The “assassins wars” is a teenage game of "killing" people until the last person is alive. In some cases there is money involved as persons pay an amount to play and the last person wins it all.
Students hide in bushes, drive in crazy manners, show disregard for street traffic, and their own or others safety. For the unknowing adult this can be very startling to come across a teen hiding behind your bushes or waiting in "ambush" with some weapon looking thing. We do not need adult heart attack or accidentally injured young adults.
The game has nothing to do with school and is NOT a school activity. We discourage its practice and do not allow for "kills" at school. The students are playing by their own rules and in their own groups throughout the neighborhood.
Minneapolis Southwest High School, 3414 West 47th St., Mpls,MN 55410, (612)668-3030, http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Southwest at Viva City with Dessa
Southwest choir, band, and orchestra students had a
strong showing and leadership roles at the 20th Annual Viva City Choir &
Orchestra Performance, which took place at the Convention Center on April 28
and 29. The event featured students from 14 Minneapolis schools who formed a
150-piece orchestra and 700-member choir. Highlights of the featured
Southwest students include vocal soloists Natalie Dulka and Sam
Gaines, concertmaster Ava Szychalski, and a performance by SW alum Dessa. The
event featured the world-premiere of a newly commissioned work by Dessa
and local composer Jocelyn Hagen, which will also be performed at
future events throughout the district as well as by Vocalessence next season.
SW conductors Keith Liuzzi and Nathan Knoll led with charisma and style, as
usual! The performers received standing ovations from large
and enthusiastic audiences both nights! We're so proud of the high
level of excellence shown by the many talented musicians, vocalists, and
artists at Southwest High School!
above: Viva City 2014 stage and choir at the Convention Center
Pictured (left to right): SW musicians Ryan Rosik (bass
clarinet) Ava Szychalski (violin), Dessa, and Emerson Clay (violin)
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Bolg From New York City Dance Trip
Blogging on a windy day in
NYC(Day 1)
Well the city that never
sleeps, slept last night and is still sleeping. At least until they meet us in
the lobby at 9:30 a.m.
What to blog? From the
point of view of 37 other people you may get different eyes on this New York
prize, but here I go.
Our flight was timely and
mostly uneventful. A woman who had a low blood pressure needed medical
attention so the last hour was hoping all went well and it did.
Got into JFK and got metro
cards and headed on subway to Howard Beach to catch the “A” train. I am
grateful we arrived mid day as all our fumbling and bumbling purchasing cards,
hauling luggage onto subway platforms inconvenienced almost no one but
us. The spaces we occupied were virtually empty, and a good start to
initiatating the uninitiated(which turns out their are about 9 who have never
been here) into the big city.
The half hour subway ride
from Brooklyn(JFK airport) seemed long, but the anticipation coming up from the
42nd St. station into the light and vision of Time Square was palpable. I
wonder if I actually heard screams? We popped up right into the mix of
the city in its then bustle(1:30 p.m.) and it was delightful.
We dropped off luggage and
went to eat and explore Time Square. Our hotel is right across from ABC studios
and down the street from the Forever 21 five story bldg(guess how many women
were in heaven?). I told them that whomever took the first selfie with a
celebrity of any sort that mattered to them, would get a free dinner on
me. Haley and Ava texted me a photo with Nick Lachey(98 degrees boy band
singer and former Jessica Simpson husband and host of something or other right
now).
By 6:30 p.m. we were off to
“Matilda” for half of us, and “Motown the Musical” for the other half .
I ended up at Matilda and
half way through the show I felt so bad everyone wasn’t seeing this
masterpiece. Not nearly as dark as the book by Ronald Dahl, the set and
lights were as integral as anything and were just extraordinary. The
choregraphy that Peter Darling (from Billy Elliot) won the Tony for was superb
and quirky, and interesting and mostly done by eleven year olds! Super
human children. So phenomenal. The students were in awe and as one
said it was “ridiculous” how amazing this show was. Come to find out ,
the “Motown” group was feeling sorry for us! Abdi said, “this was
probably the happiest moment of my life”. They music from the sixties
Motown hits and audience involvement, made all of them chatter and squeal to us
later about this being the best thing they had ever seen.
Stories of their photos
appearing on the jumbo tron in Time Square and some being asked to be in a
flash mob for a marriage proposal and others excited about finding an amazing
cupcake store....well it goes on and on.
