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In This Issue FRIday November 20 2015

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Viewer

Volume 63 Issue 4

photos compiled by Eva Hoffman

Mounds View students show their support and empathy for France by changing their profile pictures on Facebook.

Mounds View students respond to Paris attacks by Jeman Park staff reporter Last Friday, gunshots echoed across the streets of Paris as a series of six attacks were launched against the French capital. French President Francois Hollande declared a State of Emergency—closing borders, granting policemen the right to place “dangerous” citizens under house arrest, and shutting down public venues across the city. The attack has been dubbed “the second most deadly attack on a Western city since 9/11” by The New York Times. ISIS claimed responsibility shortly after Hollande blamed the militant group for the attack. The seven assailants left 129 dead and about 350 wounded as of Monday, but final numbers are uncertain. The French community has rallied in support of

their fellow Parisians. Fans inside the Stade stadium sung the national anthem as they left the stadium after a match with Germany. World leaders have expressed empathy for the French people in light of this horrific episode. President Obama called it “an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share.” German Prime Minister Angela Merkel also expressed her condolences, and her Interior Minister, Thomas de Mazière, offered military assistance to France. The Mounds View community expressed support for the French people. “One hundred percent we should stand with the French. We should stand with them in any and every way possible,” said Jack Christianson, 12. Taking action, Mary Clare Hottinger, 11, organized a rally this past Wednesday to promote peace. “Taking a stand and a step for peace is a

whole different thing. I don’t know how much of an impact the march actually [would make], but I think it showed some people that the youth have a voice too. We need to show the community that our generation can be different,” she said. Many students believe that the United States should take further action against ISIS. “Right now we are just offering our support to them in this time of distress. I do believe that the conflict has been getting out of hand. The United States should do more in the Middle East,” said Alex Robertson, 11. The Paris attacks have also affected some students’ interest in studying abroad. “Things like this are so unpredictable, especially if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Joanna Liu, 12. “That element of fear makes me hesitant to study abroad.”

An inside look at Mizzou protests by Maddy Rosenow managing editor 2014-2015 In the past weeks, my campus has felt like anything but a university. It has been consumed by protests and unrest. When people ask me what is going on here, my response every time is, “I don’t even know where to begin.” The events here at the University of Missouri—which have escalated recently—have been building since September. On Sept. 12, student body president Payton Head was called a racial slur by white students driving by in a pickup truck. During the first week of October, the Legion of Black Collegians was called the n-word by a white male during their homecoming preparations. That same week, a student group,

Concerned Student 1950, staged a protest during the Homecoming parade and blocked University President Tim Wolfe’s car. The atmosphere was tense following Homecoming. Students of all races had opinions on the recent events, but it was like walking on eggshells; no one wanted to say the wrong thing. During the last week of October, Concerned Student 1950 released a list of demands, including the removal of Wolfe, and graduate student Jonathan Butler staged a hunger strike until Wolfe resigned. Members of our football team, joining Butler’s cause, staged a strike, refusing to participate in team activities. The football team’s strike prompted national attention to Butler’s cause, and to our campus. Every day I walked to class past reporters and television

crews. My school was the top trending topic on social media. It was surreal and overwhelming. On Nov. 9, Wolfe announced his resignation, and that night was a complete unraveling. There were shooting threats on social media, rumors of KKK members on campus, and evacuations of campus buildings. Students were even loading into their cars and driving home. My residence hall went into lockdown, and I remember texting my mom saying, “It’s getting scary.” People on my floor from St. Louis were saying, “This feels like Ferguson.” It was a night of terrified confusion, and the following day, a majority of classes were cancelled. Although campus feels calmer, photo by Maddy Rosenow tensions are still high, and conflict still Protestors at Mizzou. continues.

editorials

top 10 things to do over break

Scavenge for berries & nuts...

...With Peter Yong!

Think twice on Thanksgiving A Tragic History

Pretend to go outside

Play Fallout 4

friday, November 20, 2015

Spam “add to cart” on Cyber Monday

Don’t do homework until Nov. 29 Decorate your room in a fall-inspired theme

Christopher Columbus “discovers” the Americas, Columbian exchange begins

Pilgrims arrive in America and celebrate first Thanksgiving

1492

1621 1512 Encomienda slavery system established, civilizations destroyed

Indian Removal Act, Trail of Tears

1636 Pequot War

1860 Bureau of Indian Affairs creates boarding school to force Native American children to assimilate into Euro-American culture, “Kill the Indian, Save the Man”

Climb trees with the neighborhood squirrels

Join a mashed potato cult

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 Editorials

Kevin Sabeti-Oseid Furqan Syed Features

Emily Moses Katrina Renacia Spread

Katie Karjalahti Samuel Kwong Variety

Aaron Voiovich Reviews

Matthew Cooper Sports

Jordan Counihan Persis Ke Gallery

Amber Zhao Photographers/Artists

Clare Carroll, Eva Hoffman, Julia Sacay Adviser

Martha Rush Staff

Andrew Campbell, Rigney Cunningham, Ben Davis, David Eldridge, Jackie Gaworski, Danny Gedig, Marley Jones, Tigist Kiflu, Neva Knoll, Sunny Lim, Jack McCoy, 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

