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The News of The Blake School Since 1916

The Spectrum

The News of The Blake School Since 1916

The Spectrum

The News of The Blake School Since 1916

The Spectrum

Dane is especially worried about the dryness this year. Pictured above is a combine and the collecting machine.

Hardships Trouble Midwestern Farmers

Ben Aviles, Co-Editor-in-Chief May 28, 2026

Simon Wagoner is a fourth-generation farmer in Shelton, Nebraska, a town of 1,045. There was a time in January when he wondered, “What in the heck am I doing farming because there's no way to make any...

From top to bottom: 1. On protecting the Boundary Waters, Otis Environmental Author Amy Freeman said, “If you’ve been before, try and take someone new the next time you go. I think the more people that know about the place [they] understand it, love it, and want to protect it.” 2. Lower schoolers danced around the stage, eventually forming a mosh pit. The dancing intensified, leading to the band to ask kids to return to their families. 3. The Bennett Gallery features nature artwork from students of all grade levels, including Arthur Risdall ‘37 and Lilah Mairose ‘28. The curators wanted the gallery to feel like taking a walk outside. 4. Eighth graders in Woodshop created canoe paddles for the exhibit. The canoe was a reference to the Freemans’ book, “North American Odyssey, 12,000 Miles Across the
Continent by Kayak, Canoe, and Dogsled.” 5. Students listen during assembly as the Freemans share
their experiences in the JNA. 6. Alex Rozumalski ‘26 made artwork in a joint project between Block Printmaking and Marine Biology. The text by Rozumalski’s artwork said, “We have over-harvested, pollluted, and physically altered ecosystems, in some places irreparably. But it doesn’t have to remain that way.” 7. Lower School students created an eco-friendly felt art piece of the natural world. Most of the
wool was dyed naturally with onion skins, choke berries, indigo, and dahlia flowers. 8. Many families enjoyed the Okee Dokee Brothers concert. Overcash reminisced, “My dad has always been a fan of folk music, so the Okee Dokee Brothers reminds me of him. I think he got me into it.”

Earth Day Odyssey Sprouts at Northrop

Ben Aviles, Co-Editor-in-Chief April 28, 2026

     On Apr. 22, kids danced and yelled in the JNA– that is precisely what the Okee Dokee Brothers wanted. They performed as part of the Earth Day Odyssey.       “Let’s just keep it simple,”...

Sofia, a woman who provided mutual aid, received letters from some of the people who she helped. Kids like Oscar had to participate in online learning from home.

Food Donations Fuel Immigrant Families

Ben Aviles, Co-Editor-in-Chief March 13, 2026

During Operation Metro Surge (OMS), thousands of Minnesota immigrants sheltered in their homes. They remained at home, terrified of masked agents on the streets.  Sofia, a woman who withheld her name...

The Bearstang Team placed second in state after having a multitude individuals place in the finals.

Young Swim & Dive Team Eat, Sleep, Swims to State

Ben Aviles, Co-Editor-in-Chief March 12, 2026

The Bearstangs, with an average freshman grade, competed in the Boys Swimming and Diving Class A State Meet. They competed between Thursday, Feb. 26, and Saturday, Feb. 28. As a team, they finished second...

Dave Freeman shares photos from his one year journey in the Boundary Waters. In efforts to protect it, he encourages students to be engaged at the capitol, handing out information or speaking up about their experiences in the Boundary Waters.

Amy and Dave Freeman Share their Experiences

Charlie Graff, Junior Editor March 1, 2026

     As part of the 2026 Philip Otis Author Show, adventurers Dave and Amy Freeman will be visiting Blake to share their story and passion for the natural world. Dave and Amy wrote "A Year in the...

Kiss the Tiger performed at the Landmark Center in the F.K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium. Anderson said, "It's pretty amazing to be able to play music to people when people actually show up. I love to have people dance and move around."

Kiss The Tiger Roars

Ben Aviles, Co-Editor-in-Chief January 30, 2026

     “We don't fight anymore, and I like that,” belts Kiss the Tiger lead singer, Meghan Kreidler, on the opening track of their new album, “Infinite Love.” Kreidler and Michael Anderson, her...

Wilson practicing the chorus for one of his upcoming releases on a double-tracked album at the Minneapolis Performing Arts Center with a harpist and banjoist. Wilson’s daughter Georgia Wilson ‘25 and bandmate Munson’s daughter Jing Jing Munson ‘21 both attended the school.

Wilson Pursues Musical Perfection

Ben Aviles, Co-Editor-in-Chief December 7, 2025

Matt Wilson is addicted to making music. Since his start at St. Louis Park Middle School, music has been a fixation, nearly compulsive. He said, “I don't feel like it’s a virtue. I think I'd probably...

Chastity Brown performing on Sept. 26 at the Parkway Theater located in southwest Minneapolis.

Local Musician Finds Joy Through Hardships

Ben Aviles, Co-Editor-in-Chief November 4, 2025

Nationally-noted Minneapolis-based folk artist Chastity Brown, a Black queer woman, spent most of her life certain she didn’t deserve joy. Growing up in Union City, Tennessee, a city “with four...

Volunteering provides many with the opportunity to pursue their passions while helping those in need. For Christian Hovard '25 (Second to right), cooking is a passion that he developed during the pandemic.

Volunteers Make an Impact

Caitlin Strauss, Student Life Editor September 26, 2025

As the busy school year begins, we often focus our attention on our classes, schedule, homework, friends, etc. Fall is quickly approaching, and volunteering is a great way to give back to the community,...

As we head into the end of school and summer, it is important to keep in mind our mental well-being and reach out for help if we need it.

Mental Health Resources Available to Students

Evie Chow, Food Editor May 24, 2025

As the school year closes, huge deadlines and assessments loom over the student body. For community members navigating anything from school to family life, mental health resources are essential. So while...

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies baked by Watson.

Lucia Watson ’72 Shares Success Story

Ben Aviles, Copy Editor May 24, 2025

Lucia Watson ‘72 has devoted much of her life to cooking and thirty years to the Minneapolis food scene-defining restaurant, Lucia’s. Former general manager at Lucia’s and owner of Heather’s, Heather...

Daniel skates in a loss to the Montréal Victoire. The Sceptres lost to the Minnesota Frost in the first round of the playoffs.

Rising Star Izzy Daniel

Lilah Johnson, Managing Editor May 23, 2025

Izzy Daniel ‘19 always dreamt of playing a professional sport. After a decorated college career, this dream came true when she was drafted by the Toronto Sceptres in the third round of the second PWHL...

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