Mounds View High School Viewer 10/7/11

Mounds View

VIEWER

http://mvviewer.org Friday, October 7, 2011

INSIDE

Volume 59

2011-2012

Fall?

Issue 2

Breaking the

<editor@mvviewer.org>

MV school district beat enrollment projections Mounds View alone, projections for the 2011-2012 school year were 1,620 students, but current A surprising rise in the enrollment sits at 1,707. “[The number of students enrolled in administration] is pleased with Mounds View Public Schools the enrollment – we make occurred this fall. The current an effort to highlight all that total enrollment in the Mounds View has to offer to district is 9,797, an students and families,” said increase of 145 Principal Julie Wikelius. from last October, The new students are and exceeding coming to Mounds View from projections just about everywhere – charter by 197 schools, home schools, nonstudents. public schools, and other At districts altogether.

Isabel Miller, 9, is one of the new students in the Mounds 2003 View School District. After finishing St. Odilia 10316 last year, she had a number of stude nts different options

11,000

Netflix and Movies

by Martha Kauls staff reporter

10,000

End the Death Penalty

love having more people in the school.

2001

M Technology in the Schools

Sports Nutrition

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-Laurissa Titterud

9,000

17 National Merit Scholars

“ I

Why? to raise money and awareness about breast cancer When?

Oct. 8, at 7:15 p.m.

Where?

Mounds View High school track.

Make sure to wear pink!

145

for high school, but settled you get past 30 students in a on Mounds View “because class, it becomes harder to stay my older sister had a good engaged,” said Spanish teacher experience here.” Miller goes Gloria Foss. “I like having on to say, “I went to the open smaller classes.” house, and I liked the teachers.”

However, Wikelius The growing enrollment doesn’t think this should be a will ease financial strains on problem. The School Board sets the district’s budget. The more parameters that monitor the class students Mounds View has, the sizes in core areas to prevent less per pupil expenditure will crowded classrooms. be. Districts across Minnesota Some changes have already have seen increases in costs been made. New sections of for expenses, but with more Geometry, Algebra, and English students, Mounds View would 10 were all added this year, and likely receive as much as many teachers moved from part$660,000 total for additional time to full time in an attempt to funding. “We are a decliningincrease availability. enrollment district and will Students are also looking continue to be a decliningforward to having more enrollment district,” said School classmates, though it isn’t Board Chairman Jon Tynjala in certain if this trend will the Shoreview Press. “So that’s a continue. “I love having more huge change. It’s good.” people in the school. There’s so This growth does pose much more social opportunity,” concerns for some, such said Laurisa Titterud, 12. as the potential for 1 larger classes. photo by Youngjun Park 201 “Once 6 978 s 2008 t den 9623 u t s ts studen

1707

more students

students at MVHS

nwalk

by Joy Xie staff reporter October means Breast Cancer Awareness month, and here at Mounds View, many students show their support by going to the annual Moonwalk.

The Moonwalk is so named because it takes place at night. Students show their support by dressing up in pink and walking the Mounds View track for three hours.

Last year, students also had the option of buying Moonwalk T-shirts, sipping Jamba Juice,

2006

and enjoying live music! The Student Council was able to raise $4000 which went towards the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

This year, the Moonwalk is going to be on Saturday, October 8th starting at 7:15 p.m. at Mounds View. There will be music, food, and even a raffle!

If you want to have fun with your friends and family, while also supporting a good cause, come to the Moonwalk!

$660,000 in additional funding

2011

photos compiled by Erika Batiz

Mounds View students at last year’s Moonwalk. Altogether, they raised over $4000.

2editorials op T

October 7, 2011

Capital Punishment staff editoria l A Lethal Mistake

Reasons Minnesotans are Better than the Rest

10 8

Our accents are simply awesome, you betcha!

Deep-fryer oil flows in our veins

We invented Oregon Trail, and we dont have dysentary We feed off of bad weather

6

We elected a pro wrestler as Governor

Zubaz were invented by a Minnesotan duo

4

Keshav Mangalick is one of us

One of the lowest obesity rates in the nation...take that Arkansas!

2

We have more shoreline than California, Florida, annd Hawaii combined

We’re not from Wisconsin

2010-2011 Viewer Editors Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editorials Features Spread Variety Reviews Sports Gallery

9 7 5 3 1

Ryan Slechta John Ke Max Wang Zane Muller Alyssa Belsito Tristan Gustafson Nimmy Koshy Mali Bacig John Knopf Alvin Ma Akshay Patke Camry Kelly Catie Mattson Lauren Nguyen

Business Manager/Online Editor Erika Batiz Photographers Youngjun Park Anders Nygaard Adviser Martha Rush

Staff

Tristan Aschittino, Anthony Blustein, Anastasia Brodsky, Brian Burke, Neal callihan, Alexandra Fream, Aaron Hammerly, Allison Hare, Peter Ingraham, Martha Kauls, Benjamin Kramka, Paul Kroska, Selin Kurtoglu, Margaret LaMere, Zachary Laughlin, Thomas Lazorik, David Liu, Ryan Mackey, Quinn Madsen, Helena Nguyen, Nathaniel Nikoi, Peter Olson, John Petersen, Alexander Safanov, Nicholas Schmidtke, Stephanie Schuba, Alexandra Severson, Christopher Severson, Madeline Shaw, Adam Toninato, Matthew Voges, Alexander Wald, Conner Walsh, Michaela Warner, Joy Xie, Christina Yoon

The Viewer is published by the student editors at: Mounds View High School 1900 Lake Valentine Rd Arden Hills, Minnesota Sauk Centre Publishing

On September 21, 2011, death row inmate Troy Davis was executed by means of lethal injection. Davis, who was convicted of murder in August 1991, was accused of killing off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail on August 19, 1989. The Davis case has been in the media spotlight from day one, and the decision to go ahead with his execution sparked an often-repeated national debate over the ethics and humanness of using the death penalty to punish criminals.

Davis had maintained his innocence for nearly 20 years, and since the first trial seven of the nine original witnesses have recanted their statements saying that they were “improperly pressured by police.”

To many, the Davis case is a prime example of one of the many shortcomings of our inherently flawed system of capital punishment. In Davis’ case, it was argued that the state hadn’t put forward enough evidence to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Davis was actually the

one responsible for the death of Officer MacPhail. And, in one of the more convincing means of proclaiming his innocence, Davis used his final breaths to give a shockingly straight-forward message to

with the death penalty is that it doesn’t allow any room for error. There are no do-overs and no second chances. Abolishing capital punishment would not only be a good first step in creating

photo courtesy of mctcampus.com MacPhail’s family: “Let you know, despite the situation you are in, I’m not the one who personally killed your son, your father, your brother.