We are off to explore all things
above 42nd street this morning as we work our way to Central Park to
perform (The principal at the high school that was to host us
decided no visitors today(!) and plan B has become get ipod dock from friend
and go to Strawberry Fields to perform). On the way we will visit Lincoln
Center, Juilliard, SNL Rockfeller Center, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum
and then street fair in Harlem. Back to see “The Heathers” tonight and
collapse. Forecast is 61 and sunny. On to put on my walkin shoes.
Strawberry Fields Forever/Day
2
Day Two had us traveling
Uptown past the David Letterman Studios, New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center,
Juilliard and of course “Steak and Shake”(!). Who knew that little fast
food hot spot would get the biggest recognition. I’m always amazed
at how TV/ movies and the current vernacular become so apparent. “Oh
that’s where Carrie was proposed to by Big!” in “Sex and the City”, or when
going over the hill in Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum and a small pool
of water with sail boats appeared, “oh my gosh that was a scene in “Stuart
Little”!”
Central Park was our main
destination and walk, we did. We entered the park at 72nd and Central
Park West across from the Dakota where John Lennon lived and died and headed to
Strawberry Fields where he is buried and the “Imagine” tile mosaic is in the
ground. There were two musicians playing their guitars and singing and
students seemed drawn like a magnet to go sit around them to listen. As
they were listening, I began to think about Hope’s new piece that had a very
organic structure and feel to it. I asked her if she thought we could
perform it there in Strawberry Fields and maybe approach the musicians
about playing something to accompany it. She said it made her feel
nervous and her dancers for the most part were uncomfortable as well.
Enter my not so subtle style. I encouraged strongly(knowing this would be
a lifetime story)and went to talk to the musicians. They were delighted
and they suggested playing and singing “Imagine”. Oh my goodness.
I filmed it on my phone and the experience was breathtaking. They
and the crowd that gathered to watch them can attest, and when I figure out how
to cut down the size on my iphone, I will send to you.
We let them loose for an hour
in the park after stopping at a food cart or two and they laid in the grass or
walked to the boat house at ate burgers, sat on the rocks and talked near
Bethesda Fountains, played frisbee, watched the roller skaters, the dog
walkers, a wedding or two, and headed through the park towards the east side
where the Metropolitan Museum was on 82nd and 5th Ave. Ask them about the
Park. They didn’t want to leave and I’m sure have different memories than
I know.
We sat on the steps on the
Met and listened to live musicians. Did you know that on an episode of
“Gossip Girls” someone ate yogurt on those steps! Me neither.
Am not familiar with the show but many specifically wanted to be in that upper
east side neighborhood for that reason. Yes, I am old, and all my
associations outdated.
Some actually went into the
museum but mostly we just “stopped walking”. That was a delight in and of
itself and the day was magical and sunny and all of us Minnesotans got
reacquainted with the sun.
We split up as we
wandered back downtown to our hotel and they either crashed or shopped in Time
Square and we met for “The Heathers” at 7:15 in the lobby. Many of them
were adorned with new shoes or dresses or accessories as they appeared
ready for Broadway Show #2. We all wove our way through a very crowded
mid-town to the “New World Theater” 6 blocks away. They loved the
show, though I found out it was rated “R” when we arrived. Some knew the
movie version with Wynona Ryder but I went on a colleague recommendation having
heard it was akin to “Mean Girls” and High School and a newly graduated
Minnetonka talent was the lead.
Probably would choose
differently next time but they were laughing so hard and as one student said,
“this would be a great show to have a teen discussion after”. Anyway,
half of us went to the stage door to meet the hometown boy as my Mn contact had
set up a gathering for us. We missed the part where they announced that
his understudy had gone on for him that night so when the actor emerged from
the stage door and the students were clapping and taking pictures with
him-well, it all seemed so normal. Through the noise, I whispered in his
ear that we were the students from Southwest Mpls. that he had been told would
meet him. He shook his head ‘yes’ and smiled and went on to the next
photo opp with the students. Someone finally said, “so how does a Minnesota
boy make it to New York?” He said, “Minnesota? I’m from Long
Island”. I said, “Are you Ryan?” “Ryan? No I’m his
understudy Dan!” We laughed and laughed and that whole scene was as good
as the show. So they met “Not Ryan” from “The Heathers” and have plenty
of pictures to prove it.
Their stories are better I am
sure but I will put a period on Blog #2 as we get read for Day #3.
NYC/Day 3: “These Boots
Were Made for Walking”(or maybe that’s Converse )
“I love New York, it’s never
dark”. “Of course not”, says a chaperone because you are staying in Time
Square”. The bright lights of the city ,for many of the women, meant a
short block to the 5 story “Forever 21” store that is open until
midnight. As Karl said(because he has so many women friends he is
accompanying), “I think I have spent more time in women’s clothing stores on
this trip, than I have spent sleeping !”
