Mounds View Viewer Issue 6 '15-'16

In This Issue FRIday JanUary 22 2016

editorials

features

reviews

Drones

earthcore studios

The revenant

Viewer

One hour to catch up Proposed support hour will give students the opportunity to free up time

by Neva Knoll staff reporter Overscheduled, overwhelmed and overtired high school students feel the pressure of getting good grades, scoring well on entrance tests, being involved in sports and school activities, and having a social life. Recently, Mounds View administration and staff have planned initiatives to lessen the stress.

The newest initiative, still in the planning phase, is a schedule adjustment to offer one support hour during every five-day school week. The support hour would give students time during the regular school day to make up missing work, retake tests and meet with teachers.

“Part of the issue with our current setup is equity,” said social studies teacher Jon Zetzman.

“If you have obligations before or after school, you can’t avail yourself of these opportunities.”

The 80/20 grading and current retake policy have added stress to already busy schedules.

Teachers and students try to fit relearning assignments and retesting into a small window before or after school.

“After we went to our current retake policy,” said Zetzman, “many teachers thought time should be built into the school day to handle them.”

Other schools, including Edina and Eden Prairie, currently offer a similar support hour.

A group of Mounds View teachers and students visited these schools to investigate how they work.

Among the group was social studies teacher Jon Nuss, who mentioned how some schools are already providing school-day time for teachers

“

It’s something some of us have pushed for a while now as more and more testing is taking place.”

In December, the Wayzata School Board approved a later high school start time, becoming the latest Minnesota district to join the nationwide trend of pushing back school start times for high school students.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, 57 percent of public high schools start after 8:30 a.m. Wayzata now stands alongside other districts such as Edina, Mahtomedi, and Woodbury that have made the change. Should Mounds View push start times back as well?

Later school start times have been shown to improve student health, stress and grades. A three-year study at the University of Minnesota involving more than 9000 students attending eight high schools found that pushing start times back led to better grades, attendance and test scores. Tardiness, caffeine consumption, substance abuse and symptoms of depression decreased.

Despite these benefits, changing school start times could complicate after-school activities, jobs and sports. Although students would enjoy the extra sleep, some are concerned about their after-school obligations.

Schedules Mounds View has seen very little change to its schedule over the past 20 years. Other schools have adopted a variety of schedules and start times. Here is how Mounds View compares to Wayzata (public) and Blake (private).

Start times Mounds View: 7:20 Wayzata: 8:20 Blake: 7:50 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and 8:20 on Wednesday and Friday

-Jon Nuss, social studies teacher

to work with students or to work with each other.

“It’s something some of us [teachers] have pushed for a while now as more and more testing is taking place,” he said. “Kids need extra support and time to get all the test prep and testing finished and [the support hour] is a way to offer that extra support.”

Students are looking forward to seeing how this support hour will work. “[The support hour] will be nice because we can retake tests without having to miss after-school activities or wake up extra early,” said Bri Sislo-Schutta, 10.

Riley Flanagan, 11, agreed. “I think it’s a good idea,” said Flanagan. “Having quality time with teachers will help improve grades.”

Although a specific timeline has not yet been set, the school hopes to actualize the support hour this year. “We hope to potentially pilot this idea in the spring, with full implementation for the 2016-17 school year,” said Principal Jeffery Ridlehoover.

Wayzata pushes back start times

by Jackie Gaworski staff reporter

Volume 63 Issue 6

“Some of my friends are already rushing home once the bell rings so they can make it to work on time. If school ended at three, I think [there could be problems],” said Emily Anderson, 12.

Later start times could especially have a negative impact on students with extracurricular activities.

“If school started later, my entire schedule would be pushed back,” said Lucy Grande, 11. “If we finished at three, I wouldn’t start swimming until seven and wouldn’t get home until 10. This wouldn’t help me sleep at all.

It would only make me stay up later to do homework and I’d be just as tired as I am now.”

Others, however, believe later start times would be beneficial. “I think it would be good to push our [start time] back. It would probably equate to the same amount of sleep but would be on a schedule that fits how I actually sleep because I don’t get to bed until later,” said Ian Goodwin, 11.

In the end, the decision to change school start times is up to the School Board, which has addressed the issue in the past.

“The board did look at moving start times last fall but couldn’t make it work,” said Associate Principal Michael Schwartz.

Number of classes per day Mounds View: 6 Wayzata: 4 Blake: Monday and Friday 7 classes, Tuesday and Thursday 5 classes, Wednesday 4 classes

Class length Mounds View: 55 minutes Wayzata: 90 minutes Blake: 45 minutes on Monday, Thursday, Friday and 65 minutes on Tuesday and Wednesday

Passing time and schoolwide free hours Mounds View: 6 minutes and no free hours Wayzata: 9 minutes and no free hours Blake: 5 minutes and free hours on Monday 9:40-10:15, Wednesday 1:10-1:50

End times Mounds View: 2:05 Wayzata: 3:10 Blake: 3:00 infographic by Eva Hoffman

2

editorials

top 10 Ways to prepare for 2nd semester

10 8 6

Wipe the tears

2

Show us the world

Students want an updated Social Studies curriculum at Mounds View that teaches a broader worldview.

9

...off your report card Consider a career in foot modeling Eat a balanced breakfast

7

...with your new teachers

Burn your notes with Peter Yong

4

Friday, January 22, 2016

5

Just be Furqan Syed

Don’t be Eva Hoffman

3

Find the answers in astrology

1

Start studying for 2nd semester finals

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 Furquan Syed Features

Emily Moses Katrina Renacia Spread

Samuel Kwong Katie Karjalahti Variety

Aaron Voiovich Reviews

Matthew Cooper Sports

Jordan Counihan Persis Ke Gallery Amber Zhao Photographers/Artists

Clare Carroll Eva Hoffman Adviser

Martha Rush Staff Andrew Campbell, Rigney Cunningham, Ben

photo by Eva Hoffman

A significant number of students graduate Mounds View without ever taking a non-Eurocentric social studies course. Eurocentrism—defined by Merriam-Webster as “reflecting a tendency to interpret the world in terms of European or Anglo-American values and experiences”—inevitably disregards global perspectives to create a whitewashed view of the world.

Mounds View needs to revise its social studies curriculum to include a wider worldview.

