Viewer Issue 2 (10-23-15)

FEATURES

In This Issue FRIday October 23 2015

Gallery

Sports

Lessons in Context

ALI KOPIECKI

Viewer

in memory of beth Volume 63 Issue 2

Gardens: A gift for community

by Sunny Lim staff reporter

Students have planted gardens at all of the district elementary and middle schools as part of the Everybody’s Garden project. The project, part of the service learning curriculum, aims to provide an opportunity for students to contribute to their communities.

“The overall idea here is to create sustainable, meaningful, educational, close, convenient, and ongoing volunteer opportunities, available to all younger students and community members,” said Service Learning Coordinator Greg Herder.

The gardens, funded by a State Health Improvement Program grant and supported by the Ramsey County Department of Health, donate the majority of their harvested produce to the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf. They have already yielded over one ton of produce for the food shelf.

Herder headed the construction of the gardens last fall, and teams of student gardeners seeded the gardens in the spring.

Elementary and middle school teachers originated the idea for setting up the gardens. They wanted to use the gardens for outdoor class periods and lab sessions.

“During the spring of the 2014-2015 school year, [the garden] was a sensory and unit studies activity for Special Education,” said Island Lake paraprofessional Katie O’Shaughnessy.

In addition to being useful to the classroom, teachers believed gardens could be used to contribute to the community.

“The gardens are a way for students to get more hands-on experience working with foods and understanding where foods come from,” said Highview science teacher Melissa Mahn.

Through the gardens, students learn about the Ralph Reeder food shelf, organic food, and the community issue of hunger.

This past summer, Mounds View students volunteered at the gardens through their classes and clubs. Lois Li, 12, volunteered at the Pinewood and Sunnyside Elementary School gardens.

“The experience, albeit short, has definitely given me a new respect for those workers who spend hours in the sun working on [gardens],” said Li. Despite the gardens’ wide range of benefits, neither district high school has one. According to Herder, the Minnesota State Academic Standards relate more directly to gardens at the K-8 level than they do at the high school level. “The chances of the gardens being used in classroom lessons was greater at the younger levels,” he said.

However, some Mounds View students have expressed interest in making a garden. “I think our school should have a garden,” said Yoo-Jin Hwang, 10. “The garden [would] teach us how to be involved in the community and teamwork.”

photo by Eva Hoffman

No end in sight

Bridge construction inconveniences students, staff

by Ben Yoch staff reporter “How many times am I allowed to swear?” said David Koeler, 11.

Koeler, like the rest of Mounds View’s students and staff, has been frustrated with traffic congestion caused by the Lake Valentine Road bridge construction that began in late summer. Students and staff alike have been forced to detour around the bridge, causing major backups during trafficheavy times.

For most students, especially those who used the bridge, the construction has made getting to school difficult and time-consuming. What was usually a 4-minute commute for William Newhouse, 12, now takes between 15 and 20 minutes.

“I’m really disappointed that they didn’t finish the construction in the summer like they should have. It’s pretty frustrating,” said Newhouse.

Even students who don’t normally use the bridge are affected by the heavy traffic.

“The worst was when I was in dead stop traffic for almost all of Snelling. I think I was 20 minutes late to class,” said Claire Demay, 10.

Students aren’t the only ones affected by the construction. Teachers also suffer from the absence of the bridge.

“Normally, I go on roads where there are no students,” said English teacher Gretchen Nesset. “But now, if I don’t leave early, I get stuck with all the students, which stresses me out and makes me feel panicked.”

While students and staff are worried about being stuck in the traffic, the police officers who conduct the traffic are primarily concerned about safety.

“Making sure people are patient and careful is my main concern,” said School Resource Officer William Rzeszutek. “If students aren’t patient, they won’t watch carefully, which can be dangerous. Students’ safety is what’s most important.”

The construction is projected to finish in mid-November. Students hope that the construction finishes on time, as they don’t look forward to driving in the snow.

“I would be extremely upset if the construction continued into the winter,” said Tiffany Khong, 11. “I don’t want to deal with the bad road conditions and traffic at the same time.”

Contruction Near Mounds View Coming: More lanes in I-694 from Rice Street to Lexington

Coming: the Lake Valentine bridge going over I-35 W

Coming: the HighCompleted: way 96 bridge and interchange resurfacing of Lexington over I-35 W Avenue

infographic by Eva Hoffman photo courtesy of Robin Howard

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editorials

Friday, October 23, 2015

top 10 Halloween Costumes

10

Sharkboy & Lava Girl

Hannah Montana

8

Donald trump

9

7

Dr. Ridlehoover

6

Bill Nye the science guy

A Strawberry

4

5

Peter yong

3

Miranda Sings

2

Your Grandma

Your Friend’s grandma

1

2015-2016

Viewer Editors Editor-in-Chief

Emily Ruan

Managing Editor - Copy

Persis Ke

Managing Editor - Design

Eva Hoffman

Managing Editor - Online

Alex Jiang

Business Manager

Jordan Counihan News

Daniel Yong

photos courtesy of James Birr

Stand up for #BlackLivesMatter On Aug. 31, Marcus Abrams, a black, autistic 17-year-old, was allegedly assaulted by officers Richard Wegner and Peter Buzicky at the Green Line’s Lexington Parkway Metro Transit Station. This incident, sparking protests and a brief shutdown of the Green Line, is another shocking reminder of the racial injustice in our society, an injustice we must all work to end.

According to twincities.com, Abrams was on his way home from the State Fair when he jumped on the light rail tracks, described by a witness and friend as “mostly playing around.”

Abrams, who said he had headphones in, did not respond to the officers’ shouts to get back on the platform.