And the negotiations in China
Town this afternoon for designer this and thats, make me convinced that many
need to work for Obama.
Lest you think that’s all
they have done is shop, let me run through my view of the day.
A short walk to Cameo Studios
had us meeting my director friend Steve and his two comrades from the
theater. Robby Stamper(musical director, voice coach and accompaniest to
the Broadway community) and Josh( who is performer/actor and personal dance
assistant to Susan Stroman(choreographer /director extraordinaire). They
taught students songs and dances from “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” and “Big
Fish”. Fast and furious and fun I would say. “Turn jump, open
close, pas de bouree, ball change, hold”(sort of). We also had a
question/answer period following the show and learned a bit about all of their
jobs. Josh was the “swing” for the last two shows which means he learns
10 people’s parts in song, dance and acting and if they should get sick he
would go on. He also has been dance captain for the shows which means he
keeps the “bible” or book of all choreography with all the “tracks” or traffic
patterns of all the dancers and of course the movement vocabulary and must
teach to anyone who is replaced or sick. One of the most interesting
things to me that he shared, was that being a dancer in alot of the building of
new shows he talked about the skill of being willing to be flexible and willing
to change. Often times as new shows are created, test audiences are
brought in and if the directors don’t think things are working, they will take
out a song, insert new ones, re-arrange and order , take out pieces of
dialogue, etc and all must be fixed by the next night. The creative
process demands alot of intellect, detachment, flexibility and
memory. And for a dancer, it is about embodiment as well. You are
singing, memorizing movement sequences and all while trying to ground yourself
with the director’s intent. This is why when people talk about the arts as
frivolous or “cute” or “fun” one often must have developed the skill of
“restraint” as I personally have to excercise that one to not go for their jugular.
But , I digress.
We are only at 12:00 p.m. so,
on with the day.
Students headed back to the
hotel where they changed and headed downtown to Ground Zero. Definitley
effected by too much walking and dreams of China Town, some just looked from
the outside while others used the free tickets acquired by our chaperone to
enter into the sight and ponder near the magnificent water pool structures that
bore the names of the victims. The lone standing tree that remained still
blooms with cherry blossoms and suffice to say there, was alot to think
about.
While others were on their
way to China Town, Little Italy and Soho my group stayed a bit longer to visit
bathrooms, get coffees etc. It started to rain as our walk began and I
decided my small group needed cabs as a reprieve. Being near a large
hotel, a porter arranged for us to get two cabs but instead said that he would
get a large vehicle instead for the same price. A white stretch limo
showed up and the rest is history. A delightful way for the eight of us
to travel a few miles. Yes, it wasn’t fair, but, oh, we could
get used to this.
We all wove our way up the
island to our final performance destination which was “Baldwin through Dance”
at New York Live Arts Space(owned by Bill T. Jones in Chelsea).
“Exhausted” is who I saw show up in the form of 35 students. Those boots
were not made for walking....no, as some were sandals and they had walked (with
the exception of two subway rides), all day. The show consisted of two
premieres of choreography by Diane McIntyre and Charles O. Andersen in honor of
the commemoration of James Baldwin and what would have been his 95th birthday.
Dealing with the idea of race/humanity and struggle, students said, it
was “beautiful, confusing, intense, tiring, long, life changing,
...“ A few were so moved they stayed for the discussion afterwards
and one African American boy said, “I feel a deep sense of contentment because
I now know there are other people struggling with race in the same way I am.
It’s like a puzzle I didn’t know I had inside of me but now that I know, I know
I will be putting it together all my life. The difference is, now I
know what questions to ask and that others have been asking them for decades.”
So though others might have enjoyed a little cat nap during the show,
someone’s life was literally changed. The arts have the power of
transformation. In one fell swoop, this man has, as he would explain it,
renewed “purpose”. What else is life about?
I am so grateful to
have been with these children on this journey. As much as it is difficult
with school and grades and testing, (and don’t think they aren’t exhausted,
tired of their room mates ,wished they were in their own beds, etc)the
kindnesses and bonding and life lessons(they are up early this a.m. taking one
of the students to breakfast for her birthday)and for some transformation, is
frankly, priceless.
Off to the airport in
30 minutes and home by 2:17 p.m.