I am innocent.” Despite the overwhelming evidence in support of Davis and multiple appeals, Davis was still killed by the state of Georgia.

The main problem

a more civilized society, but it would also end one of the most hypocritical forms of punishment in use today.

On top of the human cost of using capital punishment, there is also a massive fiscal cost to consider. In California, the state with the most executions per year, the average cost of an execution,

including legal fees and security costs is $308 million.

Now compare that price to the estimated $15 million that is spent on an inmate with a lifewithout-parole sentence, and the shortcomings of capital punishment become very clear.

Although the death penalty is widely considered a viable crime deterrent, there is little evidence to corroborate this claim. In fact, a recent survey of police chiefs indicates that it is, in their opinion, the least effective means of controlling violent crime. Over the last 30 years the number of executions has jumped from zero in 1976 to 42 in 2010. Over this same period the violent crime rate has also continued to skyrocket, indicating that the risk of capital punishment does little to deter criminal behavior. Killing another human being is never justified, and in the case of the death penalty, it is merely a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

15 Viewer Editors Agree, 2 Disagree

Finnishing off American Schools

by Matthew Voges staff reporter What was once perceived as a frosty agricultural country with little importance or memorable history, save holding its own in a war with the USSR, has become one of the world’s leaders in innovation. This rise has been due, in no small part, to education.

Finland’s system of education would seem foreign and implausible to many Americans, yet it works.

Finland scored among the highest of any nation in the 2009 OECD-PISA—an international assessment of industrialised countries’ stature in the field of education— earning a 543.6 while spending less per student than the United States, which scored a 496.3; below average for a developed country. So how do they do it?

In short: liberally.

Finland’s schools run publicly, and are free for all students. Not just through their equivalent of high school, but

college too. Finland wants it’s people to achieve the most that they can, regardless of class.

The United States, however, seems dependent on an elitist system of private schools and exorbitantly priced tuition Another tenet of the Finnish model we could only dream of is the presence of values. Young Finnish students are given time to play, and school doesn’t officially begin until age 7. Even older children are given time each day to spend outdoors. Aside from one, standardized testing is frowned upon as it takes up unnecessary time, money, and causes stress. Of most value, Finnish schools and families indoctrinate their youth with a fondness for learning that goes beyond the caustic statement most American schools and families seem to imply, “do well so you will get rich.”

At Mounds View there is an early division between “average” and “smart” children. This begins in elementary school and is blatantly obvious by the time

Schools’ lessons in Finland are often hands-on most kids are through middle school. Though typical of American schools, it is not of Finnish ones. Finnish schools maintain a common path that benefits everybody up until about sixteen years of age. Mounds View should likewise consider giving kids a chance to develop their work ethics, rather than dashing their dreams early on. This is especially relevant considering our economic environment where income disparities are tremendous, and the pre-schooling implement of reading skills more varied.

Teachers are allowed

a personalized curriculum, comparable pay, a powerful union, and the job inspires a public reverence of its own.

For students, there is less homework, shorter school days, no Internet censors, more independence, and a complete focus on academics. Most students are also very eager to learn, something that we might see here were our school system more like theirs.

That Mounds View could adopt all of these policies is unlikely being entrenched in the traditions of the United States, but at the very least, it might understand that the Finnish model is better and consider/advocate the broad progressive reforms necessary to create such a happy, successful system. Maybe then “building an inclusive community of responsible, respectful and resourceful citizens who value learning,” could be more than just a slogan.

Viewer Mission Statement 1. To publish news, information and opinion articles for and about student, faculty and administration activities, interests and policies.

2. To maintain high ethical standards with regard to fairness, personal and legal rights, responsibilities and accuracy.

3. To provide a forum for free and responsible expression of student opinion and present well-balanced, locally researched coverage of issues of broader student interest.

4. To strive for a high level of competency in the technical aspect of writing, including grammar, spelling, clarity, and precision.

5. To welcome diversity and increase the scope and depth of our coverage in order to heighten mutual understanding and awareness throughout our entire school community.

Articles and letters to the editor appearing on the editorials pages represent solely the opinions of the writers and do not represent in any way the viewpoint of Viewer, our advertisers, Mounds View High School or its staff.

The editors of the Viewer welcome and encourage the publication of all viewpoints.

October 7, 2011

editorials3

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE Happiness is an Irrevocable Right

by Alx Wald staff reporter “With liberty and justice for ALL” Maybe not.

Liberty and justice for all. Throughout history, America’s behavior hasn’t always followed these ideals.

African-Americans were enslaved until the 1860s and they were still treated as unequal people until the 1960s. Until 1920, women

were not allowed to vote, and it wasn’t until they were desperately needed during WWII that they were able to break social barriers and begin to gain respect outside of the home, only to lose those jobs once the soldiers returned from war.

We have come a long way since the Pledge of Allegiance was written, but we have a long journey ahead of us on the road to equality. We must learn to accept other people for who they are, no matter how different they seem.

In 1996, then-president Bill Clinton signed into action the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). This law stated that in the eyes of the federal government, marriage is a legal union between one man and one woman, thus wrongly prohibiting same-sex marriages to any US citizen.

People who favor “family values” may say same-sex marriage cannot technically be considered marriage because two people of the same sex cannot reproduce, or they shouldn’t raise children because a child needs a mother’s and father’s influence.

Editor opinions What your Viewer editors think of various issues.

But since when in this country do we not allow people to get married if they don’t intend to have kids?

Should we also force all people who are too old to have kids to divorce? Or deny a marriage license to those who are infertile? Perhaps the world’s orphanages are getting so empty that we need to force people to have their own kids rather than adopt.

They may say it violates the sanctity of the sacrament of marriage as God intended it to be. Some even cite the Bible saying it would be a crime against God to allow same-sex marriage.

The Bible also says, “Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself.”

(Romans 2:1) A God who loves all his people equally would not want humanity to turn around and ostracize an entire group of people based on an unchangeable

characteristic of who they are.

As far as sanctity of marriage goes, what gives a drunken overnight marriage and divorce in Vegas or a Britney Spears 55-hour televised marriage more sanctity than two people who feel passionate, romantic love for each other?

It comes down to the people of our country continuing to become more accepting of those who are different from us. If we want to truly pledge that America is a place of “Liberty and Justice For All,” then same-sex marriage must be legalized.