When Abrams provided no identification to the officers, he was asked to put his hands behind his back. Abrams, a teenager with severe Asperger’s syndrome and touch-sensory problems, did not respond. Then he was grabbed by the wrists, leading to the eventual “leg sweep takedown.” Refusing to comply with the officer’s commands, Abrams was placed in a “neck restraint”

by Wegner, now on top of him, as Abrams kicked out for help.

Wegner then forced his knee over Abrams’ head, leaving him unconscious after suffering multiple seizures.

Following the incident, the St. Paul chapter of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement protested against the officers’ actions and the violent, racist discrimination that is so common today by shutting down the Green Line on the day of the Vikings’ home opener.

“Enough is enough of business as usual! We must bring an end to white supremacy and the status quo,” read a post on their Facebook page.

As seen on their website, BLM is a “call to action and a response to the virulent anti-black racism that permeates our society.” Created after the shooting of black 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in 2012, BLM advocates for a society in which black lives are valued as much as their white counterparts.

Black people are three times more likely to be killed by police than white people, according to the Department of Justice.

When large numbers of unarmed black people continue to be killed and assaulted, movements like BLM are necessary to reaffirm that black lives are not expendable and shouldn’t be treated as insignificant.

The Green Line protest wasn’t the only one in Minnesota.

BLM has also protested at the Mall of America, State Fair, and the Twin Cities Marathon. Many of these protests have triggered backlash and questioning about why BLM must inconvenience others in order to protest.

BLM brings attention to the subconscious negative stereotypes surrounding black people and how these stereotypes, under no circumstances, should justify violence. It might be an inconvenience to lose the ability to ride the metro, but it is a much bigger inconvenience to be killed. Those who haven’t experienced anti-black oppression must understand that it is not their place to criticize a pro-black movement based off of what activism they find “respectable,” but instead work towards a society not focused on the invalidation and violence against black people.

Along with bringing attention towards anti-black violence, the protests stop commerce. Rashad Turner, a St. Paul BLM organizer, has spoken of the method’s advantages.

“Unfortunately, we live in a country where the right people don’t create change until their money is affected,” said Turner. “People who feel like they can sit around and be silent and not participate in bringing white supremacy to an end, they are just as guilty as the systems that perpetuate white supremacy.”

By protesting, we show violent racists that their actions are not acceptable and must end. By protesting and stopping commerce of those in power who remain silent against racist violence, we can make changes in our societal conscious of what we acknowledge to be wrong.

Our focus must be on fighting racist violence rather than devaluing black voices and criticizing black people’s nonviolent responses to their own oppression.

Editorials

Kevin Sabeti-Oseid Furqan Syed Features

Emily Moses Katrina Renacia Spread

Samuel Kwong Katie Karjalahti

Presidential Candidates 2016 As elections approach, many seniors will be voting for the first time. But are they familiar with the candidates? In hopes of addressing this concern, Viewer will present a series of candidate profiles and their views on heated issues. Stay tuned for more!

Aaron Voiovich Reviews

Matthew Cooper Sports

Jordan Counihan Persis Ke Gallery Amber Zhao Photographers/Artists

Clare Carroll Eva Hoffman Julia Sacay David Zhang Adviser

Martha Rush

Ben Carson

Bernie sanders

Variety

Democrat The Issues

Republican

Abortion: Pro-choice and supports access to contraceptives Education Reform: Against vouchers and standardization photo fair use from biography.com Foreign Policy: Two-state solution for Israel Fiscal Policies: Expand social security net, more taxes Gun Control: For gun control Drug Use: Against War on Drugs Gay Marriage: Supports gay rights Immigration: No border fence and no guest workers Healthcare: Pro-Medicare. “Health-Care is a right” Political Scale: Radical left fiscally, strong left socially

The Issues

Abortion: “No abortion for convenience” Education Reform: Private schools over public school Foreign Policy: Support Israel against Iran photo fair use from foxnews.com Fiscal Policies: “The Free Market Works,” cut every agency spending by 10% Gun Control: Against gun control Drug Use: Medicinal marijuana, but not recreational Gay Marriage: Disagrees with Supreme Court decision, but accepts it as law Immigration: Secure border and create guest worker program Healthcare: For mandatory vaccines, against Obamacare Political Scale: Moderate right, socially and fiscally

Staff Andrew Campbell, Rigney Cunningham, Ben Davis, David Eldridge, Jackie Gaworski, Danny Gedig, Jackson Hoemann, Marley Jones, Tigist Kiflu, Neva Knoll, Sunny Lim, Jack McCoy, Kofo Mustapha, Kailey Newcome, Hanifa Oketch, Jeman Park, Jake Rosenow, Errol Sadca, Kallie Slotvig, Kenan Smith, Keller Stephens, Johnny Vermeersch, Jonah Westerman, Ben Yoch

The Viewer is published by the student editors at: Mounds View High School 1900 Lake Valentine Rd Arden Hills, Minnesota Sauk Centre Publishing

Viewer Mission Statement

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

2. To maintain high ethical standards with regard to fairness, personal and legal rights, responsibilities and accuracy.

3. To provide a forum for free and responsible expression of student opinion and present well-balanced, locally researched coverage of issues of broader student interest.

4. To strive for a high level of competency in the technical aspect of writing, including grammar, spelling, clarity, and precision.

5. To welcome diversity and increase the scope and depth of our coverage in order to heighten mutual understanding and awareness throughout our entire school community.

Articles and letters to the editor appearing on the editorials pages represent solely the opinions of the writers and do not represent in any way the viewpoint of Viewer, our advertisers, Mounds View High School or its staff.