Indian Civil Rights Act

1890

1830

...with dead leaves and live turkeys

Wounded Knee Massacre, deaths of over 150 Native Americans for Ghost Dance

1968 1965

Voting Rights Act: Voting rights for Native Americans

information compiled by Kevin Sabeti-Oseid infographic by Eva Hoffman

by Kevin Sabeti-Oseid editorials editor From an early age, children are introduced to the idea of Thanksgiving through family dinners, a school day dedicated to dressing as a Pilgrim or “Indian,” and a time to be grateful for all you have. However, what tends to be overlooked is the violence and genocide caused by European settlers’ colonization of the Americas. In reality, we celebrate Thanksgiving based on a romanticized idea of colonialism and the pigeonholed view that indigenous and European relations were friendly. When we overlook Europeans’ violence toward Native Americans, we erase the genocidal reality that led to the rape, pillaging, murder, theft, disease and enslavement of Native Americans. Most often, children learn an idealized version of history instead of the violent reality. Young students are told a happy story from 1621, when Squanto the friendly Indian helped the starving Pilgrims survive their first winter in America. The Native Americans and the Pilgrims celebrated with a harvest festival, and so began the tradition of Thanksgiving. The story ends there, but history does not. 16 years later, Massachusetts governor John Winthrop called for the mass killing of thousands of the Pequot tribe, including children the same age as those now learning of the beauty of Thanksgiving. This simplified tale disregards centuries of European oppression of Native Americans. Are Native Americans expected to be thankful for an event that ignores their history and celebrates their systemic disadvantage? And what gives non-Natives the right to celebrate and remain grateful for the lives we lead, when they wouldn’t have been possible without the European extermination of indigenous people? Overall, the relationship between Europeans and Native Americans was not at all friendly. The way Thanksgiving is taught and celebrated in elementary schools devalues Native American customs and reinforces cultural stereotypes. As a result of learning a Eurocentric version of history, students are often ignorant of the persecution and marginalization suffered by Native Americans. Some schools have young students dress in European imitations of Native American clothing that appropriate the culture without regard to the symbolic importance of customs such as wearing feathers. European Americans whose ancestors pillaged the indigenous people and forcefully exterminated their ways of life

should not be teaching history in a way that sweeps mass murder under the rug. Pretending as though the Pilgrims’ arrival didn’t lead to violence and oppression is irresponsible and leads to a society based on problematic traditions rather than progression. High school teachers do try to teach students an unbiased and realistic portrayal of history by providing multiple readings. “We read documents that are from [Bartolomé] de las Casas, a man who really criticized the way Europeans were treating Native Americans,” said social studies teacher Carolynne Ladd. “So, definitely, I hope [students] don’t walk away thinking it was a merry relationship, because it wasn’t.” According to historynewsnetwork.org, an estimated 12 million Native Americans were living in what is now the United States before the arrival of European explorers in the 1400s. By 1900, the native population had diminished to less than 300,000. Many factors contributed to the death of millions of indigenous people, including diseases, conflict, and enslavement. Europeans brought new diseases that led to the death of an estimated 90 percent of the indigenous population. In addition, conflicts between the settlers and Native Americans continued for hundreds of years as Europeans tried to remove indigenous people from their land. According to a USDA report, only around two percent of American land still belongs to Native American reservations. Along with many attempts to exterminate the indigenous population for their land and resources, Europeans also enslaved Native Americans under systems like the Spanish encomienda. The list of all the wrongs that Europeans have inflicted upon Native Americans continues. Although these acts of violence may seem to be part of the past, European Americans in positions of power have kept systems of oppression that have removed Native Americans from their land and placed them on reservations, keeping many destitute. In fact, 28.2 percent of Native Americans living on reservations are under the federal poverty line, and 40 percent of reservation homes are considered substandard and inadequate. Even basic utilities like running water, telephones, electricity and sewage are often limited on many reservations. Similar to the transition from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, holidays like Thanksgiving that glorify colonialism should be removed from their pedestal. Spending time with family and being grateful for what you have shouldn’t only be an annual occurrence. Although the original point of Thanksgiving was to show gratitude, one can’t deny that after a genocide, you shouldn’t be celebrating.

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.

editorials

friday, november 20, 2015

art by Clare Carroll

Engage students with creative work by Furqan Syed editorials editor A constant problem in schools is lack of student interest. According to Forbes, more than 40 percent of high school students feel disengaged from their school. Many students know firsthand what it means to be disengaged, whether they sleep in class or text on their phones during boring PowerPoint presentations. This ultimately leads to low grades and poor understanding of class material. Some schools have tried creating honor ceremonies to reward student behavior and incentivize good grades. While in some cases this recognition has led to improved grades, most of these reforms have had limited success because they don’t address the root problem of boredom. Instead of creating honor ceremonies, schools should instead cultivate passion by using interesting writing, speaking and drawing assignments. Currently, students undergo many standardized exams with multiple choice questions. According to The Washington Post, students will take on average 113 standardized tests between kindergarten and 12th grade.

“

More than 40 percent of high school students feel disengaged from their school. - Forbes

Open-ended questions are a rarity in schools. Instead, students are forced to spend years training to regurgitate facts and definitions. The inherent nature of multiple choice tests means that more often than not, students succeed by simply memorizing phrases or facts and identifying them from a list of options. This rigidity leads students to experience difficulty displaying creativity, and ultimately fails to encourage individual motivation. Students learn most effectively when they are able to express unique ideas, and are not subjected to restrictive multiple choice tests. For example, Dan Min, 12, enjoys FRQs on tests more than multiple choice questions. “I like FRQs because they let me argue my point, and I’m not

limited by the choices given. [The style] also better gauges my understanding of the material.” Brandon Lee, 12, agrees. “FRQs allow me to speak my mind instead of letting [predetermined] options speak my mind,” he added. Teachers can work to solve this problem by increasing the number of open-ended questions they use and by creating curriculums that require students to develop their own opinions. Teachers could include speaking activities that encourage students to evaluate different ideas in speeches or artistic activities that allow students to really engage with the subject. These actions have had a history of success. Takeshi Matsuyama, a math teacher in Japan, implemented a radical shift in his math class by creating a lesson in which students learned properties of geometry through discussion. One day his students found the formula for calculating the area of a rectangle. Another day the students derived the formula for finding the area of a parallelogram. Teachers can easily follow this type of teaching in America. By taking these steps, American students will learn more and America can solidify its status as a beacon of educational progress.

