The Viewer SCHOOL SAFETY
Election results: Trump & Harris
The recent presidental election has
sparked debate within the student body, and polarized many students across political lines
| Joseph McVean & Jadyn Heath-Hlavacek STAFF REPORTERS
For many Americans, this year’s presidential election was considered pivotal in regards to the state of democracy. With pressing issues such as the immigration crisis, abortion rights and the economy, voters were left to make a tough decision during this election. Although expected to
Before the election
One important reason why this election was so different from previous elections was Harris’s quick timeline, with the shortest presidential campaign in modern American history of 107 days according to the New York Times. She also was not elected through a Democratic primary. “I would have liked a primary, but I mean, I still like her as a candidate,” said senior Sarah Pederson. “I thought she was a better choice than some of the people that [the Democratic Party] had been floating around.”
“[Harris] talks a lot about being prochoice and giving people the right to choose over their own bodies.”
Sarah Pederson, senior
However, some voters were frustrated by the lack of primaries and her continuation of policies from the Biden administration. “I just didn’t like Kamala to begin with because she wasn’t really the people’s choice. I feel like she was kind of just put there as a placeholder when Biden dropped out because he’s too old,” said senior Evan Hall.
be a closer race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Trump won with 50.2% of the popular vote and 312 electoral votes. On election night, voters waited anxiously as every swing state including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia turned red, solidifying Trump’s win.
Trump also faced accusations on the road to becoming the 47th president, including him being a threat to democracy. These accusations were primarily due to the unrest from the Jan. 6 attacks on the nation’s capital by Trump supporters in 2021. Left-wing news sources and Harris supporters held Trump responsible for the attacks while right-wing organizations and Trump supporters downplayed the attacks or denied Trump’s involvement.
Furthermore, some students are alarmed by Trump’s conservative rhetoric and his campaign promises. “I don’t think that a lot of the rights I have now I’m still gonna have [after] this presidency. I think that I will be majorly affected in a negative way, being a person of color and also being female. I fear for my safety a little bit,” said junior Alyssa Gatunbo.
Many women in turn supported Harris’s policies on abortion and voted to keep their reproductive rights. “[Harris] talks a lot about being prochoice and giving people the right to choose over their own bodies – bodily autonomy,” said Pederson. “That’s something that I really supported, and I thought was a good policy, and actually the majority of Americans also agree with her view on that.” According to Gallup, 54% of Americans identify as pro-choice.
Path to Trump’s victory
Trump’s win can be attributed to several reasons, primarily his economic plans which resonated with Americans across all socio-economic classes. “I think gas is going to be cheaper and taxes are going to be less as well,” said junior Anthony Kurilov. Trump has promised to impose tariffs as high as 60% on Chinese imports, which his voters see as him protecting jobs and industries from foreign competition.
On the other hand, some are skeptical of these policies. According to NPR, Trump’s plans for the economy could lead to a 0.8% increase in inflation and add an extra $7.75 billion to the federal deficit over the next ten years. “Most people aren’t going to look into the actual policies. They’re going to see [the US economy while Biden was president] was bad. It wasn’t his fault. But they’re going to say, ‘Oh, the economy under Biden was bad, Trump can fix it,’” said senior Thomas Baker-Trinity.
Harris had trouble getting her economic policies out to the public, even after being endorsed by 23 Nobel Prize winning economists according to Fortune. “It was a little bit of a misconception that she didn’t really have an economic policy cause on her website there was a like hundred page economic [policy document],” said Pederson.
Furthermore, by the time Harris had become the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, approval ratings for her had been at an all-time low since the beginning of her vice presidency. Though her favorability rating had noticeably increased afterwards, this was
not enough to help her win the election. Trump, however, knows how to market himself, by appealing to voters on social media and through more creative methods like podcasts. His podcast episode on the Joe Rogan Show reached over 50 million views on YouTube. He presents himself as a candidate different from ‘mainstream’ politicians, appealing to voters who are tired of false promises and political gridlock of American politics. “[Harris] just wasn’t selling it as passionately as Trump, and then people would see, Trump’s out here, he’s selling it, he’s really fighting for these policies. Then she’d be kind of working around the policy questions, instead of just attacking it and because people can’t buy if you’re not selling, you know? And I feel like he just did a better job of selling,” said senior Joe Cole.
“I think [Project 2025] is going to set us back decades.”
Alyssa Gatumbo, junior
Compared to the last election, Trump gained the support of demographics that voted for Biden in 2020 and were expected to sway in Harris’s favor. In 2020, 63% of Latino voters voted Biden, while only 55% chose Harris this election. The Latino vote was crucial, especially in swing states like Nevada, Arizona and Pennsylvania. Though Harris won Latino voters in a slim majority, the increase in those who voted for Trump allowed him to win. At a larger glance, support for Trump increased over all minority groups and in the white majority of men and women as well.
What comes next?
Trump’s victory has some students worried about his time in office come January, especially with his stances on immigration and abortion. “I think [Project 2025] is going to set us back decades,” said Gatunbo. Project 2025 is a presidential playbook for Trump’s time in office, intended to overhaul many of the democratic processes and create a new government in the process. While Trump denies even reading this plan, some Democrats are worried about Trump attempting to put the plan to use.
Trump has said he plans to conduct the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history” of an estimated 11 million people here without authorization, using the expedited removal process. This could lead to economic instability, especially in sectors like agriculture and construction which are heavily dependent on undocumented immigrants according to Time Magazine.
The increasing polarization in politics, noticeably with this election has left some students disheartened. “I’ve just been frustrated. Lots of people have been dealing with anger or violence and even vocally taking [it] out on other people because of the election, and that polarization is really unhealthy,” said senior Joe Cole. The recent remarks by Trump calling Harris a “s–t vice president” along with Biden’s insinuation of Trump supporters as garbage has shown an increasingly deep divide between Americans across the political spectrum.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22,
Election reflections
MV students and Viewer staff give their opinions on the 2024 election
Trump is [the] 47[th president]. Chances are your reaction to this was either one of dismay or of relief. With his classic puckered lips and his particular hand movements, Trump thanked his supporters throughout the country [on election] night for helping him “take back America.” I was one of them.
Before you [judge], I’d like to share a few thoughts. I’m particularly interested in politics because many claims and decisions made by the American government can have a significant impact on normal people like you and me. However, my identity is not Democrat or Republican. I’m a Christian. My savior isn’t Trump or [Harris], but Jesus, who is the best ruler.
Ultimately, my faith in Him informs all the views I have, even political ones.
Why did I support Trump’s candidacy? Trump’s administration supports some of the most foundational Christian values. After his first term in office, for
“A convicted felon is better than a woman” is a statement I made in my first-period AP Gov. class — a dark joke — on Nov. 6, the day after the election. Mr. Oberg looked at me with an inscrutable look before telling me that a student in his third-period class had said that same statement the day before — except unironically.
All my anger drained until I was left with just a numb, cold, sad feeling. I know of course that misogyny is rampant, but it never hit me that that could happen here – that a student my age, a kid I might sit right next to in
What led 74 million Americans to vote for a man who has said and done things wildly against what America is supposed to stand for? The morning after election day, my question was immediately answered when I opened Instagram to videos of people celebrating a win for prolife conservatives, affordable groceries and a healthy economy. To no surprise, nearly all of these people were white and mostly men who showed complete unawareness of the privilege necessary to prioritize economic policies (incredibly flawed ones) over
THE VIEWER
example, the Supreme Court Justices Trump had appointed overturned Roe v. Wade. Establishing a pro-life precedent is on the top of my priorities. To Christians, human life is of the utmost value. It seems clear that Trump’s administration will do more to encourage the right to practice religion in this country. A vote for Trump discourages the government from doing things like establishing tax-funded abortions or compelling Christian doctors to perform them, and protects Christians from being prosecuted and harassed for upholding traditional views of gender and sexuality.
