VIEWER
Mounds View
http://mvviewer.org Friday, February 10, 2012
Volume 59
2011-2012
Issue 7
<editor@mvviewer.org>
Safer on Two Wheels
INSIDE
D lunch cancelled for next school year photo by Max Wang
MV students speak with legislators about a new bike path by John Ke and Max Wang managing editor and news editor Post-secondary options you have in high school
See Sadie’s Week’s royalty
The intersection of Highways 96 and 10 is notorious for accidents for both cars and bicycles. Yet, a bike path lining the entire length of Highway 96 abruptly stops a few hundred feet east of the intersection, endangering those who wish to travel on two wheels rather than four. Two Mounds View students are involved in a plan to change that. Patrick Sullivan, 12, and Samantha Kalsow, 12, in coordination with local organizations and government officials, have started preliminary talks to build an overpass over that intersection. Last summer, Kalsow first contacted Metropolitan Council council members John Doan and Sandy Rummel, who represent the area around the Mounds View School District, presenting images
of the intersection and providing information about state transportation. According to Sullivan, even before they had met with these officials, there were “already plans for an overpass.” Sullivan and Kalsow pointed to the potential dangers with the intersection. Leif McLellan, 12, was almost hit by a car while crossing the intersection, and his brother was hit twice, according to Sullivan. Kalsow also said, “Synergy wanted a bike to school day, but wasn’t allowed to,” citing the dangers of biking to school. While they were no statistics available for accidents at the intersection, during conversations with public officials, the two pointed to these experiences. Their idea has been shared with Jill Chamberlain of Blue Cross Blue Shield, Rachel Callanan of the American Heart Association, and Dorian Grilley of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, as well
as Senator Barb Goodwin, who is on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and James Andrew of the Metropolitan Council. According to Sullivan, there are plans to meet with state legislators over coffee, and a potential opportunity to testify at the State Capitol. In addition to these organizations and politicians, the two have gained support from inside Mounds View. Teachers Dan Butler and Graham Wright, who both occasionally ride their bikes to school, offered their support for the plan. Other students also agree with the plan, stating that a new bike pass would definitely help. Preliminary plans estimate the cost of the bike path from $25,000 to $50,000. There were estimates that a new trail could by finished in the next two years, providing effective transportation for students who want to save a little gas or improve their health.
Doubling up? New classes at MV lead to problems in scheduling by Peter Olson staff writer Every semester brings scheduling problems, but this spring semester seems to be worse than most. Some students report having double classes, two classes in one period. In addition, there are a number of “overbooked” classes. Having two periods in the same hour is problematic. Even though the conflict can be resolved, it may result in a student having to drop a class that he or she wanted to take. Aris Utatalum, 11, had to drop Psychology through Literature to be able to resolve his scheduling conflicts.
“I would’ve preferred Psych Through Lit, but I don’t mind College Writing Lab,” said Utatalum. There are many overbooked classes this semester, including AP Language and Composition, Honors Chemistry, and AP Macroeconomics. Having a lot of students in one classroom makes learning more difficult. “It’s hard to hold a discussion in a discussionbased class with 36 students,” said English teacher Gretchen Nessett. Some believe that scheduling conflicts will become worse in upcoming years, because of new classes and programs, such as Early College. They argue that more
classes means fewer sections of each course, which in turn makes arranging class schedules harder. According to Principal Julie Wikelius, though, this semester’s troubles will be “a one time thing.” “I think part of the reason for this year’s problems was that we started off with three new deans at the beginning of the year, so the personnel change caused some confusion,” said Wikelius.
photo by Youngjun Park
This chart--in Bullinger’s office--shows all of the classes offered at Mounds View. It’s complex.
2editorials op T 10
February 10, 2012
staff
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We can’t win if we don’t try School should foster more academic competition
Oxymorons
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United Nations Dodge Ram
Civil War Art Student
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Airline Food
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Talking with Keshav Mangalick
Military Intelligence
Great Depression
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Canadian Army Government Organization
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7 5 3 1
2011-2012 Viewer Editors Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editorials Features Spread Variety Reviews Sports Gallery
Ryan Slechta John Ke Max Wang Zane Muller Alyssa Belsito Nimmy Koshy Tristan Gustafson Mali Bacig John Knopf Alvin Ma Akshay Patke Camry Kelly Alexander Wald Lauren Nguyen
Business Manager/Online Editor Erika Batiz Design Editor Photographer
Adviser
Staff
Megan Ruan Youngjun Park Anders Nygaard Ben Kaiser Martha Rush
- Tristan Aschittino, David Gonzalez, Allison Hare, Selin Kurtoglu, David Liu, Nathaniel Nikoi, Peter Olson, Alexander Safanov, Adam Toninato, Matthew Voges, Mikaela Warner, Joy Xie,
We have been told countless times that Mounds View is one of the best high schools in the nation. But, what does this really mean? We need to stop looking at arbitrarily put together lists, like the one made by Newsweek magazine, to reassure us that we go to a good school. Instead of looking at numbers that mean absolutely nothing, we need to take a step back and think, what does it mean to be a “good” high school? The purpose of a high school is to prepare its students for the next step in life, whether it is a post-secondary education, or the workforce. That’s it, the whole nine yards. No matter what any test scores or ranking lists say, Mounds View has not satisfactorily fulfilled this purpose. One aspect that exemplifies a student (and a future part of the workforce) is their leadership skills. Numerous students have made strong efforts in order to become leaders in what they are passionate about, and in response, there has been a sad lack of support from the Mounds View administration. Tony Cui, 12, has been interested for the past two years in participating in USABO (United States of America Biology Olympiad), the nation’s most prestigious biology competition. He talked numerous times to various faculty members, and out of fear of the administration turning him away, he took care of all the monetary expenses and paperwork himself. Mounds View, like the many schools involved in USABO, should have paid for the test, completed the paperwork, and offered the exam to all students interested. The test only costs $75, and the school can get as many copies as they would like at no extra cost, so there would be no financial issues involved in offering the exam to the whole school. Plus, the school subsidizes every single Advanced Placement exam that each student takes, so paying for this test for the whole school would cost less than merely two more AP tests for