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

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Friday, October 23, 2015

editorials

The Charter School Debate charter school statistics

Number of states with given percentage of charter schools 9 states with no charter schools

Charter schools are schools that receive public funding, yet operate independently. They are open to everyone, don’t have entrance requirements, and can’t be affiliated with religion, but differ from public schools in that they are allowed more flexibility. Some charter schools use this flexibility to implement longer school hours, lower teacher salaries, or a cultural curriculum. While these schools are gaining popularity, the Washington state Supreme Court recently ruled charter schools unconstitutional, revitalizing the debate on the legitimacy of charter schools.

Where children are left behind

by Furqan Syed editorials editor

3 states with 10% or more charter schools

11 states with 5- 10% charter schools

28 states with less than 5% charter schools

Charter School Performance 46% of charter schools that performed the same as public schools

The state of Washington made the correct choice when it decided to strike down charter schools as unconstitutional.

While charter schools’ flexibility can be advantageous at times, this flexibility encourages unaccountability, a fatal flaw in the charter school system.

Empirical research on the benefits of charter schools is contradictory and confusing. While some studies do show possible benefits of these schools, a 2003 national study by the Department of Education found that charter schools don’t perform on average any better on standardized tests than public schools.

The findings of this study were confirmed when two Stanford researchers found that 83 percent of charter schools were no better or worse than public schools that served similar populations.

This lack of better quality is because charter schools simply don’t have the same sense of accountability. When taxpayers have an issue with a public school, they can meet with the elected school board and voice their concerns. Charter schools, on the other hand, are operated by private organizations. In other words, these schools are funded by taxpayers, but aren’t obligated to listen to their suggestions.

The unaccountability of charter schools can potentially lead to a blurring between the church and state. As charter schools are funded and governed by private organizations, they are inherently more vulnerable to adapting unofficial religious affiliations. Manifestations of these unofficial religious affiliations could include after-school prayers and classes, creating a religious culture while the school appears secular on paper.

In 2009, the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy (TIZA) in Minnesota was sued by the ACLU for using taxpayer money to illegally promote religion. While the school claimed to teach a curriculum focused on Middle Eastern culture, suspicions arose of school-endorsed religious behaviors such as an “Islamic Studies” class, after-school prayers, and teachers posting religious materials on bulletin boards. Although TIZA was an isolated example, the inherent problem remains that charter schools can still rent buildings from religious organizations, fostering illegal religious affiliation.

Charter schools are ineffective institutions.

These schools siphon off hard-earned tax money while remaining unaccountable to the hand that feeds them. America needs a balance of private and public schools, not an ugly mix of the two.

A fix to a broken system 17% of charter schools that performed better than public schools 37% of charter schools that performed worse then public schools

Charter Schools by Locale 16% located rurally

8% located in towns

21% located in the suburbs 55% located in the city

by Jeman Park staff reporter In a recent controversial decision, Washington state’s Supreme Court struck down charter schools as unconstitutional in a 6-3 decision, resulting in a ban for these publicly funded schools. This ruling does not change the fact these schools are a sound solution to the United States’ broken public education system.

Forced to follow a state-mandated and districtwide curriculum, public schools plague the country with underperforming students. Although the Heritage Foundation found that financing for public school students increased from around $4,000 to over $9,000 per student from 1970 to 2005, reading proficiency levels remained the same.

Even with heightened spending, public schools fail to live up to their financial cost. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Washington D.C. leads the nation with nearly $30,000 a year in per-pupil spending, yet 83 percent of their public school students are not “proficient” in reading.

Furthermore, Washington D.C. ranks as the second-worst district in the United States according to a recent study conducted by Wallethub.

Meanwhile, charter schools in D.C. outperformed public schools in both reading and mathematics.

The flexibility of the charter school curriculum may account for this difference in performance.

With freedom to place emphasis on social services for those in violent neighborhoods, focus on reading proficiency in areas with low literacy rates, or concentrate on graduation in areas with low high

school graduation rates, charter schools capably cater to local needs. The increased flexibility charter schools receive permits them to specialize in segments through avenues not available to public schools.

Some have questioned the performance of charter schools across the United States, as some charter schools underperform compared to their public counterparts. However, as charter schools operate on a system of open enrollment, concerned students can return to their local public schools whenever they wish.

In many cases, charter schools consistently outperform public schools. According to a study conducted by Stanford University, New York charters experienced a 92-day gain of math learning a year over their public counterparts. Additionally, despite educating a mere 6 percent of the total student population, charter schools constituted 24 of the nation’s top 100 schools on the U.S. News & World Report’s list of best high schools in 2014—a list that includes magnet, charter, private, and public schools.

Ultimately, it is clear that charter schools possess the efficiency and sheer capability to provide a sensible alternative to many of the broken public schools across the nation. As President Obama said, “A good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity -- it is an imperative. Our children only get one chance at an education, and charter schools demonstrate what is possible when States, communities, teachers, parents, and students work together.”

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features

friday, october 23, 2015

Around the world TIMELINE June 25 Ireland

photo courtesy of Lisa Colbert

A tunnel view of Yosemite valley.

Lessons in context English teachers travel to Europe

by Jake Rosenow staff reporter It was a beautiful summer’s day. The sun was shining, and the camp was packed with people.

But this was far from your typical summer camp. For one, it lacked crowds of screaming children; for another, over one million people had died within its walls. With notepad and pen in hand, English teachers Beth Baxley, Allyson Manns and Ashley Walter toured Auschwitz to learn more about the Holocaust.

The teachers received a grant from Fund for Teachers, an organization that awards travel grants to educators, to visit Poland in July to research the background of the English 9 graphic novel, Maus. Maus details the experiences of a Polish Jew during the Holocaust.

