MV Viewer 2017-2018 Issue 3

VOLUME 65 ISSUE 3 | November 17, 2017

THE VIEWER

Seeki ng Security

INSIDE THIS ISSUE NHS 02/ UNSUNG HEROES 03/ GIRLS TENNIS 11

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News

friday, November 17, 2017

NHS to undergo improvements

by Shelley Wang and Andrew Seong staff reporters

With the end of first quarter quickly approaching, National Honors Society (NHS) members scramble to meet the myriad of new obligations set in place this fall. When English teacher Ashley Walter assumed the position of NHS advisor this year, a realization of previously unmet criteria sparked the beginning of the Mounds View chapter’s reformation. Through stricter membership policies, mandatory events, workshops and executive board additions, Walter, along with co-presidents Brian Foran, 12, and Bri SisloSchutta, 12, have taken the initiative to raise the bar for the organization that

“I honestly think that no one knew. I don’t think there was any calculated deception on Mounds View’s part.”

Ashley Walter, advisor

has been known for its lenient policies.

After realizing that the Mounds View chapter was not adhering to the official NHS constitution, Walter decided that change was necessary. “Were we following the same guidelines as other schools? No, but the former advisors were extremely busy, just like I am, and it’s no one person’s fault that we weren’t [following guidelines],” said Walter.

“I honestly think that no one knew. I don’t think there was any calculated deception on Mounds View’s part.”

The scope of NHS lies beyond Mounds View’s green doors and extends to other schools in the community, such as Turtle Lake, Island Lake

and Pinewood Elementary. This expansion called for growth in the executive board and created four new positions: Vice Presidents Emily Su and Emma Hoyhtya, Public Relations Officers Yoo-Jin Hwang and Medha Nayak, Community Outreach Liaisons Eddie Brody and Sanjana Dutt and Treasurers/Secretaries Daniel Frink and Jared Martini. The chapter hopes for more additions to its administration. “Other schools have the faculty board, which is something we’re missing,” said Foran. “All we have is Ms. Walter.”

Along with the several expansions occurring this year, future chapters can hope for a faculty board to follow.

Moreover, membership commitment was a concern. “We just want members of NHS to be more dedicated people and not people that just want to do it because it looks good on their transcript or resume,” said Foran.

While other schools, such as Irondale, require teacher recommendations, Mounds View requires only an essay.

Mounds View is also more lenient with its minimum GPA requirement, 3.5 weighted, while some schools require up to 3.8. These lax standards contributed to the immense size of the Mounds View chapter. “Most schools around our size have about 90 people in NHS, [but] ours is almost 400— that’s insane,” said Sislo-Schutta.

To combat the unprecedented size, the presidents have added the new strike system which aims to increase accountability among members. “One of our goals is making NHS stricter with meeting dates and turning in all your hours on time. If you don’t do that, you’re given a strike,” said SisloSchutta. “If you get three strikes, you [could be] removed from the program.”

This approach allows for the ex-

pulsion of members who have failed to demonstrate commitment to the chapter. Likewise, the board plans to make the application process more selective. While the new application is still under review, Walter mentions

“Most schools around our size have about 90 people in NHS, [but] ours is almost 400—that’s insane.”

Bri Sislo-Schutta, co-president

it will be completed in the coming months and ready for incoming juniors by the end of the school year.

While the strike system targets the attendance, the newly-implemented Mounds View NHS writing workshops look to expand on student help opportunities. These workshops serve as an option for students seeking a second opinion on their essays, research papers, long FRQs and college supplements. After-school tutoring, previously the only option offered, was often overlooked. “Tutoring has such a negative stigma at this school—people don’t want to get help because they don’t want to be looked at as not as smart,” said Sislo-Schutta.

The co-presidents hope that the new requirements will inevitably decrease NHS membership and allow for more mobility. “It’s really hard to manage this many people, so shrinking the size will be able to help us expand what NHS can do in the community,” said Sislo-Schutta. With a more concentrated group of dedicated individuals, Mounds View can truly exemplify the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Leadership, Character and Service.

MINIMUM GPA FOR NHS MEMBERS IN MINNESOTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Irondale

3.33

Minnetonka

3.50

Mounds View

3.50 3.50

Eden Prairie

3.70

Orono

Woodbury

3.70

Eagan

3.80 3.80

Eastview

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

data compiled by Diana Zhu

Minneapolis bids for Amazon HQ2

illustration by Christina Mehrkens Pins indicate U.S. cities that have submitted official bids.

by Ingrid Anderson and Elliot Lee staff reporters Claiming Amazon’s second headquarters could prove an interesting challenge for a city that 17 Fortune 500 companies call home. Minneapolis, along with several cities around the U.S., Mexico and Canada, recently submitted its proposal outlining why it is the best fit for the online commerce company.

In their request, Amazon

states that they are looking for their host city to have certain traits. Many of them relate to demographics, such as a population of over one million and the availability of real estate.

Amazon also prefers a “stable and business friendly environment,” as well as a unique area with a lot to offer. Additionally, the company is looking for a community with a diverse population, easy access to transportation and a community that

will attract visitors to the area.

Amazon’s second headquarters, abbreviated as “HQ2,” could create up to $5 billion in investments for the selected city. Amazon promises to introduce 50,000 jobs to the community, and if Minnesota is chosen, HQ2 would become the largest employer in the state.

Possible environmental detriments could include an increase in pollution, but Amazon says that environmental correctness and preserving the natural climate is at the top of its priorities. In the past, Amazon has proven to be an advocate for renewable energy, as the 2017 State of Green Business report named it as the number one corporate purchaser of renewable energy.

Bringing in a large corporate headquarters could create crowding issues as well. From observing Amazon’s first headquarters in Seattle, the increased housing costs may have led to an increase in homelessness within the city. Furthermore, Seattle may need to expand its

two-year-old public transportation system to cope with a growing population. The limited public transit system in Minneapolis, with only two light rail systems, would potentially have to be expanded as well to support the inevitable influx of workers HQ2 would bring.

