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Gabe Chang-Deutsch and Clara Conry prepare for their third preliminary round at the 2021 Tournament of Champions. The duo has delivered impressive performances at several national tournaments throughout the year, including a win at the Blake School’s annual tournament, and a second win in a row at the Minnesota state tournament.

South debate duo caps off historic season with a strong performance at the Tournament of Champions

Pablo Resnik, Staff Writer
June 27, 2021
Over 1,600 colleges and universities have gone test optional amid the Covid-19 pandemic. “I think it will open up some pathways and avenues for more students to consider applying to four year institutions without having to be panicked by taking the SAT or ACT in order to be considered for the college of their choice,” said Kelsey Massey.

Recent Prominence of Test-Optional Policies Give Students More Freedom In Their College Admissions

Sugaal Sheikh-Noor, Staff Writer
June 11, 2021
MPS has contracted a software company called Gaggle to monitor student accounts and writing to identify possible signs of suicide ideation, self-harm, harm to others, signs of depression, exploitation, or bullying. “I would feel comfortable saying that we’ve saved some lives with what we’ve done with [Gaggle],” said Jason Matlock, the Director of Emergency Management, Safety, and Security at MPS. However, many students are unsure of what Gaggle does or unaware that it even exists. Aesha Graffunder, a sophomore at Roosevelt said, “I see little to no problem with Gaggle itself, its purpose is to provide schools with information that can help protect students. I see way more of a problem with school administrations and how they handle the flags they get from Gaggle.”

Gaggle: MPS’s new student surveillance software brings possible protection and danger

Khayaal Desai-Hunt, Arts and Entertainment Editor
March 14, 2021
After the Minneapolis Public School Board voted to terminate their contract with the Minneapolis Police Department, a decision that led some folks to believe that SROs and police in MPS might be coming to a close, they started to hire “Public Support Safety Specialists” or PSSS-- a role which is presumed to continue the policing in MPS.

What is the new role of the Public Safety Support Specialists that MPS has been hiring?

Perry Fernands, Staff Writer
February 26, 2021
On Friday, January 8th, it was announced that Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) intends to offer a full time return to in-person school for PreK through grade 5 teachers and students, starting in February. Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and Educational Support Professionals (MFT) has been strongly opposing the current plan, calling for more safety precautions to be put in place and for teachers to get vaccinated before returning to school. They are hosting many live meetings and posting on their social media to discuss their dissent towards the plan and uplift voices of MPS staff and guardians.

MPS reopening plan faces parent backlash and MFT opposition

Kinsley Wilcox-McBride, Editor in Chief
February 7, 2021
Trump supporters flooded the capitol last Wednesday to riot and take over the capitol building. The mob left many Americans, including the South High community, with much to say.

Frustrating, but not surprising: South’s reaction to the January 6th capital riot

Caleb Stipkovits, Managing Editor
January 15, 2021
Located on East Lake Street, Pineda Tacos offers a wide selection of Mexican food for an affordable price. They are famous with South students with their ‘Tiger Burrito’ named specially for South.

Lake Street businesses struggle to stay open in the midst of pandemic

Grace Bischoff, Staff Writer
January 5, 2021
Pre-pandemic South High students walk past the welcome desk on their way into the building. Because of distance learning, interactions like these no longer take place. Alongside teachers and students, non-teacher staff members like counselors, administrators, and attendance clerks have faced unique challenges brought about by this pandemic.

Non-teacher staff share stories of distance learning

Asa Grumdahl, Staff Writer
December 28, 2020
During the summer of 2020 and the start of Lake Street Project, the primary focus was workshops on Lake Street. Students walked around the area taking photos and having moments of discussion about how protesting and covid had impacted the community. Photo Courtesy of Lake Street Project.

Lake Street Project responses to social injustice and the pandemic

Kinsley Wilcox-McBride, Editor in Chief
December 22, 2020
George Floyd was a 46 year old African American man who lived in St. Louis Park, MN. Monday, May 25th, Floyd was murdered by 4 Minneapolis police.

South community reacts to the murder of George Floyd

Kinsley Wilcox-McBride, Editor-in-Chief
May 28, 2020
South's school-based clinic is still offering some of their services to students during the COVID-19 Pandemic. If you are in need of any services the Clinic can offer, contact Jen Vaupel by calling or texting 612-599-3195.

Through distance learning, the School-Based Clinic still encourages students to “use us if you need us!”

Kinsley Wilcox-McBride, Features Editor
May 24, 2020
Leslie Stunkard works as the Drug and Substance Abuse Counselor for many schools in MPS. South’s Healthy Choices Group is a group led by Sherry Harris and Leslie Stunkard that tries to create discourse about drug use and its effects with students. Harris stated, “It’s less of a class than a check-in group. It’s really an educational, informational, and supportive group. It’s for students who are interested in taking a look at their chemical use and figure out what they need to do to make better choices for themselves.

A look into South’s substance abuse class

Graham Doyle, Staff Writer
March 9, 2020
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