“Online study groups are the gateway drug of the academic dishonesty world. One day you’re leading a group discusion on mutually exclusive variables and the next you’re trading your cookies for tomorrow’s FRQ” - John Knopf Spread editor

It Should Stay Husband and Wife

by Nathaniel staff reporter For over a decade, same-sex marriage has been on the forefront of several political debates, creating much conflict. In some cases same-sex marriage has been a determining factor for voters when choosing their candidates in political elections.

Same-sex marriage is something that shouldn’t be allowed in the U.S. The law against it has been around for a over a decade and there is no reason as to why it should be changed now.

Same-sex marriage affects the health of children.

According to clasp.org, children living in families with same-sex parents tend to have more behavioral and emotional problems. Children will be unable to learn important social concepts found in traditional families.

A woman’s relationship with a man is ultimately formed by her relationship with her father, while a man’s relationship with a woman is ultimately formed by his relationship with his

mother. The lack thereof could lead to a generation of misinterpreted relationships and the disintegration of the traditional family model.

The fundamental purpose of marriage is reproduction, and as same-sex couples are unable to participate through a natural process, this leads to the issue of same-sex adoption. Who is to say that a child should be burdened with parents of the same sex?

Several childhood activities require parents of each sex; if a girl is adopted by two men, she will be forced to

“Double Stuff Oreos are a plot by corporations to reduce the maximum amount of tastiness from every package of Oreos.”

-Ryan Slechta Editor in Chief

learn about bodily processes through adults who have never shared her experiences, which would be a traumatic experience at best.

Both sides try to use religion as a basis for their arguments, with same-sex proponents claiming that since “equality” is referenced in the Bible, therefore, same-sex marriage is supported.

Yet countless times, the Bible speaks of samesex marriage as a sin, even specifically saying that “nor

homosexuals...will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9).”

The majority of Western religions consider marriage to be between a man and a woman.

Supporters of same-sex marriage claim that as the United States has a “wall between Church and State,” the Bible is disqualified as any legitimate form of political justification.

However, “separation of church and state,” as it is often called, has no legal basis. The Establishment Clause is the most commonly cited basis for the concept, but it only actually prevents Congress from making a law “respecting the establishment of religion,” not regulations based on Christian morals.

Same-sex families would threaten the foundation of America: the family. Legally and theologically, same-sex marriage is outlawed, and it should stay that way. The traditional family model has worked for ages, and there is no reason to change it now.

A Thousand Words You Shouldn’t Send

by Deputy Gulden guest writer

What do Congressmen, professional athletes, actors and high school students have in common? They are all getting caught up in the sexting rage. Taking and sending sexually revealing pictures or sending sexually explicit messages via text is called “sexting.”

Kids “sext” to show off, entice someone, show interest in someone, or to prove commitment.

Before sending a potentially embarrassing photo to anyone, ask yourself how you would feel if your teachers, parents, or the entire school saw the picture.

How would you feel if a potential employer pulled the photo up prior to a job interview?”

Everything that is sent electronically is potentially public and is always permanent.

Phones are lost or stolen on a daily basis in public places around the country. Possession of naked photos of people under the age of 18 is illegal; sending an illegal photo to a friend or multiple acquaintances is an additional and more serious offense.

Students all over the country are being charged with possession of child pornography.

When tempers flare or emotions are high those embarrassing photos could end up on the internet and haunt you for life!

Deputy Tim Gulden 651-621-7123 Tim.Gulden@ moundsviewschools.org

Cop’s

C

*the author’s last name was withheld at their request

“If students aren’t able to push a lever just behind them, what does that say about our generation in the future?

FLUSH THE FREAKING TOILETS PEOPLE.” -John Ke Managing Editor

or er n

“People do not need to be obnoxious to get attention.

Talking loudly and acting outrageously only annoys others. ”

- Alyssa Belsito Editorials Editor

4features

October 7, 2011

MV Third in State for 2012 National Merit Semi-Finalists

by Peter Olson staff reporter This year, the Mounds View School District placed third in the state for its number of National Merit

semifinalists. 17 members of the Class of 2012 were chosen for this honor: 13 from Mounds View and four from Irondale.

Mounds View’s ranking emphasizes its many strengths.

ALAN ZHAO STEPHANIE WANG

MAUREEN PALMER ANDREW OVSHAK YUEYILIN QI

TYLER WIEGERT

Ann Lindberg Hanning Wong JOHN KE SAMUEL KIM

SAMUEL VANTASSEL KESHAV MANGALICK

ELIZABETH KNOPF

photo by Youngjun Park

“The semifinalists reflect both Mounds View’s strengths in academics and the student body’s desire to succeed,” said Principal Julie Wikelius.

Compared to the past decade, the Class of 2012 has had one of the highest number of National Merit Scholars.

It was beaten by the Class of 2002, which had a total of 22 National Merit students (in the district) and is tied with the Class of 2005.

Becoming a semifinalist is a task that requires a great amount of knowledge and skill. The first thing to do is to take the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) as a junior. The PSAT is a nation-wide test offered once every year in the fall. It is divided in three parts: reading, writing, and mathematics. The highest possible score is 240.

Mounds View semifinalists prepared for this test in many ways, though most of their plans involved a lot of practice tests. “I took a bunch of practice tests as well as an SAT class,” said Keshav Mangalick, 12.

Irene Collins: a new face for special needs

by Joy Xie staff reporter Deans many times act as a mediator between students and their teachers, students and their peers, and sometimes even students and their families.

They also deal with everything from class schedules to tardies to college applications.

The special education dean has an even greater task.

She works with a wide range of students with many special needs, ranging from ADHD to Multiple Sclerosis.

This year, Irene Collins has taken over that role. The previous dean, Angela VanHee, left this summer for a position at Spring Lake Park High School.

Born in Liberia, Collins came to the United States when she was only five years old. As a child, she wasn’t a straight-A student, but now she is trained as a social worker and has a K-12 Principal’s License.

Collins said she loves working with students. She wants to be “…able to help educate students and staff about special education,” she said.

She works with special education students to achieve their Individualized Education Program (IEP). This program is used to help students achieve their educational goals according to their own personal needs.

For example, a child might have a disability that hinders

their reading skills. The teacher then discusses this with the parents and the students to create a plan that will help them improve in reading.

Before coming to Mounds View, Collins worked in the St. Paul Public Schools as a social worker. “It was the same type of work as the dean part of my job. A dean is a social worker/ counselor. Different students, same type of work,” said Collins.

Outside of school, Collins enjoys running and taking trips to the ocean. She also likes eating ethnic foods, especially her mother’s Liberian dishes.

One of her favorites is called palm butter. “It is sort of like a curry dish served with rice,” said Collins.

