April 18th, 2008 - MVHS Viewer

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Friday, April 18, 2008

INBRIEF

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Volume 54

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C H O O L

Issue 9

<mvviewer@yahoo.com>

Vandalism shocks students, staff

By Divya Gupta staff writer

photo courtesy of Rachel Kroska

The MV Speech Team placed second out of 13 teams at the Section 5 AA Tournament Friday, April 11 at Centennial High School. 15 finalists will advance to the State Finals on April 19 at South St. Paul High School.

photo courtesy of Mike Truso

Salsa Night, hosted by Diversity Council and Spanish Club, was held Friday, March 28 in the commons. Over 50 students participated and raised about $350 for the Humane Society.

Between 1:30 and 2:30 a.m. on Saturday April 12, after the annual Morp dance, a small group of unknown individuals vandalized MV property.

Using the roof above the front entrance and Commons, they used rocks to smash through the skylights’ outer panes. A few inner panes were cracked, but according to Associate Principal Mark Tateosian, many have held together. A window in Social Studies teacher EmaKate Brohman’s room was also broken, where a computer tower and DVD player were stolen.

An active police investigation, led by Deputy Glen Pothen, is underway to determine the identities of the perpetrators.

Administration is looking into the camera footage of the incident.

If caught, the perpetrators will be charged with felony criminal damage to property.

“We’re hoping an investigation could generate leads, and we can work to get to the bottom of this,” explained Principal Julie Wikelius. She and the rest of the administration, including Superintendent Dan Hoverman, stressed the importance of anyone with information stepping forward to aid the investigation.

The damage is estimated to cost in the tens of thousands of dollars, although an exact number is not available. The glass panes in the skylights were heavily insulated and reinforced and are expensive. For the

photo by Nate Grann Recent vandalism to the school’s skylight windows above the commons (above left) and on the roof (above) had students and administratiors shocked. The damage is estimated in the tens of thousands. Below, an Open Forum was hosted by Student Council for students to speak with Superintendent Hoverman and Principal Wikelius.

photos by David Derong

time being, the school must accommodate the changes that will occur, such as the sectionedoff Commons area.

“We’re going to have to special order all the windows,” said Tateosian. “In the meantime, we hope to have a temporary fix.”

The Commons are expected to reopen to students at the end of this week, and Brohman’s window will be fixed soon afterwards.

“We’re hoping to bring back some semblance of normality,”

said Wikelius.

On Tuesday last week, Student Council organized an open forum with Principal Wikelius and Superintendent Hoverman. Though it was not designed with the vandalism in mind, it was brought up numerous times.

“From what I’ve heard over lunches today,” said Student Council Advisor Mike Coty, “there is very strong concern over who would do this, and

By Kirstin Yanisch staff writer

people to take them seriously,” said Wiens.

This week, freshmen took the Written Composition test; sophomores took the Reading test; and juniors took the Mathematics test. Later this year, sophomores will be the first to take the new online Life Science MCA test.

Students have been taking the MCAs since the third grade, along with other standardized tests like the Basic Standard Tests (BST). As they get older, they also have to take the PSAT, the SAT and the ACT and AP tests, not to mention classroom tests and finals.

Despite the district’s efforts, many students are apathetic toward the tests.

John Thompson, 11, took a lot of creative leeway with his freshman writing test because he didn’t feel it was difficult and therefore worth the effort.

“I wrote a story about how my little brother was captured by pirates and had super powers,” he said. “I don’t think you have to take it seriously. It’s not that hard.”

Tinn Lee, 12, echoed Thompson’s nonchalance toward the writing test. “I was really sarcastic. I wrote about living in the Antarctic.”

Others like Monique Pratt, 12, feel the MCAs are unnecessary because the rigor of their MV classes left them well prepared.

“I feel if you pass an AP test for math you shouldn’t have

it’s nice to see that students are caring and looking beyond the fact that it’s just some shattered windows into what it means…

I can’t recall anything of this magnitude occurring in 30-plus years.”

As Coty saw, students, like administration, appear surprised, worried, and even upset.

“I think it’s stupid that anyone would do this,” said Xing Li, 11. “They’re basically throwing away their entire high school career.”

Wikelius summed up the general attitude when she said, “I am very sad and disappointed that this happened. I think the entire school would feel better if we could even understand why someone would do this.

Right now, we just have a lot of questions and no real answers.”

Staff limits hallway MCAs fail to motivate students Your scores... usage after school

By Dan Heaney staff writer Near the end of school last year, Jack Basten, 11, was having simple fun with a paper airplane.

To spice up the game, he tried to catch the plane in midair. Falling, he ended up with a dislocated elbow and a broken arm.

Though Basten’s ordeal wasn’t the exact incident that brought about the new policy, it is the type of incident staff is hoping to avoid with its new after school policy.

The policy, broadcast on March 24 over the announcements, now prohibits students from wandering the hallways after school without a pass or reasonable excuse.

Students caught in the hallways will be sent to the commons and instructed to wait for a ride.

According to administration, the policy is not a result of poor behavior, but rather a precaution against unnecessary risk.

“There have been a series of things with kids getting hurt after school,” said Principal Julie Wikelius. “We do a really good job during the day, but it became apparent that things had gotten out of hand after school. It’s just an attempt to make sure that everyone is here for a reason.”

The staff maintains that it will be easy for a student to obtain permission to be in the

hallways. As long as a student reasonably explains his or her intent, a signed pass is not necessary. The school does not predict any problems will arise, and has one staff member on duty in the hallways until 4 p.m.

However, though the policy is not meant to be a punishment, many students have reacted negatively toward the new restriction.

“They keep infringing on our freedoms,” said Julia Baker, 12. “They took away our open lunch, and now we can’t even walk around for after school hours.”

Amy Walsh, 11, felt the policy would be difficult to implement, and even more difficult to justify.

“They’re telling everyone to go [to the Commons] but they won’t be able to enforce that very easily,” she said. “It’s a rule that I don’t understand, because kids haven’t really been getting in trouble.”

However, there is also support from those who are relatively unaffected or feel the restriction is an appropriate safety measure. “[The policy] is a good idea because it lessens after school activity, with teachers needing to do work. There will be less trouble around,” said Tyler Todd, 9.

Although the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) tests are critical for schools, many students think they are overkill.

“It kind of feels like the state overwhelms us with testing,” said Katelyn Steffens, 11.

This poses a problem for schools: How can they get kids to take the tests seriously? MV’s solution, which is being copied by other schools statewide, is to put MCA scores on the student transcripts and require passing grades for graduation.

MCA scores are currently being reported on all students’ transcripts, and starting with the Class of 2010, a passing score is required to graduate.

“Our previous testing administrator, with feedback from principals and administration, made the decision [to report scores on transcripts] when the MCA IIs came out two years ago in 2006,” said Mary Rodin, district coordinator of assessment and evaluation.

According to Dean Scott Wiens, one of Mounds View’s MCA testing coordinators, the decision was made because the MCAs are currently how the “state and federal government gauge Mounds View’s success on for No Child Left Behind.”

“We put them on the transcripts because they are important tests… We want

decoded

Take the grade you were in when you took the MCA and add a 50 to the end. This number or above is a passing score.

For example: Grade Level Passing Score 9 950 10 1050 11 1150 to take an MCA for math. The MCA math test was just such a joke last year because it was such basic level math,” said Pratt.

In the past, Mounds View has performed very well on the MCAs in comparison to schools around the state. In 2005 and 2006, it received five stars, the highest possible rating in overall school performance.

“We have one of the highest pass rates in the state at 98 percent,” Wiens said.

Yet despite the school’s overall performance, reporting MCA results on transcripts is a measure the school has taken to address some students’ indifference toward the MCAs. Its objective, the school hopes, will give students greater incentive than ever to sharpen their Number 2 pencils, as well as their minds.

2editorials op T 10

Reasons everyone’s talking about prom

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Jae Chang hasn’t been asked yet

TV seasons all wrapping up

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Everyone curious who vandals were trying to ask

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OMG I NEED A WEEK TO TAN... AND MY HAIR!

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It’s why you won’t have money for the next 3 months

April 18, 2008

No bridge, troubled waters at NTSB

By Sam Toninato staff writer

In 1967, a bridge was built.

Not a particularly fancy bridge, just your average, run-of-themill, steel truss arch bridge.

The I-35W bridge was around for many years, carrying nearly 140,000 vehicles every day.

And then, on Aug. 1, this seemingly ordinary bridge collapsed, leaving thousands devastated and wondering what went wrong.

Enter the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB’s job is to investigate these kinds of transportation disasters. The NTSB thoroughly and expertly examines everything from landslides to faulty train

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tracks in order to make sure that an accident is never repeated.

After their investigation is completed, the NTSB then holds a public hearing in order to tell the public what went wrong and what the government is doing to fix it. However, the NTSB recently announced that although it was a huge transportation disaster, they would not be holding a public hearing for the I-35W bridge collapse.

This news is extremely troubling. The NTSB has a duty to hold a public hearing. The people of Minnesota have a right to know what went wrong on that bridge, and what the government is doing to fix it. But the NTSB thinks it would be better to withhold this information.

They have released several memos, saying that a public hearing would slow down the state’s

Formal etiquette is an essential part of a young wife’s rearing Maintain the illusion that Student Council is important

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You’ll remember at least part of it for the rest of your life

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That or doing math homework....

Life’s all downhill from there.

2007-2008 Viewer Editors

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Editor-in-Chief Anna Brockway Managing Editor Alice Liu News Belle Lin Editorials Andrew Larkin Commentary Sam Louwagie Features Abby House Kathleen Gormley Spread Lauren Peake Vicky Kelberer Variety Alicia Hilgers Reviews TT Phan Sports Chelsy Mateer Andy Madsen Gallery Ashley Aram Business Manager Elizabeth Steele Photographers/Artists Nate Grann David Derong Debbie Li Adviser Martha Rush Assistant Adviser David Weinberg Staff

- Cassie Ahiers, Colin Anderson, Karly Bergmann, Anna Blaske, Sean Delahunt, Divya Gupta, Dan Heaney, Alex Hoffman, John Liu, Marysa Meyer, Sean Moore, Collin Nisler, Brandon Osero, Shaked Peleg, Ross Peterson, Brooke Roberts, Maddy Stephens, Emily Storms, Sam Toninato, Kristen Vanderburg, Christina Xia, Kirstin Yanisch, Sabrina Zappa

The Viewer is published by the student editors at: Mounds View High School 1900 Lake Valentine Rd Arden Hills, Minnesota ECM Publishers, Inc.

