MV Viewer 2020-2021 Issue 5

VOLUME 67 ISSUE 5 | JANUARY 26, 2021

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Co-ed Sports 05/ Fandoms at MV 06-07/ Gymnastics 08

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

When should teachers be vaccinated?

by Meghan Stryker staff reporter

The FDA authorized the first COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in December 2020 and the Minnesota Department of Health has subsequently developed a rollout plan that distributes the vaccine in waves, the first consisting of healthcare workers and nursing home residents. Teachers are going to be vaccinated in the second wave. Vaccinating teachers is seen by many as the first step to a return to normalcy in schools, but there is much debate as to when teachers should get vaccinated.

Some agree with the current plan and feel that it is an efficient and safe method to bring normal schooling back. “I think it should be offered to teachers in the second wave to urge a return to in-person schooling,” said Clara Tebbe, 12.

However, others like Kieran Connolly, 11, believe that teachers should be vaccinated first. “My mom is a teacher, and I think if we are forcing teachers to work in schools, they should have the option to be vaccinated before then,” she said.

Many agree that teachers should be given high priority in the vaccination plans given the detrimental effects that not attending in-person schooling can have on young students. “I do think [teachers] should be on higher priority because without in-person education, it can negatively affect education especially for elemen-

tary and middle school students,” said Ashton Jin, 11.

“I am excited for the teachers to get the vaccine because that would increase the likelihood of in-person school to happen next year.”

Some believe that teachers should be vaccinated early because of the impact schools have on communities. “The pandemic’s impact on our education system has validated the crucial role the education system plays in U.S. society as a whole,” said special education teacher Krista Young. “Therefore, teachers/educators need to be allowed some wave of priority access in order to assist the education system in getting back to normal.”

Others say that more data regarding vaccines is needed to encourage vaccination in order to work toward a full return to normalcy. “I think that the more data we have showing the effectiveness of the vaccines that are available, the more people will be willing to get it and the more quickly we’ll be able to return to [normalcy],” said Associate Principal Benjamin Chiri.

However, many schools in the district have begun to return to normalcy. In response to Gov. Tim Walz’s updates to the MN Safe Learning plan, elementary school students can choose to attend school in person and full time. “I hope that with a combination of continued community precautions and with increased vaccination, students will be able to return to school soon,” Chiri said. “Students are returning to elementary schools over the next month, and this will be a good

starting point.”

Accordingly, some believe that such a return should occur with proper precaution, including vaccinating teachers. “I hope that teachers are able to get the vaccine before we bring students back to in-person learning,” said French teacher Ingrid Narum. “Right now that is elementary teachers, so I think they should get it before the rest of us do.”

The vaccine has brought hope to many students and staff for the possible return to normal. However, the logistics of its distribution are complex and up to much debate, with some believing that teachers should get vaccinated in the first wave, while others argue that the current model’s proposal of vaccinating teachers second is the best course of action.

Online school inflates cheating

by Savannah Guiang features editor

Last spring, the United States Military Academy at West Point began administering tests remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift caused a major cheating scandal to unfold, involving a calculus exam and more than 70 West Point cadets.

Although the school has not seen a scandal of that size, Mounds View is facing a similar issue because of the challenges associated with online testing. “I think it is pretty apparent [cheating] has risen,” said social studies teacher Justin Benolkin.

Students have noticed the change as well. “Distance learning definitely did have an impact on cheating, mainly through sharing answers with other students,” said Kevin Xiong, 11.

Taking tests and other assessments at home gives students more ways to cheat. “This is unfortunate for many reasons,” said math teacher Laura Breidenstein.

“It is definitely going to catch up to you and hurt you in the long run [and] it is easier to catch students cheating than many students think.”

Searching the internet for answers seems a lot easier when taking exams outside of the classroom; however, many teachers have found ways to prevent students from doing this. “I have moved to doing more projectbased assessments and less multiple choice,” Benolkin said. “Or if I do multiple choice, trying to construct them in a manner that the answer can’t be googled.”

A common tactic that teachers have used to suppress cheating is to restrict the window of time students have to take exams. “We try to have tests only allowed during a certain time frame and have all tests be timed to try to limit the amount of time students have to search for answers,” Breidenstein said.

Other methods include using the LockDown

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Browser through AP Classroom and requiring students to submit photos to show their work.

Some teachers have even tried to mimic what the testing environment would be like during in-person learning. “To curb cheating we are required to have our cameras on, mics on during tests, and the interface tracks if we exit the tab that the test is on,” said Alex Powell, 12.

Cheating aside, online testing has its advantages.

“Some pros that I have seen with online testing is increased self-reliance,” Powell said. “Because we don’t have opportunities to ask questions about the test with a teacher in class, it makes us rely on interpreting the questions ourselves.”

Using technology for assessments is not only beneficial for scheduling tests, makeup tests and retakes, but it has also allowed for fast feedback. “It’s nice for students to have access to their tests and see their results,” Breidenstein said.

While technology has the potential to improve convenience, it can get in the way of assessments too.

“If the internet fails, or the assessment is not set up correctly, all attempts to have the assessment be an honest measure of learning and ability goes out the window,” Benolkin said.

Because of online school, teachers have adjusted how they give assessments, like shying away from multiple choice questions, and some students believe this tests their knowledge more accurately. “Many teachers have implemented this into their teaching methods this year already, but emphasizing more writing and FRQs instead of multiple choice is a better way to test students remotely,” Xiong said. “Writing questions allows for students to really understand the subject they’re being tested on, rather than a black and white A, B, C or D.” However, teachers warn of the negative long-term

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illustration by Sienna Wood

effects from cheating. “I’m afraid if students are not being honest with their answers on tests, they aren’t going to learn the material as well as they should,” Breidenstein said. “It’s going to be a snowball effect.”