Currently, students following the typical social studies track will take Economics in freshman year, with a curriculum containing mostly European theories.

The next year in their U.S. History class, students will learn more about European colonizers than the equally important indigenous peoples and immiPeople of color grants of color who have greatly influenced our country. shouldn’t just be Some students may get their brought up when first exposure to a non-Eurocentalking about tric curriculum during junior year with World History (At/Med and the destruction Pac/Indo), but juniors looking for whites did to our a more rigorous history class will take AP European History and cultures.” learn again about the accom-Kitone Johnson, 12 plishments of Europeans—only discussing other continents when examining European influence.

Finally, seniors will take a course on U.S. government that overlooks the successes and failures of different variations of government in other countries.

Under a Eurocentric system, students can subconsciously adopt a dangerous tendency to interpret history through a Western lens and form stereoIs Mounds View typical generalizations of other saying the rest of cultures. Students may never realize that not everyone in the world isn’t as Africa is starving. They could important?” think of “Asian” and completely overlook the cultures outside -Maddie Wang, 11 of East Asia. There would be little knowledge of the great civilizations that existed across the Americas. Students could misunderstand current conflicts in Southwest Asia and their true origins. The list goes on.

“

“

Educated graduates should understand not only their own culture, but those of nations around the world. For students to be responsible global citizens, they must understand more than just the culture that belongs to the majority, and have other ethnicities be less “foreign” in their perspective.

The simplest solution would be replacing AP European History with AP World History.

All students would therefore be required to take a non-European world history course, moving the Mounds View curriculum [Non-European away from a Eurocentric social studies focus. history] is just as Another option would be important, to replace AP U.S. Government with a class like AP Comparaconsidering the tive Government and Politics, impact [it] has where students compare politihad on history.” cal systems and governments across the globe and learn about -Reem Khan, 11 how they interact. Instead of only understanding one’s own government, students would be exposed to different ways to govern a population and understand the advantages and disadvantages of each.

While substituting these courses would be a step in the right direction, the problem of Eurocentrism stems not only from classes offered, but from the course material itself. Students are often required to learn the historical perspectives of Europeans as required by state standards, not solely as directed by the teacher.

In addition, while the College Board has created AP World, it is not an entirely satisfactory solution. AP World is expected to compress 7,000 years of non-white history into one class. Why is there no AP Asian History or AP African History? Major work needs to be done to provide students with a diverse cast of figures to create a more realistic portrayal of history.

With the multiple negative effects that can result from a flawed, Eurocentric curriculum, Mounds View must provide students an education with a broader worldview. Students who are only exposed to one historical perspective may never appreciate or understand the cultural achievements of other societies. Students of color deserve to have their cultures recognized without exception in an educational setting. Mounds View can’t build an inclusive community when it continues to exclude a fair teaching of history.

“

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

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, JANUARY 22, 2016

3

Unregulated drones are dangerous

by Furqan Syed editorials editor In the 21st century, pop culture has painted drones as everything from Big Brother-esque spies (The Giver, 2014) to renegade aides in astronaut missions (Interstellar, 2015). While once merely features of science fiction, advancements in technology have made drones affordable and accessible to nearly everyone. Photographers use them to capture never-before-seen views of nature, homeowners to detect broken shingles, and hobbyists to enter racing competitions. It seems that every day drones are linked to a new feat.

However, increased drone usage has also led to reckless behavior and security concerns. While drones can be useful and fun, increased regulation is necessary to maintain public safety.

Currently, most regulation is poorly enforced and widely ignored. For example, federal law restricts drones from flying within five miles of airports or flying above 400 feet. Despite this, airplane pilots reported more than 100 drone sightings per month in 2015, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In 2014, there were 250 cases of pilots reporting a close call with a nearby drone.

To combat this issue, the Obama Administration has passed legislation requiring all owners of drones to

register them with the FAA. While this is a significant step toward safer drone use, more needs to be done for regulation to be truly effective.

Congress must pass legislation requiring all drones to have attached radio transmitters that relay signals broadcasting their location and altitude. This would be instrumental in preventing drones from flying in restricted airspace, as rule-breaking drones could easily be recognized and their owners fined.

In addition, drone flight should be restricted to the daytime throughout the United States. Although this regulation has already been passed in specific locations, extending the rule nationwide

illustration by Eva Hoffman

would prevent piloting in low visibility, which can cause crashes and destruction of property.

Although private citizens have been able to accomplish fascinating things with drones, amateur and reckless flying poses a real danger to society. With

additional regulation, concern over improper drone use will be a thing of the past. Moving forward, society will be able to reap the benefits of drones in a safe and intelligent manner.

Art students need college counseling, too

by Kaylyn Fors and Furqan Syed guest writer and editorials editor Mounds View prides itself on the prestigious colleges many of its students attend. From early on, promising students are encouraged to aim high—with the goal generally being highly ranked universities and liberal arts colleges around the country. Students applying to these schools are prepared for standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT, receive advice on individual schools from their deans, and are helped throughout the application process.

However, another oft-forgotten group of students applying to equally selective schools exists—aspiring musicians, dancers, and actors seeking admission to performing arts schools. These students, whose institutions of choice often have acceptance rates that rival those of the Ivy League, must struggle through complex applications with little-to-no support from Mounds View.

“I did most research and other steps of the process [of applying to art school] independently,” said Rebecca Nara, 2015 graduate. “I asked for help applying for reciprocity and [my dean] told me I didn’t need to apply. I did have to apply, a blunder that almost made me pay out-of-state tuition.”

While students are supported in the process of applying to selective academic universities, Mounds View doesn’t provide the same aid to students seeking entrance into art schools. For example, while students receive emails from Mounds View about various college events, equivalent workshops for art students often go unmentioned.

Nara expressed her regret at being unaware of Portfolio Day, a nationwide event for visual artists and designers to meet with representatives from arts colleges.

“People generally go to multiple sessions over the course of their high school careers, but I only attended one,” said Nara. “I wish I would have known about them sooner because I learned a lot.”

Art students say that Mounds View also makes it difficult to discover the possibilities available to pursue art after high school. In Nara’s case, she didn’t realize going to art school was a viable option

photo by Clare Carroll Kaylyn Fors playing The Host in the Merry Wives of Windsor .

until late in her high school career.