Our nation’s Declaration of Independence declares that life is an unalienable right given to us by our Creator. Additionally, the first right guaranteed by the Constitution’s First Amendment is freedom of religion! Although I’m not an ultra-MAGA, die-hard Trump supporter, it seems clear that Trump will preserve these freedoms and protect Christians more than Harris’ administration would.
class, could think so low of me, of 50% of the population. What might happen in the next four years terrifies me, from losing the right to my own body and to marry who I love, to hearing all the horror stories that will come out about Trump’s detention camps and about more women dying of pregnancy complications that could have been easily avoided. I hate that I live in a country where half of the people lack empathy, cannot think beyond themselves, call for saving fetuses when they don’t care for dying babies and mothers, and most importantly, where some people unironically believe that a convicted felon is better than a woman.
basic human rights.
The recurring argument that Trump’s closed-minded personal opinions will not affect his performance as president can only be made by people who do not care if it is true. Concerning developments following the election, such as the objectifying tweets about owning women’s bodies and dehumanizing texts sent to Black Americans, show how Trump’s latest presidential victory reopened the door to shamelessly outspoken hate in America. While some place the blame for the Democratic party’s loss onto third-party voters, it is important to confront the real reason why Harris’ campaign failed.
| Via Yang SPORTS EDITOR
On the morning of Nov. 5, I woke up to a text message from my friend — a singular text message saying, ‘Why.’ I have never felt so disappointed and betrayed by America — by Americans. 74 million people voted for a felon, voted for someone who
| Lale Akkin SPREAD EDITOR
The biggest misconception about Trump is that he will improve the economy, which I believe is the main reason people voted for him. The economy under the Biden-Harris administration was horrible, and with both candidates having served before, the election became a matter of picking which time the average voter had an easier life.
At the start of their term, the Biden-Harris administration had a broken economy because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the economy during a president’s term is based on the economic decisions the previous president made. According to the United States Congressional Joint Economic Committee, Former President Barack Obama brought the country out of the recession, leaving a strong economy that Trump inherited when he took office in 2017. He was under Obama’s tax code during his presidency as well.
Many people also do not understand what tariffs are, which Trump plans to increase. The countries importing goods are not the ones who would be paying them, it would be the consumers in the United States that would see a price increase. Any business that buys goods or materials from other countries would have to pay more, increasing the price
The Democratic party failed to listen to voters about significant issues such as economic and foreign policy concerns. Many third-party voters, who usually
“Trump’s latest victory reopened the door to shamelessly outspoken hate in America.”
vote blue, stated that the current U.S. support and aid to Israel created a point of serious disagreement with both Republicans and Democrats.
does not have the people first. That day, the drive to school was melancholy, the drive home was gloomy and the school day was unbearable. I continuously scroll through social media and still see Americans fight for Donald Trump and his beliefs. Women, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants — how could these
of the final product — even if it was made in the United States. In addition, other countries may raise tariffs back at us and contribute even more to a decline in our economy.
“The countries importing goods are not the ones paying tariffs; it’s U.S. consumers.”
My biggest concern is not just the election outcome, but rather the balance of power throughout the entire government. All of the branches of the government on a national level currently have more republican representatives. This puts checks and balances in danger because the executive branch and Congress can pass bills easily without many democratic opinions to balance it out. In addition, the majority of the justices in the judicial branch are Republican, and Trump has the power to replace the last Democrats there. This imbalance undermines the system, no matter which party holds the power.
Contrary to popular belief, Trump’s economic policies will not save middle-class Americans. In fact, his plan regarding tariffs would make it more expensive to import goods from other countries, raising prices. So who will Trump’s policies benefit? According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priority, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which Trump signed in 2017 and currently plans to extend, disproportionately benefited high-income households, worsening American income inequality. Simply put, Trump’s tax policies solely benefit the rich.
people vote for a man who hates even just the idea of them? The idea of bodily autonomy, the idea of love, the idea of starting a new life. The lack of empathy and education is strong within these people who voted for him. America will never be as great as it used to be under the presidency of Trump.
| Vincent Meyer SPREAD & ONLINE ME
I have mixed feelings. While many people will first start talking about Trump, talking about the Harris Campaign is just as important. For one, Harris had five months to get her campaign on the road before election day whereas Trump had been campaigning since 2022. This gave her significantly less time to create a team and generally get the American people to know her as a candidate.
The Democratic Party is at fault for giving her this disadvantage. To any average person, having a forgetful 81-year-old man run for reelection is a terrible idea. Had they given Harris more time to come into her own as a candidate instead of letting Biden embarrass himself on national television, she would have had a better shot at the election herself.
Moving to Trump, he capitalized on issues that many Americans have legitimate concerns about such as immigration. While his views on such issues are extreme (calling immigrants from select countries “animals”), the fear he espoused connected with a large portion of Americans, especially young men. By using platforms such as the Joe Rogan Experience or his own macho persona, Trump showed that he could connect with young men whether it be through the issues he talked about or the toxic masculinity he exudes.
Finally, focusing on the economy was ultimately what got Trump the win. At the end of the day, people want affordable prices for the goods they need whether it be as a consumer or business owner. Despite Trump’s misunderstanding of tariffs and little presidential control over the economy, many people voted for Trump not necessarily because they liked his character, but because they believed he would make their lives better economically than under the Biden administration.
Matthew Betti,
Easton, Zariyah Howell, Lilly Landberg, Elijah Mattfield, Sidharth Sharma Henry Anthony, Carter Ballman, Julia Gronert, Jadyn Heath-Hlavacek, Aydin Kendic, Kieran Lindahl, Gabriella Markegard, Joey McVean, Alyssa Oertel, Sean Oh, Ella Opsal, Michael Quiggle, Gabrielle Skiba, Grayson Then, Ryan S. Wirrer
| Sinim Dhuguma ONLINE EIC
| Asher Compton GUEST WRITER
| Isabella Kunc PRINT MANAGING EDITOR
One big move: Kyiv to Minneapolis
Mounds View students immigrate because of Russia Ukraine war
| Kieran Lindahl STAFF REPORTER
On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia sprung its first attack on Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv. In the first two years of the Russia-Ukraine war, nearly 3.7 million people were displaced within Ukraine, and 6.3 million remain abroad.
Among those millions are juniors Yaroslav and Mariia Bohdan, Mounds View students who left their home in Kyiv just days before Russia’s first attack on Kyiv. “We left before the war started [...] because of my parents’ business. We needed to leave for Poland for a little bit. They were vets, they had their own clinic [in Ukraine],” said Mariia Bohdan. They left with just bare essentials for a simple work trip, unaware of the events to come. “I left with only my backpack, so there was nothing. Couple pieces of clothing, and that’s it.”
After staying in Poland for two weeks, the family traveled to the Czech Republic from March to June, then flew to Minnesota. They enrolled in Mounds View soon after the 2022-2023 school year started.
“It was a bit complicated, because when you don’t know English, it’s really hard to be in new classes and meet new people, but it wasn’t bad,” said Mariia Bohden.
Both Mariia and Yaroslav say one of the benefits of Mounds View is the people.
In Ukraine, both Bohdans participated in sports, and they decided to join sports teams at
Mounds View as well. “I was swimming in Ukraine, and for track and field, I just saw the community. I decided people were going to be nice, and I just wanted to make friends,” said Mariia Bohden. During her freshman year, Mariia swam with the Mounds View girls swim team and sprinted on the track team, choosing to continue with track throughout her sophomore and now junior year.
Yaroslav Bohden brought his interest in weightlifting to Mounds View, partaking in the weight training program. In Ukraine, their school didn’t have a weight lifting program,
but Mounds View has several, which he was happy about.
“I
had a specific box where all of my memories were, like pictures, cards that people wrote me, and specific achievements I got [in Ukraine].”