Teachers say cheating on exams has also made them an inaccurate way to correctly measure a student’s learning. “[Cheating] has resulted in students’ grades really not representing their understanding,” Benolkin said. “I know this because when they are presented with an assessment that is more difficult to cheat on, they fall flat on their face.”

Distance learning has affected more than just the frequency of cheating. “It’s really hard to stay motivated when everything is all online,” Xiong said. “Being an AP student, not being in a classroom makes it really difficult to learn since there’s a lot of work you have to do on your own or through recorded lectures.”

For others, learning from home has improved work ethic and independence. “Distanced learning has allowed me to learn on my own and force me to guide myself through each class,” Powell said.

Despite knowing that students capitalize on the ample opportunities to cheat, teachers acknowledge the difficulty of learning class content independently and fairly. “I get it,” Benolkin said. “I don’t want to make students feel like they are moral monsters for navigating and dealing with the current situation.” However, Benolkin also added that “I think the only frustrating part for many teachers is 1. it really feels like a ‘punch in the gut’ when students cheat because it feels like they don’t respect you enough to actually give their honest effort, and 2. it often leads to a situation where you are lied to.”

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FEATURES 3

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

Distance learning from 1,600 miles away

by Oliver Smith staff reporter Distance learning has allowed students to learn in different ways and even in different places than usual.

Some Mounds View families and students have taken advantage of this unique time to safely learn in style from different states. Rachel Kluz, 11, is a Mounds View student who is currently distance learning from Anna Maria, Florida.

With classes and other school activities being fully online due to COVID-19 restrictions, students can go to class from anywhere, as long as they have internet access. “Most of the distance learning is the same; I

still have to log in to my classes online and complete the work,” Kluz said.

Florida’s sunny skies and warm humidity are much preferred, especially during the Minnesota winter, as temperatures linger around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. “My family chose to stay in Florida during this time because it seemed to be safer and more fun,” Kluz said. “It was a great way for us to spend time as a family and remain safe.” Kluz and her family usually take the 27 hour drive back from Florida every two to four weeks and spend some time in Minnesota before returning to the sunshine state.

Florida has many of its own

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take my breaks from school outside, usually walking, biking or at the beach.” Compared to chilly Minnesota weather, the constant warm weather in Anna Maria presents many more outdoor COVID-19-safe activities for visitors like Kluz to participate in.

Kluz has also found many ways to spend her free time while being safe. “Outside of distance learning in Florida, I spend a lot of time with my family outdoors,”

My favorite part about being in Florida during distance learning is the constant warm weather and accessibility to the beach. I often take my breaks from school outside, usually walking, biking or at the beach.”

- Rachel Kluz, 11

Rachel Kluz, 11, pictured by the beach in Anna Maria, Florida. photo courtesy of Rachel Kluz

COVID-19 restrictions, and Kluz is experiencing these firsthand while living in Florida. “The small island we stay on enforces masks in every establishment,” Kluz said. “I also believe there is a limit to the capacity in restaurants.”

Despite the restrictions, Kluz is still enjoying her time in Florida. “My favorite part about being in Florida during distance learning is the constant warm weather and accessibility to the beach,” Kluz said. “I often

Rachel Kluz, 11, posing for a picture during a sunset in Anna Maria, Florida. photo courtesy of Rachel Kluz

she said. “I also work at a local pizza shop, which I really enjoy.”

Taking advantage of the unique times at hand, Kluz has found a way to stay safe while also making the most of distance learning.

MV Students for Rare raises awareness

by Rachel Zou staff reporter Sruthi Subramanian, 12, had a sudden inspiration to create a rare disease club after two of her family friends were diagnosed with a rare disease. Rare diseases are classified as diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. “Just hearing their experiences motivated me personally,” Subramanian said. Listening to their story with another member, Lauren Cosgrove, 12, motivated Subramanian to create a Students for Rare chapter at Mounds View in September 2019.

The main purpose of Mounds View Students for Rare is to make students more aware of rare diseases and their impact on people. “We really just want to educate people on what [rare diseases] are and how they can affect a person’s whole life,” said Sydney Dvorak, 12, another co-leader of the group. So far, the club has talked about metachromatic leukodystrophy, Tay-Sachs disease and various rare brain cancers during club meetings and through posts on their Instagram.

The club plans on covering more rare diseases in future Zoom meetings.

The club leaders hope that raising awareness of rare diseases will bring the Mounds View community closer together. “I would say, we’re trying to just raise awareness for the students at Mounds View to build a more inclusive community,” Cosgrove said.

So far, the club has recruited around 20 members, and the trio plans on recruiting more. They have also expanded the club’s reach outside of school. For example, the club received an invitation to a Minnesota conference on science education and gave a proposal on

the importance of incorporating rare diseases into the science curriculum. “This is a big thing for us that we wanted to do because when we were in middle school, we didn’t really learn about rare disorders,” Subramanian said.

On Rare Disease Day 2020 at the University of Minnesota, Subramanian, Cosgrove and Dvorak set up a booth that informed people about rare diseases. At their display, the se-

“

We really just want to educate people on what [rare diseases] are and how they can affect a person’s whole life.”

- Sydney Dvorak, 12

niors offered bracelets, pamphlets, keychains and more for people interested in their organization. Researchers, patients, professors, graduate students and high schoolers directly impacted by a rare disease visited the trio’s booth to learn more about their initiative.

The club also partnered with Chloe’s Fight Rare Disease Foundation, an organization that hosts a 5K race to raise money for research and advocacy on rare diseases. According to the Chloe’s Fight website, the race — called the Big Fat Greek 5K — was supposed to be held in September of last year at Lake Bde Maka Ska. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the 5K was pushed online and eventually canceled. “These in-per-

son events are usually where we get the biggest advocacy and the fact that these aren’t happening is definitely decreasing some of the advocacy that we could have been doing,” Cosgrove said.

