Benjamin Straka, one of the biology and astronomy teachers, was nominated by a student and selected to be a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction over the summer. 

Straka has been in the Stillwater School…

“I just think that it’s important for all students, whether you’re a Democrat, or you’re Republican, or you’re an independent, or whatever party you are, that all students understand what the process…

The filibuster is a way for minority parties in the United States to prevent bills from passing in the U.S. Senate. Created by the Democratic Party in 1841, the intent of the filibuster was to keep extreme…

Sophomore Josie St Martin must balance the demands of being a world-class athlete and a high school sophomore.

“To have the best time of my life. Don’t put too much pressure on myself. Just go out there…

The events of 2020 left many with a sense of loss, whether it be control, connection, or hope. For many of today’s teenagers, however, it meant a time for self discovery when it seems like the self may…

Following a year of xenophobic rhetoric and racially charged attacks, the Asian American community has faced a terrifying increase in violence. Stop AAPI Hate is a coalition dedicated to tracking reports…

In May of 2017, a 20-year-old woman took five shots of vodka and prescription pills outside a bar in Minneapolis, Minn. As the young woman stood outside with her friend, a man with the last name of Khalil…

Editor’s Note:
As an Editorial Board, we struggled with how to approach this issue and the events that have transpired over the past month, especially as it relates to social justice and how it impacts…

Students walked out at the end of second period April 19 to protest and “stand in solidarity against police brutality,” read a flyer posted on social media. The walkout was organized by senior…

Over the past year, many forms of trading cards have seen gigantic increases in sales and value. One example of this increased popularity is eBay, whose sales of soccer and basketball cards have gone…

Children often ask for something. Whether it is the class field trip cost, clothes, even a new hockey stick or soccer ball for sports. Now imagine that hockey stick costing $10,000 and a child needs that…

There is an unbelievable amount of planning, money and good old fashioned blood, sweat and tears that goes into starting a new restaurant. It comes with a risk that even experienced adults will shy away…

In the past few years, mental illness has been on the rise, particularly in students. Some schools have taken notice and implemented new strategies to ease the burden of mental illness.  Anderson Elementary’s…

There are few minority staff members in the Stillwater school district, and the Afton-Lakeland Elementary secretary, Foua Fitzpatrick, is one of few Asian-American staff members. After a few years of working…

From fast food service to grocery store employees and every odd job in between, minimum wage workers are the backbone of this country. As radical as that statement may seem, Americans’ comfortable and…

Dr. Jill Biden should not drop the ‘doctor’ from her title regardless of the opinion of Joseph Epstein. Epstein’s op-ed article in the Wall Street Journal was misogynistic and discretionary towards…

As she presses the publish button, senior Andrea Kaiser smiles and relaxes. A new TikTok video will help boost her following and her rising art business. Although her new video is only half a minute, her…

Brendon sits quiet, silhouette illuminated by the fluorescent blue light of their computer. Zoned out from the music playing softly, staring determinedly at the email document. 

Deep breath, and begin. 
…

After a restless night, English Teacher Andrew Smith woke up on October 20, 2009, alone in his house. His wife was still at the hospital with their son after giving birth the day before. He, however, was…

In the words of famous punk band The Exploited “Punk’s not dead,” at least not in senior Morgan Molenda’s garage, anyway. As if it were straight out of a 1980’s coming of age film; sharpie signatures…

Paula Harrison looked down at the icy cold water, grabbed the warm hands of the anxious teenage students next to her and they jumped in. The freezing lake water was so cold that when her body hit the water…

Science teacher Andrew Weaver has a character based on him in the upcoming film “Clouds”, which is being released Oct. 16 on Disney+ about the inspirational life of former graduate Zach Sobiech….