Mariia Bohden, junior
However, sports are not the only difference between Mounds View and their previous school. In Ukraine,the Bohden’s school ranged from 30-40 students in each grade, and all of the students stayed together from first to 12th grade. In contrast, Mounds View has around 500 students per grade and different classes every year. While the two students adjusted to life here, the war still continues in Eastern Europe. European countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, the U.K., Spain and many others have taken in hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees, many of which have a story like Mariia and Yaroslav. For those who were not able to leave, life continues to be dangerous, and their friends and family worry about their safety. “Every time I hear something from my friends it just makes me feel really sad, and it just makes me feel really anxious, because you never know what will happen with people that you love back there,” Mariia said. With a life created here, Mariia and Yaroslav Bohden are unsure if they will return to Ukraine.
An active take on the classic classroom experience
| Zariyah Howell & Isabel Li ONLINE EDITOR & PRINT EIC
rom playing extras in an advertisement to having a DJ party in the cafeteria, Interactive Media is a class like no other, where students do everything from filming and editing videos to playing music in virtual reality.
In room 127B, Mounds View teacher Rebecca Allard teaches the semester-long Interactive Media class. When she first came to Mounds View, she saw that Photoshop and Web Design classes were the only media classes available. Drawing from her previous multimedia teaching experiences and eager to expand opportunities for students, Allard soon put in a course request for Interactive Media, and it was added to the Mounds View curriculum in the 2018-2019 academic year.
Being an elective class, Allard has the freedom to design the curriculum herself while seeking feedback from students, industry experts and college professors. Throughout the course, students learn animation, video production, audio production and virtual reality. They then have to show Allard
that they can do a certain skill through a choice project.
Allard puts a big emphasis on tailoring the course to student interest. For example, if students are more interested in video editing, then she will cater the curriculum to support those interests. She also gives students the flexibility to choose their own path with each project. “If you want to do music production, but you’re not comfortable doing DJing, and that’s not your jam, cool, then you could do this song that’s already made, and you could rip it apart and kind of edit it the way that you want or you could make something from start to scratch,” said Allard.
“I can still cover the [curriculum], but maybe in a different way. I’m going to do it in a way that makes sense for students.”
Rebecca Allard, Interactive Media teacher
Through this course, Allard hopes to give students a taste of the media industry by inviting speakers and providing field trip opportunities. “I’m not an expert. So, I use a lot of industry speakers, industry partnerships, industry connections. We have some rockstar people that have worked with us, whether
it’s animators, concept artists or special effects,” said Allard. One industry expert who came was TV Director and Minnesota native Kat Rafael, who invited Interactive Media students to be a part of a commercial she shot for the healthcare company Tria. While playing extras in a hockey stadium, students saw how the skills they learned were applied in the professional world. “They could see how they did the lighting setups. They could see the various types of cameras. We’d talked about camera angles and then here’s this guy with this 500,000 [dollar] camera, and you can see what he’s doing and how he’s approaching it. At one point he was on top of a railing in this weird awkward position, trying to get the perfect angle. But we talk about that in class. So now they got to actually see it,” said Allard. This commercial later went on to win an Emmy Award.
Furthermore, some Mounds View alumni who took her class went on to go into the media industry, working in jobs like film editing. The skills learned and interests discovered prove to be useful for students who are both fascinated by and see a future in these fields, along with others who are just taking the class for fun. “I actually never knew how to edit before this class, and I appreciate learning how to use Premiere Pro, and it’s a pretty interesting app that can definitely be useful,” said senior
Maeve Walburg.
In the future, Allard hopes to expand Interactive Media to dive more into different aspects of Adobe Creative Cloud. She also wants to create a secondary course that is more advanced and applicable to the community than the current samplerstyle class. “[We would] maybe do an advanced interactive or something where we would work with industry partners or people in the community that maybe would want our services or that would want students to kind of do an internship or an extended job shadow of some
sort,” said Allard. For now, Interactive Media aims to break up a student’s schedule with unique skills that students can apply outside of the classroom. It allows for a simple balance between classic STEM classes and more technical art classes, letting students experiment with other mediums to produce art they may not have tried before.
Native American Student Group
As of 1990, the month of November marks National American Indian Heritage Month, which gives people the opportunity to reflect on and represent the culture and history of Indigenous peoples in the United States. The American Indian Student Group at Mounds View and Irondale high schools celebrates Native American culture, highlighting the importance of National American Indian Heritage Month. The group is not an official club, but it came about following the return of students from distance learning after COVID-19. Currently, Mounds View Public School’s Native American liaisons, Jill Spencer and Felicia Galvan, organize the group’s activities and events. The group does not just support the preservation of tradition, but it also supports members’ academic and emotional needs.
The progressive representation of Indigenous peoples recognizes the strength and resilience of Native American history and continues to honor it. Media sites have often misrepresented Native Americans throughout the United States’ history. By having an individual month to commemorate and represent authentic Native American heritage, new generations continue to unlearn stereotypes and racial prejudices. A month of acknowledgement
puts the spotlight on political and social movements such as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, which tackles the systematic vulnerability of Indigenous women to murder and human trafficking. Shedding light onto these movements plays a vital role in stopping the injustices many Native American individuals face in America.
The American Indian Student Group provides a space where Indigenous students can grow connections with one another by sharing common interests and traditional practices. “We also do once a month meetings throughout the year and they mostly have a focus. We’ll do teachings on tradition-
al medicines. Sometimes it’s just based on current events,” said Spencer. An example of an event is visiting with Native American elders. Along with regular meeting activities, the group participates in larger events such as field trips and the annual Mounds View Public Schools powwow.
Spencer started her role in the American Indian Student Group in 2019 after seeing the lack of support for her son who attended Irondale High School. In his senior year of high school, Spencer discovered that the district established an American Indian education program, but she had never received any information about the program. This inspired Spencer to begin
Laidback library vibes
| Isabella
PRINT MANAGING EDITOR
alking into the Library Media Center this year, Mounds View students notice a different atmosphere. While the library used to be a bustling room for people to go during the school day, now it is nearly silent and empty as students with free hours report to the forum. However, even through these changes, library staff continue to find ways to keep students engaged with different activities and always offer helping hands around the library desk.
Last year, students were used to seeing library media specialist Jenna Pomraning running the library help desk, along with the help of retired library paraprofessional and German teacher Jill Hallenberger and tech specialist Nate Cmiel. However, after Pomraning left to work at Sunnyside Elementary School, Irondale and Mounds View now share a media specialist, Aaron Blechert, who travels between the two schools for two days a week and every other Friday.
Originally, the plan was to close the respective libraries on the days Blechert was not
there, but the superintendent was against that. Just before the school year began, they hired library paraeducator Lindsey Kohlhase to keep the libraries open full time. “Wherever [Blechert] wasn’t, that library was gonna be closed, which to me is a terrible thing, because you’re kind of stealing these resources away from students. You’re stealing away a safe space for them, a place they can get help for a lot of different things, just a place where they can be,” Kohlhase said.
The library still has limited hours, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a half-hour closure at 11:30 a.m. These limited hours and lack of extra staff has an impact both on students and the staff that runs the place. “I have to turn people away because there’s just not enough time in the day,” Blechert said. Furthermore, students may have noticed fewer computers, a change that came after the school upgraded its systems, allowing students to print directly from their chromebooks. A table that used to house computers is now used as a makerspace to promote creativity and connectedness.
Kohlhase created this space after finding it useful for
her work as a liaison for the Mounds View district. “It’s really an incredible honor to work with students and families to become a trusted person for those people who don’t always have a person in the building or someone they can go to with a variety of things,” said Spencer. She cherishes the emotional connections she has made with students since starting her position. “We’re small in numbers but our history is very vast and our connection to people and place is really important,” said Spencer.
“We’re small in numbers but our history is very vast and our connection to people and place is really important.”