A total of 238 different regions and cities have applied for the opportunity to host HQ2. Besides Minneapolis, competing cities include Austin, Atlanta, Denver and Boston among many others.

Amazon’s influence is already present in Minnesota since Shakopee is an order fulfillment center, a warehouse that stores packages and helps orders get to their destination faster.

Some students think that the addition of the second headquarters would further benefit our state. “[HQ2] would definitely be a positive because it would bring a lot of high-paying jobs to the area,” said Luke Hermanson, 11. Other students think that Amazon should in-

vest in a city other than Minneapolis. “There are other, more popular cities that will be better for Amazon to make money,” said Marshall Praml, 11.

Amazon’s long list of requests also includes major tax breaks in the selected city. Star Tribune reported that Minnesota governor Mark Dayton speculates would undoubtedly increase taxes on Amazon’s competitors that have already headquartered here, such as Target, Best Buy and 3M. Thus, Dayton believes it would be unwise to offer tax cuts to a corporation when so many of its competitors already call Minnesota home.

With a city’s business environment, transportation and accessibility in mind, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos will announce the final decision next year. Although the deadline for formal applications may have passed, the ultimate campaign has just begun.

features

friday, November 17, 2017

Ladies of the lunchroom

by Jessica Hegele staff reporter Lunchtime is often the only time students get to take a break from learning and enjoy a good meal. Keeping this in mind, Yvette LaQuess has arrived at school every day for the past seven years at around 6:00 a.m.—earlier than most students and staff. Her job in the lunchroom begins at 6:30 a.m., and she sticks around until 12:30 p.m. on most days.

If LaQuess is needed in the cafeteria after her shift is over, she is always willing to stay a little longer to help out.

To LaQuess, there are many rewarding things about this job, such as helping feed students so that they can focus on school work during the day.

“Food is so important. I want to make sure the kids are fed well and happy so they can learn,” said LaQuess. “They need to eat good food because when I went to school, the food wasn’t so hot.”

In addition to her mission to provide nutritious meals for students, she also loves the connections she gets to create with students and appreciates the little notes or gifts she receives. “I’ve had students give me sweet little things thanking me for being so nice to them, for good food, or work, so that’s really special,” said LaQuess. She went on to talk about a senior who wrote her a note that brought her to tears because of the student’s kind words.

Even though most days in the cafeteria are fairly similar, one particular day stands out to LaQuess. It was her first year at Mounds View, and the kitchen manager

had just found out that she played guitar and sang. “There was a special event going on, and I sang in front of a whole lunchroom of kids and they were singing along,” said LaQuess. “It was so special, I felt like I was looked at, not just as a lunch lady.”

Another thing that makes this job such a joy for LaQuess is her co-workers. “We’re all just a bunch of goofballs, and we laugh, and it’s hard work.

I’m going to be up front,” said LaQuess.

As with many jobs there are challenging parts. “I’m five feet tall, that is a challenge for me, and that’s just how it is. I’m not going to grow. It’s physically demanding. I’ve had a couple carpal tunnel surgeries, but we really use our hands and our body a lot,” said LaQuess. Safety is also a big concern.

Ever since LaQuess has started working at Mounds View, there haven’t been any memorable negative issues within the cafeteria. The only issue she saw was the lack of respect and manners from some students towards the other lunch workers.

“Food should be enjoyed, and it should be a happy time, and not just time to throw stuff and make a mess,” said LaQuess.

“Just kind of the golden rule you know.”

More than anything, LaQuess wants people to know that she just wants to people to smile. “I’m just a goofball, and I love seeing people happy. That’s why I do music, and when I’m here, I see young kids that have their whole life ahead of them, laughing and smiling,” said LaQuess. “They’re happy when they see what kind of food it is, and that makes me feel really good.”

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Stay tuned to our Facebook page and mvviewer.org for a follow up article on our head chef, Joel Zacher.

Debbie Benkovics

by Derek Chen and Leon Wang staff reporters The students stand in line in anxious anticipation. With thoughts that are filled with nothing but delicious Popcorn Chicken, they eye the cafeteria stand with growling stomachs. Despite all the attention these meals receive, many forget to consider the people who prepare them.

Waking up early at 6:00 a.m., Debbie Benkovics, along with the rest of the cafeteria staff, are responsible for cooking and preparing the meal that many students consider to be the highlight of their day.

Benkovics started working in the cafeteria in 2004 with the start of her growing family. With her family situated around the Shoreview area, Benkovics was familiar with the Mounds View District before starting her cafeteria job. “I have three boys, and all three of my kids went here. All of my cousins kids went here, and I have all my other cousins’ kids coming through here,” said Benkovics. “Every day I come into work, I have family running through here.”

Now she has started her 13th year at Mounds View and has worked her way up to being a cook, which gives her the freedom to create her own recipes. “Right now they kind of have allowed us to to play around with reciphotos by Ellie Tsai

pes or bring in our own and try it and see if you guys like it,” said Benkovics.

Mounds View’s Nutrition Service team is not only focused on providing multiple food options for students and staff, but also makes sure that they enjoy the food that is served. “If I had the freedom, I would ask to get more input from the students,” said Benkovics. “I would rather make you guys happy, and I think it’s really hard to figure out what you guys want.”

Being a cafeteria worker at Mounds View is more than just a job. Benkovics and her co-workers—“the girls”—meet outside of school at least three times a year, visiting restaurants while bonding with each other. “We’ve gone to Betty Danger’s, where we went on the ferris wheel. Last year for Christmas, we all went to Macy’s and walked through the 8th floor,” said Benkovics. “Everyone is always invited.”

At the end of the day, Benkovics is motivated by the energy of the students in the lunchroom. “I like working around high schoolers [because of] the energy you all bring to the lunchroom and all the lines. As we get older that’s something we start to lose on a daily basis,” said Benkovics. “You guys bring energy every day.”

