Mounds View High School Viewer 6/1/12

VIEWER

Mounds View

http://mvviewer.org Friday, June 1, 2012

Volume 59

2011-2012

Issue 12

<editor@mvviewer.org>

INSIDE

The Truth of Photoshop

Your Report Card Staff at Mounds View retire

photo by Allison Hare

Teachers reconsider what should be in a grade Webster defines the word “grade” as “a mark indicating a degree of accomplishment in school. But who or what defines what “accomplishment” means?

Languages of Mounds View

Viewer’s Allstar team

Online

k

Reconstuction of Valentine Park

Story by John Ke and Max Wang Is accomplishment based on pure effort, mastery of material, or a combination? And should improvement count for something, even if the student doesn’t meet a goal?

Principal Julie Wikelius created a Grading Task Force last fall to address these questions. This group examined Mounds View’s grading practices in the classroom, in departments, and in the school as a whole.

Ultimately, this work could lead to changes in how teachers evaluate students, but those involved with the task force say it is too soon to tell.

According to Associate Principal Doug Bullinger, there were around 15 teachers and administrators charged with two specific goals: determine the current “reality of grading practices” and establish what a grade really means.

While these issues may seem selfexplanatory, the task force went through a detailed process, examining several articles from the November issue of Educational Leadership, which included one from the incoming Mounds View Principal, Jeff Erickson.

The articles emphasized different points, such as consistent and transparent grading systems, the benefits of retakes, and even the removal of grades altogether, instead focusing on narrative assessments. All the articles emphasized increasing student achievement, and finding out the true meaning of a grade.

Of the issues discussed in the articles, the most familiar would be grade curving

The Task Force Created a Vision with Five Points: 1. Grading practices will be able to measure success equitably.

2. The grading system will be accepted and understood by parents, teachers, students and administration.

3. There will be consistency in grading within departments.

4. There will be a clear understanding of what a grade means at MVHS. 5. There will be support for teachers to develop a manageable grading system. versus retakes. Authors emphasized that grade curving inhibited student growth, since the practice does not help students learn what they missed, whereas retakes allow students to improve.

Sarah Schuler, 10, agreed, saying that “in honors classes, you’re surrounded by a lot of really smart people. When the tests are curved, it’s really only one or two points difference. Retakes seem like a great option because then you have many chances to do your best.”

Matt Wilson, 12, disagreed with the policy of retakes, saying that they were just “excuses for students to not study the first time [taking a test].”

Grade curving, on the other hand, did a better job of showing a student’s knowledge.

“They can also show whether the test material was just too difficult,” said Wilson.

Other issues include the purpose and relevance of extra credit, how a grading scale should work, and whether homework assignments should even be required.

“Those ideas are being gathered and will be shared out with staff so that we can continue the conversation into next year,” said Bullinger. “If any changes in our grading practices are to take place, those changes will be teacher-led.”

Currently, Mounds View has no standardized grading policy. Teachers are subject to few restrictions when creating their own grading criteria. This has resulted in a wide variety of grading practices.

Grading continues on Features, p. 5

2editorials op T 10

June 1, 2012

Staff Edit orial

No secrecy in selecting leadership

Worst Summer Jobs

10 8

Nuclear Warhead Disarmer

Lion milker

Stamp Licker Paid internship at Sisyphus Inc.

6 4

Toxic waste deliverer

McDonald’s Busboy at Robbie He’s favorite restaurant

Sewage taster

2

DJ at a nightclub for the deaf

Human bowling pin

9 7 5 3 1

2012-2013 Viewer Editors Editor-in-Chief Managing Editors -Online -Design/Photo -Copy Chief

Max Wang Erika Batiz Megan Ruan Akshay Patke

Business Manager Tristan Aschittino News Peter Olson Editorials David Gonzalez-Dysinger Allison Hare Features Mali Bacig Cammie Kelly Spread John Knopf Sasha Safonov Variety Selin Kurtoglu Reviews Matt Voges Sports David Liu Adam Toninato Gallery Youngjun Park Photographers/Artists Joy Xie, Ben Kaiser, Anders Nygaard, Tim Appolloni Adviser Martha Rush

Staff

Alyssa Belsito, Peter Cole, Tristan Gustafson, John Ke, Nimmy Koshy, Alvin Ma, Nathaniel Nikoi, Ryan Slechta, Alx Wald

What makes someone worthy of becoming a leader?

More specifically, how should they be chosen?

Every spring, clubs and activities at Mounds View decide who should take on leadership roles, and the process for selecting leaders from among the student body is often complicated.

It is extremely important that leaders be chosen by a fair process; these are the people who will influence impressionable students and make decisions regarding the school.

In addition to affecting the school as a whole, possessing leadership roles is important to the students individually; leadership roles can be essential assets on a college application. More importantly, they send a message about what each student prioritizes in his or her life.

At Mounds View, there are many elections and decisions each year, from NHS presidents to class officers.

Perhaps one of the biggest application and selection processes is for Mustang Mentors, which has a member

base 170 strong.

To help freshmen deal with the difficult transition from middle school to high school, the program Mustang Mentors was created in 2003 to provide freshmen with advice and guidance.

Each year, over 200 sophomores and juniors apply

“

A

ll student organizations should have fair and transparent selection processes in order to ensure they have the trust of the student body.”

”

to be a Mustang Mentor. The process for selecting mentors is purportedly anonymous; applicants fill out two separate sheets, one with their name and information, and the other with their longer free responses. The sheets are correspondingly numbered and kept separate throughout

the decision process until the officers record the final list of Mentors for the upcoming year. According to the application, Mentors are chosen based on the “depth, completeness, and commitment” demonstrated in their answers.

During the application process this year, as it is every year, questions were raised over the fairness of how applicants are chosen -- essentially, whether or not the process was completely anonymous. Some students speculate that their selection -- or rejection -- was based more on personal, rather than on-paper merit.

While it is useless to argue whether these questions are legitimate, it is important to communicate selection guidelines so that questions will never have to be raised again.

Mustang Mentors should demonstrate that it adheres to the same standards of honesty and impartiality as other programs when it comes to selecting applicants, and to do this, it should pledge to a greater transparency of the

selection process. Input from the outgoing freshman class should be an important factor in picking returning Mentors, as well as involvement of neutral adults.

Mounds View’s incoming freshman class deserves the best Mentors possible.

Simultaneously, Mounds View’s upperclassmen deserve to have a fair shot at participating in the enriching and rewarding Mustang Mentor program.