“While I was at Mounds View, it was very obvious that the arts were not valued as much as math and science,” she said. “I didn’t know until late junior year that I wanted to pursue art professionally, and I think it was largely due to visual arts not being considered a valid career path.”

This lack of support for students interested in pursuing an arts education is disastrous. In fact, art schools often require more to their applications than other colleges do. Supplementary materials such as a portfolio of past artwork or a taped performance are often mandatory additions to the essays and general application.

“It’s not fair that music, art, and performing arts students don’t have the same opportunities, because [they] have ten times harder applications,” said Sabrina Batiz, 2015 graduate now studying fashion design at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

“It’s not just writing essays,” she said. “You have to submit your portfolio and your work and stuff that represents you as an artist, and you have to create these well-rounded performances or portfolio presentations that aren’t taught in school.”

Batiz is just one of many students who struggled to put together her art school application without support from the school.

To make matters worse, many of the steps that Mounds View takes to help students prepare for college applications aren’t that helpful to art students.

For example, Mounds View prepares students for the ACT by providing in-class practice sessions, afterschool ACT tutoring, and a free test for all juniors.

This doesn’t help students looking to apply to top performing arts schools such as The Juilliard School, which doesn’t require students to send their ACT score. Instead, opportunities to rehearse monologues or to put together audition tapes would be of more value to these students.

Although Mounds View is not a performing arts academy, it’s fair to expect that the school support art students more than it is right now. Simply having a directory of coaches or artists available for contact would immensely help art students. In addition, the school could implement a referral system for students to contact alumni who have been through the art school application process.

“Even if [they’re] a student who should be in the top schools, they might not be able to get there because they don’t have the proper resources that [Mounds View] should provide,” said Batiz. Exposure to relevant summer programs and internships could also assist art students in building a strong application.

It goes without saying that Mounds View wants to see every student succeed at the college of their dreams. For the most part, assistance is there for those who wish to attend traditional schools and programs.

However, with a little more attention to the specific needs of arts students, Mounds View can create many more opportunities for them. As a result, Mounds View would soon be able to boast about the high caliber programs that their artists are attending.

4

features

FRIDAY, January 22, 2016

Possehl’s passion for filming...

by Emily Moses features editor Film buff turned producer, Eddie Possehl, 10, has been pursuing his filmmaking passion for the past five years. According to Possehl, superhero movies filled his childhood and sparked his interest. However, the movies themselves weren’t what he found most interesting.

“When I was a kid, I was a really big fan of Spiderman. I watched all the Spiderman movies,” he said. “I eventually got bored of watching the actual movies and started watching the directors’ behind-the-scenes stuff and was like, ‘That’s really cool... I have a camera.

I could probably do that!’’’

What really gave Possehl his start, however, was watching The Pursuit of Happiness in fifth grade. “It showed me that you can do anything you want,” he said. “Don’t let anyone stop you.”

From its genuine portrayal of emotions to its powerful acting, the movie launched Possehl’s interest in video producing.

“I actually cried in that movie,” said Possehl. “I’m not a wimp, I swear, but I felt really connected to it. It’s what got me to make movies.”

Since then, Possehl has funneled his inspiration into his Youtube channel, EarthCoreStudios.

“For the first two years I had a stupid little channel and did video games with my iPod,” he said. “But for the past three years, I have been spent time developing the channel I have now—making movies and all.”

When it comes to inspiration, Possehl comes up with new ideas daily. “I’ll just be sitting in class and be like, ‘What if I made a movie like such and such?’ and I’ll just start writing notes in class instead of learning,” he said.

Possehl notes that a great deal of inspiration also comes from other aspiring Youtubers.

“I have a lot of online friends and we share our creative processes with each other,” he said.

Fellow Youtubers, the Shaytards, serve as a constant motivation for Possehl. “They’re always talking about trying new things and following your dreams,” he said. “They keep me going.”

Another source of inspiration for Possehl is the idea of someday documenting his own life. “I thought it would be really cool to document my life and be able to look back one day,” he said.

Though Possehl does most of the writing, filming and directing himself, he couldn’t put it all together without his team. “I like to call them my crew,” he said. Fellow sophomores Micah and Joel Smith, Josh Bonde, Jordan Van Laningham, Matthew Colbert, David Severson, and Ben Erickson are a few members of the EarthCore team.

And, according to Possehl, finding assistance isn’t hard. “Everyone always offers to help like, ‘Can I be in the movie?’” said Possehl. “I always accept help.”

When it comes to future plans for the channel, Possehl and his team are overflowing with ideas. “We’re actually doing a bunch of things, not just films,” he said. “We are starting to go into more of a variety of stuff. We’re doing challenge videos on Mondays… we’re trying to make it so that our channel has something for everybody.”

Possehl’s video production is also his creative outlet.

“I make movies about things I care about.

I consider it my artwork and it’s how I express my emotions. If I’m sad, I’ll write a sad movie or if I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll write an adventure film. It’s all about how I’m feeling,” he said. “It’s my form of expression.”

... leads to EarthCoreStudios

by Keller Stephens staff reporter

photos courtesy of Eddie Possehl

You may know them as an ordinary group of teenagers, but the rest of the world sees them as EarthCoreStudios. With total video views hitting nearly 190,000, EarthCoreStudios is a Youtube channel with two goals in mind: making a difference and having fun.

“Honestly, we just had a movie idea one day and needed a place to post the movie so the channel was created,” said Eddie Possehl, 10. “That movie never happened, but we continued to create little stupid videos and thus, EarthCoreStudios was born.”

As with most successes, EarthCoreStudios is a team effort. Possehl, Jordan Van Laningham, Josh Bonde, Ben Erickson, Matt Colbert, David Severson, and Micah and Joel Smith make up the all-sophomore squad. Though only Possehl has a specific role, the group’s writer and director, all members contribute original ideas.

Started in 2013, EarthCoreStudios’ success can be attributed to their popular comedy short films.

With films ranging from “Top 5 ways to hurt your-

self” to “GHOST HUNTERS,” EarthCoreStudio’s diversity sets it apart.

