Open Gymasium Opportunities

Dylon Koran

Tesha Christensen

Solution Open Gym

High School sports can cost hundreds of dollars for around 3 to four months of activeness. Imagine being able to play theses sports and join these clubs at no cost. At Anoka Ramsey Community College they are free to join. The most popular activity is held every day in the gymnasium from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM. Open gym allows students of all classes and skill levels to join in on a friendly recreational game. This wouldn’t be the case without volunteer work, and most people don’t realize that.

Karon Nix makes sure peoples feet are running on the gym floor during the open gym time. Nix was a former wrestler and student of Coon Rapids High School, and even placed in second place in the state tournament his junior year. “The experience of athleticism in high school gave me opportunities that otherwise would not have been given,” stated Nix. Everyone knows why athleticism is so important, including Nix, who says just thirty minutes of being active every other day will keep you walking strong thirty years from now. Nix makes this possible without the cost of a gym membership.

Volunteering hours to help people be active and have fun doing it at the same time Nix shows no sign of demotivation of no pay. “I am able to walk in and supervise the gym, while at the same time being able to join a game and stay active myself,” Nix said. Nix has built a relationship with a few of the ARCC students, and knows them by name. “There are faces that come in to the gym that I see every day, and I even once bought a new football for two students I seen every week taking advantage of the open gym hours. The gym isn’t always so busy, sometimes even Nix himself will not be found.

Spring semester comes along at ARCC and the snow is melting down as the river rises, but that’s not the only change. “You start seeing more shorts and t-shirts. The balls, cleats, gloves, and bats are all starting to be brought outside,” said Nix. This is not where Nix gives up though, for he also joins outside in the group activities. “If it weren’t for Ron,” said student Seth Fiester, “My friend and I wouldn’t be playing football, most likely we would be sitting on the grass smoking a cigarette.” Nix, even though rarely recognized for his appreciation, reaches out and touches a lot of students letting out there athleticism.

Almost every week on the news a person will see something related to obesity. They have all these food solutions and diets when the most effective solution is to work out. It is proven that half an hour of exercise can treat patients even with depression according to Nix. “I have spent much time studying about human anatomy and psychology,” said Nix.

Nix, even though volunteering, can still manage to complete his classes. Nix said that, “It can take quite a bit out of a person doing that much work, but it is feeling knowing I am bringing people together to be active that feeds my soul to do good at school.” The most surprising thing about Nix is he is a PSEO student. Being able to accomplish such large tasks so young creates a gigantic advantage for Nix.

When Nix graduates he will have a few credits to start with which cost him nothing, and will attend ARCC in the following fall semester. “Since ARCC does not have a wrestling program I will try and continue volunteering for open gymnasium,” stated Nix. The hard working student is paid off at the end of the hour with a couple goodbyes from friends, and the locking of the gym door.

                When open gym is done, Nix’s day has a few more tasks than most. “I am responsible for retrieving the balls and making sure the gymnasium is closed exactly at 3:00 PM,” Nix proudly explained. Nix then heads to the computer lab to take on the homework of the day. Roughly two hours for every class is the estimated time to finish the homework for that session. “I will tend to be at school until around 6:30 PM, and then it’s off to Subway for dinner,” Nix exclaimed!

                The next time any of the students of ARCC have a spare half hour take the time to go visit Nix and friends at the gymnasium. Show your appreciation to volunteers around the school like Nix, because they make it possible to stay active without an activity fee. Spring is rounding the corner, so grab a football, baseball, or even strap on the rollerblades and roll by to say hello to Nix. Stay active ARCC.

A Rosy Teacher

Dylon Koran 

Tesha Christensen  

A Rosy Teacher 

07 April 2011 

Imagine animals running around in their cages, going outside for an hour to play kickball, while learning harder information easier. Sounds like a dream come true. Luckily for students attending Cedar Creek 

Elementary School it has. Richard Rose, to the students Mr. Rose, is a teacher who brings the dreams of fourth and fifth graders to life. Not only one year of school, but the students who make the cycle get two years with Mr. Rose. Despite the significance of this dream teaching environment, Rose stood once as a student himself. 

