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2NewsStunning StillwaterJan. 29, 2021 - The Pony ExpressLocalbusinessescometogetherPhoto by Mairin TorgersonOn Dec. 3, Stillwater began their festive lights display which will beopen through March. Visitors can walk through an LED lit path, andenjoy looking at ice sculptures and trees decked out with lights.toJoshua BovelightIt may have only been oneyear since the city was lastdressed in lights, but formany it felt like an eternity. It is no controversialstatement to say 2020 hasbeen a rough year, and eventhe holiday season endedup looking different. WithCOVID-19 restricting family gatherings and churchservices, it was a holidayseason that was unique forall the wrong reasons. However, Stillwater businessescame together to ensure theholiday trappings of city returned, bringing a little moreholiday cheer with them.Almost every street isstrewn with lights, wreathsandotherdecorations.Even the city’s famous LiftBridge was decorated withlights for the first time.This festive display wouldnot have been possiblewithout the many businesses who sponsored it. Onebusiness is the MidtownAntiques Mall. The manager, Kristin Schmitz, confirmed a positive response.“People seemed happy andcheerful. I’ve seen a lot ofgood feedback on social media about it,” Schmitz said.upcity“It just made us feel better,and [it was] just somethingfun to do that’s outside andthe kids really appreciated it, and [to] get us inthe spirit of Christmas,”visitor Kristin Keyer said.Of course, the lights didnot just cheer people up.They were also great forbringing people to thearea and making themstick around a little longer, which was a boon forlocal small businesses,even ones who didn’t directly sponsor the project.“We actually were headeddown there to do some local takeout,”Keyer said.“And then we saw thelights, so we just decidedto eat the takeout and thenhead out and kind of checkout all the Christmas lightsthat were downtown.”The businesses have noticed this. According toSchmitz, “I think it’s keeping our activity somewhatsteady, I suppose, so maybenot increased but it’s helping keep us, you know,keepingpeoplehere.”Even though this timemay seem hopeless anddark, this proves there willalways be people willing to turn on the light.3M lays off thousands of employeesAlexander Lamsam“Especially because peopledon’t know, it does create a lotof stress. My advice is always:you just don’t want to borrowthe stress, ‘til it happens to you,and then you have to figure itout. But in that uncertain time,there’s really not much youcan do, so kind of try not to focus on that. Because, odds areyou’re going to come throughit. You’ll never know, you’llnever really find out who wasaffected unless you know thempersonally. There is never agrand announcement aboutwho left the company, so it’smore of a quiet kind of thing,”Erik Vanstrum, a Global LabsManager at 3M, discussed whata period of time that involvesa mass layoff can be like.This is something that is ongoing within the company on aglobal scale as 2,900 employees are in the process of gettinglaid off. This roll out of layoffswas announced at the beginning of December as part ofa progressing initiative to re-structure the company amidstthe global pandemic. This restructuring intends to streamline the company and increasetheir focus on markets that haveshown to be resilient through thepandemic. Laying employeesoff is one step of that process.At the beginning of December,3M announced it would lay offanother 2,900 employees globally due to the surging pandemic and suffering economy. Thiswill cut 3% of their workforceglobally. The restructuring willimpact any and all geographies,business groups, and functions.Laying off employees is notan unusual thing, but it doesdiffer from firing. While getting fired is typically the employee’s fault, layoffs are considered the company’s fault.Additionally, layoffs involvemore than one employee losing their job at once, whereasgetting fired is individual.On the topic of periods oflayoffs, Vanstrum said, “It’skind of a natural cycle of companies,” and “they typically doit as a way to keep a particu-lar business healthy. Certainbusinesses kind of fluctuate interms of profitability and business cycle and all this otherstuff. So, it’s a constant adjustment I think they’re making.”This layoff was already in theworks as part of an ongoingplan to streamline the company.A restructuring process that willcost the company up to 300million. This restructuring ispart of an effort to adapt and beflexible, and aid the companyin coming out of the pandemicstronger. The company willfocus more on customer support and marketing capabilities.