In fact, all student organizations should have fair and transparent selection processes in order to ensure they have the trust of the student body, and that they pick the candidates who can make the most positive difference on the school as a whole. All Mounds View student clubs and organizations should provide full disclosure of how they select members and officers.

13 Editors Agree, 2 Editors Disagree

Fake is not beautiful

by Alyssa Belsito editorials editor, ‘11-’12 Look around you at school, at the mall, at the beach: It is clear women are not as perfectly molded as they seem to be in magazines.

There’s no reason for them to be. There are all sorts of shapes, sizes, and details that are encompassed by the spectrum of women, from frizzy hair to cellulite, stickthin to bodaciously curvy.

So why is there a fad of having perfectly Photoshopped models and celebrities staring tantalizingly from their place on the page? Is it because secretly, deep down, fashion magazine editors want teenage girls and other women to hate the reflection gazing back at them from the mirror?

One can only hope that is not the case. However, Photoshopping photos has been proven to cause mental disorders in females, as was reported in a 1999 Pediatrics study, in which two-thirds of

American girls in grades 5 through 12 stated that their image of an ideal body was influenced by retouched images in magazines.

Half of the girls in the study even said that the images made them want to lose weight.

Anorexia nervosa, a mental disorder that causes one to starve him/herself, and bulimia nervosa, another mental and eating disorder that involves purging after eating, cause the highest number of fatalities for any mental disease, ringing in at four percent. These health problems can be traced directly to our Photoshop culture.

In recent months, steps have been taken to end this “fake craze”. Israel has taken a legal action against photos of too-thin ladies in magazines.

On March 19th, 2012, Israel passed the “Photoshop Law,” barring models under a certain Body Mass Index (BMI) and regulating Photoshop use in advertising and media.

While it remains unlikely that a law similar to this

will ever get passed in the United States, due to the First Amendment, Americans can learn from Israel and should start taking measures to photograph realistically, everyday models, rather than the skeletons that are currently used.

Mounds View itself has hopped on the Photoshop bandwagon with the editing of senior photos. Many students use a professional photographer when taking senior pictures, who sometimes edit the photos to a nearly unrecognizable level. It is ridiculous that average seniors at Mounds View High School should be Photoshopped and edited to such a degree that it takes a moment to decide whether or not it truly is them. Senior photos should show off who you are, not who you wish you could be.

Photoshop was created as a tool to assist people in making their photos look exactly how they want them to, or to allow changes to be made to insert

photo courtesy of www.Sodahead.com

a missing person or delete an unwanted background object.

However, its powers as an editing assistant have been taken too far, with a craze of super-editing warping photos of real people to an inhuman degree. Americans need to take a step back and give our peers a look at the real “us,” and send a positive mental image into the minds of viewers everywhere.

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.

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.

June 1, 2012

editorials 3 Leave a legacy to be proud of

In the end, it’s worth it

by Deputy Gulden guest writer

Words of advice from Viewer’s former Editor-in-Chief Dear fellow Mounds Viewites,

in a class of 500 students, anyone These past four years would be were a sluggish journey hard pressed of caffeine induced allto get the nighters in order to combat attention of a seemingly infinite pile a professor, of obnoxious tasks. But much less now, as I look back, I feel personalized overwhelmed by nostalgia. help.

While high school can Despite be terrible, these moments the close of shared terribleness are relationships what foster invaluable between relationships between fellow students and students, in addition to teachers, students and faculty. These almost every relationships are what make senior must Mounds View not only a graduate tolerable, but an exceptional with a few high school. regrets.

Mounds View is a photo courtesy of Ryan Slechta Personally, unique high school in I am happy Slechta, right, poses with Cody Erickson, 12, and with its promotion of a close the way Ben Kaiser, 10, after a swim meet. academic relationship I tripped over between students and high school’s teachers. Faculty members hurdles.

If a student is in need are willing to work with My only serious regret is of help at Mounds View, students no matter how many not taking the PSAT more he or she can find it. This mistakes they have made, seriously; other than the type of relationship between or regardless of how many ACT, the PSAT is the only students and teachers isn’t pieces of expensive chemistry even present at most colleges; important test that is shoved glassware I have broken. down a Mounds View

student’s throat. Don’t think it’s just more red tape.

As cheesy as it sounds, the key to success at Mounds View is exactly what our irritating Mustang Mentors told us: getting involved. As a senior, I don’t look back and remember the time I wasted playing video games (except Pokémon in math class); I remember working through hellish swim practices, poring over chemistry with friends, and staying at Mounds View until one in the morning trying to make Viewer as good as it could be.

Students will not gain anything at Mounds View from being a social pariah. Success comes in learning to deal with other students, teachers, and the administration, as annoying and authoritarian as they can be.

Live long and prosper,

by Julie Wikelius guest writer

opportunities. Just like the students, Mounds View has given me a wealth of experiences that I will always value.

I will miss the many students and teachers I have come to know, but just as a senior told me a few days ago, “It feels right. I need to see what is next.”

I will miss you and I am looking forward to seeing what is next for me. I leave Mounds View with fond memories and wishes for continued success!

Ryan Slechta 2011-2012 Editor-inChief

Principal Wikelius says good-bye

Just like you, I am getting ready to wrap up another school year. I can probably identify most closely with the seniors, since like you, I won’t be returning next year.

Every year, seniors tell me as they approach graduation that they are happy and sad at the same time. I share these mixed emotions--I have been at Mounds View since 1995 and have seen many changes during my time here.

When I first came to Mounds View, we didn’t have an auditorium or a forum.

The front offices and science rooms were once part of the circle drive. There used to be an attendance committee and students were often automatically dropped from

classes for tardies, regardless of their performance in the class. There was no Diversity Club or GSA. There weren’t even telephones in classrooms!

I am lucky to have worked with terrific students year in and year out. I have also enjoyed working with wonderful colleagues who have the students’ best interest at heart. I know life is all about change and change is often necessary and for the better, but I hope some things remain the same at Mounds View, like the legacy of excellence and the pride from students and staff alike.

Like the seniors, I am looking forward to new challenges and

The end of any school year marks a new beginning for graduating seniors, newly appointed seniors and everyone who is progressing to their next year of high school. We often talk about “legacy” here at Mounds View High School, and we hope all of the students keep that in mind over the last few days of school.

Last year, a few seniors were involved in something the day before graduation in the community that almost prevented them from walking to get their diploma.