While in Poland, the trio visited the Sosnowiec and Lodz ghettos, as well as the Auschwitz and Warsaw concentration camps. “It was very surreal seeing the camp in person rather than hearing about it in books,” said Walter.

The teachers also gained deeper insight into the lives of Jews at the camps. “One of the biggest things that I took away from the visit was being able to visualize where so much struggle and pain and death took place,” said Manns. “There was a moment at Birkenau where I was looking at an old black and white photo of a family arriving to the concentration camp holding suitcases, oblivious to their imminent death… I felt empathy towards the families and individuals who had this experience decades before.”

Baxley, Manns and Walter plan on using personal letters from concentration camp prisoners along with data from the war and the camps to improve students’ understanding of the the Holocaust.

“I learned an entire notebook’s worth of new information while we were in Poland specifically,” said Baxley. “I feel like I have a stronger understanding of the Polish culture and the impact of the Holocaust in Europe.”

While in Europe, the three also toured Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic. “The landscape for the countries was pretty similar, but they were different culturally,” said Baxley.

“They all speak different languages and have different currency.”

“Some of our most memorable adventures were traveling from one place to the next,” added Walter. “Often, we were in situations where we didn’t speak the language nor understand the travel system causing some interesting experiences.”

Among all the places they visited, Manns’s personal favorite was Prague, Czech Republic. “Every street you turned down looked like something out of a storybook,” she said. “We loved eating late dinners out on patios at the restaurants… it was really accessible and we saw so much in just three short days.”

Walter, on the other hand, preferred Germany. “Berlin was beautiful and the people there were very friendly and welcoming,” she said.

“We were also able to see a lot of artwork both in galleries and on the street while we were there and enjoyed many museums.”

From the sobering visits to Polish concentration camps to the diverse experiences in multiple countries, the teachers came home with a better understanding of European cultures, past and present. While the trip served as a fun summer vacation, it also provided the trio with teaching tools to help their students understand the novel Maus on a more personal level.

5 parks in 14 days June 26 UK

Colbert visits national parks

by Kallie Slotvig staff reporter

June 28 Czech Republic

July 1 Poland

July 6 Berlin

July 8 Germany

photos courtesy of Allyson Manns infographic by Eva Hoffman

A lot of people hike and camp during the summer, but history teacher Lisa Colbert did something far more unique—national park hopping.

For their first anniversary, Colbert and her husband packed their bags and flew to San Francisco for a two-week hiking and camping adventure.

From there they traveled down the coast to Big Sur, a region in the Central Coast of California where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise from the Pacific Ocean. They camped in many of California’s state parks, and hiked to an 80-foot waterfall known as McWay Falls, which cascades onto the sandy shore of the North Pacific Ocean.

They then headed to Yosemite where they hiked 15-20 miles. One such hike was to the top of Mount Hoffman. “Our biggest accomplishment was hiking Mount Hoffman. It was just an amazing scenic view on the top… you get to see the entire park.” said Colbert.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon were the next two national parks on their trip, both known as ‘the land of giants’ for their huge mountains, rugged foothills and world’s largest sequoia trees.

“I don’t think pictures can prepare you for how awesome it is just to be standing next to these trees that are as big as this classroom around,” said Colbert.

“The smaller trees normally around Minnesota, we’d be like, ‘Oh, wow, those are really big trees, but they look like toothpicks compared to the sequoias.”

Their next stop was Zion National Park in Utah, where they hiked the 16-mile Narrows, a trek in the Virgin River between the thousand-foot-high walls of Zion Canyon.

“You have to get a permit [to hike to the narrows], and you have to basically sign away your life and say that you understand that there could be a flash flood,” said Colbert. They walked in the water and on rocks for seven hours and 30 minutes, finishing the hike four hours earlier than the average time.

“We just wanted to get it over with,” said Colbert.

“After 16 miles of walking on water, your knees feel tired and your feet are pruned from the water.”

They ended their two-week trip hiking the Bryce Canyon hoodoos—tall, thin rock formations protruding from the canyon floor—and camping in the Grand Canyon.

Colbert and her husband found their trip an unforgettable anniversary. “The best part of our trip was the anniversary picnic lunch on the granite shores of Cathedral Lakes [in Yosemite]: blue skies, clear water like glass, and summer sun,” she said.

Monday, October 23, 2015

Dress up or sleep in?

5

features

Students weigh in on the importance of appearance

by Tigist Tarekegn staff reporter Although our media is filled with images of people dressed for success, many Mounds View students believe that dressing for personal comfort is more important.

Attitudes toward appearance at Mounds View range from passionate interest to casual indifference.

Some people enjoy putting in time and effort in the morning to make themselves look and feel confident. Lucy Wagner, 12, is one of these people.

“I dress up because that’s who I am. I dress up to look good for myself,” said Wagner. Although beauty is more than skin deep, Wagner believes surface-level appearance does matter. “In the perfect world it wouldn’t, but in this one, it does [matter],” she said. Wagner embraces the art of using her appearance to stand out. “I encourage people to judge me; that means I’m doing something right,” she said.

Despite understanding the power of superficial representation, Kitone Johnson, 12, chooses not to partake. “Appearance can say a lot, but it is not a representation of who the person is,” said Johnson. “I think that appearance does matter [in a way] because people are very superficial and will judge you off of what you look like or what you wear, but it really shouldn’t [matter],” she said.

Not a fashion fanatic herself, Johnson doesn’t worry too much about it. “I definitely don’t dress up,” she said. “I wear sweatpants a lot which can make people believe ‘Oh, she is just lazy.’”

The clothing a person wears tends to lead to preconceived assumptions—the better dressed a person is, the more respect and attention they receive. Still, some disregard the importance of daily attire.

