VOLUME 64 ISSUE 8 | MAY 5, 2017
THE VIEWER
Commitment Day MUSTANGS MOVE ON TO GREENER PASTURES
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
NEW ADMIN 02/ ARE APS WORTH IT? 03/ PROM ALTERNATIVES 10
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News
friday, may 5, 2017
New school year, new admin by Christina Mehrkens staff reporter
As the end of the school year approaches, Mounds View administration has made some big changes for next year, including naming a new principal and associate principal. On July 1, current associate principal Stephanie Bruggers will be stepping in to take Jeffery Ridlehoover’s place as Mounds View’s next principal, and replacing her will be Elk River High School’s current Associate Principal, Greg Martin. Their goal is to improve the lives of all Mounds View students and community members by setting in place some healthy changes. When the need for a new principal arose, Bruggers decided to step in. Her experience serving as an associate principal at Mounds View and Wayzata High School along with working for the Osseo Area Schools are what likely set her apart from the competition. Already an active part of the community, Bruggers is on the path to a seamless transition. “One of the most difficult parts of changing jobs is having to learn people and the culture; I have the luxury of knowing both,” said Bruggers. As principal, Bruggers plans to further the idea of equality between the students. “Mounds View is a tremendous learning community for most kids. We will work on making it a tremendous learning community for all kids,” said Bruggers. Even though Mounds View students are fortunate to be in a school with an Equity Promise, BrugNew principal Stephanie Bruggers photo by Sunny Lim gers hopes to put more focus on closing the achievement gap during her time as principal. Additionally, Martin will be taking Bruggers’ original position as Mounds View’s associate principal. By now, Martin has become well equipped with the tools neces-
2016-2017
Viewer Editors Editor-in-Chief
Kailey Newcome
Managing Editor - Copy
Amber Zhao
Managing Editor - Online
Daniel Yong
Business Manager
Rigney Cunningham Front Cover
Amber Zhao News
Sunny Lim Features
Kallie Slotvig
Editorials
Benjamin Davis Jake Rosenow
center fold
Daniel Yong
what’s trending
Samuel Kwong
arts & entertainment
Rigney Cunningham
Good question
Marley Jones Sports
Jackie Gaworski back cover
Kailey Newcome Photographers/Artists
Samuel Kwong Marley Jones Adviser
David Ostrom Staff Toni Baraga, Gabe Cherniske, Cassandra Downs, Sanjana Dutt, Shannon Haffely, Jeffrey Hu, Haley Keeney, Lauren Lafaye, Zoe Lindberg, Riley McCorkell, Christina Mehrkens, Aman Rao, Ethan Stromquist, Sarah Tang, Michelle Wang, Felix Zhang, Diana Zhu
The Viewer is published by the student editors at: Mounds View High School 1900 Lake Valentine Rd Arden Hills, Minnesota Sauk Centre Publishing
Passionate poet America the Once Beautiful by Gabe Cherniske
A bourgeois mentality in a promised land America, home of freedom and bravery Or at least, it once was Corporations and establishments Control the daily lives Of citizens thoroughly encumbered By debt, religion, and sex. The frigid nature of politicians Who herd citizens like cattle Into districts of idiocracy and gullibility A fail of social intelligence Credulous citizens and crooked politicians Despite warnings by philosophers Continue to rape Lady Liberty And slaughter our credibility Yet, nothing has changed The government smokes the constitution And gets high off of greed It’s the sad truth.
sary to be a well respected and hardworking administrator and is prepared to build strong relationships with the staff, students and other district members. Although academics is essential to every high schooler’s agenda, Martin stresses the value of extracurriculars. “Academics and extracurricular activities are essential components to preparing all students to pursue and achieve their goals after high school,” says Martin. With all these new changes in positions inside the district, some may expect a halt in the district’s progress as the new heads get settled in. However, since all leaders are highly trained, there should be a smooth transition of power.