While the 5K did not work out, the club is thinking about new ways to adapt to the COVID-19 situation, such as hosting Zoom meetings and posting information on its Instagram page.

However, the group is focusing on the bigger picture and trying to find a way for the club to keep educating and spreading information about rare diseases after the leaders graduate. “Given the fact that we are all seniors this year, [we are] hopefully making plans to continue this club after we’ve graduated and finding some ways to pass it on into our school community,” Cosgrove said.

With bigger plans for the future, the Mounds View Students for Rare club continues to improve and build a more inclusive community. If any students are interested in joining, contact their Instagram page @mvstudentsforrare.

photo courtesy of NORD NORD and the NORD logo are registered trademarks of the National Organization for Rare Disorders. NORD is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.

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4 EDITORIALS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

Stimulus checks: Are they enough?

by Hanzu Vu-Tran online editor

The second round of $600 stimulus checks, part of the new COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress and signed by former President Donald Trump, are starting to be distributed to eligible recipients. This time around, the amount of money received is different, as well as the guidelines for who will receive the money, and the first round of stimulus checks certainly overlooked a lot of people.

To state it simply, elected officials have not done enough when it comes to relief or aid for COVID-19.

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Think of your monthly living expenses. Do you think $600 will help people who barely had enough to start with?

And while the pandemic has been hard on everyone, the government does not seem to be helping. Back in March of 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act which gave eligible citizens $1,200; however, that already was not enough.

COVID-19 has put millions of Americans out of work and that number may increase as cases continue to rise in the United States.

This second check will only be $600, half of what

eligible recipients received in the first round. During the pandemic, people have lost jobs, family members and homes, but the government’s solution is to give people $600? Providing relief to struggling families is what lawmakers claim is the goal of

“

This round of stimulus checks will simply not be effective.

the stimulus checks and relief package. Lawmakers intend for these checks to support Americans during these difficult times; however, the question posed here is simple: Are stimulus checks a good way to support people in the long run? Considering the times that people are in, the likely answer is no. The pandemic is still ongoing, and even with this new round of stimulus checks, people need more long-term and consistent relief. It will take some time before America can start functioning the way it used to.

These stimulus checks might provide short-term aid to Americans who are struggling to pay rent and keep food on the table. But until America can get COVID-19 cases under control, the chances of the checks providing substantial aid to Americans is slim. Sixhundred dollars might help put food on the table, pay rent or avoid eviction for a short period of time, but how long will the money last? Think of monthly living expenses. Will $600 be enough to cover the costs of an entire family? Months after eligible families received $1,200, Congress determines that $600 is what will

be sufficient to cover living expenses during this time.

In order to effectively support Americans, the government needs to give more money to its people.

This round of stimulus checks will simply not be effective enough. If lawmakers focus on being more proactive, they can target relief money to those who need it and react quickly in order to get the money into people’s hands faster. The first round of stimulus checks missed a big group of people and this next

image courtesy of pixabay

round continues does not address these problems. Adult dependents such as college students, seniors and people with disabilities are part of the large group of Americans who will not be receiving this aid. With nine months, Congress should have been able to address whomever was missed in the first round of stimulus checks and come up with a better relief package than this. COVID-19 is an ongoing issue and a quick fix is not going to truly solve the problem.

Teens need unemployment benefits

by Shivam Vashishtha staff reporter

For generations, high school students have played a key role as employees supporting the local economy, their families and themselves, but COVID-19-related layoffs have been the turning point for many teens.

During summer months, both regular and summer jobs were lost to pandemic restrictions. A large number of teens around the country lost vital sources of income, but age restrictions prevented many from receiving any government benefits. In contrast to previous times, students are now eligible for pandemic unemployment benefits, but Minnesota legislation can still do more to help unemployed teenage workers during this time.

While teen employment and income have always been crucial to various aspects of student life, such as the finan-

“

The economic recession has exposed many pitfalls related to youth and government support.

cial well-being of families, college funds and regular high school experiences, the importance of many teens’ paychecks has increased significantly due to the financial crisis. As many parents, guardians and other older breadwinners have lost their jobs in either the initial economic crash caused by the implementation of pandemic restrictions in March or in the subsequent closure of many businesses due to decreased economic activity, minimum wage jobs at grocery stores and fast-food restaurants are no longer a bonus but a necessity to many. However, under 1998 state legislation, high school students in Minnesota were declared ineligible for unemployment benefits.

This restriction has recently changed, with high school students laid off due to the pandemic gaining access to pandemic unemployment assistance, according to an order issued Tuesday, Dec. 1 by the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Several Minnesota teens

took the state to court over pandemic unemployment benefit rulings with the aid of youth nonprofit Youthprise, eventually winning the case and securing aid for thousands of Minnesota teenagers. This decision opens $14 to $28 million of unemployment benefits to young people across the state, according to the Star Tribune.

Moreover, the court ruling documents indicated the court of appeals’ decision on high school student eligibility is in effect retroactively, meaning high school students could have up to 39 weeks of benefits from 2020, which work to compensate for the months between March and December during which support was unavailable.

Changes in unemployment qualifications such as these may mark a shift in attitude toward youth employment or lack thereof, especially in the wake of a year that left millions in turbulent financial waters, but there are many aspects of the situation that remain unsatisfactory. For example, the deadline to file unemployment claims for wages lost after Jan. 27 for Minnesota high schoolers was set for on or before Dec. 25, not even a month after the legal decision was made.

This did not properly allow affected youth the opportunity to reclaim benefits withheld from them over the past year, and issues such as students being asked to repay unemployment benefits to the state have arisen, further complicating the situation.