The NBST has been unresponsive to transportation disasters like the one seen here. art courtesy of Nate Grann and Ellie Perendy

efforts in creating a new bridge by possibly straining the NTSB’s already volatile relationship with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) and slowing down the already-long rebuilding process.

According to an Associated Press article by Frederic J. Frommer, the NTSB worries about “losing control” of the investigation.

However, these public hearings usually take two to three days. While this may temporarily set back the investigation, it will hardly cause the NTSB to lose control.

According to the NTSB’s website, “Public hearings generally are held with regard to a major accident in which there is wide and sustained public interest, or significant safety issues.” The I-35W bridge collapse fits all of these criteria.

This disaster was one of the most horrific bridge failures in history, with 13 deaths and nearly 145 injuries. This is clearly a “major accident.” There is also “wide and sustained public interest” in the bridge collapse, to the point where congressmen are fighting for a public hearing.

There are “significant safety issues,” as a bridge in Stillwater that has the same design as the I-35W bridge was recently shut down for safety concerns. If the bridge disaster clearly fits all of the requirements, why isn’t the NTSB holding a public hearing?

Some members of the NTSB disagree with the decision against the public hearing.

Safety Board members Deborah A.P. Hersman and Kathryn O’Leary Higgins strongly voiced their dissenting opinion in a memo, writing, “We

believe we would be abandoning our important duty to educate and reassure the traveling public of an independent, transparent, credible investigation after a traffic accident of national scope.”

State Representative Jim Oberstar and Senator Amy Klobuchar have been urging the NTSB to hold public hearings.

Oberstar has gone so far as to organize a congressional hearing to question the NTSB on its investigation and its decision on the public hearing.

As demonstrated by the NTSB’s troubles with the Stillwater bridge, the state of our infrastructure is a very serious issue today. The NTSB has an obligation to the public to let us know what happened and what is being done about it.

By withholding this information from the public, they are building the public’s mistrust of both the government, and our infrastructure. People deserve to know the truth. The NTSB should reverse its decision immediately.

Dr. Death goes to Washington

By Sean Moore staff writer

The cameras were rolling that day. Dr. Jack Kevorkian had just finished giving the injection to his patient, 52-yearold Thomas Youk. Youk was in the final stages of Lou Gerhig’s disease, or ALS and Kevorkian was guiding him through the final moments of his life.

On Sept. 17, 1998, Kevorkian himself administered the voluntary euthanasia of Thomas Youk. It wasn’t Kevorkian’s first − in the end he assisted over 130 patients end their lives− but Youk’s death would be the most controversial.

The filming would eventually air on a Sixty Minutes broadcast.

Kevorkian would later be charged and convicted of second-degree homicide.

Now back from his eight year term, Dr. Kevorkian has declared he is running for U.S. Representative in his home state of Michigan. Running independently, he is placing his candidacy on a platform advocating citizens’ inalienable rights. His platform, and his steadfast conviction to what he believes in, could ultimately earn him a spot in Congress.

During the years Kevorkian assisted in the suicide of terminally ill patients, he became more outspoken on a

person’s right to die. Eventually, he grew bitter and caustic towards the government. He demanded that euthanasia be an option for patients that had no chance to live. In the end, while performing Youk’s death, he even provoked police to try to arrest him.

The world, however, has changed since Kevorkian last wore something besides an orange jumpsuit. America is no longer one-minded on euthanasia; in fact nowadays the U.S. is split on the ethics of terminating the life of those who have no hope of survival.

Case in point is the controversy over Terri Schaivo’s death in 2005. Doctors were eventually ordered to remove her feeding tube because there was no chance of recovery from her vegetative state. She had expressed the wish that if she were ever brain-dead, she would want her life to end. Her husband fought for her right to die for many years, butting heads with her parents, the Florida government, Gov. Jeb Bush and even Congress and President Bush himself.

With such controversial happenings concerning physician-assisted suicides, there is really no better time for Kevorkian to run for office.

He has been released on good behavior after serving eight

years. He is on probation, and was forced to agree not to assist in any more suicides.

His parole terms said nothing, however, of working to make voluntary euthanasia legal.

Kevorkian, no doubt realizing he would do more harm than good by being an advocate for right-to-die groups, has instead decided to fight for the right at the source.

Kevorkian’s candidacy is interesting for a different reason though. His campaign has substance. Kevorkian has stated outright what his main focus will be: ninth amendment rights and right-to-die advocacy.

Of course, his support of voluntary euthanasia is to be expected. What may prove to be the most important and compelling factor in his bid for a congressional seat is his support for ninth amendment rights.

That is, for all of you who slept through your civil liberties class, “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

Huh? Basically, it’s the belief that citizens should have access to certain inalienable rights (you know, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?) and that nothing can be done to take them away.

Kevorkian believes that throughout our nation’s history, our government has encroached upon this amendment.

He makes a compelling case, which, if it holds true, could have consequences reaching far beyond the hospital.

This is because his support of ninth amendment rights could carry significant weight in other controversial areas as abortion and gay marriage.

Amendments to the constitution to legislate bans on both these issues have been batted about in Congress. If Kevorkian proves successful in upholding the ninth amendment, the end result may possibly be the acceptance of both gay marriage and abortion.

Kevorkian creates such a polarizing effect over his support of this obscure article in the Constitution. What really provides the spark for his campaign is his fervent support of citizens’ rights. Given today’s average flip-flopping schmuck in Congress, Kevorkian truly provides an exciting relief.

Who knows; perhaps we’ll have a murderer serving in Congress.

Wouldn’t that be a pleasant change?

April 18, 2008

Pistorius gives Olympic debate new legs

Right to remain... thoughtless?

By Shaked Peleg staff writer Like many other emerging technologies, some recent innovations sound like something out of science fiction.

Hypersonic sound, fMRI brain scans, trans-cranial magnetic stimulations and propranolol are a bunch of big words for new technologies that can either read or control things inside your brain and also sound incredibly creepy.

Especially since most of them are already being used commercially.

A&E, a cable channel, recently set up a billboard in New York for their new series about ghosts. What’s different about this billboard is that it was broadcasting hypersonic sound, a focused beam that only a person standing directly in its path could hear. Pedestrians in SoHo were surprised to hear a woman’s voice seemingly inside their head, saying, “Who’s there? Who’s there?”

If this technology spreads, we will not only be subjected to advertisement in movie theaters, while driving, on the radio, but also in our heads… the one place you’d think you’d be entitled to some speck of privacy. Our society, however, seems unwilling to provide us with even that.

As polygraph tests, which detect lies by measuring things such as heart rate, become less controversial, fMRI brain scans may soon also be accepted.

According to Wired Magazine, this technology “can detect surprisingly specific mental acts—like whether you’re entertaining racist thoughts,

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doing arithmetic, reading or recognizing something.”

In an experiment at Vanderbilt University, neuroscientist Frank Tong was able to easily predict that a subject was observing a penguin at a specific time. In fact, Tong says he can predict this kind of thing with “70% to 80% accuracy.”

One can already hire a company called No Lie MRI to prove their innocence (or guilt) in certain situations. This could expand into the courtroom, which raises interesting questions.

I would hope that the fifth amendment, protecting citizens from self-incrimination, would apply to self-incrimination by your brain.

A police officer reading a suspect their Miranda rights informs them that anything they say may be used against them, but to use someone’s thoughts, which cannot be controlled, against them would be unethical.

The biggest problem with this technology is not its existence, but that no one seems to know about it. Explaining hypersonic sound to someone, I was asked if this was some kind of April Fool’s Day joke. While it may be difficult to comprehend, it is far from fiction. There are no clear privacy laws concerning these technologies, and since privacy laws vary from state to state, legal policy toward brain invasion is not nearly comprehensive enough. It is then vital that we pay the utmost attention to potential threats to our civil rights, even ones we never thought we’d have to fight for.

Letter to the Editor The Day of Silence was founded in 1996 by students at the University of Virginia. It is the largest student-led action to bring attention to the bullying of not only Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students, but Straight students also. When you walk through school on Friday, April 25, think of all the voices you will not be hearing and think, “What am I going to do to end the silence?” Thank you for your support!

- Marty Weigand, 12, Sydney Emanuelson, 12, and Joe Fifield, 9

By Dan Heaney staff writer 21-year-old South African native Oscar Pistorius didn’t take steroids, didn’t bribe the judge, and didn’t even sabotage another runner’s chances. Yet the Olympic hopeful finds himself among the list of ineligible competitors for the upcoming Beijing games.

The reason? Pistorius was born without either fibula.

Because of this, doctors were forced to amputate the lower half of his legs and fashion carbon-fiber prosthetics.

Nicknamed “Blade Runner,” Pistorius wears Cheetahs, spring-like blades attached to a rod fastened to the bottom of his knee. He now finds himself in a completely unique situation. Born with such a disability, Pistorius was given the chance to wear prosthetic legs, considered by many researchers to be even stronger than human legs.

Undoubtedly, this brings up a conflict surrounding the upcoming 2008 Olympics.

Should a man who is born with a disability be penalized for coming up with a logical solution to his devastating problem? It would be a huge step back for the progression of sports if he is.

Take a look at the history of sports in America.

Though they don’t make up even a notable minority of athletes, men and women with disabilities have, in the past, learned to dominate in their respective sports.

Tom Dempsey, for example, holds the NFL record for longest field goal at 63 yards. Dempsey, born without toes on his right foot, wore a type of modified flat shoe on his kicking leg. Unfortunately for Dempsey, this led to

speculation as to what type of advantage it gave him.

Because of the critical response, the NFL was forced to pass the “Tom Dempsey” rule, forcing all kicking shoes to be shaped graphic by Nate Grann the same way.

Do prosthetic legs give disabled people an unfair As another advantage in the Olympics? example, his upright running position.

Mordecai Brown, a former In later weeks, however, major league pitcher, lost two subsequent tests conducted in of his fingers after two separate Houston proved differently, serious injuries. Aptly named and Pistorius is hopeful that he “Three-Finger” Brown, he will be reinstated. learned to use the injuries to “We did tests last week his advantage, creating more in Houston — they redid the spin than the average pitcher, tests they did in Germany and and using better control. the results were completely “That old paw served me different,” Pistorius told Times pretty well in its time. It gave me a firmer grip on the ball, so Online.

