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
Sarah McCarthy

Sarah McCarthy, Photographer

Sarah McCarthy is a Photographer for the Pony Express Newspaper. She is a junior at Stillwater Area High School in Stillwater, Minnesota. With her free time she plays volleyball competitively. She does this both for her high school and a club called Northern Lights. She also enjoys spending time with friends and traveling. She loves animals of almost all kinds, as well as working with children.

 

All content by Sarah McCarthy
At any big brand coffee shop the coffee is much more expensive than what you would pay for by making it yourself. New coffee making technology and machines that have recently come out makes brewing coffee at home easier, and even a better tasting product. Many say that the coffee they make at home can compete with what is made at big brand coffee shops. In addition, when at home someone can also choose to add as much or as little sugar needed. This is different from coffee shops, because the baristas decide the sugar to add and don't carry it based on customer preference. The freedom of coffee choice and flexibility at home creates a viable option for coffee enthusiasts to enjoy. Junior Anna Scheel explains, "Making coffee at home is totally a viable alternative to going to a shop everyday. It might take some upfront cost and tweaking of your drinks but after awhile it's almost easier to just make your own than having to frame your morning around having to make a detour to Starbucks."

Big coffee brands trending

Sarah McCarthy, Photographer
April 26, 2016
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[Photo] Spam Instagram accounts sweeping popularity over students

Kathleen Billingsley, Copy Editor
April 3, 2016
The occurrence of this year's college fair is very helpful for many students especially juniors and sophomores. When students are given the tools to learn more about their future, it's incredibly useful for students in the long run. Unfortunately some students were not given the chance to use this tool. Many current seniors never got a chance to experience the college fair. However, these same students have now become more determined to get underclassmen to go to the college fair, due to how beneficial they know the fair is. Senior Mary Norkol says, “I would have loved to have the opportunity to learn about local colleges and find out what I did and didn't want in a school.”

High turnout for Stillwater’s college fair

Sarah McCarthy, Photographer
March 17, 2016
Stillwater’s college fair was one of the largest stops on the regional college tours throughout Minnesota. All the schools come from a variety of places, with a variety of backgrounds. With this huge pool of schools, comes more and more depth of schools attending. Not only will basic 4 year colleges be there, but 2 year schools, beauty schools, art schools, and military programs. Students of all kinds will be able to feel that the fair has what they're looking for, and every students needs can be satisfied. College and Career Center manager Amy Carr says, “There is 110 reps coming in from the five state area.”

The college fair had dozens of booths scattered around the gym, each contained a different school, and with different opportunities. Each booth had one representative of a college, who was willing to provide pamphlets and verbal information about the school they were representing. Every booth has a new perspective with completely new things to learn, making each booth unique. The uniqueness of the different schools allows for students to learn a lot about what they may want to do after high school. Junior Mason Bartosh says, “I think that it will help get some basic information on each of the schools. It will give you a good idea about size, and possible strengths that a college has. You will also be able to compare multiple schools and figure out what schools sound best for you.”

The college fair was held in our very own gym, and it’s convenience made college research much easier for many students. By having information available all in one area makes the aspect of a college search seem much less intimidating. Instead of having to drive hours to get information about a school, students had the chance to do something similar right in their hometown. Junior Mason Bartosh says, “I think that it's hard to travel to so many schools, so getting the opportunity for them to come to you is great.”

Pictured is juniors Julia Gibbs and Jane Moore speaking with the University of Iowa representative. This one on one interaction is the norm during the college fair. Every student of any age or stage has the chance to speak directly with college representatives. By having the chance to do this students get the upper hand in being able to directly show their interest in the college. Students also get the chance to give representatives their contact information for future scholarship opportunities, tour dates, and application information. College and Career Center manager Amy Carr says, “I think relationships are built better off of face to face for sure.”

Pictured is the outside of the bath and body shop on Main Street downtown. Although this is owner Meg DiMercurio’s first store in Stillwater, it is not her first store created. Her first store was established in Buffalo Minnesota, and still sells product there today. After great success at her Buffalo location, as well the exceptional amount of buyers in the Stillwater area, DiMercurio decided to add another store right here in Stillwater. Modern Roots has become DiMercurio’s passion, however sometimes looking back she contemplates how she began her journey to get to the successful point she is at today. DiMercurio explains, “Even my mom asked me ‘Did you think you would be doing this?’, and I said ‘No!’ But I have found my passion.”

Modern Roots takes new spin on body products

Sarah McCarthy, Photographer
February 9, 2016
Financial aid helps students meet their college expenses. Grants, scholarships and loans are given out to students who meet the criteria to attend a college or university, but it usually only pays for a small portion. In the College Career Center students can pick up books and find information on what needs to be done to receive financial aid.

There are many schools students can apply to attend after they graduate and the College Career Center shares all the options.

The College Career Center teaches students how they can receive scholarships from various schools. There is a packet given out and the beginning of the year supplying seniors with information on what scholarships they qualify for and how to apply.

