MV Viewer 2021-2022 Issue 6

VOLUME 69 ISSUE 6 | FEBRUARY 16, 2022

THE VIEWER

Are students pessimistic or optimistic about the future?

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Student Protests 02/ Space Exploration 06/ Gymnastics 09

02

News

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Cryptocurrency at Mounds View

by Rachel Zou staff reporter

Cryptocurrency’s growing popularity has taken the world by storm. According to Statista, there are over 300 million global users of cryptocurrency. As a decentralized digital currency secured by cryptography, anyone can use it to transfer money online or make money from investing in different cryptocurrencies. However, some people express concerns about the environmental and regulation issues that come with cryptocurrency.

Some students have extensively researched or at least have heard of it. “I’ve been aware of it for two or three years now which is like, before most people were aware of it just because people that I follow on social media and stuff like that,” said Ryan Moore, 11.

According to Investopedia, these cryptocurrencies are mainly expressed through virtual “coins” and “tokens.” While most remain virtual, some projects have been brought into the physical world through credit cards.

One cryptocurrency that some students would like to invest in is Ethereum. Michael Berscheid, 11, said, “Ethereum is being used as the go to currency to buy NFT’s, so the value of ethereum is going up because of that.” According to Investopedia, NFT’s (or non-refundable tokens) are cryptographic tokens that are on a blockchain — a system that keeps track of transactions in a safe manner. Unlike other cryptocurrencies, they can be used to represent real life artwork or estate.

Similarly, some teachers at Mounds View are interested in investing in cryptocurrency. “There’s different types of cryptocurrency and the metaverse types of cryptocurrencies are somewhat interesting. I have invested a little bit in one called MANA, which is Decen-

traland,” said Lucas Shogren, orchestra teacher.

While cryptocurrency is relatively new, it has many benefits depending on the person’s usage. “I personally kind of enjoy the decentralized finance component of it because I think there are some really interesting use cases of that from a global perspective of how money can be transferred from person to person in different countries who maybe are unbanked,” Shogren said.

Its accessibility to the public proves to be a benefit for cryptocurrency users.

Due to no conversions, people who want to make transactions across the globe would also find cryptocurrency easy to use. “The thing that can come out good is having a currency that can be completely universal across earth, essentially,” Berscheid said. “Instead of

“...It’s important to recognize that [it’s] taking up a lot of energy.”

Lucas Shogren, orchestra teacher

having all these different currencies, we just have Bitcoin or Ethereum and it could really simplify trade and stuff alike.”

However, there are also negative aspects of cryptocurrency. According to CNET, the energy generated to mine one Bitcoin could power an average American’s house for 53 days. “I think if you look at a lot of things in the energy consumption compared to, let’s say, mining Bitcoin, it’s important to recognize that [it’s] taking up a lot of energy,” Shogren said. There is a high

amount of electricity required for the mining process, which is detrimental to the environment.

With cryptocurrency being so readily available and widely used, regulation of the new currency also proves to be a problem. Some projects with cryptocurrency are simply frauds, and investing in them can be highly risky. Since cryptocurrency is used virtually and is a relatively new concept, the government has limited

“I don’t think it’s regulated enough because there’s so much shady stuff that goes on.”

Kevin Xiong, 12

regulatory powers. “I don’t think it’s regulated enough because there’s so much shady stuff that goes on, like, there’s a lot of third parties and bitcoin mining and everything,” said Kevin Xiong, 12. Students believe that the lack of regulation is a big drawback of cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrency’s ease of use is an advantage for its users. However, its recent popularity and novelty raises concerns regarding regulation and environmentalism.

Mounds View students and staff who are intrigued by cryptocurrency hope these issues will be resolved.

Student COVID-19 protests

by Terry Tao staff reporter Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many debates about how much schools should act to help create a safe learning environment. Throughout the last few months, the Omicron variant posed new concerns as it rapidly spread across the state. As families and teachers grew worried about their safety and that of students at school, students decided to take action into their own hands by organizing walkouts and protests to push for more safety measures.

Lakeville North High School and Lakeville South High School are some examples of where studentorganized protests took place. “We’re walking out to bring attention to the new unsafe COVID protocols that ISD194 has put in place. We have a list of

“We have a list of demands similar to the ones at SPPS students had that we’ll be advocating for.”

Maggie McBrady, 11

demands similar to the ones that SPPS students had that we’ll be advocating for,” said Maggie McBrady, a junior at Lakeville South who helped organize the protests.

Over 40 students from the Lakeville high schools walked out of classes midday on Tuesday, Jan. 25 to

bring awareness to the protocols that ISD194 enacted.

The students’ demands included the school providing at-home testing kits and KN95 masks.

As a result of these protests, the district has ordered the requested masks, and the other issues brought forward by students will be discussed at school board meetings. According to McBrady, the school board cannot approve decisions until they have been discussed at two such meetings.

Similarly, students in the Saint Paul Public Schools district, the largest school district in Minnesota, had also protested for their safety. According to the Instagram account @mnteenactivists, students asked that SPPS switch from in-person learning to online learning for two weeks so that the school district could come up with a safer plan to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections at school, provide KN95 masks and consistent COVID-19 testing for students and staff and continue contract tracing, among others.

“When you’re in a community, when you make a decision, your decision impacts the entire community,” said Maisee Moua-Kieselbach, a board member and English teacher at St. Paul City Middle School.

“Personally, as a teacher, we’re at the front line of all of this and it impacts not just the students body itself but also impacts all the adults in the building,” MouaKieselbach said.

SPPS includes 67 schools, and decisions about safety are not easy to make since it impacts almost 40,000 students.

With other schools protesting across the country,

students at Mounds View may be curious as to if they can protest at school. “Our school and school district highly value student input, and would certainly listen to students who are raising concerns like this in a coordinated manner,” said Benjamin Chiri, associate principal. If done in a safe manner, students can protest at Mounds View, and the school is ready to listen to the demands of families.