“I don’t think it matters unless you are trying to impress somebody,” said Jeziel De Jesus Vega, 12. “I don’t care that much. I mean, I care how I dress up, but, no, I don’t care how others look or look at me,” said Vega.

Julia Schroeder, 11, had a similar opinion. “Appearance is relative,” she said. Schroeder believes it’s all about balance. “I don’t want to look like a slob, but I don’t need to dress up every day. Appearance doesn’t matter, not too much,” she said.

Consistent with Schroeder, Faith Mongare, 12, also believes in moderation. “I put in more work on the weekends than weekdays,” she said. “Nobody really cares how you look at school because everyone’s tired,” she said.

illustration by Eva Hoffman

Part time jobs: a slice of life

by Danny Gedig staff reporter To prepare for what lies beyond graduation, many students have taken up jobs and internships to develop valuable skills and experience.

Referrals for part-time jobs, whether through family, a teacher, or a counselor, provide a way to start paving a path for a potential career, while sometimes making some money along the way.

“It’s nice to get paid, but this is really a bonus because before I wasn’t really involved with technology,” said Hudson Shih, 12. Shih works at Land O’ Lakes Inc., where he performs duties involved with networking and patching problems when their server goes down.

Shih was introduced to this opportunity through a group called Genesys Works. “My dean signed me up to be in a meeting, and representatives were there to give information about Genesys,” he said.

Genesys Works aims to provide a way for students to seek internships

with corporations around the metro area.

Suphawan Deewon, 12, also earned an internship through the program with Medtronic Inc. “[My internship] provides an experience in the Information and Technology field,” said Deewon.

She hopes to pursue a business career and plans to major in business management.

However, some like to take a less conventional route in their jobs.

Lee works at his father’s taekwondo studio in Shoreview, and he’s no amateur.

“I started taking taekwondo at age three. My dad just needed help at the studio. I started helping in sixth grade,” said Lee. He hopes to open up his own studio after he finishes college.

“I’m doing something I actually like instead of working at somewhere like McDonald’s,” said Brandon Lee, 12. “I don’t really consider it work.”

From internships to family trades, students are discovering that high school jobs can hold a lot of worth in regards to one’s well-being and life goals. photos courtesy of Suphawan Deewon Deewon poses with her student coworkers.

Is teen trick-or-treating socially acceptable?

All tricked out

by John Vermeersch staff reporter

T

he moon is up; darkness and shadows consume the landscape. In the distance, something’s coming.

The noises are getting louder. Who’s there? On second glance, it’s just a group of teens carrying a pillowcase and a sense of entitlement to junk food and candy.

Dressing up and trick-or-treating is a fun activity for lots of children on Halloween, but for teenagers, they’re just too old to go out and ask adults for candy.

“I just think that it’s childish. It’s for younger kids,” said Joseph Pfenning-Wendt, 10.

Many adults also believe that trick-or-treating should be a pastime for children.

“Trick-or-treating is something for younger kids. It feels wrong to have older kids knocking at my door at 9 p.m. asking for candy. Plus, they never have good costumes,” said math teacher Jodie Bias.

Some think that teenagers trick-or-treating alone is especially embarrassing. Many, such as Abby Canero, 10, believe that teens trick-ortreating in groups focus more on socializing rather than collecting candy.

“It’s gotta be a social thing. You’re doing it to hang out with people,” said Canero.

Others cite honesty as a key factor in determining whether trick-or-treating is acceptable.

While kids have adults to monitor them, trick-ortreating as a teenager can raise some eyebrows.

“It’s not necessarily scary to see [teens] out, but [people] are right to be suspicious. If a house leaves a bowl of candy out with a note saying ‘Please take one’ you can bet that [most teens] are taking two large handfuls,” said Brooke Villasenor, 11.

35% No, it’s not

S W

65% Yes, it is photo by Eva Hoffman

“You look creepy,” said Aaron Norlinger, 10.

“You feel invasive.”

Unfortunately, teen invasions in the form of vandalism are often a reality. Some high schoolers find vandalism more exciting than candy, and they use trick-or-treating as an excuse to deface property.

Teenagers smashed Villasenor’s family’s pumpkins when she was young.

“When I was 8 years old, I went out to trick-or-treat, but when we came home the four pumpkins we had outside were completely smashed. It completely ruined my Halloween,” said Villasenor. “Ever since, I’ve viewed teenagers out on Halloween as potential wreckers.”

Vandalism is a big problem for adults who enjoy decorating for the holiday. After families put in the effort to be festive, some teens just try to ruin it.

Overall, many people agree that teens should not trick-or-treat due to social awkwardness and one too many defaced pieces of property.

Candy Corn Bit-O-Honey Raisins Butterscotch Almond Joy Peeps Toothbrush Other

0%

illustration by Eva Hoffman

Trick-or-teen... candy, please!

by David Eldridge staff reporter

D

Students Opinion on the Worst Halloween Candies

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

information compiled by Neva Knoll and Samuel Kwong infographic by Eva Hoffman

ing-dong! The bell’s sharp ring echoes through the house, but when the front door opens, children are nowhere in sight. Instead, the space is occupied by another common Halloween sight: a group of teens.

Although some think trick-or-treating should be reserved for the tiny goblins and witches, many high schoolers believe this treasured pastime is still perfectly normal.

“I think trick-or-treating for teens is still socially acceptable. All people strive for happiness, and what makes people more happy than candy?” said Benjamin Chen, 10.

As years go by, the time for memorable childhood activities such as trick-or-treating is quickly trickling away from Mounds View’s high schoolers.