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editorials

Friday, November 17, 2017

Redefining normalcy How Trump’s first year has deflated expectations for the presidency

by Kaylin Ro staff reporter The President sits in his chair, typing up another Twitter storm while Fox News plays nearby, possibly being his only source of the day’s news. Meanwhile, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House Press Secretary, greets the press with predictable lies and coverups for the administration while criticizing their questions.

That’s what many might imagine on a typical day at the White House. However, this is not what “normal” is. A normal president would not be briefed by watching Fox News, but from his or her own advisors. A normal president would not tweet derogatory insults to others. Neither would the Press Secretary blatantly lie or refuse to acknowledge wrongdoing, but would own up to faults and answer questions truthfully.

One year has passed since Donald Trump’s shocking win in the election, and the line between normal and abnormal government behavior has become increasingly blurred. The country has acclimatized to this sudden change in behavior.

The President’s inability to adhere to the truth perhaps stands out the most in the new political atmosphere. Instead of accepting facts, it seems like Trump has told more lies than any other conventional President. Each day, Ameri-

can citizens read tweets and hear speeches that are clearly false and filled with “facts” that do not align with the truth. From the most fickle things such as the size of his inauguration crowd, to the conversations with Gold Star families, Trump has blended fact and fiction—a difference that is necessary to distinguish. He has encouraged the rejection of facts that contradict with his beliefs, the denial of science and the erosion of objective truth. By doing so, he alienates himself from unfavorable criticism and dodges the problems that are important to Americans.

Unsurprisingly, the media has become a victim of the president, who has attacked multiple news organizations and threatened the freedom of the press. Trump denigrates news that does not conform to his thoughts and opinions, criticizing them as “fake news.” But what makes a news report fake is that it contains factually false information, not information that criticizes the President or information that the President dislikes. In the past year, journalists from sources such as CNN, NBC and the New York Times, have become regular victims by being called the “enemies of the people,” “failing” and “very dishonest.” While it remains true that past presidents have called out news organizations, President Trump has set himself apart from the rest by failing to acknowledge the role of the press

in American democracy. Journalism holds the government accountable—a reason why it remains protected under the First Amendment.

From President Barack Obama to illegal voting, Trump has generated conspiracy theories one after another. It was pathetic enough when Trump peddled the theory that Obama was born in Kenya, but that was when he was an ordinary citizen. Now he is the President, and this behavior has made an unprecedented merge with the expected behavior of the Commander in Chief. But it did not stop there. On Saturday, March 4, 2017, Trump reached a new low when he concocted a string of tweets that blamed his predecessor of “wiretapping” the Trump Tower. After proven false by the FBI, Trump and his administration still backed the claim, scrambling to cover the absurdity of the lie. Even after garnering the majority of electoral votes during the Presidential Election, Trump still could not handle the loss of the popular vote, tweeting, “In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.” This claim remains yet to be proven.

It shouldn’t be customary to hear something so outrageous that it seems ordinary.

This is not the behavior of a normal president.

A shot at control

by Ben Davis online managing editor Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jan 6; Rothschild, Wisconsin, March 22; Cincinnati, Ohio, March 26; Houston, Texas, April 7; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 20; Bogue Chitto, Mississippi, May 27; Phenix City, Alabama May 28; La Madera, New Mexico June 15; Little Rock, Arkansas, July 1; Plano, Texas, Sept. 10; Las Vegas, Nevada, Oct. 1; Sutherland Springs, Texas, Nov. 5.

This is about a tenth of the events experts have deemed as mass shootings (at least 4 people injured or killed) in 2017 according to gunviolencearchive. org. In each of these cities, at least five people were killed or 10 were injured due to gun violence. This doesn’t even begin to cover the number of Americans hurt or killed in non-mass shootings. Gun violence is an epidemic in American society, and some proposed solutions divide the U.S., but there are many solutions most people agree on.

According to the Pew Research Center, over 80 percent of Americans are in favor of laws preventing the mentally ill and those on no-fly lists from buying guns.

The vast majority of Americans support closing gun show loopholes and adding background checks at gun shows. More than half of us want to ban assault weapons and create a federal database of guns. While some of these “common sense gun laws” are split by party, both parties have over 50 percent of members in favor of these laws that are yet to be passed.

It seems like everyone has a theory on why these laws won’t get through Congress, and most of these theories boil down to strong condemnation of these gun laws by a small and motivated gun lobby. This belief may seem logical, and it may be the easiest to have, but it is horribly wrong. The belief that pro-gun rights people are holding these laws back is, in fact, more detrimental than pro-gun people are themselves. The real reason the laws aren’t getting through Congress is due to a lack of conviction from those who support these laws, including much of the Democratic party.

In another study done by the Pew Research Center, 22 percent of those in favor of less strict gun laws have reached out to public officials about gun policy, compared to 15 percent of those in favor of stricter laws. This doesn’t seem like a large difference, but when combined with the power of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and other gun lobbying organizations, it’s a huge difference. Politicians can ignore organizations like the NRA, but when both interest groups and the public majority contacting them are on one side, public servants will “serve the public.”

The vast majority of the American population supports common-sense gun control.

Many students at Mounds View are of voting age, and many more are students with a lot of conviction.

We need to rally together. There’s no law preventing us from calling Congress representatives. While common-sense gun laws aren’t perfect and won’t prevent everything, something has to be done.

We have to be the ones to make it happen. Democracy is an action. illustration by Christina Mehrkens

Debates

Friday, November 17, 2017

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Deal or no deal: Black Friday temptations Giving thanks

Black Friday’s relevance

by Michael Gennaro staff reporter

by Alec Weber staff reporter

After a day of spending time with family, feasting and giving thanks, Americans rush to shopping malls to buy items that they will most certainly regret in days to come. Black Friday is known as one of the greatest shopping days of the year due to its “amazing deals.” But if it is really put into perspective, one might ask, “are these deals truly as good as they appear to be?”