New vice principal Greg Martin photo courtesy of Greg Martin
by Sanjana Dutt staff reporter The Franklin E. Brainard Memorial Poetry Competition is held yearly at Mounds View that only seniors can take part in. To apply, the senior must submit three of their own poems. This competition was founded as a way to recognize a former Mounds View English teacher, Franklin Brainard. Poetry was something that Brainard heavily emphasized among his students and created a spark of passion for the art within the student body. In 1976, administration provided funds so that teachers could start this competition. This year, Gabe Cherniske,12, won the 2017 Franklin Brainard competition. The three poems that he entered are America the Once Beautiful, Eddie, and Apostasy. These poems address a variety of controversial topics such as politics, sex, religion and drug addiction that he personally relates to. Cherniske has always had a passion for writing, but did not discover his talent for poetry writing until entering high school. “Music was the first thing that piqued my interest for writing poetry because I started to look beyond just the lyrics and more for topics to write about,” said Cherniske. Cherniske listens to music that covers mature topics like the ones he writes about that are not normally talked about to get ideas flowing in his mind. He takes those topics and other topics he feels strongly about and applies it in a poetic setting with his own voice. When writing poetry, Cherniske advises others to be themselves. “Just let the ideas flow from your own voice and not someone else’s,” said Cherniske. He tries to write about things that have affected him or people he personally knows because he believes that in order to be fully honest with poetry, sensitive topics must be addressed. To Cherniske, poetry is a unique way of sharing his thoughts to the people around him. “Poetry is a form of expressionism and to each individual person, expressionism means a completely different thing.”
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Friday, may 5, 2017
features
Balancing school and circus by Lauren LaFaye staff reporter
The audience gasps as young students fly from trapeze to trapeze and perform daring stunts on hoops suspended in mid air. While most high school students are busy playing a common sport such as soccer or volleyball, junior Erin Westman is constantly defying the stereotypes of a high schooler by performing in the Circus Juventas. Westman began performing in the circus when she was nine years old and hasn’t looked back since. “I would continue to train in circus for the rest of my life if that were a viable option. It’s a really unique community and I love the people who do it,” said Westman. Circus Juventas is the largest performing arts circus school in North America with over two thousand students participating in their shows and classes year round and with an average of 50,000 spectators annually. Westman has participated in multiple acts including multiple trapeze, mini hammock, Spanish web and hoops. Each new trick takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to learn, and students spend several weeks mastering each trick. The most frightening moment Westman can recall was when she first practiced “footwork,” which involves climbing to the top of a rope and hanging upside down while spinning and performing tricks. “Spinning upside down from 15 feet in the air for the very first time was terrifying and really painful,” said Westman. Although Westman may get nervous performing daring stunts, she has found ways of staying oriented. “I take a couple of deep breaths and focus on my anchor point.” According to her, staying calm and collected is the best way to make sure things run smoothly. Circus performing can involve many dangerous stunts, so the coaching staff at Circus Juventas works diligently to make sure things don’t go wrong. “There are always padded mats and crash pads beneath the aerial acts and coaches spot students at all times,” said Westman. After a year of intense training, the students
show off their talents in a showcase in May for their family and friends. The Spring Celebration this year involves three different shows and Westman will be performing Spanish Web on May 4th-May 6th. Westman begins by changing into her costume, getting her makeup done, and then meeting with the performers and rigging crew. Next she waits backstage until her act is called to perform. “Once every act has been performed, all of the students line up in the ring to take a final bow,” said Westman. They then hear a much deserved round of applause. Circus Juventas also has a summer showcase for the school’s most advanced students which is typically based on a literary work such as Wizard of Oz, Wild West, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. Some may choose to stay in the school after high school to potentially begin a career in the field. However, others, like Westman, have different plans. While Westman greatly enjoys her time with the circus, she hopes to try out different ropes after high school.
Yoga Club by Haley Keeney staff reporter
While Mounds View can sometimes have a high pressure atmosphere with large levels of competition, it’s nice to have a place to relax and distance yourself from all of the academics, which is why seniors Clare Carroll and Claire Holle have created yoga club. Although the club is fairly new to the school, attendance has been high. “There’s 41 people officially in the club,” says Carroll. “We had about 30 people show up at the last meeting.” The hour starts off by grabbing mats and finding a spot to participate. The captains then put on a video to follow along to. Some of the poses include child’s pose, warrior, low lunges and cat pose. The hour ends by doing savasana, a pose where participants lie on their mats as still as possible to get in touch with their souls. “There’s not enough physical activities that aren’t competitive at Mounds View,” says Carroll. “We wanted to connect with our minds and bodies.” Whether the participant is a professional or just learning the basics
Westman performs daring hoop act.