Collins said she wants to share her story and tell students to pursue their dreams even when others doubt them.

Because she wasn’t the greatest student herself, Collins wants to help students with their goals. She wants to remind students not to give up.

“My experiences have taught me that anything is possible, if you believe in yourself,” she said.

“I studied a review book and took many practice tests,” said Alan Zhao, 12.

Students with the highest scores in all three sections are considered to be in the running for semifinalist. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, about 50,000 students in the nation are chosen. Of those, only 16,000 become semifinalists based on a qualifying score which varies by state.

Being a semifinalist is considered a great honor. “It feels like my hard work really paid off. Being a semifinalist would look great on any college application,” said Zhao.

However, most semifinalists aim to be a finalist. About 15,000 semifinalists can become finalists. All that one needs to do is to score high on the SAT, write any essay, be recommended by the principal, and have very high academic records through all four years of high school.

The title finalist also

comes with a potential scholarship. According to the National Merit Corporation, more than half the finalists receive a scholarship from their college in addition to the one provided by the National Merit Corporation.

For example, the University of Minnesota offers finalists $10,000 a year for listing the University as their first choice.

With high college tuition, scholarships of all sizes can be considered a blessing. “A scholarship would allow me to go to some colleges that I couldn’t go to without one,” said Ann Lindberg, 12.

This October, the Class of 2013 will be taking the PSAT. This year’s semifinalists offered them a few tips to help them score high on the test.

“Take practice tests and know your grammar well,” said Elizabeth Knopf, 12.

“Make sure you don’t run out of time,” said Lindberg.

5 features

October 7, 2011

“His faith was his support”

by Nimmy Koshy features editor On Sept. 21, the Yoon family got a call asking them to bring Jonathan Yoon, 10, into the Emergency Room at Children’s Hospital.

Jon had been suffering headaches since August. An MRI performed on Sept. 20 had revealed the cause: a tumor in the middle of his brain.

Medical procedures followed immediately; Jon Yoon underwent surgery to drain the fluid from his head, relieving the pressure from his brain.

A second surgery was planned for the removal of the tumor.

When Jon Yoon woke from the surgery, he was distraught. “[On the] first day, Jon thought he was going to die, but my dad told Jon that no matter what happens, it’ll be okay, even if the worst-case scenario happens,” said Christina Yoon, 12, Jon Yoon’s older sister.

The tumor removal surgery took place on Sept. 27. Jon Yoon went under at 11 a.m., and didn’t come out of the operating room until six hours later.

During this time, a support group gathered outside the operating room.

“Everyone from school, church and close friends have been such a support. They supported us through prayers, calling us, and letters,” said Christina Yoon.

The Yoon family has depended on Jon Yoon’s

Hope and prayer A sister’s story

by Christina Yoon staff reporter

photo courtesy of Christina Yoon

Jon Yoon has retained a great outlook. faith, along with the support of many others, in order to get through this crisis.

“Jon told his parents that he wanted to fight this battle,” said Christina Yoon.

“He said that God was on his side and God was going to protect him. His faith was his support.”

When Jon Yoon awoke a second time, he was greeted with good news--the operation was a success; the tumor was benign.

However, even after the surgery, the challenge continues for Jon. Going back to school, and becoming accustomed to normal life, is going to be a difficult transition.

The faculty and students at Mounds View are offering

their support when he returns. Sarah Osterman, the school nurse, said, “We will make school work for him; accommodations will be there when he returns to school.”

“Jon’s scared to come back to school because my mom said that he’s become less confident in who he was,” Christina Yoon said.

She hopes that when Jon gets back, the support group for will still be there for him.

His experience has already inspired his sister.

Christina Yoon said she treasures each moment with her brother now.

“Life is too fragile to be wasted away because you think think that you’ll live forever,” she said.

My brother, Jonathan, was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Sept. 21. My family was in disbelief when we received the somber news, because it was the last thing that we had anticipated. My family has been stressed out with this difficult time; however, prayer and faith have countered the stress.

Countless people have reached out to us in many ways; they have poured out their love and compassion towards us and continuously prayed for Jonathan so that he would recover.

On the first day at the hospital, Jonathan cried and told my parents that he did not want to die. On the second day, his attitude had changed. He told my parents that he wanted to fight this battle. He said that he was not going to give up, and that he would fight his hardest. Not once did Jonathan complain about why this had to happen to him.

When people asked him if he was scared, he always said the same thing: “No, because I know that God is

by my side.”

On Sept. 27, Jon had brain surgery, which lasted three and a half hours. The surgeons removed the entire tumor. On Sept. 29, the surgeons told my parents that the tumor was benign.

We were relieved! Jon was right; God had been on our side the entire time.

I believe in the power of prayer. Prayer is the basis of faith. It is our way to lift up our concerns and blessings to God. Many of my friends, who have never prayed in their lives, started to pray for Jon to get better. When my brother and I were talking in the hospital, he said, “I can’t believe I’ve touched so many people. So many people are praying for me.

And I am so thankful.”

Prayer can change situations and even people.

Prayer has the power to heal, to hope, and to answer.

Even my brother believes this. Jonathan wrote on Facebook: “I got to fall in love with God again.”

I hope that anyone who has read this will treat my brother with the utmost care and love when he comes back to school.

I love you, Jon.

Freshmen: cuddly and clever?

by Tony Blustein staff reporter Many students would grimace at the sight of this schedule: AP Calculus 2, AP Computer Science, AP Biology, and Honors English 9. To Varun Mangalick and a few other freshmen, it sounds just fine.

“Normal classes are boring to me,” said Mangalick.

“I started by taking a few advanced classes when I was younger, then as I got older and smarter, I took more and more advanced classes.”

In years past, freshmen didn’t have a large pool of classes to choose from. They had the basic core subjects, either regular or advanced, and were given some freedom in choosing electives.

This year, however, freshmen have more choices. Many freshmen are taking advantage of these opportunities.

Principal Julie Wikelius described the trend as

“acceleration.”

“Students are wanting to move through the curriculum faster,” she said.

Due to the advanced opportunities being provided during middle school, freshmen can now move on to advanced classes in high-school.

Some very advanced freshmen are given exceptions to take classes that previously were viewed as too difficult for them.

Mangalick was allowed to enroll in AP Computer Science, a hybrid course at Irondale.

An exception was made because district leaders felt that Mangalick had the ability to handle the class.

“If students can demonstrate that they can handle the material, then why hold them back?” said Wikelius.

Mangalick is not the only freshman with a challenging schedule. Jared Everson, 9, is another freshman who has followed the trend, by

photo by Anders Nygaard

Varun Mangalick: not the average freshman. challenging himself with multiple advanced courses, including AP Calculus 2 and AP Biology.