one student. Similarly, Keshav Mangalick, 12, had been talking to his science teachers since his freshman year about submitting a research project for one of the most prestigious high school science competition in the nation, Intel Science Talent Search. In order to do so, one needs to conduct original research, write a research paper and abstract, and fill out a very complicated application. Thus, mere participation in itself is commendable, to say the least. None of the teachers at Mounds View (or Irondale) knew the rigorous process involved, and some even discouraged him, saying it would be too difficult and not worth the effort. Mangalick was able to find resources and peers from other high schools in Minnesota who were eventually able to help him complete such a project. The science teachers should have had a basic idea of how to go about completing such a project, and if not, they should have known someone who could help Mangalick. Other metro-area high schools actively encourage the participation of these students in national competitions, providing resources such as teachers and tests, or even something as basic as a website link. Varun Mangalick, 9, attends a competitive physics class (which he learned about from a different high school) with several kids from these high schools. Mangalick is among the first, if not the first, Mounds View student to attend this physics class. Among them, it is common knowledge that students who choose to get involved in their interests outside of the classroom and the ones who get accepted to the most selective universities. These opportunities involve all disciplines, such as the North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad, the USA Computing Olympiad, the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad, Twin Cities Regional Science Fair, and the International Science and Engineering Fair, just to name a few. Other
high schools are more than willing to provide information about these competitions to their students, as well as support them financially and academically. Comparing the graduating classes of these high schools with Mounds View, a significantly larger portion of the students from other schools have participated in national competitions and gained admission to the more selective universities. Yet, there are other opportunites besides contests that Mounds View has been unable to promote. One such program it the Center for Talent Development (CTD) program at Northwestern University. Several students have attended this three-week camp during the summer to take Honorsand AP-level courses, earning high school credit. Robbie He, 11, went to CTD, and felt the environment there was much more receptive to learning than at Mounds View. “Everyone there truly cared about school,” said He. The schedule was rigorous, with six straight hours of classroom time, followed by two to three hours of homework. Yet, to He, the experience was worth it “because once work was done, all we had was free time. Free time in Evnston, Illinois is incredible.” A program that promotes learning like this surely must be promoted by the administration, yet He, as well as many other Mounds View students, found out about the program through family friends. It may seem that these opportunities are just for “nerds,” yet if one takes a closer look in the so-called “nerd sports” at Mounds View, its not just the stereotypical genius who participates. In such a brilliant school at Mounds View, these programs need to be brought to the forefront. Local opportunities like journalism camp, mural painting and foreign language enrichment camps need to be promoted, not just by motivated faculty members, but the administration as well. As a disclaimer, the Mounds View administration has made
What we don’t know... - Twin Cities Regional Science Fair (TCRSF) - Intel Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) - Intel Science Talent Search (STS) - North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad (NACLO) - United States National Physics Olympiad (USAPO) - SIEMENS - United States of America Biology Olympiad (USABO) - United States National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) - United States of America Computational Olympiad (USACO) - Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) - International Sustainable World (Engineering, Energy, Environment) Project Olympiad (ISWEEEPO)
huge improvements, such as the addition of hybrid classes, as well as an increase in their openness to student input. In fact, this year, administrative officials have taken more interest in getting involved in school activities, such as Science Olympiad, Robotics, and Math Team. But, if Mounds View wants to keep up with other schools in the Twin Cities, it needs to put a stronger emphasis on education outside of the classroom.
11 Editors Agree, 4 Editors Disagree
Viewer Mission Statement The Viewer is published by the student editors at: Mounds View High School 1900 Lake Valentine Rd Arden Hills, Minnesota Sauk Centre Publishing
1. To publish news, information and opinion articles for and about student, faculty and administration activities, interests and policies. 7. 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.
Corrections from the 1/20/12 issue: None.
February 10, 2012
Where is the love?
editorials3 The Bully Issue
A ship captain’s recent actions aboard his ship shows modern society’s extreme self-preservation by Tristan Aschittino staff reporter Today’s world is full of despicable people. Well, the majority of the population, anyway. They are not completely evil for the most part, just contemptible. Of course, there are exceptions to the above stereotype on humanity. Some people are truly good-hearted and selfless--they will put everything on the line to help others. Unfortunately, these people are scarce. Selfishness, greed, and a desire to protect oneself are characteristics more commonly displayed by today’s people than in the past and the degrees to which these characters are displayed are much more severe. This is an inevitable attribute of the human race. Self interest is what keeps the hearts of modern individuals beating. Francesco Schettino, captain of the enormous Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia, strayed from his mapped course, ran the ship aground, tried to fix his errors (to cover his own back), then apparently abandoned ship, leaving at least 17 passengers dead. A debate as to whether or not his unscheduled course change was his doing--or if
he was pressured to change course--is ongoing. Either way, he abandoned ship. Apparently, the captain going down with the ship is an act of the past, or used for fictional purposes. Schettino can’t be blamed, though; he was simply an innocent victim of human nature. It is doubtful that many would do any differently in the same situation. He probably
representation of this. The main characters are given a button. If they push it, they would receive one million dollars, but somewhere, a stranger would die. Murder is not high on the “Things to Do” list of Mounds View students; hopefully no students would press the button. But what if the stakes were lower? What if it was
photo courtesy of MCT Campus
The Costa Concordia sinking. tried to briefly help, and then his instinct for self-preservation kicked in as he “fell into a lifeboat” and left the ship. No one can legitimately criticize him without experiencing the same horrifying ordeal. Few can escape the clutches of greed. The movie The Box is a good
a dog that died instead, or another man lost $1 million as the first man gained? Where is the line drawn? Money will only buy so much of happiness--after a certain point nothing new purchased will make an individual happier. Once human necessities and basic luxuries are accounted for, buying more can be pointless.
According to philosopher Peter Singer, greed and selfishness are not particularly bad. They are a drive to succeed equal to or greater than pressure from outside sources. A successful entrepreneur like Bill Gates, for example, had some greed in his character, or he would not have been so successful. Inventors often invent because they desire the profits of their idea. Successful individuals are often justifiably greedy and selfish, but that does not necessarily mean that the good of the whole benefits from greed. The gap between the rich and poor is ever-widening and people are starving and living in poverty all over the world while some fly all over the world in private jets. What happened to “treat others the way you want to be treated” and “love thy neighbor as thyself?” People who are selfless and caring do not receive the benefits of their actions, so there is little point in exhibiting this unnatural “nice” behavior. We’re human, so perhaps human nature has made us despicable. Striving for perfection is utter vanity; but volunteering, sharing, and helping a friend out may wash some of the dirt from the ugly face that is called mankind.
