The student news site of St. Louis Park High School

The Echo
The student news site of St. Louis Park High School

The Echo
The student news site of St. Louis Park High School

The Echo
Gabriel Kaplan

Gabriel Kaplan, Managing Editor

Hey everyone! My name’s Gabriel, I’m gonna be a managing editor this year! I’m a senior and this is my third year on Echo. I’m in charge of writing or something this year but honestly, I’m not really sure? Anyways, can’t wait to see everyone and hopefully get back into the Pub at some point this year!!!

All content by Gabriel Kaplan
Going maskless is freeing

Going maskless is freeing

Gabriel Kaplan
June 1, 2021
Sophomore watching teacher on May 11. Freshmen and sophomore are exited to get their vaccines after age limit was lowered.

Underclassmen react to vaccine approval

Gabriel Kaplan
May 14, 2021
As COVID-19 vaccines are approved and appointments become increasingly available, more students will be able to get inoculated.

How to: Get your vaccine

Gabriel Kaplan
April 30, 2021
Junior Joe McGurgan launches his rocket at Minikahda Vista park April 18. McGurgan and his friends were influenced by others in the park to start building their own rockets.

The sky’s the limit

Gabriel Kaplan
April 20, 2021
Junior Renee McSherry poses during rehearsal for the spring musical March 12. The cast was practicing the dance for the song “Delivery.”

Fifth grade band teacher serves as pit director

Gabriel Kaplan
March 24, 2021
Art teacher Angela Jacob helps a student during art class Feb. 23. Park started 50% capacity hybrid learning Feb 22.

Hybrid learning worthwhile despite challenges

Gabriel Kaplan
February 24, 2021
Junior Abby Turcotte works on her assignments in the Oriole Study Nest Feb. 12. Asynchronous times will be optional for online students but required for in-person students starting Feb. 22.

Asynchronous periods restructured

Gabriel Kaplan
February 16, 2021
Photo illustration by Gabriel Kaplan. According to Ninth Grade Counselor Barb Nelson, class registration for next fall will take place in Park Connections a few weeks into the second semester.

Class registration to begin shortly

Gabriel Kaplan
January 25, 2021
Seniors Zoe Frank, Audrey Long and Liz Hodges working at Seeds Feeds Oct. 24, 2020. The organization seeks to cultivate sustainable agriculture and eliminate hunger in St. Louis Park.

Garden Club set to sprout

Gabriel Kaplan
January 18, 2021
Used with permission from Madeline Anklam.

Meet the Athlete: Madeline Anklam

Gabriel Kaplan
December 18, 2020
Rowing each day through winter

Rowing each day through winter

Gabriel Kaplan
December 5, 2020
The fight isn’t over until we flip Georgia (again)

The fight isn’t over until we flip Georgia (again)

Gabriel Kaplan
November 23, 2020
Used with permission from Meshach Mandel.

Assistant stage manager shines

Gabriel Kaplan
November 18, 2020
Used with permission from Clayton Horstman Olson. Senior Horstman Olson is co-captain of Parks drone racing team which currently is working to recruit new members.

Drone racing focuses on recruitment

Gabriel Kaplan
November 1, 2020
Hybrid learning risks exacerbating the pandemic 

Hybrid learning risks exacerbating the pandemic 

Gabriel Kaplan
October 30, 2020
Park students rehearse for the fall play over zoom during a virtual rehearsal on Oct. 5. “Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Show” will likely be available to watch late November.

Theater makes best of difficult situation

Gabriel Kaplan
October 13, 2020
Junior Danny Lainsbury looks out for the ball Sept. 29. Park lost to Chaska with a final score of 2-1.

Meet the athlete: Danny Lainsbury

Gabriel Kaplan
October 3, 2020
Breaking: School year to kick off at a distance

Breaking: School year to kick off at a distance

Gabriel Kaplan and Talia Lissauer
August 10, 2020
Graduate Elliot Rickert greets friends and family during the car parade June 23. St. Louis Park celebrated the graduation ceremony in the high school parking lot June 23.

Park hosts alternative Graduation ceremony

Gabriel Kaplan
June 24, 2020
Art by Sophie Livingston. As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must prioritize climate action. Many have proposed policies such as the Green New Deal to address both economic and environmental issues.