A factor that’s unaccounted for is the many other large sales throughout the year. For example, in October my family and I were looking for a new snow blower for the upcoming winter. The one we found however, was being sold at $600, so we thought we would wait for Black Friday’s supposedly “incredible” deals to get it at a lower cost. When the day came, our family was shocked to see that same snow blower was “40 percent off,” but was still marked on sale for $600.

This experience led me to realize that stores will do whatever it takes to lure in customers on Black Friday and bring in as much money as they can at the start of the holiday season.

For the most part, Black Friday deals continue throughout December. Along with this comes the so called “deals

of the year,” often reappearing several times throughout the year, providing other opportunities to save money.

Another downside of Black Friday are the large crowds.

As soon as promising deals are mentioned, Americans cannot wait to hop in their vehicles and drive to shopping stores with the mindset of saving. With the day being heavily overhyped, it is widely publicized which attracts the masses. This then creates the overwhelming crowds that gather on Black Friday all over the United States.

Two years ago on Black Friday, my mom and I were at Target to buy one movie. As we began to make our way to the checkout line, we noticed that every single cash register was open, but the lines were terribly long. After 30 minutes of waiting, we discovered that the movie we bought was $9.99, but advertised as 50 percent off—even though movies at Target are usually $9.99.

Black Friday is advertised more and more every year, continuously luring in customers.

With the combination of lackluster deals and busy stores, going shopping on Black Friday is something to reconsider.

In today’s society, material goods play a large role in our lives. As a result, Black Friday has become one of the most widely recognized days of the year across the states, but it’s relevance is increasingly being questioned every year.

Although Black Friday may seem to be an unnecessary addition to the Thanksgiving season, there’s no question that there are benefits associated with the existence of Black Friday— whether it be involving family, friends or America overall.

Black Friday simply has the potential to bring people together. This all-American tradition creates the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends and family over the holidays.

It also provides an excuse to splurge with a clear conscience.

Another benefit that Black Friday presents is the affordability of luxurious items and more. This opportunity to shop for more expensive products at a fraction of the regular cost can be an immense relief to cashstrapped families, allowing the parents to bring their children joy.

While the day presents its

benefits for the consumers, the businesses that sell goods over Black Friday benefit from it as well. For these companies, the exponential increase of customers during this season is a huge boost for sales—especially for smaller businesses.

In our country, unity has recently been a popular topic with all of the shocking events that have occurred. Black Friday has the potential to bring all of America together. While shopping isn’t the most typical thing for people to unite over, it does represent America and many of our values accurately. One thing to keep in mind as everyone shops on Black Friday this year, is that we should all be aware of one another and take advantage of this time to come together and truly experience unity.

Black Friday is worthy of our attention as we look for ways to save money and purchase goods that we otherwise could not have purchased. It can even serve as an opportunity to strengthen friendships and bring people together across the United States. All in all, Black Friday is worth the hustle with its promising deals and freedom that it presents to us.

Illustrations by Christina Mehrkens

Viewer Staff 2017-2018 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING COPY EDITOR MANAGING DESIGN EDITORS MANAGING ONLINE EDITOR BUSINESS MANAGER FRONT COVER NEWS EDITOR FEATURES EDITOR EDITORIALS EDITOR DEBATES EDITOR

Sunny Lim Felix Zhang Kallie Slotvig, Felix Zhang Ben Davis Zoe Lindberg Felix Zhang Diana Zhu Kallie Slotvig Marley Jones Cassandra Downs

CENTERFOLD EDITORS WHAT’S TRENDING EDITOR ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR GOOD QUESTION EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHERS ARTIST ADVISOR PUBLISHER

Sarah Tang, Michelle Wang Haley Keeney Shannon Haffely Toni Baraga Sanjana Dutt Zoe Lindberg, Sarah Tang, Ellie Tsai Christina Mehrkens David Ostrom Sauk Centre Publishing

STAFF WRITERS Ingrid Anderson, Bridget Bohan, Derek Chen, Liam Curry, Justin Duffy, Rachel Ganske, Michael Gennaro, Sienna Griffith, Jeffrey He, Jessica Hegele, Hannah Hoiland, Julia Holtz, Emma Hoyhtya, Till Konczak, Alexis Larson, Elliot Lee, Jason Lou, Robert Nelson, Luka Pejic, Kaylin Ro, Clare Schooley, Andrew Seong, Benjamin Steil, Jenna Stellmack, Leroy Thor, Jordan Van Laningham, Leon Wang, Shelley Wang, Alec Weber, Shirley Xieli, Derek Zhu

Mounds View High School ‌• 1900 Lake Valentine Rd. Arden Hills, MN 55112 • www.mvviewer.org‌ • @mvviewer • editor@mvviewer.org

Open yet secure?

by Julia Holtz and Sienna Griffith staff reporters Ever since the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999, school security has been a growing concern in the United States.

The attack served as a wake-up call for American schools to implement stricter security measures. The multiple tragedies that have occurred since—such as the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 and the recent school shooting in Northern California—have only strengthened the mounting emphasis on security.

Mounds View, no doubt, has gaps in security. Doors are often left unsecured and entering the building is relatively convenient.

“Unfortunately, when our buildings were built, school shootings didn’t happen,” said Associate Principal Michael Schwartz. However, over the years, Mounds View has taken action to address these concerns. Now, the school’s side doors are locked and checked hourly, and cameras are placed throughout the school. These measures were not in place 15 years ago. Administration members also now have radios that facilitate communication. In addition, Mounds View has implemented the Raptor system: visitors who comes into the building should have his or her license scanned, run through a database and be name tagged.

In a large public school like Mounds View, it is difficult to note every individual who enters or exits the building. “We have about 2,000 people in this building every day and many are coming and going. We must always remain vigilant and aware of our surroundings,” said Prin-

cipal Stephanie Bruggers. During school hours, visitors are supposed to check in at the greeter’s desk. After school, there is no greeter but a community expert who monitors the building.