“Companies are always trying to beat everybody else interms of being a good investment, so they’re manipulating all their assets and peopleto leverage that. A companycan have explosive growth,when they’re in a good position, and they’re hiring people and investors are makingmoney and they’re pumped.It’s just when you kind ofhit the point where growth actually, even if you declineand grow in those areas - it’susually their start of lookingat what levers they can pull,”Vanstrum explained his takeon how companies decidewhen and who to layoff. Hementions factors such as investors, economic state, andmarkets that have either arapid or slow growth. All ofthese elements, and more, arethings that companies suchPhoto by Libby HarterBill Harter, a longtime 3M worker, standing outside of his office building in St. Paul, Minnesota.as 3M take into considerationall the time, but more specifically quarterly, when makingdecisions related to layoffs.3M is a multinational conglomerate, or multi-industry,that is headquartered in Maplewood, which is only 15-20minutes away from our highschool. Because it is a Minnesota-based company, it employs afair amount of Minnesotans.As such, it is not uncommonto know someone who worksat 3M. The company actuallyemploys over 90,000 employees, over 10,000 of which arelocated in Minnesota. Understanding both the local andglobal scale aids in the under-standing of both the company’s perspective as well asthe employee’s perspective.As the company decides whatsectors to prioritize and whichto downsize, the individualemployees rely on their job asincome and their livelihood.“I think some of it isprobably the fiscal year.You know, trying to makesure you’re positioningthe company right and ofcourse, they’re lookingat what investors are doing too,” Vanstrum added.“It’s not always the mostfun, and of course, youknow, it’s stressful forpeople in that time period.”Readmoreonlinesahsponyexpress.com

FeatureJan. 29, 2020 - The Pony Express3Gina Doe serves as interim principalat Brookview ElementarySophia Agnessi- Gina DoeAs Brookview opens up,she gets to personally interact with students andteachers. So far she hasmet preschoolers and hadthe opportunity to go intothe classroom to introduceherself and read to them.“There’s kids in the building and I’m so excited toactually get to interact withthem. I’ve went in and readstories to them already fortwo days. Since they’re stillin hybrid right now, I wentin on the A days and the Bdays and read to them. Itwas so fun to get to interact with pre-K, and answertheir questions and see howexcited and grateful theyare to be back,” Doe said.Doe’s role is an InterimPrincipal, as she is picking up where someone elseleft off. She really wants tolisten to people and understand the ways on whichto do things. It’s important to her that she doesn’tcome in and change thingshalf way through the year.“Finding balance and trying to make sure everythingis kept status quo and people are doing well movingforward. We are trying tochallenge and push forwardand make people alwaysthink about what’s best forstudents,” Doe explained.Being an Interim Principal is a great fit for Doe.She’s worked in the EastMetro Integration, ForestLake, Mounds View andStillwater school districts.In these districts she’sworked her way up to different positions. She startedin the East Metro districtas a science teacher, beforemoving to Forest Lake as ateacher instructional coach.At Mounds View, she became Dean of students, andin August of 2018 she washired as Assistant Principalat Stillwater Middle School.With her wide range ofteaching experience Doeis able to bring a new perspective to things. For example, she’s bringing herknowledge of the middleschool to the elementaryand with that she’s able tobetter prepare students forthat transition. Gutzman islooking forward to that opportunity to better prepareher students for that change.“A lot of times fifth gradeis kind of on their own, because there’s a big difference between kindergarteners and then fifth graders.Everything’s kind of morechildish than fifth grade. Soit’s fun to have her lens ofmiddle school where somebody gets where kids are going,” Gutzman explained.The fifth graders atBrookview already get toexperience a little bit ofhow middle school feelslike with switching classesand meeting new people.They want to ensure thatthe students at Brookviewall know each other, thatway they know more people once they go to middleschool. Doe also explainsthat it is important to havetheir voices heard. No matter how old you are it’scrucial that you can communicate with one another.