Another way for students to make their concerns heard is to talk with Student Council members. “Student Council reps could coordinate communication with the school and district administrative team,” Chiri said. Students Council, which represents the Mounds View student body, would serve as an intermediary between students and the school administration.

Students organizing and participating in walkouts and protests help make their voices heard and make a change in the community.

Students stepping up for themselves through walkouts and protests to bring awareness about protocol concerns and demands that schools provide KN95 masks. It does not only impact the St. Paul district but the Mounds View district, too, since safety doesn’t affect one place.

photos courtesy of Maggie McBrady

features

wednesday, FebRuary 16, 2022

03

Into the world of modeling

by Maya Gjelhaug staff reporter

Dazzling, glittering and glamorous are all words that come to mind when people think of modeling. Junior Bergen Leafblad, who recently entered the modeling world, notes that a career in this industry requires just as much hard work and dedication as any other job.

Leafblad officially became a model at age 15 when his mom submitted photos to a modeling agency. “We were on a lake boating during ‘golden hour,’ and my mom decided to take a picture of me with prime lighting. The next day, she submitted it to an agency in Minneapolis, and within an hour, they asked me to come in!” he said. From there, he signed with the agency and began his modeling career.

For Leafblad, walking on the runway or shooting for a catalog have been long-time dreams, and he hopes he can achieve them as he begins modeling. Leafblad’s first shoot as a signed model was with one of his friends. “We went out to a spot with a bunch of murals

and had fun with it. It felt super empowering and a little shocking at the same time,” he said. “It gave me this boost of confidence that I lacked during middle school and helped me realize that there is beauty in me even when I might feel like there isn’t.”

Leafblad has the same day-to-day challenges as a regular teen, but with the added stress of modeling. He emphasizes that modeling requires staying organized and being aware of new updates in order to keep up with business. “I always check my email in case my agency [sends] me a possible job and if so, the details are included within it,” he said. “Each day is different depending on how busy the agency wants me to be moving, but I haven’t had any experiences where I’m hightailing it to each casting.”

As for his education, Leafblad notes that school comes before his modeling career. “I think one of the biggest ways that I balance modeling and school is, surprisingly, through the head of the agency. When I went in for my initial casting, she spoke to me about obtaining my high school diploma before getting any major jobs,” he said. “I also have been lectured by my mom about how if modeling doesn’t work out the way I hope it to, schooling and having the opportunity to expand on my education is important.” Leafblad hopes that modeling will open up the doors to new opportunities in the future.

Leafblad’s passion for modeling also stems from his love for fashion, which can be seen in his other hobbies, such as thrifting. “I love thrifting or stepping in vintage shops trying to find really weird interesting

The man behind the Jeep

by Tyler Quattrin staff reporter

The dark green Jeep is a prominent staple in Mounds View’s East Lot, yet many students are unaware of the driver behind it. Dan Engebretson, Mounds View’s parking lot supervisor, deals with a variety of situations around the school.

In the mornings, Engebretson strategically parks where he does to leave the last 14 spots of the staff parking lot open. These spots need to be left open to give buses room to turn around. The placement of the Jeep allows staff to know how many spots they can take up and which ones need to be left open.

Engebreston also monitors the parking lot for potential accidents, and so far, he has seen a few. He remembers a few years ago an alumnus was dropping off their brother and was hit while pulling out. “There was pretty good damage,” he said.

He also said he has witnessed a few hit-and-runs and assisted a student whose car had been keyed. However, even with the use of security cameras, they still could not find the culprit. Engebretson feels that this year has been relatively tame in terms of incidents.

When it comes to a procedure for if an accident occurs, Engebretson says there isn’t a lot he can do.

“Usually we tell them to just exchange information and then just move on,” he said. In some cases, they can request a resource officer to the scene, but a police report is rarely necessary for accidents in the parking lot.

Another one of Engebretson’s responsibilities in the parking lot is the parking violations. If he finds students parking in staff and visitor spots or someone parking without a permit, for example, he will hand

out violations. “We get kids, too, that will try to park around the building like in the grass or by the baseball field and stuff like that,” he said. Every day, he walks through the lot and checks for potential violations.

Sometimes Engebreston doles out warnings rather than violations. “Right now I’m not going to give anybody a ticket because I don’t want you to park at St. Johns and walk down here when it’s 11 below, but if it’s sunny and 80 you’re getting a ticket,” he said. Circumstances can often change how Engebretson responds.

In response to situations involving student parking issues, he texts the students from the phone number they gave when purchasing the parking permit and tells them to move the car. “People have triple or quadrupleparked…so the [other] cars can’t move,” Engebretson said. He also stated there have also been many students who have left their car running in the lot, and he has had to contact the drivers if he is not able to turn the car off himself.

Engebretson notices patterns with the student and staff drivers. He thinks the skills of student drivers are surprisingly good. “Their parking is better than staff,” he said. “There’s a couple [of] knuckleheads, of course, but for the most part everyone is pretty good.” He also finds it weird that he has noticed most people park in the same parking spot every day.

Engebretson also commented on some changes the school plans to make with the lots. Many Mounds View students that drive to school have noticed the poor condition of the North parking lot. “Across the street is going to be brand new this summer,” Engebretson said.

“Getting rid of this gas station thing over there, that will be gone, and it’s all getting paved, and they’re going to make it all one way so that will take away a lot of the

pieces that I can add to my collection at home. I would call my style sort of ‘grandpa’ mixed with streetwear,” Leafblad said.

Leafblad explains that, while modeling has been an incredible opportunity, many people do not realize the dedication that modeling demands. “The amount of work models put into their job is humongous. Seeing the behind-the-scenes of modeling and how it all goes down has made me sympathize more with models,” he said. “If I want to make it, I’m going to need to put in tons of effort.”