Westman with circus partner.
of yoga, the club is welcoming to all. “Yoga club is a super relaxing environment where everyone is really supportive of each other even if you don’t really know what you’re doing,” says Jada Pichotta, 11. Yoga club also serves as a place to take your mind off school. “It’s a really nice environment to escape all of stress that school gives you,” says club member Ella Welsh, 11. “It’s nice to have a place to go to just relax and take your mind off of it.” Despite both the founders being seniors, they aren’t concerned about the club disappearing after the year comes to an end. “We haven’t picked a captain, but we are looking for someone who is interested.” Due to the fact that there is a limited number of Reflect days left, yoga club will only have a few more meetings. Fortunately, the club does intend to host fun activities and meetings over the summer. The club meets on Wednesdays during the students’ Reflect hour in the wrestling gym. Announcements regarding the club can be found on the Facebook group “MVHS Yoga Club.” Other questions can be answered by the club’s advisor, Diane Tolzmann.
Westman hangs 15 feet upsidedown while performing Spanish Web. photos courtesy of Erin Westman
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editorials
Friday, May 5, 2017
Price: a cost or consequence by Kevin Sabeti staff reporter
Fast fashion, or the fastpaced, consumer industry that’s become overwhelmingly popular, has been spreading across the globe at an incredible speed. Providing consumers with trendy clothing for low prices, never before has fashion, once an expensive industry for the wealthy, become so accessible. With its meteoric rise, fashion has become an industry worth over $3 trillion. Although many view it as harmless recreation, fast fashion has left behind many catastrophic side effects. Damaging the environment through mass production, oppressing overworked and underpaid factory workers with dangerous labor practices, and legitimizing an oblivious consumer culture, the fashion industry has done more harm than good. With an industry focused on collecting as much profit as possible, cutting costs and increasing monetary gain tends to outweigh the protection of workers’ rights. In a capital-
ist economy, having a cheaper product in comparison to your competitors will mean more profit; even if quality and sustainability are overlooked. To lower the cost of their products, major brands like Forever21 and H&M look to developing countries to outsource production. With fewer federal protections for workers, laborers are paid as little as possible. In countries like Bangladesh or Cambodia, garment factory workers can make as low as $3 per day. While European and American company owners generate gigantic amounts of profit, the factory workers they employ (85% of which are women) can hardly make a living under slave-like conditions. Of course, little care is given to the workers whose lives are considered to be expendable in the eyes of those in developed countries. Continuing a destructive cycle, workers in developing countries, whose development was stunted by European colonialism, are forced out of upward mobility. For many, their only options of employment and
survival are from the hands of greedy, corporate giants. While some factory workers can make wages as low as $68 a month, bigwigs like Zara-founder Amancio Ortega can disregard human rights and exploit the proletariat while living a wealthy existence worth over $71.4 billion. But, that’s just business. Cutting costs for these brands also means cutting corners. In 2013, the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh had developed cracks in the walls from faulty construction. Workers made complaints constantly, but the need to appease buyers’ low costs led the factory owners to spend their money on increased production of clothing instead of fixing the structural problem and keeping their workers safe. As a result, a total of 1,129 workers died from the collapse of the 8-story building. With workers employed by factory owners rather than their buyers, major brands provoking these tragedies are free of responsibility. This impulse to accumulate capital at any cost only creates
an engineered system that exploits workers and maintains inequality. Along with overlooking factory workers’ rights, fast fashion labels also create harmful pollution to the environment. Currently, the fashion industry as a whole is the second largest polluter in the world after oil. More shocking statistics reveal that around 25 percent of harmful pesticides used in the world are designated to the production of cotton. Similarly, about 10 percent of global carbon emissions can be attributed to the apparel industry that uses more water than any other industry besides agriculture. As the health of our planet dwindles, our collective obsession with consumerism and low-priced goods continues to distract us from the real problems. Fast fashion has transformed our society into an unsustainable consumer culture. Currently, an average of 80 billion pieces of clothing are purchased each year, a rate 400% higher than 20 years ago. Higher consumption ironically
also means more waste as the average American throws away 82 lbs. of textiles each year. As these companies’ advertisements make us believe that new possessions will improve our happiness and image, studies published in the Motivation and Emotion journal show that as people become more materialistic, their well-being decreases. It’s clear that a “good deal” doesn’t come as simply as it seems. Now must be the time that we become aware of what we consume and collectively refuse to buy products that do not match our moral standards. With every dollar spent, we invest in companies that give little care to human rights or the environment and withhold profits from being shared globally. It is our duty to advocate for sustainability and hold major fashion labels accountable for the damage they’ve created. The problem of fast fashion will only be solved when we realize that earth and its inhabitants have never been a commodity, but our origin of life.