Why I hate two-part movies by Matthew Cooper reviews editor The release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 marks another occurrence of a recent Hollywood trend—two part finales to blockbuster franchises. Since the final chapter of the Harry Potter series, this manifestation of corporate greed has become common practice. While some movies have used two part finales with good reason, recent film franchises have just started to milk their source material for enough content to produce two separate films. This cry for extra revenue must stop. Box office numbers weren’t always the reason for splitting films into multiple parts. Movies like Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and 2 and The Toxic Avenger Part II and III were originally planned as single films but were split up during editing to avoid extremely long runtimes. In addition, the producers of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows made the decision to split the movie into two parts in order to do the plot justice. The Deathly Hallows is 759 pages long and the combined length of both film adaptations is 276 minutes. Given the large number of characters and story

Good movies based on books cover about 2-3 pages of the book per minute of the movie. When the ratio is closer to 1 page per minute -- as it is for most two-part movies -- the movie is bloated and deserves lower ratings.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (parts 1 and 2)

Rotten Tomatoes rating

87%

Rotten Tomatoes rating

64%

The Hobbit trilogy

Rotten Tomatoes rating

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire

86%

Rotten Tomatoes rating

65%

Mockingjay (parts 1 and 2)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0 Pages per minute

infographic by Eva Hoffman

arcs in the final book, 2.75 pages per minute of screentime warranted the split. Then came The Hobbit trilogy, perhaps one of the most appalling examples of corporate greed in recent cinematic history. Based on the 293 page prequel to the The Lord of the Rings series, The Hobbit’s three parts clock in at a combined runtime of 513

minutes, almost twice as many minutes of screentime as there are pages in the book. In order to achieve this, the filmmakers wrote original content for the films, adding characters and plot points not present in the source material. The trilogy suffered from this desperate attempt to gain more revenue. While The Lord of the Rings movies

had an average Rotten Tomatoes (a film review aggregator) score of 95%, The Hobbit trilogy received a noticeably lower average score of 66%. Despite this, the films grossed a combined $3 billion. This brings us to today, with the release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2. Each book in The Hunger Games trilogy was approximately 385 pages long and the first two films had runtimes of about 145 minutes each. Mockingjay is no longer than the previous books, yet the film adaptations runs for 260 minutes. Similarly to The Hobbit trilogy, Mockingjay, Part 1 only earned a 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, a step down from the previous films’ 84% and 89%. While the film earned $755 million worldwide, it was another boring, uneventful, and unnecessary cash grab that did not deserve to be the 5th highest grossing film of 2014. Audiences need to stop paying see mediocre movies that are only being produced to make even more money. If people continue to support multipart films, they will only continue to exist, thus harming the quality of the adapted material.

features

friday, November 20, 2015

Purposefully Pretty Language learning aesthetics by Jackie Gaworski staff reporter From suspended flags to a poster of the Eiffel tower to little Spanish figurines, language teachers Ingrid Koenig and Laura Rivers decorate their classrooms with more than just aesthetics in mind. Flags from French-speaking countries around the world are strung around Koenig’s room. Representing more than just their respective countries, they symbolize the importance of learning the French language and culture through traveling. “It’s important for me as a teacher to let my students know how important studying a language is and where it can take them,” she said. The most important flag to Koenig is her flag of Brittany. “It represents where I studied abroad for a semester and is another representation of where French and having a language can take you,” she said. Students also enjoy seeing familiar flags. For Marian Hitti, 11, it’s the flag of her home country, Lebanon. “It’s awesome to know that the country I am from speaks French,” she said. “[The flags] also help me to find out what countries speak French so I can see where to travel if I become fluent enough in French.” Another decoration in Koenig’s room is a poster of an Eiffel Tower with a window behind it. “I got that poster this summer because it represents a part of France. My students enjoy the window in the background since my classroom has no windows,” she said. The flags in her room remind her of France and make her sad about the recent attacks on Paris. “I have great sympathy

for the French people at this time,” said Koenig. “I hope that by talking about the attacks in my classes, I am showing students that language learning is more than simply learning the language; it is also about understanding a new culture and the events that impact it.” Koenig is not the only teacher with a culturally decorated room. Spanish teacher Laura Rivers also has many meaningful decorations throughout her room, including unique posters of Spanish celebrities and historical places that inspire students to think about Spanish culture. “I think that the posters in my classroom cause kids to ask questions and maybe think about traveling to different countries,” said Rivers. Not only are the posters important to her, but they also intrigue students. Emily Anderson, 12, enjoys being able to view Spanish culture through the items around the room. “It definitely makes it a lot more interesting to learn in an environment without just bare walls,” said Anderson. “She can also reference her posters in her lectures.” Like most language teachers, Rivers has gotten many of her items from her travels abroad. “I have lots of souvenirs from lots of trips. My favorites are my little figures of flamenco dancers from Spain. I also have some little frogs from Puerto Rico that are cute,” she said. Rivers and Koenig’s classroom decorations help them add personal touches to their rooms, while keeping things cultural for language students.

photos by Eva Hoffman

Butler’s moving objects by Jonah Westerman staff reporter With goats and monsters peeking out of the ceiling tiles, ancient-looking, colorful masks staring back at you, and student pictures covering the walls, walking into math teacher Dan Butler’s room might be a bit overwhelming. One of the most distinct features of Butler’s room is the masks on the wall behind his desk. Each one is from a different country. They represent the many places that Butler has taught, including Poland, Colombia, Australia, the Philippines, Hong Kong and China. “People invite me over there, and I ask what to teach, and they tell me, and I say let’s do this,” Butler said. “I also go around the different markets and find a mask to buy as a souvenir.” These masks provide his room with a lively and unique feel. Goat stuffed animals and Domo, the Science Olympiad mascot, hang out of the ceiling, giving the room a quirky atmosphere. All move around the ceiling and always appear in new spots. Other eye-catching items in the room include the senior pictures plastered over the walls, some of which date back more than 20 years. These pictures are collected from any senior willing to walk into his room and give Butler one. “Any senior who wants to put up a picture can put it up,” he said. This process may seem simple, but it can mean a lot to students, especially when they come back after graduating. “The students loved seeing their pictures. It made them feel like they were still part of Mounds View,” he said. “It also made me happy to see them feel connected.” Butler believes that it is important to have a room filled with things that reflect a person. “[It should] feel like a place you belong. It should also have meaning to people who come into it and learn,” he said.