Every toe deserves its own pocket by Alex Safanov staff reporter Want to walk around barefoot, but don’t want to risk stubbing your toes? Have that itch between your toes, but don’t want to take off your shoes? Feel that there is too much padding in your shoes? Well, then five-fingered shoes are just the thing for you! Originally built for professional rowers to maintain grip without sacrificing the barefoot experience, they have infected the common populous. These shoes are sleek, modern, edgy, and most definitely in style. While meant to mimic the feel of bare feet, they don’t look exactly like bare feet, but are more akin to the texture of a reptile. Besides, who doesn’t want to look like a lizard? The shoes are extremely
Editor opinions What your Viewer editors think of various issues.
SATIRE accessible. Anyone can wear them, but they tend to fare better in mirror-less households. They can even be good for you by putting less pressure on ligaments than normal shoes... that is, if you get used to them. Yes, you have to transition into them as they put more work on the muscles of your feet. Posture and balance may deteriorate over long-term use, but who needs posture when your shoes look so hip! Be careful not to “over train” in these shoes, or you might get Achilles tendinitis or metatarsal inflammation. But these minor side-effects pale in comparison to being able to pick pencils up with your toes. To avoid harmful side“Parking at Mounds View should be first come, first serve. I don’t want to have to pay to come to school.” - Camry Kelly sports editor
photo by Youngjun Park
effects, it is recommended that you massage your feet after “workouts”, a place most people enjoy to touch anyway... Soon you’ll be zipping down the halls in your fivefingered shoes! You will be gaining muscles in places of your body that you never use anyway! The thrill of sore feet make the minor $80 investment that much more worth it! In addition, it improves your perception, so you can “People should stop texting. It’s very impersonal and doesn’t allow people to develop more personal relationships.” -Lauren Nguyen gallery editor
feel in tune with the ground-an undiscovered oasis most people don’t care about. It also serves as a good scapegoat for one’s slothfulness, as it is recommended that you don’t run more than 10 percent your typical running distance the first two to three weeks. Blame the shoes, not yourself. Other benefits of the shoes include a comfortable amount of chaffing and maintaining one’s solitary status. In addition, they feature tight, responsive controlling, good for evading any bullies the shoes will inevitably attract. Really, it doesn’t seem like there are many reasons why you shouldn’t go out now and make the purchase! Permanent maiming of the body, not to mention $80, is a small price to pay for what is basically a barefoot walking experience. “When searching for religion, I immediately head to Pizza Luce for the Athena pizza.” -Alvin Ma variety editor
by Deputy Gulden guest writer Bullying is a serious problem. Chances are, you have experienced bullying, whether you were bullied, you bullied someone else, or you saw someone being bullied. If you feel mistreated, misunderstood or isolated and think you have no place to turn, know that you are not alone and there is hope. Find out how you can get help if you are being bullied or how you can avoid bullying others. What to do when someone is being bullied: • Take a stand and do not join in. Make it clear that you do not support what is going on. •Do not watch someone being bullied. If you feel safe, tell the person to stop. If you do not feel safe saying something, walk away and get others to do the same. • If you walk away and do not join in, you have taken their audience and power away. • Support the person being bullied. Tell them that you are there to help. • Offer to either go with them to report the bullying or report it for them. •Talk to an adult you trust. Bullying is less likely to occur when there are strong messages against it. If you are being bullied or know someone who is at Mounds View High School contact your Dean or the School Resource Officer. Deputy Tim Gulden 651-621-7123 Tim.Gulden@ moundsviewschools.org
Cop’s
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“Milksteak is the most underrated food.” - Akshay Patke reviews editor
4features
February 10, 2012
You know this is wrong...
...but is this? art by Megan Ruan and Sophie Gorham
T
hey may not wear baggy pantaloons, bury treasure, or suffer from scurvy, but pirates have a very real presence at Mounds View High School. According to media companies, just like the pirates of the seas are a threat to the livelihood of merchants and traders, pirates of the web are a credible danger to the entertainment industry. With all the talk of online piracy in the news lately, especially in connection with SOPA (Stop Online Privacy Act) and PIPA (Protect Internet Protocol Act), which were controversial proposed anti-piracy bills that some fear would lead to government censorship of the Internet, it is reasonable to take a look at what constitutes piracy, how prevalent it really is, and why it’s such a big issue. by David Gonzalez staff reporter ounds View High School is not lacking in piratical activity. Many students use websites like BitTorrent and Limewire to download music, games, and movies. Students also “jailbreak” their iPods, which allows them to remove limitations set by Apple in order to download content for free. Most students pirate for the simple reason that they cannot afford to purchase expensive programs and large amounts of music. One interviewee said that he torrented, or downloaded using BitTorrent protocol, an electronic music studio program that otherwise would have cost over $800. Students pirate to satisfy their voracious appetite for media. “I pirate because if I didn’t I would be spending hundred of dollars a month on music,” said one junior. Others pirate to try out material they aren’t particularly interested in purchasing. One senior said, “I only pirate games I wouldn’t buy anyways.” These students use piracy as a way of sampling a wide array of media choices, without the prohibitive costs that would usually go along with doing so.
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ounds View students who pirate don’t worry much about the consequences. They believe there is little chance of being caught, especially if proper precautions are taken. “I know how to mask my computer pretty well,” said one junior. There have been highprofile cases of pirates being busted. Most recently Kim Dotcom, the mastermind behind file-sharing site MegaUpload, was arrested in New Zealand. Convicted pirates have been subjected to fines and even jail time. United States copyright law states that those found guilty of copyright infringement can face up to $250,000 in fines, and up to 5 years of jail time. Repeat offenders can be subjected to even harsher punishment. However, each individual person accounts for a tiny percentage of all the piracy that is occurring. “Piracy is too widespread to track down to each person,” said one senior. As a result, the government only bothers taking down file-sharing websites themselves and the select few that download copious amounts from them.