FAST FASHION TAKES OVER MOUNDS VIEW HIGH SCHOOL “Not everyone can afford expensive clothes. It’s pointless to waste hundreds of dollars on clothes that will just get out of style. Obviously choosing a cheaper route may come with sacrifices with quality or the production, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.” -Jack McCoy, 12
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“You get what you pay for. Buying really cheap clothes is pointless. Clothing should be made to last. When you buy cheap clothes, you shouldn’t expect anything but poor quality, short-lasting, and unstylish pieces of clothing.” -Luke Jackson, 11
Friday, May 5, 2017
editorials
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Write a carefully constructed essay in which you defend, challenge or qualify the assertion: AP tests are worth taking. 0/5 Would not take again
5/5 Worth taking another
by Felix Zhang staff reporter
by Diana Zhu staff reporter
The old adage “April showers bring May flowers” isn’t entirely true. For high school students across the country, April showers bring May Advanced Placement (AP) tests, and with these tests comes an onslaught of stress. However, much of this stress is unwarranted, and taking AP tests may not be worth the money and effort. The costs of AP tests are incredibly high. From a financial perspective, one AP test at Mounds View costs students $60 if they register on time. However, of the students who register to take AP tests, many choose to take more than one. In 2016, AP students at Mounds View took an average of 2.07 tests, with multiple students taking three and some taking up to eight. As a whole, Mounds View spent around $75,000 on 1501 AP tests during May of 2016, not including the additional costs of administration and preparatory materials (e.g. review books).Furthermore, the costs of testing are far greater than just the monetary investments. Students spend long amounts of time studying for the tests which can take around 3 hours to complete. Moreover, many students choose to prioritize studying over sleeping and other relaxing activities, resulting in a high-stress testing season that can take an immense toll on a student’s mood and health. Given the large costs of taking AP tests, both physical and financial, of taking AP tests, many wonder on why students bother at all. For some students, taking AP tests is a way to gain admission to “top tier” schools across the country, but according to Matt McGann, head admission counselor at MIT, their efforts may be wasted. AP tests are a small, if not negligible, portion of the application. “We do not admit students solely because of their AP courses/scores. AP scores are not part of an admission formula,” he said. Instead, McGann focuses on other aspects of the application, looking for applicants’ passions demonstrated by their involvement in their schools and communities. Furthermore, for less selective schools like the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, AP scores don’t even appear on the application itself. Other students may look to take AP tests for college credit rather than admissions, and while taking the test might lead to some course credit, a good score won’t necessarily reduce the time or money spent on college by a significant amount — most students opt to stay in college for the full four years. Even for students who want to get through college as quickly as possible, getting a 4 or a 5 isn’t something to lose sleep over. For example, the University of Minnesota accepts 3s on all AP tests as credit for all courses except in psychology, which requires at least a 4. In general, most schools will accept a 3 as sufficient proof for course mastery and some selective schools like Brown University don’t accept any AP scores for credit. In the end, APs shouldn’t be something students are significantly stressed about. They don’t play a large role in admissions, there is little benefit to scoring well and most of the time that credit is offered, a 3 will suffice. Like a pretty flower, a high AP score is nice to have, but in the end, isn’t particularly important.
As the end of the school year approaches, so does AP (Advanced Placement) testing season, which means many students are reluctantly beginning to reach for their AP prep books. In a competitive high school, students are constantly seeking out ways to set themselves apart from others, and these tests are a great way to do so. The AP class is commonly considered the most difficult course option at Mounds View and can lend itself to a few hours of homework each night. While this description might sound like a death sentence, over 60 million AP exams were administered since the start of the program in 1955, and 4.7 million of them were administered just last year. Mounds View registration for AP tests has jumped up to over 1,500 exams in the past year since teachers and deans are encouraging students to take more AP courses and challenge themselves. AP tests are hard; this is undisputed. When the College Board created the Advanced Placement Program, its intent was to “advance educational excellence” and give high schoolers a chance to take college-level courses. By providing rigorous curricula, AP tests help students find efficient study techniques and time management skills in high school when the stakes are lower. It bridges the gap between high school and college and makes the transition less stressful and serves as a way for students to prove they are up for the challenge of higher education. Not only does earning AP credits bring a sense of achievement, it can also save enormous amounts of money post-high school. While one AP test costs $93 — roughly $60 after state subsidies — a single college course can cost upwards of $5,000. Furthermore, high test scores can lead to scholarship opportunities to further defray the costs of college. So in reality, students who are avoiding AP exams solely to save money should reconsider their plans. If they plan to also enroll in college, it could be more financially logical to take the AP option when it’s offered. Other students stray away from the tests under the reasoning that they will never use the content they learn later in life. While a business major may not see the need to take AP Biology, investing in AP Macroeconomics and Microeconomics classes would greatly benefit them in college. Even if their college doesn’t accept AP credits, the student still has the knowledge from the class that they can apply into their introductory college classes. AP programs and tests have long been considered the stepping stones to college admissions, and for good reason. High schools have been providing more and more AP classes each year. Although AP exams can be long, stressful and a bit boring, they are a great way for students to challenge themselves, save money and better prepare for their future careers.