Their “legacy” was forever tarnished in the minds of other classmates and staff here at Mounds View. Please keep that in mind in the last few days of school.

I will also be starting a new beginning after school ends. I have accepted an assignment as an Investigator with the General Investigations Unit of the Sheriff’s Department. I will still be involved with Mounds View students as the Juvenile Investigator for the area and hope to continue to build relationships with students in the community, at sporting events, and dances here at Mounds View.

Good luck to everyone in their new beginnings, your legacy will live on!

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

Cop’s

C

or er n

photo by Allison Hare

Editor opinions What your Viewer editors think of various issues.

“The travesty that is the downsizing of the cafeteria’s breadsticks is second only to Robbie He not getting into Mustang Mentors.”

- John Knopf Spread editor

“Big Bang Theory is the worst show ever... Bazinga!”

- David Liu Sports editor

“The class of 2013 is now the ULTIMATE power at Mounds View.”

- Peter Olson News editor

“Every year the federal government loses 70 million of taxpayer’s dollars on pennies.

We need to get rid of them.”

- Selin Kurtoglu

Variety editor

4features

June 1 ,2012

Captains

With all the voting and elections this season, the stress to become a captain is at its peak

Coaches Pick

Coaches and Athletes

Athletes Vote

In some sports and activities, coaches alone make the decision on who will be captain.

In most Mounds View activities and athletics, players and coaches both have input on the captains. Both parties will vote, each vote representing an equal value. Or the players will vote and the coaches will evaluate and make the executive decision.

Athletes are the only people who participate in the selection of captains.

Pro: Eliminates popularity contest.

Con: The coaches don’t see all aspects of player, they see the side they present to authority.

“I think having coaches pick the captains avoids it being a popularity

contest. The coaches have an outside

perspective, but also know who the other team members like and get along with. It is also important the coach gets along with the captain because they have to work together a lot,” said Catie Mattson, 12.

by Camry Kelly features editor The end of the year is fast approaching. That means the freedom of summer, the end of homework, and, for the many members of Mounds View sports and clubs, the anxiety of waiting for captain decisions at end-of-the-year banquets.

Captains play an important role by acting as the middleman between coaches and athletes. They relay messages that athletes may be too scared to say to the coaches, but also ensure that players will listen to the coach. It seems like every senior and junior wants to fulfill the role of captain, but there are only so many spots.

From uniform to off-season practice, captains have a lot of important decisions to make. If the team has a uniform that changes from year to year, then typically the captains gets to help choose the uniform.

“Golfers have to pay for new polos every year; we wear them at least twice a week, so it is important they are comfortable, yet fashionable,” said golf captain, Catie Mattson, 12. Along with uniform the captains get to pick out the other attire, like sweatshirts and team T-shirts.

Captains are also responsible for planning off season practice and recruiting members for the new season.

Pro: Both parties the captain interacts with have input.

Con: Speculation over fairness of coaches’ vote to athletes’ vote.

“I think it is a good idea to have both athletes and coaches choose because the captain impacts both of them. However, I feel in some sports the coaches’ input is more valued than the other players,” said Nicole Jaeger, 11.

“We have to get people excited about the sport and want to join;we are low on runners and need more people.

We also plan the summer training,” said upcoming girls cross country captains Katie McDaniels and Nicole Balzer, 11.

The captains are the leaders of off-season training because the coaches have strict MSHSL rules about coaching in the off season. According to MSHSL bylaw 208 2B, “A student who has been a member of a high school team (B-squad, junior varsity, or varsity)

Pro: Athletes know fellow athletes better than coaches.

Con: Can become a contest between who is more liked and not who has the best captain traits.

“It is a good thing because the players know each other on a different level than the coaches. They know each other better because they spend so much time at school and at practice together, they have seen more sides of their personality than the coaches. They vote more on personality and skill level rather than just skill level,” said Ellie Sachse, 10.

may not receive coaching, training, or private lessons from a salaried or non-salaried member of the school’s sophomore, B-squad, junior varsity or varsity coaching staff in that sport.”

All of this responsibility is desirable for most athletes, especially to exercise their upperclassmen power.

“I hope to someday be captain because it is a good way to gain leadership, and it would encourage me to be more responsible as a person and a player,” said varsity soccer player Alex

The ‘11-’12 cross country captains award the ‘12-’13 captains with Captain Crunch Ceral photo courtesy of Juliet Laske

Jeffrey, 10.

However, the competition to obtain a captainship can be cut-throat. There is controversy over which method of electing the leaders is best. Some people believe the coach should pick to prevent the decision from being a popularity contest, while others believe it should be purely athletes.

“It is important for the team to pick the best leader, somethings the coaches don’t always see in their players that other players do,” said Annie Dewitt, 11.

There are many qualities that athletes think are necessary for their captains to have.

“The person should be outgoing to welcome new players, and their natural character should demand respect,” said lacrosse player Nick Ovshak, 10.

Others think high skill level is important.

“The captain should be a good player because other team mates should look up to their skill,” said Jeffrey.

On the opposing side, the skill level might not come hand in hand with good leadership skills.

While it is important captains are chosen carefully because of their vital role in a team, Annie Mata, 12, said, “It doesn’t matter the process the coaches take, but they should stick with the process they say they are going to do.”

June 1, 2012

5 features

End of the year, end of an era Charlotte Osborn sees pivotal role for teachers

By Malia Bacig and Megan Ruan features editor and managing editor For more than 20 years, Charlotte Osborn has taught math at Mounds View. In her time here, she has built an extensive web of relationships among both students and staff.

“I love Mrs. Osborn because she always makes me feel like there is no problem I can’t solve. It is obvious to everyone that she loves what she does, which makes us love what we do in her class,” said Katie McDaniels, 11.

Osborn taught in Michigan for five years. When she moved to Minnesota, she couldn’t leave teaching.

After 23 years at Mounds View, her sentiments have not changed.

She agonized over her decision to retire. The hardest thing to give up

unwavering commitment to helping students. Osborn stressed that her positive view of public high school students has only been strengthened in her time at Mounds View.

“These students are so incredible. I have hope for the future,” she said.

Osborn relates that she has encountered many an adult who does not believe in the worth and potential of high school students. However, Osborn has made it her mission to set them straight, or at least offer a convincing account of her own experiences.

Once, she met a young mother in a hat store. The mother’s children were in a private school. Osborn chuckles as she remembers hearing the mother expound on the flaws of the public school system.

