The Official Student News Site of Orono High School

The Spartan Speaks
Read on to learn more about Spartan Send-Off Week.
Guide to Spartan Send-Off Week 2025
The doors to the OHS courtyard
OHS Courtyard Temporarily Closes Due to Vandalism
A poster hangs for the play "You Can't Take It With You"
Explore the Sycamore Family in OHS Drama’s ‘You Can’t Take It With You’
Read on to learn more about the week's dress-up days.
Exclusive: Dress-up Days for Prom Week Revealed—Tuesday Will Shock You
Annalisa Tedlund “Tessa Canuck”, Acrylic
Students Compete in Congressional Art Competition
A storm rages above the trees.
Outdoor Sporting Events Cancelled Due to Severe Weather
Vikings receiver Jordan Addison getting drafted in 2023 as the 23rd pick of the first round.
2025 NFL Draft: The Lifeline for a Vikings Dynasty?
Distance Track Team gearing up for a winter run.
Long-Distance Track Team Prepares For Upcoming Season
Nolan Groves jumps for a lay-up.
Photo Gallery: Boys Basketball State Quarterfinals vs DeLaSalle
Mitchell Kauch rushes to rushes to the basket.
Photo Gallery: Boys Basketball Section Finals vs BSM
Parker Burckhardt catches the ball.
State Semifinals Photo Gallery: Orono Football vs Totino Grace
The Orono Spartans line up against Mound.
Photo Gallery: Orono vs Mound Football Game
#27 Frankie Stevenson runs the ball.
Photo Gallery: Orono Football vs Providence
Orono football lines up against Providence Academy.
Orono Routs Providence 24-13 in Friday Night Showdown
Orono student section waves Spartan flag.
Photo Gallery: Homecoming Football Game
Nolan Groves jumps for a lay-up.
Photo Gallery: Boys Basketball State Quarterfinals vs DeLaSalle
Mitchell Kauch rushes to rushes to the basket.
Photo Gallery: Boys Basketball Section Finals vs BSM
Nolan Groves goes for a dunk.
Photo Gallery: Boys Basketball Section Semifinals vs Richfield
--- ducks under his opponents stick in a battle for the puck.
Photo Gallery: Boys Hockey State Semifinals vs St. Cloud Cathedral
The girls cheer on their teammates.
Photo Gallery: Girls Basketball Section Finals vs BSM
A storm rages above the trees.
Outdoor Sporting Events Cancelled Due to Severe Weather
Distance Track Team gearing up for a winter run.
Long-Distance Track Team Prepares For Upcoming Season
(From left to right) Sindri Bonner, Taylor Walsh, Alivia Uselding, and Ryanne Andreen pose after winning their 4x800 race.
Making a Stride Into the 2024 OHS Track and Field Season
Mens and Womens Lacrosse Look Ahead to an Exciting Season
Mens and Womens Lacrosse Look Ahead to an Exciting Season
With winter sports coming to a successful end of their seasons, OHS can look forward to spring sports kicking off!
Spring Sports Spring into Action
Vikings receiver Jordan Addison getting drafted in 2023 as the 23rd pick of the first round.
2025 NFL Draft: The Lifeline for a Vikings Dynasty?
#8 Rams linebacker Jared Verse tries to grab the football following a fumble from #14 Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.
Vikings Eliminated in Devastating Playoff Loss Against Rams
Detroit defensive lineman Al-Quadin Muhammad (69) sacks Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14).
Vikings Suffer Week 18 Loss, Look Forward Towards Playoffs
Sam Darnold on the field after getting sacked, resulting in a safety on Sunday, October 27th.
Vikings Fall to 5-2 in Week 8 Loss
Vikings running back Aaron Jones running into the end zone for a touchdown.
Vikings Lose in Week 7 Heartbreaker Against Lions
OHS's newest counselor, Ms. Condry, smiles in her office.
Championing Student Success: Meet Ms. Condry, OHS’s Newest Counselor
The Orono parking lot near the front entrance
Ditching Parking Spots and Rocking Parking Lots: Students React to New Parking Policy
Where OHS Students are Traveling: Spring Break 2025
Where OHS Students are Traveling: Spring Break 2025
The Calvin Church where SPARKS occurs.
Inspire, Educate, Lead: Make a Lasting Impact With SPARKS Mentorship Program
OHS students can choose between Spanish, German, and Chinese for world languages.
Which Language Class?
A person holds a phone with TikTok opened on it.
An End to the Trend: Why a TikTok Ban Would be Devastating
Students write essays in AP Seminar.
AP Research Should Count as an English Credit. Here’s Why
The OHS Media Center is a great place to study--but how many students can access it?
Unlocking the Media Center: A Space for all Students
The Orono senior parking lot
Parking Perils at Orono: Let’s Number Those Spots!
Letter to the Editor: Orono Should Not Purchase New Computers
Letter to the Editor: Orono Should Not Purchase New Computers
A poster for 'A Minecraft Movie.'
Mining Gold or Striking Dirt? A Review of ‘A Minecraft Movie’
Vikings receiver Jordan Addison getting drafted in 2023 as the 23rd pick of the first round.
2025 NFL Draft: The Lifeline for a Vikings Dynasty?
Timothée Chalamet plays Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown."
Run To Movies Now and Watch Bob Dylan Biopic: “A Complete Unknown”
Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt discuss a game.
Tom Brady’s New Role as Broadcaster Splits Opinions
The neofetch from shortly after I got the server.
Review: The Dell R630 Proves Its Value
The College Board and AP logos
May 2025 Word Search
Flowers bloom.
April 2025 Crossword
Acrylic. “Replacing what was Stolen”
Photo Gallery: Orono Entries in Congressional Art Competition
Where OHS Students are Traveling: Spring Break 2025
Where OHS Students are Traveling: Spring Break 2025
Spring Break 2025 Crossword
Spring Break 2025 Crossword
Acrylic. “Replacing what was Stolen”
Photo Gallery: Orono Entries in Congressional Art Competition
Nolan Groves jumps for a lay-up.
Photo Gallery: Boys Basketball State Quarterfinals vs DeLaSalle
Mitchell Kauch rushes to rushes to the basket.
Photo Gallery: Boys Basketball Section Finals vs BSM
Nolan Groves goes for a dunk.
Photo Gallery: Boys Basketball Section Semifinals vs Richfield
--- ducks under his opponents stick in a battle for the puck.
Photo Gallery: Boys Hockey State Semifinals vs St. Cloud Cathedral
The College Board and AP logos
May 2025 Word Search
Flowers bloom.
April 2025 Crossword
April 2025 Jigsaw Puzzle
April 2025 Jigsaw Puzzle
Test your skills in this April-themed word search.
April 2025 Word Search
Spring Break 2025 Crossword
Spring Break 2025 Crossword
The Official Student Newspaper of Orono High School
Since 1952
The Official Student News Site of Orono High School