Additionally, other kinds of government benefits have been withheld from young people, with many students who fall between the age cutoff for automatic dependent aid (17) and adulthood (18) becoming ineligible

“

As we look beyond the pandemic, young workers will need added support to make sure that they are integrated into the labor force.

for stimulus checks. The complicated means by which the government determines who receives pandemic aid leaves many teenagers and young adults out of the conversation. Regular aid to dependents stops once a child turns 17, meaning that tax cuts for parents and guardians cease regardless of a person’s dependent status. This also means that parents will not receive an extra amount on the stimulus check to account for their dependents, but young people who are not

illustration by Sienna Wood

considered working adults (such as students and minors) will not receive an independent government boost. This convoluted system of age cutoffs and qualifications leaves many young people without much needed aid and reveals the lack of financial support for youth during this time, on top of the lack of consistent government support for nowunemployed teens.

The economic recession has exposed many pitfalls related to youth and government support. While certain changes have been made around the country to accommodate for the loss of vital income for many high school students, the months taken to provide unemployment benefits and the subsequent issues some individuals have faced have shown a lack of preparation or awareness from both state and national governments.

As we look beyond the pandemic, young workers will need added support to make sure that they are integrated into the labor force. The lessons learned from the response to this economic crisis should be used as a foundation for increased aid for teenage workers going forward.

MOUNDS VIEW THEN VS NOW 5

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

Then vs. Now: Co-ed sports

1972: Co-ed policy stirs differing views by the 1972 Viewer staff Spurred on by the threat of several lawsuits, the Mounds View School Board has adopted a policy allowing junior high girls to compete with boys in non-contact sports and high school girls to practice with the boys’ teams.

In addition to the pending lawsuits, from parents of junior high school girls, Board member Wayne Duchow voted for the policy because he felt: “It’s high time all these policies which make the sexes unequal were reviewed and changed. But we probably wouldn’t have passed it right away without the threatened lawsuits.”

“Separate but equal” is a recurring theme among the coaches and the High School League. Al Pagenkopf, MV personal director, expounds on the League’s policy of trying to provide adequate competition for all girls, not just those few who are capable of competing with boys.

“It’s high time all these policies which make the sexes unequal were reviewed and changed.”

-Wayne Duchow, 1972 Mounds View School Board member He, along with Leo Murphy, director of student activities and the coaches fear possible backlash, with large numbers of boys joining the girl’s team so that both teams will become male-dominated.

Problems like the cost of increasing

facilities and alternatives to the policy are to be studied by a committee of students, coaches, prin cipals and parents, which will file a report by March.

But because the Board went ahead and passed the co-ed policy, Dr. Roy

“

As far as I’m concerned, I’d like to see this as a permanent policy.”

-Wayne Duchow, 1972 Mounds View School Board member

ticipate next year. After a brief conference, her mother came to the phone and said that Jody had lost interest in swimming, was pursuing other activities, that the family didn’t believe girls should compete against boys, equal programs in equal meets was what they were looking for.

Edgewood has about eight or nine girls regularly practicing for the swimming team. Coach Bill Hare says no real problems have arisen with the addition of the girls, though locker space has offered a little difficulty.

Despite the lack of problems, the coach thinks the ideal solution would be to name co-ed workouts and co-ed teams, girls competing with girls, boys with boys, and team score being used to determine the winner.

Meyer, assistant to the superintendent, says there isn’t much enthusiasm for stating the committee rolling.

Dr. Meyer thinks the policy is only a temporary one, used to stave off lawsuits until the committee’s recommendation comes through. Mr. Duchow says, “As far as I’m concerned, I’d like to see this as a permanent policy.”

Coach Hank Ryan thinks girls today should become crusaders, to warrant more equipment. He cautions that boys’ teams took a long time to get started; there will be no instantaneous girls’ program.

The effect of the Ruling At Highview Junior High, there are no girls on the swimming team. The one girl who was on, didn’t keep up with it. Jody DeYoung, an eighth grader, said in a telephone interview that a Highview coach had been “giving me a hard time,” because he didn’t approve of having girls on boys’ teams but that she plans to par-

illustration by Sienna Wood

2021: Is the co-ed policy a new norm?

by Shivam Vashishtha staff reporter

Although Title IX specifies that there be equal opportunities in any federally funded “education program or activity,” according to Encyclopaedia Britannica, Title IX has mostly garnered attention for how it relates to equality between the two sexes in sports.

Now, women and men have equal opportunities in athletics in a public school setting. At Mounds View, athletics are offered to both girls and boys, either separately or via co-ed programs.

Currently, there is more representation of both genders competing on the same fields and tournaments. Mounds View provides students with many opportunities to play sports and participate in extracurricular activities regardless of gender. For example, different sports such as Ultimate Frisbee and ping

illustration by Sienna Wood

pong allow males and females to compete on the same teams. With co-ed activities having been implemented at Mounds View for many decades, competing with the opposite gender may not seem too out of the ordinary.

Students have had various experiences with coed sports or clubs. Ultimate Frisbee is one sport that allows both genders to practice together. However, males and females still compete separately at tournaments. “I would say that the experience of being in a

co-ed program definitely encourages me to grow and develop at a faster rate and try to improve myself,” said Ultimate Frisbee player Madison Osgood, 11.

“Because the guys team has a much more extreme and rigorous workout program and drill sets, they help encourage me to try and match the performance of the other members on the team.” Having a team dynamic

“... the experience of being in a co-ed program definitely encourages me to grow and develop at a faster rate and improve myself.”

-Madison Osgood, 11 where both genders can learn from each other’s skill sets can create an environment that allows for growth and development as a community.

The Mounds View dance team, the Viewettes, allows male students to join the team as well. Although only females are on the team this year, students on the team are open to having the Viewettes become a co-ed team in the future. “If you want to do a sport or activity, you should be able to do it,” said Aringha Arumugham, 12. “I personally think that gender shouldn’t

illustration by Sienna Wood

be a factor in joining a sport or activity.”

It is safe to say that since most, if not all, aspects of students’ daily lives are co-ed, many believe that it is only natural that many sports activities are as well.

