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
Maria Perez Barriga

Maria Perez Barriga, Opinions Editor

Hey! How’s it going? My name is Maria and I will be a senior this year. This will be my second year being the Opinions editor for Echo. Some things that you should know about me is that my favorite food to eat is pizza, I love drinking Caramel Frappes, and my favorite soccer team is FC Barcelona. In my free time I like to watch funny or interesting videos on Youtube, watch a show or movie on Netflix, or exercise. I also like to read a nice book and listen to music. My favorite artist at the moment is the Weeknd. I am excited to work for Echo this year! Thanks for reading my bio and I hope you have a nice day!

All content by Maria Perez Barriga
Grateful to have a normal graduation

Grateful to have a normal graduation

Maria Perez Barriga
May 27, 2021
Fair use from Netflix

‘Shadow and Bone’ is phenomenal

Maria Perez Barriga
May 10, 2021
Fair use from Netflix

‘Thunder Force’ is a fun movie to watch

Maria Perez Barriga
April 28, 2021
Seventh grader Gretchen Fandel Thompson faces defender freshman Ruby Smith during practice April 12. The lacrosse team has begun practices preparing for their spring season.

Girls’ lacrosse starts season

Maria Perez Barriga
April 14, 2021
Multiple Girls United chapters meet on Zoom together March 7 to hold a panel with guests who came in to talk with students about their jobs. There were a total of seven panelists, ranging from a radio host to a surgeon.

Panel of successful women hold lively discussions

Maria Perez Barriga
March 9, 2021
Senior Grace Kanyinku will be studying cosmetology at Aveda Arts and Science Institute Minneapolis in the fall of 2021. She plans to open a salon in the future that specializes in African-American hair, as well as give out free haircuts for homeless people.

Senior takes next step towards cosmetology

Maria Perez Barriga
March 1, 2021
Senior Abby Meyer listens to coach during practice. Meyer committed to playing both hockey and lacrosse at Lake Forest college, a Division III school in Illinois.

Meet the Athlete: Abby Meyer

Maria Perez Barriga
January 15, 2021
Junior Robert Perelman talks to Jeremy Boone on Facebook Live about the winter drive Desire to Lead held for Park. Desire to Lead is a program run by Boone which last about 10 weeks and helps build leadership skills for athletes nationwide.

Desire to Lead program inspires athletes

Maria Perez Barriga
December 24, 2020
Seeds Feeds’ “Cook With Us” event meets virtually over Zoom Dec. 6. The recipe they made for this event was squash and red lentil curry soup.

Seeds Feeds hosts ‘cook with us’ events

Maria Perez Barriga
December 7, 2020
Fair use from Netflix. A variety of alien creatures shown existing from four different exoplanets. The “Alien Worlds” Netflix documentary series focuses on the life of animals on Earth and those in exoplanets.

‘Alien Worlds’ proves interesting as show explores potential extraterrestrial life

Maria Perez Barriga
December 6, 2020
School resource officer Maurice Smith types on his laptop in his office at Park. Smith applied due to his passion for working with kids and began his new role for the 2020-21 school year.

New school resource officer Maurice Smith

Maria Perez Barriga
November 17, 2020
Senior co-captain Olivia Etz roller skis down a neighborhood road Oct. 26. Olivia is a three-season athlete competing in cross country, nordic and track.

Meet the Athlete: Olivia Etz

Maria Perez Barriga
October 27, 2020
Fair use from Netflix. Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Jerry Rubin (Jeremy Strong) being photographed by many photographers while walking towards the court room for their trial. The movie is based on events from the 1969 political trial.

‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ is a masterpiece

Maria Perez Barriga
October 25, 2020
Fair use from Netflix. Frightened by what she saw, Dani (Victoria Pedretti) looks back at the Bly Manor. Recently released on Netflix Oct. 9, “The Haunting of Bly Manor” is a horror follow up series to “The Haunting of Hill House” and is inspired by the 1898 novel, “The Turn of the Screw,” written by Henry James.

‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ is a must watch

Maria Perez Barriga
October 14, 2020
Photo illustration by Abigail Prestholdt. The game Among Us has risen in popularity throughout Park. The game consists of two groups: the crew mates and the imposters. The object of the game is to complete all of the tasks without getting killed.