“One thing with middleschool students is thatthey want to be listenedto, and they want you tohear what they have tosay. You know that sometimes it’s hard to get outhow and why they feel theway they feel, and I haveto remember that that’sthe same thing as elementary students; they justhave less words and mighthave a harder time expressing that,” Doe said.Ever since she wasyoung, Doe has lovedschool, but not until shefinished college did shereally start thinking aboutbeing a teacher and wasmotivated to become a partof the educational industry.“From a young age I always loved school, likethat was my favorite thing.I couldn’t wait to go toschool. I was one of thosekids that enjoyed summer,but I was ready to get backto school. I actually didn’tget into the idea of teaching until I was getting mybiology degree at the University of St. Thomas andI taught labs, and I continue to teach them. Thisis what I really like and soafter I graduated from college, I went back and got ateaching degree,” Doe said.There has been a studyon how passion relates topsychological well being,and how that boosts mental health. Senior BennettSchoenborn had found hispassion long before thepandemic, and he continued to keep up with itbecause it is somethinghe is passionate about.“Passion to me is striving to improve on what youreally enjoy and alwaystrying to explore the limits of what can be done.I’ve always been a verycreative person, so art became a way for me to putmy creativity on paper andlet others see what I like tocreate,” Schoenborn said.It’s no doubt Schoenborn has a passion for art.His favorite artwork hehas done was a mix of histwo favorite TV shows.“I’ve gotten inspirationfrom many sources but recently it’s been more frommedia such as anime orvideo games, books as well.Mostly since being coopedinside there’s not a lot to dootherwise,” Schoenborn said.It’s really important to staypositive when COVID-19 hasgiven people many reasons tobe negative. Having a goodmindset can help people accomplish more. Finding ahobby is a great way to staypositive and continuing thathobby is what will help yourmental health. Being creativeand putting that creativityinto something when one isfeeling down will help boosthappiness and mental health.A good way to keep positive until this pandemic isover, is finding somethingyou like and are good at, andcontinuing to do that activityto help boost your happinessand positivity. “I think we areall born with God-given giftsthat help us understand ourpurpose in life. Bennett’s giftis art. Passion is about usingthose gifts to make the world abetter place,” Bennett’s mom,Kristin Schoenborn said.“We are very proud ofour creative kid and are excited to see what his future brings,” Kristin said.Bennett’s family is proud andsupportive of his art and wherever it takes him. He shows alot of talent and a possibilityfor a future career with it. Bennett is successful because he isso creative and willing to trynew things It’ll give him thespace he needs to show his talent and do many great things.“I think no matter what Iend up doing there will beart involved. Currently after high school I’ll be goingto UW-Stout for a Bachelors of fine arts, in GameArts,”Schoenbornsaid.In December of 2020,Gina Doe took the position of Interim Principalat Brookview elementaryschool. Brookview is oneof Stillwater’s many elementary schools and isalso the newest. In thistime of COVID-19 it ishard to connect and formrelationships with people, but through Zoomand elementary schoolsreopening, Doe has achance to do so. She hasgotten to know otherteachers and administrators through Zoom meetings, such as fifth gradeteacher Sheryl Gutzman.“I’ve had a chance justin talking with her casually, through getting toknow her a little bit. Shedefinitely seems kids centered, and real easy towork with from my interactions that I’ve had withher so far. She’s excited.My grade level is veryexcited because she hasa lot of middle school experience,” Gutzman said.“Finding balanceand trying tomake sure everything is keptstatus quo andpeople are doingwell movingforward.”Photos submitted byPam WeisbrodGina Doereading SnowFriends to akindergartenclass.Bennett Schoenborn channelspassion for art despite pandemicLeigha KraftDrawing by Bennett SchoenbornSenior Bennett Shoenborndraws inspiration for hisartwork from his favorite TVshows. Shoenborn finds thatchanneling his creativity hashelped him remain positive.