“I debated whether or not I should say anything; I didn’t want

By Malia Bacig and Megan Ruan features editor and managing editor of design

photo by Ben Kaiser

to argue with her, obviously, but I had to say something to stick up for my students,” said Osborn. So she politely told the woman that she was a high school math teacher, and that her students were amazing. The woman instantly relaxed, and was pleasantly surprised by Osborn’s words.

Although teaching students academic material is important to Osborn, she also emphasizes the pivotal position teachers play in their students’ personal development. In Osborn’s opinion, a teacher can have a great impact on her students’ lives, which is something she will miss.

photo by Anders Nygaard

Julie Wikelius led Mounds View through major changes

By Nathaniel Nikoi staff reporter

In her 14 years as principal of Mounds View, Julie Wikelius has watched her second of two daughters graduate, supervised a major construction project, led the implementation of more AP courses and worked to improve relationships in the building.

“I felt like the relationship between students and staff was adversarial. I felt that had to change,” said Wikelius.

Soon after Wikelius became principal, the district approved a $145 million bond issue, including $30.5 million for major changes to Mounds View’s structure. She worked with the Stahl Construction Company to add a new section to the school, including the commons area and relocation of the front offices.

“The building got too crowded

Grading Continued from page 1

English teacher Gretchen Nesset doesn’t see an urgent need for change in the grading system.

“We [the teachers] had to read an article that said the current grading system is ‘toxic’. It’s not perfect, and there’s room for change, but it’s not ‘toxic,’” said Nesset.

From her teaching experience, Nesset has had success in using grading rubrics. She only started using them in the past few years, as part of the English department’s efforts to resolve inconsistencies or perceived inconsistencies in grading.

“I added rubrics to every major assignment, and they really helped clarify expectations,” said Nesset.

Other teachers have experimented with different grading policies.

Graham Wright, Honors Chemistry teacher, has eliminated homework altogether in his Honors Chemistry class this year.

“I did it simply because I believed that students are best educated by intrinsic motivation, that is,

and we needed some space,” said Wikelius.

A new heating system and airconditioning system were among other building changes.

Keeping the students as the focus, Wikelius incorporated more AP courses into the curriculum. When she first arrived at Mounds View there were only two AP classes offered: AP Calculus and AP Government. Now, there are 16 AP classes offered to students of all grades.

“I felt that students needed more opportunities for college credit at the high school level if they so chose,” she said. Wikelius has also worked to make more clubs and non-athletic activities available to students.

She has placed high value on respect, something that is much appreciated by staff and students. It is important to her to be as comprehensive as possible in decision making.

when they are self-motivated. Now, research clearly indicates that when a score is given, the student immediately focuses on the score. This system is more formative. I still give homework, I just post the answers outside my door,” said Wright.

Wright has seen positive results from his “homework-less” system. “By the end of first semester, I was certain. For this student population [students taking Honors Chemistry], it has worked phenomenally,” said Wright.

Ming Dai, 11, who took the Honors Chemistry, felt the change to optional homework was for the better because now the responsibility to learn the material is on the students.

“We learn chem out of self-motivation, rather than obligation to a grade,” said Dai. In general, students seem to believe that grades should include an “effort” component, in addition to mastery of the material.

“It isn’t fair that someone who puts in 200% gets a B, while a lazy students gets an A, yet [a grade] should also reflect the mastery of material and ability to apply it in real-life situations,” said Tony Cui, 12.

To Cui, certain classes reflect this criteria better than others. These include classes that “weight homework less than testing. It’s a better reflection on how much a student learned.”

“She is an inclusive leader, and she values the opinion of others,” said Phillip Richardson, Band Director.

Wikelius is moving on to work at the Area for Learning Center (ALC). “I hope that during my time here at Mounds View, it has become better, and I hope my work here has helped Mounds View continue to improve.”

Although she has treasured her years at Mounds View, she said, “You know when the time is right, and I felt it.” She is not worried about Mounds View adapting to a new principal. “I have every reason to think that Mounds View would continue to be known for its success.”

Some students believe that “gateways,” tests that require a minimum score to earn full points, represent a happy medium of effort and mastery of material.

“Math gateways come close to having the right idea when it comes to finding out how much a student has learned,” said Sola Olateju, 10.

Other students suggest that assignments should be made optional.

“If you already understand the material, I don’t see why busy work is necessary,” said Jack Wang, 10.

While downplaying classwork in favor of tests may be a popular option for several students, it is not necessarily true for all students.

Tucker Gran, 10, for example, didn’t like the idea of weighting tests more. “You could do well in class, but then bomb a test,” said Gran.

Jessica Reedy, 10, agreed. “If you were doing well the whole class and you do badly on the final, it reflects badly on you,” she said.

Although many changes are already underway, the task force is far from completing its work.

Starting in July, new principal Erickson will be involved, bringing his experience from a similar process at Minnetonka.

“He will be a great resource for us as we move into the next couple of years of the grading conversation,” Bullinger said.

The changing face of world language

by Allison Hare editorals editor Although Minnesota and the United States are becoming increasingly bilingual, enrollment in most world language classes at Mounds View is decreasing.

French, German, and Spanish have all shown a decline in students enrolled, although Spanish projections are higher for next year. Chinese dropped after the first year, then rebounded.

The only language to have gained students in the past five years is American Sign Language (ASL), growing from 101 students to 176 for next year.

According to world language teachers, an array of factors is behind the changes in enrollment.

“The fact that the district is having less students means changes for enrollment in all languages,” said French teacher Heather Guyer.

“Because of middle school and elementary programs, more students are going into Spanish rather than French or German. Also, the College in Schools program is now accepting sign language as a language students can take, meaning fewer students are enrolling in French than in previous years.”

French enrollment fell from 293 in 2008-09 to 214 next year.

German enrollment is also declining, for many of the same reasons.

In five years, it has dropped from 102 to 93.

“Many years ago, the enrollment [in German] was much higher,” said German teacher Jessica Trost.

Currently, 69 percent of students at Mounds View are enrolled in a language, the majority in Spanish, which has 778 students next year compared to 831 in 2008-09. The popularity of taking Spanish, some say, is due to the large number of Spanish speakers both in America and around the world.

“French is more beautiful, but Spanish is more useful because more people speak it,” said Emmy Jin, 11. “It’s really the main reason why I decided to take Spanish.”