Nesset’s murals by Jonah Westerman staff reporter Three beautiful murals hang on the wall, and pictures of past students decorate the board behind the desk. Beside the desk is a wooden podium that holds great meaning for English teacher Gretchen Nesset. Nesset has many items in her room that are important to her as well as her former and current students—either because of a personal connection or humor value. The room might seem cluttered, but Nesset does not want to get rid of anything. “I like all the memories of the items in my room,” she said. On the wall behind her desk, she has pictures from students. “All of the pictures and artwork I have were given to me by my past students,” said Nesset. “I find these

things very funny because they crack me up every day.” The murals in her room were created by former students and remind her of them and who they have become. One of the murals, created by a student who is now a writer, is covered with a poem. The other one was made by a student who is now an artist. “What I like about two of the murals is that they represent what [the artists] went on to do in their lives, which I think is really cool, plus the color it brings,” she said. It is a good reminder of why she teaches: for her students. Among everything in her room, her favorite item is the podium. It was a homemade gift from her father for Christmas, and Nesset has kept it ever since. She believes that it has a “powerful, protected mojo in it that makes every day feel a little better.”

features

Friday, November 20, 2015

by Kenan Smith staff reporter Whether seeing a dean, checking on attendance, or simply saying hello, students can rely on Heather Ward to help when needed. Stationed in Student Services, Ward helps students, teachers and deans connect with one another. Since 2007, Ward has enjoyed being around students and seeing them progress through high school. As a student, Ward attended North High School in Minneapolis. At the time, it was a school of performing arts. Ward decided to apply there when she developed a passion for dance during middle school. “I started [dancing] when I was 13, but I accelerated pretty quick, and I was lucky enough to get into a program there,” she said. Ward studied ballet at North and became a pointe dancer. With her dance team, she went to New York City to audition for a dance-focused college. However, Ward soon realized that she didn’t feel comfortable in The Big Apple. “I wanted to feel secure in my choices. I just felt like [the University of] St. Thomas was a more secure choice,” said Ward. After college, Ward worked temporarily as a sales representative and makeup artist for Christian Dior Cosmetics before coming to Mounds View. Although she enjoyed her job at the cosmetics company, Ward has found that the social component of working at the front desk is much more gratifying. “[Working at Christian Dior Cosmetics] was not rewarding because it was high sales, big goals, part-time, and it was just a way for me to get out of the house,” she said. “This is more rewarding for me because I feel like I’ve created a lot of relationships and I really enjoy the aspect of being a part of people’s lives, whereas [my old job] was just strangers.” photo by Eva Hoffman

by David Eldridge staff reporter

photo by Eva Hoffman

Although some of Mounds View’s staff is invisible to the student body, Matt Goldsmith, paraprofessional at the greeter’s desk, is not one of them. Affectionately known as “Goldie,” Goldsmith’s responsibilities include distributing parking passes and signing people in. In addition to the paperwork, a large component of Goldsmith’s job involves interacting with the student body—something he greatly enjoys. “[I like] talking to kids. It’s a lot of fun to see what’s going on in their lives,” he said. Goldsmith also coaches varsity football on the side, allowing him to bond with students in even more ways. A 1987 graduate of Mounds View, Goldsmith returned to work for the school in 1999. Although he is now the welcoming face of Mounds View, he used to have a less recognizable position working in the lunchroom. According to Goldsmith, more activities went on in the lunchroom than just eating. “Back in the day, I would wear a raincoat on the last day of school because people would have food fights, and there was always food flying everywhere,” said Goldsmith. Goldsmith said his cafeteria co-workers were quite special. “The lunch personnel are some of the finest people walking this earth,” he said. While most students know “Goldie” as the man at the front desk, few know him as an established cook. “I like to cook whatever is fresh or in season,” he said. Goldsmith even has a trademark dish. “I make a double sourdough bread that will pucker the firmest of faces,” said Goldsmith. According to Goldsmith, many students are somewhat shocked when they see him away from his desk. “Sometimes, when students see me grocery shopping, they act like they have seen a ghost,” said Goldsmith. “They must think I sleep at school or something.”

Choir fundraiser exceeds expectations by Emily Moses features editor From Dolly Parton’s hit song “Jolene” to My Fair Lady’s popular song “I Could Have Danced All Night,” Mounds View Choir’s first “Open Mic Night” on Nov. 9 was filled with entertainment. Students performed at Incarnation Church to raise money for their spring trip to New York City. “We did a lot of great fundraising that night,” said Kaylyn Fors, 12. By the end of the night, choir took away over $1,800. In addition to the fundraiser component of the concert, choir teacher David Phelps believes “Open Mic Night” was different from most choir concerts. “It wasn’t a formal concert. It had a relaxed atmosphere, which made it a lot different,” he said. “None of the choirs were performing, and the informal aspect of it was great. People eating desserts and getting to talk with one another was really fun to see.”