4SportsJan. 29, 2021- The Pony ExpressChevels changehow they competeTucker WylandIn the everchanging world,much has deviatedfrom normalcy.As a nation wehave had toadapt in orderto continue todo the thingsthat we love inlife that havebeen changedin a fewshort monthsdue to theCOVID-19pandemic.Competitive dancehas adapted tothe new restrictions and changes by implementing newways to practice. B yutilizing the use of masksat all times and keepinga distance between thedancers as well as not allowing team bonding activities to occur in an attempt to stop the spreadof COVID-19.Following the latest ofa second round of lockdowns, practices for theChevals have resumedbut with a different format and more strict rulesto prevent the spread ofCOVID-19.Junior Sophie Privetteexplained, “The twoteams, JVand Varsityaren’tallowed to interactwith each other.whereaslast year we’d ride thebus together.you canhang out with them andit’s like they are verymuch separated. They’relike their own separateteams.”In years past, both theJV and the varsity Cheval teams were similar toone single team that wasonly ever truly separatedon the score sheet. Nowdue to the ramificationsof COVID-19, these twoteams have had to separate and on top of thatthey have had to cancelany team bonding nightsor other bonding eventsthat help introduce newdancers to the team andallow for them to become stronger as a team.Another change hasbeen that dancers are unable to receive awardsin person at the competition, they insteadhave to wait until laterand the results are thenemailed to the team. Another change related tothe COVID-19 pandemicis major changes to theroutines as compared toyears past.“It doesn’t seem likemuch has changed butobviously a lot has, like,just having to be supercareful with our routines and the rules havechanged,” sophomorevarsity captain Chelsea Stahl explained.Therestrictionscaused by thevirushavechanged theformat for competitionsaswell. Stahl explained,“Nospectators oranything.wearen’t seeingthe JV teamat all. We’reusually at theschool for likethe whole nightand we can standnext to other teamsand do awards andstuff. But we can’tdo anything thisyear so we’re literally just goingto the school andcompetingthenleaving, so like 30minutes in total.So just a lot morestrict on rules andour kick teams willusually connect,like our arms. Solike social distancing and justnothing’s reallythe same.”“We’re noteven really sureabout buses oranything.Wedon’t know ifwe can likebe together,”Stahl said.“It lookslike no busing, and ifthere were then we’dhave to be like six feetapart obviously,” Privette added.A more recent restriction for dance is the requirement for masks tobe worn at all times instead of them beingable to be removedfor practice or during competitions.The new mask requirements are making performing routinesdifficult.“Very intense, likeI really need to have alot of endurance, likeeven last year, without masks, it was likeyou’d be struggling tobreathe throughout because you’re just likekicking repetitively andit’s non stop, so that it’skind of really difficultbecause you’re reallyso out of breath fromit. It’ll be somethingto get used to I guess,”Privette explained.When asked aboutone thing the dancers wanted others toknow about the teamand about the sport ofdance itself, Stahl said,“I feel like people misjudge us a lot, and so Ifeel like people shouldknow that we’re a really welcoming groupof girls, and boys. Ifeel like people havethe wrong image ofus from past yearsand we all get super close superquickly and it’sjust a good groupto be around andit’s fun. Even ifyou don’t havedance experience, youcan join likewe really don’tcare,we’rej u s tlooking to improve ourteam and make it bigger.”If someone werelooking to join theChevalsDanceteam they couldgo to StillwaterChevals DanceTeam (wixsite.com) and getin contact thatway and toget more information onthe team.Photo submitted by Joe ManningSeniors Sam Kane, Hannah Gray, Lauren Benson, Kyle Magnuson, Zach Dillon and Joe Manning out on a frozen lake skating.Optimistic AthletesSam McClaineDue to the pandemic,sports have been delayed andeverything has been movedonline. Some students, however, continue to perseverethrough these challengesand although it has beentough, they have not givenup yet. Some students havebeen keeping up their athleticskills by finding other waysto practice. Coaches havecontinued to help their players adjust to their new environment by making sure theyget the help they need.Senior Joe Manning, aplayer on the boys hockeyteam has kept up his skills bypracticing with friends duringthe pandemic.“[I] try to play hockey asmuch as I can but it’s beenkind of tough with the restrictions lately,” Manning said.“I’ve skated on lakes with myfriend, and just tried to keepmy skills up that way.”Now that hockey tryoutshave started, it has become abit easier for him. “It is toughto be optimistic knowing thatmy senior season could be thelast time I play hockey. But, Imean, we’re starting tryoutsnow so it’s exciting to finallyget going,” Manning added.Coaches, like the BoysHockey coach Greg Zanon,have been trying their best tomotivate their students andencourage them to stay optimistic during the pandemic.