Spanish teacher Gloria Foss said teaching Spanish at the middle school level will also increase enrollment, since students gain a background in learning the language, often steering them towards continuing Spanish in high school.

“There have always been more students in Spanish,” she said. “A lot more students take Spanish

because it is more widely-spoken, and can be used for jobs. Offering it at a middle school level will make enrollment in Spanish in high school go up, but that might make the numbers enrolled in French and German go down.”

Laura Rivers, also a Spanish teacher, agreed, but stated middle school programs are actually behind dwindling enrollment for Spanish I classes.

“Level I Spanish classes are now being taught at Chippewa, so there are only two classes of Level I Spanish at Mounds View,” she said. “Freshmen are now taking Level II Spanish. So while it may look like less people are taking Spanish, many are just more advanced in the program. This will allow for more students to take AP Spanish in their senior year of high school.”

Much like Spanish, many students have enrolled in Chinese due to its usefulness and growing international importance. China is on its way to becoming the largest economy in the world, which places more emphasis on learning the language in high school. This, consequently, guides many students to enroll in Chinese in order to speak with a growing volume of

people.

Although it is currently the smallest language program with fewer than 60 students, the number of students enrolled in Chinese is impressive considering the language has only been at Mounds View for three years.

“More people speak Chinese than any other language in the world,” said Mari Cartwright, 11.

“So it’s really useful. Besides the fact that it’s useful, I took [Chinese] because some of my friends already know it, and it seemed more interesting than French or Spanish. Lots of other people are joining it too.”

The perceived difficulty of a language can also affect the number of students who enroll for it each year. Spanish, French, and German are often seen as easier language to learn, which can discourage enrollment in more difficult languages like Chinese.

“Languages based on the same alphabets as English have a similar difficulty level, so it’s easier to gain proficiency,” said Rivers.

“The perception is that Spanish is easier, partly because there are so many cognates with English. But that’s not true. All languages are difficult to learn in their own way.”

Language enrollment at Mounds View

1,000

Number of Students

600

Spanish French ASL German Chinese

200

2008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

2011-2012

2012-2013

Year

So you’d rather learn Greek?

by Ryan Slechta editor-in-chief ’11-’12

While Mounds View offers the standard French, Spanish, German, and American Sign Language classes to its students, supplemented by a relatively new Chinese program, some students would prefer to pursue languages outside of Mounds View’s options.

Will Weightman, 11, is one of these students. After studying for a semester in China as a sophomore, Weightman had surpassed Mounds View’s growing Chinese program.

As a result, Weightman enrolled in the Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) at Macalester College.

PSEO at Macalester is restricted to students who have “exhausted

course options” in a given subject area at Mounds View, so Weightman is currently restricted to taking only Chinese. However, Macalester is known for offering a smorgasbord of rather obscure languages that Mounds View doesn’t offer such as Hebrew, Latin, Greek, and Japanese.

“China was a great immersion experience, and I learned a ton of the language,” said Weightman.

“Macalester offers other languages that can be taken by qualified students who are interested and willing to work hard.”

While PSEO may not be the best option for several students due to scheduling conflicts, a variety of past students have elected to enroll

in the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y).

The NSLI-Y program involves spending a varying amount of time overseas in order to learn a language pertinent to United States international security. Students may learn Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Russian, and Turkish.

Anna Pratt, a member of the Mounds View class of 2011, participated in one of these programs.

“I went to South Korea during the Summer of 2010 and learned quite a bit,” said Pratt. “I went from being able to introduce myself to constructing complete sentences in the past, present, and future tenses.”

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The amount of time students spend overseas can vary from a single summer to an entire semester.

“If you don’t speak any of the language I would recommend only going for a summer. If you learn a good bit before you go then you could stay longer, but after two months of pantomiming, most people are ready to go home,” said Pratt.

Despite this, a prior knowledge of the language isn’t necessary for participation in NSLI-Y. “I would recommend NSLI-Y for anyone interested in language and culture,” said Pratt, “and especially to those who adapt well to change.”

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The Stone Arch Arts Festival on the Minneapolis Riverfront consists of live music and art booths as well as a diversity of festival food. There is also a special concert at Water Power Park on Friday.

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Minnesota’s largest jazz festival, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival in St. Paul’s Mears Park, features performers such as Dean Brewington’s Old School, Jana Nyberg Group, St. Peter Street Stompers, Jack Brass Band, and more. Come to relax and celebrate jazz music.

SATURDAY

MOVIES IN THE PARKS 8

• June 9, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, at Bohanon Park • June 11, The Goonies, at Lyndale Farmstead Park • June 21, Super 8, at Powderhorn Park

(23th-25th)

JULY MONDAY

Movies in the Park (after dark!) is a Parks and Rec. initiative that’s centered around getting residents to enjoy their neighborhood parks. Movies are shown Monday thru Saturday from June 9th all the way to August 25th.Find all dates and locations at www.mplsmusicandmovies.com/#!movies. Movies start 15 minutes after sunset, be sure to bring chairs or a blanket to spread out on, and don’t forget the bug spray! Here’s a sample of this summer’s schedule:

MOVIES IN THE PARKS

“We’re here, we’re queer. Get used to it.” These words are echoed again and again in the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender parade every year in Minneapolis. This year, the parade takes place on June 23 and 24 in Loring Park. It embodies a movement in which LGBTs and equal rights supporters alike can unite in the pursuit of marriage equality. Peaceful protests have changed America’s history, and the LGBT parade may also have a profound impact on the way Minnesotans look at the institution of marriage. Gay pride events are clearly not for everyone, but for gay marriage supporters in Minnesota, this free event is worth attending.

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Grand Old Day is a day-long street fair along Grand Avenue in St. Paul, held every year on the first Sunday in June. This year, the parade will be held on June 3. The event is organized by the Grand Avenue Business Association. The proceeds from the event go towards advertising and improving the businesses along the street. Grand Avenue is known for its food; at Grand Old Day, there will be over 150 food vendors.

Concerts will be held throughout the day. Tickets are $8, and grant access to all six garden shows. The website states that the festival is a place for those who love having fun, and if you’re a person who enjoys eating great food and relaxing in St. Paul, Grand Old Day is definitely a street fair worth visiting.