But the fact remains I could spin it over the hump. that Pistorius, born with It gave me a greater dip,” a disability, is being Brown once said. discriminated against for And though the something related to that very controversy was not as great, reason. opposing hitters were still “It’s like being sexist or skeptical. racist, saying we don’t want For the world’s greatest disabled people in the sport,” gathering of athletes to he said. not follow suit is illogical.

Perhaps those Olympic Though Pistorius’ status is runners who think that this up for appeal to the Court is unfair should cut off the of Arbitration for Sport in bottom half of their legs, and Switzerland, it shouldn’t even fix themselves up with the need to go that far. snazzy Prosthetics.

Evidently, though, there Pistorius, meanwhile, will is sufficient evidence to raise be keeping a positive outlook such an argument. In a recent and waiting for the Olympic test, it was discovered that, Committee to grant him the while running, the average opportunity he’s earned. energy loss for an ankle “You’re dealt a situation in joint is about 41 percent. But life, and if you make the best for Pistorius and his famed of it, good for you. If you let Cheetahs, the toll was only it bring you down, that’s your nine percent. Furthermore, problem,” he said. he required substantially less vertical movement in achieving

Garfield gets the boot in new comic

By Karly Bergmann staff writer Even with its new “modern” (read: ugly and unnecessary) format, I am still a loyal reader of the Pioneer Press. I check my horoscope and read the good comics every morning. I chuckle over Bizarro, Frank and Ernest, and the rest of classics, skipping over Zippy the Pinhead, For Better or For Worse, and recently, Garfield. I used to be able to count on that fat cat to be a constant day-brightener, but now I wish he would just hurry up and finish the last of his nine lives.

Being childhood classic, I felt I owed it to Garfield to read its frames every day. Then one day it hit me harder than Garfield hits Odie: Garfield is lame. He’s always eating lasagna, abusing spiders, whining about Mondays, or harassing Jon. And that’s also the extent of any plot ever found within a Garfield comic strip.

Garfield and his plot standards have fallen, but instead of landing on his feet like a normal

(read: not morbidly obese) cat would do, he’s landed flat on his face. And that’s not even funny.

I started noticing all this after realizing that I had not cut out and taped a Garfield comic to my fridge for years. Why would I ever want to share this cheap and quite frankly, dull humor with anyone else? The average Garfield strip is equal to my chemistry book when it comes to thrilling reading material.

Not long after I took notice of Garfield’s lack of creativity, the Pioneer Press caught on and, stripping away its last shred of dignity, moved the strip from its place of honor on the front page of the Sunday Comics to the back page. Now, I’m not saying the back page is necessarily worse than the rest of the pages, but Garfield’s a classic! He’s been around forever and had countless birthdays through the years. Shouldn’t that gain him some respect? Apparently not if you make the, I’m-so-oldthere’s-so-many-candles-on-mybirthday-cake-that –somethingcatches-on-fire joke EVERY

SINGLE birthday.

Then, just when the comic’s future seemed as dark as Garfield’s Monday mornings, hope came in the form of the blog, “Garfield minus Garfield.”

An unknown blogger at Tumblr.com who still appreciates the art and humor of cartoons has found the secret behind making Garfield funny: removing Garfield. By digitally erasing that evil and repetitive feline, we are finally able to appreciate the formerly oppressed character of Jon Arbuckle. Jon, once a meager sub-plot, takes center stage (or

rather, frame) in this new and improved cartoon.

Without Garfield’s not-sowitty side comments, Jon appears to be holding conversations with his sad little self, adding a whole new dimension and plot line to the mundane cartoon: Schizophrenia.

Calling itself, “a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against loneliness in a quiet American suburb,” the website may seem depressing, but is quite the opposite. You can’t feel pity

for Jon when he proudly shows off his brand new flowery oven mitts to an empty space because you’re too busy laughing at the hilarity of the situation. And you’re almost relieved when his misfortunes aren’t caused by his own pet.

For those who long for the days when the fat cat was funny, “Garfield minus Garfield” may be just what you’re looking for.

And the success may just bring Garfield back to the front page of the Sunday Comics! (Minus Garfield, of course).

cartoon courtesy of garfieldminusgarfield.com

4features “...We’re just like them” April 18, 2008

Autism-affected students aim to share their world with MV during Autism Awareness month

By Maddy Stephens staff writer Navigating the intricate rules of teenage social interaction and halls flooded with hormones is difficult for everyone, but even more so for students with Asperger’s Syndrome.

“It’s been harder for me,” said Sally, a student with Asperger’s. “I’m not good at starting conversations, I’m not really good at keeping people interested… and it just makes me feel so alone all the time.

“The only time I don’t feel isolated is if I come to people,” she said. “People never come to me. I have to come to them.”

Autism and Asperger’s are typically characterized by difficulty with social interaction and communication. Autism is a developmental disability typically diagnosed during a child’s first three years of life. Though there are no extreme cases of Autism at Mounds View, 15 students struggle with Asperger’s, on the mild end of the Autism “spectrum.”

These symptoms and struggles that Sally suffers are sometimes enough to interfere with school and all social activity, said Special Education teacher Deanne Hulcher.

“Some of our kids can’t even get to school because of the high level of social anxiety.

They can’t go to classes,” said Hulcher. “And even if they can get themselves to go, most keep quiet in the back of the room.

Sometimes teachers even think that [some of] these kids can’t speak.”

Sally said students like her need more understanding.

“Asberger’s kids are real people… we are just like normal people... It would just be good to show people that we are just like them,” she said.

The Special Education department has taken advantage of Autism Awareness month this

year to do just that.

In preparation for Autism Awareness month, April, blue bookmarks wrapped in shiny plastic Saran Wrap are piled on Hulcher’s desk. There’s a pile of blue posters in the corner, and black and white prints of Albert Einstein and Mozart taped to the whiteboard’s glossy surface.

The department hopes that with these efforts, they can begin to inform students about the complexity of Autism and Asperger’s Disorder and help more people understand the world in which teenagers dealing with Autism and Asperger’s live.

“It’s always been a comfort thing. Every year April is Autism Awareness month, but it was more of a question of whether the kids felt comfortable with us being more open about it,” said Jeff Holmes, special education para. “It was like, ‘do we want people to know about us? Or do we just want to keep to ourselves?’”

As scientific research into Asperger’s has grown, more studies are being published regarding the syndrome.

“More and more research is showing that Asperger’s and Autism are workable disorders, which makes the kids feel more comfortable talking about it with their peers,” said Holmes.

Those affected by Autism see it as important for the student body to recognize Asperger’s prevalence during the month.

“People should just get Autism on the brain. If they get thinking about it, [they can] get more information, which will carry with them through their life,” said Julia Baker, 12, whose 15-year-old sister was diagnosed with autism at age 4. “Autism isn’t going away, it’s getting worse. People can’t hate what they understand.”

Baker said people don’t understand that her sister, who attends school in White Bear Lake, has a disorder.

“When we go out, people stare and give us dirty looks,” she said. “People are very judgmental… You have to send your kid to school knowing they are going to get ridiculed. People just stare at you, and that’s the worst.”

Vinyon, a special education teacher who co-teaches with Hulcher, said, “The highfunctioning students at Mounds View typically have some sort of obsession, or specialty, self-stimulation such as pacing or rocking, and difficulty with social-interactive skills.”

Sally, a Mounds View student with Asperger’s, told stories of bullying and seclusion, but stressed a lack of understanding as a motive for bullies. Some of her peers are completely unaware of her disability and put her under the same umbrella as any other student.

As one of the more vocal Asperger’s students at Mounds View, Sally readily expresses the feelings that other students quietly safeguard.

“I just don’t understand why.

Why don’t people call me? I just don’t understand why people just won’t hang out,” she said.

Hulcher also noted that Sally’s candid sincerity is only representative of about of a fourth of the Asperger’s population, who are very verbal. She said it is these kids who struggle with the highest levels of bullying, name-calling, and ostracization, because their disorder is unseen.

“Other kids just sit quietly… their classmates, granted, think they are a little strange,” said Hulcher.

Hulcher pointed out that all Autism/Asberger’s students feel, at least in some way, isolated and overwhelmed in the general high school setting.

Matthew Guenther, 11, is another highly vocal Asperger’s syndrome student at Mounds View. Unlike Sally, Guenther

Students save paper, the world

By Emily Storms staff writer A few times a week, a carefully planned hand-off is executed during first hour. It is done so subtly that an ignorant observer would never guess the scope of the momentous operation.

Without causing a disturbance, John Liu, 11, passes Ian Liu, 11, two plastic Target bags. The bags are filled with hundreds of seemingly useless papers, which Ian promptly deposits in his locker.

These sheets of paper may appear unimportant, but what John and Ian do with them is anything but. The paper comes from John’s mom’s work, where enormous amounts of one-sided sheets of DNA analysis are printed every day.

The majority of the paper is put into the garbage or recycled, because there is no use for the analysis sheets unless a client requests them.

Or at least it was that way, until John and Ian came up with the idea to re-use the paper to print school assignments and notes. John and Ian have been getting John’s mom to bring home the paper from the

recycling bin, and the boys have been printing out school assignments on the other side.

“The whole idea started when I kept getting back onesided UMTYMP assignments, and I began printing out APUSH notes and other school assignments on the other side,” Ian said.

Once Ian realized how well this system worked, he began to help teachers re-use paper. He offered to help some of his teachers print out class assignments. English teacher Gretchen Nesset took him up on his offer.

“Ian’s printed off hundreds of sheets of class assignments for me on paper he’s reusing,” she said.

Ian and John have also helped out fellow students. In Graham Wright’s Accelerated Chemistry class, students are required to print out their own set of notes for each unit. Ian and John volunteered to print off 60 sets of the notes, enough for two of Wright’s classes.

Each set of notes took 29 sheets of paper, and once the whole process was completed, Ian and John had re-used more than 1700 sheets of paper.

They did it all from Ian’s home computer, and surprisingly did not go through extravagant amounts of ink.

“Printer ink is actually really expensive, the equivalent of $8,ooo per gallon,” said Ian. “We only had to change the ink once though when we were printing out all the chemistry notes.”

Accelerated Chemistry students were astounded by John and Ian’s actions.

Tucker Morris, 11, said, “What they did was a selfless act; it was very kind of them.

I didn’t have to remember to print out my own notes, and I also like looking at the colorful DNA samples on the back.”

Ian also hopes to help more of Mounds View learn to reuse one-sided sheets. He just recently set up a Re-Use Box in the office copy room, and he hopes teachers will put sheets that can be reused in there.