Leafblad encourages other teens to try out modeling as well. “My biggest advice to teenagers would be, just go for it!” he said. “Sometimes the things that we find ourselves being insecure about could be the very thing that makes us stand out and be different.” While he criticizes some aspects of the modeling industry, he also notes how modeling helped him gain confidence and he hopes that modeling can help him pursue his interests in fashion and design. photos courtesy of Bergen Leafblad

problems.” He also says that will be helpful because when it is finished, there will be plenty of spots, enough for everyone to get a permit.

In the parking lot, Engebretson deals with circumstances ranging from minor parking violations to damaged vehicles. However, when he is not patrolling the lot, he can be found directing school buses, helping out in the front office or working to ensure student safety in other ways inside the school. His day is filled with many responsibilities that are heavily involved with students and staff and their safety. Mounds View students can be assured of their well-being under the watchful eyes of the man in the dark green Jeep.

photos courtesy of Tyler Quattrin

04

editorials

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Deceptions of space travel

by Zige Wang managing copy editor

Space exploration was once a fantasy for humankind, but as technology has progressed, this fictional dreamscape has become a reality. With the discovery of water on Mars in 2012, many scientists and citizens began to see space as an opportunity to expand the power of humankind. However, because it can lead to colonization and has other negative implications, others reject the increasing focus on space exploration.

Many people argue that investing money into space-oriented projects will benefit all of humanity.

Some proponents also believe that exploration is a right given to humankind to further society. The combination of these two ideologies is eerily similar to the mindsets of the past that justified colonization on Earth. While the latter is arguably far worse, the same “furthering humanity” logic has been applied to both situations.

There is no moral justification for using resources from other celestial objects when people could fix many problems with the tools on Earth.

Still, private businesses and governments continually push towards space colonization. In this hypothetical scenario, most middle and working-class people would be left behind. Environmental catastrophes are often a reason used to argue in favor of space colonization. However, the abominable state of the world would then be left behind to the typical person, even though climate problems were caused by the people in power of this world.

The creation of NASA also disproves the “humanity first” reasoning. This branch of the government was founded in 1958 after growing concerns about the Soviet Union’s global influence after the launch of Sputnik.

The utilization of exploration programs today creates a competition of power and is one way for the U.S. to try to maintain global influence. The past and current uses of space exploration generate unwarranted competition between countries, which can cause unnecessary villainization of non-capitalist ideologies. In short, America’s use of space exploration is used to maintain American exceptionalism, which creates division

among civilians from different countries while striving to keep the power in the West.

Nevertheless, defendants will point to how space exploration has helped develop plenty of helpful information regarding everyday life, such as agricultural patterns. However, there is a history of elites using beneficial data to solely help themselves.

This can be seen at the COP26 conference, where the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate was proposed. According to the organization’s website, one of its aims is to establish better relationships between governments and chief scientists to foster cooperation on technological climate innovation. AIM for Climate calls for investment in technology that will not be a public service. This means that farmers would have to buy the new equipment individually, leaving smaller farmers in the dust. Projects like these continue to further the gap between large corporations and smaller organizations. The otherwise helpful information gathered by satellites will likely be used to create legislation or initiatives that put more power into the hands of the elite.

Furthermore, only billionaires have achieved non-government-affiliated space exploration. An example of this is Elon Musks’ creation of Space X or Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. According to BBC, Blue Origin plans on operating a “space business park” within the next 10 years. This 32,000-square-foot space station includes a combination of a research facility, a microgravity station for film-making and a space hotel. All of these plans are geared towards fulfilling the needless wants of the richest in society.

This demonstrates how, although space research is advertised as a public service, the space exploration done by the elites and our government seems to only have tangible benefits for the upper class. While private businesses and the top 1% have no obligation to create benefits for the common person, it is still disappointing to see people with such power and influence use technology to further division between social classes.

The preposterous amount of money spent on space exploration could be better utilized in projects that di-

rectly benefit more people. According to The Planetary Society, NASA’s fiscal year budget of 2020 was near $23 billion. If the U.S. government would allocate even a small portion of this expense to government-funded programs or give grants to others, it would help maintain community programs that provide services to a larger portion of society.

While researching the patterns on agriculture is good, investing in communal gardens and directly providing specific groups with the resources to sustain themselves is more beneficial. Moving mass production to small-scale and local production would reap more benefits for the environment than finding ways to defend large-scale agricultural systems. Shifts like these could help peasant farmers and give Indigenous peoples the opportunity to have input on the future of their land.

While space exploration could be used for the betterment of humanity, there needs to be a shift in focus to more tangible benefits and changes that can be made here on Earth. The state of the world seems to be out of orbit, but by giving more power to the people, humanity can see a better future.

prisons are ineffective at their main goal: reducing crime. According to the Harvard Political Review, “Within three years of their [prisoners] release, two out of three former prisoners are rearrested and more than 50% are incarcerated again. This process of previously convicted criminals reoffending and reentering the prison system is known as recidivism.”

However, if prisons were reformed to help prisoners improve their behavior through methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, recidivism rates would decrease. This system has been proven to work in Nor-

There are some cases like the Gilbert Ray Postelle case where the death penalty should not be carried out. Postelle was 18 years old when he murdered four people in 2005. He was on meth, and he believed that these people were responsible for his father’s motorcycle accident. Since his arrest, he has reflected on his behavior and wants to become a better person. Postelle said, “I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned that I want to be better for my family, I want to be somebody that they can be proud of. I learned that drugs was not a good thing for me to get involved in.” People like Postelle have the ability to change because they can recognize their mistakes. However, instead of being given a second chance, he is scheduled to be executed Feb. 17.

Nevertheless, not everyone is capable of selfimprovement. Serial killers like Ted Bundy have shown themselves to have no positive contribution to society.

Bundy was clever and remorseless in murdering and raping women. He confessed to thirty murders, but experts estimate the true victim total could exceed one hundred. Through his repeated offenses, Bundy showed that he never planned on making self-improvement. His psychopathic tendencies coupled with his two prison escapes made him a dangerous threat, and the death penalty was correctly implemented in that situation.