Recovery from COVID-19 must prioritize climate action

Gabriel Kaplan
May 24, 2020
Gov. Tim Walz extended the stay-at-home order through May 18 in a press conference April 30. Retail businesses can open on May 4 for curb-side pick up, according to Walz.

Governor extends stay-at-home order until May 18

Marta Hill, Talia Lissauer, Gabriel Kaplan, and Isabel Kjaer
April 30, 2020
Park will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, according to Executive Order 20-41 issued by Gov. Walz. The last day of school for Park students was March 16.

Governor closes schools for the rest of the year

Marta Hill, Gabriel Kaplan, Isabel Kjaer, and Talia Lissauer
April 23, 2020
Art by Marta Hill. As the pandemic spreads, misinformation seems to spreading more and more. Echo seeks to answer your questions and concerns on the virus.

Fact-checking the pandemic part two

Gabriel Kaplan and Talia Lissauer
March 26, 2020
Art by Maggie Klaers. For the coming weeks, streets will remain barren as Minnesotans stay home. Governor Tim Walz said he is asking all Minnesotans to stay home if possible. Walz also announced online learning would continue until May 4 and public accommodations such as restaurants would remain closed until May 1.

Governor announces stay-at-home order, further school closures

Marta Hill, Gabriel Kaplan, Isabel Kjaer, and Talia Lissauer
March 25, 2020
College Board announces COVID-19 plan

College Board announces COVID-19 plan

Gabriel Kaplan
March 20, 2020
Over the past several years, insulin prices in Minnesota have increased significantly with legislators on both sides of the aisle seeking to lower the cost, according to Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives Ryan Winkler.

Insulin prices unnecessarily high

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
March 19, 2020
eSports coach Jake Utities points during the eSports meeting for the spring season March 5. Utities is a tournament organizer for Minnesota Varsity Leagues State championship, which moved online for League of Legends and Overwatch because of COVID-19.

eSports teams compete from home

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
March 17, 2020
Art by Maggie Klaers. At a press conference March 16, Governor Tim Walz announced the closure of in-person services for restaurants, bars and other public accommodations beginning 5 p.m. March 17 and until 5 p.m. March 27.

Governor closes restaurants, bars, other public facilities

Marta Hill, Gabriel Kaplan, and Talia Lissauer
March 16, 2020
Park releases schedule for March 16

Park releases schedule for March 16

Gabriel Kaplan and Marta Hill
March 15, 2020
Art by Maggie Klaers. As of March 13, there is one case of COVID-19 in St. Louis Park.

St. Louis Park closes public facilities, plans to meet on COVID-19

Gabriel Kaplan
March 15, 2020
Art by Maggie Klaers. As the pandemic spreads, misinformation seems to spreading more and more. Echo seeks to answer your questions and concerns on the virus.

Fact-checking the pandemic

Gabriel Kaplan and Talia Lissauer
March 15, 2020
Art by Maggie Klaers. The St. Louis Park Public Schools announced Park will close beginning March 17. The closure will roll into spring break.

St. Louis Park Public Schools announce school closure March 17 through March 27

Marta Hill, Gabriel Kaplan, Isabel Kjaer, and Talia Lissauer
March 15, 2020
Gabe Kaplan

Precinct Caucuses empowering

Gabriel Kaplan
March 10, 2020
Junior Angel Diaz smiles during the eSports meeting March 5. According to coach Jake Utities, the meeting was in preparation for the eSports spring season.

eSports holds meeting in preparation for spring season

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
March 9, 2020
Junior Dayton Rowland speaks during the Dungeons and Dragons club meeting Feb. 24. According to Dungeons and Dragons club adviser Daniel Ruzek, the club meetings typically last from the end of the school day to 5 p.m.

Dungeons and Dragons club hosts immersive role play

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
March 1, 2020
Junior Brynn Langaard ice skates at Oak Hill Park during the Snodaze sledding and skating event. The Snodaze dance will take place Feb 22 at the SLP High School’s Activity Center.