Incorporating comedy, challenges and pranks, EarthCoreStudios releases new videos three times per week. Mondays are usually reserved for challenges and pranks. On Wednesdays, bloopers and behind-the-scenes videos go up. Finally, Fridays see the release of new movies and comedy skits.

“Most of the videos are just for fun and to see what we are capable of,” said Micah.

‘Spectacular Spider-Man,’ the group’s most popular video, has a staggering 170,000 views. In this short film, the Green Goblin sets out once and for all to kill Spider-Man. “It’s such a hard character to act out,” said Possehl.

No one was left out in their greatest hit. Hilarious bits of kids taking selfies of Spider-Man and amusing sound effects keep viewers entertained and “likes” on the rise.

While EarthCore’s success has grown, their motivation remains unchanged.

“For us, it’s just a fun way to hang out, have a great time, and make memories,” said Joel.

features

Friday, January 22, 2016

Hairrell in 3D

5

Passionate: from Pink Floyd to astronomy

Hairrell enjoys a birthday celebration with his family.

by Jeman Park staff reporter Goofy, energetic, and motivated—these are just some of the qualities often associated with science teacher Jacob Hairrell.

Students on their way to his first hour class are often greeted by the loud cacophony sounds of progressive metal. “I tend to listen to death metal when I’m crabby and haven’t had my coffee yet,” said Hairrell.

His love for this genre stretches back to the third grade. Hairrell enjoys metal’s “off the wall, funny qualities… it’s just funny how everything is just overthe-top; skulls, blood, and gore.”

This lifelong passion for progressive metal pushed Hairrell to add another hobby: playing the drums. “I was actually the drummer of a band in college,” he said. “I’ve been out of it for a while, but I’m trying to get back into it.”

Camping excursion in the backyard.

Hairrell’s unique love for metal often intertwines with his other passion: astronomy. “When I’m out observing the stars, I usually listen to Pink Floyd with my headphones on,” he said. As an avid member of the Minnesota Astronomical Society, numerous astronomy certificates and awards line his classroom walls.

Ten years ago, Hairrell discovered his appreciation for astronomy by studying Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity in high school. Enthralled, he sought to explore the subject further in college. “[My passion increased] through cosmology research and just learning the math of it during my physics major,” he said.

The complexity of astronomy never ceases to amaze him.

“The fact that we have this massive universe that we can explore endlessly, discovering what happened in the past and pondering what may happen in the fu-

photos courtesy of Jacob Hairrell Hairrell with telescope.

ture is fascinating,” said Hairrell. “Looking at all these galaxies and knowing that every single one could have life [conveys their] endless potential. That’s what astonishes me.”

To students, Hairrell is both passionate and engaging. “Hairrell is a really cool, lax guy,” said Alyssa Wagner, 12. “He doesn’t give us busy work and actually does things in class to help us learn physics.

“He’s always willing to help us if we ever have questions about anything.”

Though Hairrell loves teaching, he believes that life is about the little things. “When it gets down to it, I love spending time with my kids, getting the house clean, observing the stars, and listening to music,” he said.

“Have a mocha-tastic day!”

Students strive to provide America with a strong workforce

by Marley Jones staff reporter Every day, countless students line up in the library to order coffee in hopes of surviving the brutal morning. Mustang Mocha, a popular addition to the Information and Media Center and a guardian angel for many groggy students, is run

by SkillsUSA, a club for aspiring business people.

Though the position can be chaotic, working at Mustang Mocha provides students with job practice and business know-how. “I love working in Mustang Mocha,” said SkillsUSA member Rachel Deno, 10. “It is very hectic but gives good business experience.”

SkillsUSA is a club that creates a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. By participating in business competitions and fundraising events, students gain valuable workplace skills.

“In the competitions, we have multiple categories you can compete in,” said Deno. “These include job interview, job skill demonstration, and opening and closing ceremony,” she said. In total, there are around 100 categories.

A lot of responsibility falls onto students titled State Officers. There are generally 13 or 14 officers in this position statewide. Mounds View has had seven State Officers in the last five years. “State Officers are kind of like the glue of SkillsUSA,” said State Officer Kevin Ameyaw, 12. “We run the meetings and other things.”

Ameyaw joined the club after attending a leadership meeting in Alexandria, Minnesota. “I really enjoyed it and wanted to do more leadership work, so I joined the club,” he said. Though the club provides all students with a variety of benefits, he especially recommends that students join if they plan on pursuing a career in a technical or business field.

The club is supervised by Lynn Nelson, Career Education and Work-Based Learning Coordinator. Nelson chose to take over because she believes in the value of hands-on experience it provides for students. “[It’s] a great learning tool for students,” she said. “It gives them opportunities outside of the classroom that will help them throughout life.”

For anyone interested, the club meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 2:15 p.m. in either room 265 or the ILC. “All students are welcome to join,” said Nelson.

SkillsUSA poses with their award.

photo courtesy of Lynn Nelson

photo by Eva Hoffman Jordan Counihan , 12, orders a Mustang Mocha.

A needed boost, or a

Risks of the rush

by Samuel Kwong spread editor Nausea, vomiting and heart attacks: three of the many dangerous effects of overusing energy drinks. Advertised as necessary to any busy individual’s day, energy drinks hide devious secrets behind their innocent exteriors.

Energy drinks are a common crutch when it comes to staying awake. Popular among students, many teens drink it to remain attentive in class and finish homework during a hectic day.

Nicole Higgins, 9, and Leah Halvorson, 9, use energy drinks for the positive side effects. “They really boost my awareness. It helps me think better,” said Higgins.

Although energy drinks help one stay awake, negative consequences still prevail. “If I don’t have an energy drink in the morning, I’ll usually get a headache,” said Halvorson.

Many energy drinks have an abundance of dangerous chemicals. These include guarana, an overcaffeinated coffee bean, and taurine, a chemical that has been linked to seizures when consumed in high doses.

Furthermore, a new study from Caffeine Informer, a company dedicated to studying the effects of various chemicals in caffeinated beverages, showed that energy drinks cause more forceful heart contractions. This could be harmful to people with certain heart conditions. Between 2010 and 2013, there were 5,156 energy drink-related calls to poison control centers, with over half of them being related to some type of cardiovascular disorder, including irregular heartbeats and seizures.