Kate Peterson, 11, had a similar opinion. “The lighting and atmosphere made it seem fancier, and having food made it seem like a bigger deal,” she said. “There were different types of music and we got to see new talent.” Students felt their show was a success. “I was very proud of my friends and their performances. Everything went really well,” said Fors. Peterson was similarily satisfied. “I think it went surprisingly well,” she said. “Everybody was really good and [the aesthetics] looked really good.” Phelps was more than impressed with the students’ performances. “It was fun to see kids up there in a different setting,” he said. “Seeing them sing so well on stage and receiving such positive feedback was just fantastic.” Based on this year’s show, “Open Mic Night” will become an annual event. “The theme will be different every year, but the concept will remain the same,” said Phelps. Students perform at choir fundraiser.

photos by Emily Moses

Sonder: the that every p vivid and d just like you

Yes, there IS a word for that by Rigney Cunningham staff reporter Everyone has those feelings that they just can’t put into words. Artist John Koenig took the liberty of creating “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows,” a blog about words invented to illustrate emotions that people can feel but are unable to describe. “Each word actually means something etymologically, having been built from one of a dozen languages or renovated jargon,” said Koenig. Everyday life is a jumbled disarray of emotions, and describing each emotion is often difficult, if not impossible. Koenig fills that void of language by creating words to describe these challenging emotions. Have you ever walked through a busy street and noticed how everyone was having their own unique conversation and living different experiences? Sonder means realizing that every person around you has a life of his own. Friends, family, acquaintances and complete strangers all have losses, triumphs, worries and routines. To them you’re not just another face in the crowd; you have a story to be told. Walking through the street, you may daydream about being someone else or becoming someone important. This, according to Koenig, is the feeling of onism, or the exasperation of being deadlocked in just one body or being at just one place at one time. We only get to see a little bit of the universe in our lifetime and part of us wants to know what’s out there. Passing through life in a single body can give the feeling of missed opportunities. Enouement is the disappointment of arriving in the future but not being able to tell your past self. Being able to see where your choices led you, which relationships lasted, and other realizations overwhelm almost anyone.

These reminiscing feelings may bring back frightening emotions. How does one describe the chills down their spine from an empty school hallway at night, fairgrounds out of season, or a shadowy mall after closing? Kenopsia is the eeriness of places left behind. Another uncomfortable sensation is feeling like a misfit, also known as monachopsis. Feeling clumsy, awkward, or alien are all effects of this emotion. “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” explains the everyday emotions of people in a brilliant and poetic way. It describes the eerie tension before thunderstorms, the desire to disappear, and the suspicion that you are utterly unique. These words make life a little bit easier, helping us express those indescribable feelings in words.

Anecdoche: when everybody is talking but nobody is listening

Jouska: a s you play o in your hea

Rubatosis: the ominous feeling of having a heartbeat

Lachesism: the in to be struck with for attention

serendipity

onomatopOEia meow

aloof

cAEsar pizza

WORK

schmuck

nclination h disaster

“A lot of it just has to do with the connotation a word has,” said Carolynne Ladd, AP Psychology teacher. For example, words like “moist” and “wet” bother Smith. “I hate the feeling of damp, humid environments, so I guess it just brings back that feeling whenever I hear [similar] words,” she said. Despite numerous scientific studies, there is no complex logic behind the favoritism of words. Even Ladd doesn’t know why people prefer some words. “There isn’t any biological reason for people preferring certain words. Human nature simply has certain preferences and that’s just the way it is. It’s impossible to find a meaningful explanation for it, even with a lot of research,” she said. Simply put, it seems that people’s reasons for liking or disliking particular words can vary from their mouthfeel to the positive or negative emotions they connote.

Most liked words

moist

scenario that over and over ad

by Jack McCoy staff reporter Chocolate cake is a favorite of many people, and it isn’t hard to understand why. It’s just so rich, sugary, sweet, moist… wait, what was that last word? Major turnoff. People want to eat foods that sound delicious, not… moist. Why many dislike that particular word and others, however, is still a mystery. Students offered up different explanations for their word preferences. “I think it’s just because of their meaning and how they sound,” said George Mata, 11. Others claim to prefer certain words because of the way they roll off the tongue. “Serendipity sounds really elegant and majestic,” said Anna Smith, 11. “Plus, it means good fortune, which just makes me feel good.” In addition, liking or disliking certain words can also be a result of one’s feelings towards them.

VACCINE

e realization person has a dynamic life ur own

Cognition? Brains behind the words

YOLK

SWAG

MOIST TEST SLIMY VINYL

Most disliked words

information compiled by Ben Davis

variety

friday, november 20, 2015

Kick-off to the holiday season Rosedale Center

Black Friday Facts

by Danny Gedig staff reporter For students and teachers alike, the Rosedale Center mall is a perfect place to shop for that perfect gift or item, grab a bite to eat, or simply hang out with friends. In preparation for the holiday season, many of the stores within have proposed a wide range of deals and promotions. The mall includes all of the essential stores: technology outlets, clothing outfitters, and an array of ways to obtain a sugary coffee drink. That doesn’t mean Rosedale isn’t unique; with stores ranging from small companies to large retail chains, Rosedale has something to satisfy every customer’s buying pleasure. In addition, Rosedale is a great place to go Black Friday shopping. The selection of large chain stores provides significant deals and purchasing opportunities to find that special gift for that special someone. Many of the retail outfitters are offering substantial markdowns on their apparel and other products. Popular stores like Forever 21 and Zumiez will be offering “Buy One, Get One” deals. A multitude of tech stores will be offering sales on newer products as well. One of the hottest products of the season, the iPhone 6, will be put on a special Black Friday deal at the Apple Store. For those looking for a more unique kind of gift, plenty of hobby stores, such as Air Traffic, will have a variety of interesting sales to curb the usually steep prices. Rosedale Center offers such a wide range of products and entertainment that students are guaranteed to find a Black Friday sale they like, as long as they are willing to wake up early enough to beat the crowds.