There is definitely a competition factor between these two that influenced their class decisions. Everson

admitted to discussing his schedule with Mangalick ahead of time.

Both took math at the University of Minnesota Talented Youth in Mathematics Program (UMTYMP) starting in sixth grade and went to

a 3-week academic camp at Northwestern University in Chicago together to prepare for AP Biology this year.

Varun Mangalick says his brother, Keshav Mangalick, 12, played a part in his decision.

“He forced me to take the hardest classes possible,” Varun Mangalick said.

Students who take these challenging options may eventually run out of classes to take at Mounds View. They can choose to take one of the many hybrid classes that Mounds View has recently added, or they can take part in postsecondary-enrollment (PSEO).

Unfortunately, these may be their only choices. “Once they run out of classes, they don’t have many options to choose from,” said Wikelius.

Getting T

“Classes will be a lot more productive if we are allowed to use our electronic devices,” said Lars Anderson, 11.

orter

staff rep e k r u nB

by Bria

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Th “The ability to use my laptop in classes allows me to take and organize notes as well as look up words I don’t know,” Beth Knopf, 12.

Technology in Classrooms: Do you think that you learn better with technology in classrooms?

YES: NO:

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“Technology allows us to expand our learning beyond the classroom,” Samuel Mackey, 11.

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Mounds View’s new technology policy allows students to use electronic devices for educational reasons in class

by Selin Kurtoglu staff reporter In the past, students were warned that phones in class could result in punishment. But this year, Mounds View has decided to do a 180 on its ‘no technology in class’ policy.

The new policy allows students to use laptops, smart phones, and tablets in class when used for educational reasons. The school board supported this position because they felt that the advantages of providing students with Internet access and greater freedoms in technology use outweighed concerns about appropriate usage.

Principal Julie Wikelius believes that implementing the policy will not only be better for students now in high school, but will also be advantageous in preparing students for their future education.

“We’re at a point with technology where it’s an advantage to learn how to use the technology as it would be in a college class,” said Wikelius.

Though the policy is school-wide, each teacher is entitled to their own rules within the classroom, whether that means no technology at certain times, or no technology at all.

David Weinberg, English teacher, has been given iPads

to use in class. “We’ll use them as a way of avoiding to have to go to the library for research,” said Weinberg. Teaching an honors freshman class means research papers. With the new iPads, there’s no hassle with herding them all into the library.

Even with iPads, Weinberg hasn’t put a rule limiting other sources of technology.

Students are welcome to use phones, laptops, whatever they please.

Not all teachers want to integrate technology into their classes, however. Gloria Foss, Spanish teacher, has continued the old policy of no phones

during class time.

“In general, technology is making us lose our ability to talk face to face. Especially in another language,” said Foss.

Anna Jessurun, 11, acknowledges that the new technology policy could cause some concerns with distraction. “When you have any privilege, there are ways to misuse it.”

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October 7, 2011

Bringing healthy back

Eat a variety of wholesome foods

by Allison Hare staff reporter

photo courtesy of all-creatures.org

Watch supplement intake

by Quinn Madsen staff reporter Some athletes turn to creatine to get an edge over their opponents. Creatine, a bodybuilding supplement, enhances recovery time and strengthens the user’s body in a shorter amount of time.

According to Men’s Health magazine, “because creatine is an ‘osmotically active substance,’ it pulls water into your muscle cells, which increases protein synthesis.”

In other words, creatine increases the amount of water in your muscles and helps build muscle faster.

Recently, the drug received a lot of criticism when certain studies linked it with health problems such as kidney failure and heart problems.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), creatine is probably safe and is approved for use by the International Olympic

Committee and the NCAA. However, it can cause stomach pain, nausea and cramping.

According to Medline Plus, part of the NIH website, creatine is found in fish and meats as well as synthesized drugs. It may be effective in “improving the athletic performance of young, healthy people during brief, highintensity exercise such as sprinting,” the site said.

However, there have been no studies done on how creatine affects teenagers, and many experts recommend that people under the age of 18 do not use it.

“In my opinion, creatine is good if you work out a lot and take the right amount, but if you take too much it’ll kill your body,” said Phoenix Thompson, 12.

enu:foods M e h On T -game

Eating food isn’t just about providing the body with energy anymore.

Among other things, people tend to want foods that will help them perform better in sports, relieve pain, and reduce stress. Many foods, like olive oil, honey, and yogurt, are linked to improving everything from sore muscles to clarity of thought.

When it comes to foods that help the skin, extra-virgin olive oil wins the award. According to gaelleorganic.com, olive oil has a high amount of antioxidants and Vitamin E, which is extremely beneficial to dry skin.

According to a study by Tel Aviv and Rockstock University, the antioxidants in olive oil

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to have after a trip to the gym or afternoon practice is Greek yogurt, according to associatedcontent.com.

Although it seems to be the current food fad, the hype isn’t over nothing – not only does Greek yogurt have two to three times the amount of protein as regular yogurt, but it also has all the amino acids one needs to rebuild muscles after an intense workout.

One last food that can help people through their day is strawberries. Believe it or not, strawberries are great stress reducers, which can come in handy to a high school student. According to fitness.com, they contain serotonin-inducing natural sugars and tons of Vitamin C, which helps to clear out cortisol, the hormone responsible for symptoms of stress like cloudy thinking.

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live oil can cushion joints, reduce injuries, and relieve pain

photo courtesy of lesliebeck.com

Carboload the right way

by David Liu staff reporter

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can even prevent malignant melanoma, a dangerous skin cancer.

Olive oil is also a healthful food when it comes to sports. Its high fat content can help cushion joints, reduce injuries, and relieve pain. According to a study at the Monnell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, three tablespoons of olive oil acts like ten percent of a dose of ibuprofen.

Honey is a good way to heal cuts and burns.

According to webmd.com, its acidity makes it difficult for bacteria to survive, and it gives the wound topical nutrition and a damp environment to help it heal faster. Some studies have even found that darker honeys work just as well as cold medicines in reducing coughs and sore throats.

One of the best foods

With a football team that is consistently ranked in the Metro Top 10, tennis squads that are perennial state powerhouses, and a track team that has won countless state titles, Mounds View has some of the most successful high school sports teams in Minnesota.

Along with practice and weightlifting, athletes need to fuel their bodies properly.

One misconception is that it’s critical to “carbo load,” especially before a big game.

Many Mounds View athletes eat out at local eateries to receive a filling meal.