He hopes that others will contribute, because he said it’s not hard to re-use paper.

“I’m not a super liberal tree hugger or anything, but there are simple things that anyone can do to help conserve our environment.”

photo by Nate Grann

Matthew Guenther, 11, (left) is an Asperger’s student at MV. He copes daily with the effects of his disorder, but nonetheless has managed to find activities and his own place at MV. He is a passionate violinist in the symphony orchestra. prefers a kind of aloof quiet.

Guenther said that he does not crave the social attention that Sally does.

“For someone like me, being around over 2000 people is overwhelming, and I am glad to go to my house, which I see as somewhere to settle down,” Guenther said.

“It’s not that I can’t socialize,” he said. “I just want to be alone. When I give people my number, I also tell them not to call a lot.”

Guenther said his elementary years were difficult. Prior to his diagnosis, he said, “I had a lot of anger problems, which made people stay away from me.”

Guenther cited the winter of 2006 as a landmark time, when he lost 30 pounds and experienced a huge self-esteem boost.

“I guess that whole experience just taught me that you have to do things for yourself,” said Guenther. “You can’t let the bullies walk all over you, because they will keep at it… I let my own goals and willpower overcome teasing and people giving me crap,” he said.

However resilient, Guenther

still harbors fears of a judgmental and ignorant populace.

“I’m shy about making new friends. Even though I know how to stand up for myself now, I still worry that people talk about me or make fun of me behind my back,” said Guenther.

Guenther said he hopes for a greater awareness and heightened interest in Autistic students in Autism Awareness Month.

“We’re doing all we can in this classroom,” he said, pointing to the tiled floor. “I just hope that we can spark the interest of just a handful of students. That would be enough to make a difference.”

Autism is a complex disorder without a known cure or cause, and in a world with a growing population and steadily rising number of syndromeinflicted persons, it is important to at least recognize Autism’s existence and it’s interplay with daily life.

“Autism is a disorder, which, regardless of severity, leaks into every facet of a student’s life,” said Baker. “I just hope that Autism Awareness month will inspire kids to learn more.”

Perfection: Prom 08 This year’s theme revealed

By Brooke Roberts staff writer

With Prom lingering in the near future, anticipation is building. The date, the dress, the limo. And finally, the theme.

This year’s: Dancing in the Moonlight.

Prom is set for May 17, and Junior Class Officers Emily Storms, Alex Hoffman and Mary Long are making sure that Prom is an impressive event.

“We wanted to do something different to make it memorable,” said Storms.

The theme this year is based on a more informal song than in past years, said Storms.

“We just brain-stormed fitting songs,” said Hoffman “And we found one that was perfect!” finished Storms.

The location has been set for the International Market Square in Minneapolis. “[International Market Square] is a really nice place; it’s really big and stunningly beautiful,” said Long.

Due to the new location, an additional emphasis is being placed on proper security this year.

“The International Market Square is really big and has different levels, so we needed a ton more chaperones for every exit and to make sure students stay on the right level. Plus, there will be alco-blows upon entering,” said Long.

The Junior Class Officers are also taking care to monitor the conditions inside the building.

The dance floor will not be too warm this year because the officers have been talking to the building manager to make sure that the temperature is regulated correctly.

The Officers have also been working closely with the DJ to make sure that the music is tasteful.

The caterer will provide delectable mini-desserts such as mini-cheesecakes, along with a full-size cake.

With all the care taken for every detail of the night, Prom 2008 is sure to be a success.

“We really wanted to make it so everyone would have fun,” said Long. “We tried to keep everything simple but classy this year.”

April 18, 2008

5 features

Har, Senyk to carry on ‘Steele’ legacy

By Shaked Peleg staff writer A frenzied Nate Chan, 11, rushes to the voting table at the corner of the cafeteria on March 28, trying to choose between the four pairs of students running for presidents of Mounds View’s National Honor Society.

“I don’t even know who I’m voting for yet!” he exclaimed, “It’s a tough decision between many candidates who I think are qualified for the job.”

Many juniors in NHS felt the same way, as they tried to judge who would serve best for the position. The candidates were Jack Basten and Sam Toninato, Allison Jones and Tara McNeil, Jeremy and Nathan Scheiner, and Kristen Senyk and Sophia Har. All eight juniors spent one week trying to convince the 105 juniors in NHS that they would attend to their needs regarding volunteer hours, tutoring, and even social events. In the end, Senyk and Har were declared the winners.

Unlike last year’s election, which resulted in a tie, this election didn’t deviate much from previous procedure. Dean and NHS advisor Scott Wiens said the only difference between this year and previous years was that a past president assisted him at the polls.

“Liz Steele came and sat with me. Usually, I sit by myself,” he said.

There was also a significantly higher voter turnout.

While only about 50 percent of eligible voters participated in the election last year, about 70 percent of juniors in NHS turned out this year.

Regardless, Jeremy Scheiner, was troubled that only 72 people voted.

“It was really disappointing that so many people didn’t vote,” he said.

Some students chose not

Sophia Har and Kristen Senyk are ready to rock. to vote because they couldn’t decide between the candidates.

“Because I know all the candidates personally and know they would all make great NHS presidents, I considered not voting,” said Elizabeth Newton, 11.

Many aspects of the election remained the same, including bribery and passing out notes.

Wiens did not specifically tell the candidates they could not bribe, but said, “I am not in favor

photo by David Derong

of it.”

Voting juniors filled up on cookies, brownies and various candies. Some candidates felt they had to bribe people just to match the competition.

“We came in the first day, not having any bribes at all, only to find that everyone else had them and people liked that,” said Senyk. “I’m still not sure if bribes are a good idea but it almost seems necessary to be noticed.”

Candidates weren’t really sure to what extent bribes actually helped in securing a win.

“People just vote for whoever they want while milking their candidates for all they can get,” said Nathan Scheiner.

Other students also had conflicting opinions on bribery.

“I like the little notes they passed out,” said Hanna Zerfas.

“I’ve gotten cupcakes and candy.”

Caitlin Berschneider, however, thought bribery distracted from the idea of voting for qualified presidents.

“I think [the election] got really caught up in bribes,” she said. “It wasn’t about what the presidents are going to do, but who had the best bribes.”

This was also the second year in a row that a pair of twins has run for the presidency.

“I’ve never had twins in my decade [as advisor] until this year,” said Wiens. The Scheiners wanted to carry on Mike and Liz Steele’s legacy.

The Steeles were also Wien’s first girl-boy combination. Senyk and Har, however, continued the more common trend of two girls overseeing NHS, which Wiens says can be explained by a majority of girls in NHS. Although it was a close election, there seem to be no hard feelings between the candidates.

“I think they’ll do fine,” said Nathan Scheiner. “Because [the incoming presidents] have to work with the old presidents, regardless of who was elected they’ll fulfill the job.”

Senyk and Har are looking forward to the responsibilities of being NHS presidents.

According to Wiens, the presidents “run the meetings and coordinate the tutor room. They keep track of all the members’ hours, for a little more than 200 student.”

Har thinks the responsibility

may be hard to handle, because of her various extracurricular activities including various piano and violin rehearsals, try-outs and performances.

“I’m really glad Kristen’s my partner, because we work well off each other,” said Har. “Despite, having other extracurricular activities, I’ve managed to keep my schedule relatively flexible, so it shouldn’t be a problem for us to keep everything organized and running smoothly,” added Senyk.

Senyk and Har are sure they will be able to coordinate smoothly, as they have had plenty of experience working together. This is the pair’s second year in the Duo Interpretation category of Speech Team.

The two have big plans for their term as presidency.

“We’d like to have the same amount of volunteer opportunities, if not more,” said Senyk. “We would, however, like to make signing up for tutoring easier, especially for the people who are only available on specific weeks, so they can sign up in advance.”

“I’ve heard people say they don’t feel like they’re really part of NHS,” said Har. “We were thinking of planning a few socials throughout the year, so people can enjoy NHS more and become more involved in it.”

Mostly, Senyk and Har are hoping to encourage and inspire people to become involved in NHS, like they were inspired by previous presidents. Both said that they enjoyed the Steeles’ “genuine enthusiasm.”

Senyk and Har hope to carry out this plan through dedication and passion and, as Har said, “By being a good role model both in daily life and in NHS.” “I think it will be difficult to live up to Liz and Mike’s presidency, but we’re definitely up for the challenge!” said Senyk.

Student Council elects to MV students compete on a whim, win economics challenge choose its own leaders

By Ross Peterson staff writer Rather than risking a repeat of past problems like fraudulent student votes and low turnouts, Student Council will elect its own presidents instead of putting it to a schoolwide vote this year.

“We all got together last year to discuss the possibility of having private elections in the student council,” said CoPresident Megan McMurray, 12.

“We didn’t have the vote tally from last year so we discussed it again this year, and approved it for this year’s election.”

Last year’s student council election was controversial due to reports of students using multiple student ID accounts to vote for the same people multiple times, along with a record low turn out. At that time, council members passed an amendment for a private election, but the record of the vote got lost.

“It was pretty hectic,” said Co-President David Strandburg, 12. “We all thought about how

the public election is pretty much a popularity contest, and the students aren’t informed on who does the most and who does the best job in the Student Council.”

Following Harry Merickel’s presentation for a private election last year, student council members Luke Hutchison, 11, Alex Hoffman, 11, Claire O Brien, 9, Jack Messerly, 10 and Courtney Juds, 10 re-wrote the amendment and presented it to the council in mid-March for the decision to have the election privatized.

“It was coming down to student council elections again, and me and the other co-writers of the amendment remembered what went on last year. We all chimed in and wrote down our thoughts on why we think it’s appropriate to keep the discussion going from last year. We wanted to prevent any problems for this year by having it private from the start,” said Hutchison, 11.

By Emily Storms & Christina Xia staff writers “Which teams are in the NCAA Final Four this year?” asked the man with the microphone.

Rushi Patel, 9, buzzed in and answered correctly, earning a trophy for his Economics Challenge team.

“I was surprised I knew the answer,” said Patel. “I was also surprised at how the question didn’t relate to economics.”

Patel, along with Brian Kuehner, 9, Michael Chen, 9, and Conrad Zbikowski, 9, took first place in their division at the Metro Area Economics Challenge April 4.

As other Mounds View students slept in and got ready for the MORP dance, 17 Mounds View economics students attended the challenge at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

There was a regular level competition and an AP level for

those in AP Macroeconomics.

With the great finish, Mounds View’s team of four freshmen boys advanced to the State competition on April 16.

