The student news site of Stillwater Area High School

The Pony Express
The student news site of Stillwater Area High School

The Pony Express
The student news site of Stillwater Area High School

The Pony Express

Maya Aflakpi, Photographer

Maya Aflakpi was born in Chicago. She moved to Saint Paul when she was two years old. Maya’s favorite sport to play is soccer. She used to go to Hill-Murray School, but now she is a junior at Stillwater High School. Maya’s favorite things to do are taking photos, drawing, listening to music, and hanging out with friends.

All content by Maya Aflakpi
This is a picture of gold medal gymnast, Simone Biles. This picture could have been easily retouched a lot or could have been barely retouched. It is hard for anyone to know anymore. The cover says “Body Beautiful” and could easily lead girls to think this is the only way they can be beautiful. “Whenever I look at a photo of a model in a magazine I always want to have their body or their face. I always wonder how they are able to look that way and never think that photoshop makes them look. I just think they naturally look this way,” junior Bakange Ajak says.

Junior Micayla Mcglade is reading a Teen Vogue magazine and looking at Zendaya Coleman on the covergirl page. “Photographic and video images can reveal great truths, expose wrongdoing and neglect, inspire hope and understanding and connect people around the globe through the language of visual understanding. Photographs can also cause great harm if they are callously intrusive or are manipulated," nppa.org says.

This photo was taken of junior Madison Fulin. It was edited with increased brightness and contrast with a more appealing filter.“There is a general misconception that the use of Photoshop inherently means manipulation. We always use photoshop to control the brightness and contrast," digital tech Chad Houle says.

This photo was retouched to be more “flawless” because that is how society defines beauty. “I feel society defines "beauty" as skinny, blonde and clear skin which isn't bad but I believe everyone is beautiful and there shouldn't be one way to look beautiful," junior Bakange Ajak says.

This attraction has timed challenges, a ropes course, laser tag, drop tower, arcade, kids fun factory, go karts, trampoline, mini golf, giant slide, and wipeout trampolines. “The arcade games were fun but there wasn't a lot which was a bummer,” Daniels said.

Some people think Big Thrill Factory is not worth the cost."I went to the Big Thrill Factory with my family and it was kind of fun. I do not think it is worth how much it costs but it is a fun way to spend time with the family," said junior Erica Lemcke.

There is a lot to do at the Big Thrill Factory and it is a great way to be active.“My favorite thing there was the Time Challenge and Go Karts. But I think my cousins liked the laser tag the best. Overall my cousins and I really enjoyed it and all of its variety," said senior Chelaina Daniels.

[Photo] Big fun at Big Thrill Factory

May 8, 2017
Big Thrill Factories second location just opened in Oakdale. "I went to the Big Thrill Factory with my cousins and it was a great way to be active and not be on electronics all day," Daniels said.

A lot of families go to Big Thrill Factory. "I recommend [going to] Big Thrill Factory to families. It is not really a good place for high schoolers to hang out. It is more for maybe people in junior high. Overall it was a good experience," Lemcke said.

'Hidden figures' brings untold true story to life

‘Hidden figures’ brings untold true story to life

Maya Aflakpi, Copy Editor
February 14, 2017
Photo by Maya Aflakpi Ellie Lenertz and Simone Youssef are taking a break from sledding and playing with the snow. This photo really captures the true fun of winter. " Winter is my favorite season because there are so many activities you can do righting your backyard," sophomore Tori Lee said.

Many local venues offer entertaiment during winter

Maya Aflakpi, Photographer
December 5, 2016
An everyday skirt you can find for sale at a local store anywhere near you.

The evolution of denim skirts

Maya Aflakpi, Photographer
September 24, 2016
Maya 1

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Maya Aflakpi