Outside of everyday security, the Mounds View administration is confident in the event of an emergency because of the multiple contingency plans they review every year. “I feel that we have done a good job overall practicing our lockdowns and have prepared for the chance we may need to use it,” said School Resource Officer William Rzeszutek. Mounds View holds three hard and two soft lockdown drills each year to prepare for such an event. If the building needs to be evacuated, students and staff would be relocated to St. John the Baptist Catholic School.

On Nov. 7, voters approved of a bond to expand Mounds View’s infrastructure; these plans include improving building security. “Our hope is to come in through a vestibule—that’s where Matt will be—so [visitors] won’t be in the building until they’re scanned and name tagged,” said Schwartz. This tentative design “ensures we know exactly who is in the building and when they exit,” said Bruggers.

The issue of security continues to grow as a major concern across the United States, with incidents occurring almost daily. The most important thing that Mounds View students can do to help keep themselves and others safe is to always report suspicious activity. “If you see something say something,” said Schwartz. “It’s everybody’s job to keep this building secure.”

“If you see something, say something.”

Michael Schwartz, associate principal

Safety first

centerfold and cover photos by Ellie Tsai

Security dilemma: safety or freedom

by Justin Duffy and Till Konczak staff reporters In the wake of the threatening text sent to a few Mounds View students on Oct. 8, questions about school safety are on the rise. What is the current situation at Mounds View? Is there a need for change?

Many see the increasing frequency of mass shootings in America as a clear sign that security needs to be more enforced. However, some believe extra security measures are redundant, or worse, an encroachment on their freedom. Where do Mounds View students and staff really stand on this issue?

Out of 130 students polled, 14 percent of students polled believe that the security at Mounds View is too strict. Mounds View restricts student movement within the building during the day.

However, high school students desire the liberty to move about as they please. “We should be more like colleges and have an open campus,” said Olivia Symonik, 12.

Other students referenced specific limitations on students’ freedoms. “I want less security because I want to be able to move in and out of school during lunch and especially during ReFLECT,” said Emma Bangert, 12. In addition to controlling movement inside the school, Mounds View keeps entrances secured during the day, which

can be especially irksome for students who drive.

“They should let us drive to eat McDonald’s for lunch,” said Michael Cao, 11. Many students who have study halls also wish to leave during the day.

The majority of students, nearly 71 percent, believe that the level of security at school is adequate. Some students cite the lack of any recent security breaches or legitimate safety hazards. “For all the time I’ve been here, I haven’t heard of or seen any threats, so I think we’re doing an OK job,” said Cody Connolly, 11. Other students suggest a sort of compromise. “I feel like there should be less security for students, but more for outsiders” said Echo Fatsis, 12.

Visitors to Mounds View currently have to do little more than check in with greeter Matt Goldsmith, known to students as “Goldy,” before they are allowed into the school. Other schools in the district, like Chippewa Middle School, have tighter security—visitors need to be buzzed in by the greeter and sign in at the office to gain access to the school.

15 percent of students believe that Mounds View should be more secure. These students pointed out severe issues in the school’s security. “They don’t know everyone in the school,” said Claire DeMay, 12. “If a young-looking kid walks in with a backpack, they won’t get questioned, so a stranger could easily get inside.” This sentiment is shared by many staff members. “I feel like in terms of personnel, we have enough, but the doors could be more secure,” said Rebecca Hauth-Schmid, English teacher. Many other teachers echoed similar concerns regarding the security of Mounds View’s entrances. “I don’t know how it could be implemented, but there’s a bit of a security issue with the side doors,” said Jacob Hairrell, physics teacher. Although the school’s side and back entrances are locked during the day, they are not monitored and could easily be propped open from the inside.

While many students enjoy the relative liberty of movement at Mounds View, a few students and many staff members believe the lack of security creates a safety risk. Ultimately, it is up to the administration to decide whether implementing more school security is worth restricting student freedom.

“We should be more like colleges and have an open campus.”

Olivia Symonik, 12

How much security should Mounds View have?

130 students polled

Less More Same

compiled by Justin Duffy and Till Konczak

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what’s trending

Friday, November 17, 2017

The freedom of finstas

by Alexis Larson staff reporter

Fake Instagram accounts, more commonly known as “finstas,” have become popular among many users as a way to share more personal pictures and videos with their closest friends without having to live up to the high standards of a regular Instagram account. Though there isn’t any specific point as to when this trend began, as people posted more and more on their finstas, others were inspired to create accounts as well.

One thing that draws people into making finstas is the humor and the freedom to post whatever they desire.“My friend started one, and what they were posting was really funny. I was like, I’m just going to express my individuality [with] humor and stuff that you can’t post on your normal Instagram account,” said Claire DeMay, 12.

Students use finstas for a variety of reasons, including uploading funny pictures and videos, expressing opinions, vlogging at events and simply as a way to post whatever they want—usually things that they don’t want on their main Instagram account. “It gives you an outlet to post things you wouldn’t normally post,” said Quinn Doan, 12.

One reason that many don’t post the same things on both accounts is to preserve their image. “They’re kind of like cringey pictures I guess,” said Molly Shwiff, 9. “I don’t really know all the people who follow me so that would be weird.” Because a normal instagram account is often used to post your best pictures on things most important to you, finstas serve as a way

to post free from criticism and only for the people who know you best.

A majority of the time, finsta posts encompass humor that users wish to share with their followers.

“I post a lot of pictures of my sister doing silly, weird things, she just turned a year old and she runs into walls a lot,” said Kaya Morris, 9. “I also post a lot of screenshots of pictures of my friends that are funny.”

Finstas are also a way for people to set themselves apart from other users by posting unique pictures and videos. “I post a lot of ugly pictures of me because my friends think that’s funny,” said Vicky Li, 11. “[I also post] videos of me, motivational videos, an occasional dance video if I’m feeling it [and] pictures of me eating plantain chips.”