In April 2025, the American Indian community at Mounds View and Irondale will host the annual powwow, which is free and open for all students to join and celebrate Native American culture. The powwow will include traditional clothing, art and food available for purchase, as well as ceremonies and dancing. Upon entrance, students receive a guide that provides
everything they need to know about the event and powwow etiquette. “Powwows can be different; powwows in itself can be sort of a ceremony for us. Powwows can be in celebration, they can be in honor, they can be in memory, so there are a lot of things that can happen or come into play during a powwow. Our powwow’s a celebration and honoring of students,” said Spencer.
The American Indian Student Group plays a major role in students and families’ lives in the Mounds View Public School district by connecting American Indian students with one another and their roots. Not only does this group offer a safe space to students, it also grants them connection to more opportunities for post high school plans, such as college. The American Indian Student Group ensures the recognition and value of Native American heritage every month of the year. “I would love to talk to someone at any time of the year about Native American history and culture because there is so much to know and so many different areas to talk about,” said Spencer.
young adults as a public librarian. With themed crafts and activities, puzzles and coloring sheets, the space helps students burn off some stress and anxiety during the school day. “It makes the library itself a more positive atmosphere. It builds community. I found makerspaces really successful, and so, since I have started here, it’s been my big goal, cause we have a lot of resources that have just kind of been sitting [unused]. I bring in crafts. I try to do seasonal stuff and build relationships.”
This project has definitely invited students to join in and hang out, like senior Daisy Lee, who goes every day. “I come to the library, just specifically to this area, cause I do the activities,” Lee said. “I tend to come here and color. Sometimes we make bracelets. There’s more activities here to do, so it makes the library more enjoyable.”
Last year, Pomraning did an audit of Mounds View’s collection and found that the library was not diverse enough. This led to her working part time with the school district to create more diverse libraries. At Mounds View, the librarians are open to talking with students about books they want and ordering them from Amazon. “Mr.
Blechert and I have been really on top of increasing reflection and taking suggestions from students and trying to combat [diversity issues] because we have a diverse community here, and everyone has different needs and different wants for their stories,” Kohlhase said. Other goals for the future include getting more comfortable seating to draw students in, more accessibility, activities or board games and a hope to bring back a full-time librarian.
“Studies have shown that having a certified Media Specialist in a school actually helps to increase student achievement, and so it’s just too bad that the schools decided to cut this position in half,” Blechert said.
As a whole, the library has gone through many changes between this year and last year, some negative and others more positive, resulting in a different overall feeling. “I have students who come in here and are excited to use the space, and they’re confident in asking questions. In the time I’ve been here, it’s opened up a little bit more, and people have felt more comfortable coming in here to just exist, which is what I’m all about,” Kohlhase said. “I’m really excited to see how it continues to evolve over the school year and if I’m here next year, the same.”
The American Indian Student Group at a college fair on Oct. 21, 2024.
| Gabi Skiba STAFF REPORTER
Kunc
Jill Spencer, Native American liaison
PHOTO VIA Jill Spencer
School Security
In the last few deacades, school security has become a bigger issue in the United States. Many schools, including Mounds View High School, have tried improving their security measures to ensure safety for students and staff admist in-school violence and school shootings.
Decades of violence: school shootings shape national gun debate
| Grayson Then STAFF REPORTER
Schools intend to exist as a safe place for students to learn and connect with others, but their safety gets continuously called into question. Schools around the country have been struck by hate crimes against marginalized groups, fights between students, threats of violence and mass shootings. These events in American schools show no signs of slowing, and the debate over how to stop them has become increasingly heated and politicized.
Gun violence in particular has threatened Americans for decades, with violent incidents rapidly increasing in recent years. This development especially endangers young Americans, as gun violence has spread into schools. According to CNN, there were 13 school shootings in 2010 in the United States, compared to 82 school shootings in 2023. The U.S. also led the world with 288 school shootings between 2009 and 2018, while Mexico, the second highest, only had eight according to World Population Review.
Despite not being the first school shooting to occur, many people see the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado in 1999, when two students murdered 13 people, as an appalling wake-up call that put the issue of school security in the national spotlight. Heavy media coverage informed millions around the country and the world about the tragedy that unfolded, launching the debate over how to improve school
security measures. Many believe the shooting inspired several “copycat crimes” in which perpetrators of other shootings took inspiration from and used similar tactics to the Columbine shooters.
Since the Columbine shooting, attacks on schools have become more common. In 2012, a shooter killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, including 20 children between six and seven years old. In 2018, a former student killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and in 2022, a shooter murdered 21 people at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, including 19 fourth graders. According to the Washington Post, more than 338,000 students in the U.S. have experienced gun violence at school since Columbine, and there have already been 35 school shootings that resulted in injuries or deaths in 2024 according to Education Week.
The alarming increase in school shootings across America has resulted in companies producing more products and services to combat them. According to the National Institute of Justice, U.S. schools spend around $3 billion per year on security measures. Some common technology purchased are door locks, security cameras, firstaid kits, metal detectors, lockdown shades and bulletproof whiteboards. However, many see these solutions as a temporary fix to the larger, underlying issues, like mental health, that contribute to school shootings
in the first place. Even with the massive amount of money spent on security measures, the amount of school shootings has continued to rise.
With 43.1% of school shootings being perpetrated by students according to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, schools, parents and educators frequently debate over punishments for students violating safety rules. President Bill Clinton signed the Gun-Free Schools Act in 1994, which mandated the notification of law enforcement if a student brought a firearm to school. It also mandated that other offenses, including possessing dangerous drugs, would result in severe punishments. However, even with this added enforcement, violence in schools continued to increase in the decades following the passage of the act. Moreover, the law led to an increase in arrests of students of color and harsh punishments for minor infractions according to NPR.
“It’s
not one straightforward path.
It’s
definitely a complicated issue.”
Mason Pape, sophomore
People disagree on how to solve the problem of school security. Many Republicans and conservatives believe that the government needs to invest funds in better security and protections, including student
resource officers, security cameras and even suggestions of arming teachers. In September, Republican Vice President-elect JD Vance called school shootings a “fact of life” and called for stopping shootings with protection measures and preventing them by improving the mental health of students. Democrats and liberals, however, believe in preventing shootings by restricting the types and number of guns people have in general. Many Democrat-led states have red flag laws, which permit state courts to temporarily seize someone’s firearms if they are deemed a threat. They also support banning certain types of guns such as assault weapons. However, opponents claim that these tactics violate the Second Amendment in the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right to bear arms. While Democrats agree with Republicans that improving mental health is an important prevention mechanism, they also criticize Republicans for using mental health to deflect from better gun control.
Sophomore Mason Pape thinks that the reason why the issue has not been solved is because it may require aspects of multiple ideas to fix it. “It’s not one straightforward path. It’s definitely a complicated issue,” he said. The controversial issue of fixing school safety around the country does not have an obvious answer, but while the debate rages on, the tragedies in the nation’s schools continue with no end in sight.
Mounds View invests in increased security
| Isabel Li PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
att Goldsmith, more commonly known as “Goldy,” has been Mounds View’s front security monitor for years. In his office is a buzzer, an ID scanner and a large monitor with eight screens of security camera footage covering every nook and cranny of the school. Every day, Goldy monitors who comes in and out of the building. The increased surveillance of students is only one example of how Mounds View has tightened their security measures to reflect the increased concerns over school security threats and shootings.
Since 2019, Mounds View has restricted the ability for people to freely get in and out of the building. The remodel in the 2019 construction added the security office where Goldy and paraeducator Dan Engebretson reside. Although the vestibule was already there before the remodel, the second set of doors usually remained unlocked. Students and visitors could walk into the building and then check
in at a desk with Goldy at the front of the commons. “If somebody wasn’t supposed to be in the building, we had already kind of let them in. So that’s kind of a problem, not the best practice, not the best way to do it, right? So now we’re stopping them here before they enter the building, and we’re able to find out what their purpose is, why they’re here, who they want to see, what they want to do,” said Goldy.