The line between who deserves and does not deserve the death penalty is undoubtedly blurry. It is difficult to assess each individual case and identify if a person is capable of change or not. In extreme situations such as Bundy’s case, it is obvious that the death penalty is a deserving punishmet. On the other hand, convicts who demonstrate clear capability to change, such as Postelle, should not receive the death penalty.

The death penalty only be implemented in dire situations because it is an outdated practice that does not help prisoners improve their behavior.

illustrations by Junha Yoo

Nuances of the death penalty

by Olivia Sperbeck sport editor

The U.S. began using the death penalty in the 1600s, when a firing squad in Jamestown, Virginia, executed Captain George Kendall for espionage. Just because this archaic practice has survived centuries, it does not make it the best course of action. The death penalty should only be enacted in dire situations because it is an unnecesarily cruel punishment and does not encourage the reform many people are capable of.

One reason why the death penalty is cruel and unsual is because waiting on death row takes an extreme toll on prisoner’s mental health. According to the American Psychological Association, “Prisoners on death row spend twenty two or more hours a day alone in cramped, barren cells. They have little to do except wait to die — without knowing if it will happen in days, or decades.”

“

The prison system should be about reform and making people reflect on their crimes to improve their behavior.”

The prison system should be about reform and making people reflect on their crimes to improve their future behavior. Instead, prisons shut prisoners in small rooms for years, treat them poorly and do not give them the opportunity to change for the better.

As a result of these conditions, research shows

way, and according to Business Insider, the country “relies on a concept called ‘restorative justice,’ which aims to repair the harm caused by crime rather than punish people.” The higher success rates of this prison system compared to the U.S. model questions whether having harsh penalties even constitutes justice if it results in a cycle of crime.

debates

wednesday, FebRuary 16, 2022

Maximalism or Minimalism?

To the max!

by Darah Ostrom spread and managing design editor

Saturated colors, eclectic furniture and bold patterns are all key elements of maximalism, a design style that allows one to express creativity and explore individuality. Maximalism displays a collection of memories that reflect personality, creating a space that is meaningful and unique. This style of interior design cannot simply be linked to consumerism or conspicuous consumption because the key component is to create a space that is meaningful and homelike, not just to purchase items deemed unnecessary.

While the outside world is often restrictive and tense, people take comfort in having a space that is uniquely theirs where they can unwind and relax.

Maximalism is often associated with words such as “messy” or “chaotic”; however, in reality, it is exactly the opposite. The purpose of maximalism is to create a perfectly curated space tailored specifically to a person’s tastes and needs. Despite popular belief, every element in a maximalist’s home is placed with intention.

Some argue that maximalism promotes materialism, but it actually has nothing to do with that. Maximalism is more about designing a space that tells a story. Whether that is accomplished through a vintage frame that has been in the family for generations or a souvenir from studying abroad, all of these elements combined give whoever enters that person’s home a small glimpse into their life story. True maximalism preserves and honors history, embracing the beauty in mismatched belongings and encouraging people to restore and reuse.

“Every element in a maximalist’s home is placed with intention.

- Darah Ostrom, 12

05

On the other hand, minimalism offers a simplistic approach, reducing the number of unnecessary elements in one’s life and living space. Minimalism values function over meaning, a design style that limits sentimental value and focuses on only the necessary items in one’s life. While it is tempting to believe a minimalist lifestyle is achievable, it is unrealistic. Reducing the amount of stuff we own is a daunting task in a world that continues to value materialism. Maximalism allows people to be themselves and treasure items that are meaningful without limiting their expressiveness.

Maximalism does not just allow people to take creative liberties and experiment — it tells a story. It invokes inspiration, tying people not just to the ornate objects or bright colors, but to the sentimental feeling they get when they walk into a room. Maximalism strives to leave a lasting impression, embracing the perfect mix of nostalgia, comfort and home.

versus

Less is more

by Junha Yoo editorials editor Recently, minimalism has become increasingly popularized for its simple, clean look. The style has dominated interior and exterior designs for homes, website designs and it even has become a lifestyle for many. At its core, minimalism is about removing excess bulk and reducing things down to their fundamental aspects. Doing so allows one to put less emphasis on material goods and focus on the things that matter more to them. Minimalism proves a more effective design and lifestyle than maximalism because it is visually appealing, combats materialism and is more affordable.

In an era of mass consumerism, people are pressured by society to buy things such as clothes, toys, gadgets or cars that will not hold meaning to them in the long run. This can lead to feelings of jealousy or loneliness because they feel left out if they cannot keep up with the trends that they feel expected to follow.

Pulling away from trends by placing less emotional value on physical items increases simplicity, allowing people to focus on goods that actually enhance their

life instead of serving as a distraction. Doing so allows people to explore what they personally enjoy instead of blindly following trends that others pressure them to.

Buying less also means spending less overall, which leaves more money to spend on experiences.

Along with the social aspects, mass consumerism, especially fast fashion, is detrimental to the environment. Replacing clothing when it goes out of fashion leads to lots of waste and supports unsustainable business models. Minimalism suggests spending

“In an era of mass consumerism, people are pressured by the media to buy things that won’t hold meaning to them in the long run.”

-Junha Yoo, 12

less on an excessive amount of goods, and instead buying a sufficient amount of high quality goods. This gives more options to buy sustainably and ethically sourced products, as well as ensuring that products last longer, ultimately reducing the time spent thinking about buying goods.

Furthermore, minimalism is more visually appealing than maximalism because its simplicity is easier on the eyes. Whereas the clutter of maximalism can be anxiety inducing, the monochromatic environments of minimalism are calming. Owning fewer things means that it is easier to find what you need and keep a clean workspace, which can improve productivity and can reduce anxiety.

A common misconception of minimalism is that it is about owning only the bare essentials for survival, but in reality, it is about taking a step away from materialism and enjoying what people value in life.

As social media and marketing becomes increasingly prevalent in our lives, it is important to take the time to consider what we need in our lives, and to stop excessively spending on things we do not need.

What’s on t Are you more pessimistic or optimistic about the future?