The administration has focused on ensuring that both genders have more opportunities to participate in sports of their liking. “At MVHS, we have a couple sports that boys and girls may both participate in, such as wrestling, dance and football,” said Activities Director Jim Galvin. “There are also Community Education sponsored activities such as Ultimate Frisbee, trapshooting and bowling, in which both genders participate.”

“

If you want to do a sport or activity, you should be able to do it. I personally think that gender shouldn’t be a factor in joining a sport or activity.”

-Aringha Arumugham, 12 With the many gender equality movements throughout the past decades, co-ed sports allow many students to have more opportunities to participate in different sports and activities regardless of gender. In the future, Mounds View’s efforts in providing more of these opportunities can create a more diversified school community.

Fantastical fandoms Anime

Olivia Sperbeck staff reporter

Anime is a popular fandom among many Mounds View students. This craze is a style of Japanese film and television animation aimed at audiences of all ages. Anime has a diverse selection of genres, making it appeal to a wide range of people. “I love it because it’s so unique; there are many different genres of anime that exist,” said Morgan Ryals, 10. “And each show is so unique, from the way the story is told, to

Americans. Titles like “Attack on Titan,” “Dragon Ball Z,” “One Piece” or “My Hero Academia” have garnered a strong fanbase even within the United States. This fandom has been used by many to connect with other students from all walks of life. It brings a greater understanding of different cultures, languages and lifestyles that constitute the diversity at Mounds View.

Along with the variety anime provides, some fans

“... each show is so unique, from the way the story is told, to the art and voice acting.”

-Morgan Ryals, 10 the art and voice acting.” With anime’s tremendous variety in genres, avid enthusiasts have access to the shows that suit their liking.

Although originating in Japan, anime is popular worldwide, and it is particularly popular amongst

image courtesy of pixabay

also like to draw anime characters, also known as fanart, to interact with the fandom. “I really like that I can use it as a point of reference for drawing,” said Halah Alanta, 11.

Alanta likes to base her art around her favorite image courtesy of pixabay anime shows, allowing her to interact with the fandom. Fanart is common amongst anime fans, and many people enjoy drawing their favorite characters. Anime is filmed in a distinct style that distinguishes it from other TV shows and movies, and fanart is also inspired by that unique style. The variety that anime provides and the fans’ ability to get creative with the fandom and make their own art are why this fandom is so popular among students.

The Wizarding World Olivia Sperbeck staff reporter

The Harry Potter series has been an extremely popular read for many Mounds View students. Because of its immersive plot and relatable characters, this book is well known by many adolescents and teenagers.

Since the plot is so complex, there are many intricate details sprinkled throughout the books in such a way that even a Harry Potter connoisseur would unknowingly glance over them. “You can always find little details and hidden meanings that you didn’t know were there before,” said Elly Lynch, 11. The plot is also encapsulating to the reader,

“

read extra Harry Potter content. A sorting quiz determines which of the four Hogwarts Houses a fan is in. Students sorted into Slytherin usually embody ambition, Gryffindor bravery, Ravenclaw wisdom and Hufflepuff loyalty.

The Sorting Quiz is another way for a Harry Potter devotee to immerse themselves into the story because it gives them a Hogwarts identity and connects them to the books as a whole.

With the Harry Potter fandom, students can escape into a world directed by their imagination full of magic wizards and spells. With such endless possibilities, Harry Potter has established itself as an important fandom for the Mounds View community.

illustration by Sienna Wood

You can always find little details and hidden meanings that you didn’t know were there before.”

-Elly Lynch, 11

given how magically impossible it is. Avid fans of the series constantly dream about practicing magic, visiting Diagon Alley and experiencing the thrills of Hogwarts. Fans are forever drawn to the story because they may feel as if they are actually in the book. That is also why the theme park The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios is so popular. “That is a place where all Harry Potter fans can truly absorb the magic,” Lynch said. The theme park feels like a magical place because Diagon Alley and Hogwarts look exactly like the models in the movies, making avid Harry Potter fans feel like they are truly visiting a magical place.

Fans can also immerse themselves into the story by creating an account on the Wizarding World website, formerly known as Pottermore, which allows them to take sorting hat and wand quizzes, discover their patronus and

photo by Natalie Nemes

K-pop Namitha Narayan staff reporter

The Korean pop music industry, more commonly known as K-pop, dominates the lives of many fans not only in South Korea but also around the world. In fact, K-pop has become a global phenomenon because of the unique performative elements it brings to music.

The idolization of several celebrities and distinctive qualities of K-pop performances bring many people together.

A major aspect of the K-pop fandom involves following celebrities and knowing them well, similar to that of Western pop. However, in K-pop, illustration by Sienna Wood

there is a bigger sense of respect for these celebrities because it is much more difficult to reach that status.

K-pop idols are put through intense training with the aim of honing in on both singing and dancing skills.

They must also learn to create and maintain a specific image to the public eye. Oftentimes, aspiring K-pop idols can train for years but never get the chance for a debut because industry standards are extremely strict.

Considering the huge following the industry has, idols know that they are extremely influential, especially in areas such as fashion. “I’ve seen TikTok videos where people will post about how their outfit was influenced by a specific [K-pop] group,” said Eunice Tong, 11. Some of the most popular fandoms include ARMY and CARAT, which are the official fan-

“Artists like to draw things, singers like to make covers, dancers like to make dancer covers” -Maggie Xiao, 11

illustration by Sienna Wood

dom names for the K-pop groups BTS and Seventeen, respectively.

The inspiration K-pop artists provide also opens up opportunities for fans to connect with one another.

The most common platforms of interaction between fans are Instagram and Twitter. In fact, fanpages for different K-pop groups often garner huge followings because people are interested in the most mundane things K-pop idols do. Fans also showcase their love for K-pop by performing covers of songs and learning the choreography of their favorite K-pop dances. “Artists like to draw things, singers like to make covers, dancers like to make dance covers,” said Maggie Xiao, 11. Sharing these creations with others in the K-pop community often creates relationships with those who have mutual interests.