“We are still in high school. We haven’t fully developed into our adult selves and we need to appreciate our youth,” said Dimitri Fatsis, 12.

Many teens still participate in Halloween events such as trick-or-treating because of the childhood memories they bring back.

Activities during this spooky holiday include attending themed parties, visiting haunted houses, and trick-or-treating. However, while visiting a haunted fair or attending a party can cost money, trick-or-treating is a way to have fun on Halloween without spending a dime.

“You don’t need to pay an entry fee for this party; you get paid in candy,” said Jim Belden, 11.

Additionally, according to some students,

putting on a costume is a fun way to show off one’s creative side. Jakoba Mordekay, 11, designed and built his own costume: a Minecraft-style sword and pickaxe made out of styrofoam.

“I designed my own [weapons] from Minecraft during middle school. It took me about three hours to outline, cut, and paint my pickaxe out of styrofoam. I’m a pretty creative guy, and I think Halloween is a great way to show how imaginative some [teens] can be,” said Mordekay.

High school is the last chance to hang on to fun childhood activities before students go off into the real world. Allowing students to trick-or-treat is one way to slow down that rapidly ticking clock.

photo by Eva Hoffman

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variety

Friday, october 23, 2015

Where to go...

Riverview Theatre

by Jackson Hoemann staff writer

illustration by Eva Hoffman

Uptown Theatre

Looking for a movie theater that shows current movies, but has an atmosphere unlike that of large corporate movie theaters? Then the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis might just be right for you. It mixes modern-day technology with the style and atmosphere of a classic one-screen theater from the 1950s.

With features such as the large, recognizable marquee at the front of the theater, the mid-20th century theme is very evident. The theater looks nearly identical to how it did in the 1950s, with neon lighting and art deco furniture and decorations throughout. Displays in the lobby detail the theater’s history and design, and show that the theater really respects its beginnings in 1948.

The Riverview Theater respects its history while still continuing to update and advance. It has kept the original film screen from the theater’s opening, but has upgraded to 21st century sound and projection technology in order to provide audiences a immersive experience.

Even with just a single screen, the theater is able to host a variety of films and events.

From this year’s blockbusters to locally produced films, and even special screenings of classics, the theater shows it all. It also hosts several festivals and sporting events, including the NCAA games for the Minnesota Gophers Women’s Basketball Team.

The Riverview Theater in Minneapolis holds its place in the city’s entertainment industry. It continues to keep a decade from years past alive while advancing in technology.

With its wide selection of events to attend throughout the year, such as special screenings, sporting events, and festivals, the Riverview Theater could be the perfect movie-going experience for you.

by Rigney Cunningham staff reporter Minneapolis’s Uptown Theatre is a hipster hotspot and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. A revival house known for showing a wide range of movies, from classic to obscure foreign films, the Uptown Theatre caters to patrons’ nostalgia while treating them to an elegant movie-going experience.

Constructed in 1929, the theater went through extensive renovations in 2012 and now sports an art deco vibe harking back to its original design. The cinema has a balcony and stage and is furnished with noteworthy seating such as couches and loveseats. However, make sure to grab a spot in the middle where the screen is easily seen.

Uptown also boasts a gourmet concession stand selling a wide range of chocolates, vegan cookies, and even a chocolate-dipped Japanese biscuit called Pocky.

In keeping with tradition, the Hollywood horror spoof “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is shown on a monthly basis, drawing a huge crowd decked out in costume.

This month’s showtimes are Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, giving those too old to trick-or-treat a chance to dress up and have fun on Halloween.

With the extensive menu, classic decor, and wide array of films shown, the Uptown Theatre targets a sophisticated demographic of moviegoers looking for a unique movie-watching experience.

photos by Jackson Hoemann, Andrew Campbell, and Aaron Voiovich

St. Anthony Main Theatre

by Andrew Campbell staff reporter In many ways the St. Anthony Main Theatre is just like any other theater. It has the popcorn, the drinks, the candy, and even the adjustable arm rests. What really sets it apart, however, is its classy atmosphere and distinct feel. Once you’re inside, you’ll forget you’re even close to downtown Minneapolis.

The interior of the building has a throwback style to it, like a small town stuck in the 1980s. Once you walk into the movie theater you immediately notice the elegant design; everything goes together. Attentive staff go out of their way to provide excellent service, making the experience all the more enjoyable The layout of the room is like every other movie theater, but presents an ’80s touch by adding vintage light bulbs bordering each movie advertisement on the outside of the theatre. The theater’s walls look a little run-down but are still very well kept.

St. Anthony Main was originally established for a festival in the 1980s, and today still presents independent pictures of the Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul as well as major Hollywood films.

With an exquisite urban location and remarkable ’80s throwback atmosphere, St. Anthony Main is one of the more unique places to catch this fall’s latest films in style.

reviews

Friday, october 23, 2015

... and what to see Everest

The Martian

by Kailey Newcome staff reporter

by Jonah Westerman staff reporter

Dramas and thrillers take viewers to their emotional limits.

They can be tragic, exciting, or scary. Everest manages to provide an excellent mix of all of these elements. While some feared that the movie would only provide great visuals without character development, director Baltasar Kormákur does a great job of creating a strong emotional attachment between the audience and the climbers.

Everest takes place in 1996 in Nepal, when two groups of climbers are planning to climb Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. These climbers are both experienced and inexperienced: some are climbing their last mountain, and others are chasing their lifelong dream. When they finally ascend, a violent storm hits the mountain. The blizzard strands the climbers on the mountain, where they’re faced with sub-zero temperatures and severe windstorms. The adventurers must fight against Mother Nature and Mount Everest in an attempt to survive.