After two rounds of individual testing and a round of group testing, Patel’s team was one of the top two. They then advanced to a final “Quiz Bowl” style round against Rosemont.

The game was close. Each time that Mounds View got in the lead; the Rosemont team would always catch up. The two teams were tied after 30 questions, so they moved onto the NCAA Final Four tiebreaker question.

The victory was as surprising as the final question.

“It came out of the blue,” said Zbikowski. “We didn’t prepare, but we still won. We were all really surprised.”

This trip was a first for Mounds View economics students. Four teams attended; each had between three and five students. The three topics tested were Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and Global

Economics. Each test was 15 questions long and could take up to 30 minutes. The first two tests were taken individually with only the top three scores from each team counting toward the final score, while on the final test the whole team could work together.

The teams did not have any practices, and the students were pretty laidback about the competition.

“Other schools had clearly prepared, but we just kind of showed up,” said Kuehner. “All of a sudden, we won.”

Mounds View’s mellow approach to the competition seemed to produce great results. Zbikowski and Patel each placed first and second individually. Dawen Shen, 11, placed first individually in the AP category, and one of the AP teams placed fourth at the AP level. The individual winners got cash prizes.

Team coach Martha Rush hopes to do even better next year.

eHarmony or eCreepy?

How students make pla friends Phone calls: 54

Online communities raise concerns

By Shaked Peleg staff writer When Handi Xue, 12, saw an ad for an online dating site, he was inspired to write a speech for the Creative Expression category of Speech Team.

Describing an imaginary Facebook girlfriend in his humorous speech, Xue said, “We don’t go on dates. Or see each other… ever.”

This may seem a little far-fetched, but there is no denying that the internet and other emerging technologies have affected relationships at Mounds View.

The most direct connection between technology and romance may be internet dating sites. More than 20 million people visit online dating services every month according to Online Dating Magazine. Many of us have seen TV ads featuring a happy couple thanking eHarmony for bringing them together.

Mounds View students have varying opinions on the merits of dating sites.

Nathan Scheiner, 11, said, “It gives people who may be shy the opportunity to get on the dating scene.

Socializing is becoming more and more electronic. It’s like the bar scene is being replaced by the social networking scene.”

Emmy Li, 9, thinks dating sites could be a good solution for people seeking relationships.

“They should work, considering they’re based on compatibility, if you’re honest,” she said.

Li is unsure how many people actually are honest when using these websites. She compared adults not being honest on dating sites to Mounds View students filling in silly answers on SnoDaze CompuDates, resulting in inaccurate matches for those who answered seriously.

Even more alarming, some of those answering inaccurately are doing so for dangerous and criminal reasons. Most students have been warned of the possibility of getting hurt by meeting someone online, but many are not aware of the extent of this problem.

“We’ve seen a recent increase in internet-related violence,” said Deputy Glen Pothen. photos by Debbie Li

Texting: 31

Pothen knew of at least three cases in the last couple of months where someone in the Twin Cities showed up for a date with someone they had met on-line, but was instead beaten and robbed.

Those who do choose to meet someone in person should follow some basic guidelines, such as meeting up in a public place, bringing other people with you, and not giving out a phone number or address right away.

Due to age restrictions, most students are unlikely to use dating sites. Social networking sites, like Facebook or MySpace, are more likely to affect a student’s social life.

Some find it easier to leave a little message on someone’s Facebook “wall” then call them on the phone or talk to them face-to-face.

Amy Walsh, 11, asked her date to the Sadies dance through Facebook this year.

“I took a bunch of different pictures with my friends of all the letters in Sadies and posted them in an album on Facebook and tagged him in the album so he would look at them,” she said. “Facebook has improved my relationships because I can communicate with people in a way other than on the phone or in person.”

However, these also require some safety precautions, Pothen said. A predator could track someone down just from a full name and a profile picture with a sports jersey.

Some students, like Xue, refuse to accept this technological takeover of our relationships. He feels that Facebook dominates people’s lives in a negative way.

“Substituting a website for real social contact…really brings out how shallow some people’s relationships in this society have become…in that their communications with others are so superficial,” he said.

Besides online communication, texting has become a growing means for students to contact each other. Some have perceived an overreliance on the technology to have personal conversations.

Mai Yang, 11, said, “I think people are losing touch with each other. They… don’t remember how to contact each other personally anymore. It’s sad!”

Face-to-Face: 25 Online: 5

How students chat with friends Phone calls: 19 Texting: 36 Face-to-Face: 43 Online: 17

How students talk to parents Phone calls: 20 Texting: 2 Face-to-Face: 93 Online: 0

Survey compiled by Shaked

Generation gap leaves adults lagging

By Maddy Stephens staff writer

These days, it’s hard to go anywhere without hearing the chirp, tone, or song of a cell phone ringing. Laptops are now smaller, thinner, and more portable than ever, and wireless internet makes it possible to stay connected anywhere, anytime. Televisions must all be digital by 2009.

These are only a few examples of how technology has begun to permeate everyday life. Yet, looking at the frequent users of these technologies, it is easy to see that teens have adopted some technologies much more easily than those in their parents’ generation.

“My mom tried to text…it was just a total failure. I’ve tried to teach her nearly 20 times, and she just doesn’t get it at all,” said Alan Jin, 10. “I guess she just doesn’t understand why we rely on electronics so much, when face-to-face conversations are so much easier to her.”

Parents like Jin’s may own cell phones themselves, but many only use them for the basic function of making and receiving phone calls. For teens who find convenience in the other features of mobile phones, it’s hard to make their parents see how much a part of their life this technology has become.

“My mom thinks I’m addicted to my phone. She doesn’t think I could live without it. I don’t think she understands how natural it is to just reach out and message someone. I don’t even think twice about it,” said Paige Lindley, 12.

Most teens agree that texting is an excellent and fast way to communicate when talking in person or over the phone just won’t work. Usually, teens just want to get in touch with others without

having to devote all their attention to the conversation.

“If I didn’t text, I’d have to call everyone all the time. That adds up to a lot of time and can get really involved,” said Kristen Emmons, 10. “If I didn’t have things like texting and Facebook, it just seems like everything would take a lot longer.”

Students’ use of technology to start everything from serious discussions to casual conversations is exactly what some adults don’t want. Janelle Hallberg, English teacher, openly expressed frustration with the current trends.

“It’s almost as if [people] feel the need to be constantly connected to someone. It’s the idea that without that connection you are insignificant,’” said Hallberg. “I get really confused when I see a group of kids sitting together, each one of them texting or calling someone else. They’re taking attention away from the person they are actually with.”

Other teachers feel that texting and communication over the internet are poor replacements for the real thing.

“We use what we know. And for me, what I know is face-to face relations.

To me, the computer is restrictive,” said Susan Severiano, Spanish teacher.

Hallberg agreed with Severiano, highlighting the contrast between student and teacher use of technology.

“Adults are not drawn to computer use in spare time in the same way that students are… to us, computer use is work, not play,” said Hallberg.

Some students share the teachers’ view, and try to avoid communication with technology. They prefer to make their plans and form their relationships in person. Though they are in the minority, they do exist.

Sandy Anderson, 12, does n and is an infrequent Facebook u “Texting just seems pointle unless you’re trying to convey m arrangements, or something. I’d speaking to an actual voice or fa than a robot, which is usually w texting feels like. It just feels so weird,” she said.

Not all adults harbor the sa concerns as Hallberg and Sever Nancy Weinhagen of the Mound tech department stated that perh a lack of normalization was wha distanced some adults from tech and said that because items like and IMing are unfamiliar territo may be quicker to scrutinize stu use.

Weinhagen countered Hallb making a reference to her daugh of technology.

“My experience is that my more in touch with their peers b of technology. It’s short, sweet, generally a lot more convenient Weinhagen.

The tech specialist drew an of her use of email, which came relatively early in the technolog timeline, to her children’s use o Facebook, MySpace, and instan messaging.

“Because I’m so used to e-m all other forms of communicatio would seem time-consuming. I’ have to write pen-letters… the l texting, Facebook, instant mess would leave the kids at the same would have if e-mail was taken said Weinhagen. “Our children fortunate to have the resources t do.”

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Fingerprint Scanners

By Kristen Vanderburg staff writer It’s not hard to see that our lives are filled with technologies. People of all ages, genders, and ethnicities are logging on, getting connected, and getting what they want faster than ever.

Most have figured out how to use the most basic “new” technologies, like texting or the internet. The problem is that technology is always on the rise. Our society craves the latest, newest, and flashiest forms of technology that we end up getting bombarded by. In the constantly growing world of technology, it’s easy for the average person to get lost.

“I have no idea what’s actually new in terms of technology,” said Tara Heck, 12. “It seems there’s so much stuff in stores I’ve never even heard of.”

Telephones used to be connected to the wall. Such an inconvenience couldn’t exist any longer so a cordless phone was made. That phone, however, was only available to someone at their house, and people needed a phone with them at all times, so the cell phone was created.

Soon, these mobile phones were everywhere, and today they keep becoming more miniature and multifunctional.

“I have a Chocolate 2.

It’s nice and I like it, but I would rather have a PDA. It’s not exactly necessary, but it’s sweet to have if you can afford it,” said Bret Alexander, 12. “People these days want

These high-tech watchdogs make sure no pesky parents or sneaky siblings can get into any of your electronics.

the best. Why get just a phone when you can have the internet on there too?”

The latest technology trend to hit the cell phone market has been touch screens. With the launch of the iPhone in June, 2007, these convenient keyboards began appearing everywhere, and with each new model came more improvements. The LG Glimmer Ax-830 has both a touch screen and a slide-out keyboard, so users can use either based on what they are more comfortable with.

Later this year, Sprint will start carrying the Samsung Instinct, a touch screen phone that is much like the iPhone but without being tied to either Apple or a single cell phone carrier.

“I have an iPod Touch, and I love the touch screen.

It’s easier to learn the controls and it’s a lot bigger,” said Katelyn Walsh, 9.

Many new cell phones are taking on much more than their normal responsibilities.

Besides placing calls and sending texts, people can now connect to the internet, write documents, create spreadsheets, and manage a calendar, all at the push of a button. Having an all-inone phone may seem handy, but some MV students think differently.

“I like that cell phones can have music on them because it’s a good substitute for an iPod. You don’t have to buy both. But I don’t like how phones have internet on them.

It’s just unnecessary,” said Willis Tibbin, 11.

Cell phones aren’t the only new technology on the rise; computer designers are also constantly coming up with improvements.