As a teenager Rose attended Monticello High in Minnesota with no intension of teaching. "Like every teenagers dream, I wanted to be a baseball player for the professionals," described Rose. As 

years became closer Rose dropped baseball for his part time job tutoring and giving a helpful hand at a middle school near the town he grew up in.  Shortly after, Rose applied to Mankato State University and was accepted. "It was my first big step toward success," Rose exclaimed! As summer approached and Rose graduated, things looked as if they were set to go off to college. 

Rose, before going off to MSU, went to the doctor for his yearly physical check-up. He was devastated by the news that he was impotent, and couldn't have children. "When I was notified I couldn't have kids, I instantly dropped to my knees and cried", Rose mentioned with his head hung low. Rose's family was very supportive to him. Rose's sister, now Rachel Richtner, would leave her children under his supervision while she went to work. Rose proclaimed, "These children brightened my eyes, and I felt lucky to spend every day with them." This changed everything Rose was expecting his future to be. 

Rose went on to finish a four year degree at Mankato State for teaching. The next step was to find a job. "I think the coolest thing about where I teach is it was the first job I took and I'm still standing here today," Rose said. Cedar Creek Elementary took on who became to be the talk of the school. Not the talk of grown people, but of the students. Rose alone wasn't his entire act of success though. He was helped by his little animal friends. This included a hamster, a snake, some lizards, and an iguana named Auggie. "Bringing animals into the classroom was a privilege to not only the students, but to me. They are what bring the students closer to me," Rose said. Unlike most teachers, Rose didn't only care about the education of his students, but just as much about their happiness. 

Connecting with the students makes it easier to teach them because they like to listen to someone they can connect to. Rose awarded the students in several different ways. Rose did this with candy and treats, but even taking an hour off of Friday class for kickball. The students have so much respect for Rose the teaching environment is at tent and involves interactions to keep the students involved. "Knowing the students choose to have a second year with me makes me gracious," Rose explained," and to say goodbye after the second year brings me to tears." It's as Rose creates a relationship with each child.

 After 24 years of teaching eight hours a day, Rose still manages to walk in everyday with a smile and a good morning that has meaning. Students wander in at will after years since seeing Mr. Rose just to say hello and reacquaint with him. 

Rose said to every student he had, he told them the quote he grew up on, "Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it." Rose represents a perfect scenario to keep your head held up high, and make the best of who you can be.

(students lining up at the door on Friday)

An Unusual Choir

Dylon Koran

Journalism 2121

Tesha Christensen

An Unusual Choir

Lights, Camera, Conductor? March 21^st, 2011 St. Francis High School had its 2011 spring choir concert. Through a variation of different emotions, this choir was standing in front of sold out auditorium waiting to begin. Five minutes go by, and still no sign of the conductor, when suddenly the door opened and a stream of light welcomed him in to the stage.

“Welcome all to the St. Francis Spring Concert Through the eyes of the Youth,” stated Conductor Warren. Most people will go to a choir concert expecting a few songs and hymns, back and forth between the women and men on stage. Through the Eyes of the Youth, was quite a different experience to attend for people. Involving Piano, Warren was able to create a piece that most have never seen.

“Look beyond what is seen,” is one of the quotes the students looked up to, Jenny Williams a student of St. Francis choir Stated after the concert. The Four emotions they touched in the concert were struggle, redemption, love, and hope. Within in each were sets of 3 to four musical pieces that touched that emotion. In depth, after each emotion was played the crowd would give a roaring applaud, which separated each emotion clearly.

Songs of struggle was the most basic of all of them, which you would see at a normal choir concert. The songs consisted of some quick, more stress sounding songs. One called “MLK” by Bob Chilcott, gave you a sense of struggle that Martin Luther King faced in his day. The end of Songs of Struggle came as a shocker, as already there were Five solo's, and the crowd showed there appreciation with an applaud.