Students loans are created to help pay for living expenses, university tuition, and books. These are paid off over many years, but they put people in sometimes tremendous debt.

Tax credits help students pay for higher education schools. If the conditions are met, which you can discover in the College Career Center, then it can reduce a families federal tax income bill.

Being that Modern Roots is all locally made, owner Meg DiMercurio deeply relies on her local buyers to maintain sales. DiMercurio has always felt that quality products do not need to be constantly advertised, to know that it is high quality or not. Her entire business started from word of mouth. She started with farmers market stands, and it eventually let to her very own shop. Customer recommendations became Modern Roots most important form of advertising, and she still heavily relies on it. DiMercurio says, "I rely on my customers to rave about my product because I don't think that me telling people on a billboard that my products great and you should try it, I want my customers to rave about good product."

Here the store is shown looking out onto Main Street in downtown Stillwater. The new and convenient location will make it easy for people to buy product that was completely constructed within the community. By giving people the opportunity to more easily shop locally, Modern Roots is able to even more attract customers because of the positive responses to supporting local businesses. Junior Beth Wilcek explains, "I believe the new store in Stillwater will give people the opportunity to buy products locally and then they can know where their products are coming from."

Modern Roots is not a typical bath and body store. The entire store has a story behind it including each and every product. The owner Meg DiMercurio started selling her products because of her daughter. She had started by making product for her daughter's severe skin disease, and the entire store grew from there. She then started designing each and every product differently, and for a specific person in mind. When you walk into Modern Roots it is easy to learn the story behind the store, making customers feel a local connection with the owner. Junior Nafiza Hasan says, "Buying locally is always nice because it feels like you're being invested in the community. And it's always more fun because it feels more personal, because most of the time you get to meet the owners and get a story on how they started and why they started."

Every product sold in the shop is handmade by the owner Meg DiMercurio herself. Creating her product has become her passion, and her store has give her an opportunity to share her product with others. DiMercurio takes a lot of pride in her work, however that is not what is most important for her. What she takes pride in the most is her product efficiency, and that there is no way to waste a naturally made product. She loves the idea that someone can enjoy a product without having to generate unnecessary waste from it. DiMercurio says, "The fact that wows me is when people take it home and they try it, and there's very little waste in my product, like that's super cool THAT makes me proud. It makes me proud to see people who enjoy product with oil derivatives, and they rave about it.”

As Sunny Shaw and Matt Kiedrowski eagerly awaited to eat their bugs on a stick, their adventurous spirit and positive attitude was demonstrated. While they were teaching in Taiwan it took courage to leave America and travel to a completely new place out of their comfort zone. However they welcomed their new life wholeheartedly. Part of living in a new place is experiencing the new culture. Kiedrowski explains, “The culture shock was still pretty significant. It’s almost like you wake up after three months and then you can think, okay now I’m back to normal. It takes that long.”

Kiedrowski traveled to Taiwan to teach junior high

Sarah McCarthy, Photographer
January 15, 2016
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[Photo] Schut's business classes prepare students for life

January 11, 2015
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[Photo] Schut’s business classes prepare students for life

Chris Faffler, Read & Watch Video Editor
January 11, 2015
After school, these students together work on daily homework assignments they are given in math.

Monday, Jan. 10, students work quietly on the homework they have for that night. Most say they have at least two hours of homework each night.

In Mrs. Handbergs chemistry class, students work with their lab partners to fill in answers on a worksheet.

The Cambells enjoyed looking out into the crowd of supporters as the fans danced to their songs. The speakers were blasting with quality music, and the viewers couldn't help but have a great time.

Just by being at the show watching viewers can see the passion that the boys have while they play. They truly display their love for music in their songs.

A crowd of both Stillwater students and other spectators gather in front of the stage to dance to the bands music.

The C-Notes playing on stage in a local bar performing one of their own songs. The band is made up of three brothers who play guitar, bass, and drums.

Sophomore Evan Cambell, looking out into the crowd gathered at the small bar in Mahtomedi. Cambell plays the drums for the band him and his two other brothers created.

[Photo] Young musician excels in blues brother band

Megan Karnuth, Online Editor
January 13, 2016
Shown is sophomore Evan Cambell playing his drums during him and his bands show in a local bar. The band performed two separate acts that lasted throughout the night

Student teacher 1

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The orchestra concert on November 12, 2015 was an overall success for the players. Pictured is symphonic (generally 10th grade) orchestra. Junior Emmery Hartwig explained," I think we played well and I genuinely love playing violin."

The actors/actresses during their improv rehearsal having fun during their warm ups. Junior Scarlett Bahma expresses her joy while in rehearsal. Bahma explained her excitement on the show saying, "I'm super excited, I love doing improv."

The symphonic orchestra playing during their concert in a packed auditorium. The Orchestras had been working hard to insure they were ready for their concert. Junior Emmery Hartwig explained, "we've been playing our songs since the 3rd week of school."