Colleen Callahan Russell
Southwest Dance Teacher
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Linden Hills Festival Needs Volunteers
The 40th annual Linden Hills
Festival will be held on Sunday, May 18th. We are still in need of
volunteers, particularly for the 3:00 - 5:00 time slot. It would be great
if some staff or students would be willing to help. The Linden Hills
Neighborhood Council is a 501-C-3 so this could be an opportunity for some IB
students to get additional CAS hours.
Here's the signup link below.
Please feel free to pass this along to anyone who you think may be able to help
out.
http://lindenhills.org/volunteer-registration/
http://lindenhills.org/volunteer-registration/
Thanks so much and we look
forward to learning more about the developments at Southwest.
Kindest Regards,
Dawn Chapman
Linden Hills Neighborhood Council
Interim co-chair
612-308-5097
Dakato Combo Jazz - Two From Southwest
Youth Showcase at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival
This year’s Combo is a septet including Jack Courtright (trombone, Apple Valley High School), Ben Ehrlich (drums, Wayzata High School), Peter Goggin (saxophone, Mounds View High School), Will Kjeer (piano, Home School), Levi Schwartzberg (vibraphone, Southwest High School), Aiden Sponheim (trumpet, Southwest High School) and Sam Worthington (bass, Mounds View High Scho
Friday, April 25, 2014
Southwest Minnesota All-State Musicians 2014
Announcing the Minnesota All-State Southwest Students. Congratulations to the following students who have been selected as an All-State member or alternate:
Emerson Clay Minneapolis, MN Viola/Orchestra
Nicola Lowry Minneapolis, MN Bb Clarinet/Symphonic Band
Yueqi (Lily) Ren Minneaolis, MN Flute/Symphonic Band
Gerhardt Robinson Minneapolis, MN Tenor Saxophone/Jazz Alternate
Ryan Rosik Minneapolis, MN Tenor Saxophone/Jazz Alternate
Alice Schmitz Minneapolis , MN Bass/Orchestra
Aidan Sponheim Minneapolis, MN Trumpet/Jazz Band
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Southwest Alumni Class Reunions - Attention
Southwest Alumni - Classes of......
Do you have a Reunion planned for this year??
We can support your efforts for announcements, visits to the school or other ways to make for a great celebration!
Classes of 1944 1949 1954 1959 1964 1969
1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009
Who is the Alumni Reunion Chair???
What is the date and location of the Reunion?
Who is the RSVP contact?
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
World Savvy Festival May 16 and 17
POPULATION & PROGRESS
May 16-17 | Augsburg College
TWIN CITIES
World Savvy educates and engages youth
to learn, work and thrive as responsible
global citizens in the 21st century.
FRIDAY, MAY 16
Media and Arts Showcase
Join us for an engaging exhibition
of student artwork, followed by live
performances, music, and film.
6:30 pm
—artwork exhibition
7:30 pm
—live performances
and film
SATURDAY, MAY 17
World Savvy Challenge
Engage with over 400 students
from across Minnesota, who will
share their solutions to some of the
world’s most pressing issues.
8:30 am
—Registration
9:30 am
—Opening Ceremony
10:00 am-3:30 pm
—Student
Project Competitions
3:30-4:00 pm
—Closing
Ceremony
WORLD SAVVY
ANNUAL FESTIVAL
TWIN CITIES
TWIN CITIES
NEW YORK CITY
SAN FRANCISCO
WORLD SAVVY
ANNUAL FESTIVAL
NEW YORK CITY
WORLD SAVVY
ANNUAL FESTIVAL
FRANCISCO
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Southwest Baseball Fund Raiser - Bowls of Gratitude
Here
is an awesome opportunity to benefit our baseball program. Lynne
Christensen is Zach Christensen's mom. Zach is on the JV team.
Lynne is a potter and has generously offered to do a fundraiser for
our SW baseball program involving bowls that are made by her. These bowls
make great gifts. Think mother's day and graduation. (I already
purchased bowls for my sister's birthday). The bowls are beautiful and
one of a kind. Please read the following email from Lynne:
Please
have a look at the website:
For
every bowl you purchase between April 25th through May 11th, $8.00
will be given back to the Southwest Baseball Booster Fund.
These
are wonderful gifts for employees, clients, family and friends. Let us not
forget Mother's day and graduation gifts!Please
email
with
the quantity you would like to order after reviewing the Bowls of Gratitude .
(YOU
ARE NOT ABLE TO CHOOSE THE BOWLS AS THEY ARE ALL HAND MADE AND DIFFER FROM ONE
ANOTHER)
Lynne
will call you back with a total cost (with tax) and the need for your credit
card information.