Glass half empty

by Michael Wang staff reporter Inflation and unemployment plague the economy. Tensions surrounding politics increase. Pollution and global warming continue to worsen. The number of protests and hate crimes have climbed in the past two years. COVID-19 continues to disrupt normalcy.

With all of these events impacting people of all demographics, it comes as no surprise that many Mounds View students have developed a pessimistic perception of the future.

Aside from the classic example of seeing the glass half-full or half-empty, optimists and pessimists have adopted different viewpoints on many different topics. Whether it involves future plans for postsecondary education or the global impacts of politics and climate change, pessimists tend to view recent events and trends as an imminent sign of disaster.

Sebastian Hartzell, 10, is one student who is not quite optimistic about the future. He believes that pessimism is the healthier way to see things. “I think being pessimistic is healthier, because you temper yourself for the worse situation, but if you’re wrong, you’re just pleasantly surprised,” Hartzell said.

“With blind optimism, you’re just making things worse for you when it inevitably goes wrong.”

Hartzell points to COVID-19 as a prime exam-

“I think being pessimistic is healthier because you temper yourself for the worse situation, but if you’re wrong, you’re pleasantly suprised.

Sebastian Hartzell 10

ple of his point. “People said that it would be done in a few months,” he said. “Instead, it’s been going on for over 2 years now.”

Hartzell himself was originally optimistic about the pandemic ending quickly. “First, I optimistically thought that it wouldn’t spread to the U.S.,” he said.

“Then, I thought that the lockdown would be brief and that people would make sacrifices for the greater good. Then, I thought that vaccines would finally end this, but I was wrong yet again.”

This belief is shared by Tommy Asch, 10, who similarly thinks that expecting the worst braces himself for failure, but still allows him to feel happy when he succeeds. He sees school as the defining factor of his negative perspectives. “I used to be more optimistic when I was younger and more naive, but it changed around probably 6th grade,” Asch said. “I realized that school wasn’t about having a good time and learning easy things, but rather pushing for you to always get that top grade and

being used more as a number and part of a statistic rather than getting the best education for you.” Asch believes that the education system is a huge factor in fueling pessimism.

Outside of personal lives, political and environmental problems are major concerns for many students at Mounds View. “The main political problems that make me pessimistic are disunion in our country and a rise in extremism on both sides of the political spectrum,” Hartzell said. He sees a parallel between today’s politics and post-World War I Germany, with a similar division in political views.

Hartzell has also expressed his frustration at the inaction of politicians and corporations on the problem of climate change. “There are more and more scientists who are projecting that unless humanity takes drastic, drastic actions, there will be a significant environmental crisis,” Hartzell said. “We’ve known that we need to fix something for a long time, but very little has been done, and it’s looking like things won’t be done until it happens.”

With increasing political polarization in the U.S., people are also pessimistic about the future of American politics and democracy. “It’s become so radical over the past few years,” said Ashley Truong, 12. “I feel like our government will be corrupted at some point, because there are so many radical voices in our government.” An increase in extremist views throughout the country, whether it be citizens, media or government officials have led many, like Truong, to develop a pessimistic view on the political future of the U.S. One of the biggest factors for pessimism about politics is the invasion of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 last year. “It was definitely a bad sign for our democracy,” said Max Termaat, 11. “It shows how frustrated people are with the current state of things.”

Students view the event as an indicator of how democracy in the U.S. is backsliding, and not just a unique occurrence.

Of course, perspectives differ even among pessimists. Some, like Asch, see optimism as the ideal way to look at events. “I feel optimism would be better, but being pessimistic is easier,” Asch said. “[I am] optimistic about easier things or things that I really care about, like sports or friends.” Pessimism is not clear cut, and it changes depending on the person, event or situation.

Despite the pessimistic viewpoint students hold, they do not think optimism is necessarily a drawback. “I think a major distinction to make is that optimism in general is not bad,” Hartzell said. “Blind optimism, or just trusting that things will work out, is the problem.” He said that blind trust is not reliable, and that taking the initiative is necessary for pursuing future plans.

Many have adopted pessimistic attitudes based on issues ranging from climate change to school workloads. With the future full of surprises, it will be interesting to see if some students will adopt a more optimistic outlook.

77 students surveyed information compiled by Lale Baylar

the horizon?

Optimistic 45 students

Pessimistic 22 students

Both 10 students

Glass half full

by Lale Baylar staff reporter Over the past few years, many changes have impacted the Mounds View community, a majority of them due to the pandemic. Some include the shortages of jobs, new requirements and restrictions and trying to adapt to a new way of learning at school.

However, even with such drastic changes, students find themselves pushing through and are looking forward to the future.

A recent survey of Mounds View students regarding the different viewpoints of the future conducted by The Viewer shows that Mounds View students are hopeful about the state of the future. More than half the students had optimistic views about the future and about 13% of the students had varying pessimistic views. Topics such as school, family, relationships and mental health impacted almost all of the students’ perceptions.

Although the pandemic has caused problems, Audrey Zhao, 10, tends to have favorable views. “I think being more optimistic helps me or gives me hope in life, so I won’t get depressed,” she said. “I have some wonderful people around me who help with that, and I try to ‘look on the bright side.’” She tries to not let pessimistic thoughts take over her life by trying to think positive things about negative situations in her life.

“I think being more optimistic helps me or gives me hope in life, so I won’t get depressed.”

Audrey Zhao, 10

illustration by Iris Ren

Noah Hammett-Divine, 10, aims towards optimism to spread positivity among others. “Some people have positive attitudes that make others more positive, too, and rub off in a friendly vibe,” he said.

“And I prefer being that friendly vibe.” He wants people to have more good days and look on the brighter side of situations, despite the current lack of positivity in the world.

Optimists often believe that there will be beneficial change regarding global issues. One example of this is with climate change. “Currently, the state of the world is pretty crazy right now,” said Sabrina Duden, 10. “Climate change is probably one of the larger issues that I’m concerned about.” She comments that she wishes to see more of a shift to clean energy in the future.