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photo by Ben Yoch

Northtown Mall by Ben Yoch staff reporter At first glance, some may cast off the Northtown Mall as too small and rather ordinary. With a closer look, however, one can truly appreciate all the Northtown Mall has to offer. At half the size of Rosedale and one-quarter the size of the Mall of America, Northtown’s modest size is part of its charm. For many, walking around large malls can be exhausting and time-consuming. On the other hand, it doesn’t take very long to walk around the Northtown Mall, making it easy to get from store to store during the Black Friday rush. Even though the mall may not have a huge number of stores, it has basics like Champs, Best Buy and Herberger’s. More unique to the mall is the pet store called Four Paws and a Tail, home to adorable puppies and kittens. Additional stores such as Gamestop and Chipotle are located within walking distance of the mall. On Thanksgiving Day, the mall will be open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m instead of its typical 10 a.m to 9 p.m. hours. On Black Friday, it’ll be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition, nearby stores such as Gamestop will open at 5 a.m. and are definitely going to offer Black Friday deals. With a healthy variety, of stores the Northtown Mall is the perfect compromise of a department store like Target and a behemoth like the Mall of America.

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reviews

Friday, november 20, 2015

photo fair use from dailymail.co.uk

Perfect on paper, new Bond film is merely great by Matthew Cooper reviews editor 2012’s Skyfall was not only a great James Bond film; it was a great film by any standard. This left Spectre, the 24th entry in the James Bond franchise, with some very large shoes to fill. On paper, Spectre should have been the perfect Bond movie; it features many of the same cast members from Skyfall, sees the return of director Sam Mendes, adds two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz as a villain, and has cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema behind the camera. While it’s certainly disappointing to say that Spectre does not quite manage to trump its predecessor, that does not stop it from being a great film in its own right. Spectre sees Bond (Daniel Craig) attempting to uncover a mysterious organization that may have been responsible for the events of all the other Craig-era Bond films. Along the way, Bond is tasked with protecting Dr. Madeleine Swann, the daughter of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace’s Mr. White, in exchange for information on the organization, the titular Spectre. Spectre tries its best to connect all

of Craig’s previous outings as Bond in order to give more weight to the film’s events. While the film succeeds at this in some regards, the screenplay definitely needed another rewrite, which keeps Spectre from being the near-perfect adventure that it should have been. There are moments of genius in Spectre, but at times it gets bogged down by an extraneous subplot involving global surveillance and an underdeveloped villain with unclear motivations. That villain comes in the form of Christoph Waltz as the shadowy leader of Spectre. Unfortunately, Waltz’s character never gets the chance to really shine. After a superb introduction, he is only really present in handful of other scenes. Waltz is spectacular in the role, but the screenplay prevents him from becoming more than just another unmemorable Bond villain. However, the same cannot be said for “Bond girl” Madeleine Swann. Actress Léa Seydoux is given more to work with than any of the other female leads in the series, save for maybe Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale. She’s a strong, smart, and rather independent character who has terrific chemistry

with Craig. In many ways, she is Bond’s equal and their interactions are always entertaining. Spectre is also one of the most technically solid films of the year. Once again, Mendes does a great job in the director’s chair without imposing too much of his signature on the film. However, similarly to Skyfall, Spectre makes its biggest impression through its cinematography. Replacing Roger Deakins, cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema does flawless work with the visuals in the film. Spectre opens with a with a four minute long tracking shot in Mexico City during Day of the Dead that follows Bond through the crowded streets, into a building, up an elevator, out a window, and across several rooftops. The whole sequence is magnificent to behold and technically sublime. Spectre features a variety of rich color palettes and immaculate framing. Simply put, it’s gorgeous. Mendes and van Hoytema do great things with the action in Spectre. Editor Lee Smith also plays a major role in this, making fight scenes clean and easy to follow. A fist fight in the dining car of a train between Bond and a Spectre

assassin is arguably the film’s best action scene. The punches land with a satisfying weight as the two men crash through tables, walls, and anything else that gets in the way. Other set pieces include a rather uneventful car chase, an amusing showdown between a plane and a convoy of SUVs, and a breathtaking sequence inside a twirling helicopter. If Casino Royale presented Bond in a darker and more realistic way, Spectre takes Craig’s iteration of the character the closest it has ever been to the classics. This decision makes sense, considering this is possibly Craig’s last romp as the legendary spy. There’s even a sense of finality to the way the film concludes. While it doesn’t quite surpass some of the recent entries in the franchise, Spectre still serves as an entertaining and fitting send off to Craig’s version of the character.

The Verdict

Spectre is a technically flawless, entertaining Bond film that could have been perfect with a better screenplay.

Netflix’s first film attempt is mostly successful by John Vermeersch staff reporter Netflix has been producing original television series for its streaming service since 2012. This October, Netflix released its first original movie, Beasts Of No Nation. As a first attempt at a featurelength film, Beasts of No Nation mostly succeeds with some terrific performances and powerful themes. However, it never reaches excellence due to a few wasted characters and a slow pace. Beasts of No Nation takes place in Ghana and follows a boy named Agu (Abraham Attah in his first role). When war reaches his village, his family is killed, and he is forced to join the rebel Native Defense Force. The Commandant (Idris Elba) of the battalion of child soldiers takes a liking to him and the two develop a close relationship as they fight against the government forces. The performances by Elba and Attah in Beasts of No Nation are incredible. Elba is extremely emotional in the film. The viewer can feel the intensity when he yells at his men to motivate them and the warmth in his quieter scenes with Agu. He’s a charming, likeable character, and Elba excels in the role. Attah’s performance as Agu is also well done, especially for his first role. Attah is able to convey a remarkable amount of emotion through body language. The film