The movie stars Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson, and Jake Gyllenhaal. Clarke plays Rob Hall, the leader of one of the expedition groups. Hall is an expecting father and loving husband and Clarke plays the part exceptionally well. Additionally, Brolin’s role of Beck Weathers, a humorous and slightly sarcastic doctor, gives the film a comedic touch, adding some lighthearted moments to a fairly depressing story.

Cinematographer Salvatore Totino does an outstanding job at showcasing the extreme conditions in every shot, making the danger feel more imminent throughout the movie. Viewers feel as if they are standing atop the snow-capped mountain themselves. The blizzard scenes were depicted so realistically that it’s almost as if the snowstorm has come into the theater itself and the temperature has dropped to the sub-zero climate of Mount Everest. However, the 3-D effects could have been used more effectively. The blizzard never pops out at the audience nor do viewers see chunks of ice flying out at them. The impact of the cinematography would most likely have been the same without the 3-D effects. It was still a cool addition, but not necessary.

Overall, Everest was extremely well-done and one to go see before it’s out of theaters. Its thrills and (literal) cliffhangers will have viewers on the edge of their seats anticipating what’s to come.

Ridley Scott’s The Martian might not have any aliens or Blade Runners in it, but that doesn’t stop it from being a great science fiction film. While its 142-minute runtime might seem grueling, when you step out of the theater, you immediately want to go back in. The Martian is a smart, clever and captivating film that must be seen.

The Martian follows astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon), who is presumed dead and abandoned by his crew after a deadly storm on Mars. Alive by some miracle, Watney must find a way to survive on the red planet until he can contact Earth and make it home.

Part of The Martian’s charm stems from Watney’s suspenseful step-by-step approach to his problems. Everything goes well… until it doesn’t. The result is a gripping and sometimes heart-rending story of Watney’s struggle to survive.

The movie doesn’t just follow Watney; he is complemented by the members of NASA, who must find a way to bring Watney home.

On Earth, Jeff Daniels plays the hard-hitting, authoritative director of NASA perfectly. Chiwetel Ejiofor is also fantastic as head of the Mars program, fighting to launch a rescue mission. Kristin Wiig and Donald Glover may only have very small supporting roles, but they still bring their “A” game. As for Watney’s crew, Jessica Chastain, Michael Pena, Kate Mara, and Sebastian Stan round out the already stellar cast.

With all of these great performances, The Martian never slows down for a single second.

Surprisingly funny, The Martian benefits from Watney’s keen wit and optimism in his difficult situation. Additionally, the film accomplished something I thought could never be done-it makes science incredibly interesting and easy to follow.

This is one of the strong points of the movie, and it keeps the plot moving and the viewer engaged. The only criticism that can be made about The Martian is the climax. As the movie reaches the climax, it is simply too drawn out. A moment that should be short and sweet is very long, decreasing the effect on the viewer.

As a whole, The Martian is one that will continue to impress.

Melding charm and science together perfectly, the movie makes the most out of an amazing cast and a stressful but enjoying plot.

The Verdict Everest is a well made thriller that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

85

The Verdict A movie with hopelessness at its core finds charm and wit through Matt Damon.

illustration by Eva Hoffman photos fair use from universetoday.com, everest-movie.uk.co, wrongreel.com, and nerdreactor.com

90

9

10

Sports

Friday, October 23, 2015

Practice makes permanent Kopiecki makes a name for herself

by Jackie Gaworski staff reporter At age nine, Ali Kopiecki knew she wanted to make a name for herself in tennis. Her role model was 2014 State Champion Summer Brills, whom she had watched dominate the courts for years. After watching Summer play one day, Kopiecki, 11, turned to her mom and said, “I want to be as good as her one day.”

Fast forward eight years. Now the number one singles player on the girls tennis team, Kopiecki has achieved a lot in her short time with the team. Last season she won conference champion, section champion, and fifth place at State.

Kopiecki, who has been playing tennis since she was eight, credits her success to having a positive mindset.

“I believe my success comes from me believing I can do it. I play well when I maintain a positive mindset,” she said.

“Also, practice makes permanent. I practice good habits, so I compete with good habits.”

Her passion for tennis does not stop at the high school level; Kopiecki also plays for a Lifetime Fitness club during the offseason.

“Both experiences, high school and club, are very fun. For the team we

are a lot closer and bonded, where my club is more relaxed and there are girls and boys.”

While Kopiecki loves staying active with tennis, her drive stems from a desire to improve. “My motivation comes from wanting to beat the ‘old me,’” she said. “Seeing yourself progress is really fun and makes everything you’re doing feel worthwhile.

Although Mounds View missed the state tournament this year, Kopiecki is looking towards improving next season. “We lost in team section finals to Mahtomedi, 3-4,” she said.

“That was a huge improvement from the scrimmage we had earlier on in the season. We’re only going to get better as a team in the off-season.”

In addition, Kopiecki can still make it to State as an individual. But win or lose, Kopiecki appreciates tennis for what it has taught her. “Tennis is a way for me to push myself, not only physically, but mentally as well,” she said. “I aim to build character on and off the court.”

While her high school career will end next year, Kopiecki plans on playing tennis far into the future.

“I might try to get a college scholarship and play, but tennis is also a lifelong sport.”

Kopiecki practices on Mounds View’s tennis courts.

photo courtesy of Amber Zhao

Seniors prep for future of volleyball

by Keller Stephens staff reporter

photos by Julia Sacay The volleyball team plays as a unit.

After making it to the second round of Sections last season, the volleyball team is looking towards a higher achievement: Section champion.

However, since half of the varsity team is new this year, seniors have put focus on making sure everyone develops the speed and tenacity it takes to play at the varsity level.