The Spartan Speaks
The Official Student News Site of Orono High School

The Spartan Speaks
All content by Brooklyn Elsenpeter
With tuition on the rise, how much are students willing to pay for higher education?

The Cost of College

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, Editor in Chief
May 8, 2023
WGA writers go on strike in New York City on May 2, 2023.

The WGA Goes on Strike: What Does This Mean for Television?

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, Editor in Chief
May 8, 2023
OHS Presents...Steel Magnolias for the Spring play! Shows are April 27th-29th, tickets are on sale now!

OHS Spring Play: Steel Magnolias

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, Editor in Chief
April 24, 2023
Streaming services and subscriptions are on the rise, how much are consumers willing to pay?

The Age of Streaming Services and Subscriptions

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, Editor in Chief
March 21, 2023
The Orono Dance Team makes history at State!

Orono Dance Team Makes History

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, Editor in Chief
March 13, 2023
From book banning to changing curriculum, political influence in the US education system has occurred since the mid 1600’s.

Politics and the US Education System

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, Editor in Chief
February 27, 2023
"Where the Crawdads Sing" is a 2018 murder mystery that has captured readers and views alike.

Where the Crawdads Sing: the book and the movie

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, Editor in Chief
February 13, 2023
Following the midterm election results this past November, Minnesota’s new and re-elected officials begin their terms.

The Impact of the Midterms in Minnesota

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, Editor in Chief
January 18, 2023
As protests spread across China in response to their government's "zero-Covid" policy, protesters hold blank sheets of paper over their faces; symbolizing China's extreme censorship.

Protests Erupt in China in Wake of Deadly Fire and “zero-Covid” Policy

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, Editor in Chief
December 12, 2022
This past year, consumers have continuously seen prices increase; but are these prices due to inflation or price gouging-or both?

Are Consumers Witnessing Inflation or Price Gouging-or Both?

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, Editor in Chief
November 18, 2022
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss (left) resigns, and Rishi Sunak (right) is appointed prime minister.

Rishi Sunak becomes UK prime minister following Liz Truss’ resignation

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, Editor in Chief
October 25, 2022
New terminology regarding the grading system has been implemented this school year. Pictured is an example of the new terminology being used in the Language Department at OHS.

Updated Grading Terminology at OHS

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, Editor in Chief
October 18, 2022
The Collide Theatrical Dance Company's production of "Class of '85" portrays 8 high school students as they spend the day in detention; learning that they really aren't that different from one another.

Collide Theater: Class of ’85

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, News Editor
May 9, 2022
The Minneapolis Institute of Art provides many aspects of art in all shapes and forms.

Minneapolis Institute of Art: Enriching the Lives of Students

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, News Editor
April 11, 2022
SPARKS at Orono has helped connect students from elementary all the way to high school with working on their academics.

SPARKS: Igniting Passions in Young Students

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, News Editor
April 8, 2022
The Orono Unified Club looks to spread inclusion through sports and events at the Orono High School.

[Video] The Backbone of the Orono Unified Club

March 17, 2022
The Minnesota Light Rail Transit's current and future transitways. Connecting residents within the Twin Cities and reaching outward into communities outside of the cities.

Light Rail Transit Speeding Up Transportation in the City

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, News Editor
March 7, 2022
Retirees from left to right: Kyle Herring, David Herring, Lee Starr and Mary Bischoff (Barbara Ehalt not pictured)

School Board Meeting: February 14, 2022

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, News Editor
February 27, 2022
Orono has specific protocols in place to help guide decisions on when to call a delayed start, early release or a snow day.

Snow Storm Protocol in place for Orono Schools

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, News Editor
January 4, 2022
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Black Friday: Online vs. In-Person Shopping

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, News Editor
November 29, 2021
Letters of Love logo

Letters of Love: Three Years Later

Brooklyn Elsenpeter, News Editor
November 9, 2021
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