It is important to recognize that although music

“

K-pop fans...really like to break records. It’s how they show admiration.”

-Maggie Xiao, 11

is a relatively flexible topic and allows for relatable conversation, K-pop lovers take it a step further. “Kpop fans take [the] streaming [of K-pop music] very seriously because they really like to break records,” Xiao said. “I think it’s how they show admiration for their favorite celebrities.” The sense of community is strong and extremely welcoming for those who are willing to build relationships and exhibit an immense amount of dedication toward their favorite K-pop artists.

Fantasy Football bring together many groups of people by adding an interactive aspect for those who already love watching the game. “I definitely think there’s enough interest at Mounds View in [Fantasy Football] for a club to be created,” Patel said. Bringing together smaller friend groups that play Fantasy Football creates a bigger community at Mounds View where students can share their love for football.

Namitha Narayan staff reporter Watching football on a Sunday night on the couch and handling the pressure of managing a professional football team are two entirely different experiences.

However, Fantasy Football gives football fans a chance to become general managers of virtual teams based on the NFL. “It makes you feel closer to the game [and] closer to the professional athletes,” said Manit Patel, 11.

Viewers can create their own teams based on the performance of their favorite football players.

They can pick players from any NFL team, such as Tom Brady from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. “You definitely pick [players] based on previous performance and talent evaluation,” said Ashton Jin, 11. Once they have drafted their players for the week, they are matched with their friends and watch how their players perform. The performance of the players in the chosen lineup is determined by their real-time performance during the football season. Whoever scores the most points wins that week.

The biggest community aspect of Fantasy Football is that players can create their own leagues with friends. “With my friends, it’s very competitive, but it’s all good-natured competition because everyone is just trying to succeed personally,” said Connor Chervany, 11.

In order to create a league, a minimum of eight is required, and players are pitted against their friends

illustration by Sienna Wood

each week. “It’s something that you can build both bonds and rivalries with people over,” Jin said. There is an alternate option of playing with a public league where random players can elect to join your league, making Fantasy Football a good way to befriend people online.

A common interest in Fantasy Football can

“It’s something that you can build both bonds and rivalries with people over.”

-Ashton Jin, 11

illustration by Sienna Wood

8 SPORTS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

Winter athletics begin (again)!

by Maya Betti staff reporter On Monday, Jan. 4, practice for winter sports began after a month-long pause required by Gov. Tim Walz. As distance learning continues, the season for winter sports will now go forward.

However, with the necessary changes and restrictions required as a result of COVID-19, many athletes are preparing for their seasons in ways never imagined.

One restriction that is the same as the fall sports season is the social distancing required of teammates and fans.

Each team is allowed to have a limited number of spectators who have to sit in designated places while watching the sports. According to Activities Director Jim Galvin, the number of spectators allowed depends on the sport and the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines.

Sports like basketball and hockey are allowed two spectators, while dance is only allowed one due to the larger number of students at the meets. Swimming and gymnastics are not allowed any spectators as the venues are typically too small. The athletes also have to remain distanced from one another while practicing their sports. “Gov. Walz approved that 150 spectators could be allowed indoor and/or [gyms] operating at 25%

capacity,” said Robert Madison, associate director of the Minnesota State High School League.

Another big change for winter athletes is significantly shorter seasons, with three weeks removed from most winter activities. Additionally, two sports lost more playing time: The hockey season was shortened by four weeks and the basketball season by five weeks.

However, as of right now, the Minnesota State High School League is planning on holding state and section tournaments for all the winter high school sports.

As of right now, most athletes must also wear a mask for practices and games. “For wrestling, it’s not too much of a deal due to us not having to while actually wrestling, but it does suck to wear it when doing things like running and working out,” said Owen Schwalm, 10. However, Schwalm added, “I do think it is necessary to wear a mask at those times to try to limit the spread as much as possible.”

“It was tough in the beginning to get used to wearing them, but now it seems normal,” said hockey captain Laura Arfstrom, 12. “For hockey, we have masks that connect to the cage on your helmet so it is more bearable to wear. Obviously it is not the most ideal to wear a mask, but I’d rather wear one to stay safe and to be able to play my senior year.”

While some athletes share this opinion, others do not. “I feel like wearing masks 24/7 around teammates will help reduce the spread of COVID on our team, but I don’t think we should be required to wear masks when we’re competing,” said dance captain Brita Hagfors, 12.

Besides masks and shortened seasons, other changes had to be made to ensure safety. “We have had to change quite a bit,” Schwalm said. “We have to sanitize everytime we go in and out of the wrestling room.”

While sanitation remains a priority, its effectiveness only proves adequate when paired with social distancing.

“We’re only allowed to have physical contact with each other for 15 minutes maximum each practice,” Hagfors said.

Even the games and competitions will be different this year. “Our competitions are a lot smaller and we may not come in contact with any other teams,” Hagfors said.

Alongside wrestling and the dance team, other sports are also making similar sacrifices, such as the Nordic ski team. Many events that occured in previous years are not being held this year. “There is no retreat (Holiday Camp), carboloads or certain invitational meets,” said Alana Schmitzer, 10, a Nordic ski athlete.

Regardless of the circumstances, athletes are excited to continue into the winter season. “Both being able to hang out with everyone again as well as being able to actually wrestle again is what makes it worth it,” Schwalm said.

For Schmitzer, skiing is a nice break from the ongoing pandemic. “I think that the coaches have done a really good job at putting together a schedule that’s pretty normal,” she said. “Being with the team, the bus rides, getting better and competitions/meets makes it all worth it.”

Others have taken advantage of such breaks as well. “I love seeing my teammates every day at practice because they’re basically the only people I see right now,” Hagfors said.