One thing people appreciate most about finstas is that it is a nonjudgemental area of social media exclusively for their closest friends; users can post photos and videos that are not necessarily their “best self.”

“You can do whatever you want.

You don’t have to edit your pictures or anything, you just post it as it is,” said Clara Gustafson, 9. Others love finstas simply for the joy and humor they can give to people. This being the case, most reactions to finsta posts are positive. “People like seeing ugly pictures of their friends,” said Li. “I think that’s just a universal thing.”

Seniors Claire DeMay and Quinn Doan show off their finsta accounts.

photos by Ellie Tsai

Turkey for Vegans

by Emma Hoyhtya staff reporter

illustration by Haley Keeney The Minimalist Baker’s recipe for the best vegan apple crisp.

Veganism has been gradually gaining popularity in United States as a healthy and environmentally conscious way of eating. However, with Thanksgiving less than a week away, the vegan lifestyle becomes difficult to follow as turkey, stuffing and other meat based foods cover dining tables and fill up store shelves.

According to riseofthevegan. com, veganism has increased 500 percent since 2014. This movement has become easier compared to when the trend began because of the increase in vegan options and increasing number stores and restaurants offering vegan meals. “Overall, substitutes are easy to find because there are so many different types,” said Jessica Peterson, 11. Even though the substitutes are typically more expensive, this high price tag is worth it for those who choose to be vegan.

Because of the desire for alternative vegan recipes, people have created strong online communities in which they share recipes, show support and discuss their tips and tricks.

Especially during the Thanksgiving season, many people decide to make up and share their own recipes that follow vegan rules. “I deliciously

recreated a pumpkin cheesecake, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and many other things using vegan substitutes,” said Nicole Higgins, 11. Some popular vegan substitutes include tofu for meat, soymilk or almond milk for dairy milk and soaked raw nuts for cheese.

Another way to find new meal ideas is watching vegan cooking programs, such as the one provided by The Herbivorous Butcher—a meatless meat market in Minneapolis.

While it seems impossible for many to convert to veganism, Higgins explains that with the right sources, it can be an easy switch. “It’s crazy how similar you can make things taste with the right recipes,” said Higgins.

Mounds View students who follow this way of life, should be respected for choosing this lifestyle . “I shouldn’t have to defend my personal choices that do not affect anyone else,” said Mikala Bredeson, 12. With the right mindset, people continue to follow through on what they believe in. “I can worry about what I eat. You can worry about what you eat,” said Peterson.

With some alternative recipes and a growing, tight-knit community, vegans can still follow their lifestyles while enjoying thanksgiving with family and friends.

Arts & Entertainment 9

Friday, November 17, 2017

Thor: Ragnarok, movie of the year

by Jeffrey He staff reporter The movie Thor: Ragnarok was released in the U.S. on Nov. 3, 2017. Even though it is a sequel to 2011’s Thor and 2013 Thor: The Dark World, the movie can be watched without knowing too much background knowledge.

Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston return as Thor and Loki, while many new actors and actresses joined the cast for this Marvel film.

The movie starts off with a scene showing Thor laughably talking to himself while chained up above boiling lava. As the plot progresses, Hela, Goddess of Death, aims to take over Asgard, seizing power from the Norse gods. Thor, the God of Thunder, loses his hammer in his attempt to fight off the overpowering Hela and gets thrown onto another planet following his defeat. Marvel has Hulk join Thor in his adventures through the universe to get back and restore order in the chaotic Asgard against Hela.

While Thor: the Dark World had a serious tone, the sequel is embedded with humor. Jokes are made every few minutes and comic relief is relevant throughout the movie. Part-time comedian and director Taika Waititi almost uses an excessive amount of comedy throughout the film, which may discourage some viewers from watching it. In fact, some parts of the movie stray too far from the typical Marvel superhero film to superficial scenes purely for comedic enjoyment.

Although the movie is not fast-paced,

some fight scenes are scattered throughout the movie, which helps character progression, especially in the case of Loki.

Furthermore, the pacing and transitions of the film are seamless. Throughout the movie, the point of view switches with perfect timing between Thor and Hela leaving viewers on edge. The camerawork and special effects surrounding the spaceships and wormholes were also outstanding.

New and old viewers alike can enjoy the most recent Marvel masterpiece. Sci-fi and mythological elements blend together to create one of the best thrillers of the year.

The Verdict The cast beautifully executes their roles throughout the enthralling film. Doubled with comedy and gusto, the script is phenomenal. Viewers are sure to enjoy this aesthetically pleasing superhero tale, especially if they love a good laugh.

5/5

photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

Pizzeria Lola is pizzeria heaven

by Shirley Xieli and Luka Pejic staff reporter Unusual food creations have always been at the top of the trends. Pizzeria Lola caught my attention due to its very exotic and unique menu. Since it’s one of the hottest dining places, my friend Luka and I each decided to go and see what the fuss was all about. Besides, who could say no to pizza?

Upon walking into Pizzeria Lola, the first thing Luka noticed was the giant wood-fired oven in the middle of the restaurant. Wanting to see the chefs in action, he requested to be seated at the bar where he could watch the pizzas being made. The place was packed, so he had no choice but to wait.

As soon as he was seated, a waitress came around and took Luka’s drink order. In his opinion, this was the most efficient hosting staff he had ever seen.

Like Luka, I also had a pleasant seating experience, and only started to struggle when I saw the menu. Even though the menu was limited, deciding what to order was a difficult decision to be made. After browsing the menu I landed on a dish that most intrigued me. As a starter, I ordered the roasted baby beets and the arugula salad. The ingredients tasted fresh; the salad was refreshing and the addition of chevre (goat cheese) and hazelnuts added different textures and flavors to the appetizer.

Deciding which pizza to order was the hardest part. Every pizza had its own unique signature—even the classic margherita pizza came with an unexpected twist. My final choice was the Forager; a thin crust pizza topped with a variety of mushrooms, fontina cheese and tarragon: an essential spice in Italian cuisine. The crust was crispy, the ingredients were thinly sliced and generously distributed over the pizza and the addition of truffle oil gave a subtle, earthy taste which tied everything together.