As the auditorium became silent, the viewers eyes were wandering in confusion. Never seen by many, Warren was air touching the piano keys while the choir made the sounds of the piano. The musical pieces created by this effect were the most extraordinary of the entire concert. “We saved songs of redemption for second, it gave our team a warm up, but kept our voices fresh,” said Warren. The satisfying piece was acknowledged by a roaring couple minute applause.

As the crowd was cooling down, things were heating up as the Choir started Songs of Love. These pieces mingled together in a warm feeling, with some deep, and high solo's giving them a strong touch. The song “Past Life Melodies” by Sarah Hopkins, was a very unique song that had some people turning heads, with the vocals of the soloist sounding identical to a stoke on a guitar. The piece had a mistake, but with a quick cover up and no pauses in play, the piece was still wonderful, and yet again an applause that sent chills down your spine.

Entering the final piece Songs of Hope, it felt like no time had past at all. This was a mix together of the loudest vocals and the piano, almost creating a show choir sounding experience. This piece gave you chills hitting high notes and a very acoustic sounding wave of voices. The very final piece in the Songs of Hope part of the concert was first introduced by Alex Morph with a great motivational speech. He explained how the students every day will come into their choir room and forget all there problems for 68 full minutes. They work together to give their best vocals to create a wonderful piece, and his speech was followed by the famous song “Out There” by John Legend.

The audience, after the choir gave there thanks, waited outside excitedly to see there students, boyfriends, girlfriends, and just family. The warmth of the congregated bodies gave a feeling as of a wedding reception, and the smiles and laughs of the students showed self confidence through the eyes of the youth.

 (The High school)

Story 4

Story 4

Dylon Koran

Story 4

Jour. 2121 Christensen

Bethany's Musical Life

Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively is the definition of sport. Baseball, football, softball, hockey, and volleyball are sports. The very first thing Bethany Lichtscheidl said to me when describing herself was that she was not a sports person. That she played the guitar, and sometimes entered competitions. To anyone knowing the definition of sport, they would agree to say that playing an instrument is a sport.

Bethany attempted to play volleyball and softball, and like some players that are good at the game, she did not have the feelings for them. Watching her brother being super big into music made Bethany pick up a habit that consisted of eight years of playing guitar and twelve years of signing.

Bethany Started a career of events ranging from high school talent shows to the lookouts of St. Croix by her 1^st and her favorite event in middle school. She was so nervous that she forgot the words when she walked on to the stage. “ I walked on to the stage, closed my eyes, and just sang my best,” Said Bethany, “ by the second verse I was so comfortable on that stage I didn't want to be done. This was only the start of many great accomplishments for Bethany.

Being Bethany's inspiration to music, her big brother and her now write, and record together. They even have their own CD During the summer of 2011 Bethany and her brother are trying out for spots on the hit show “American Idol”. She says neither of them care if they make it or not it's just for fun. She also stated her dream, “ I know it's a silly dream that just about half of America has, but I would love to be a professional signer, not for the fame or the money, but because it's what I really love to do.” So after a few high school contest excellent and two superior awards, Bethany has been in a band named Neon Bay for the past three summers where she has written all of their music. There is no doubt in her mind that she will continue with music, and rock on with the sport.

story 4

Story 4

Dylon Koran

Story 4

Jour. 2121 Christensen

Bethany's Musical Life

Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively is the definition of sport. Baseball, football, softball, hockey, and volleyball are sports. The very first thing Bethany Lichtscheidl said to me when describing herself was that she was not a sports person. That she played the guitar, and sometimes entered competitions. To anyone knowing the definition of sport, they would agree to say that playing an instrument is a sport.

Bethany attempted to play volleyball and softball, and like some players that are good at the game, she did not have the feelings for them. Watching her brother being super big into music made Bethany pick up a habit that consisted of eight years of playing guitar and twelve years of signing.