illustrations fair use from pixabay.com
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Class of 2017 prospective majors
100 students polled
Mustangs
s You’ll Go!
“You have BRAINS in your HEAD. You have FEET in your SHOES. You can STEER yourself any DIRECTION you CHOOSE.” -Dr. Seuss A college that Mounds View students are attending
Other Academics
12% 28%
Size 4% Campus 4%
What was the biggest factor in choosing a college?
Location
22%
20%
10%
Student Culture
Cost 126 students polled
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what’s trending
A head of the game
Friday, may 5, 2017
Russian headtransplant is first of its kind Every day, countless innovations try to make life just a little bit easier. Recently, two biotech landmarks have introduced the beginning of a lifechanging path—a microchip now grants certain employees with the ability to use your hand as a credit card and identification database. What future lies ahead for these chips? Will cyborgs outnumber humans? On the other side of the spectrum is the world’s first head transplant, and perhaps the key to unlocking immortality...
by Gabe Cherniske and Samuel Kwong staff reporter and what’s trending editor
A groundbreaking surgery taking place in December of this year will mark either the pinnacle of biological engineering, or the beginning of a very, very bad plan. By the end of 2017, the very first head transplant will take place in the hands of Dr. Sergio Canavero. Canavero has an impressive resume within the medical community. He graduated cum laude from the University of Turin, and since then, has only achieved success in his medical endeavors. However, despite many accomplishments within his respective field, there had always been one wall he hoped to conquer: human mortality. Performing this head transplant would allow him to reach that goal, or at the very least, come very close to it. The overall objective for this dangerous and unpredictable project is to attach a living head onto a preserved body. Both the head and body will be cooled down to a mere 12 degrees Celsius, while surgeons rapidly attempt to sever the spinal cords of both people. Next, the surgeons will attempt to attach major blood vessels around the neck with tiny tubes. Finally, a chemical called polyethylene glycol, which is known to promote cell and spinal cord growth, will be applied to both spinal cords, only to be followed by attaching the head to its new host body. However, who in their right mind would volunteer themselves for such a dangerous experiment, knowing very well the chances of death were imminently high? That man is Valery Spiridonov, a computer scientist from Russia, who has agreed to let Canavero decapitate him and give him a new body. His motivation stems from a genetic condition called Werdnig-Hoffman, also known as spinal muscular atrophy, which robs the victim use of the majority of his muscles. As a result, simple acts such as breathing, walking or eating are nearly impossible. Because of his debilitating curse, Spiridonov believes he has nothing to lose, since this degenerative disease will inevitably kill him in a few years. He hopes that through this head transplant, someday his conditions will improve, stating, “My motivation personally is about improving my own life conditions and to go to the stage where I will be able to take care of myself, where I will be independent from other people.
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illustration by: Samuel Kwong
In the skin of Swedish cyborgs by Ethan Stromquist staff reporter
It’s no surprise that technology, such as built in heart monitors, has greatly helped people with otherwise debilitating diseases. However, one company has taken the trend of putting machines in our bodies for a more practical purpose: incorporating biotech into the workforce. Epicenter, a small startup in Stockholm, has introduced a new form of futuristic technology found right beneath the skin of a palm. This new device is a microchip the company has begun implanting in its own employees, giving them many benefits such as opening locked doors and operating office equipment. Some of the chip’s uses include, but are not limited to, unlocking doors, operating workplace printers and even getting snacks from vending machines. Tech trends expert Faith Popcorn calls it “augmented humanity,” and believes it will become popular for personal use in the future as well. The chip implant uses a technology called Near Field Communication (NFC) that can activate readers only a few inches away from them. These implants are done by a professional tattoo artist, and over 700 Epicenter employees have access to insertion. While this new technology is certainly a step towards the future, it is also a step into new hacker potential. Although there haven’t been many issues yet, these implants could cause more of a liability than convenience, as hackers may gain access to the wearer’s whereabouts and health related information. With the 21st century’s rapid advancements, it is without question skin chips are only the beginning towards bringing us to a world closer to technology.