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DRAGON FESTIVAL

The Dragon Festival is an Asian-Pacific festival held on June 14 and 15 at Lake Phalen in St. Paul. The festival’s goal is to promote understanding of Asian cultures. The Dragon Festival has grown fairly large and has performances, food vendors, and even a dragon boat race, which are a large part of Asian culture. Along with the drumming and unique music, the festival feels like a day-long vacation to an Asian ocean-front community.

all articles written by Tristan Aschittino, Alvin Ma, and Nathaniel Nikoi

• July 6, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Lake Harriet Bandshell • July 23, Cars 2, Windom Park NE • July 28, Hugo, Sibley Park

AUGUST

Loring Park Art Fair Loring Park Art Festival, held annually by Artist for Artist, a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) organization, is full of artists exhibiting their artwork, musicians performing around the park, as well as staged performances. Showcased is a variety of artworks, from paintings, to photography, printmaking, handmade paper, wood, jewelry, clay, sculptures, fiber, mixed media and glass.

The event takes place at Loring Park, in downtown Minneapolis, and lasts over the weekend. The beautiful ponds and gardens at Loring Park make it an ideal place for Children’s oexhibiting art and music. So as the last few em M Museum weeks of vacation come to an end, take ry icto the opportunity to experience the Let’s be V k m, at beauty of nature and a variety r honest, who a o P of different forms of art an of Do rk doesn’t love the a m P k e d in the beautiful Minnesota Children’s Dic pl stea at e Tem m sunlight of the , r Museum? As adolescents, 2 a h : t F a t s nd nd summer. we go there and run our grubby ale uguFu Paones a ynd L A hands all over the displays and t J g a n i n u na s ce, then run amuck in the ant tunnels. The vie st 1, K, India hoi o C Children’s Museum is a great place to spend s u ’ M ug st 23 r we an afternoon or a weekend night, and it provides • A ugu ve Vie relief from the stresses of everyday life. This year, • A l Dri t 25, ria ugus there are exhibits such as How People Make Things, which •A provides the visitor with an insight on factory production and machinery. The Minnesota Children’s Museum is a landmark in our childhood, and it never hurts to spend some time strolling down memory lane. Best of all, every third Sunday of the month, admission is free.

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photos courtesy of 123rf.com, graphicsfactory.com, best-of-web. com, and cartoonstock.com

Tim Burton, Johnny Depp don’t live up to legacy

9 reviews

June 1, 2012

by Matthew Voges reviews editor When you hear that Tim Burton has called upon Johnny Depp to make a movie, it has always been reason for excitement. They produced two masterful films, the charming Edward Scissorhands and one of the best musical film adaptions to date, Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street. But does their new film, a ‘60s gothic comedy film remake Dark Shadows, deliver?

To put it simply, not really.

The film begins with a morose and emotional sequence in which the groundwork is laid and an astonishingly dark tone is set. Depp’s character, Barnabas Collins, has his life set up at an aristocratic manor by his maritime English parents in a Maine fishing village.

His parents are killed and his family cursed after Collins breaks the heart of the vengeful Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green), a witch and family servant. After a time, Collins’ new lover, the beautiful Josette du Pres (Bella Heathcote) is

driven to kill herself by one of the witch’s spells. She walks off a cliff as Collins, horrified, leaps off immediately afterward. When Collins hits the bottom, he finds he has become a vampire and cannot die. The witch convinces the townspeople to bury the vampire alive where he awaits the ‘70s.

Once they get to the contemporary era, the film lightens up a bit and the culture shock humor begins. It wasn’t hilarious, but some of the lines, such as, “They tried stoning me my dear; it did not work,” were pretty good in context.

Collins’ descendants make up an eccentric and problematic family that the vampire begins to bond with; in the process running into his old nemesis, Angelique (who is unaged, just as Barnabas). The witch attempts to seduce him and when he refuses, the rivalry between Collins and her fishing firm begins. Needless to say, there is a lot of comic relief and even one zesty scene between Collins and his feminine enemy.

Overall, Dark Shadows

feels conglomerate. It has little coherence and some of the characters (namely Victoria and the family) seem a little underdeveloped although they are all charming and likeable-even the witch. But that said, the plot simply does not feel meaningful or interesting.

It feels like the elements of Burton’s Sweeney Todd, Alice in Wonderland, and Edward Scissorhands with none of the things that made them memorable. It wasn’t horrible, far from it, but it does not live up to the standard of Burton or his retinue.

If there is one thing that this film excels at, it is its sheer “Burtonyness.” With the cast (particularly Depp and Carter), dark premise, fair skinned and eccentric characters, Tim Burton pioneers no new frontiers. Dark Shadows makes one wonder if, like Collins’ vampiric existence, his filmography is doomed to an equally pale monotony.

6/10

photo courtesy of latimes.com

Solera: Small plates, big flavor

by Alvin Ma variety editor, ‘11-’12 In a word, Solera is phenomenal. Solera, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Minneapolis, is one of the most popular restaurants in the city.

For those who are unfamiliar, tapas is a small-plates style of dining that is popular in Spain.

My first impression of the atmosphere at Solera is that it felt relaxed and warm. The restaurant is dimly lit, giving it a romantic, tranquil tone. Best of all, the black leather seats are soft and squashy giving your underside the sensation of sitting on a cloud.

Right when I walked in, the hosts kindly and quickly led me to a table. However, it is strongly recommended that diners reserve tables in order to avoid the long wait.

The waitress politely explained tapas to us because to many Americans, eating tapas is an unfamiliar activity.

When going out for tapas, the patron does not simply order an appetizer, an entrée, p

Editor

hora let

and a dessert, but rather he orders a variety of small plates and shares with the people he’s dining with. So instead of eating three large plates of food, one eats two to three small plates.

When I first sat down, the wait staff brought out crusty slices of fresh bread with a crude, intoxicating olive oil for dipping. After about 20 minutes, the food began to fly onto the table. My friends and I started with a little bowl of bacon-wrapped dates that were filled with a tangy goat cheese. They were covered in an acidic vinaigrette which cut through the richness of the bacon and the goat cheese. The combination of the sweet dates, with the salty bacon and tangy goat cheese was out of this world, and the small plate was quickly finished off.

The next plate was the grilled artichokes with spicy garlic aioli. The artichokes were very fun to eat because instead of cutting up the pieces like one would do with the heart, the leaves were peeled

Singles

Richard Hawley - “Standing at the Sky’s Edge” From his brand new album by the same name, Hawley incorporates crooning vocals and a haunting instrumental for a chilling yet beautiful melody.

Sounds like: A contemporary wind billowing its way through a ghost town.