“The tough thing with having underclassmen and new players is that they have to get used to the mental aspect of the game, and we’ve been really struggling with that aspect,” said Molly Fennig, 12. “That’s probably been one thing that’s going to keep us, or allow us, to get to the Section championship.”

“We have been working on our younger girls getting used to the fast pace of the game,” added captain Annie Hentges, 12. “We don’t have many underclassmen on our varsity team this year.

However, the few that we do have are really stepping up and showing us why they deserve to be on this team.”

The team has also faced adversity in the form of injury.

“Three out of our six starters have had an injury this season that’s taken them out of games.

Molly [Fennig] has a hurt shoulder, Sarah Larson has a concussion, and I have a herniated disk in my neck,” said captain Becky Volkert, 12. “It

was kind of the source of more encouragement for the younger players to step into higher roles, and really push to get to the point that the injured player couldn’t.”

Still, the girls are confident as playoff season begins. “We always try to remember that in volleyball, the game could go either way for either team, so we try to stay mentally focused on every play and do everything we can to succeed,” said Hentges.

Results have been improving over the years, and the team believes they have the potential to continue their rise.

“I think there’s definitely hope in the future.

My freshman year, we only won two games, and this year’s [freshman team and B-squad] have almost perfect records,” said Fennig. “This is one of the best years of the program.”

illustrations by ??????

Friday, September 25, 2015

11

sports

Athlete of the issue

No reason not to compete Michael Degroot Soccer Q: How long have you been playing soccer?

A: I started soccer at the age of five.

Q: What inspired you to join soccer in the first place?

A: After watching my brother play soccer, I became obsessed with the sport.

Q: What are your goals for this season?

A: My goal this season is to make it to State with MVBS. I’m honored to play with such a great group of guys.

Q: Do you have plans in pursuing soccer in college? If yes, where and how?

A: I plan to play DIII soccer in college at either St. Thomas or St. Norbert’s in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Q: What’s the worst injury you got from playing soccer?

A: I tore my quad my junior year.

Q: What’s your favorite part about the game?

A: My favorite thing about the game would be how strong of relationships you can build with your teammates in such a short amount of time.

Q: What advice can you give to the lower years?

A: Make lots of friends and memories because although four years seems long, time flies.

Q: What’s the best advice you got from your coach?

A: You’ll never make the shots you don’t take.

Q: If you have one superpower, what would it be and why?

A: I would want to be a shapeshifter so I could look like Ronaldo.

photo by Annalee Blake

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Elle Conlin

by Jack McCoy staff reporter It’s incredibly impressive to see a sophomore playing on the varsity soccer team. But for that same sophomore to score a game-winning goal is spectacular. Elle Conlin, 10, is making a name for herself after sending Mounds View to victory against East Ridge on Sept. 22 with the only goal scored in the entire game.

“It felt really good, especially because I don’t get to score a lot since I play defense,” said Conlin. As a center back defender, Conlin is responsible for preventing the opposing team from scoring, so she doesn’t focus much on scoring herself.

Conlin has been playing soccer since age four, and used to be a member of the Minnesota Thunder Academy elite U14 team. She took up soccer for the special experiences she knew came with it. “I like being part of the team and having fun with the team. I also like how get to I learn a lot of lessons from it and experience new things,” she said.

Conlin has always loved the running aspect of soccer. A talented cross country runner, she was forced to quit because the cross country and soccer seasons both take place in the fall. “It was the right decision because I still run on my own,” she said.

“Soccer is definitely my favorite sport.”

Hopes are high for the state tournament. “We have a lot of really good seniors this year, so we owe it to them to make a deep run in the state tournament. I really think we could win it all this year,” she said. After securing first place in the Suburban

East Conference, Mounds View Girls Soccer is looking towards success in the playoffs.

While receiving a lot of playing time on the varsity team as a sophomore has its benefits, Conlin admits to feeling a certain pressure as well. “I definitely have to step up as a sophomore, but I can learn from the seniors who are great role models,” said Conlin.

Conlin has certainly had a very impressive soccer career thus far, and expectations are high for her and the rest of the girls soccer team.

photo by Eva Hoffman Elle Conlin dribbles up field during first sections game.

12 gallery

Friday, October 23, 2015

In Loving Memory of

Beth Hidy

Beth Hidy, 11, died unexpectedly from an infection on Sept. 27, 2015.

Remembered for her involvement in theatre and her upbeat personality, Beth will be missed by the Mounds View community.

She was definitely a

go-getter

.

She made sure everything was going right. In costuming, I remember if one of the captains said, “We need somebody to do this,” she would be the first person to raise her hand. She always wanted everything to go right and be as good as it could be.

- Clare Carroll, 11

sweet

She was very and very caring and loving. She put others before herself.

She’d ask you, “how was your day?” and if it wasn’t going well, she actually cared.

- Siri Nelson, 12

I just remember my 8th grade year, during Oklahoma, everyone had to do their own makeup. She had too dark of a foundation on, and we were like, “Beth, do you want help?”

But she was ready to go. She was very

confident

. In 8th grade,

it was tough to be that confident. It was kind of classic Beth.

- Siri Nelson, 12

She was the sweetest student. Beth loved little kids.

She was always so excited to hear stories about my daughter, Hadley. I will always remember her as a positive person and a great

friend

to all.

- Bethany DeCent, English teacher

She loved theater. She meant business about it. She was excited to be a legacy person [someone who’s been in every show], and she would’ve been. She was very

enthusiastic

, always ready to participate and just very eager.

- Siri Nelson, 12

cared

She so much for others.

Beth took whatever was put into a relationship and multiplied by ten.

- Jacqui Grace Bertelsen, 11

photos courtesy of Mary Skupa