Bethany Started a career of events ranging from high school talent shows to the lookouts of St. Croix by her 1^st and her favorite event in middle school. She was so nervous that she forgot the words when she walked on to the stage. “ I walked on to the stage, closed my eyes, and just sang my best,” Said Bethany, “ by the second verse I was so comfortable on that stage I didn't want to be done. This was only the start of many great accomplishments for Bethany.

Being Bethany's inspiration to music, her big brother and her now write, and record together. They even have their own CD During the summer of 2011 Bethany and her brother are trying out for spots on the hit show “American Idol”. She says neither of them care if they make it or not it's just for fun. She also stated her dream, “ I know it's a silly dream that just about half of America has, but I would love to be a professional signer, not for the fame or the money, but because it's what I really love to do.” So after a few high school contest excellent and two superior awards, Bethany has been in a band named Neon Bay for the past three summers where she has written all of their music. There is no doubt in her mind that she will continue with music, and rock on with the sport.

Story 4

Dylon Koran

Story 4

Jour. 2121 Christensen

Bethany's Musical Life

Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively is the definition of sport. Baseball, football, softball, hockey, and volleyball are sports. The very first thing Bethany Lichtscheidl said to me when describing herself was that she was not a sports person. That she played the guitar, and sometimes entered competitions. To anyone knowing the definition of sport, they would agree to say that playing an instrument is a sport.

Bethany attempted to play volleyball and softball, and like some players that are good at the game, she did not have the feelings for them. Watching her brother being super big into music made Bethany pick up a habit that consisted of eight years of playing guitar and twelve years of signing.

Bethany Started a career of events ranging from high school talent shows to the lookouts of St. Croix by her 1^st and her favorite event in middle school. She was so nervous that she forgot the words when she walked on to the stage. “ I walked on to the stage, closed my eyes, and just sang my best,” Said Bethany, “ by the second verse I was so comfortable on that stage I didn't want to be done. This was only the start of many great accomplishments for Bethany.

Being Bethany's inspiration to music, her big brother and her now write, and record together. They even have their own CD During the summer of 2011 Bethany and her brother are trying out for spots on the hit show “American Idol”. She says neither of them care if they make it or not it's just for fun. She also stated her dream, “ I know it's a silly dream that just about half of America has, but I would love to be a professional signer, not for the fame or the money, but because it's what I really love to do.” So after a few high school contest excellent and two superior awards, Bethany has been in a band named Neon Bay for the past three summers where she has written all of their music. There is no doubt in her mind that she will continue with music, and rock on with the sport.

Gant's Goodnight Sleep

Dylon Koran

Jour. 2121 Tesha

Gant’s Goodnight Sleep

People understand when I say they want the big, sophisticated, macho standpoint from others prospective. People go as far as this in sleep. They say that they do not need more than seven hours, that’s what they’ve been told.

An interview with Phycology Professor Diana Gant gave the answers to a sleep shortage followed by many of people. Seventeen years in the department of psychology, Gant says, “Most people need nine to ten hours a night to perform optimally. Some should be taken in afternoon naps.”  Most people get around seven hours of sleep a night as an average. It’s quite easy to tell if you are not getting enough sleep. You feel drowsy tired, cranky, and become unwanted to be around. You also become a public and personal safety hazard.

Would you believe that Russia’s Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident or the oil dump at Valdez was traced down to tiredness? Being tired over a long term is almost as effective as going to work drunk. Gant did a correlation study on the number of accidents the day after daylight savings time in the spring. It showed an 8% increase in accidents.

A difference of two hours of sleep can change your day from happy to sad. Under sleeping one would feel as if their clothes felt heavier to being tired after lunch. The easy solution to this according to Gant is to Have a nice cool room about sixty five degrees after relaxing for about an hour beforehand. Do not eat or drink anything with sugar or caffeine, and stay away from tobacco and alcohol. All may have a person waking up at 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. Top it off with a comfortable bed, and have a perfect night’s sleep