P
iracy is clearly illegal, but it is still very common at Mounds View and in the world at large. Although there are those who don’t see anything wrong with it, some students who pirate do feel guilty or conflicted about their
actions. “I [only] do it sporadically because I feel I’m ripping off the artists,” said one junior. Students who do pirate despite their qualms usually offer themselves some justification for their actions. Some argue that rich music artists and glamorous movie stars don’t really need the money that they lose through piracy, and others point to the fact that “everyone is doing it anyway,” said another junior. Many students are unclear on what constitutes piracy in the first place. “I doubt most people know when they’re pirating something,” said Tyler Wiegert, 12. Another problem facing students is confusion about which websites are legal and
which aren’t, and on what piracy laws actually say. “Isn’t just uploading that’s illegal, not downloading?” said Jon Wang, 9. Some students who pirate don’t seem to have many moral qualms about the matter. They justify their actions by asserting that the issue is blown out of proportion. “Piracy is the scapegoat of the industry of why something sold bad,” said one senior. “Musicians these days make a small amount of their money off record sales. I’d rather let my music be pirated to get my name out there and make more money off shows.”
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ot all students have such positive views on Internet piracy. “I don’t pirate because
[the material] is the property of whoever made it,” said John Spear, 10. Students who don’t pirate tend to agree that piracy of materials on the Internet is tantamount to stealing. Legal avenues exist to get the same material, and to piracy’s detractors, downloading that content without paying is only a matter of greed and selfishness. “If you have issues paying through the nose to get new music, just listen to less music,” said Hanning Huang, 12. The media companies losing millions a year because of piracy would probably agree with them.
Blackbeard’s basics of piracy s Piracy is defined as the illegal downloading of copyrighted content
without paying for it. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Internet piracy accounts for $12.5 billion in damages to the economy every year, and $2 billion in lost wages.
s One 2009 survey conducted by a market research firm, Interpret, pegged one in three of its over 60 million respondents as pirates. The actual proportion may be even higher, as not every illegal downloader is candid about, or even aware, of their illicit behavior. Piracy is prosecuted by the federal government in order to protect
s copyright laws. Constitutionally, the government is allowed to impose these restraints on Internet activity.
According to AP United States Government and Politics teacher Scott
s Oberg, the rights of citizens on the Internet are “free and uncensored usage of the Internet,” said Oberg, “However, limits are placed by the federal government on piracy and gambling.”
February 10, 2012
5 features
College options - what is the best choice? Stories written by Peter Olson, Mikaela Warner, and John Ke
College. It’s why many students cram in as many AP classes as possible and stay up until three in the morning studying for the Calculus test. Their dreams are hopeful: go to a good college and earn a degree while paying as little as possible. Unfortunately, it is easier
said than done. Some who wish to go can’t because of the lack of money. The Early College program offers a potential solution to these problems. The program - which will be implemented in Mounds View beginning in the 20132014 school year - will offer
AP courses Advanced Placement classes are taught by Mounds View staff, and they require students to take a standardized nation-wide test in the spring to evaluate their learning. The score students receive, 1 through 5, determines whether they will receive college credit. AP classes offer students the comfort of being taught by Mounds View teachers with fellow classmates, and it allows for more face-to-face time with the instructor than they would in a college setting. This is partially because the class sizes are much smaller. Despite these benefits, some teachers dislike the intent of AP classes. The AP curriculum for many classes are rigid and broadly defined, thus limiting teachers from delving deeply into specifics. Students can take any of the 15 AP courses provided at Mounds View, or the other 19 courses provided by the AP Board, all for a flat rate of $87 per exam. The amount of credit one can receive for an AP score varies on the college and the class. An AP United States History course could receive 6 credits of history at the U of M Twin Cities, while an AP Statistics course could only receive 4 credits of statistics. Both of these are provided that the students earns a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP test. Four or six credits is a considerable amount when a single credit at the U of M Twin Cities costs $448.08. As the price of the education increases, so does the strictness of AP scores. St. Olaf College will only accept an AP score of 5 to get credit for a U.S. History course. The only course where a 3 is acceptable is AP Calculus BC, or the equivalent of Mounds View’s AP Calculus 2. More information on how AP credits will transfer to college can be found on the AP Board website.
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’m most definitely glad I took all the APs I did. They taught me how to effectively manage my time and develop a good work ethic. -Dandi Zhu, University of Pennsylvania Class of 2015
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a chance for a wide variety of students (ranging from the middle to top third of their class) to earn an Associates Degree in High School. According to Irondale’s website, this program could save students about $10,000 in a community college tuition and $14,000 in a four-
year university. Mounds View will not be adopting the early college program for another two years. For the time being, this still leaves students with several options for college credits: AP, Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO), and College in the Schools
The Options
CIS courses Besides PSEO and AP courses, another available opportunity is the College in the Schools (CIS) program, which was created by a partnership between Minnesota high schools and the University of Minnesota. There are a variety of CIS courses available, ranging from University Writing to Beginning Japanese. Mounds View currently offers CIS University Writing and CIS English Literature. CIS courses take the best of both worlds from AP courses and PSEO. Unlike AP, CIS courses actually guarantee college credit at the University of Minnesota. Unlike PSEO, a student doesn’t need to go to the university campus to take classes. CIS allows students to remain under the tutelage of their high school teachers, while also providing the atmosphere of a college classroom. In fact, CIS courses are specifically designed so that the students will actually feel like they are taking a college course. Teachers are specifically trained for CIS courses, and everything from textbooks to syllabi mirror a college course. Also, for one day during the semester, CIS students from all around the state gather on the Twin Cities campus to attend a seminar, where they are briefed on an upcoming assignment, and participate in activities that relate to the class they are currently taking. The best reason for CIS courses is cost. There is no expensive test at the end of the semester or exorbitant amount of gas money needed for commuting and parking. The effective cost to student is nothing, which is a good thing, when one considers the amount of money saved from taking these courses. CIS allows students to take actual college courses at no cost, while remaining in the familiar comfort of a high classroom. There are a few drawbacks, in that other colleges are not required to accept CIS credit, despite the fact that it is technically a University of Minnesota college credit. In fact, they may choose to disregard it entirely. AP courses have the advantage here, as they are universally recognized, and even if they don’t provide college credit, most universities will allow students the opportunity to at least test out of a specific course. Also, when compared to PSEO courses, CIS does seem a step lower. One won’t have the luxury to learn from actual college professors, who have received substantial preparations for their courses when compared to a high school teacher.