Many of the chemicals in energy drinks, including high

cartoon by Clare Carroll

fructose corn syrup, an unhealthy mix of the sugars glucose and sucrose, have been tied to many types of cardiac disease.

Caffeine Informer also noted that several cases of cardiac arrest, due to overconsumption of energy drinks, have also been reported.

While the low end of energy drinks contain about 20 grams of this toxic chemical, others can contain up to 80 grams, or the equivalent of three times the daily recommended amount of sugar. Excess sugar can cause a person’s blood sugar and insulin levels to skyrocket, often leading to obesity.

If you’re struggling to stay up in the morning or just need that extra boost to push past sixth hour, don’t reach for a Monster or Rockstar. Instead, choose from a multitude of healthier alternatives for caffeine, such as a high protein smoothie or lemon water.

What kind of caffeine do MV students use the most?

Coffee Soda Energy drinks Energy powder Tea None 0

10

20

30

40

50

Number of Students

60

54% of Americans over the age of 18 consume caffeine on a daily basis.

Side effects of caffeine can include...

- High blood pressure - Heart palpitations - Anxiety - Nausea - Dizziness - Irritability - Allergic reactions - Difficulty breathing - Swelling - Vomiting - Headache - Withdrawal symtoms

infographic by Eva Hoffman information compiled by Ben Yoch and Kallie Slotvig information from caffeineinformer.com and healthresearchfunding.org

a dangerous crutch?

How much do you know about caffeine?

5. How many Starbucks Mochas are equivalent to the amount of caffeine in a Monster Energy Drink?

1. Is caffeine addictive?

a) yes b) no

2. Which drink contains the most caffeine?

a) Bulldog Energy Drink b) Starbucks Mocha c) Spike Energy Drink

6. If you consumed a large cup of coffee with 200 mg of caffeine in it, how much caffeine would be in your body 6 hours later?

3. Caffeine uses the same brain pathways as:

a) tobacco b) cocaine c) milk

4. Which of these contains the highest concentration of caffeine?

a) 4C Energy Rush b) Blood Energy Potion c) Gourmesso Coffee Pods

a) four b) two c) one

a) 100 mg b) 50 mg c) 10 mg

7. Which of these is a safe amount of caffeine for developing teens to consume daily?

a) one Monster b) one Red Bull c) four Cokes quiz by Ben Yoch

Answers: 1.a 2.b 3.b 4.c 5.c 6.a 7.b

Mustangs love our morning coffee

by Kallie Slotvig staff reporter

infographic by Eva Hoffman

“I am addicted to coffee,” said English teacher Bethany DeCent. “I need the caffeine, but I am also addicted to the routine of drinking coffee as well as the taste. Each morning I usually drink two 16-ounce mugs of coffee... I definitely depend on it.”

DeCent is not the only one with a strong love for coffee, considering about 83 percent of adults drink coffee in the U.S. While this caffeinated beverage has a reputation as being essential to many Americans, it also comes with risks.

The most treasured characteristic of coffee to many is the caffeine. With roughly 100 milligrams per eight ounce mug, it has more bang per cup compared to many teas, soft drinks and even some energy drinks.

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system by blocking receptors in the brain for the sleep chemical, adenosine. This helps you feel more awake and alert.

Mayo Clinic advises that adults limit themselves to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day (about four cups of coffee), while adolescents limit themselves to 100 milligrams per day (about one cup of coffee) to prevent side effects like insomnia, muscle tremors and upset stomachs.

However, many struggle to control their caffeine consumption. Self-described coffee addict Maddie Bratland, 10, spends around $15 per week on coffee.

“I drink at least one grande Starbucks a day and maybe another Starbucks or Monster later,” she said.

To put this into perspective, one grande Starbucks drink has around 330 milligrams of caffeine, three times the amount of caffeine that should be consumed in total per day.

cartoon by Clare Carroll

While caffeine can be addictive, it’s not as dangerous as tobacco, alcohol or street drugs, and the severity of withdrawal is much smaller. Yet the absence of caffeine still affects those who are addicted.

“Sometimes I get a slump in the six o’clock region,” said Bratland.

She also deals with headaches and “extreme sleepiness” without caffeine.

Hannah Van Sickle, 11, is also affected without coffee. “I go through withdrawal [and] I get headaches if I don’t have it,” she said. “You get really tired if you don’t have it and you think about coffee a lot without it.”

Despite caffeine dependency, school nurse Sarah Osterman believes that coffee is a safe beverage to drink. “Caffeine is generally regarded as safe in that it does not produce life-threatening effects or alter a person’s state to the level that they may make choices that risk significant harm to self or others,” she said.

8

variety

h t e f S o u s b e u t s r b a r i t o s e v s a f c

friday, January 22, 2016

T Enjoy ethnic

lose to ho

me

photos by Aaron Voiovich

Wok Cuisine

Meisters Bar and Grill

Wok Cuisine is a perfect place to dine for any Chinese food lover, providing a unique dining experience and delicious food. The restaurant is located inside a small strip mall at the corner of Lexington and Highway 96 and provides a wide variety of authentic foods, including Cantonese, Szechuan, and Shanghai dishes.

The chefs are extremely skilled and offer well-prepared food. The vast menu features dishes like sesame chicken, shrimp, chicken, and pork fried rice—you can order these individually or all mixed together—and the vegetable deluxe.

With delicious appetizers and entrees sold at affordable prices ranging from $7 to $12, Wok Cuisine is perfect for those looking for a place to enjoy a meal out with their families and friends.

In addition to ordering off the menu, Wok Cuisine also offers an extensive buffet every weekday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The buffet offers diners a variety of foods including sweet and sour chicken, cream cheese puffs and mango cakes for less than $8. Wok Cuisine also provides a great experience for small parties by offering catering for any event.

The restaurant offers a relaxed, softly lit atmosphere with very helpful staff. Wok Cuisine usually isn’t too busy, making it much easier to get quick and personable service.

Wok Cuisine offers a wide variety of flavorful foods, and unlike many other restaurants, this one gives you the ability to feel like you’re eating good ol’ home cooked food.

Diners who walk into Meisters Bar and Grill will be greeted by the aroma of burgers and bratwursts from the kitchen and a lively mix of voices from throughout the establishment. The atmosphere may come as a surprise to visitors, as the location and the small face of the business deceive the casual eye. Located in a strip mall on the corner of Highway 96 and Lexington, Meisters might seem small, but the inside is larger and livelier than one may expect.