Student Council hosts ice skating

Talia Lissauer and Gabriel Kaplan
February 22, 2020
Senior and Student Council president Anna Wert speaks to the crowd at the Nest’s open-mic event Feb. 20. The program aimed to give students the opportunity to show off their talents and participate in SnoDaze festivities.

Nest hosts open mic night

Talia Lissauer and Gabriel Kaplan
February 21, 2020
Junior Ben St. Clair practices freestyle during practice Feb. 19. St. Clair first began swimming several years ago after a series of injuries in other sports.

Meet the Athlete: Ben St. Clair

Gabriel Kaplan
February 20, 2020
Robotics adviser Trevor Paulson works with junior Nick Perszyk during the teams meeting Feb. 10. According to Paulson, the team does not have a class during school hours to work so it has to stay after school.

Robotics prepares for competition

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
February 12, 2020
Photo Illustration by Noah Orloff. According to associate planner for St. Louis Park Jacquelyn Kramer, the census is mentioned in the Constitution.

2020 census aims to count every American

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
February 6, 2020
Freshman Isaac Cantor speaks with senior Ethan Meisler during the ACE meeting Jan. 30. ACE will present at the University of Minnesota March 5.

ACE prepares for March presentation

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
February 3, 2020
Choir teacher John Myszkowski speaks to his students Jan. 31. Myszkowski is currently a candidate for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year Award.

Choir teacher announced as a candidate for teacher of the year

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
February 3, 2020
Alexander Polk teaches his fifth-hour chemistry class while wearing the Park Pride teacher dress code. Throughout the week, many teachers took part in various dress codes though up by staff.

Staff surprise students with dress codes

Claire Bargman and Gabriel Kaplan
January 30, 2020
Used with permission from Sam Hunt. Junior Sam Hunt plays in an examination game, part of the 17 USA National Team program. Hunt has committed to Vanderbilt Unversity and will play baseball at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida starting in 2020.

Junior commits to prestigious academy

Gabriel Kaplan
January 9, 2020
Freshman Amanuel Shetaye works with mentor Dan Klobucar during the ACE meeting Dec. 19. According to Klobucar, ACE recently has experienced growth in number of participants.

ACE sees increased participation

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
December 27, 2019
Senior Mitchell VonEschen sings during the choir winter concert Dec. 17. VonEschen is a part of Park Singers and concert choir. Concert choir performed four songs alone.

Choir performs at winter concert

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
December 19, 2019
Sophmore Kendrick Ross Jr. reflects on his experiences with race and identity while his peers listen intently at the Students Organized for Anti-Racism event Nov. 25. Senior Amaya Foku leads the conversation throughout the meeting.

SOAR initiates discussion

Maria Perez Barriga and Gabriel Kaplan
November 27, 2019
Pink T-shirts available for purchase at the St. Louis Park Fire Station 1. The shirts cost $20 and are being sold in support of breast cancer awareness.

Fire department raises money for cancer awareness

Gabriel Kaplan
November 25, 2019
Senior co-captain Zachary Weiser practices with team coach Elizabeth Huesing during Math Team practice Oct. 21. According to Weiser, the team’s next meet is in December.

Math Team places last at meet

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
November 21, 2019
Junior Kendall Coley hits the ball over the net during the Sections Finals Nov. 2. The State matches will be played as a double elimination Nov. 7 and Nov. 8.

Busing offered to students for volleyball State match

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
November 5, 2019
Art by Maggie Klaers

Meet the candidates for St. Louis Park council member at large B

Gabriel Kaplan and Maddie Schutte
November 4, 2019
The 2019 city election unraveled

The 2019 city election unraveled

Gabriel Kaplan, Tobias Khabie, Noah Orloff, and Maddie Schutte
November 4, 2019
Art by Maggie Klaers

Meet the candidates for St. Louis Park School Board

Gabriel Kaplan, Noah Orloff, and Maddie Schutte
November 3, 2019
Senior and project manager Christian Vega speaks during Architecture Construction Engineerings first meeting Oct. 24 while senior Zoe Younger smiles and watches. According to Vega, the first meeting was a time for team members to introduce themselves and discuss their plans.