ARTs & Entertainment 9
Friday, May 5, 2017
Mounds View musicology Palace Theater by Michelle Wang staff reporter Want to experience live entertainment in a 101-year-old theater? Head downtown to St. Paul’s Palace Theatre which hosts performances ranging from comedy to contemporary music and offers a perfect blend of historical architecture and modern technology. The Palace Theatre has been a part of the downtown landscape since 1916, hosting performers including George Burns, the Marx Brothers and Charlie Chaplin. Built initially as a vaudeville theater (showcasing song, dance and burlesque comedy), the venue transformed into a movie theater in the 1940s. The theater had been closed since 1977 until the city of Saint Paul bought the Palace in 2015. After a lot of of planning and renovation, the theater reopened on March 10th
as a 2,800 capacity venue. While upgrading the sound systems and adding modern features like LED lights, the imperfections of the Palace were well-preserved. Chipped bricks and exposed holes accompany the theater’s enhanced acoustics and technologies. Upcoming performances at the historic Palace Theatre include locals like Atmosphere and the Jayhawks and artists like All Time Low, the XX, Slowdive, the Jesus and Mary Chain and At the Drive In. Ticket prices vary and are sold at palacestpaul.com. The next noteworthy show features the Jesus and Mary Chain on May 9th. Located at 17 West 7th Place, St. Paul, Palace Theater is a one-of-a-kind way to experience a wide range of performances and historical St. Paul at its finest. Illustrations by Sam Kwong and Albert Pan
Festival of Nations by Zoe Lindberg staff reporter
Electric Fetus by Cassandra Downs staff reporter The Electric Fetus is a moderately sized record store in Minneapolis, on 2000 4th Ave. S. It originated in 1968, at “the heart of the state’s counterculture movement,” as stated on their website, but was relocated to it’s current location in 1994. This hip spot has been graced by the likes of Prince, as he was said to be a regular. Upon entering the store you get a retro impression and a whiff of strong incense. Near the front end of the store, there is a touch screen with an assortment of cool features. These features consist of a section introducing all of the genres within the store, an events and news section and a featured items section, as well as a spot that shows both under and on the radar music. On the west end of the store one can locate the candy and gift shop and a counter for collectibles and more. The candy shoppe offers a variety of candies from past and present times, including hard candies and blow pops, all for low prices.
For students looking to step outside their comfort zone and experience new cultures, the Festival of Nations is the place to be. The annual family-friendly festival, hosted by the International Institute of Minnesota, is the longest running multicultural festival in the midwest. Held at the St.Paul RiverCentre, May 4th - 7th, the festival provides music, performances, demonstrations, exhibits and food all showcasing different countries and cultures under one roof. Visitors can listen to ethnic Chinese music, learn about Czech & Slovak Egg Decorating, sample Danish æbleskiver (pancake puffs) and much more. One of the most unique and exciting aspects of the festival is the live performances. Taking place next door to the RiverCentre in the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, spectators can witness different cultural groups showcase their talents. With groups from
The gift shop allows for one to take home souvenirs and small knick knacks such as incense, books about music, t-shirts, body lotions, posters and other quirky items. The east end of the store has a small selection of movies, mainly oldies of all genres and a small corner with record players and vinyl covers. A wide array of music genres in many different forms are sold, including; vinyl, CDs, cassette tapes and even live performances on DVD. The diverse music selection offers both old, new and used music. You name it, they’ve got it. Everything from Prince to Bob Marley to Brad Paisley is provided.The prices range from as low as $0.25 to as high as $70, being that some items are collectables. Hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. The Electric Fetus is the place to be for music lovers of all ages with its huge music and memorabilia selection affordable for everyone.
a wide variety of countries scheduled to perform periodically throughout the entirety of the festival, visitors are provided with plenty of entertainment to spark their interest. From Romanian dance to Peruvian musicians to Russian choirs, the festival has it all. In addition to the live performances and demonstrations, the Festival of Nations is any shopper’s paradise. The festival dedicates a whole section of the RiverCentre to traditional ethnic artisan goods. Visitors can browse handmade European jewelry, South American clothing and more gifts that you can’t find online or at Target. With admission at just $8 for students, the Festival of Nations is an fun, affordable destination. The festival runs Friday, May 5, 4:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 6, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Sunday, May 7, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.. Visit www. festivalofnations.com for more information.