(CIS) courses. With so many options, it’s hard to pick out what classes to take.To help ease the decision-making process, the Viewer has outlined the various paths to help you decide which courses to take, depending on your career path.
PSEO courses Some students find that the right option for gaining college credit is PSEO. These classes offer a genuine college experience that AP classes cannot recreate; they are taught on a college campus, and a student attends class with college students. Class sizes will vary depending on the course and the college where a student is attending. How well a student does depends on the level of that student’s motivation, which makes PSEO a great option for driven students who can stay on task. Although it does take motivation, some students may still find some of the aspects of PSEO classes to be easy. Because professors do not have a strict curriculum to cover, they can dig in to specific subjects that students may enjoy delving into due to various interests. This being said, not having to go over a vast quantity of material quickly lightens the load of homework on students. PSEO courses are free, which is astounding compared to a full year tuition at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, which costs $13,060. Though this is a great opportunity, it is one that is not available to all students. PSEO is only available to Juniors and Seniors with certain grade requirements, and even if you fit these ideal requirements, colleges have a limited amount of space for PSEO students. This means that many prospective students may be turned away.
“P
SEO was helpful because I took some classes that helped me get a better idea of what I wanted to do because the curriculum in high school is very limited. Also, it allowed me to take classes that were more interesting than the ones offered in school while meeting graduation requirements. -Jin Young Chang, Cornell University Class of 2015
Which option is the best for YOU? s
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A wave of changes by Mali Bacig spread editor Dances are a great way to spend time with classmates, and Mounds View is known for having a wide variety of them throughout the school year. However, over the last few years, attendance at some of the dances, especially Sno-Daze, has been gradually declining. This ySear, Student Council decided to cancel the semi-formal Sno-Daze dance and push Sadie’s back to February, the traditional Sno-Daze time. Student Council President Rob McNeil, 12, said, “Attendance at Sno-Daze has been steadily declining over the last couple of years, and we were losing money on it.” McNeil attributes the low attendance in recent years to the fact that students and parents often
don’t want to buy formal wear that may only be worn once. Other students attribute the low attendance to other reasons. “It always seemed like SnoDaze was more of a couple’s dance than Sadie’s,” said Nicole Balzer, 11. Instead of getting rid of SnoDaze altogether, Student Council decided that they would combine Sadies and Sno-Daze. Traditionally, Sadie’s was a girl-ask-guy, informal dance that was held sometime around mid-December, while Sno-Daze was a formal, guy-ask-girl dance that was usually held sometime in February. Typically, the week of SnoDaze was a spirit week with pepfest. In order to keep the most popular aspects of each dance, Student Council decided to move the traditional Sadie’s dance to February and added royalty, a pepfest, and a spirit week, traditional
Yes 54%
No 46%
aspects of Sno-Daze. By combining traditions of the two dances, Student Council was able to save money and put it toward other activities. “We were able to add another techno dance with the money we saved from not having Sno-Daze,” said McNeil. This was a popular decision. “I hate getting dressed up. You can get sweaty, and no one judges at the rave,” said Isaac Jemielita, 11. McNeil originally thought to combine the dances, and then approached Co-president Annie Gustafson, 12, and the former Student Council advisor, Michael Coty. Although Sno-Daze is gone this year this year, McNeil said, “A dance can never be taken away forever. If future students feel strongly about it, it can be brought back.”
Kevin Sharpe “If I had a time mac I would go back to Chuck Norris was a so I could beat him
Brett Burckhardt “Three words that describe me are intelligent, injuryprone, and tall.”
Are you happy with the changes made to Sno-Daze and Sadies? *50 students were polled
information compiled by John Knopf
Ben Rush “If I had a time machi I would travel to 2060 want a robot.”
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Alex Fream “I would say I’m and palsy-walsy. up).”
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From left: TaeJun Park, Kasie Tuff, Colin McMurray, Emily Michaelson, Ryan Yoch, Katie Tschida, Lauren Redmond, Alex Vijums, Marissa Ballinger, Danny DeWitt
From left: Tim Hansen, Molly Jass Bertsch, Maggie LaMere, Jack W
cartoons by Sophie Goram
Sadies 2012 Under the Sea
ine 0. I
Sam VanTassel “If I had a time machine, I would go 200 years into the future to see how big of a deal I was.”
Louisa Strange “If I were a superhero, I would be Harry Potter because he has an invisibility cloak, and yes, I see Harry Potter as a superhero.”
Katie Hultberg “If I were a drink at Caribou, I would be a strawberry banana smoothie because I am sweet and smooth.”
chine, when a child up.”
Praki Srinand “If I were a drink at Caribou, I would be a dark chocolate mocha because it’s hot, chocolaty and addicting just like me.” outgoing (Look it
Nimmy Koshy “If I had a time machine, I would go back to Ancient Rome. I hear the guys are ripped, and you know how I like my men.”
Paul Kroska “If I were a drink at Caribou, I would be water. I hate Caribou.”
r Royal ty Junio
homore Ro ya lt y From left: Jodie Ngheim, Emily Gilray, Andrew Thomas, Maddie Higgins, David Le, Jeffrey Liao, Ayanfe Adewoye, Isaac Jemielita, Sophie Gorham, Megan Ruan
s, John O’Dougherty, Grace Smith, Bella Sutton, Josh Wang, John Spear, Audrey Sanders, Anna Long, Tony Moga photos by Allison Hare amd YoungJun Park
8variety
February 10, 2012
Walker Art Center: Embodying the definition of modern art.