“I go to Subway with some friends,” said Keith Kubitschek, 11.

Then there are others who prefer homemade meals.

“A whole bunch of spaghetti with extra meat balls is my favorite,” said Jean Paul Akwa, 11.

But according to research from Colorado State Unviersity nutritionists J. Anderson, L. Young, and S. Prior, athletes benefit the most from eating complex carbohydrates such as grains three to four days before competition - not the day before.

The Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, says that endurance athletes on a high-carbohydrate diet can exercise longer than athletes eating a lowcarbohydrate, high-fat diet.

But is that really necessary for the level of exertion required by high school sports?

“There is no correlation between carbo loads and running 5Ks,” said Ross Fleming, physical education/ health teacher and cross-

”

country coach.

According the the Mayo Clinic, carbo loading is most beneficial when preparing for an event that will last for 90 minutes or more. In other words, most athletes at school physically benefit very little from carbo loads and may be at risk of gaining weight from carbohydrate intake.

However, the socialization aspect of carbo loads is unquestionable and even though the meals themselves don’t help much with overall performance, the team unity definitely does.

There is no magical meal that athletes eat before they perform that helps them become superheroes. Instead, successful athletes follow the basic guidelines laid out by the experts and get a feel for foods work best for their own bodies.

THE N

by Stephanie Scuba staff reporter

For 11 years, people around Highland Park have visited The Nook, a restaurant famous for its cheeseburgers and Juicy Lucys.

Childhood friends Ted Casper and Mike Runyon took over The Nook in October 2000. It started with 12 tables and 15 bar spots, but the restaurant got so busy, it had to expand into the restaurant next door.

Unfortunately, a fire in December 2010 temporarily closed the restaurant Almost a year after the fire, The Nook still has the same familiar look.

It feels very original and different from chain restaurants. Despite being small and hidden, it still attracts a lot of business.

The first thing I noticed after walking in were the four-person tables lined against the wall and the many framed reviews from over the years hanging. A long line of people waited outside the restaurant, due to lack of indoor seating.

Despite the wait, and small eating space, Casper and Runyon’s food was worth it. Their Juicy Nookie Burger was the best burger I have ever tasted. The burger was unique in its preparation as the cheese was melted inside of the

K

hamburger and cooked to medium rare.

A warning came along with the burger saying that the cheese was extremely hot. Taking the first bite was surprisingly difficult, as I almost burned my mouth in the process, but once I had gotten past the scalding cheese, it was amazing. The meat was cooked perfectly with a good ratio of cheese to meat to onions.

The homemade fresh cut french fries that came with the burger added to the small town restaurant ambiance. Another good quality of the burger was the fresh bakery buns from down the street.

Although it took over 30 minutes to get the burger, the Runyon Rings were an excellent filler. Unlike other onion rings, when you bit into Runyon Rings, you didn’t have to struggle to bite through the onion, and the onion didn’t fall out.

Although the service was slow and the place was cramped, the food and atmosphere was perfect for a small Minnesota neighborhood.

10/10 photo by Youngjun Park

October 7, 2011

9 reviews

Wilco: In a new direction

by Adam Toninato staff reporter Press the play button on Wilco’s new album, The Whole Love, and the first song, “Art of Almost,” starts with mixed drumbeats and static, as if it was being placed on an old turntable. Immediately, synthesizers and guitars come in after a few seconds of feedback and lay down the general sound of the track.

The seven minute long epic perfectly sets the stage for the track to come. The indie alternative riffs can be heard throughout other parts of the album.

Wilco was first launched to the spotlight with their third album, in 2002. Wilco has been making music since 1994, but only lead singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt remain from the original group. Since its incarnation, the band has seen musicians come and go. These changes have been needed to perfect the dynamics and sound of the band.

Wilco’s last four albums left the acoustic sounds of Yankee Foxtrot Hotel and started leading more into synthesized alternative sounds. The Whole Love does a very good job of tying the two back together to make a nice blend.

However, there were minutes of simple instrumentals and lengthy notes that seemed to carry on endlessly. It was unnecessary and caused the album to drag at points.

Tweedy single-handedly wrote and composed all the music for The Whole Love. Tweedy beautifully choreographed a melodic blending of their old sounds and newer

8/10

photo courtesy of wikipedia. com

The exploitation of star worship multiple times in the course of one day. It also seems to evade the important elements of the story, and instead focuses on smaller details that don’t pertain to anything. Nathan spends more time planning what he is going to do than the actual execution of the plan.

Lautner is great at showing off his washboard abs and martial art skills, but when it comes to acting, Lautner falls flat. His distressed facial expression is as deep as his acting gets throughout the entire movie.

However, it may not be his fault. Other accomplished actors such as Jason Issacs and Sigourney Weaver, who also star in the movie, did not seem to shine either. Maybe the script is to blame. It is full of cheesy dialogue, giving an overwhelming urge to suppress a giggle during the ‘dramatic’ scenes. When the writing is lacking, not even Meryl Streep can save a big picture movie.

All in all, Abduction is a great way to waste an hour and a half. But hey, if cringe-worthy dialogue and sub-par action sequences is of interest, Abduction is the right film.

This movie was enjoyable for all the wrong reasons. Lautner, although redeeming himself by doing his own stunts, cannot carry an action movie, and the dialogue was a Swiss cheese kind of cheesy. Perhaps Lautner will always remain our lovable wolf from Twilight.

by Alex Fream staff reporter

Editor

p

Gasp! It’s Taylor Lautner in a movie! Only this time, less like a wolf, and more like a buff teen on the run. In the movie Abduction, Lautner plays Nathan Harper, a typical teenager who has always felt a bit out of place. His feelings of uneasiness turn out to be justified when he discovers his photo on a missing persons website, and realizes that his whole life has been a lie. Now, he and his love interest, Karen, are on the run from not one but two parties of bad guys as they try to discover the truth about Nathan’s life.

Nathan soon figures out that his ‘parents’ are not his real parents. They were simply CIA agents there to protect him while his father was away. A cat and mouse chase ensues via car chases and fist fights as Nathan and Karen try to evade the CIA agents and a random group of Russians that are pursuing them.

Although it’s a decent upgrade from Twilight, Abduction does not show Lautner in a better light. The initial plot draws interest, but the movie itself didn’t live up to it.The storyline is full of plot holes and is pretty much all over the place. For example, the characters apparently traveled all around the country ora leth

Singles

Florence and the Machine“Shake It Out” This anthem will get you out of your seat. Powerful vocals are just prevalent as the beat of the tambourine.

Sounds like: Your soundtrack for running through fields of wildflowers on endless summer days.