Increasing political polarization in the U.S. is another issue students are concerned about. However, students such as Bella Zumbolo, 12, believe that with the passage of time, political tensions in the country will improve as old problems fade away. “I think the previous administration was very polarizing. But I think things will get better as time goes on and we move further away from it,” Zumbolo said.

Despite their forward-looking attitude, optimists find it difficult to combat the negative they are surrounded by. “Definitely the monotony of school can drag you down,” said Kristi Johnson, 10. “Also just like, looking at the news all the time.” Johnson explains that seeing all the world’s problems at once can drive her to feel pessimistic towards the future and get lost in the negative issues.

As advice Johnson suggests others to always find hope, even in bleak situations or experiences. “[Find] ways to make change, instead of getting

“I often tend to have a more pessimistic mindset, but I’ve recently been trying to inject a little bit of optimism into my view of the future...I have a lot of faith in our generation and our focus on societal and environmental change.”

Bella Zumbolo, 12 caught up on what you can’t change,” she said. The belief that people have the ability to determine the state of their futures is central to optimism.

Zumbolo finds that adjusting external factors in her life, such as her newsfeed, can improve negative thinking. “I often tend to have a more pessimistic mindset, but I’ve recently been trying to inject a little bit of optimism into my view of the future,” she said.

“I have a lot of faith in our generation and our focus on societal and environmental change.”

Ever the optimists, these students do not think pessimism is wholly detrimental. “I don’t mind pessimistic people as long as they can still keep in touch with the good things in their life and if they feel they don’t have any, I feel they should get some help cause it can be dangerous,” Zhao said. To accomplish this, she advises them to create a list of things they are happy for in life and read it over.

This generation’s optimists undoubtedly understand that the world contains lots of negativity and complex problems, like climate change and the pandemic, but they believe that these issues only push people to help make the world a better place.

“Although there are a lot of terrible things happening in the world, there are also a lot of people who are motivated to make a difference,” Zumbolo said. This belief inspires hope for a brighter future.

images courtesy of pixabay.com

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Arts & EntertainmenT

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Sugar Factory: sweet tooth’s paradise

by Morghan Larson staff reporter

If you are ever walking through Mall of America and see big, bright lights, you probably made it to the Sugar Factory. A candy store, bar and restaurant all in one, Sugar Factory first gained fame from celebrities such as Britney Spears, Drake and the Kardashian family enjoying the restaurant’s alcoholic drinks and couture pops.

When I first walked into Sugar Factory, I was greeted by beaming lights and bright colors, a theme similar to that of the energetic chaos of Willy Wonka . Decorated with flowery walls, chandeliers and even mirrors on the ceiling, the interior design showcases the fantasy-like environment in the restaurant.

Although the staff were very friendly and inviting upon arrival, I waited 10 minutes to be served water and another 15 minutes for a waiter to come by and take our orders. I would recommend making reservations on the weekends because the restaurant gets full very quickly, especially at night.

My friends and I heard that Sugar Factory is known for their Insane Milkshakes, which are largesized milkshakes filled with outrageous accessories like cupcakes, lollipops and even mini burgers. Overwhelmed by the many ingredients of the milkshake, we both decided to order chocolate-flavored Old Fashioned Milkshakes instead. Despite the lack of extra ingredients, the milkshakes still had a large serving size, and it could have easily been split between two people as neither of us ended up finishing ours.

as turkey, mayonnaise, avocado, bacon and lettuce on them. Both of us agreed that they were some of the best club sandwiches we had ever eaten.

photos by Morghan Larson

My time at the Sugar Factory was a fantastic experience. The restaurant’s atmosphere and ambience were incredibly unique in their high-energy. That, along with delectable drinks and great food, makes me believe anyone would have a great time having a fun night out at the Sugar Factory.

Aside from the candy and sweet drinks, the food at Sugar Factory is also notable. There is a wide variety of offerings, all of which keep up with the vibrant coloring of the Rainbow Sliders, another iconic dish, are mini cheeseburgers with each bun dyed a different color of the rainbow. A classic tiny yellow duck to take home is also served with these sliders.

Although the burgers were an attractive option, we decided to order some club sandwiches instead because the mini burgers did not look filling. The sandwiches came with fries and had basic ingredients such

The Verdict:

5/5

Zongzi: is it worth making at home?

by Lucy Zhao staff reporter

As the Lunar New Year approached, excitement filled the homes of many Asian families worldwide, including my own. Festivities and different foods are made during this holiday. Over the weekend, right before New Year, I tried my hand at making rice dumplings, called zongzi in Chinese, which is a traditional food that originated in the province that my family is from.

Zongzi is a traditional Chinese New Year’s dish made from ingredients such as sticky rice, soybeans and meat. Its contents are wrapped together in a triangular shape using bamboo leaves and steamed or boiled for several hours. Different provinces in China have different variations of the recipe, with some being savory, sweet or plain.

The first step I had to take was going online and actually looking for a recipe in English. Since there are many different ways to make zongzi, it was important to find a recipe that was easy to follow and looked tasty.

The recipe that I chose outlined a zongzi made of sweet

rice, bamboo leaves, and pork belly, a traditional savory zongzi combination flavor from Guangxi, a Southern province of China. The recipe, created by Marina’s Kitchen, gave me clear instructions so I could replicate the flavors of my childhood.

When I started to gather the ingredients, I hit my first roadblock. The recipe listed out 300 mg of red beans, which I did not have. Instead, I substituted it with soybeans. I bought bamboo leaves, cooking wine and pork belly strips from the local Asian grocery store.

The instructions directed me to mix the pork strips with salt, light soy sauce, dark caramel sauce, fivespice powder, the cooking wine and sugar. I opted to leave out the pepper powder since I was not used to the taste of it. After letting the belly strips marinate in the mixture overnight, I woke up early the next morning to start putting together the zongzi with the help of my mom.