Because of the variety of choices, settling down for one pizza was almost impossible. So, I also decided to try the Korean BBQ pizza, topped with beef short ribs, mozzarella, scallions, arugula, sesame and soy chili vinaigrette. Luka ordered the My Sha-roni—just a

fancy name for a sausage and pepperoni pizza.

He asked for mushrooms added, which in his opinion, only made the pizza that much better.

Entree options were delectable, and the experience was enriched by a variety of desserts.

Luka tried the ice cream topped with cocoa nibs and honey drizzles—he thought it was fantastic way to end the meal. Since Luka had tried the ice cream, I decided to try something different.

In the menu, there was the option of choosing how many cookies you wanted with a side of either ice cream or a glass of milk. For me, three cookies with a glass of milk hit the sweet spot.

For those who like to have a little something to remember the occasion, Pizzeria Lola has a gift shop at the back of the restaurant and a photobooth that you can use for an extra three dollars. This is a very memorable and creative characteristic of the restaurant.

Overall, Pizzeria Lola provides a cozy place for families and friends to gather and share a meal. The warm and homey atmosphere, combined with great food, leaves a comforting impression on visitors.

Pizzeria Lola is open from Sunday to Thursday at 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., at 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and is located at 5557 Xerxes Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55410.

The Forager pizza at Pizzeria Lola.

photos by Shirley Xieli Chefs cook the pizzas in a wood burning stove.

10

good question

Friday, november 17, 2017

Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

by Jordan Van Laningham and Clare Schooley staff reporters

It’s that time of year again. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and Thanksgiving is just around the corner and with it comes the new tradition of finding the best deals in stores during Black Friday and online during Cyber Monday. All over the country, holiday shoppers are lining up in stores and refreshing their webpages for these deals.

Black Friday marks the unofficial beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

Kimberly Amadeo, writer for a money tips website, thebalance.com, said that the average shopper in 2016 spent around $935 on Black Friday, for a total of approximately $655 billion across the United States.

Black Friday, which features flash sales and doorbuster deals, has transformed into an intense battle of committed shoppers. “I prefer Black Friday because it’s kind of entertaining reading all the news stories about a mom fighting a 12-year-old boy for a toy for her kids birthday,” said Kieran Smith, 11.

Three days after Black Friday comes Cyber Monday, the biggest online retail event in the United States. In 2016, Cyber Monday yielded $3.45 billion in sales—a new online record—according to Charisse Jones, writer for USA Today. To some, this day offers many of the same

benefits without all the hassle. “You can get up anytime in the day and not have to wait outside for hours or days to buy some product,” said Santino Preciado, 10.

Although this tradition only dates back to 2005, Cyber Monday is growing more popular every year, with tech savvy shoppers looking to avoid the crazy crowds and lines. “I enjoy staying at home, shopping and sitting in my PJs,” said Anders Bandt, 12. Other students prefer shopping online on the Monday after, wanting to avoid the aggressive, and often times dangerous, atmosphere of Black Friday. “Cyber Monday would be safer for me,” said Smith. “I wouldn’t want to be killed or fought over for a little toy.”

When 202 Mounds View students were asked whether they preferred Black Friday or Cyber Monday, the majority favored Black Friday, receiving just over 150 votes. “I love the hype and excitement of Black Friday shopping,” said Kendall Galvin, 12. Only 44 students voted for Cyber Monday, but the tradition is more recent and is becoming more popular every year.

Despite the mixed feelings over which of the two days are better, most students can agree on one thing: There’s no better time than these two days to buy what you want.

illustration by Christina Mehrkens

Why do leaves leaf the tree?

by Derek Zhu and Jenna Stellmack staff reporters

photo by Ellie Tsai

Have any good questions? Email them

@

toni.baraga@mvviewer.org

The dazzling array of warm colors are a familiar sight to any student at Mounds View. Yet, as pretty as they may be, leaves don’t change colors just to make autumn more beautiful.

So why do they change, and why do so many trees drop their leaves in the fall? It’s all in the name of survival.

Throughout the summer, a tree produces energy by absorbing sunlight using the chlorophyll in its leaves, which makes them appear green. However, other pigments that are present in these leaves, mostly shades of orange and yellow, remain hidden during the spring and summer.

In Minnesota, however, good weather doesn’t last. According to The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), as the weather cools and the days shorten, many trees are no longer able to take in enough water or sunlight to produce the energy needed to keep their leaves. These are called deciduous trees, and as this process occurs, the leaves become a detriment to their survival, so the tree halts photosynthesis and cuts them off.

Not all trees are deciduous, however. Evergreen trees’ needles conserve more water than the broader, flatter leaves of deciduous trees. These trees can afford to keep their leaves

because although they are covered in snow, they stay dry and conserve water due to their waxy coating. Evergreens do lose their needles when they grow old, but this is a gradual process that is not dependent on the weather.

Trees shed their leaves to survive, but that doesn’t explain why leaves change color. “As chlorophyll stops being produced and gradually gets destroyed by enzymes in the plant cells, we start to see red pigments, and yellow pigments, and orange pigments that are always there,” said Mark Johnson, biology teacher. The chemical pigments inside deciduous leaves that cause the fall colors to appear vary between tree species. This is what makes some trees, such as maples, turn brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow, while the leaves of other trees, such as oaks, fade to a dull brown.

As the year progresses into fall, the bright, beautiful leaves dancing to the ground are both a benefit to the trees and a spectacle for the people who live near them. “[Trees] basically let their leaves die. The plant cuts off circulation to those parts and lets them shrivel up and die, basically by drying out, which is why leaves are often very dry when they fall from trees,” said Johnson. “The beauty of it is that plants can grow new ones in the spring.”