One of the latest laptops available is the Mac Air book. According to Apple, “it isn’t an innovation; it’s a ‘thin-novation.’” Nearly as thin as your index finger, the MacBook Air still holds a 13.3-inch widescreen LED display and a full keyboard.

“These new laptops are becoming smaller so we can take them more places,” said Kelsey Kilander, 12. “I’d like it because I could bring it on trips with me and to class and stuff, but it’d be annoying if everyone walked around with their laptops all the time. It’d be too much.”

TVs have also gotten slimmer, wider, and more high-tech. With an all-in-one remote, you can control a whole system of Hi-Def DVD players, stereos, XM radios… basically anything you can plug in. Soon, all TVs will be displaying crisper, clearer picture as all broadcasts must switch to digital from analog by 2009. Of all the new technologies, this is the one that received almost no negative feedback from students.

“I love watching movies on big-screen, HDTVs.” said Solie Stegeman, 10. “It’s awesome that everything is going to be digital next year.

I don’t see how having better quality TV can be a bad thing.”

Spkng n txt With the ever-expanding vocabulary of technology, it’s hard to keep up with even the most basic abbreviations.

Never fear, the Viewer is here to decode your texts and IMs for the amateur communicator.

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Touch Screens After being successfully launched by top sellers like the Apple iPhone, this technology is now appearing on gadgets everywhere. Get it while it’s hot!

Digital Broadcasts All broadcasters are now required to ditch their analog signals by 2009. TV will soon be crisper and brighter than ever on every channel.

All-in-1 Remotes These space-age-looking devices can be hooked up to not only your entertainment system, but every compatable electronic object in your house. Finally, you can actually live on your couch without having to get up to adjust the temperature! photos courtesy of David Derong, Nate Grann, and Wikipedia

8variety

April 18, 2008

They paved paradise The world prepares for Earth Day, April 22

Environmental careers in demand

By Marysa Meyer staff writer

photo courtesy of Ida Zalk, Roseville High School junior

Lofuten, Norway: one of the few places left in the world seemingly untouched by pollution.

Mounds View goes green

By Anna Blaske staff writer The new wave of worldwide environmental consciousness, spurred by concern over global warming, has students thinking of creative ways to celebrate Earth Day this year.

“To help out we’ll be planning events related to Earth Day since it seems like an appropriate time to focus on the environment,” said Ellen Gutzwiller, 12, Synergy president. “We are also helping out with a benefit in May where all proceeds go to environmental causes.”

Synergy member Lizzy Narigon, 10, added, “We’re going to make posters on how to save energy and post them around the school.”

Narigon uses a Nalgene and refills it instead of buying plastic water bottles, and uses reusable shopping bags as simple ways to conserve.

Another Synergy member, Laura Willenbring, 10, said, “We’re going to plant trees and flowers for Earth Day to celebrate and help out the environment.”

Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, began in 1970. President Nixon was passing multiple environmental acts, in particular the Clean Air Act. The main purpose of the Clean Air Act was to improve the air quality by putting regulations on pollution, but it also produced side effects such as healthier citizens and a slowing of the global warming process.

Earth Day’s primary purpose was to get citizens to think about their responsibility to the environment, something that is in the news again nearly 40 years later.

With multiple tips on ways to “go green” it’s hard to

believe that any MV student wouldn’t be able to think of a way to celebrate Earth Day. Simple tasks with our cars, electronics, and water can be altered to conserve and save our planet.

“I try to keep the lights off while I watch TV to conserve energy,” said Nora Gyarfas, 12.

“In the summer I try to bike places instead of drive because it not only helps the environment but it saves on gas money,” said Matt Dargis, 12.

Not everyone is going to have an Earth Day party, but every student can shrink their “carbon footprint” by reducing their energy consumption.

Taking it easy on the breaks and gas when driving will not only save money, but less CO2 emissions are released resulting in a happier planet. The slower the gas pedal is pressed down, the fewer emissions are released out the back of the vehicle.

Taking two minutes of one’s shower time will not only give one two extra minutes of sleep every day but will also help conserve water.

Showering takes seven to ten gallons of water per minute. So conserving just two minutes a day could save 140 gallons per week, resulting in a total of 7,280 gallons of water saved in one year if a shower is taken everyday.

Other ideas include energy efficient light bulbs such as halogen light bulbs. Halogen light bulbs use less energy and last longer because of the special chemical reaction with the heat inside of the bulb.

“Helping out the environment is a lot like voting,” said Louisa Nyman, 12, “we think that one person can’t make a difference, but if we all pull together the changes could be amazing.”

Careers in the “green field” are growing in demand as the trend of “going green” is catching on throughout the country.

Many colleges and universities across the United States are now following the environmental movement as well. They have been creating more opportunities for students to obtain degrees and experience in environmental science careers such as agriculture or energy research.

“These kinds of situations are helping [the students] prepare for jobs,” said Career Resource Specialist Colleen Lavin. “It also helps create awareness, whether they’re going into those kinds of jobs or not.”

A major addition to many campuses, such as Carleton College in Minnesota, is wind turbines, rotating structures that convert wind into energy.

Not only can the wind turbines provide colleges with one third of their energy needs, but students learn how to install, maintain, and service the turbines. They are also able to discover firsthand how the energy is acquired and distribute it to other areas. These skills will be in high demand over the next few years, due to the need for new energy resources.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job

opportunities for environmental managers and environmental technology specialists will expand much more quickly than similar engineering jobs in other specialties.

With concerns mounting over pollution, global warming, and other environmental issues, government agencies as well as other companies have been hiring even more people who have experience in the environmental science field.

St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota has recently built its own wind turbine on campus. The installation of the turbine has had very positive effects on the college, and many more students are embracing a “greener” lifestyle.

St. Olaf’s students helped establish a large compost area along with a composter on campus. The composter combines food waste, paper, and other degradable trash items and converts the mix into fertilizer. This fertilizer is then put on the college’s agricultural fields. Students are able to use these processes to study the decomposition of specific substances while learning about conservation of waste at the same time.

The extra effort exerted by colleges and universities in their environmental science programs has attracted the attention of students pursuing “green careers.”

Students are not only attracted to these careers because of their own personal interests, but they also realize the importance of these jobs for the future of our planet.

“Obviously we have limited resources. We have to find ways to conserve. How we use our resources is going to be very important,” said Irene Saunders, 12.

In an article by Business Week, Michelle Moore, vice president of the U.S. Green Building Council mentions how important environmental issues are to students entering college.

“There is tremendously powerful interest coming from the millennial generation,” she said. “Colleges understand their green commitment is critical to attract the best students.”

An environmental science degree can apply to a wide array of jobs. From oceanography to meteorology, this type of degree can provide one with an entrance into numerous careers with many beneficial aspects.

“Well first of all you’re helping the planet. You get selffulfillment of some sorts. And it’s a growing field so there are a multitude of jobs out there,” said Lavin.

Whether it’s for selffulfillment, saving the Earth, or the promise of a job, students are becoming even more attracted to the prospect of a greener future. illustration by Trent Huhn

“And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.”

- William Shakespeare “Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.”

- Cree Indian Proverb - Most families throw away about 88 pounds of plastic every year

- 84 percent of all household waste can be recycled

- The first Earth day was April 22, 1970

- The amount of wood and paper we throw away is enough to heat 50 million homes for 20 years

Information compiled from www.planetpals.com photo courtesy of Ida Zalk, Roseville High School junior

April 18, 2008

9 reviews

M

LX... what does it all mean?

Viewer doesn’t know. Jae Chang might know. You don’t know. Unless you do, in which case you probably have a death wish.

Look to your left to observe Stephen Krishnan, Brian Forsberg, Ben Israelson, Matt Perron, and Chris Hammerly, all in grade 10. They’re said to be progressive metal with a side of funk.

Oh, and in case you want to live on the edge (everyone who find out what MLX means dies or something), it has something to do with meth.

K

elsey Minten, 12, has been singing for her entire life, so it’s only natural that she would put out her own music. Her songs make you all happy and you can’t help but sit around and listen to her... she’s comparable to the likes of Feist or a female John Mayer. It’s all very summeresque, or as Minten says, “hum and strum.”

Basically she’s nice sounding, simple, and she’ll be around in the future.

MLX

If you’re down (which you are), get on the internet and check her out: http://www.myspace.com/kelseyminten

photo courtesy of Brian Forsberg

Viewer: How would you describe your sound?

Krishan: We try to make the guitar parts technical, rather than strumming power chords. The guitars play the “metal,” and the “funk” comes from the bass. The vocals are sung, not screamed.

Hammerly: We are more in the heavy metal category but we can slow it down, ‘cause Stephen can do whatever he freakin’ wants.

Viewer: How do you guys feel about one another?

Hammerly: Well, we’re all guys but Ben and I wink at each other in the hallway.

Forsberg: I’m pretty sure Ben has a thing for me.

A

kufunkture is as far from your average high school band as you can get. Instead of a lead guitar, Brian Bradbury, 12, rocks a bass. Instead of mediocre cover songs, Jeremy Bergman,12, marches, or rather, plays to the beat of his own drum; perfectly complementing and playing off Bradburry’s original riffs. And instead of trite lyrics, Akufuncture keeps it fresh with a jam band sound reminiscent of Beastie Boys’ instrumental album and Primus’ bass-heavy, alternative funk sound. Needless to say, Akufunkture is good for the musical body and soul.

Viewer: So, how did you guys get started?

Jeremy:The first day of the summer of 2007, I photo by Karly Be came up to Brian and asked if he wanted to start a rgmann Primus sounding band cause I knew he was into them.

Brian: I pretty much s*** myself when I heard that.

V: What’s your favorite memory from a show?

B: None. We black out. We both panic, and go into autopilot.

V: You get stage fright? You always seem really charismatic on stage.

B: Only when I have to talk.

J: Which is half our show.

B: Haha, yeah. Half show, half comedy act.

V: Any band secrets?

B: Well, Jeremy here has a nickname. We like to call him Mr. Jerfunkle.

V: And how about you? Any nicknames?

B: Bryan. With a “y”.

V: Any band drama?

B:Actually, before our last show, I said something that kinda upset [Jeremy] a little and he went to give me the Stone Cold Shoulder but kicked the coach instead. He hurt his foot pretty badly.

J: Yeah he was laughing at me and then went, (in a perfect dead-serious impression) “You can still play the show, right? Good. HAHAHAHA!”

MOUNDS VIEW

MUSIC ISSUE FYI: Battle of the Bands is tonight (April 18th). You should go.