Often overlooked by diners on their way to more options in nearby Roseville or Minneapolis, Meisters is host to a staggering number of menu options.

The restaurant has a German influence and its menu is home to traditional foods such as bratwursts and Wiener Schnitzels. Providing more than just German fare, however, the menu also includes traditional bar food like salads, burgers and club sandwiches, allowing customers to choose from many options.

While quality of the food served isn’t exceptional—the restaurant’s signature dish, the burgermeister is nothing too special and contains bacon bits rather than bacon strips—the affordability and atmosphere more than make up for it. The service is also a plus as diners are treated as friends rather than customers.

The restaurant hosts trivia night each Tuesday, which is open to the public. For those over 18 years of age, Meisters has karaoke every other Friday night as well as bingo every Saturday night.

Whether you want a simple family dinner or a night out on the town with friends, Meisters provides the perfect blend of affordable food and a fun atmosphere.

by Jake Rosenow staff reporter

by Hanifa Oketch staff reporter

Pizza Lucé

by Jack McCoy staff reporter If you’re looking for really good pizza in a laid-back environment, the brand-new Pizza Lucé location in Roseville is the perfect spot.

Located in a beautiful new building on Snelling Avenue, the Roseville restaurant is the newest branch of the Minnesota-based pizza chain. Founded in Minneapolis in 1993, Pizza Lucé has since expanded to seven locations in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area and one in Duluth.

At first glance, it’s clear that design was very important to the construction of the new Pizza Lucé. The building—which replaced the torn-down Countryside restaurant—is very modern and attractive with wooden decor all around the entrance. While the location is somewhat small, it never feels completely packed. There is also a very attractive patio that allows for outdoor seating in the warmer months.

Service is excellent and you can expect to get served quickly and efficiently. The waiters are very friendly and do their jobs well.

The menu has many different options, including salads, pasta, pizza and hoagies.

You can create your own pizza or choose from their massive list of specialty pizzas.

The menu has many different options, including salads, pasta, pizza and hoagies.

You can create your own pizza or choose from their massive list of specialty pizzas.

Some of their specialty pizzas include the Baked Potato Pizza, which has crust smothered with red mashed potatoes, and topped with tomatoes and broccoli, and the Fire Breathing Dragon, their spiciest pizza, which is topped with sweet chili sauce, spicy Jerk chicken or jerk tofu, pineapple salsa, green onions and smoked Gouda cheese. One of their classics, The Margherita was excellent, though different from usual margherita pizzas, with chopped tomatoes instead of full slices, most of the ingredients under the cheese, and more cheese than usual.

There are several vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available as well. Prices range widely for different food options, but small specialty pizzas are usually priced at about $13 while the large size is generally around $23.

With its great location, quick service and extensive menu, Pizza Lucé offers the ideal blend of a take-out pizza place and a true sitdown Italian restaurant experience.

photo by Eva Hoffman

reviews 9

friday, January 22, 2016

The Revenant is a masterpiece

by Matthew Cooper reviews editor About a year ago, the world saw the release of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), a movie that had no shortage of ambition or bravado. Birdman went on to win four Academy Awards for its incredible achievement in cinematography, stellar screenplay and phenomenal direction. After just one year, Iñárritu has returned with another modern masterpiece.

The Revenant is something on another level. It’s a two-and-a-half hour return to Hollywood epics; a story that’s harrowingly brutal, absolutely gorgeous, surreal, and superb in every aspect of filmmaking. It’s not exactly easy to sit through, nor will its deliberately slow and exhausting pace appeal to everyone, but that doesn’t stop The Revenant from being the best movie of 2015.

Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Hugh Glass, an experienced fur trapper and member of a hunting party in 1823 Montana and South Dakota. While temporarily separated from the rest of his party, Glass is mauled by a mother grizzly bear. On the brink of death, he is buried alive and abandoned by fellow trapper John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Against all odds, Glass crawls through the harsh winter climate with one goal in mind: revenge.

The Revenant is an exceptionally well told story of survival and vengeance. Mark L. Smith and Iñárritu’s screenplay puts less emphasis on dialogue (what little it does have is great). Instead, it uses the wilderness, dream sequences, flashbacks and DiCaprio’s masterful performance as Glass to differentiate itself from the likes of other lone survivor films.

And make no mistake, DiCaprio is phenomenal. His role in The Revenant is like nothing he has done before. With fewer lines than he usually gets, DiCaprio delivers a crushingly physical performance, perfectly conveying the pain and suffering Glass endured on the path to his revenge. DiCaprio clearly threw everything he had into the film, and it paid off. Rest assured, it’s time for that Oscar that people joke he will never receive.

But DiCaprio isn’t the only notable actor in The Revenant; Tom Hardy’s volatile portrayal of John Fitzgerald is also terrific. Hardy is one of the most versatile actors working today, and he can now add foul-mouthed, disgusting frontiersman to the list of characters he’s nailed (Hardy received his first Oscar nomination for the role).

Just as much of a star as DiCaprio and Hardy, Iñárritu delivers another directorial triumph. He knows exactly how to set up a

scene and exactly when to cut away. Iñárritu presents the brutality and the breathtaking scenery of The Revenant with the same expertise that he had in Birdman.

At Iñárritu’s side again is cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki. As with Birdman (and Gravity before it), Lubezki does absolutely astounding work behind the camera. Every shot in The Revenant could be framed and hung on the wall. The snowy wilderness has never been so perfectly captured on film before.

Lubezki’s latest accomplishment in cinematography was shooting The Revenant with only natural light sources, and the results speak for themselves. Wide shots of mountains, trees and rivers are dazzling, and scenes at nighttime are hauntingly beautiful. Beyond that, Lubezki also brings back his signature long takes. Extended tracking shots are all over the place, making the action seem even more violent and realistic. Even The Revenant’s horrific bear mauling is a single shot.

The bear-mauling sequence is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to brutality.

Every arrow piercing a frontiersman’s neck, every musket fired and every bloody wound feels authentic and realistic. The Revenant never lets up despite its slow pace. There are no moments that feel safe and the film builds to a magnificent, white knuckle showdown between DiCaprio and Hardy.