photo fair use from forbes.com

is told from his perspective, so there are plenty of chances for Attah’s subtle delivery to be noticed. However, some elements of the film don’t quite work. For instance, Agu’s family is very interesting, especially his grandfather and older brother. However, the film kills them off before they can be fully developed. While their deaths are an important plot point, leaving Agu frightened and alone, it still feels like a waste of good characters. After the first act, when most of the characters are established, the movie can be very monotonous. The film’s tendency to interrupt quiet scenes with scenes

of warfare begins to feel very formulaic after a while. The quiet scenes tend to be similar, consisting mostly of the Commandant and Agu bonding, and blend together. The slow pace of the movie, while effective at displaying the emotional impact, can also makes it very difficult to sit through. However, Beasts of No Nation still conveys very strong emotions. There’s a scene towards the beginning of the movie where Agu is alone in a large, dark forest where viewers can feel his loneliness. Scenes of warfare are also disturbing and emotionally draining, made more intense by involving child soldiers. Overall, Beasts of No Nation can be a slow burn, but it has fleeting glimpses of brilliance. The helplessness of a child caught in the middle of war is portrayed exceptionally well, especially through the performances of Elba and Attah. It’s not a must-see, but if you have a Netflix subscription and two hours to kill, watching Beasts of No Nation isn’t a bad way to do it.

The Verdict Beasts of No Nation has great performances and themes, but is hampered by slow pacing.

Sports

Friday, November 20, 2015

photo illustration by Eva Hoffman

High school football under attack U of M professors highlight downsides of the all-American sport by Jake Rosenow staff reporter Long-term health risks are beginning to cast a shadow over an American pastime and Mounds View tradition. The growing risk associated with football has launched school boards across the country into discussions over the future of high school football. This past month, two University of Minnesota professors, Dr. Steven Miles and Dr. Shailendra Prasad, wrote an article about why high school football should be discontinued. According to the professors, “The brains of children are more susceptible to long-term damage from concussion than adults… The brain is an irreplaceable organ, the health of which is foundational for the ability to learn, socialize and for fully realizing life’s physical and vocational opportunities.” Their argument focuses on the negative physical effects of football, which include memory disturbances,

headaches and absenteeism related to concussions. However, some have argued that the article fell short on including the positives of the game. “Football brings a sense of unity to Mounds View. All of the students come together to cheer for one team and they can all agree on at least one thing,” said Alvin Batiller, 11. If football was discontinued at Mounds View, students would no longer be able to bond with each other at Friday Night Lights. Other students agree. “Football helps build a community within Mounds View and all of the students can bond with each other at the games,” said Anders Bandt, 10. According to Head Football Coach Jim Galvin, football helps students improve both on and off the field. “Football is an important aspect of a well-rounded education,” said Galvin. “There are 170 young men at Mounds View that learn and experience

perseverance, investment, teamwork, competition and dedication much more on the football field than in any classroom. Schools need to keep developing the whole student, not just academics.” For some players, football isn’t just a sport—it’s a positive atmosphere. “Football takes kids out of bad situations and provides a good atmosphere for the players while they are on the field or in school,” said starting defensive end Justin Geisen, 11. Still, some students agree with the professors’ views. “Football games are definitely fun and bring the school together. But we seem to forget the negative effects football has on the players. I think the professors might have a point; it would just be better for the players’ health,” said Elijah Paulin, 10. As the physical consequences of football are brought to light, students will most likely think twice about joining the sport in the future. This year in particular saw many players walk away

from the season with injuries, reminding students of the health risks associated with the football. “With all of the concussions the team got this year, it could damage their brain for the rest of their life,” said Morgan Doble, 12. However, it doesn’t seem as if Mounds View’s football program will end anytime soon. “Football is an activity that is popular at Mounds View and will probably continue to be popular,” said Activities Director Bob Madison. “I’m not aware of any schools in the state that are attempting to cut football, and I don’t believe football may be coming to an end, but it is definitely under attack.”

Friday, november 20, 2015

sports

Mounds View grad mentors at Midwest by Kallie Slotvig staff reporter Ten years after she competed at the Level 10 Nationals for gymnastics, Ali Lim, 2001 Mounds View graduate, became co-owner of Midwest Gymnastics and began dedicating her time to helping other gymnasts achieve success. Lim has been a co-owner at Midwest for five years, coaching and mentoring many gymnasts, including some current Mounds View students. “I love gymnastics, I really enjoy working with kids, and I love the flexible work schedule and the family-oriented business model,” Lim said of her job at Midwest. Having dedicated most of her life to gymnastics, Lim has acquired many valuable lessons that she now passes on to her students. “Some key values and morals I attempt to apply to the gymnastics community within Midwest are lots and lots of hard work, perseverance, grit, determination, long term vision and delayed gratification,” she said. One of these gymnasts is Ally Brugler, 11, who has been involved in Midwest for 14 years, starting at the age of two. Lim has been her coach for five years. “She is very helpful because she was a top-notch gymnast herself, so she really understands us and knows what we are going through,” Brugler said.

Lim’s impact on Midwest gymnasts goes beyond coaching them through their routines. Laura Oh, 12, has been training at Midwest for seven years and sees Lim as a second mom. “[Lim] helped me with my move, encouraging me that I would be okay transferring to a new school and making friends because I just moved a month ago,” Oh said. “The transition might be a little hard but [she said] I shouldn’t give up and keep trying to adjust to my new life.” she said. Supporting gymnasts in any way Lim can comes with many rewards. “One of the best rewards of coaching is watching my athletes mature, grow and succeed as gymnasts and as people, and knowing that I had a hand in helping them out,” she said.