photo courtesy of Berit Turnquist
by Matt Voges staff reporter The Walker Art Center, located right next to the gorgeous Minneapolis Sculpture Garden on 1750 Hennepin Ave. in Minneapolis, is a contemporary art museum displaying a variety of art forms including film, performing arts, and galleries of modern paintings and sculptures. They offer lectures, classes, and workshops as well as tours, dining, and an eclectic gift shop. Open daily—except Mondays—from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Walker admits adults at a price of $10 and children (those under 18) at no charge. The Walker is a prime locale for any Mounds View student eager for an interesting night on the town at an affordable price. Generally, the Walker features a variety of modern art, and recently opened a new exhibit by artist Frank Gaard titled Poison & Candy, which closes on May 6. Gaard’s artwork is riddled with cartoon-like faces, women’s underwear, taboo topics, portraits, bountiful motifs, and a considerable amount of social commentary. The Walker Art Center showcases work by many well-known artists, such as Andy Warhol’s
16 Jackies. Warhol is famous for his works featuring repeated images of various celebrities altered slightly from one to the next. Lake George Barns--a dismal depiction of a barn in Lake George, NY by Georgia O’Keeffe--is also present. In the Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens, adjacent to the Walker, are the well-known Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Much of the art at the Walker requires a deeper search for meaning because the technicalities of the pieces do not always speak for themselves as seen in Yellow Corner Piece by Fred Sandback (a yellow quadrilateral suspended in one corner of the room), a testament to the present multifariousness of the term “art” that the Walker often caters to. In fact, such minimalistic works by Sandback are meant to give “the viewer occasion to pause, creating magical boundaries and volumes that one is able to traverse.” according to www.Kunstmuseum.li. Such unique styles of work often necessitate a certain subjective analysis that many audiences certainly enjoy about the contemporary work displayed in the Walker. Some exhibits at the Walker could be
disturbing to some audiences, due to some profane sexual concepts, and some motion pictures that could move some viewers in unsettling ways, though this should not detract from the Walker as whole which seeks, after all, to display art. Good art, according to www.goodart.org “is any art which is very effective at expressing its idea and accomplishes that expression through the means peculiar to art,” implying that art is not necessarily meant as an exposure to beauty, and the Walker recognizes this. As a museum, the Walker is as elegant as the campus surrounding it. Exemplifying a dynamic flow from exhibit to exhibit, attractive landscaping, unique architecture, and scenic vistas of the surrounding urban landscape, the Walker, itself, pays tribute to its loosely inanimate residents. The Walker Art Center is a fascinating experience for a Mounds View student of any budget, but most gratifying for those with a passion for art and its interpretation.
Art of Madness
by Matt Voges staff reporter Cardinal among my endearments at The Walker was the work of Eugene Von Bruenchenhein. Von Bruenchenhein was an American artist whose dramatic range of stunning works reveal him to have been a man of true talent and inspiration. Born in 1910 Wisconsin, Von Bruenchenhein never made a living off his artwork—his house was overcrowded with art upon his death in 1983—nor necessarily made much of a conventional living at all. The Walker Art Center is exhibiting a number of his early works set in a deep teal room: photographs of his wife, Marie, in poses, costumes, and scenes reminiscent of everything from a pinup girl to a Tahitian princess. With much credit to Marie’s fragile, pleased, but perhaps a bit uncomfortable expressions, these images overcome the eroticism and partial nudity—Marie is topless as often as she is not—to bring to life through intricate costumes and floral backdrops a soft, nonthreatening feminine divinity. This reveals the sensuality of their relationship, the fantasies that Von Bruenchenhein seemed to have with regard to her, and most of all a paradoxically fresh and nostalgic look at what the female form can be. Not currently exhibited at The Walker are other mediums of Von Bruenchenhein’s expressive arsenal. He constructed ceramic vases that fittingly weave in his horticulturist love for plants, and
magnificently creepy chicken bone structures— most notable among these latter lot are several thrones that look as though they are beautified models of Hades’ personal collection. Possibly his most masterful works were those done on either Masonite panel or cardboard. These paintings offered the best glimpse into Von Bruenchenhein’s mind, depicting scenes so far removed from reality that they necessitate a moment of awe before they can really be explored. Everything is open to interpretation; however his intentions often break through the dreamy mania so inherent to each of them. The absolute disregard for subtlety in the dynamic coloration of many paintings is the first thing one will notice, although there are also many that appear black and subdued comparatively. Some depict scenes resonant of the water—sea monsters, waves, and coastal cities. In Space Age, he reveals a future of sparkling, limitless existence among the stars. The sickly apocalyptic colors and curtailing shapes of Atomic Age show another possible future. Perhaps most wondrous of all are the psychedelic metropolises placed organically among strange landscapes and even stranger skies in a multitude of his works. The mind of Von Bruenchenhein can hardly be wrapped around, but through his great variety and visionary ideas his work will catch—and hold—the fascination of any audience with a capacity to dream.
photo courtesy of expansion.walkerart.org
February 10, 2012
Are you curry-ous?
9 reviews
Indian Aroma spices up the culinary scene in Maplewood by Matthew Voges staff reporter Nestled in Maplewood, on 27 Century Ave. N., Indian Aroma serves a spectacular all-you-can-eat buffet lunch of traditional Indian cuisine at less than $10 after tax. Re-opened recently, they also have a dinner menu, open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week. Perfect for those who have little familiarity with Indian food, Indian Aroma caters to any situation from dates to lunch with friends. Though seemingly quaint on the outside, the interior is exotic and colorful. The tables have beautiful patterns, the walls are attractively adorned, a burnt gold knight stands in one corner of the room, the silverware has a golden edging, and even the light fixtures are coloured and interesting. Soft Indian music further develops the mood. Ordering lunch is an effortless process: water and delicious naan flatbread—the texture of which
p
Editor
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resembles the fluffiest of pizza crusts— still warm from the clay oven are promptly delivered to the table and the tremendous variety of the lunch buffet is left open for the customer to explore. A notable point of attention is the exemplary service that Indian Aroma provides. The staff is wonderfully attentive, and goes above and beyond to give the customer a good dining experience. Everything ought to be tried, for it is all excellent, and seconds—even thirds— can express one’s favorite dishes in greater quantity. The line begins with chole bhature, a deep fried bread perfect for dipping in the sauces to come, set amongst spicy chick peas. Continuing down the line, one encounters several kinds of chicken including the tandoor chicken (a tasty, red chicken) and chicken tikka masala (flavorful roasted chicken in a creamy orange sauce perfect for dipping the breads in). The chicken tikka masala, despite its zesty orange appearance,
manages to be poignant and flavorful without taking too much of a toll on those less adept at managing spice. In addition, they serve white basmati rice and beef biryani—a piquant food consisting of rice and beef mixed with a plethora of spices. Among their many other fine dishes is the veg pakora, an assortment of vegetables dipped in batter and then fried, resulting in a comprehensive, unique taste and texture that most customers are sure to love. A visit to Indian photo courtesy of www.urbanspoon.com Aroma would, however, be incomplete if one were to leave mango pudding alone is reason enough out the desserts. Sugary rice pudding to attend. and juicy apples offer a sweet tooth Indian Aroma provides a lovely much reprieve; however, the true prize experience for a great variety of is the mango pudding. The mango intriguing, delicious foods offered at a pudding at Indian Aroma It is tastefully bargain price that will likely develop sweet—not overpowering, but not in a craving for Indian cuisine in any an excess of subtlety—cool, gloriously adventurous Mounds View student. smooth, and even comes mixed with the occasional piece of fruit. The
9/10
Singles
WZRD (Kid Cudi)- “Teleport 2 Me, Jamie” Consisting of heavily distorted triphop guitar riff and Cudi half-heartedly crooning vocals, “Teleport 2 Me, Jamie” does not meet the standard of past Kid Cudi songs. The future does not look bright for WZRD. Sounds like: A rapper trying to sing a lullaby. -Akshay Patke 4/10 reviews editor
The Ting Tings- “Silence ” Silence is far from what this song contains. This electronic, rock crossover gives off a trashy rebellious vibe. Though “Silence” is not the Ting Tings’ best, the single is definitely a soon to be favorite. Sounds like: The Scissor Sisters accompanied by MGMT.