Students who come in during school hours check in using their Student ID. Visitors are screened via a security software called RAPTOR Technologies. “We take the identification or the driver’s license, run it through the software program. That will clear that person just about always, and then it makes a badge. We put that badge on that person. Now we identify that person [as] somebody who’s allowed to be in the building, and we also know where they’re supposed to be,” said Goldy.
Mounds View staff also enforce the policy that both
visitors and students should use only the front doors for all entering and exiting. Although some students find it inconvenient, this allows staff members to keep close tabs on who comes in and out of the building, especially when they stand outside the building and in the commons in the morning. “If kids always come in and out of [the front doors], we have control. [If] the kids are going out other doors, we lose control, especially if they’re coming in,” said Goldy.
With the growing awareness around school security, teachers go through new safety and security training every year with the Ramsey County Sheriff Office. “We work really closely with Ramsey County to make sure [to follow] what they understand as best practice and best safety protocol, and I take their considerations and feedback really seriously, and I think that we as the building and staff have to make sure that we’re living up to those recommendations,” said Alexandra Runnals, English teacher. Mounds View
Public Schools also has a crisis handbook, which is broken down by school and situation. One safety procedure that staff members are trained for is the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), which Mounds View implemented in 2023. The SRP replaced the previous lingo of “soft” and “hard” lockdowns as a standardized approach to handle a wider scope of emergency situations according to Mounds View SRO Andrea Giles. Posters are located throughout the school with icons displaying the various drills—hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate and shelter. In a lockdown, for example, Mounds View follows the motto “Locks, Lights, Out of Sight.”
Although drills like these improve safety at Mounds View, some Mounds View teachers had concerns about implementing these drills when they were introduced to the design of the new flex space wings in the 2019 remodel. The full-length glass windows and movable clear doors posed a potential safety hazard during
security threats, especially for remaining out of sight. “I was a little bothered when the design for those came out because of the glass walls and the movable stuff, and I know teachers who ended up in those classrooms also expressed concerns about, ‘What do we do? You know, even during drills?’” said Runnals. However, now there are safety buttons that automatically lock the entire flex space areas when pressed, which Runnals states has helped mitigate her fears.
Mounds View has adapted their security policies to keep up with new technology and improved security practices. Even with the policies in place now, school security continues to be a pressing issue. “I know that a lot of people think what’s happening in the world will never happen here, and I would hope that that never happens here, but if we think that it never will, we won’t plan for it to happen,” said Giles.
How social factors shape school safety trends
Across the United States, school security is a prominent issue, but safety, including from student fights, bullying and discrimination, often varies between schools. Specific elements make some schools in the U.S. safer than others, including the student-teacher connections, academic achievement, demographic differences and implemented safety measures.
According to a study done by the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute, safety is correlated with students’ relationships with their staff and teachers. One example the paper includes is that in one Chicago high school classified as “unsafe,” 98% of teachers reported disrespect from their students, whereas in a school classified as a safe school, only 10% of teachers reported feeling disrespected. Even schools that reside in the most conventionally dangerous areas but have high-quality relationships between teachers and students have a similar level of safety as schools in conventionally safe areas.
The study also explains that the level of academic drive plays a role in school safety. It notes that there is a positive correlation between higher lev-
els of academic achievement and school safety. On the other hand, schools that enroll more students who struggle academically are more likely to have issues with safety. Such schools must focus on safety concerns and make strong efforts to form trusting relationships in order to create environments conducive to learning according to the study.
An engaged environment has the reverse effect. Schools with academically-engaged learning environments have students whose primary goal in school is to perform well in class. These students are less likely to act out, and when they do, they respond to academic punishment, creating safer school environments.
Another important consideration regarding school safety is that while a school can be physically safe, students may still not feel safe. One big factor that contributes to feeling safe is whether or not a student is a minority. For example, according to a study by the Journal of School Nursing in 2018, LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to feel unsafe than their peers, and students of color feel less safe than white students. This is because these minority groups often fear bullying, ridicule and exclusion.
While minorities have different experiences at different
schools, Mounds View has reported relatively few incidents of discrimination. “Mounds View is a bit more inviting,” said junior Noah Kebede. He expressed that he feels more safe in Mounds View than in his former school, Como High School, where he feels teachers cared less about student performance than at Mounds View.
Moreover, safety protocols can make students feel less safe. The Journal of Nursing
“We don’t have [SROs] in my school, because we don’t need it...nothing’s going to happen.”
student
also notes that certain safety mechanisms such as metal detectors and digital surveillance technology can actually amplify fears and stressors around school safety. As an example, walking through metal detectors serves as a reminder of potential danger, leading students to feel less safe.
The U.S. also stresses safety measures much more than other countries. For instance, the United States is one of the only countries in the world that
has schools perform mandatory lockdown drills. Exchange student and junior José Garia Garces noted that he felt safer in his school in Spain as opposed to at Mounds View. “We don’t have [SROs] in my school, because we don’t need it… nothing’s going to happen,” said Garcia Garces. He said that he sees certain safety protocols as unnecessary and felt more safe in Spain because of the lack of guns there.
Security and safety come from a multitude of places, circumstances and relationships. Knowing where feelings of unsafety and threats come from is the first step in making schools places of security, not peril.
| Sean Oh STAFF REPORTER
students was conducted by The Viewer to View students’ feelings on the school se-
José Garia Garces, junior, exchange
Mcharacters went to Ivy League schools, from Rory Gilmore’s turbulent time at Yale to Andy Bernard’s never ending bragging of his time at Cornell. However, many high school students around America wonder if the prestige of such a school — not to mention the cost — is worth it.
A four-year degree at Harvard, including books, tuition and other expenses, cost $334,152 in 2023. By comparison, the University of Minnesota’s four-year cost for state residents was $124,396 based on 202223 numbers. The difference in total cost is more than $200,000. For most people, this difference in price is enough to push them away from committing to an Ivy League or a college of similar merit. However, going to a prestigious school does have its benefits.
The common argument against prestigious schools is that a degree is the same regardless of where you go, and although that is true on paper, the respect received and the opportunities acquired are not the same as when attending a very prestigious college. According to Crimson Education, a multinational university admissions consultancy, students at Ivy Leagues have a much higher chance to develop long lasting relationships and connections with people of importance due to the institutions’ extensive alumni networks, number of alumni working at top organizations
schools. These connections are so important because they serve as a link to future job opportunities.
Furthermore, many companies appreciate a degree from a highly esteemed school and are more likely to give a high-paying position to someone with such a degree over a person without. According to Payscale, a data company that provides data on job compensation, the median salary for a graduate from a non-Ivy League school after three years is $58,643 whereas the average graduate from an Ivy League school makes $86,025 – 32% higher than non-ivy league graduates. This advantage carries on throughout the graduate’s entire career with a 37% advantage after 20 years of work experience, with a non-Ivy League graduate’s median salary being $101,777 compared to the Ivy League graduate’s salary of $161,888. Furthermore, although some argue that Ivy Leagues and other prominent universities are too expensive to attend, these institutions are actually able to allocate large amounts of money towards financial aid due to their large endowments. In a list of the 25 most generous universities for financial aid by Best Colleges, Yale, Dartmouth and Harvard took the top three spots, all giving 100% needbased financial aid without loans. This helps families that are not able to afford the tuition of a
the student could get accepted. According to the Harvard website, 24% of Harvard families do not have to pay anything in terms of tuition. This is because Harvard states that if a student’s family income is less than $85,000, tuition will be entirely covered by the university. In contrast, the University of Minnesota gives need-based financial aid but through work-study programs or federal loans, with the average aid package being $15,530 per year compared to Harvard’s average aid package of $68,700 a year according to U.S. News and World Report.