Ally Brugler and Laura Oh pose together at practice. photos by Julia Sacay Ally Brugler and Laura Oh practice at Midwest Gymnastics.

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Friday, November 20, 2015

Your guide to college applications How to write your college essay As college admissions draw near, seniors are faced with the challenges of completing college applications. Here are some tips to make your application the best it can be.

t s e b e h t t e n g o i t o t a d w n Ho mme o c e r

by Kailey Newcome staff reporter

If you could choose to be raised by robots, dinosaurs, or aliens, who would you pick and why? Sound absurd? Students applying to Brandeis University most likely think so, too, but that doesn’t mean they can skip answering the prompt for their essay. Each year, students spend hours crafting the perfect essay in hopes of getting into their top college. While much of the process is formulaic, the essay gives students a chance to set themselves apart. “I decided to choose a prompt that showcased who I am as a person,” said Chandler Hong, 12. “I was trying to show my unique identity of violin and how [it]shaped me.” Seniors often struggle with these essays because they differ from typical high school papers. “With college essays, you have more freedom to write about whatever you want. It’s more about you,” said William Newhouse, 12.

e, itiv t e p om re c l to ed o e m tica lm ark com are cri erwhe e nP r e a b ov tak ns on Jem rte by f repo ssio endati often u can i m e staf e ad mm s ar t yo leg f reco acher ts, bu l o c s e As tters o ess. T reque s. r c e f l e c o t ng ts’ su flow nt let es are Early o r t s ican ive elle in adl 5 for nd s l c app e mas ure ex tion de and 1 ants a ion. asking e an s is c a th r de ad thre by to en applic Nov. 1 appli r Dec while o f s h a d n m l EA nor . “I step ollege tween ecisio Regu in min the -frame fore M C ly be ly D for eep s i e ber nce ime ts b Ear d 15 to k ical um s of dva rent t eques et. typ n and . 1 an itical n a r in ss ce the io cr ffe an eks n a di ed 15 en Ne limit ’ chan Act een J fs are ns. e w h s h o f o w o c bet e cuto ndati three erate d rea Gretc had t tudent e o to p I ha her ave se s s nt. th- ” o e m h s T ecom h tw cher and teac set h crea orta d Hau letter. p r m sai e a s r g a n h ow is i for lthou any te umme nglis nd Ne can i ell rite],” eserv n’t kn A ,m s id E id a rlier w e d ts er th ,” sa chm g ea you e’ll w hink If I do e any ues req ests ov started auth-S , askin tion. o knowthat w eally t ars. [ ere ar the e a r [ h h u n for req k even ecca H ake o mend ers w etters se we r two y ng if t n so t l h i m o b a o per uld bre As Re hey’ll f reco m teac t at 15 for th had f onder n i wo e t o i w s e o t y s m s r v i t m es letter ters f t a li r lim or, I’ t I’m the sk u t f equ e u to a said. hings e e v t t of r ving a ting le have s eed o write etter, b a e s c s I l som hat I ie ei s] h Ness iscus t e n d rec Reque t and I ften ex dents you a w d ,” bb lu de inc ll with te Ro se we o st stu rite tter.” “[Stu viance ents to s o e t e ua m “N “but “Mo ally w u be role. r Na stud as the atch w grad , I w ht d: ll tot w yo ys a t ove lows d d t e i e w a d e k ld m Vi i m o a l ’ d lig e th I as Sch She a ell], I ght kn lso pl quest also a lud o high He. rs, ht wou ounds a c e e i w t r n n t e i t to id t said s, c le oug 3 M ia. tha hat m uett t just perso y re at I th id 201 ylvan ] Rush -Schmatic,’” letter ng you hers t le etiq uldn’ rs in r. m s h i r teac Simp ey sho teache e lette rs] fo ted th ys,” sa Penn artha Haut arism er the worry v h f h e M . h d a h t t o g o o c h e p r i t s ‘ e t T ng l es sity che an rd er. d in teac gh ress kee ess i lett Talk asize sked [ like hi ollege niver ies tea nd I w the wo and st and I aid N e s,” ph I a uld my c he U stud o. A use I sit nce, e,” s d [th essay m r n t e c o e l “ c e n o t re n like “Wh uff I w self in ing a [socia P Mi her t mple. diffe the fe ent, a suasiv r y udy ed d A d a t i r e s e s u e e m e t p in out w st ask r tak n ask but mak t ov ch s ing a t r ce te ab is no ce, I eve I eve thing g to tuden ell ea up be wro who instan ore to kills. is any is goin the s ally s end He, “For ophom king s letter oice d push y to re sically g ch tr ea ul ba ts firs lic sp a stron word ite co ed. “I tters] e r e e y th pub ing r l g m n Iw my Writ think thing hmid a ndatio I e c e . e som h-S mm aid t aus s bec that Hau reco she

“While it’s easier to think about the ideas you want to write about, it’s sometimes hard to put that in writing.” While essays can diverge from an academic tone and format, they still need to be well-written; sloppiness and mistakes will count against you. In addition, since essays convey the character of each applicant, it should highlight positive attributes. However, it’s important to avoid having the essay read like a résumé. Students should also strive to illustrate what they would bring to the school in their essay. Colleges evaluate the writing for qualities such as uniqueness, contribution to the college and writing ability. As application deadlines approach, seniors are doing all they can to get accepted to the college of their dreams. When writing their essays, students should follow the guidelines above by showcasing their individuality, how they would contribute to the college, and their intellect. Keeping these aspects in mind will set students apart from the rest.

Top 5 application tips 1. Apply early 2. Eliminate typos and grammatical errors 3. Don’t apply just for the college’s name 4. Make your essay stand out 5. Visit the school Source, The Daily Beast

photo illustration by Eva Hoffman