technical background to a level Having those deeper discussions years ago, feeding insects to a spider each of two summers, in Western it’s exciting.” that you would be employed as an about insect life—and understand- on our front porch. And that was so Mongolia. We lived in the country- Becoming an entomologist can entomologist.” ing their role as more than a creepy fascinating. Of course spiders aren’t side and we camped. We ate local be a tough road, too. The University All these years into his career, the bug older siblings scare little sisters insects, but it was that interaction foods, we moved around in Russian- insect world continues to surprise with—is Ferrington’s field of study. between insects and spiders … that made Jeeps, and visited with local Ferrington—particularly how few It’s an immense one, even bigger really started me into looking at fine groups of people,” Ferrington said. species have been described. than he originally thought. detail and what was happening.” “There are all these other benefits. Roughly 3.8 million speci- (Entomology entails) “everything Ferrington spent his first three I mean, there’s a whole different way mens make up the University of from using insects as test organisms years of college thinking that he to living on this Earth than the way Minnesota’s impressive insect collec- to understanding the molecular pro- wanted to be a biochemist. After we do it in the United States.” tion at the St. Paul campus. From the cesses, to doing field assessments of realizing that he could be paid for Yet traveling around the world massive Goliath beetle and aquatic how different types of food amounts doing research on aquatic insects, he isn’t like a trip to the Kalahari for an Belostomatidae (more commonly affect insects, both positive and immediately switched orientations. known as the toe-biter) to exotic and negatively,” Ferrington said. Ferrington eventually landed at Career advice shimmery blue Morpho butterflies, “We don’t like (insects) where the University of Kansas, where he researchers continues to fill display they’re not supposed to be. We don’t worked for 20 years. His first job was This is the first installment of“The Way I Work,” a regular ThreeSixty cases with their finds. like them in our house. I don’t either. to develop a list of aquatic insects. feature aimed at providing insight into unique and interesting career “That’s pretty phenomenal to If we get away from (how they inter- “There were 35 species recorded, fields. Intrigued by this career path? Entomologist Leonard Ferrington think that entomologists have been act negatively with us), and that’s just and when I left 25 years later, we offers the following advice to teenagers: working for, what, 150 years describ- a small number of insects, there are knew about 800. So, it was actually “Realize that if you follow your interests, then there are employment ing species and to find out only so many out there that are really ben- pretty fascinating to make all those opportunities associated with insects. At the same time, keep in mind about a third of the species are actu- eficial. We have to kinda look beyond discoveries,” he said. that it does take quite a bit of study and commitment to learn enough ally described at this point in time? the few that are most conspicuous Thirteen years ago, he left Kansas about them that you’re able to really obtain a job working with insects,” “It takes some time to really and interact the most negatively. If for the University of Minnesota, Ferrington said. “I mean, if you’re happy with it as a hobby, that’s fine understand what (insects) are doing, you do that, you see how fascinating though he’s hardly grounded there. too. Insects as a hobby are great. But if you actually want to have a to understand their role in their eco- they are.” Ferrington’s insect studies have taken career, it does take quite a bit of study. You have to really be committed system processes. They kinda speak For Ferrington, his natural curios- him to Norway, Iceland, Argentina, to being a good scientist.” their own language and we have to ity about the insect world started South Africa, Mongolia, New infer that from their behavior.”

December 2013 / January 2014 31 Thank you,

for presenting ThreeSixty Journalism’s 2013 Widening the Circle dinner and fundraiser!

FEATURED SPEAKER Harris Faulkner, Fox Report Weekend