-Matthew Voges 9/10 reviews editor

off one by one, dipped in the spiced aioli, and the meat of the vegetable was scraped off by the diner’s teeth. The taste of the earthy, charred artichoke went well with the spicy, garlic aioli.

Next was the octopus stew with chorizo sausage and chickpeas. The stew had a spicy, smoky flavor due to the heavy use of paprika. It had a deep red color and the octopus was tender and its flavor was not overpowering.

The fishiness of the octopus contrasted well with the smoky richness of the chorizo and the earthiness of the chickpeas.

The last plate of food we received was the roasted quail with dried-fruit cous-cous. The quail was salty, rich, and warm which paired with the sweet, nutty cous-cous.

At the end of the meal, I felt like I had just taken a culinary road-trip to Spain and dined on its delicious cuisine.

Located in Minneapolis off of Hennepin, the restaurant is roughly 20 minutes from school, and is well worth the

drive. Solera is pricey -- about $25 per person -- but the food was so exceptional that I know I will return there again.

9/10

photos courtesy of Anne Liao

Big K.R.I.T.- “Yeah Dats Me” Myranbirds- “Generals” Big K.R.I.T.’s latest single has a characteristically great beat and excellent Dirty South styled flow. Unfortunately, “Yeah Dats Me” lacks his typically poignant lyricism and is hurt by shallow subject matter and a lazy chorus.

Sounds like: A watered-down version of the greatest rapper of the past five years.

-David Gonzalez-Dysinger editorials editor 6/10

Relentlessly catchy and forceful, “Generals” is a bombshell of a single.

Sounds like: The flight of a political refugee

Childish Gambino- “Untitled” Gambino did it again, and dropped a great new single out of the blue. The song is classic Gambino style with heavy techno beats covered by incredibly clever raps that take multiple listens to fully comprehend.

Sounds like: A smart Lil’ Wayne that got beats from Kanye West

9/10

-Max Wang editor-in-chief

8/10

-Adam Toninato sports editor

10sports

June 1, 2012

2012 All Viewer Team

Exceptional Atheletes that have proven themselves in multiple sports

Zach Roozen

Cross Country & Track and Field Zach Roozen has dominated Mounds View long-distance running for the past five years. As a freshman, Roozen was immediately thrown into the fire as the number one cross-country runner and long-distance track runner. During his senior season of Cross-Country, Roozen took 38th place at state, and is on course to go state for track as well. Over the years, the result of his hard work has been very apparent with his success in both sports.

Matt Wildes

Football & Track and Field Matt Wildes, a soft-spoken athlete, makes a lot of noise come game time.

Whether it was on the defensive line or in the shot put ring, he consistently performed well when it mattered. His numerous achievements include: winning Defensive MVP, All-Conference, AllMetro, All-Pioneer Press, and All-State Honorable Mention. He will participate in the Minnesota All-Star Game on June 30. Wildes is also currently a captain of track.

Jenny Mullin Soccer & Track and Field

Jenny Mullin qualified for the All-Viewer team with her mesmerizing performances in Soccer and Track & Field. In soccer, she is a speedster with the great ball-handling skills and the ability to finish her opponents. Her ability to perform well under all circumstances helped win two trips to the state tournament. Captain of the Track & Field team, she was named All-Conference and All-State her Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years and is on track more honors her senior season. photos courtesy of Rachel Parupsky, Zach Roozen, Jenny Mullin, Phil Boje, and www. mounvdsviewtrackandfield.com

Phil Boje Soccer & Hockey

Phil Boje eanred a spot on the AllViewer team with his exceptional performance on the field and the ice. A long-time contributor in both sports, he started early as a sophomore in nets for soccer and he also was the had a starting job as a defenseman for the hockey team. His senior year of both soccer and hockey Boje was a captain. His versatility and team-first attitude was evident when he switched from goalie to forward halfway through his senior soccer season and helped lead the team.

Rachel Parupsky Katie Hultberg Soccer & Basketball

Katie Hultberg deserves a spot on the All-Viewer team because of her exceptional performance and leadership in soccer and basketball, both of which she was a captain. In soccer, she made a name for herself as consistent defender, rarely letting the ball past her. In basketball she was a versatile all-around player with a knack for finding the open woman on the floor. Most important of all, her ability to remain calm in the most stressful situations made her a great leader.

Volleyball & Basketball

Rachel Parupsky is captain of both volleyball and basketball. In volleyball, she was an aggressive floor leader, with her electrifying spikes. In basketball her exceptional use of her height and explosive first step to put up baskets when her team needed points was a major factor in the Mustangs success this winter. Parupskyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s positive energy and team spirit led to success.

information gathered by Alx Wald and Peter Cole

June 1, 2012

sports11

Above and beyond the call

by Alx Wald sports editor, ’11-’12 In the world of track and field, it seems nothing is ever for sure.

A runner who ran a 4:30 mile one week may run five minutes the next; a high jumper who easily cleared six feet one day may scratch on five feet the next.

More often than not it will appear to be a beautiful day for a track meet, only to have thunderclouds and twisters roll in right before a big race. Despite these wildly inconsistent variables, over the past three years Mounds View Track and Field has been able to find one true constant: team manager, Andy Miller.

Miller developed a passion for track while watching his brother, Tony, compete. Tony was a senior and a track captain when Miller was a freshman. During Miller’s sophomore year, a need developed for a track manager—a hole in the lineup that could be filled by only one man.

“One day in tenth grade I saw Mr. Fleming in the hallway and he told me the team needed a manager. I told him, ‘Yeah, of course I’ll be the track manager!’” recalls the always enthusiastic Miller.

As a student manager, Miller works at all home meets, along with some other important meets.

“Sometimes I run up the scores to the press box, sometimes I time races, rake pits, or work jumps, whatever Coach Fleming wants me to do,” said Miller.

According to Fleming, Miller has done as well as anyone could

have asked of him.

“He’s phenomenal,” said Fleming, “everything I ask him to do he does it, and he does it well.”

These behind-the-scenes contributions are critical to the health of the track program, yet they are only a small fraction of what Miller contributes to the team.

“

I

have not met a single person with more Mustang pride and spirit.

-Ben Kramka,12

”

“My other job is to cheer on everybody in their races and events so they can race like mustangs and lead the Mustangs to victory,” said Miller.

His energy and passion has been greatly appreciated by his coach.

“He’s always at the finish line cheering as loud as he can, he knows every single athlete’s name on the team and he always cheers them on to the finish,” said Fleming. “He knows more about

the team than probably anybody else on the team.”