The symphonic orchestra playing in the auditorium during their concert as the audience eagerly listens.

The group of performers stand in a circle during their group pre-rehearsal warm ups. Junior Scarlett Bahma described how she thinks the show will go when she said, "I think the show is going to go really well because we've got tons of funny people in the group."

The improv actors/actresses during rehearsal. The improv show is December 15, and the group is incredibly excited to show off their comedic talents.

Pictured is a sign inside the window of the now under construction building in downtown Stillwater. This building will soon be home to John and Kelly Davis's new childcare business.

The future home to the new downtown Stillwater business is in its midst of a renovation. All in preparation for the space to be flooded with children eagerly anticipating fun.

The future location of the Daily's children indoor play place is on downtown Stillwater's main street. With the new white and purple painted outside, the space is beginning to seem more and more inviting.

Not only is basketball a sport for girls, nor just a team. Basketball has become a part of their lives, and their team has become a family for them. As junior Chelania Daniels passes the ball to freshman Megan Lampright, the smile on their faces proves their love for the sport. The girls work hard weekly together, and also have become incredible friends over the years. Senior Madison Schmidt explains her friendships developed through basketball by saying "I've always stuck with basketball because some of my best friends played it with me."

New girls basketball coach redefines team

Sarah McCarthy, Photographer
November 19, 2015
In the gymnasium the girls spend countless hours putting in work, and practicing hard to prepare for the season. This summer the players had been working months before the season had even began, in order to insure they're fully prepared. As the season gets closer the girls are learning more and more about Willie Taylor's coaching style, or how he runs practices. Junior Camryn Davis describes how Taylor runs practices by saying "His practices are pretty regimented, but the end is always fun because we play 5 on 5 or more active games like that."

The aspect of working together, and supporting each other has always been a huge aspect of the basketball team. As juniors Chelaina Daniels and Casey Rorabeck are on the sidelines watching their teammates, they are cheering them on the whole time. The girls have learned the supporting each other is a huge factor in positive team chemistry and friendships. This positive behavior has been modeled for the girls from the new coach Willie Taylor, by always being positive and allowing for the girls to love basketball. Player parents Eric Davis explained that "I think he's a great role model for the players and we are fortunate to have him as our coach."

This is the typical view for any basketball player. Whether it be rebounding a shot, shagging for a teammates while they shoot, or even the fun idea to try to jump as high as possible to reach the net. The little things about the sport are what the girls have come to love. Sticking with any sport to play at a competitive high school level is impressive, and is highly regarded by peers. Junior Camryn Davis explained "I plan to staying with basketball because it's fun"

While their teammates are scrimmaging on the court in front of them, juniors Kaeli Murphy and Natalie Zinn are watching them play. As the girls have a chance to watch their friends and peers play in front of them they can't help but become excited about the game. The players have a lot to smile about on and off the court, but this is not only because of their fellow players. The girls under coach Taylor have had a significantly more enjoyable season, and like playing for him in general. Player parent Eric Davis explains that “the girls enjoy playing for Coach Taylor and they respect his knowledge of the game”

"My favorite part of the festival was watching the potters," senior Simon Leppicello said. "It was interesting to see them use their hands to form and shape a boring ball of clay into an intricate piece of art."

[Photo] Fall Colors Festival returns to Stillwater for 31st year

October 27, 2015
An excavator parked on a work site of future homes off of Manning Avenue. Edward Gorman owner of local restaurant Gormans in Lake Elmo explains how the citizens have become frustrated by saying, "Although you are only one voice, you have to get united. And I think that (The citizens) have riled up here recently."

Lake Elmo development causes controversy

Sarah McCarthy, Photographer
October 13, 2015
Director Sadow consults with senior Simon Leppicello.

[Photo] Sadow brings a new light to the stage

October 20, 2015
Pictured is construction off of Lake Elmo Avenue, where the roads are being completely reconstructed. Shown in the distance are septic pipes. Mayor Mike Pearson described the positive change in the septic system by saying, "If you are a downtown resident with a non compliant septic system, or have had flooding issues, these changes have lowered the cost of sewer hook up and will provide storm-water solutions to your street and yard."

A photo of a home being surrounded by construction off of Lake Elmo Avenue. Many houses in the old Lake Elmo "village" are consumed by construction similar to this home. Francis Wallace, a local homeowner describes the building and development by saying, "I personally would rather continue to see farm fields in those areas but also realize that growth also brings other opportunities as well."

A local protest sign sits off of Lake Elmo Avenue protesting new building of a local cemetery. Mayor Mike Pearson describes citizen controversy by saying, "some residents are asking, 'so much so quick?' and are concerned of the impact these changes will bring."

Downtown Lake Elmo Avenue just off highway 5, a few small business pictured. Fire chief Greg Malmquist describes how the development impacts him when he explained, "With more development and more residents, the fire department will see our call volume increase."

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