Other athletes agree that such social interactions are worthwhile, even during a pandemic. “Abiding by the rules that come with COVID-19 is well worth it to be on the ice with my best buddies and play hockey,” said Luke Morrisette, 12.

Even with all the restrictions and changes that come with COVID-19, athletes are still bringing their same passion to competitions, practices and tournaments, even with smiles hidden under masks.

on events in small pods and sanitize in between each event. In addition, the coaches spot as minimally as possible and discourage the typical high-fives and hugs. While some meets will have no spectators, it depends on the facility, and there will be no award ceremonies at the end of each meet.

Mounds View team member Becca Laursen, 11, feels apprehensive about the new guidelines’ effect on the team. “I am not looking forward to all the restrictions because a big part of gymnastics is the team and hanging out with everybody and being excited for everybody,” she said. “We can’t do that as much with everything going on.”

However, the team can look forward to something good this year. The new head coach, Pike Lake teacher Kelly Muirhead, says that the team has a new facility at Edgewood, an improvement

from their old facility at Irondale. “When they filled in the old pool at Edgewood, we were able to move into that space, which doubled if not tripled our old gym space, which is really nice because with our old space we did not have a full floor and the girls would not be able to vault, just because of where everything was,” Muirhead said. “This gives us an opportunity to fully practice on our own and not have to go to a club multiple times a week and rent out another facility to be able to practice.”

Due to concerns over spreading COVID-19, the MVI gymnastics team has a small roster, with only 11 gymnasts signing up. A small team does create some downsides, but Muirhead feels optimistic about the positives. “It’s hard because we don’t have a lot of girls on our JV team, so if, for some reason, someone gets hurt or we do need to start

pulling girls up, we might not have a full JV team,” she said. “But I think the girls will be very close this year and be able to bond easier because there’s not as many of them. I definitely think that will be a huge bonus.”

Laursen also excitedly awaits doing gymnastics again, even in a different situation with new restrictions. “I am definitely looking forward to just being able to do gymnastics and be with the team, even if we can’t have the same dynamic,” she said. “But just going out there and doing it is still fun.”

Despite uncertainty about this year’s season and adjustments to practices and meets, the gymnastics team is powering ahead. Their first meet is Friday, Jan. 29 at Edgewood against Forest Lake; however, spectators are not allowed.

Gymnasts flip into a new season

by Josephine Fenske staff reporter Like other winter teams, the joint Mounds View-Irondale gymnastics team started its season on Monday, Jan. 4.

With safety protocols in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the team hopes to complete its delayed season without further interruptions.

The Minnesota State High School League has guidelines in place that the MVI gymnastics team must follow due to COVID-19. Before practice, team members must make sure they are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and check their temperature. While at practice, they must stay six feet apart and wear masks, unless a skill requires them to take the mask off for safety reasons, such as needing unobstructed vision while tumbling. Gymnasts also rotate

Captain Ella Cisneros, 12, performing bar routines from the 2019-2020 season. photos courtesy of Ella Cisneros

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE 9

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

Bullert makes a breakaway

by Morgan Dalton online editor

Hockey, known for being an action-packed sport, involves a variety of different fastpaced plays and takes serious dedication to truly succeed. This makes the game interesting but difficult to master. But Ava Bullert, 11, got a head start and started to play at the age of 5. “I started because I remember watching my brother play and I thought it looked so fun!” Bullert said. “I’ve loved it ever since.”

image courtesy of pixabay

Even after 12 years on the ice, Bullert says she never stops learning. “I learn new things about the game almost every day, and I love to continue to learn and grow in the sport,” she said.

Bullert especially likes the team aspect of hockey. “To win a hockey game, you need everyone to be on the same page, and it truly is a full team effort,” she said. “I also love being with all my teammates and learning new stuff about them, myself and the game every time we’re together.”

Another characteristic of the sport Bullert enjoys is its versatility. “My favorite aspects of hockey are how dynamic it is and that it’s a great team sport,” Bullert said. “You can be very creative in hockey and try new things all the time.”

While most teams, especially at the high school level, are rearranged each season, girls hockey remained largely intact this year. “We only lost two seniors last year, so we are all really experienced at this level and have great chemistry together,” Bullert said.

Bullert has already accomplished a lot in her high school career, like winning the section quarterfinals against Roseville last season and being made a team captain her sophomore year. “It was just a surreal moment for me because I remember being younger and dreaming of being a captain for MVGH, so it was a dream come true!” Bullert said.

Though she plans to play in college, Bullert still has more goals to achieve in high school, one being the state tournament. “I’ve been dreaming about playing in the state tournament at the Xcel Energy Center for so long, and we will do whatever it takes to make it there,” Bullert said.

Without a doubt, the future is bright for Bullert. Even with the unexpectedness of COVID-19, she remains determined to achieve her goals and get the most out of her season.

photos courtesy of Ava Bullert

10 PHOTOGRAPHY

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

Winter diversions

by Josie Mackenthun photographer

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 11

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

Dressing in vintage for the new year

by Joseph Hoffman staff reporter The Bearded Mermaid, at 953 Seventh St. W., St. Paul, creates a great option for students who want good clothing at an affordable price. When walking inside, the store immediately has a unique atmosphere; visitors can see the bust of a giraffe displayed prominently in the middle of the store and the walls

“

pants — ranging from Wrangler jeans to Hugo Boss dress pants — line the store. There is even a crate near the back of the store that holds a heap of miscellaneous items and shelves on the wall near the front house shoes including Converse, Red Wing boots and high-end dress shoes.

While one could find these individual items elsewhere, places like Goodwill would not have such a cu-

Not to sound cliché, but we really do have something for everyone: you, your mom and your grandpa.”

rated selection. But the real point of interest remains the prices; the T-shirts mostly come in at around $10 to $15, sometimes $20 to $25 for the more desirable ones; wool coats cost as little as $35 and many jerseys cost around a third of what they go for

“

While one could find these individual items elsewhere, places like Goodwill would not have such a curated selection of items.”

on websites like eBay. These pricings make the store a great place for high school students low on cash. “No one should go broke because they want to look and feel nice,” Soderstrom said. Customers can even bring in old clothing to get its value in store credit, so students do not need to spend any money at all. While only open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., the wide selection of fairly-priced vintage pieces combined with the eccentric environment makes The Bearded Mermaid a place worth checking out.