‘Among Us’ captivates and entertains users

Maria Perez Barriga
October 6, 2020

Homecoming Coronation

Maria Perez Barriga
October 1, 2020
Eight graders Sela Myers and Nora Lindman run alongside a Bloomington Jefferson runner Sept. 4. Park began their season by hosting their first home meet in 20 years.

Cross Country starts off strong at home opener

Maria Perez Barriga
September 6, 2020
Fair use from Netflix. Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) talks to Prince Fredrick (Daniel Radcliffe) about what they should do. The choices are shown on the bottom for viewers to decide what happens next.

‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend’ interactive special compels

Maria Perez Barriga
May 17, 2020
Fair use from Barcel-USA. The Duvalin has a cream-like flavor combos such as chocolate, vanilla and strawberry that are filled inside a plastic dish paired with a mini spoon.

Top five Mexican candies worth trying

Maria Perez Barriga
May 6, 2020
Fair use from Netflix. There is a variety of movies out there for you to see and if you take this quiz, it could help you find what film you should watch.

What to watch quiz

Maria Perez Barriga
April 23, 2020
Fair use from Netflix. Daughter Ova (Nisa Sofiya Aksongur) hugs her dad Memo (Aras Bulut iynemli). Memo, with an intellectual disability, ends up being jailed for a crime he didn’t commit and must prove his innocence in order to be with his daughter.

Top 10 must-watch movies on Netflix

Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
April 4, 2020
Juniors Raina Kronfeld and Sophie Yakes do their math work during class. The math department announced a new policy with the ability to increase students grades in their current math class if they meet or exceed the standards of the MCA.

MCA offers grade change opportunity for juniors

Maria Perez Barriga
March 7, 2020
Used with permission from Sophia Ross. Juniors Koby Davis, Adin Zweigbaum, Emma Amon and seniors Sydney Ring, Sarah McCallon and Lola Ruff attend the DECA State competition March 3, 2020. They competed against 2,200 people for their placements in their individual events. The next competition will be the International Career Development Conference held in Nashville, Tenn.

DECA students express satisfaction with State Conference results

Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
March 7, 2020
Bench presses in the new weight room Feb. 27. The new weight room will improve the overall fitness of students.

Weight room renovations finished

Maria Perez Barriga
February 28, 2020
Senior Colin Weingart makes a slushie for senior Hoodrich Honcho Feb. 27. Students who buy the most slushies this week will receive a reward.

Storiole holds slush-a-thon

Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
February 27, 2020
Sophomore Kyron Wesson and juniors Elijah Turner, Carlos Acevedo Saavedra, Reynell Randle and Jalen Witherspoon film a video for their YouTube channel YSN4L Feb. 14. The channel has reached 277 subscribers with a total of 4,396 views.

YouTuber fame in today’s pop culture

Maria Perez Barriga
February 27, 2020
Senior Darion lovely checks inventory at the Storiole Feb 18. The Storiole received the gold level from DECA for meetings high standards.

Storiole heads to national DECA competition

Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
February 20, 2020
The new app Vitals allows students to alert first responders with important information about themselves.

New testing policy gives students options

Maria Perez Barriga
February 10, 2020
Junior Evie Gutzke completes a practice ACT reading test Jan. 28. All juniors will take the ACT at 8:20 a.m. Feb. 25 at the high school.

ACT free for juniors

Maria Perez Barriga
February 6, 2020
Adviser Shari Fox directs roller skaters to guess the language of the song she plays Jan. 30. Fox has planned international skate night for the last 13 years in an effort to allow middle schoolers to learn about the language and teachers they will have the following year.

German teacher hosts roller skating party

Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
February 6, 2020
Sophmore Marisa Peck bakes a traditional German pancake in the German club meeting Jan. 13. Juniors Yehoshua Leib Leahy and Thor Anderson help in making the apple pancakes.

German club bakes up a storm

Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
January 19, 2020

[Video] Students Spotify Wrapped playlists

January 13, 2020
German club plans ahead

German club plans ahead

Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
January 7, 2020
Nordic skiing coach Patrick Hartman helps instruct athletes on how to wax their skis while practicing Dec. 16 at the Theodore Wirth Park Ski Trails. Waxing skis helps to keep skis in prime condition as well as improve smooth skiing on the course.