-Catie Mattson 9/10 sports editor

5/10

photo courtesy of breakingdawn.org

Patrick Stump ft. Lupe Fiasco Justice- “Audio, Video, Disco” - “This City”

Kasabian- “Switchblade Smile”

Patrick Stump, previously of Fall Out Boy, and Lupe Fiasco write a tribute song for their home town of Chicago.

They pair pitiful vocals with equally miserable rapping.

The repetition of the words “Audio, Video, Disco” throughout the whole song became annoying after about two minutes, but the classic Justice rhythms more than compensated for it.

“Switchblade Smiles” gives you an insecure feeling that makes you anxious.

The addictive melody makes you want to listen to it again and again until it gets stuck in your head.

Sounds like: People who’s musical careers are so down the drain they should be on Dancing with the Stars.

Sounds like: It’s time to break down and boogie.

Sounds like: Muse on drugs.

3/10

-Max Wang news editor

7/10

-Alyssa Belsito editorials editor

7/10

-Youngjun Park photography editor

10sports

October 7, 2011

Coach what is the score... On my test

By Selin Kurtoglu

staff reporter

On some level, the role of a teacher and the role of a tennis coach are the same.

Teachers coach you on the courses you’re taking, and a tennis coach teaches athletes how to perform a proper backhand. What about when a student’s teacher and coach are the same person? Do students who play tennis regard their teacher in a different way than students who don’t play tennis?

In a way, they do.

Tacy Haws-Lay, 12, and Melanie Yates, 12, walk into physics class everyday day expecting to see the same man who was perfecting their tennis serves the day before. HawsLay and Yates are on the girls varsity tennis team and are coached by physics teacher

Michael Cartwright.

The girls not only see him twice a day Monday through Friday, but have also known him since they were in middle school. Along with other students who play tennis, they have very close relationships with Cartwright.

“I call him on his cell phone at nine, sometimes ten at night for physics help,” said Haws-Lay. Being comfortable enough to ask for help any time of night is definitely an advantage of the close relationship Haws-Lay has with Cartwright.

But help on homework at obscure times isn’t the only thing to which tennis girls are accustomed. “He definitely picks on me in class as well as the other tennis players,” said Yates Cartwright is known for calling on his athletes to

explain homework problems.

“When we do a practicum (physics problem), the first ones of the year are often explained by a tennis kid,” said Cartwright.

In the beginning of the year, Cartwright admits he jokes with the tennis players more. Because he has known most of them since freshman year, he knows them on a far more personal level. “At the beginning of the year I do (joke with the tennis players), but as the year goes on, less because other relationships are built,” said Cartwright.

Julie Coopet, head coach of the girls gymnastics team and foods teacher, has a different atmosphere in her room than Cartwright’s conventional class.

Coopet is as bubbly as any student on a Friday afternoon.

Students in her class can’t help

Athlete of the Issue

Marnie Zilka freshman

By Maggie LaMere

staff reporter

The Mounds View girls soccer team is known for its skilled underclassmen. Unfortunately, one of them, defender Marnie Zilka, 9, took a fall and broke her arm during a Mounds View girls soccer game on Sept. 17 against Osseo.

Q: Was it a surprise to

make varsity?

A: I knew there was a lot of really strong players, and since I had been training hard all summer, I really wanted to make varsity and as it turns out, I did!

Q: How does it feel to be one of the youngest players on the team?

A: In the beginning, I was kind of intimidated from the other girls being so much older than me, but they really made me feel welcome and are great teammates.

Q: Describe your relationship with your teammates.

photo by Youngjun Park

A: They are all very caring

and friendly. They also made me cupcakes after I got injured and they were all very supportive.

Q: Do you participate in any other soccer leagues other than Mounds View?

A: I participate in the North Suburban Soccer Association (NSSA) during the summer to stay in shape for the upcoming season.

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring athletes wanting to make varsity?

A: Just to try your very best in everything you do, and in the end you should know your best was good enough.

but feel at ease with her joking attitude and understanding nature. Coopet’s cheerful ways mixed with her athletes’ accomplishments inevitably would spill into her classroom topics.

When her girls score high at a meet, Coopet will always make it known.

“She got really excited the next day in class and would tell her students how well we did,” said Julia Wicks, 12.

Coopet’s playful nature has always involved a little teasing with her students. She asks her athletes to answer her questions more often, and jokes with them more.

“It puts the class in a more relaxed atmosphere,” said Coopet.

Having a teacher and a coach in the same person is one thing, but what about when a friend and former

team mate turns into a coach?

The girls Cross Country (CC) team’s newest coach, Brittney Johnson, was a captain of the team last year.

Beth Knopf, 12, has known Johnson since she joined the girls CC team her freshman year. Naturally, Johnson is seen on the team as a less-scary version of the other coaches.

“We look up to her, and she still has a sense of authority, but it’s easy to talk to her, like she’s still a teammate,” says Knopf.

October 7, 2011

sports11

Quidditch flies beyond Hogwarts

By Aaron Hammerly staff reporter For years Harry Potter fans have fantasized over the idea of living the life of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They dream of battling He-Who-Must-NotBe-Named, casting spells, and playing the favorite sport among wizards, Quidditch.

Now, for some, the dream is now reality.

No, Voldemort is not wandering around the dark halls of Mounds View, but college students everywhere are grabbing their broomsticks and playing the game of Quidditch!

The idea of starting “Muggle Quidditch” or “Quidditch for people who lack magical ability,” began at Middlebury College in Vermont by students Xander Manshel and Alex Benepe.

The story goes that one Sunday afternoon, the two were bored of playing their weekly bocce game. They decided to get a

group of friends together to see if they could do a rendition of Quidditch. The two made up the rules as the game went on, and it was a huge success around campus. Before they knew it, Muggle Quidditch spread around to colleges everywhere faster than players could say “Wingardium Leviosa.”

Many Muggles wonder how to play Quidditch without the ability to fly. It’s simple: one runs around with a broom stick between his or her legs and and takes the roll of a chaser, keeper, beater, or seeker.

There are three chasers who “fly” around while passing or kicking the “quaffle” (a volleyball) with the ultimate goal of getting the quaffle past the “keeper” (goalie) and through one of three goal hoops (hula hoops and PVC pipe).

Every goal scored is worth 10 points.

Both teams have two beaters equipped with

“bludgers” (dodge balls) that are hurled at the opposing team. There are three bludgers dispersed throughout the field, and each beater can only be in possession of one bludger.

If a player carrying either the quaffle or a bludger is hit, he or she must drop the ball and run to their goal hoop and touch it.