-Nick Soderstorm, store owner

covered with everything from a bear sporting boxing gloves to Navajo rugs and more. Loud music plays in the background and the owner, Nick Soderstrom, welcomes you into his store.

“Not to sound cliché, but we really do have something for everyone: you, your mom and your grandpa,” Soderstrom said, and the range of items demonstrates that well. The store has a rack of vintage T-shirts that has everything from Harley Davidson to Disneyland next to a rack of jerseys from all different types of sports. It also carries lots of military garments — including a French military trench coat — and a whole section of U.S. Army shirts and even U.S. Army pants from the 1950s. Racks of Carhartt jackets, Norwegian sweaters, varsity jackets, wool overcoats and piles of

The Verdict: 8/10 photo courtesy of Joseph Hoffman

A movie that inspires all souls

by Marie Diffley staff reporter

As Pixar’s first movie featuring an African American protagonist, the newly released “Soul” marks a milestone for the animation studio while conveying a deeper meaning. The movie explores the cultural background of jazz while asking the question, “What are we meant to accomplish in our lives?”

Following the life of Joe Gardner, a middle school band teacher, “Soul” questions the idea of having a purpose in life. Throughout his life, Gardner dreams of playing the piano in front of an audience. Though he is often shut down, his spark remains. When he finally gets the opportunity of a lifetime to play with the

photo courtesy of pixabay

famed saxophone player Dorothea Williams, his enthusiasm is cut short when he unexpectedly falls into an open sewer hole. Gardner finds himself in the land of the Great Before, the place where souls exist before they are born. When he meets and befriends soul 22, he begins to question the difference between a spark and a purpose in life.

This movie inspires the audience as it explains the power and danger that come with the pursuit of one’s passion. In many scenes, the characters discuss the sadness people experience from mental health issues related to insecurity and obsession. For some, these issues are caused by the desire to have a purpose in

“

life. They isolate themselves from others and feel like they are abnor-

Following the life of Joe Gardner, a middle school band teacher, ‘Soul’ questions the idea of having a purpose in life.”

mal or different because of their unusual hobbies and skills. The movie addresses these issues as Gardner moves between the Great Before and life on Earth.

Another aspect of the movie discusses that often in life, individuals hope to accomplish what influential people have done. Abraham Lincoln, Marie Antoinette, Albert Einstein and Neil Armstrong are examples of important people who lived significant lives and made appearances in the movie. These people left their marks on history and are still well known today.

While this is normally considered a fulfilling life, the film touches on the idea that the most necessary thing to accomplish is to live one’s life so completely that

photo courtesy of pixabay

after death, no guilt towards an unaccomplished goal remains. The character 22 often felt unworthy when she looked into the lives of these individuals; she did not understand that life is not about leaving a footprint in history but about living up to her potential.

The message and music of this movie are beautiful and helpful in connecting the audience to the characters. “Soul” will no doubt help many people identify their own spark and follow the things they love. On the other hand, the movement between life on Earth to the Great Before can become confusing. It would be hard to fully appreciate the message of the movie when not paying close enough attention to the screen. For this reason, it is not a movie one can

“

This movie inspires the audience as it explains the power and danger that come with the persuit of one’s passion.”

simply have playing in the background. The constant switch between Gardner in New York and in the Great Before can confuse younger children. It also does not appeal to an older crowd either; the movie lacks the comical style that typically draws in a teen audience.

Although I enjoyed watching it and like the message, it is not a movie I would find myself raving about or watching repeatedly.

The Verdict: 7/10

12 ARTIST OF THE ISSUE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

Altered Reality information compiled by Madeline Edgar photos courtesy of Asher Andrews

Asher Andrews and Ethan Zhang Andrews and Zhang, 12, work together to create surreal photoshoots reminiscent of a fantasy movie.

All art featured is by Asher Andrews and Ethan Zhang and can be viewed on Andrews’ Instagram, @asher_ketchum_

Asher Andrews, 12, and Ethan Zhang, 12, have teamed up over the last year, combining their artistic makeup and photography talents to create dreamlike windows into alternate realities. Coupling surreal lighting and SFX looks that turn Andrews’ face into anything between frostbitten and light-studded, cheeks becoming canvases under a masterful hand, the pair creates images worthy of a Vogue spread.

Andrews has been an artist all their life, but, inspired by online influencers, makeup offered a new creative outlet. “I’ve always really loved art … but it’s really hard for me to get the motivation to spend hours creating something that I usually end up disliking anyway because I want it to be perfect,” Andrews said.

As Andrews worked to improve their artistic and SFX makeup skills, Zhang was developing his own photography talent. Eventually, the two friends joined forces. “I was nervous at first because it was always something I did by myself,” Andrews said. “Now we’ve been doing it for three months.”

Using both traditional makeup equipment like eyeshadow and lipstick as well as acrylic paint, body paint and costume pieces, Andrews designs a fresh appearance, and Zhang utilizes his surroundings and technology such as white screens and camera setups to create the desired final product. It is clear in the results that time and attention goes into every element of the piece, whether itis sickeningly realistic bruises, all-too-relatable exhausted undereye circles or firefly-like spots of light. Each detail comes together to form a hazy peek into scenes and worlds usually conjured only in imagination. While each photoshoot is relatively spontaneous and more a product of inspiration, Andrews hopes that their work will offer the same motivation they received from other makeup artists to a beginner, and with the stylistic and inventive work Andrews and Zhang are consistently putting out, it is certain that this wish will come true.