Friday, november 17, 2017

Athlete of the issue

Stephanie Anderson Hockey

New beginnings

by Ben Steil staff reporter

Last month, the Mounds View girls tennis team wrapped up a strong season, ending with an appearance in the section semifinals. Before achieving that end, the lady Mustangs overcame several challenges, including adapting to a new coach and young captains, a young team and the tragic death of top-seeded player, Marit Swenson.

Swenson was a sophomore, and an integral part of the team.

She lost her ongoing battle with brain cancer this past summer, and the loss dampened team morale throughout this season.

According to varsity player Sanjana Pattanaik, 9, the team missed her dearly every match of the season. “It felt kind of empty, and we felt like every single match we had to play for her,” said Pattanaik.

But from a feeling of hopelessness, the team came together and showed their section that through this loss, they could still compete. “Losing Marit kind of made everyone closer and more connected,” said Sadie Hanzalik, 12.

In order to help out Swenson’s family, the team had a fundraiser, selling socks and headbands, and donating all proceeds to

sports

11

the family. The team also wore socks, ribbons and other purple items to remember her at every game. “We made ‘Marit Strong’ headbands and wore ribbons in our hair to keep her memory alive,” said Pattanaik.

Not only did the girls have their own way of remembering Swenson by wearing purple headbands, “Marit socks” and purple ribbons in their hair for every match, other teams also showed their support by doing the same. “A couple of teams wore purple, or symbols to represent brain cancer,” said Hanzalik. The team also received many cards and small gifts in remembrance of Swenson.

Even with the challenge of coping with the death of Swenson, the team was able to have a successful season, finishing with a winning record of 6-4. MVGT now looks to the future. “I’m hoping for a shot at state next year,” said captain Taylor Trondson, 11.

Based off the youth of the team, with only three graduating seniors, MVGT strives to improve next season, looking to build on their positive record from this year. Although they lost a key player, next year’s team will keep twelve current varsity players and maintain the positive energy that Swenson brought to the court. The future of the team has never looked so bright.

Q: How long have you been playing hockey?

A: I’ve been playing hockey for 12 years.

Q: What’s your favorite part about playing hockey?

A: My favorite part about hockey is when I step on the ice, all my thoughts are gone and I get to focus on playing hockey. Also, my teammates because they bring me an endless amount of laughter.

Q: How do you prepare for games?

A: I prepare for games by eating tortellini for my pre-game meal and staying mentally focused at the rink. At the rink I always tape my stick and warm-up with my team.

Q: What’s the team’s goal for this season?

A: Our goal for this season is to make it to state.

Q: As a captain, how do you encourage the team?

A: I encourage the team by staying positive and being optimistic.

Q: What is your favorite memory from hockey?

A: My favorite hockey memory is all the small moments together. I love our day before game practices, carbo-loads and out of town trips.

Q: What is the best advice you received from your coach?

A: The best advice I’ve received from a coach is to always work my hardest and to never give up.

Q: What’s your favorite part of the season? Why? A: My favorite part of the season is definitely sections. Everything is just more intense and the atmosphere is so fun to play in.

photo courtesy of Sanjana Dutt The team smiles with their “Marit” flowers given by the Edina team.

photo courtesy of Taylor Trondson Marit Swenson practices her forehand during practice.

Diving into a new season

by Liam Curry and Bridget Bohan staff reporters

The boys swim and dive team not only hopes for a successful season, but they also hope to create an inclusive community for all members through their team rituals.

This year, the team hopes to go to conference and state for the second year in a row. To achieve this goal, the team members not only train during the season, but also throughout the summer. Last season, the team faced many strong opponents such as Stillwater, Forest Lake and Eastridge, and these teams may return as strong competitors in the upcoming season. Fortunately, the Mounds View swim team is made up of many passionate swimmers who value the success of the team.

During the school year, swimmers have to learn how to balance daily team practices, classes and other extracurricular activities. One member of the team, Isaac Pan, 10, explains that he keeps up his grades by doing his homework before swim practice.

“Although this may sound easy, swimmers have to get into the mindset of staying on track before the season. Focusing on only athletics often weakens academic performance for many athletes,” said Pan. In order to perform their best, the swimmers need to keep track of their food intake to stay fit and maintain a balanced diet throughout the season. Stephen Brauer, the head coach for the

photo courtesy of Jason Lou The boys show their excitement after a 2nd place finish in Sections.

boys varsity team since 2007, noted that eating healthy is not the only important part of a swimmer’s diet. “The amount of calories a swimmer consumes plays a huge role in giving him or her energy,” said Brauer. Carbo loads are also a great way to ensure that all members are getting the proper amount of calories to fuel up for the meet. “Carbo loads are also a way for swimmers to get together and socialize, while loading up on carbs before the meet the next day,” said Matthew Shen, 9.

The team has built a close community over the years. In order to create a family-like dynamic, the swimmers like to sing songs, such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” before their events at various meets. After each meet, the team goes out to eat to reflect on the day’s results. Through these traditions, the team plans to continue bonding throughout their upcoming season.

The team not only needs to have strong individual swimmers, but it also needs to work together since each person’s time counts towards their team’s overall time. As a result, each team member’s skill directly affects the team’s standing. Each swimmer needs to maintain a consistent time at weekly competitions.

Many other school’s teams prepare with the same level of passion. This encourages Mounds View swimmers to train rigorously in order to compete against other highly ranked teams.

Since this competition can bring on stress, the team’s cohesion is important as it motivates each swimmer.

photo courtesy of Jason Lou The team gathers for a picture during their carbo load.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017

top 10 Ways to Prepare a Turkey

10

Fry it Put it on a pizza

9

8 nuclear reactor Grill it 7 Launch it into 6 the sun Boil it 5 Marinate it in tears of your 4 the enemies Turducken 3 2 Bake it In the kitchen 1 Shove it in a

All of these words are used throughout the issue. To learn more about these key words, read the articles!

VEGAN

LUNCH

FINSTA

GUNS

TRUMP

NHS

SECURITY

AMAZON

THANKSGIVING

BLACK FRIDAY

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