6/10
-Lauren Nguyen gallery editor
EXO-M- “What is Love” What is love? It’s the level of my affection for EXO’s vocals in this song. The simple melody and vocals provide R&B feel, a nice alternative to the dance pop flooding the airwaves today. This song is a great introduction to this up-and-coming Chinese-Korean boy group. Sounds like: The Mounds View Math Team got singing lessons. -John Ke 9/10 managing editor
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©2011 Anoka-Ramsey Community College An equal opportunity employer and educator. This document is available in alternate formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 1-866-433-5590 or 763-433-1450 (TTY).
10sports
February 10, 2012
No shirts, no facemasks, no girls Sports have changed dramatically over the past 50 years by Camry Kelly and Adam Toninato
sports editor and staff reporter
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lip through old yearbooks, and no doubt the mullets, Afros, side ponies, bell bottom jeans and oversized glasses will catch your attention. But the section that reveals the most change since the 1970s is the sports section. The shorts were shorter, the teams were smaller, the girls teams were non-existent and neither football nor hockey helmet masks were used or required. One of the biggest changes that has taken place involving high schools over the past 50 years was the inclusion of girls. Title IX, implemented in 1972, states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Even before then, in 1969, Mounds View started offering girls basketball, field hockey, and gymnastics. The following year, tennis and swimming were offered to Mounds View girls. By 1971, girls volleyball and swimming came about. Beginning in 1974, the girls ran co-ed with the boys cross country teams for the first time ever. However, it was not until 1979 that the first girls cross country team ran independently. In 1984, girls soccer was offered for the first time. After many complaints of gender equity and fairness, Mounds View started the first girls hockey team in 1995. Practice makes perfect, and these girls teams were anything but perfect. “It was very apparent that there wasn’t anything even close to the level of competition that the boys had,” said social studies teacher, Kathryn Miller, who graduated from Mounds View in 1968. he involvement of women isn’t the only change that has happened over the past 50 years. There have also been many equipment changes and additions to ensure the safety of the athletes. In 1977, the requirement and mandatory use of face masks in hockey was implemented after too many missing tooth complaints were filed. Swimming equipment also changed. Boys swimming didn’t wear goggles until the late 1970s. Although goggles had been invented long before then, they almost
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hindered the swimmers due to the fact that on occasion they would let in more water than kept out, which left the swimmer blind at all times not only when they were submerged. Later, when goggles became even more durable, the swimmers were able to do starting dives while wearing them. Sport apparel has also changed. Wrestling uniforms consisted of merely a pair of gym shorts, a tee shirt and tennis shoes and until 1959, wrestlers did not even wear tops. The singlet worn today was not introduced into the sport until the ‘70s after the NCAA banned shirtless wrestling, due to a number of matches not ending in a clear win and more in a tangle of clothes and body parts. It now is used to give wrestlers maximum range of motion and to allow the referee clearly see the bodies. asketball is another prime example of trend changes. The basketball players from Mounds View enjoyed their short shorts more than any other team. It wasn’t until the mid ‘90s that the shorts began to look more similar to the ones we are familiar with today. The “Fab Five” consisting of Chris Webber, Jimmy King, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, and Ray Jackson for the 1992 Michigan Wolverines were the first players to introduce longer shorts to the game of basketball, according to the Michigan Wolverines website. These titans of the the court were so inspiring that many players began to adopt the longer shorts. John Stockton from the Utah Jazz was the last player to sport the short short look, after he retired they weren’t seen on the hardwood again. Apparel has also changed for girls sports, despite their shorter history. In the beginning, each girl would each just wear her school clothes to each practice and sporting event. It took every girls team at least one year of active participation before the school would designate the money for permanent matching uniforms. Mounds View athletics has come a long way from just boys teams, short shorts, and unsafe equipment. The sports scene has changed dramatically with the inclusion of girls sports teams, facemasks for hockey and football, and apparel changes for, hopefully, the better.
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February 10, 2012
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“How has your sport changed?” F O O T B A L L
“The equipment has changed in many different ways. With new technology, the [equipment] is now safer. It’s more expensive. They’re lighter-weight and made out of stronger materials. The helmet technology has decreased the number of head injuries without a doubt. [The uniforms] have gotten more spandex in them, so they’re tighter fitting and more comfortable to wear.” -Jim Galvin
“The old wood rackets used to weigh about 14 ounces, but now the new metal frame rackets are like nine to 10 ounces. The [new] rackets are unbelievable. You can hit with so much power. They make a huge difference.” -David Weinberg
B A S K E T B A L L
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“We used to have some very embarrassing moments with those short shorts. More of your body would show than what you wanted. The [jersey] styles have changed in the design. They’ve become more creative and more of a marketing tool by Nike, Under Armor, and such. Shoes are much better too. They used wear those Converse shoes, they’re fashion shoes now.” - Ziggy Kauls
“I am going to guess that the Track uniforms that we have now are about 20 years old. Cross Country uniforms are not that old, maybe 18 years. I don’t like Spandex. I’m never going to do that tight body stuff. We used to have a track that was falling apart. We didn’t have a back gym, and the weight-room was half the size that it is now. There were no lights in the stadium. No bleachers, other than a couple of wood benches. Now that sounds like the dark ages.” -Ross Fleming information compiled by David Liu
Bella Sutton
freshman
Athlete of the Issue
Bella Sutton, 10, made varsity hockey when she was only an 8th grader and continues to stand out on the ice for the Mustangs with her ability to make big plays out of small opportunities.