The benefits of Ivy League and prestigious schools outweigh the drawbacks of attending these schools. These institutions provide unparalleled academic resources, along with the opportunity to build important networks and connections that students would not be able to develop through a “lower ranked” university. While the cost of attendance can be high, financial aid packages and the longterm career benefits make these top schools a wise investment. For students who are committed to excellence and seek to challenge themselves in an intellectually stimulating environment, these universities can lead to significant success and open many doors for a bright future.
Fcision season at Mounds View and high schools all over the nation. While looking into schools, it is hard to avoid the lure of elite universities. From the Ivy Leagues to top public schools, they all come with big names and big price tags. While the reputation of these places might seem enticing, their pros do not outweigh their cons or the pros of other schools.
Many argue that prestigious schools help students get better-paying jobs. According to Payscale, 20 years after graduation, Harvard alums receive an average wage $760,000 more than the average wage for people with bachelor’s degrees. Though this might seem like an obvious benefit of attending a prestigious university, it is because wealthy students are disproportionately admitted to these schools.
Economists Dale and Krueger found that students with parents in the top 1% are 34% more likely to get admitted to an elite university than people from the middle class. These top schools do not act as a way for the best students to get a quality education; instead they are for the richest students. The disproportionate demographics inflate the numbers, making prestigious colleges seem better than they are.
Furthermore, these schools do not necessarily determine success. Of the current CEOs of
companies, a majority attended state schools according to Investopedia. Though three of them attended very prestigious schools, they all are in similar positions. For example, Doug McMillian, CEO of Walmart, attended University of Arkansas, which is ranked only 189th in the ranking of best national colleges by US News. His estimated net worth is $416 million. Though a prestigious college might help, it is entirely possible to succeed with an education from an average school.
Often it is the student, rather than the school that makes the prestigious college worth it.
Often it is the student, rather than the school that makes the prestigious college worth it. In a study by Opportunity Insights, a Harvard-based economist group, they took students waitlisted by Ivy Leagues and compared the wages of those who got in versus those who instead went to a state school. They found that there was a statistically insignificant difference between both groups’ wages. Ivy league schools cost on average 198% more than the average in-state public college. It is not worth it for top students
just to get the same outcomes. Though it might not earn as many bragging rights, avoiding years of debt to earn the same amount is a nobrainer.
The prestigiousness of a college is not a decider of success, according to Stanford’s School of Education, and therefore should not be the main determiner of where one should go. Elite schools may be overly competitive and discouraging to some students, despite rankings stating that they are supposed to be the best schools. College is most teens’ first experience living outside of home, so to enter into an environment that does not feel welcoming can be draining. Class size, setting and coursework can all be important in deciding if a school is an environment that a student would learn well in, beyond just prestige. Though reputation can be important for students, it should only be one factor in the decision of where to go. Going to an elite school is not worth it if the environment does not set a student up for success. Finding a school that fits students, their goals and also their willingness to pay should come before prestige.
GOOD QUESTION
How do American and European schools compare?
| Carter Ballman & Isabella Kunc STAFF REPORTER & PRINT ME
any American children grew up watching Harry Potter and noticing the differences between Hogwarts and their own schools. Beyond the obviously magical elements, Hogwarts had OWL exams, a lack of extracurriculars – besides one sports team – and school uniforms. There are many differences between American and European high schools, including the physical building, student attitudes, specialization and personalization.
While many European schools also differ by country, they all tend to be smaller. American high schools are generally three or four times larger than European ones physically, even though they have around the same number of students according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. One reason for this difference is that many American schools include sports fields and large gymnasiums that are not present in European schools due to a lack of extracurricular activities.
Many, if not all American high schools offer some sort of extra-curricular activities, from school sport teams or theater to academic clubs like Science Olympiad or Red Cross Club. On the other hand, European schools are primarily a place to learn during the school day according to The French American Academy. Students in Europe
tend to play sports in outside clubs and overall focus less on extra-curriculars. Having sports teams and more school-sponsored activities leads to better school spirit in America according to CIEE, where students can have more time for activities and friends outside of school, including school dances, which are almost nonexistent in Europe.
Another big difference is that many European students stay in the same classroom all day, with teachers moving classrooms instead. Students have classes with the same classmates and usually only move classrooms for specialty classes like art or gym.
European schools are usually seen as more rigorous according to CIEE. Students who
have studied on both sides of the ocean generally state that they have to study and focus more in European schools. Students in Europe are usually also seen as more globally minded and educated, with many schools requiring students to take foreign languages starting as young as elementary school. Many European students also graduate high school knowing more than two languages or having learned more traditionally “academic” languages like Latin.
European schools also offer less choice in which classes to take according to The French American Academy, unlike American schools where students can fill their schedules with everything from cooking classes to business classes. Many European schools also
emphasize earlier specialization for students, by having students pick specific high schools or “tracks” before many American schools often do, as noted by Education Week. In some countries, students pick between university-oriented, technical or vocational high schools, according to Educational Tours. Vocational, or professional, high schools are for students who want to enter the workforce soon after graduating, with a focus on anything from mechanics to hospitality studies. Technical schools are a mix of the other two. Other countries have tracks, all in one school, separating students as young as 10 into different levels or specialties. However, students can still have some freedom to move between tracks before university.
How are school activities funded?
| Ryan Wirrer STAFF REPORTER
In schools across the country, funding for extracurricular activities is divided among various sports
Administers often have to make tough decisions. In many cases, funding one activity would mean less funding for another, making a fair resource allocation a struggle. “Each
holds. Mounds View Football Coach Tom Davis explains that football is just a very popular sport, and to maintain the program, a lot of money is needed.
“Each group is different, and it’s my job to make sure everyone feels sup-
James Galvin, Athletic Director
In contrast, lower-profile sports, such as golf and badminton, often receive less financial support. These sports usually have smaller followings, which results in fewer resources and less student interest. “[Badminton] really doesn’t have as many people as larger sports because it is generally looked down upon and is a student run club so it doesn’t have much funding from the school,” said junior Eli Moua, captain of the MV Bad-
Academic clubs like Science Olympiad or Econ Club also play an essential role in many students’ high school experience, but unlike sports, these clubs rarely generate revenue and do not have booster clubs to
Furthermore, the process of moving from high school to college or university is quite different in Europe from what American students are used to according to CIEE. American universities tend to have a holistic approach to applications, looking at personal statements, extracurriculars, test scores –usually optional – and most importantly, grades. However, in Europe, applications focus more on one thing, a cumulative test or tests that students take at or near the end of high school, sometimes necessary for graduating. Called the A-levels and GCSEs in England, External Independent Test (EIT) in Ukraine and Mature Exam in Poland, Slovenia and other countries, the tests act like the SAT/ACT, AP subject test and grades all rolled into one.
The difference between American and European high schools reflect broader cultural, social, and practical priorities. While American schools emphasize a comprehensive approach that includes a wide range of options for students’ high school experience, European schools tend to prioritize academic rigor and specialization, often starting at an early age. From the physical design of the school buildings to approaches to extracurricular activities, language learning and college preparation, each system offers distinct advantages aligned with its goals.
fund them. They often operate on budgets funded by forms of fundraising or small grants from the school. Student-run interest and cultural clubs also usually do not get school funding and have to rely on fundraising or individual donations. Providing a more balanced funding would support students with different interests by ensuring they have the same level of resources and recognition as their athletic peers.
On the other hand, larger arts programs like Mounds View Theater get more school funding, but because of previous allocation towards auditorium upkeep, still end up without enough money. MV Theater is funded by booster club money and by the tickets they sell. “I think Theater itself has enough funding. It’s more about the auditorium – the spaces that Theater utilizes that do not have enough funding,” said Shakespeare Club manager and senior Gabby Haake. “The issue for me [is more] about what the funding is going towards.”