L

ate Night Tokyo Lights’ front men Chris Kloeckner, 11 and Charlie Marcotte, 11, have been playing with Toby Ramaswami, 11, and Brenden Wilkes (in college) for about two months. The group, as a whole, is really dependent on fruit snacks.

Late Night Tokyo Lights’ sound has an acoustic feel that is self-described to be similar to Death Cab for Cutie, Radiohead, and The Shins. This indie-rock fusion is paried with lyrics that focus on the paranormal, straying away from the whole love schtick. If you happen to find yourself a fan, The House That Shakes is going to be released on June 5. So you should do that.

A brief interview with Deus Ex Machina...

H

ere’s Baby Loves Headrub: Kyle Erickson, Luke Granholm (who attends Perpich Center of the Arts), Kayiita Johnson, and Kevin Teeling, all grade 12. This is a brief summary of the interview so we can all better understand: INFLUENCES ON BLH ON COLOR

ON STEELE

Erickson: Intense hatred of everything. Also we are influenced by Mike Steele’s aura. PS, I hate ducks.

Johnson: ... It’ll be good.

Teeling & Erickson: We don’t believe in colors because they’re dumb and we hate art.

Granholm: Mike Steele is the music in me!

formerly known to themselves as Una Ganga

BABY LOVES HEADRUB

photo by Nate Grann

The Creation of Electric Love Fountain

as told by Electric Love Fountain, but mostly Merit.

(They’re juniors. Their names are Josh Lunow, Mark Schwerkowske, Merit Stewart, Ron Towne, and Tor Uugen.)

W

e all come from very strange backgrounds; for instance, Mark was conceived in the divine contact between the tear of the last living unicorn and a single rose which lay upon its bed. And from this he emerged... Ron was raised by a family of destitute Polish immigrants until he was eight. Josh only recently joined American society; he was found passed out in a Rio back alley after roaming the Brazilian streets until the age of 14. Tor is the son of the Norse god Odin. Merit was wandering in the woods one day, fell into a wormhole, was transported to the depths of outerspace where he wandered the cosmos for 208 years before falling into a blackhole, and was spit out onto Hennepin Avenue.

We met playing laser tag at Lava Links, but our efforts as a band were stalled for two years while we were detained for questioning at Guantanamo Bay. Now that we’re out, we’re spreading the message of free love, excessive candy intake, and stickin’ it to the man!

C

hris Mason is one of the biggest and most accesible acts at Mounds View.

I guess you could say that if Kelsey Minten is John Mayer’s female counterpart around here, Chris Mason would be pretty equivalent to Mayer himself.

Mason’s style can best be described as alternative-acoustic. It’s easy to listen to and there aren’t any unnecessary distractions. Did you know: Mason played at Varsity Theater in Dinkytown.

Let Mason woo you with his music: http://myspace.com/thisweeksreview photo by David Derong

Viewer: How would you describe yourself?

Trent Huhn, 12: Progressive death metal.

Paul Forsberg, 12: Maybe add melodic in there.

Andrew Larkin, 12: How about progressive melodic death metal?

Jack Humphrey, 12: Just let me write it out, TT. “Progressive electronic melodic symphonic death-rock black metal.”

AL: Could we just change it to death-rock metal?

V: No. So, you guys seem to bicker a lot. Any band conflicts?

JH: We routinely kick each other out.

TH: Yeah, but we usually let them back in after three minutes.

JH: I don’t think we let Trent back in. He’s just here.

PF: Let’s kick Jack out.

V: If your band were a color, what would it be?

PF: Satan.

JH: Black.

AL: Yellow!

PF: I think I misunderstood the question.

V: Only kind of. What do you guys plan on doing in the future?

PF: Getting jobs and getting a life.

TH: Yeah, we’re not going to be together.

JH: Deus Ex Machina will cease to exist. We’re going on a farewell tour.

Starting at Battle of the Bands.

PF: We may have a reunion tour soon after.

Experience the intensity: http://purevolume.com/thedeusexmachina

W

oop Ditty is what The Vox was to the ’06 class.

They’re kind of like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Nirvana, and U2 all rolled into one (minus the drugs).

Viewer is pretty confident that most everyone can dig it.

The group consists of Nick Barkve, Paul Blaske, Peter Erickson, and Andrew Knight—all seniors this year. They made their debut at Mounds View with that one saxophone song (could anyone ever forget?) when they were sophomores and have now evolved into a more complex sound; a mixture of ’90s rock and folk. Be on the look out for Doom, their first record, which is rumored to come out fairly soon. Maybe.

Hopelessly in love? Don’t lie; you’re blushing. http://www.myspace.com/woopditty Information compiled by Colin Anderson, Cassie Ahiers, Karly Bergmann, Sean Delahunt, Sam Toninato, and Christina Xia

10sports Paul Blaske Track

Varsity since: Sophomore Events: Jumps and sprints Goals: To be True Team State champions What other sports do you play? I did cross country this year, but used to play football

Julia Renner Track

Andrew Balzer Track

April 18, 2008

Jon Rux Track

Joe Johnson

Kevin Bradley

Bergen Butala Varsity since: Freshman Event: Sprints Goals: Defend our True Team State title from last year If you could change the sound a car horn makes, what would it be? Excuse me please!

Track

Track

Track

Varsity since: Sophomore Events: Middle distance and sprints Goals: Win True Team State, and make it to state in my events What’s your favorite meet of the season? True Team State at Stillwater

Varsity since: Freshman Event: Throws Goals: Win True Team State and make it to state as an individual What’s your favorite color? Black, if that’s a color

Varsity since: Sophomore Event: Throws Goals: Win True Team State What’s your favorite shampoo?

Garnier Fructis

Varsity since: Eighth Events: Middle distance Goals: To beat Quinn Evans’ records, win True Team State, and win state individually What’s your favorite meal? Chicken Alfredo

Julie Garretson

Rachel Mereness

Maddy Stephens

Molly Hottman

Emily Gorman

Varsity since: Freshman Event: Long distance Goals: Have fun and stay in shape If you could have any locker number, which would you have? 666, because it’s the devil’s number!

Varsity since: Freshman Event: Sprints Goals: Win True Team State, and make it to individual state What is your all-time favorite movie? Mulan Rouge, because it’s crazy

Varsity since: Freshman Goals: The team’s main goal is to go to state What is the best time of day and why? 2 p.m. because it’s when we get out of school!

Dave Bothwell

Phil Wessberg

Chase Kresbach

Track

Track

Track

Track

Softball

Varsity since: Freshman Events: High, long, and triple jumps Goals: Win True Team State. Personally, to make it to the state meet Mauled by a bear or body slammed by a sumo wrestler? Body slammed!

Varsity since: Freshman Events: High jump, shot put, and discus Goals: Defend our True Team State title, and make it to state for shot put What superpower would you have?

To read minds

Katie Kruse

Michelle Brunn

Varsity since: Freshman Goals: Make it to state If you could fly anywhere for a day, where would you go? The Bahamas, because there is no snow

Varsity since: Sophomore Goals: Come together as a team and make it to state Why can’t penguins fly? Because they have nowhere to go!

Varsity since: Junior Goals: Make it to the state tournament What’s your dream vacation spot? Omaha, Nebraska, to see the NCAA Baseball College World Series

Varsity since: Junior Goals: Win the conference and make it to state Favorite Class? DECA

Varsity since: Junior Goals: To win our conference and make it to state What’s your favorite movie? Transformers

Joe Hodgson

David Croonquist

Andy Madsen

Zach Jacobsen

Cara Morphew

Varsity since: Freshman Goals: Win state as a team, go to state for doubles Would you rather drive a short bus or ride a tricked out unicycle?

Ride a unicycle because it’s tricked out!

Varsity since: Sophomore Goals: Win the state title What is your favorite food? Spaghetti with watermelon

Varsity since: Freshman Goals: Do well in the state tournament Why does the sun rise in the East? Because it’s Asia, and I’m Asian!

Varsity since: Freshman Goals: Make it to state Moccasins or elevator shoes? Elevator shoes, I don’t like moccasins

Varsity since: Sophomore Goals: To bond as a team because that will improve the team both mentally and physically What’s your favorite type of shampoo?

Blue Malva by Aveda

Varsity since: Freshman Goals: To develop the team and win sections to make it to state What’s your favorite position? Home

Caitlin Lahr

Softball

Tennis

Softball

Tennis

Varsity since: Sophomore Events: Hurdles and relays Goals: Win True Team State, and have fun!

Would you rather be Mexican or Jamaican?

Jamaican, it would be sweet to live in Jamaica mon!

Dan Reichart Baseball

Lacrosse

Baseball

Baseball

Lacrosse

Lacrosse

Lauren Ostlund

Joe Hau

Tony Marchio

Olivia Skaar

Kristen Anderson

Varsity since: Freshman Goals: To have a winning record and win some section games What’s your favorite type of ice cream?

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Varsity since: Freshman Goals: Get to state What’s the best joke you’ve ever heard?

“That’s what she said” jokes.

Varsity since: Freshman Goals: I want to be top five in conference, and to qualify for state What’s the best midnight snack? Spumoni ice cream

Varsity since: Sophomore Goals: To make it to state.

What do you like to do on the weekends?

Hang out with my friends

Played for: Six years Goals: To go to state and be top three in conference Favorite Candy?

M&M’s

Lacrosse

Golf

Golf

Golf

Golf

Tennis

Varsity since: Junior Goals: Anything less than state champions will be a disappointment If you could listen to one song forever, what would it be? The song that never ends, because that’s the whole purpose of it?

Erica McGregor Lacrosse

Golf

Varsity since: Freshman Goals: For the team to be top three in conference, to get second as a team in sections and make it to state Favorite TV show? The news

photos by Nate Grann, David Derong, and Debbie Li Information compiled by Alex Hoffman and Anna Blaske

April 18, 2008

11

sports

Professional athletes withdraw from MN

By Dan Heaney staff writer Randy Moss, Kevin Garnett, Torii Hunter… and the list gets even longer. In the last few years, Minnesota sports fans have witnessed perhaps the most intense mass exodus of sports stars from any one state. The only state rivaling Minnesota would be California, which has multiple professional teams for each major sport.

Starting with the Randy Moss trade to the Raiders in March 2005, Minnesota sports teams have been forced by low budgets to reluctantly give up their talented stars for younger, cheaper, and sometimes worse, players.

Or, in the case of Torii Hunter, for a couple of compensation draft picks because he was signed as a free agent.