A
total count of bowls will be recorded and the donation will be made
after May 12th.
We
then will get them delivered some way some how ... so order quantities at ONE
TIME!
We
can order up to 100 (but can go over a bit).
Another
great way to contribute to our needs.
--
Minneapolis Southwest High
School Baseball Boosters
Monday, April 21, 2014
What You Want to Get Out of this Investment in Your Education
What do you want? Will that degree get you a job? How about that college transcript? Will it impress the potential employer?
A couple of different articles that should make for good dinner table talk. Do I need a gap year? Should I pay attention to the courses or just have fun at the party school?
A couple of different articles that should make for good dinner table talk. Do I need a gap year? Should I pay attention to the courses or just have fun at the party school?
Thomas E. Friedman, Aprl 20, 2014 New York Times
Howard Root, Star Tribune April 21, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
Congratulations Math Team
Nomination to the All-State Math Team
Congratulations to Russell Pekala!
Russell has been invited to participate on
the All-State Mathematics Team, representing the state of Minnesota. He is one
of a group of seventy-five of the most talented mathematics students in the
state.
He will take part in four full-day practices on various Saturdays
in April and May. If selected for one of the sixty spots available on the teams
from Minnesota, Russell will travel with the others for a day-long competition
in Iowa.
Russell has earned this opportunity by performing well during
math team competitions this year. He also did quite well on the American
Mathematics Competition exams.
Although the Southwest Math Team is done for the school year, we are always trying to encourage further participation in future years. Please direct any questions to David McMayer at david.mcmayer@mpls.k12.mn.us
Southwest Club Happenings
Japanese Culture Club
Meets Wednesdays from 3:05 to 4:30 in
Room 219. If you are interested in Japanese Culture, Japanese movies, and
J-Quiz, please join us.
Break Dance Club Absolutely
no experience necessary! Join us in the link Mondays
and Wednesdays 3:15 – 4:30. Questions? See Ms. Valdez in room 109
GSA - Gay Straight Alliance
Meets 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month,
3:15 to 4:30, East Building Room #110
Political Activism Club:
A place to talk with your peers about current issues and how to engage in the political process. Grassroots activism. We meet every third Tuesday in Room 34. Interested? Email Ms. Rittler at Valerie.rittler@mpls.k12.mn.us
A place to talk with your peers about current issues and how to engage in the political process. Grassroots activism. We meet every third Tuesday in Room 34. Interested? Email Ms. Rittler at Valerie.rittler@mpls.k12.mn.us
SPANISH PEER TUTORING
will take place every Tuesday at 3:15 in room 218. If you are struggling with Spanish, please take advantage of this opportunity whenever possible. If you are an upper-level Spanish student and can help with the tutoring, please see Ms. Woebke.
will take place every Tuesday at 3:15 in room 218. If you are struggling with Spanish, please take advantage of this opportunity whenever possible. If you are an upper-level Spanish student and can help with the tutoring, please see Ms. Woebke.
Join Teen Health & Unity Group!
(THUG)
Learn about health topics that interest YOU! Earn service hours! Build your resume! Eat free food! Make friends! THURSDAYS 3—4pm, Room E19
Learn about health topics that interest YOU! Earn service hours! Build your resume! Eat free food! Make friends! THURSDAYS 3—4pm, Room E19
Young Artist Party at the U
The Young Artist Party is May 16th this year
at the U of M Regis
Art building West gallery, 6-9 pm.
Time To Get In The Water
Spring! Finally!
For the Southwest Sailing Team, that means
we are on the water again!
We sail at the Lake Calhoun Sailing School across the roundabout
from the Tin Fish.
We practice Monday through Thursday from 4 to6pm. If you are
interested, visit our website or simply come
down to the lake during a practice time and just try it out!
No prior sailing
experience is required. Please bring shoes that can get wet and dress appropriately
for the weather.
For any other questions and concerns, please send an email to
SW captain Michael Stone at michael.stones.email@gmail.com
Bowling for Lacrosse
A Bowling Fundraiser for Boys and Girls Lacrosse Teams
- the Lax
Bowling Bash!
All are welcome to attend this event on Sunday, April 27 from 5:00
- 9:00 pm at Park Tavern.
Your entry fee ($25 ahead/$30 at door for adults
& $15 for youth) includes all of your bowling, pizza and salad.
There will
be great raffle prizes and "social shindig" parties you can sign up
to attend.
To learn more or purchase tickets online, visit www.mplslacrosse.com. Questions?
Contact Emily at emily25@comcast.net
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