ACE seeks committed members

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
October 28, 2019
Gabe Kaplan

Local action counteracts division

Gabriel Kaplan
October 24, 2019
Math Team adviser Kari Johnson works with sophomore Sophie Davis during practice Oct. 21. According to Johnson, last season Park placed fourth in their conference.

Math Team sets goals for season

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
October 23, 2019
SLP Nutrition founders Alex Brose and Allyson Oman laugh as they wait for someone to order a drink. According to Oman, SLP Nutrition is a health club with a mission of creating a healthy community.

SLP Nutrition partners with Student Council

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
September 19, 2019
Senior Rafe Covin practices flying a drone Sept. 11. The groups first meeting of the school year included flying around and an informational presentation.

Drone racing program takes off

Gabriel Kaplan
September 14, 2019
Art by Sophie Livingston

Xcel Energy’s climate reforms fall short

Gabriel Kaplan
June 7, 2019
English teacher Annamarie Wilfahrt directs her honors English 10 students in the beginning of class June 4. Wilfahrt is one of many teachers who will alter the structure of their class next year under International Baccalaureate directive.

English Department develops new coursework

Gabriel Kaplan, Katie Hardie, and Maria Perez Barriga
June 5, 2019
Freshman Ella Roether gives her election pitch in front of JSU May 23. While her running mate was not present, Roether delivered her bid for the both of them. Roether, Toby Khabie, Noah Orloff, and Ruthie Posada all ran unopposed in the JSU elections for the 2019-2020 school year.

JSU elects new leaders

Maria Perez Barriga and Gabriel Kaplan
May 30, 2019
Minds Matter Director of Student Recruitment Travis Bezella and students involved in the program present to potential applicants, May 6.

Minds Matter empowers low income students

Gabriel Kaplan
May 13, 2019
Band teacher among best in state

Band teacher among best in state

Gabriel Kaplan, Maria Perez Barriga, and Katie Hardie
May 9, 2019
Sophomore Anavey Hosack practices her clarinet. Hosack went on to win the Best of Sight Award, the first time someone from Park has won the award in five years.

Clarinetist wins Best of Site Award

Maria Perez Barriga, Katie Hardie, and Gabriel Kaplan
April 27, 2019
Parent Sarah Mutchler speaks at the School Board meeting March 25 during open forum. Mutchler said before a final vote, the questions from the community should be answered.

School Board passes time changes

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
April 22, 2019
Band teacher Steve Schmitz directs a piece for his students while they practice March 10. Schmitz was recently given the distinction as a finalist for Education Minnesotas Minnesota Teacher of the Year award.

Band teacher named finalist for teacher of the year award

Maria Perez Barriga, Gabriel Kaplan, and Katie Hardie
April 15, 2019
Senior Nechama Buchbinder and junior Shaqued Ben-Harush make hamantashen. During the JSU eeting March 14, students celebrated Purim by making hamantashen with different fillings.

JSU celebrates Purim

Gabriel Kaplan, Katie Hardie, and Maria Perez Barriga
March 21, 2019
Associate director of education at Jewish National Fund Amy Cytron gives a talk to students in the Jewish Student Union March 7. Cytron talked about Israeli inventions and other facts about Israel to students in attendance.

Jewish Student Union hosts speaker on Israel

Maria Perez-Barriga, Katie Hardie, and Gabriel Kaplan
March 14, 2019
Junior Yoni Potter reviews sample ballots for the 2019 St. Louis Park municipal election which will utilize ranked-choice voting for the first time.

City adopts ranked-choice voting

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
March 6, 2019
Junior Dayna Krause and senior Lexi Lee practice their part in the multi-faceted wind ensemble piecex. All members of Park band will perform a concert March 5.

Band hosts 16th annual POPS concert

Gabriel Kaplan, Maria Perez Barriga, and Katie Hardie
March 4, 2019
A St. Louis Park parent asks a question regarding the time change for schools in the St. Louis Park School District during an informational meeting Feb. 21. According to superintendent Astein Osei, the school board will likely make the final decision in March.

District hours under review

Noah Orloff and Gabriel Kaplan
February 26, 2019
Senior Echowan managing editor Ilsa Olsen takes attendance during the beginning of 5th hour. Echowan sales are currently extended to Feb. 5. due missed school the week of Jan. 28.