Q: What are your goals this year, individually and as a team? A: Individually, to play solid defense and get to 30 points. As a team, our goal
is to make it to the state tournament.
Q: What do you guys need to improve on or continue to do in order to make a deep run in the playoffs? A: We need to work on moving the puck, continue to play as a team, and trust each other and our coaches. Q: If you could have any superpower what would it be? A: If I could have any
superpower, it would be to fly, because then I could go on vacation wherever I want.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? A: If you treat something special as ordinary it becomes ordinary, so never forget to appreciate the special things and treat them special. Q: Who has had the biggest influence in your life so far?
A: My parents: They taught me everything about hockey and life, and continue to support me.
Q: Is it difficult being an underclassman on a team of mostly seniors and juniors? A: No, my teammates are very welcoming and we’re friends with each other no matter what grade we’re in. information compiled by Alx Wald and Peter Cole
C R O S S C O U N T R Y
12gallery
February 10, 2012
‘All You Need is Love’
The language of love around the world by Megan Ruan design editor
Taiwan South Korea In South Korea, Valentine’s Day falls on Feb. 14 men give gifts of candy and flowers to women. But since the women consider store-bought chocolate to be an impersonal gift, they often make the confection themselves. In fact, the fourteenth day of every month is a day of love in this country. These days are called things like Kiss Day, Green Day, Wine Day, Movie Day, White Day and Hug Day. April 14 is an especially important day called Black Day, on which single women eat black noodles to mourn their depressing love lives.
Denmark The Danes have a unique tradition for Valentine’s Day gift-giving. The “Lover’s Card” is the most popular gift-exchange in Denmark. Some of these cards are transparent until held up to the light, when a romantic image would appear. Another type of card, called the “gaekkebrev,” contains a poem written anonymously by the man and signed with a dot for each letter of his name. If the woman guesses the correct name, she will receive an egg from him on Easter.
Taiwan’s official Valentine’s Day also falls on Feb. 14, but there is a more popular and widely celebrated day of love on June 7 of the lunar calendar. This holiday is based on an ancient Chinese folktale in which the youngest of the seven sky maidens falls in love with a mortal cattle herder on earth. The vindictive Sky Mother separated the two lovers by drawing the Milky Way in between them with her hairpin. But upon seeing the grief of the sky maiden, Sky Mother allowed her to see her husband once a year on June 7. Traditionally, the number and color of roses that men give women has great importance: one red rose means “only love,” eleven white roses means “favorite,” and 100 roses means “marry me.”
Brazil In Brazil, Valentine’s Day is called “Dias dos Namorados” which means “Day of the Enamored.” It is celebrated in June, not February, but couples still exchange flowers, chocolate, and cards just like in the U.S. The official date of celebration is June 12, and the next day, single women perform rituals called “simpatias” to try and reel in boyfriends.
identity match how i met my significant other Can you match your teachers to their love stories?
Mike Kauls Mark
opher Christter Mes hen Gretc
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A. “We met in August 1998 when we were both new teachers in the district. It was at new teacher orientation and my first line to ____ was, “Hey, you’re a science teacher too, aren’t you?” I’m sure it really floored her. I’m proud to say we talked for three hours the day we met. The rest, as they say, is history.” B. “A friend tried to set us up, but ____ didn’t call me back for two weeks. When _____ finally did, I found out that ____ was going to the Saints game, where coincidentally I worked as a vendor. At the game, ____’s dad yelled, “Hey kid!” at me and I was blushing and embarrassed. We dated for three years, [then] we got married.” C. “I met ____ on my way home from the Peace Corps. I was staying with a relative in Germany, and ____ had set me up on a date with another person. But the blind date didn’t want to go, so ____ ended up driving me home. We were in a fast sports car and we drove on the autobahn. The pieces just fell together, and I realized I didn’t like anyone else but ____.” D. “I met ____ at a KISS concert. ____ was crowd surfing and I ended up catching ____ just as ____ was about to fall to the ground. ____ bought me a concert t-shirt, and we ended up going out afterwards.” E. I had just graduated and was planning on meeting my buddy at First Avenue for a show. Since he was running late, I never got a chance to eat beforehand, so when we finally got to the show, I was absolutely starving. As soon as the opening band started, I noticed someone eating pizza, so I found out where he got it and ordered a tasty slice of garlic and cheese. As I was munching away at my slice, this ___ in front of me asked, “What smells like garlic?” As ___ turned around ___ said, “Oh it’s you!” I kept eating and ___ kept turning around to ask me if it tasted good, how much it cost, etc. By the time the main band, we were making plans to go out sometime in the future. ___ had just graduated and had to drive back to Winona with ___ friends that night. On the drive back, ___ told __ friend that ___ thought ___ just met ___ future ________. ___ was correct as we were married a couple of years later. Answers: A. Mark Johnson. B. Mike Kauls. C. Gretchen Nesset. D. Christopher Mester. E. Ted Bennett.
There are numerous legends on the origin of Saint Valentine’s Day, but this is one of the most widely accepted versions. It takes us back to about 270 A.D. During the era, the Roman Empire greeted its new emperor, Claudius. He believed that marriage led men to become emotional and weak, thus degrading their capabilities as soldiers. To prevented this, Claudius banned marriage from his empire. Disgruntled with Claudius’ decision, the soon-to-beChristian-saint Valentine decided to rise against the injustice. Seeing the agony of the couples who wished to marry, he joined them in marriage in secret. However, his secrecy did not last, and he was soon arrested and sentenced to execution. In his prison, he was approached by his jailer, Asterious, who had heard of Valentine’s healing ability and wanted his daughter’s sight restored. After she was healed, a deep friendship formed between Valentine and the daughter of Asterious. Before his death on Feb. 14, to relieve his lover’s grief, he wrote a farewell letter to her starting with the phrase: “From Your Valentine,” a phrase that still lives on.
information compiled by Lauren Nguyen and Megan Ruan