In addition to impressing the coaching staff, Miller’s exuberance has had a positive impact on his teammates as well.

“As one of his teammates over the past three years, I can honestly say I have not met a single person with more Mustang pride and spirit. Personally, I cannot express how much of a difference it makes to see and hear Andy during my races, compelling me to sacrifice all the energy in my body to finish as, what Andy would call, ‘a true mustang,”’ said Senior Captain Ben Kramka, 12.

His teammates do not disagree: “Every time I feel myself slowing down, I always hear Andy’s voice above all the others, cheering for me and inspiring me to finish all-out,” said Senior Captain Sam Warnes.

“Andy is like a lighthouse, guiding you through stormy waters, stormy waters being a two-mile race,” said Tom Wentworth, 11.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do next year without him,” said Tony Duchenes 10, “Without Andy, we’re just a pile of sticks, useless without a spark to light the fire.”

photo by Peter Olson

Yates hits a winner

by Peter Cole staff reporter Athena was the mythological Greek goddess, recognized and admired for her strength, courage, intelligence, and originality. Nowadays, there is a special award named after her to recognize St. Paul-Area student-athlete high school women for their professional leadership and academic excellence.

The 18th annual St. Paul-Area Athena Award was given to Melanie Yates, 12. The Gonzagabound tennis captain has a resume that is chock full of both academic and athletic accolades.

Academically, she was involved in National Honor Society, a four-year letterwinner, named all-state academic, and was a Rensselaer Medalist. During her tennis career at Mounds View, she was a sixtime letterwinner, six-time all-conference, captain, two-time Most Valuable Player, and five-time state participant.

Yates has been a tennis player her whole life. “It was kind of a family sport when I was younger. The coach I had back then said I was ready [to start playing competitively], and I was in competitive gymnastics before then, so I kind of needed a different outlet for sports, and so I started playing tournaments and loved it and just continued to move up in the levels,” said Yates.

Yates started her competitive tennis playing through the United States Tennis Association (USTA). In the USTA, players advance through

photo courtesy of Melanie Yates

different levels of competition, where they play against increasingly skilled opponents. Yates has been playing at the national level of the USTA since she was 14.

Around the same time, during her seventh grade year, Yates joined the Mounds View High School tennis team. Immediately, she was put on the varsity team. “They [the girls on the tennis team] gave me a family away from home. But I wouldn’t say the competition is necessarily better, but it just gave me so much experience, and that helped my confidence and it helped me learn how to play through matches even when I wasn’t playing my best,” said Yates.

By the time she was a freshman at Mounds View, Yates was was the number one singles player on her team, the spot reserved for the best player of the team. “No one really told me how difficult that is [being the number singles player]. You put a lot of pressure on yourself. So, that just helped me mentally. High school tennis really didn’t help me skill-wise, but it definitely helped me mentally,” said Yates.

Yates is looking forward to going to Gonzaga in the fall. She intends to major in pre-med, probably biology. Of course, she will also continue her lifelong passion by playing tennis in college.

12gallery

June 1, 2012

A popular Japanese literature FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST illustration by Youngjun Park

Manga is a type of Japanese comic that covers a wide range of genres including, but not limited to, action, comedy, drama, horror, mystery, and romance. Due to their variety and their captivating storylines, manga are becoming more and more popular throughout the world for all age groups and both sexes.

Different manga are written for different age groups. Shounen and Shoujo target teenage boys and girls, respectively; Seinen and Josei target adult males and females, respectively.

Manga comics are published in weekly magazines, which are later made into volumes of books that people can purchase at local bookstores.

Manga is also becoming a widespread form of entertainment at Mounds View, as more and more students are being introduced to the literature.

Presented here are some of the popular manga that Mounds View students enjoy reading.

NARUTO

The manga Naruto involves the life of a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki whose ultimate goal is to become Hokage (leader) of his ninja village.

Naruto houses a deep secret: A legendary demon resides in his body, which unfortunately earns him the animosity and hatred of his fellow villagers. Still, he cheerfully fights for the goal and for the village he wishes to protect. Naruto is fun and interesting to read, especially for individuals who are geared towards a more action based and fighting manga.

Although the series is littered with horrible and repetitive flashbacks, clichĂŠ characters, and over dramatic scenes, overall Naruto can appeal to many.

- Ayanfe Adewoye

This manga is centered around the concept of alchemy: the creation and destruction of objects, which comes with a price. The law of equivalent exchange dictates that all alchemy comes at a cost of equal energy. When Edward and Alphonse Elric attempt to bring their mother back to life, their spell consumes them and creates a lifeless horror that does not resemble their mother in the slightest. They depart on a quest to regain their bodies, trapped somewhere in the spirit world, while getting entangled in magical and governmental intrigue.

Fullmetal Alchemist was a thoroughly enjoyable manga to read. The unique and deep characters kept the story moving when the plot could not; the political situations were more well done than I would have expected from a manga in this style. While the beginning did start out too slowly, it improved as the plot progressed, and was fascinating through the very end.

- Tony Pahl

CAGE OF EDEN

Cage of Eden is the Japanese version of Lost. A bunch of students crash on a mysterious island and slowly discover the secrets of the island. The students must fend off threats from poisonous plants, dangerous animals, and from each other!

Cage of Eden is really nerve racking and exciting because there is always a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter and you never know what is going to happen next. The drawings are awesome and the action is nonstop! There are also a number of attractive characters, which makes the slow parts bearable and the action scenes all the more enjoyable.

- Isaac Jemielita

7/10

ORANGE MARMALADE

8/10

10/10

CHECK OUT THESE MANGA*

This manga is not a sweet preserve but more like a enhanced Twilight.

As with all romance manga and anime you can expect lots of cheesy moments and awkward situations but also a cool, suave main character.

When our hero meets the girl, he falls in love instantly, but little does he know that sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a vampire and the smell of his blood makes her go wild.

In order to win her over our hero woos her with music, food, and humor.

But in a society that marginalizes vampires under the assumption that they are dangerous, our cute girly vampire does everything possible to keep her secret a secret. Once people find out her blood sucking tendencies how will people react? Find out by reading.

- Tony Cui

8/10

photos courtesy of mangahere.com, the-visual-medium.blogspot.com, and errantcluster.blogspot.com

*Feel free to read them here, but please support the authors by purchasing the volumes at a local bookstore