Electric Fetus has an overwhelming amount of music from many different eras. photo by Cassandra Downs
10
good question
Friday, May 5, 2017
What are some alternatives to prom? by Zoe Lindberg and Michelle Wang staff reporters
On Saturday, May 13, hundreds of Mounds View students will dance the night away at prom. However, for those who are not planning to attend this year’s “A Starry Night” dance, have no fear. The Twin Cities has numerous locations to party on prom day. One of the Twin Cities’s trending attractions is Escape MSP. With locations in both Minneapolis and St.Paul, Escape MSP is a great place to find an adventure. Teams of up to ten members work through puzzles, riddles and challenges to escape a room and complete a mission before the time runs out. Teamwork and critical thinking are definitely encouraged. Tickets must be purchased in advance from Escape MSP’s website. Another option is Pinz. Located in Oakdale, Pinz offers a lively spot to hangout and features bowling lanes, over 90 arcade games and a two-story, glow-in-the-dark laser tag arena. Pinz is located on 520 32nd St. N. in Oakdale, and is open until 1 a.m. on prom night. Twin Cities also offers tons of great restaurants that won’t be too hard on the wallet. Grand Avenue has several locations to have a great meal with friends. Café Latte, D’Amico & Sons, Brasa Rotisserie and Salut Bar Americain have various cuisines for prices that won’t break the bank. Whatever students decide to do on prom night, the Twin Cities is chock full of places to have a good time. From unique adventures to games to high-end restaurants, the Twin Cities have it all. Every Mustang is sure to find the perfect thing to do.
illustration by Christina Merkins
How can students save money at prom? by Riley McCorkell staff reporter While prom is one of the most fun and anticipated times of the school year, it can make a serious dent in students’ wallets. Between tuxes, dresses, hair appointments, party buses and fancy dinners, the prices can really add up. However, there are still many ways to save money on prom. While looking for the perfect prom dress or tux, remember to keep many options open. For boys, suits are typically less expensive, and most people
won’t be able to tell the difference. For girls, dresses are everywhere. Many people are willing to lend out their dresses from previous years at little to no cost. Big, fancy meals cost a pretty penny. Instead of choosing a unique, trendy restaurant, try picking a local chain that offers a $20 dinner for two, like Chili’s or Applebee’s, or a small-scale diner. Promgoers can also order in food from a fast food restaurant and have a low key meal at someone’s house. For the extra daring, cooking dinner for a date is also an option. With amazing food, one can impress their date with killer dance moves and a great meal!
Perhaps the easiest way to save money is through pictures. Professional pictures are overpriced and a bit awkward. Friends and family can easily snap pictures to capture the magical night. Most people go for this option. By using these tips, students will be able to save money and also have a great time with their friends and special person in their life. Remember, prom isn’t about spending tons money on one single night; it’s all about having fun and just partying it up!
illustration by Marley Jones
sports 11
Friday, May 5, 2017
The ultimate sport
Athlete of the issue
by Jeffrey Hu staff reporter
Michael ConlinBrandenburg Tennis
Q: How long have you been playing Tennis? A: I started playing tennis when I was ten years old. Q: What’s the best part about being captain of the tennis team? A: The best part about being captain is being able to give the pre-game speech. Q: What’s your favorite part of tennis? A: My favorite part about tennis is how it challenges you mentally. You have to come up with a strategy for beating your opponent, and then you have to execute it. Q: Do you have any plans to play tennis after high school? A: I plan to play tennis at Grinnell Q: What is your greatest accomplishment in tennis so far? A: My greatest accomplishment in tennis was being on the team that won state my sophomore year. Q: What are some mental obstacles you’ve faced? A: Sometimes in a match, it gets really long, and you get frustrated with yourself, but you have to just think of what you’ve learned and stay mentally focused. Q: What do you do to prepare for a match? A:We warm up for a really long time, visualize yourself playing against your opponent and how you want to play against them and how you’re going to stay focused.