The first step was laying out the bamboo leaves and layering the rice, soybeans and pork strips on top. I had to figure out how much I could layer on the leaves so that there were ample amounts of ingredients, but still enough room to wrap it together.

Once I finished layering the ingredients, I arrived at the hardest part: I had to wrap it all together with a few extra pieces of bamboo leaves and tie it off with a couple of wraps of string. The technique to wrap the zongzi together requires a specific technique, but since this was my first time, I had to enlist the help of my mom.

After tying the knot to the final zongzi, I gathered all 15 zongzi I made and put them all into a big pot where it would slowly cook in boiling water for the next four hours, as recommended. By the time I removed the zongzi from the pot, the smell was absolutely amazing.

I opened the first zongzi with a pair of scissors, eagerly anticipating the results. The rice had cooked well, and neatly packed all of the meat and add-ons inside

the rice dumpling. The texture and flavor of the zongzi were perfect. I also chose to add some soy sauce on top of the zongzi after having the first taste. The different layers of the zongzi brought new flavors with every bite.

photos by Lucy Zhao

Overall, the Marina’s Kitchen recipe for zongzi was amazing. It smelled good, tasted good and was easy to make. Aside from struggling to tie off the dumplings on my own, exercising patience while waiting for the zongzi to cook and gathering all the specific ingredients, for someone who is not a star chef, this recipe would create the perfect traditional Lunar New Year’s treat.

The Verdict:

4/5

sports

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

MV gymnastics sets the bar high

by Madeline Boespflug staff reporter

Gymnastics is one of the most difficult and dangerous sports to compete in, but the Mounds View girls gymnastics team is able to master the various feats that gymnastics require.

Athletes compete in events including floor, vault, bars and beam. They compete in the Olympic Order, which begins with vault, and then bars, beam and floor.

Gymnasts do not always start on vault, but the rotation of the events stays consistent. Although there are four events, athletes have the opportunity to win five medals. The fifth medal is for the all around, which is the overall score athletes achieve.

The gymnasts at Mounds View enjoy different events. “Vault is my favorite because I can use all of my power and see how high I can get,” said Lulu Semakula, 9. Athletes sprint down a runway and hurl onto a springboard and spring onto the vault with their hands.

Although the event is the quickest, it requires immense concentration.

Julia Clark, 12, however, enjoys floor. “Floor is my

favorite event because I can show off my personality through my dance and my talent through my skills,” she said. Because of the flexibility in artistry, some athletes enjoy the floor more than other events.

Individually, the gymnasts are performing well. “I placed fifth at state on floor, first at almost all of our competitions, I won sections last year, all conference all years and all state every event, and most valuable player,” said Clark.

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a fear of performing a skill that prevents the athlete from doing so, even if they are physically capable of the move.

The team has also had to overcome obstacles, namely COVID-19, together. “Our team was out for a week because we had so many cases. Coming back from that, and then having two meets that week, and we had to get used to everything again in a short span of time, so that was definitely a challenge but we pushed through,” Semakula said.

One of the captains, Becca Laursen, 12, comments how lack of practices due to the pandemic affected the team. “It set me back a lot because I couldn’t practice, but it’s been better since coming back,” she said.

However, finding motivation from teammates has helped gymnasts make positive developments. “The team has improved a lot by attitudes, skills, scores and form,” Clark said.

Semakula agrees with this. She said, “I’ve been more confident in my bars and even my vault.” Semakula cites support from family and coaches as a motivator for her to work hard.

The gymnasts’ improvements show in their results.

This season, they have medalled in several competitions including placing first out of eight teams at the Royal Invite. They are currently in the top five in the state and have won six out of eight conference meets this year. Due to these gymnasts’ hard work, they have improved immensely throughout the season despite various challenges they have faced.

photos courtesy of Julia Clark

There are many other challenges that gymnasts learn to overcome in order to achieve success. “I have been injured around six times this season so definitely coming back from those or pushing through the pain,” Semakula said. “Also, really getting over my mental blocks that gymnasts have a lot of.” Mental blocks are

MV students enjoy Winter Olympics

by Sarafina Dillon staff reporter

As the 2022 Winter Olympics draws to a close, Mounds View students remain in awe of the athleticism that has been on display for the past few weeks.

Despite the Olympics featuring many wellknown athletes, some stood out from the rest for their exceptional performances and etiquette. One of these athletes is Mikayla Shifrin, an alpine skier who Claire Landberg, 12, admires. “Looking at the way she interacts with other skiers on the World Cup and even her own team, she’s incredibly compassionate and humble, despite her immense success,” she said. Sportsmanship is just as important and admirable a quality as athleticism for many athletes. Landberg also related to the Olympian for “staying level-headed in high-stakes competition settings and [possessing] the ability to return to her fundamentals, which is something most athletes lack.”

Ian Tsai, 12, like Landberg, is looking forward to watching Shiffrin ski, in addition to alpine skier Clement Noel. “[Shiffrin and Noel] are both highlytitled skiers and it would be awesome to see them win some gold medals,” he said. Regardless of the amazing sportsmanship on display, the Olympics gets so much attention because at heart, it is a competition. The anticipation of watching athletes compete to become the best of the best is what makes the Olympics such an emotional experience.

This Olympics is especially important to some students at Mounds View because of personal connections with Minnesotan Olympians. One of these athletes is John Shuster, a curler and a Mounds View alumnus.

“I am very excited to watch him curl in the Olympics because he is Minnesota grown and my family and I love to watch him,” said Anna Brodin, 10.

Lydia Hahn, 12, has her own childhood story as to why this Winter Olympics is special to her. “I love

“

I think it’s so exciting to see all the other athletes all together participating in their sport and doing what they love” -Anna Brodin, 10

it [the Olympics] because when I was younger, my dad would flood the sports court in our backyard each winter and my siblings and I would spend hours upon hours skating,” Hahn said. Her siblings would even make their own routines and perform for her parents.