Rounding off The Revenant’s technical triumphs is an incredible attention to detail in the production and costume design. Every set and piece of clothing could have come straight out of the 1800s. The film feels as dirty and primal as the time period. The musical score

by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto is also fantastic. It’s not the type of soundtrack with iconic melodies that John Williams might write, but it’s incredibly atmospheric. Beating drums and a simple, sweeping melody add a lot to a film that is already so amazing.

There’s a certain level of overall quality that several movies from 2015 were sadly lacking. With The Revenant, Iñárritu has created another magnum opus—a film that’s nearly perfect on every level. The Revenant is a brutal, emotionally draining, extraordinarily beautiful achievement in almost every possible way. It won’t appeal to everybody (certainly not to the faint of heart), but there’s no better way to put it: The Revenant is one of the most wellcrafted films of all time.

The Verdict The Revenant is a modern masterpiece.

Spectacular on every level of filmmaking, this is why movies are made.

98

photo fair use from comingsoon.net

Concussion tackles football-related head injuries

by Errol Sadca staff reporter

Football is a big part of American culture. We argue over our favorite teams and connect with star players. When our favorite player is out with a concussion injury, we mourn their loss as if it were our own. Still, few of us understand the serious risks of these recurring head injuries in football. Now, one film is trying to bring those issues to light.

Concussion, directed by Peter Landesman, is a drama about the issue of concussions in American football. Will Smith plays Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist who discovers a degenerative disease called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) that results from frequent head trauma.

Omalu tries to raise awareness of the dangers he has

discovered, but is met with resistance from the NFL, which fears that Omalu will jeopardize the sport.

Throughout the film, the actors performed their roles very well. As Omalu, Will Smith once again shows his talents on the screen by conveying a broad range of emotions through a thick Nigerian accent. Alec Baldwin plays Dr. Julian Bailes, who helps Omalu expose the truth about CTE, but feels conflicted in his decisions.

Concussion keeps the audience engaged by adding humor and a relatable subplot. The film dives deeper into the life of Omalu as he struggles to start a family and fulfill his dream of making a life in America. Comic relief is inserted in order to lighten the mood and keep the story’s momentum going.

Unfortunately, the film’s unclear timeline might distract viewers from the interesting story. There are

occasional jumps from one year to the next that can make the plot hard to follow. The film’s conclusion is also a little too ambiguous, without enough resolution.

Overall, Concussion is an intriguing film. It tackles concerns that some people have with head injuries in football, and why they should not be ignored. This movie is definitely not only for football fanatics, but for anyone who wants an enjoyable and eye-opening experience.

The Verdict Concussion tells an intriguing story with a great lead performance from Will Smith.

85

10

Sports

Firday, January 22, 2016

No snow, no play Winter activities canceled due to nice weather

by Danny Gedig staff reporter Many of the winter sports at Mounds View depend on adequate snow cover. Although the holiday break saw plenty of snowfall, athletics and activities have suffered from the lack of precipitation early in the season.

Both the Nordic and Alpine ski teams have experienced delays concerning training and competition.

Nordic skiers haven’t been able to practice in real conditions; instead, they have been forced to practice on roller skis, which are equipment fitted with wheels to simulate cross-country skiing on dry land. Kristina Quanbeck, 11, hoped to make it to Sections this year, but she feels she won’t have the ability to compete.

“I just haven’t had the opportunity to work on my technique,” said Quanbeck. “You can have all the

endurance in the world, but if you don’t have technique, you don’t have much.”

Running has become another substitute for training, much to the dismay of skiers like Brooke Olsen, 12.

“We’re just running, and not truly training for our sport,” Olsen said.

This has also interfered with the Alpine ski season. Gillian Lerdahl, 10, hoped to compete in the first meet but was unable to rank due to the absence of time trials.

The unfortunate conditions don’t only affect organized sports; they interfere with extra-curricular activities too.

While artificial snow was being created on the slopes, melting caused ski resorts such as Afton Alps to close until further notice. This prevented the after-school Ski Club from meeting during the week.

cartoons by Clare Carroll and Eva Hoffman

“I was really disappointed,” said Mika Voges, 12. Voges said that even though he was let down, the lack of snow would have lead to a very poor skiing experience, if they could have even skied at all.

Students also participate in a wide variety of activities outside of school, including ice skating, sledding, and other outdoor recreation.

“I [was] bummed out because I wasn’t able to go sledding on Mustang Hill, which was something I was looking forward to all season,” said Maren Guptill, 12.

The previous absence of snow caused plenty of problems early on in the season, but if the recent snowfall lingers, the winter season can still be a success.

sports

Friday, JANUARY 22, 2016

11

Molly Hancuh Alumni soccer captain continues her career at the University of Minnesota-Morris photos courtesy of Ann Nash and Molly Hancuh

by Tigist Kiflu staff reporter After an outstanding freshman season at University of Minnesota-Morris where she won the UMAC Rookie of the Year Award, Molly Hancuh, 2014 graduate, continued her exceptional play this season, tying a school record of four goals in one game and receiving UMAC All-Conference First Team honors.

Hancuh started playing soccer when she was seven years old through a community team. While at Mounds View, she was a varsity member all four years, earning All-Conference honors in 2012 and 2013 and taking home the golden boot in 2012.

The Mounds View soccer program pushed Hancuh to get more out of herself. “Last year I started as a freshman, but that wasn’t enough for me,” she said. “I didn’t just want to start, I wanted to play every minute of every game. Mounds View’s competitive

tryouts and team instilled that in me.”

“As a freshman, I did better on the preseason fitness testing than anyone else. I completely credit that to the practices in high school that made me exhausted,” Hancuh added. “Playing at a school like Mounds View that was packed with talent also taught me to fight for my spot and not become complacent because there’s always someone looking to take my spot.”

According to Hancuh, college-level soccer is more competitive than soccer at the high school level.

“Teams are made of very high level players who, for the most part, have been drafted. Games are more high paced, more physical, and definitely more fun,” she said.

Hancuh also enjoys the fan base in college soccer.

“I’ve found college sports such as soccer, which aren’t the main sports in high school, like football, get a lot more fans and support at the college level,” she said.

“My friends, other athletes and students, professors, university workers, and even the chancellor either show up to games or come find me during the day to say they saw the game.”