“I’m glad I’m doing the work I’m doing, but we’re going to need a lot more of me in Stillwater. We’re going to need many more people doing the work,” cultural liaison Cornelius Rish said as he talked…

Even though the majority of the Black Lives Matter movement has proven to be peaceful, United States Attorney General William Barr has considered charging violent protesters with sedition. Barr’s responses…

Long hours, weird schedules, little sleep, busy days, slow days and stressful intense work– these are experiences paramedics encounter day to day. Now that COVID-19 has entered the United States, the…

Throughout the community, people are forced to adapt to a new way of life. While some may be mildly inconvenienced by drive-by pick-ups, distance working or learning and the ever-present challenge of fervently…

For the world’s oldest democracy, voting would seem to be the act most unilaterally protected by the government. In the United States, however, that does not seem to be the case. Although states and…

When college freshman, Chester Hearne, heard the University of Minnesota would institute an extension to spring break, he was happy. An extension in his mind meant he would be able to spend more time…

According to the World Health Organization, People should stay one meter (3 feet) away from each other during this pandemic.  In the St. Croix Valley, the community has found many ways to come together…

The coronavirus was on everyone’s radar. Most knew about it and that it would impact economic markets. No one, however, knew it would disrupt the world economy to this extent. More importantly though,…

The Australian wildfires have taken over and destroyed more than 12.35 million acres of land, killing at least 24 people and destroying more than 2,000 homes. This catastrophic trend of wildfires, bushfires…

Junior and speed skater Milan Jostes competes with the Midway Speedskating Club. The Midway Speedskating Club is based at the Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval. According to the city of Roseville website…

As citizens pass through the hospital, they may notice changes in the availability of media sources such as books and board games.

While it may seem like Girl Scouts is fun and games, hard work and…

It was 2014 when junior Thomas Watry went to his first national competition in Richmond, Va. It was a relatively small meet in comparison to future competitions he would take part in; however, the experience…

Half a serotonin molecule, an eye set in a sun and a one-line sketch of a face. All of these designs are set in ink on her skin. The tattoo that holds the most significance for senior Meghana Acharya,…

Jessie Diggins’ gold medal victory in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea inspired the whole community, but she has affected a specific group more than anyone else.

“She has impacted…

Just weeks ago, many students received their previous year’s MCA results. The MCAs are a state assessment which helps to measure how well students are performing relative to the state’s academic standards…

“He’s one of the most positive and heartwarming people I’ve ever met,” sophomore CeCe DeLeon said about sophomore Danny Valerius. Valerius entered remission after being diagnosed with t-cell acute lymphoblastic…

Gun violence, especially in schools, is a prevalent topic in today’s society. The Sandy Hook Promise Organization put out a video PSA entitled “Back to School Essentials” urging viewers to know the…

Nearly seven years ago, Stillwater alumni Zach Sobiech fell victim to Osteosarcoma. However, his legacy has continued to impact the local community and people across the globe ever since. His hit song…

Football games have not been the same since the drama regarding seating began. The “Friday night lights” used to have more excitement, but the energy has turned in a negative direction. Fingers are being…

Monday, April 1 marked the date bathrooms at Stillwater Area High School closed during class times, except for those next to the Red, White and Black Pony Centers. After the viral success of the “letuspee”…

Senior Justin Siegfried has excelled in the Stock Market Games and his Marketing class teacher Debbie Drommerhausen thinks highly of him. Siegfried is not only known for his success in the Stock Market…

The school board voted 5-1 to cut $348,000 from the district’s budgeted professional development (PD) days at a March 7 business meeting. This was on top of the $500,000 cut with combined PD and curriculum…

Inspired by senior Isabella Portelli, Student Council Senior Officer, many students showed up in red to the Stillwater School Board meeting Feb. 21 to support student leader representation at board meetings….

Last year’s One Act team performed “Scenes from Metamorphoses” and, for the first time in history, went to the Minnesota State High School League [MSHSL] State One Act competition. However, they…

Some people look up to the President, some people look up to a different idol, but some people look up to the First Lady, one of the most important women’s roles in the United States. When that First…

The Black Student Union advocates for a more diverse club by including students of all races in their meetings. The club aims to create a welcoming and safe space for black students who may otherwise feel…

Confidence and a strong voice are not the first things associated with the Gen-Z teenagers struggling with higher rates of mental illness than any before them. Yet, in a nook of Stillwater Area High School,…

“Oh my god! You are my favorite journalist ever,” newspaper advisor Rachel Steil exclaimed upon seeing Kare 11’s Boyd Huppert enter her classroom. What started as a typical third hour newspaper…