As the Olympics represents a diverse group of athletes and countries, even students without a personal connection can feel a sense of patriotism and satisfaction. The Brodin family has a special connection to the location of the 2022 Winter Olympics. “My younger brother loves the Olympics this year because they take place in China,” Brodin said. “He loves that they are being held there because he was adopted from China, so it’s a fun thing to watch all together as a family since a lot of us all enjoy the Olympics.”

In recent years, the rise of social media has allowed viewers to directly follow the movements of their favorite athletes. As a result, viewers can become immersed in the high stakes and emotions that run throughout the Olympians. “I also love watching the Olympics because it’s so amazing getting to see the reactions on people’s faces when they meet their goals

and get medals and are succeeding,” said Brodin, 10.

Social media has also allowed Olympians to share their story with their fans, which humanizes them. This connection is inspiring to onlookers around the world who empathize with the harsh challenges that some athletes had to overcome.

The Winter Olympics is a century-long tradition that has inspired generations of athletes and everyday people alike. Even for those without any interest in sports, the title “Olympian” is revered because of the talent that is instantly recognizable, but what makes it special is cheering on their country and favorite athletes with their loved ones. The Olympics is a memorable tradition because it connects so many families and athletes around the world.

illustration courtesy of Iris Ren

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Puzzles

wednesday, FebRuary 16, 2022

First five students to finish both puzzles and DM @ mvviewer on Instagram win free coffee from Mustang Mocha

puzzle by puzzleopolis

Student submissions Blessings Blessings, an infinite.

A living of wealth and prosper, Doth not vigilant!

Remembrance, you Shall foster.

Doth thou eyes not see?

Gifted, thy almighty above.

And thou ears not hear?

Not pity, but love!

Appreciate, in little...

While blessings art high.

All taketh for granted, Death: A bitter lie. poem by Ali Abu-Atieh, 12

See more student work online at mvviewer.org!

wednesday, Febuary 16, 2022

Athlete of the issue

Athlete of the issue

Skylar Weirens Weirens (11)

stands out while

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I skate with are all fantastic people who push me to be the best skater that I can be while providing me a supportive environment.

Q: How does pair skating emphasize the importance of teamwork and collaboration?

A: Pair skating emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration because every team has to be in perfect unison. An amazing pair team is capable of making both people appear to be one solid unit. From extended hands to pointed toes everything has to match. This in itself is the epitome of teamwork. A pair team without teamwork and collaboration are just two singles skaters.

skating. for this sport I would not do it. I don’t skate to stay physically fit. I skate because it is something that I love to do. photos courtesy of Skylar Weirens Q: What is pair skating? How is it different from ice skating?

Q: What have been some of your best memories? Past results and successes?

A: Pair skating is figure skating with another person.

You create a program with challenging elements to music to earn points at competitions. Some main pair elements are the twist, lifts, and throws. Singles figure skating is different because you skate by yourself and are unable to do elements that require two people.

A: Some of my best memories are from travelling around the US to different competitions. Whether there was a competition in Boston or just outside of Las Vegas, travelling to these competitions were some of the most exciting memories I made. Some past successes from this last season were getting on the ISP (International Selection Pool) for pair skating in the US as well as competing at the 2022 US Figure Skating National Championships this past January.

Q: What does pair skating mean to you?

Q: What is your favorite aspect of pair skating?

A: To me, pair skating is a passion. Each day when I get my skates on I am excited to take the ice and work hard. If I did not truly have a passion and enjoyment

A: My favorite aspect of pair skating is the community that I skate with. I believe that I have success and find fulfillment in this sport because I am around a wonderful community. My coach and the other pair teams that

Q: Future plans regarding pair skating?

A: I plan to continue to pair skate this upcoming season and I hope to compete internationally for the first and make it to nationals again next year.

illustration courtesy of Pixabay

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

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

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Artist of the issue

wednesday, Febuary 16, 2022

Artist of the issue Q: What is cosplay to you?

Q: Why do you like cosplay?

A: In my eyes it really is a a way to be creative and to be an artist in your own way. I used to never consider myself artistic but after using and developing a lot of different swimming and prop making skills, It really stretches and develops your artistic ability in unique ways. It is a way to be creative in how you express your self in how you make the cosplay or how you show off the cosplay.

A: When I was younger I always loved Halloween and dressing up as characters from my favorite books or TV shows and I guess that interest has just carried on! But it really is a way I get to do that while learing and teaching my self skills such as sewing and making costumes. And I have been able to use these skills outside of Cosplay as well! I am part of theater here at Moundsview and do costuming for the plays, for this most recent show I made a robotic arm out of foam for one of the characters.

Q: What is your favorite thing to cosplay as?

A: My favorite cosplay is probably Chūya Nakahara from Bungo Stray Dogs, I love how [cool] it looks and I have put a lot of love and work into the wig. But when ever I make or get a new one its always my favorite for a week or so!

Morgan Ryals Ryals (11) finds passion through cosplay.

Q: What type of cosplay do you do?

A: I mostly cosplay characters from anime and manga, such as my cosplay of Rukia from Bleach. Though I am planning on making a cosplay of a character form a video game.

Q: How does cosplay build a sense of community?

A: In a way it brings people together, weather is because you are both cosplaying the same character or its because you are helping someone with a part of the making process they are struggling on it really can bring people together! I really have made some of closest friends though cosplaying.

Viewer Staff 2021-2022

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Q: What is your favorite aspect of cosplay?

A: My first one is showing off the final product, when you have worked for hours or days on a project it really is the best feeling when you are finally done and get to show it off! My second one is problem solving even thought I kinda dislike it some times. I’m all self taught with occasional help form the internet. But sometimes there is something that take a while to figure out, such as there not being a sewing pattern available for me to use so I have to completely make one myself. But this problem solving really does help me by making me learn more and figuring it out.

Elisa Guo Zige Wang Darah Ostrom, Johnny Yue Morgan Dalton Yatharth Sharma Maya Betti Darah Ostrom, Johnny Yue Junha Yoo Joseph Hoffman Olivia Sperbeck Iris Ren

photos courtesy of Morgan Ryals

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