Staff Editorial: SOAR meeting sparks important dialogue
December 5, 2019
The St. Louis Park community places significant value on diversity and student voices. This culminated in the meeting of Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR) Nov. 19. The Echo Editorial Board applauds SOAR for creating this opportunity for student voices to be heard. Conversations about race are very impo...
Staff Editorial: U.S. Bank Stadium should prioritize bird safety
November 22, 2019
Although the U.S. Bank Stadium’s transparent exterior design is aesthetically pleasing, the 200,000 square feet of reflective glass is killing over 100 birds annually. Out of the 21 buildings in the Twin Cities metro area, the U.S. Bank Stadium has the third highest bird fatality rate, according to MPR News. ...
Staff Editorial: Volleyball attendance sets example for how all activities should be supported
November 17, 2019
The girls’ volleyball team made history when it made it to the State tournament for the first time ever Nov. 7. The news was blasted throughout the school, with posters and a pep fest, as it should be. The atmosphere and experience the game was unforgettable. However, this support is not present for all...
Staff Editorial: National Drug Take Back Day collection sites now accepting vapes
October 26, 2019
For the first time since the inception of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Take Back Day nine years ago, people can now drop off vaping devices at collection sites. The Echo Editorial Board sees this as a step in the right direction to combat the vaping epidemic, but a lack of awarene...
Staff Editorial: Local Trump rally sparks division
October 17, 2019
The night of the Trump rally Oct. 10, gloomy skies and flurries of rain complemented the unfolding chaos below as the president spewed hate before a large audience of his supporters inside the Target Center, sheltered from thousands more protesting outside. Although Trump stuck to the basics for much of the rally — focusing on the booming economy, corrupt media and the ongoing impeach...
Staff Editorial: Global Climate Strike week creates opportunity for activism
September 27, 2019
In the past week, hundreds of communities have rallied together as part of the Global Climate Strike. Not only did Minnesota host a strike Sept. 20, but students from Park also have the opportunity to take part in the fight to end the age of fossil fuels. After not being able to rally at the first Global Climate Strike Sept. 20 at the State Capitol becaus...
Staff Editorial: E-cigarette flavors ban serves as necessary step
September 21, 2019
Trump’s proposed ban on flavored e-cigarettes will bring much needed change to combat the vaping epidemic. Without access to appealing types of pods such as mango and mint, many middle and high schoolers will be prevented from ever getting addicted. According to the Center for Disease Control a...
Staff Editorial: New bathroom policy neglects student needs
September 11, 2019
In order to succeed, students must have their basic in-school needs met, including access to a bathroom. However, due to the numerous closures and the poorly thought out release of the new bathroom-pass policy, Park administrators have failed to provide for their students. According to assistant principals Todd Goggl...
Staff Editorial: New Graduation speakers allow for inclusivity
June 5, 2019
Because we are an upstanding community, we must strive to ensure all voices within our community are heard. Every year families of high school students come together for Commencement and expect to hear the year’s valedictorians speak. However, this class’s 11 valedictorians voted to allow other...
Staff Editorial: Game of Assassins should consider expense in the future
April 28, 2019
The 2019 Park Assassins game commenced April 21 with leaders anguishing over the details of the game, yet failing to account for the game’s inclusivity as cost could be keeping people from participating. The objective of Assassins is to kill everyone on the six-person hit list the leaders of the game...
Staff Editorial: Park’s Prom timing error inexcusable
April 16, 2019
How can we call ourselves a “caring, diverse community” — as the district does in its mission statement — if we are an exclusive one? By originally scheduling Prom on Ramadan, the administration isolated Muslim students and failed to act in the best interest of the entire community. Although ...
Staff Editorial: BARR Conference, program beneficial to community but needs improving
April 10, 2019
The morning of April 11 will be a crowded one for Park, as around 500 educators from around the country will be coming together for the National Building Assets, Reducing Risks Conference hosted by the school. Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) contains policies that are meant to create teacher-stu...
After a close loss to Hopkins in its first meet of the season, Park boys’ swimming is nevertheless on track for a successful season, according to coach Amanda Forsberg. “I'm really happy with a...
Maggie Klaers, Ruthie Posada, and Emily Ziessman
After suffering a loss against Minneapolis with a final score of 3-5, coach Zach Strouts said one of the team’s most notable qualities is perseverance. “Our goaltending is one of the best in the...
Adin Zweigbaum and Sadie Yarosh
As Dec. 12 approaches and the team practices for its game against Hopkins, coach Rob Griffin said the players will be focusing on improving the skills of each player and controlling the ball. “We...
With Park down several points in the first half, junior Kendall Coley said it felt good to end with a win. “Coming back and pushing through (and) just getting out of the hole we dug ourselves into...