illustration by Jackie Gaworski
“Vertical stack! Handler break your mark, cutters one at a time!” To members of the ultimate frisbee team, this seemingly meaningless phrase makes perfect sense. However, to people not a part of the team, this call can be just as confusing as the sport itself. A large number of people view ultimate frisbee as a fringe sport, akin to badminton or table tennis. In recent years, though, the sport has been picking up traction all around the nation, especially in Mounds View. While ultimate frisbee has its roots in the simple activity of tossing around a disk, the game itself is more similar to football. The “handlers” of a team are the throwers. They hold onto the disk and look for openings to toss it to one of the many people running around, a “cutter.” Describing it, Reuben Reid, 11, says, “It’s definitely very similar [to football], it’s like we have a whole lot of wide receivers running different paths down the field.” Last year the team had an extraordinarily strong result at state, placing second among the teams. Unfortunately, a large number of the varsity players graduated, leaving roughly one third of the varsity team as returning members. “This year it’s basically just kind of about growing and teaching players,” said senior captain Joey Rudolph. “We got a lot of new players, [and] we’re moving up.” In the past few years, the membership of the Mounds View ultimate team has grown exponentially, with a large number of underclassmen being extremely invested in the sport. While some play ultimate merely for the exercise, others seek the thrill of an exciting catch or throw. “I still get goosebumps and butterflies in my stomach when I play,” said Rudolph. “[The excitement] keeps me motivated to play.” However, ultimate also takes up a lot of time. “I’d say the time commitment is pretty big,” said Reid. “Our practices usually take anywhere from two to three hours a day, longer than the other sports.” Regardless of whether or not one has had prior experience in the sport, both Rudolph and Reid strongly encourage everyone to join. “It’s not a super strenuous sport, and it’s not a super all in your face win, win, win sport,” said Rudolph. “You meet a lot of cool people, and you have a lot of fun, so I think that’s the biggest attraction. That’s why people just join and play.”
The mental game of tennis by Sarah Tang staff reporter
The neon yellow ball flies from one end of the court to the other as the player tracks the ball. To plan his next move, he uses the most important part of tennis, the mind, and the Mounds View boys tennis team is no stranger to the intensity of concentration required to play well. In order to have successful matches, players must be able to strategize while actively following the ball. With many different components to think about at once, tennis players are faced with mental obstacles during matches. “If you’re missing a few shots in a row, getting back and staying aggressive during your points is always an issue,” said Daniel Zamow, 11. Players’ abilities to overcome their frustrations is essential to create a winning team. Captain Michael Conlin-Brandenburg, 12, believes players should also focus on being a team member. “If you focus on winning, you’re going to be upset. The key is focusing on what you can control and doing the best you can do for your team and not worrying about the outcome,” said Conlin-Brandenburg. The opponent’s shots, the weather and how the rest of the team performs are all out of a player’s control. However, the one thing the player can regulate is his determination to play well. The boys tennis team helps each other stay on task by emboldening each other across courts. “We’ll usually shout words of encouragement from other courts and give high fives as well,” said Tyler Hong, 12. With the addition of three new members: Bjorn Swenson, 7, Christo Alex, 7, and Lewis Schaffer, 11, the team is working on weaving the new players into their team dynamic. They also lost three of their seniors and gained two new managers, Marit Swenson, 9, and Leah Brandt, 9. The team’s losses and new additions have presented some challenges. “[We attained] younger players who are kind of inexperienced and we’re still trying to figure out our doubles line ups and getting that to the level we want it to be,” said Conlin-Brandenburg. The varsity boys tennis team is currently ranked fourth in the state. The goal for the team this year was put in just three words by Hong, Conlin-Brandenburg and Zamow: “to win state.” By developing their mental toughness, helping teammates stay concentrated and working on new team relationships, they feel optimistic about their goals. Varsity is determined to regain their state title and to bond as a team.
photos by Sarah Tang
12 Games
Friday, May 5, 2017
top 10
is h t In ! e u iss
Pick Up Lines to Use on your prom date
10
I’m not a photographer, but I can picture you and me together.
Do you have a bandage? Because I just scraped my knee falling for you.
8
If you were a vegetable, you’d be a cute-cumber.
7
Do you have a name, or can I just call you mine?
6 Across 1. Stores that offer cheaper Prom dresses. 5. What May is the month of. 7. A trendy music store. 9. Won the Franklin Brainard Award.
Down 2. Senior captain of the boys tennis team. 3. A new club at MV started by seniors. 4. One of the fastest growing sports. 6. A new scientific transplant area. 8. April showers bring May _____.
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Sudoku
I bet you play soccer because you’re a “keeper.”
5
Do you have a map? Because I’m getting lost in your eyes.
4
My doctor said I’m lacking Vitamin U.
If I were a cat, I’d spend all nine lives with you.
2
3
Are you a banana? Because I find you a-peeling.
Do you live in a corn field? Because I’m stalking you.
1
Team Players Wanted WORK HERE. GROW HERE.
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