Still, the recognition she appreciates most is that of her teammates’, which manifested last year when they awarded her the Quarterback Award.

“While it’s great to be admired by coaches, having my teammates call me the quarterback of the team, the one who organizes the field and controls the ball the most, made my entire year,” she said. “It felt great to know my teammates trust me like a football team trusts their quarterback.”

Although Hancuh enjoys receiving awards, she is already looking towards improving next season.

“My main goal is to win the UMAC playoffs and get to Nationals,” she said. “My team has the talent and the determination; we only need to continue to push ourselves to get to Nationals.”

Boys swim team welcomes divers

by Kailey Newcome staff reporter After a poor 2014-2015 season where they lost all their meets, the boys swim and dive team has rebounded with the addition of four new divers this year.

In previous years, the diving team has been miniscule compared to those of other schools. Two years ago, they had only one diver, while last year they had none at all.

For many years, this lack of participation prevented Mounds View from being a top competitor.

“Teams without diving suffer as far as scores go,” said dive coach John Karpe.

That changed this year. Two freshmen and two eighth graders joined the team.

“I have always been into acrobatics, and I thought diving would be a cool addition,” said Tad Tomczyk, 9.

With the addition of these divers, Mounds View secured victory at the first two meets of the season.

However, according to Tomczyk, they still have a ways to go.

“Every other team has experienced state divers and we only have first years, which makes it a bit of a challenge,” he said.

Still, Karpe has high hopes. “They are a very talented group of guys with some gymnastics and acrobatic type of history. They are working hard and learning a lot very quickly, so it’s been really fun to coach them,” he said.

Others have also taken notice of the divers’ promise this year.

“The divers have been doing very well. They have a lot of potential. It’s always fun to cheer for them,” said Albert Pan, 11, swimming co-captain.

The divers can perform up to 11 dives at their meets. They hope to have a complete set to put them in a good position for Sectionals.

“It would really boost our scores to be able to have this,” said Tomczyk.

Although they set high goals for themselves, the boys also enjoy their time on the team. “At first, I was only able to do front dives and maybe a flip.

Now, I can do reverse dives, back dives, and all types of flips,” said Tomczyk.

“It was an amazing experience to learn it with my friends.”

It’s still early in the season, but the boys show a lot of promise and are looking to make a splash in their meets this year.

photos by Eva Hoffman Josh Bowman, 9, practices diving in the Spring Lake Park pool. Four divers have joined the boys team this year, helping the team secure victories at its first two meets.

12 gallery

Friday, January 22, 2016

Shakespeare

Students breathe life into the bard

by Jonah Westerman staff reporter

photos by Clare Carroll

10 fun facts about Shakespeare 1. Shakespeare wore a gold hoop earring.

2. Nobody knows what Shakespeare did between 1585 and 1592.

3. Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, who was three months pregnant at the time.

4. The only thing Shakespeare left to his wife in his will was the second-best bed in his house.

5. Addiction, archvillain, cold-blooded, manager, and fashionable are a few of the many words Shakespeare invented that are still used today.

6. The moons circling around the planets of Uranus are mostly named after characters from Shakespeare’s plays.

7. Shakespeare wrote one-tenth of the most quoted lines every written or spoken in English.

8. Shakespeare never published any of his plays.

9. Shakespeare was also an established actor.

10. There are over 80 variations recorded for the spelling of Shakespeare’s name. information compiled by Rigney Cunningham from No Sweat Shakespeare and History Lists

Last week, Mounds View Shakespeare performed its production of The Merry Wives of Windsor to enthusiastic audiences of parents, teachers and friends.

“As stressful and chaotic as it was, I would do it all again just to experience the feeling of seeing it all come together,” said Siri Nelson, 12, one of the play’s directors.

The cast rehearsed daily in the auditorium for the past two months, but the production process started long before then.

“The directors began meeting almost immediately after last year’s show to decide on a new show and theme, and then kept meeting periodically throughout the year as we approached auditions,” said Nelson.

After auditions this fall, the cast and crew had about eight weeks to put together their performance.

Overseen by directors Nelson, Jacqui Bertelsen, Jordan Counihan, Matt St. Martin, Michael Masters, Sarah Roesler, and Käthe Trahan, Shakespeare worked hard to piece together all aspects of the production in time.

“It was one of the most stressful but also rewarding things that I’ve ever done. There’s a ton to keep track of,” said Masters, 12. He and the other directors are responsible for everything from managing the budget to setting the creative direction of the play.

Splitting up the work allows each director to be responsible for a certain part of the production.

Costuming Directors Roesler, 11, and Bertelsen, 11, oversaw the creation of historically accurate and visually appealing outfits for the cast.

“The first thing we did was research the time period. [The costumes] need to fit the storyline and be something we can feasibly produce within budget and at a nice quality,” said Bertelsen. From research to design to sewing, the whole process can take anywhere from three to 15 days per costume.

Meanwhile, the crew, led by Masters and Counihan, 12, was backstage working on the set, which was carefully crafted to provide a realistic feel.

“We try to draw inspiration from Shakespeare’s plays, and we try to make each piece capture the feel of the scene,” said Sienna Antzaras, 10.

“We painted everything, but not all of the wood needs to be cut. Sometimes we buy pre-cut wood, which is really nice.”

Shakespeare is a student-led production, which students say allows them more responsibility and more creative license with scenes.

“It’s different because there aren’t adults,” said Roesler. “I think that makes it really appealing… we have to figure out how to solve our own problems maturely, and not let our feelings get hurt when someone disagrees with us.”

Bertelsen also appreciates the extra leniency that she feels being studentled provides.

“We have a little more freedom to shake things up a bit,” she said.

When opening night arrives, everyone is in a flurry. Backstage, actors are rehearsing lines, costumers are adding last-minute touches, and crew members are setting up. But within the madness, there is a rhythm.

“Before each show, each part of theatre has traditions that we do like cheers or songs that help get everybody excited. A lot of work gets done,” said Masters.

After the last show, the group celebrates a job well done with a wrap party and a trip to Perkins. Shakespeare is more than just putting on a show; it is an experience.

“Shakespeare is important to have because it’s a time that, as students, we are allowed to show what we are really able to accomplish,” said Nelson.