And last, but not least, is the seeker.

The seeker probably has the most important job of anyone, to “catch” the golden snitch. The snitch is a person dressed in all gold or yellow with a tennis ball inside a sock tucked into his or her waist band. The snitch can pretty much go anywhere he or she so desires. The snitch can use any means necessary to avoid getting the sock ripped out of their waist band, including physical contact. Once the snitch is caught, the game is immediately stopped and the team who caught the snitch receives an additional 30 points.

Africa at center field

Junior forward adds a new dimension to girls soccer

By Neal Callinan staff reporter It is the second half of the first soccer match of the season between Stillwater and Mounds View. Stillwater is leading by one. Then all of a sudden, Anna Porch, 11, comes out of nowhere and snipes a shot past the Stillwater goaltender.

Porch not only scored in her debut as a Mustang, but she has been a key part to the team’s offense. Her skills were immediately noticed by the coaching staff during the preseason.

“We knew she would start

photo by Youngjun Park

instantly and make our offense dangerous,” said coach Sharon Swallen in an interview with the Star Tribune.

Porch seems to have found her place on the team with ease after moving from Africa to Minnesota.

Anna Porch was born and raised in Liberia, Africa. The daughter of two missionaries, she was relocated to two other countries in Africa—Guinea and Senegal--throughout her childhood. She started playing soccer in sixth grade, on a field consisting of dirt, sand, and rock that was surrounded by cement walls about waist high—not the usual environment of a soccer game. “Soccer in Africa was unpredictable,” said Porch.

“Our team ended up playing 22-year-olds most of the time and the play was way more physical.”

Playing in this unique environment may be the reason to why Porch has an edge over the other conference athletes.

Porch’s arrival has made an impact on the rest of the team. She commonly takes advantage of her height when

she heads the ball over the defenders and uses her speed to get past them. “Her speed of play makes us work harder and go faster,” said Ella Foran, 11.

Porch moved to the United States at age twelve, right before her freshman year.

She first attended Concordia Academy in Roseville before transferring to Mounds View this year.

In Africa, Anna attended a school of 500 missionary students. She lived in a relatively modern city, not that different from a suburb like Shoreview, she said.

Porch says she likes it at Mounds View but would have rather finished high school in Africa.

“I miss the good friendships and Africa itself along with the fun experiences it presented. I loved it there and I hope one day I can visit,” said Porch.

Not only are colleges playing against other college teams in their area, but every year there is the World Cup of Quidditch, usually held on the East Coast. Teams from around the country went to New York City last year for the World Cup including a team representing the University of Minnesota, which placed 24th out of about 46 teams. The games are full of festivities, and are preceded by a parade of hundreds of screaming Muggles marching through the streets of New York City.

This year, the Cup is still being held in November, but there are several changes coming.

“It’s going to be in the spring next year instead of the fall,” said Chris Hammerly, Mounds View graduate and seeker for one of the teams at the U of M. “It makes more sense to have the biggest tournament of the year in the Spring rather then in the Fall.

It gives teams more time to

prepare.”

Quidditch is also gaining in interest among high school students. When asked if he’d like to start up a team at Mounds View, Alx Wald, 12, appeared to be very enthusiastic.

“I made a Facebook group last year to see if anyone would be interested in starting one up. It had a lot of support, but things just fell through. I plan on trying again this spring,” said Wald.

Nora Crist, 12, said, “It would be a lot of fun having a Quidditch team at Mounds View; I think it would add more of a variety that students can choose from.”

“Quidditch is a great sport to do in college if you’re looking to stay active. It’s very low key and it attracts a lot of cool people, I’ve met some of my best college friends from doing it,” said Hammerly.

UPCOMING events TUESDAY October 11 Volleyball vs. White Bear Lake 7 pm at MV (main gym)

THURSDAY October 13 Boys and Girls Soccer Section Tournament 5 or 7 pm at TBA

FRIDAY October 14 Football vs. Forest Lake 7 pm at MV

SATURDAY October 15

Girls Swim and Dive True Team Sections 12:30 pm at Lifetime Fitness (Plymouth)

TUESDAY October 18

Cross Country Conference Finals 3:30 and 4 pm at Falcon Ridge Golf Course

12gallery

October 7, 2011

ATTENTION!

A student guide to getting straight As* and staying attentive in class *Straight As are not guaranteed

ttention getters

useful a

1.

Chew gum or eat mints

Before

Write in different colored pens

2.

3.

photo by Anders Nygaard

Drink coffee

EAT, try to avoid junk like sugary foods.

4.

5. Sit in the front compiled by Helena Nguyen

Losing

by Sasha Safonov and Tasha Brodsky staff reporters Paying attention is hard.

Whether your distraction stems from the drop of a pencil or the blank canvas that is the desk, sitting right there waiting to be vandalized, your mind is bound to drift. Yet not all hope is lost.

There are techniques that teachers employ from experience. These may include a sharp noise to jolt the students up a bit. “Mr. Butler slaps the gong,” said Nathan Aastuen, 11.

Or maybe a teacher uses humor. “Mr. Bennett adds stories that are educational and fun,” said Brennen Johnson, 12, “so you’re laughing, and learning.”

They might check to see if students are paying attention. “Mr. Johnson does the peace sign,” said Graham Sommers, 9.

But there are also things

that you, the student, can do (provided that you are willing to learn). These include: Sitting near the front.

This helps students get closer in on the action. Students can hear the teacher more clearly and see the board better, helping them stay on task.

Drinking a little pop or coffee. Caffeine in normal doses can help a person concentrate and stay awake by stimulating the central nervous system. But according to Mayoclinic. com, too much caffeine can cause: insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, upset stomach, fast heartbeat, and muscle tremors. People sensitive to the effects of caffeine can get jitters even from small quantities.

Getting adequate sleep.

Sleep is often undervalued by busy students, but according to a Harvard study, a process known as “sleep consolidation” can help the brain commit new information to memory with the help of a trusty pillow and

photo by Youngjun Park

After

warm blanket. Proper sleep also reduces irritability, which can get in the way of learning.

Eating properly. Thinking about food will distract even the most studious of minds.

Research has shown that students who eat breakfast are more attentive, less disruptive, and perform better on standardized tests.

Taking notes: very simple, yet effective. It engages the student in active listening, a state in which the student follows along at the speaker’s pace. This helps them keep up with the teacher.

Your brain tends to think about what is most important for it, even if you are trying to concentrate. So distraction happens naturally.

Conquering the wandering mind is no small task, but with the right work ethic, procedure, and tutoring, you can stay attentive for at least one class period.