Music programs also get funding from the district. Orchestra, for example, has a budget for supplies as well as an approval process for purchasing
and repairing instruments according to Orchestra teacher Lucas Shogren. In addition, the orchestra has a parent-run booster club, the Mounds View Orchestral Association (MVOA), that supports Mounds View High School and Chippewa Middle School. It provides additional funding for performances and other unique student opportunities like senior gifts and merchandise.
“I
think Theater itself has enough funding. [...] The issue for me [is more] about what the funding is going towards.”
Gabby Haake, senior
Ultimately, the distribution of funding for extracurricular activities plays a key role in shaping students’ overall school experience. It is important that all students’ interests are supported by their school, making appropriate funding for student activities vital.
REVIEWS
Mi-Sant kitchen or bakery?
| Gabriella Markegard STAFF REPORTER
estled in the heart of Roseville, Mi-Sant Kitchen & Bakery offers a unique culinary experience. Mi-Sant specializes in creating fresh and baked goods, as well as a diverse menu inspired by Vietnamese cuisine.
Although there was a delicious aroma from the clean lobby, the staff were very busy and seemed short-staffed with one cashier working the counter. At the kiosk, I decided to order a
purple yam, a cream cheese and strawberry croissant, cinnamon and cream cheese cruffin and a honeydew bubble tea. Altogether, I waited about 25 minutes for my order.
The pastry I was most excited about was the strawberry and cream cheese croissant. After my first bite, I was surprised and disappointed to find that there was no filling on the inside, as the croissant was advertised with strawberry and cream cheese filling. Although the filling was missing, the croissant itself had a perfectly golden brown outside and was full of flavor otherwise.
A unique offering at MiSant is the ube croissant, commonly known as a purple yam croissant. Intrigued by its vibrant color, I gave it a try. The
croissant turned out quite bitter. The flavor was overpowering and lacked the sweetness that one might expect from a pastry. It was a letdown, especially considering the high hopes I had for such an interesting combination.
On a brighter note, the cinnamon and cream cheese cruffin was delicious. It was light and flaky and had a perfect balance of sweet cinnamon and creamy cheese filling, which added the right amount of richness. It was a highlight of my visit to MiSant and a treat I would highly recommend to anyone who has a craving for a fall flavor.
I ordered the honeydew bubble tea as my beverage, and it turned out to be an amazing choice. The drink was incredibly refreshing and tasted like
fresh fruit. The natural sweetness of the honeydew was perfect, and the texture of the drink was smooth. It was a perfect way to round off my trip to MiSant. I would recommend the honeydew bubble tea to anyone who is a fruit lover.
The cost of my order was $20, which I found quite steep considering that my visit to MiSant kitchen and bakery was a mix of experiences. The honeydew bubble tea was a refreshing delight, capturing the true essence of the fruit. However, the strawberry and cream cheese croissant was quite disappointing, lacking any filling. The purple yam croissant was bitter and not enjoyable at all. On the brighter side, the cinnamon and cream cheese cruffin was delicious, with its perfect balance
of flavors. Taking everything into consideration, I would give Mi-Sant an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5. While there were some highlights, there is room for improvement in their pastries.
n Nov. 9, I visited MiSant to review their kitchen items, such as their special banh mi and their anticipated bulgogi kimchi fries.
The moment I walked into Mi-Sant, I was greeted by an
employee at the front desk. The lines were quickly progressing through the kiosk, and I was able to order my food with an impressive time of five minutes. Although the kiosk ordering system was confusing to work around, having the ability to pick and choose every cuisine I wanted to try was quite the luxury. It was prime lunchtime for this restaurant, as I could see almost every table filled from the main dining area to the sunroom. My food was ready to be picked up after only 10 minutes. I was impressed with the speed of service even
Creator’s
as the building was filled with customers.
I started with the highly anticipated and recommended bulgogi kimchi fries. The french fry portion of the dish was delicious, as it was still crunchy even with the mild sogginess from the kimchi and sriracha mayo. In the bulgogi beef, the saltiness overpowered the sweetness. This was a negative aspect of the dish, but the kimchi’s spice contributed to a fantastic combination for the dish. This was by far my favorite dish among the foods I have tried.
The special banh mi had excellent coordination in its multitude of different ingredients, including grilled pork, char siu pork and fried eggs. I did not know what to expect as I hadn’t tried banh mi with fried eggs. Although I was reluctant to try a different style, my first bite was delicious and filled with satisfaction. The satisifying experience I ad while undergoing this review of Mi-Sant Kitchen & Bakery prompts me to recommend this restaurant to everyone. Both culinary dishes added to a total of $23.30. To have
a truly satisfying experience, Mi-Sant can be pricey, but it is worth it. To total my full experience, I would rate Mi-Sant Kitchen & Bakery a 4.7/5.
“Chromakopia” comeback
turity, parenthood and the wisdom his mother imparted to him.
n Oct. 28, Tyler the Creator released his seventh album, Chromakopia. The album quickly became one of my favorites of the year. It unfolds as a powerful exploration of the mental health and identity of Tyler. Shifting away from the bold confidence of his previous projects, Chromakopia finds Tyler grappling with ma-
The album is packed with genre-bending sounds, blending jazz, soul, hip-hop and electronic influences that speak to Tyler’s incredible evolution as an artist. Each combination of genres mixed beautifully with each lyric to tell a unique story of his experience in life. He arranges and produces each track wonderfully, creating a cinematic experience from the very strong opener, “St. Chroma,” to the slower, closing track, “ I Hope You Find Your Way Home.” He weaves together sounds that echo funk and jazz, pairing nostalgic samples with modern production in tracks like “Darling, I.” This song stands out, as it contrasts a warm melody with lyrics questioning Tyler’s commitment to being an artist, something that not a lot of rappers do in recent times.
Chromakopia serves as a testament to Tyler’s growing abilities. He does a great job with his guest features, particularly Daniel Caesar and Schoolboy Q, who really impressed me with their contribution to the album’s richness. Other additions highlighted how Tyler can bring together different styles of artists. In the track “Sticky,” he manages to blend GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne into one of the most memorable songs of the album. He impressed me with his ability to blend his distinctive sound with diverse voices that complement rather than compete with his own.
Lyrically, Chromakopia shines as one of Tyler’s most personal and skillful projects to date. Songs like “Like Him” really moved me with their deep dive into his feelings around family, touching on the complex relationship with his absent father, a common topic in his songs but one that he truly has new layers. It seems like he focused on giving the album a more creative exploration of familiar themes by adding greater emotional stakes. The interludes, featuring his mother Bonita Smith’s voice, anchor
the album, adding warmth and gravity. Her advice, laced throughout the album, serves as a reminder of the passing time and Tyler’s evolving understanding of what family and legacy means to him.
“As
Chromakopia explores contrasting moods, masterfully balancing moments of bold energy with his mother’s softer and more reflective interludes.
Tracks like “Rah Tah Tah” echo his previous album’s highenergy style while other tracks introduce a blending of passion and calmness. The strict contrast throughout the album was incredible to listen to. The back and forth created an interesting sense of tension and unpredictability that followed throughout the album very well. Although Tyler is known for his bold confidence, this album begins to
question that attribute. There is a sense that he is stepping away from his persona to confront a more nuanced self-image, one that grapples with imperfections and self-reflection. These are the moments that give Chromakopia an emotional appeal and bring together the album in a positive way. It feels like the listener is on a musical journey of Tyler’s ongoing evolution, embracing the uncertainties of adulthood and the wisdom that accompanies it.
Chromakopia was met with high critical praise, particularly for its fearless experimentation and deeply personal narrative. As a longtime fan of his work, I think the album beautifully creates a window into the fulfilling evolution of Tyler’s artistic journey. And for any newcomers, they will find themselves quickly drawn to its engaging production and raw honesty. Bold yet vulnerable, his approach creates a reflective, genre-mixing body of work that is as much about searching for answers as it is about redefining himself in the process. The album is easily one of his best, once again proving his spot as one of the most prolific artists of our era.