When the Vikings traded Randy Moss to the Oakland Raiders, there was still some reason for hope. With a first round pick received on their side of the trade, the Minnesota Vikings picked from a pretty thick selection of college receivers. At the time, the draft of Troy Williamson raised some eyebrows, but no one could have predicted that the experiment would go as badly as it did.

Williamson has been nearly incapable of catching the deep

ball, and was recently traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth round pick.

“Troy Williamson was a wasted first round draft pick, it was terrible,” said Tor Uggen, 11.

On the other side, Randy Moss is now on the New England Patriots, playing for possibly the greatest team in history. This year, while they failed to win the Super Bowl, the Patriots finished the NFL regular season with a perfect 16-0 record. Much of their season’s success can be attributed to the controversial Moss, who broke the NFL record of touchdown catches, previously held by Jerry Rice at 22, with 23.

Moss had a few off seasons before being traded, once again, to the best team in the NFL. But Randy Moss was unquestionably, at the time of his departure, the best receiver in football, and the face of the franchise. And we got Williamson.

The Kevin Garnett trade is still a bit hard to digest and evaluate, as he was traded just this off-season. The primary results aren’t anything to get overly excited about. The hope was that one of the players, besides Al Jefferson, could develop into a starting lineup caliber player. That has yet to happen, as the Timberwolves have struggled to find a shooter.

While Al Jefferson hasn’t

disappointed in his first season for the Timberwolves, almost no one else from the trade has stepped up. Gerald Green was traded to the Houston Rockets for Kirk Snyder. And the only other two players received in the trade who have had minimal success are Sebastian Telfair and Ryan Gomes.

“The Timberwolves’ record speaks for itself,” says Michael Chalmers, 11.

Standing at 19-58, the Timberwolves have upset their fans most by forcing them to watch “The Kid” leave.

“Since we lost Kevin Garnett, I lost interest in the Timberwolves in general,” said Steve Weidt, 12.

While Al Jefferson looks like he could develop into a more-than-decent forward, it escapes the mind as to why Kevin McHale thought that this would be a good trade. In essence, he traded Kevin Garnett for the bad players on the Boston Celtics.

To be fair, the Timberwolves may have had no choice.

And people remain happy for Kevin Garnett that he gets his much deserved shot at a championship, with a good team he actually likes to play with.

The Boston Celtics recently clinched the Eastern Division.

Then come the Minnesota Twins. Always strict on the budget, Carl Pohlad has earned

a reputation among baseball fans as the greediest owner in baseball. His wealth exceeds that of George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees.

Now, obviously, the Minnesota Twins draw in much less revenue than the Yankees do, but it is still an interesting figure. And just recently, the Twins let Torii Hunter go after he was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for five years at $90 million.

That is a high price for a 32year-old centerfielder with bad knees, but he recently had his two best offensive years in his entire career.

And the Twins’ moves didn’t end at that, either. Later in the offseason, Minnesota made the far bigger move in trading Johan Santana for centerfielder Carlos Gomez, and pitchers Kevin Mulvey, Phil Humber, and Deolis Guerra. However, they did sign both Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer to long-term contracts, as well as closing pitcher, Joe Nathan.

In the last five years, Minnesota has lost the best receiver in football, one of the best basketball players since Michael Jordan, one of the greatest defensive centerfielders of all time, and the best pitcher in baseball.

This isn’t to say that Minnesota has lost all hope, as we have potential up-and-coming

stars in all three sports with Adrian Peterson, Joe Mauer, and Al Jefferson, among others. The only question is, how long will Minnesota fans stick with their hometown teams?

photo courtesy of wikipedia.com

Randy Moss, the face of the Minnesota Vikings since he arrived in the NFL, has been traded twice and is now on the championship caliber team the New England Patriots.

Twins’ 2008 season outlook not so bleak

By John Liu staff writer How can the 2008 Minnesota Twins capture the essence of their magic in 2006, and ensure that what happened to them in 2007 remain just an anomaly?

The Twins in 2006 sought help from a breakout year for catcher Joe Mauer and first baseman Justin Morneau. They also featured the combined effort of the less frequentlyrecognized players, who more than compensated for their inability to hit home runs by consistent and frequent small hits—something that was missing in 2007.

The 2007 Twins saw their collective team batting average drop from .287 to .264, team pitching earn run average raised from 3.95 to 4.15, and team runs batted in (RBI) drop from 754 to 671. They also missed pitcher

Francisco Liriano, who held a 12-3 record in the 2006 season, due to an elbow surgery, and catcher Joe Mauer, who battled knee injuries continuously. The absence of these two key players caused the Twins to place a disappointing third by the end of the season.

Frustrated by the fact that the same star players which shined in 2006 couldn’t produce the same results a year later, and by the financial burdens brought to the team as contracts were close to expiring, the Twins had to trade some talented players away to avoid denting their wallets.

Those trades made by the Twins in the winter off-season can be called a gambit at best.

While letting star center fielder Torii Hunter go after his most productive season can be cited as to save money, trading Johan Santana will most likely leave a vulnerable hole in the Twins’

starting rotation. Starting pitcher Carlos Silva, a prominent player on the Twins roster, was also released in the summer.

What did the Twins get on the other end of these deals?

To compensate for Hunter’s departure, the Twins have acquired outfielders Delmon Young and Jason Pridie as well as infielder Brendan Harris from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and gave up pitcher prospect Matt Garza, “piranha” Jason Bartlett, known for his speed, and pitcher Eduardo Morlan.

Though Young is only a sophomore in the major leagues, he finished last season with a respectable 13 home runs and 93 RBIs. At age 22, he can only improve over the next years and

most likely will be effective both in the outfield and at the plate.

Another new player not to be overlooked is center fielder Carlos Gòmez, who will take Hunter’s position. He, along with pitchers Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey were traded from the Mets for Santana. His blazing quickness was shown in the very first regular-season game for the Twins, in which he had two stolen bases.

The current heavy hitters still on the team include newly acquired Delmon Young and Twins Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, and Jason Kubel.

If Joe Mauer improves to his conditions from injury, the Twins seem like they can at

least put up a resistance in their division.

Baseball analysts call the Central Division, the one the Twins belong to, one of the toughest divisions in baseball.

The Detroit Tigers, the Chicago White Sox, and the Cleveland Indians have all upgraded their rosters in winter. While the 3-2 season opener win against the Anaheim Angels was a good win to start the season, expecting the Twins to emerge this season division champions from a team somewhat new together is a stretch.

Prediction: 82-80 (.510), finishing third place in the Central Division

12gallery

April 18, 2008

HOROSCOPES f o r e t o l d b y t h e M o u n d s Vi e w Vi e w e r

One of the most ancient philosophies in the world is Astrology. Estimated to be more than 3,000 years old, it is still used to give advice and tell fortunes. These predictions are based off of the zodiac sign that a person’s birthday falls under. The structure of the zodiac is made up of twelve sections, with an animal or symbol representing each section. Some people check their horoscope religiously, and base life decisions around what their zodiac tells them. So if you’re curious, here’s what the stars have in store for the students of MV.

CAPRICORN December 22-January 19 The fates have recognized your crush, who sits at a 212˚ angle from you in math class.

But honey, let’s face it, the only way you’re catching that hottie is by getting a make-over.

Fortunately your cereal will be superb tomorrow morning, but that’s about it. Pwnd.

CANCER June 22-July 22 Your recent investment in laundry detergent appears to be a wise one: your classmates gossip in the hallways constantly because your tshirts are so crisp and fresh looking. With the stars’ new alignments, your next step should be doing your own laundry…you sure are old enough to.

AQUARIUS

LEO

January 20-February 18

July 23-August 22

Happy birthday to you...it’s going to be a big one this year. Multitudes of friends will incessantly ring the doorbell: arms carrying brightly colored packages that are hopefully filled with pleasant surprises. So hold strong for the next couple hundred days, and it will all be yours.

Wow, you’re a wreck. In attempt to cheer up your lowly disposition, you will buy a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream.

Unfortunately for you the ice cream will go straight to your thighs…just your luck.

PISCES

VIRGO

February 19-March 20

August 23-September 22

Raising your hand in class will reveal unattractive pit stains which may cause your fellow classmates (and possible love interest) to scoff at you behind your back, contributing to a new nickname. If you hear someone calling you “pitsy” in the halls, don’t be surprised.

Way to go Virgo. You’re perfect in every way! Perfect clothes, perfect hair, perfect grades, perfect family to run home to, perfectly sharpened pencils…as some would say Virgo, you’ve got a perfect life. But look out, your peers are a wee bit jealous and will try to sabotage your every move.

ARIES

LIBRA

March 21-April 19

September 23-October 22

Being the troublemaker you are, your parents will ground you for the upcoming weekend.

This will offer you a chance to warm up to your new computer, especially the Tetris game that was pre-installed. With a score of 656168242472141.0023 your self esteem will be unbeatable, making up for the lack of social activity.

Stop being such a wuss and skip that afterschool activity. You are a goodie-goodie at heart, but with Saturn’s recent movement, you may need to bring out your sunglasses for tonight’s adventures because the sun never sets on the new and improved Libra.

TAURUS April 20-May 20 Your zodiac sign rhymes with thesaurus.

Upon receiving a fortune cookie that reads, “You will do a good act” you will help a homeless person on the way home from school. This lands you on KARE 11 News, encouraging your life-long dream of being a news broadcaster. Watch out Will Ferrell, a new anchorman is on the rise.

SCORPIO October 23-November 21 While making small talk with a janitor, you will slip in a puddle of water so severely that the doctor’s best recommendation is a peg-leg.

You will be outcast by your friends and fulfill your dream of becoming a pirate; then voyage to Lake Johanna where, with your new pirate status, are allowed to eat Arrrrrby’s.

GEMINI

SAGITTARIUS

May 21-June 21

November 22-December 21

Remember that knock-knock joke you tell?

Yeah…about that…don’t tell it anymore.

Move on to that miming act you’ve been hiding in the closet all these years. Hopefully your friends will appreciate it more than your lackluster jokes.

Any head banging will cause one of your eyeballs to pop out of your eye socket so avoid any hard metal rock concerts. Everyone’s been worried about that left one for a while now but never thought anything would actually come of it. But look on the bright side, your most compatible sign, Aries, won’t settle for anything less than a fashionable eye patch.

photos by Nate Grann, Debbie Li, and David Derong horoscopes by Maddy Stephens and Kristin Vanderburg