“During the shutdownI just tried to make sure Ireached out once a week withsome positive comments andmade sure I was available tothem if they [needed] anything from a coaching standpoint,” Zanon said.Zanon was optimistic,telling his players there wasalways “a light at the end ofthe tunnel.”Having an optimistic authority figure in times likethese is really helpful tomotivate others to stay optimistic. Keeping a positivemindset during the pandemicis hard, but doing that couldhelp a lot.“Keep doing what you’redoing and training as much aspossible,” Manning encouraged. “Even if it’s not a normal season with fans or something like that at least youget to play, and I guess that’swhat’s important.”Zanzon’s advice for other coaches was to “stay positive and help guide themthrough these crazy times.”Gymnastics at a glanceMembers of the gymnastics team, Competing at a meet. InJanuary 2020, At SAHS, Right before the initial COCID-19 lockdown, Showing off their skills and representing our schoolGraphics by Katie KangasPhotos submitted by Heather Wiehe

SportsJan. 29, 2021 - The Pony Express5Hockey team back on ice Jan. 4after delayed start to seasonElla SpitzerGovernor Tim Waltz hasdecided to lift the suspensionon winter sports, allowing athletes to begin practices on Jan.4. Hockey players will beginorganized practices, with theaddition social distancing andthe use of face masks throughout practice. Precautions suchas wearing masks on thebench, in the locker room,and even on the ice. Hockeyplayers have been anxiouslywaiting to hear if they wouldhave a season or not and arevery excited for Jan. 4.Parents have noticed theirkids are feeling down withoutsports; Brian Scheel, fatherof Sydney Scheel, said hisdaughter is “definitely restlessand excited to get back.”Players have not been ableto have practices during thistime. Many have been playinghockey on outdoor rinks or onponds. Many hockey playerswill argue that outdoor hockey is not the same as playingin a rink, but playing on lakes,ponds, and other makeshiftrinks has become their onlyoption to skate right now, andis a fun way to connect withfriends while staying activeand safe.“I’ve been skating withsmall groups of friends onbackyard rinks and using running and weightlifting to keepin shape and ready for whenever the season does start,”junior and team captain Sydney Scheel explained.The team has been uncertain about the fate of theirseason for a while now so itis important that they stayprepared so they are ready tocome back strong.Hockey is certain to startthe 4th, but after the holidays,COVID-19 numbers couldrise. Players and parents areoptimistic that the season willmake it all the way through.Last spring, many sports weredropped before some couldstart due to Corona virus, butwith rising cases and the needto be inside to play, it may beharder to have a full season.As well as the possibility ofsomebody on the team contracting COVID-19, forcingthe team into quarantine. Atwo-week quarantine duringan already shortened seasonwould certainly not be ideal.“With the newer lockdown restrictions I’m hopingthe numbers will be downenough for us to start ourhockey season,” Sydney said.“Finish it,” Brian added.Teams have been stayingconnected over Zoom, someteams do workouts together,anything to stay connectedduring these times. For many,sports seasons are also aboutseeing their teammates everyday, building relationshipswith others on the team, andhaving a schedule. Withouthaving practices or games thelast few months, teams havenot had that. Luckily we livein a very technological age.Teammates have found waysPhoto by Cassidy GilliamJunior Sydney Schuster, pictured in white, and senior captain Jacki Kulzer, in blue, practice atthe St Croix Recreation Center on Jan. 7, 2021. This is one of the first practices they have helddue to the delayed start to the season because of COVID-19. Players wear masks to protectthemselves from the COVID-19 virus, in hopes to have a safe season.to keep in touch with eachother virtually, and outside insmall groups while apart.“We stayed connected withzoom calls every Monday andtalk in our team group chatevery once in a while,” sophomore Kylie Ligday said.Players have been gettingdressed and ready beforethey get inside so they do notcrowd in the locker room.They will be wearing masksat all times and social distancing when possible. The girlsBasketball begins amidstCOVID-19 pandemicMaci SwansonMany sports and eventshave faced the consequencesof the COVID-19 pandemic.Both the girls and boys varsity basketball teams winterseasons have been greatly impacted. There is an unknownfuture for the players andtheir season, but the hopes ofplaying might become a reality in the near future.Graphic by Nissa WilcoxThere have been delays infall and winter sports seasons,which have been pushedback several months or haveeven been rescheduled inthe spring because playingindoors during the winter isconsidered to pose additional risks. High school a

Stillwater Pony Express THE Stillwater Area High School ony Jan. 29, 2020 Vol. 65 Issue 3 Junior Paige Klemenhagen recently won first place at the MN NATS competition. The NATS stands for "National Association of Teachers of Singing", one of the largest professional associations of teachers with a background in singing. There are more than