Science teacher coaches Nordic for the first time

Maria Perez Barriga
December 17, 2019
Senior Hayden Haase packs food for donations Dec. 11. The National Honors Society joins the Birdfeeder and Clothing Closet to help the community. As an incentive, all three groups are giving a donut party to the third hour that donates the most items.

NHS assists Birdfeeder with food and clothing drive

Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
December 12, 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
Senior Hayden Haase packs food for Thanksgiving meals Nov. 26. Junior Ayan Hassan helped organize the event in an effort to give families food for Thanksgiving.

Birdfeeder provides meals for Thanksgiving

Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
November 27, 2019
A visitor stops at the student office in the main entrance of the high school Nov. 13. This new office is located by the circle hallway at the end of the lunchroom in the high school.

Changes to allow for construction of new classrooms

Maria Perez Barriga
November 16, 2019
Senior Rakesh Plant contributes to a mindfulness activity Oct. 21 in Spanish class. This activity helps students start the day focused and prepare for upcoming tests.

Activities demonstrate ways to de-stress

Maria Perez Barriga
November 5, 2019
Used with Permission by Sophia Ross.

DECA reflects on mock competition

Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
November 2, 2019
Meet the Athlete: Mohamed Mohamed

Meet the Athlete: Mohamed Mohamed

Maria Perez Barriga
October 31, 2019
Senior Sofia Seewald and sophomore Molly Schochet edit the Student Life page Oct. 3.

Echo named 2019 Newspaper Pacemaker finalist

Maria Perez Barriga
October 8, 2019
Junior Emma Amon leading group activity for a mock interview. This is the first informational meeting regarding DECAs fundraising and field trips of the year.

DECA set to attend mock competition

Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
October 3, 2019
Used with Permission by Ellen Poulter.

Senior hikes through multiple countries

Maria Perez Barriga
September 27, 2019
Senior Sarah McCallon helps to checkout a teacher at the Storiole Sept. 20. The Storiole received new merchandise at the start of the school year.

Storiole reopens during Homecoming week

Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
September 20, 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
Used with Permission by Isela Perez-Kauhaihao.

Sophomore attends annual State competition

Maria Perez Barriga
June 2, 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
Junior Lexi Lee swims the 4x100 freestyle in their 25-69 loss to Chanhassen Sept. 14.

Senior commits to Claremont McKenna College

Maria Perez Barriga
May 28, 2019
Band teacher among best in state

Band teacher among best in state

Gabriel Kaplan, Maria Perez Barriga, and Katie Hardie
May 9, 2019
Seniors Emmanuel Iwe and Zinedine Kroeten shake hands after signing to play soccer for University of Missouri Kansas City, April 21. They began playing together at the soccer club Joy of the People.

Varsity soccer players commit to University of Missouri-Kansas City

Maria Perez Barriga
May 8, 2019
Photo illustration by Sophie Livingston

Teacher raises awareness for Financial Literacy Month

Maria Perez Barriga
May 5, 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
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
Sophomore Raegan Alexander goes in for a layup. Park played Bloomington Kennedy with a final score of 76-70, Park winning in overtime Feb. 17.

Meet the Athlete: Raegan Alexander

Maria Perez Barriga
March 14, 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

Learning to fight back

Maria Perez Barriga and Samiya Mohamed
February 19, 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
Meet the Athlete: Paris Johnson Jr.

Meet the Athlete: Paris Johnson Jr.

Maria Perez Barriga
December 21, 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
Fair use from TikTok

Musical.ly rebrands as TikTok

Maria Perez Barriga
December 5, 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
Parks new dance team practices one of their routines, choreographed by coach Tontiana Kendricks, in the Dakota Foyer after school Nov. 1. The team is rehearsing multiple different routines which they will perform at boys basketball games this winter.

New dance club teaches hip-hop

Maria Perez Barriga
November 6, 2018
Broader gender options for driver’s licenses

Broader gender options for driver’s licenses

Maria Perez Barriga
November 2, 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
The African American Heritage Museum celebrates the resilience of African Americans in Minnesota. On display is an authentic uniform from WWII belonging to Jack Sidney Rainey Sr. The museum is free of admission and is open from 1- 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, located at 1256 Penn Ave North in Minneapolis.

African American Heritage Museum introduces culture

Maria Perez Barriga
October 14, 2018
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