Yearbook sales close

Gabriel Kaplan
February 16, 2019
DECA competes at District

DECA competes at District

Gabriel Kaplan, Yonit Krebs, and Maria Perez-Barriga
February 12, 2019
Alexander Muss High School in Israel teacher Lisa Biton tell students a story on Mount Gilboa Dec. 4. Park students returned from Israel Jan. 22.

Several upperclassmen return from Israel

Gabriel Kaplan
February 10, 2019
Fair use from Paramount Pictures

‘Bumblebee’ mildly entertaining

Gabriel Kaplan
January 23, 2019
Junior Jordyn Turek writes down her opinions about the school starting time. The youth Panel met during the day Jan. 16 at SLP high school.

Superintendent requests youth input

Yonit Krebs, Gabriel Kaplan, and Maria Perez Barriga
January 23, 2019
Used with permission by Greta Nackerud

Student actors perform outside of school

Gabriel Kaplan and Maria Perez-Barriga
January 21, 2019
Senior Krista Morhauser and junior Hannah Odland take the DECA exam Jan. 8. The 100-question test will contribute to their score at the DECA district competitions Jan. 28.

DECA begins competition through examination

Gabriel Kaplan, Maria Perez-Barriga, and Yonit Krebs
January 19, 2019
Junior Anna Long beads necklace for a customer in her jewelry room. Follow @acl.jewelry to see updates on the jewelry she makes.

Junior sells jewelry on Instagram

Gabriel Kaplan
January 3, 2019
Park Tech acquires business volunteer

Park Tech acquires business volunteer

Gabriel Kaplan, Yonit Krebs, and Maria Perez-Barriga
December 20, 2018
Senior Alexis Machoka volunteers with children during DECAs annual visit to Family Partnership to celebrate the holidays with children in 2016.

DECA works with Family Partnership

Gabriel Kaplan, Yonit Krebs, and Maria Perez Barriga
December 18, 2018
Photo Illustration Sadie Yarosh

Students wait months to take driver’s test

Gabriel Kaplan
December 9, 2018
The Alexander Muss students leave for Israel on Nov. 27. They will return two months later in Jan. 2019.

Students to live in Israel

Gabriel Kaplan
November 25, 2018
Seniors Anya Morrsion and Susanna Hu discuss their preparation plan for the upcoming DECA competitions.

DECA prepares to compete

Gabriel Kaplan, Yonit Krebs, and Maria Perez Barriga
November 21, 2018
DECA attended the fall leadership conference at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Minneapolis.

DECA attends Fall Leadership Conference

Yonit Krebs, Gabriel Kaplan, and Maria Perez Barriga
November 7, 2018
Science teacher Alexander Polk makes an announcement during his fifth hour class. He teaches tenth grade chemistry.

Park science department seeks donations

Gabriel Kaplan
November 4, 2018
Jenna Wollitz assists health teacher Allison Luskey. She is a masters student at Augsburg University.

Student teacher aids Allison Luskey

Gabriel Kaplan
November 1, 2018
Midterm candidates - 2018

Midterm candidates – 2018

Gabriel Kaplan
October 31, 2018
DECA adviser Sophia Ross removes frozen pizzas during distribution Oct. 25.

DECA sells pizza to raise money

Gabriel Kaplan, Yonit Krebs, and Maria Perez Barriga
October 30, 2018
Minnesota Department of Human Rights reached an agreement June 25. The district is fixing suspension disparities within the student body as part of the arrangement.

District to reduce suspension disparities

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff
October 9, 2018
Senior Katie Christiansen speaks in support of the Climate Action Plan before the St. Louis Park City Council Feb. 5.

Climate Action Plan takes hold

Gabriel Kaplan
September 12, 2018
DECA co-advisers Sally Adams and Sophia Ross and senior officer Lewis Brown address DECA members attending the Fall Leadership Conference Oct. 27. The conference allows DECA chapters to bond within their chapters and with other Minnesota chapters.

DECA kicks off new school year

Yonit Krebs, Gabriel Kaplan, and Maria Perez-Barriga
September 12, 2018

Congressional testimony, scandal elicits controversy

Gabriel Kaplan
May 17, 2018
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Gabriel Kaplan