PHOTO | Gabriella Markegard
PHOTO Elijah Mattfield
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22,
Mustangs cross barriers of success
| Michael Quiggle STAFF REPORTER
Over the past four years, Over the past four years, the Mounds View girls cross country program has improved vastly. From changing their training regimen and a new coaching style to building a closer community, this year’s team has broken their team average record and become the fastest team in Mounds View history. The girls decreased their running times and improved their performance with many athletes setting new personal and seasonal records this season.
During the 2020 season, the team got divided into two groups due to COVID regulations. The faster and more experienced runners trained with head coach Jimmy McArthur, while the rest of the girls trained with assistant coach Ingrid Narum and former coach Diane Hessini. After this irregular and isolating season, the girls pushed to train together as one community rather than in groups. “Our captains the year after that [in 2021], I think just because we had to separate, they really wanted to come together as a team,” said Narum.
Many girls on the team believe that it is their tight-knit community that allows them to continue getting faster each year, as the community values
teamwork and consistency and encourages the girls to hold each other accountable. “I feel close to them, kind of like a family almost. I think one reason that we do really well [is] we’re able to hold people accountable, but then bond together and push each other,” said senior captain Maya Francisco. Furthermore, off-season training allowed them to not only continue to develop their bonds, but also build consistency that contributed to their faster improvement. “These girls put in the miles year round.
Pretty much every day they’re summer running. Some girls do nordic in the winter. Some girls just winter run, and pretty much everyone does track,” said Narum.
This year the athletes also implemented more cross training into their routines. Rather than running six days a week, many girls took a couple days to do different forms of cardio such as biking, going on the elliptical trainer and using the LEVER, a strap-in device to a treadmill that lifts a portion of the athlete’s body weight off.
This allowed the runners to protect themselves from injuries instead of stressing their joints from daily running and, as a result, train and race more consistently. “As someone who was injured in the past, it’s something that I do to make sure that I’m able to race,” said senior captain Malaina Brodin, who cross trains twice a week.
All this led to an impressive season for the team. At their conference race this season, the varsity girls finished with their fastest team average in program history with a time
A touchdown on MV football
| Henry Anthony STAFF REPORTER
After five years, the Mounds View Football Team reached state once again, marking the end of a successful season. This year’s team became the second in Mounds View history to win a conference and section championship by implementing key changes this season, including upgraded equipment, intense training and a stronger sense of camaraderie.
This past season, the football team made great improvements on
both sides of the ball. The team finished with a record of 8-3, the same as when they went to state in 2019. One of the team’s keys to success was their defense. “We average giving up 14.4 points a game. So at the end of the season, that was second best in [Class] AAAAAA football, which is really impressive,” said Varsity Head Coach Aaron Moberg. Meanwhile, their offense scored an average of 31.4 points a game, ranking fifth, and almost doubling their average of 17.2 from the previous season.
The team also broke the
school’s turnover ratio record, which is the difference between a team’s turnovers and their opponent’s turnovers. Previously, the record was a negative four rating, and this year, the team had a positive 18 turnover rating. This means they forced other teams into many interceptions or fumbles on defense, while rarely turning the ball over themselves.
The impressive record was in part due to the captains stepping up and increasing the intensity of the practices. “It all starts with being a player-led team. And the way we practice hasn’t really changed much over the last couple of years, but the intensity and focus just keeps getting raised each year,” Moberg said.
The team has also been working on improving their own play styles. The school’s athletic department recently spent thousands of dollars on upgraded equipment, such as cameras, drones and televisions. During practice, the drones filmed above in order to get a full view of the athletes. “It would record our practice so we could dive deep into what we did wrong during practice, and then we could watch [the] film and correct it so it wouldn’t happen in game,” said senior captain Joseph Kostolnik.
The team has also put an emphasis on watching videos of their
of 18:46 for a 5K. Sophomore Linnea Ousdigian also broke the school record with a time of 17:21.3 at that meet.
This year, the team also competed at the Roy Griak Invitational on Sep. 20 and Nike Cross Regional Heartland Championships (NXR) on Nov. 10. They have consistently competed at Griak, the largest cross country meet in the Midwest, for several years, but it is only in 2022 that the team began to qualify for the championship race based on their performance in the previous season according to Narum.
In addition, their faster times and first place finishes at sections allowed the whole team to qualify for state rather than just the top runners. “The dynamic it’s so different where the entire team can go to state and race together,” said Francisco. They placed sixth at state and won their section title for the seventh year in a row.
Overall the Mounds View girls cross country team had a solid season this year. They placed well in every race and won the title of the fastest girls cross country team in Mounds View history at a conference race right before the end of the season. “It’s just a result of their work ethic and their dedication to the sport and the team,” said Narum.
opponents this year, which allows them to be ready for other play styles. “Watching our opponents and the games that they’ve played and their tendencies and things that they’ve done… that’s helped us play faster, just knowing what your opponent’s gonna do,” said senior Charlie Eggert.
“No one really picked us to win that game either, so you know, proving them wrong was an awesome experience.”
Osley Olson, senior
Furthermore, the athletes have had fewer injuries this year due to strength Coach Conor Mitchell’s training advice. He emphasized keeping their bodies healthy rather than gaining muscle by assigning RPR (Reflexive Performance Reset) training, which refers to breathing and neurological exercises that help the brain and body recover. This overall increased their physical ability and has allowed them to be a stronger team throughout the season. “[Coach] Conor in the off-season,
throughout winter, spring and summer, made us do a lot of RPR and just keeping our muscle loose and focused on the mobility side of lifting rather than just power, like how our old strength coach used to,” said senior Osley Olsen. Through improved teamwork and focused team preparation, the team made it farther than previous years. During a close and intense playoff game against the Prior Lake Lakers, Mounds View managed to prevent the Lakers from scoring on a two-point conversion, allowing them to win the game 2827. Not only did this game provide them a spot in the state tournament, but it also avenged their loss to Prior Lake from last year. “No one really picked us to win that game either, so you know, proving them wrong was an awesome experience,” said Olsen.
Ending the year on a close loss to Shakopee was a tough way to be eliminated in the playoffs, but the team is proud of their accomplishments nonetheless. “We didn’t meet our full goal which was obviously winning state, [but] we’re still very proud of the season that we had and we hope that our team will leave a legacy for future Mustang teams and help the culture of the school,” said Kostolnik.
PHOTO Isabel Li
PHOTO Sam Hagen
Mounds View girls cross country huddle before their race at Alexandria Lion’s Meet of Champions.
Mounds View Football team listens to Varsity Coach Aaron Moberg give a speech.
PUZZLES
Scan the QR code to visit The Viewer’s website:
First three students to complete all of the puzzles and DM @mvviewer on Instagram win a free snack or drink from the Mustang Marketplace
Sudoku
Crossword
Across
1. Trait of students who are disproportionately admitted to prestigious schools
3. Name of the largest cross country meet in the Midwest 6. Cuisine Mi-Sant Kitchen & Bakery specializes in 11. Opening track for “Chromakopia”
12. Security software Mounds View uses to screen visitor IDs
13. Country where students Yaroslav and Mariia Bohdan are from 14. The rank Mounds View’s football team placed in the Class AAAAAA sections
Down
2. The roles Jill Spencer and Felicia Galvan hold in Mounds View Public Schools
4. The type of space Lindsey Kohlhase transformed the computer area into
5. President who signed the Gun-Free Schools Act in 1994
7. Last name of the Mounds View teacher who teaches Interactive Media
8. Exam in England which acts as the ACT, SAT and AP subject tests
9. The stance 54% of Americans take on abortion
10. The program at Mounds View that overall receives the most funding
