Issue 11

www.mvviewer.org | Friday, May 1, 2015 | Volume 62, Issue 11

photo by Eva Hoffman

Anything but average

Students in the MV middle excel, but don’t know it

by Ryan Yoch staff reporter Carmyn Wahl, 11, knows where she stands when it comes to academic achievement at Mounds View. She has taken no AP classes thus far, received an ACT score slightly above the median, and is enrolled in two Early College courses.

Statistically speaking, she’s perfectly in the middle.

So why then, does she feel bad about it? Like most students, Carmyn gets a little uncomfortable when sharing her ACT score, but her “guilt” over being in the middle led her to go as far as apologizing to me when she said she hasn’t taken any AP classes yet.

And Carmyn is not alone. Because Mounds View excels in its support for the top of the academic pyramid, the students that fall in the middle sometimes feel as if they’re being pulled upwards.

“It’s all about college, everything is about college,” said Carmyn. “You have to take your AP classes so you can look better on your transcript. I think there is a lot of pressure from Mounds View to take the hardest classes.”

Others, like Peter Ray, 12, say that some of the pressure stems from an intangible “divide” that separates the top from the middle. Instead of feeling like they can take just one or two AP classes, the perceived AP gap forces many students to choose whether they want to be a “normal student” or an “AP student” immediately upon entering freshman year.

“I never really saw myself as an AP student,” said Peter. “What comes to mind is math… you have to start [in the advanced classes] freshman year, and if you don’t, you can’t move up or move down.”

Aaron Zerfas, 12, agreed. “Throughout high school, I never really saw the friends who were in AP classes,” said Aaron. “There’s a pretty clear divide between the standard AP students and the non-AP students.”

The Early College program was designed primarily to help the 30th to 70th percentiles and has made great

IN THIS ISSUE

strides in helping families afford the cost of college, but it doesn’t always bridge the gap between regular and AP. Though some courses, such as next-year’s ARCC physics class, do happen to fall in between, other ARCC classes simply replace a regular-level course.

Different classes, however, are not the only thing that set the middle apart. Test scores, especially on the ACT, often play a large role in how kids see themselves and see others, whether they like it or not.

“A lot of people don’t know my score,” said Peter.

“I know a lot of people will be like, ‘What did you get on your ACT?’ and they will immediately judge you and think they know what kind of student you are based on your ACT and your GPA.” Mounds View’s median ACT score is 25, two points above the Minnesota median and four points above the national one. When added to a “culture of comparison,” some students wind up feeling like they aren’t good enough.

“I feel average, completely average,” admitted Carmyn. “Sometimes I wish Mounds View wasn’t as good of a school because then I might feel better about my scores.”

This sentiment, that Mounds View’s middle is higher achieving than that of other competing high schools, is shared by many students and staff.

“There’s definitely a Mounds View middle here that does quite well,” said Associate Principal Doug Bullinger.

“If you moved them to a lot of different schools in the metro, they would be seen by other students as those ‘AP students.’”

Though kids are encouraged to take at least one college-level course before they graduate, the administration at Mounds View says it has worked hard to promote the idea of balance.

“I think our students really need to understand that they are quite good,” added Bullinger. “We want you to be successful and we want you to push yourself, but we also want you to be a teenager. Within reason.”

IN FEATURES 5

IN SPORTS 11

“WHAT’S YOUR STORY?”

OUT OF OUR LEAGUE

IN GALLERY 12

BY THE NUMBERS

25

Median MV ACT score

23

Median MN ACT score

3.19

Median unweighted 4-year GPA

2

Median number of AP classes taken by senior year

78.6

% of total AP students at MV with scores 3+

information compiled by Ryan Yoch

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May 1, 2015

Senior Retreat: Student Reactions “It was nice to connect with your class.”

- Andy Glishinski

“I thought it was definitely worth going to.”

- Shannon O’Brien

Was the senior retreat rewarding?

Yes

A meaningful conclusion On Tuesday, April 21, the senior class was invited to Incarnation Lutheran Church for a senior class retreat, designed to give the outgoing class a chance to talk about their experiences, the lessons they’ve learned, and the people who’ve influenced them.

It’s a shame that many seniors didn’t go to the event, and most that did left after lunch, scared away by the ice-breakers.

Let’s make one thing clear: The activities planned for the first half of the day were clearly not designed for a group of eighteen year-olds.

Including multiple ways to play rock-paper-scissors, threading a spoon on a string through our shirts, and creating brief performances based around songs that feature the word “baby,” it’s no wonder that people took off at the earliest opportunity.

While I don’t blame those who left at lunchtime, those that fled missed out on the actually important part. Following the games, we moved into a variety of discussions and lessons.

We started with an activity where we could nominate someone

“It ran kind of long.”

- Jake Dingman

No

Yes

important to us, bring them in front of the crowd, and say something to them.

Some people thanked friends that influenced them, others took the opportunity to apologize for past grievances, and a few called the attention of the crowd to an overlooked individual.

The next activity was the longest and most rewarding. It started off with anecdotes and moved into the main lesson: that both successes and failures are necessary to become truly wise.

After a stirring musical performance, we closed out with a modified version of the “campfire” they offer to freshmen -- not talking about values as much as congratulating each other on a job well done. This was a fantastic way to end this day, and gave us all a low-key way to speak our minds without fear.

I’m not saying the event was perfect -- it had many flaws. What seems certain, though, is that people who fled the irritations at the start missed out on a truly superb end. We can only hope that future senior retreats, if any, will have more success.

No

“The ratio of seriousness to games was a little bit off.”

- Anne Walberg

Too many games I normally throw myself into things like this. I came into the senior wisdom retreat with high hopes, expecting a day filled with fun, games, and reflection. I finished the day feeling like I had gotten one of those three things.

I completely understand the need to warm-up before beginning the more serious portions of the day. There’s no way you can expect a few hundred kids to roll out of bed and be ready to reflect -- but you can only play rock, paper, scissors for so long.

Instead of doing the light-hearted introductory activities for 30 minutes and the serious discussions for four hours, we spent nearly the entire day singing and running spoons through our shirts -- a whole separate editorial could be written just on that game, by the way -- leaving only 25 minutes for the final campfire. This imbalance in activities left many seniors with a sense of disappointment, as if they wanted to get closure, but couldn’t.

And those were just the ones who stayed.

Though perfect attendance

is practically impossible for an event like this, the day started with around 250 kids. By lunch time, there were around 120.

You can’t blame them for leaving.

With cars, keys, and a growing sense of independence, seniors are more likely to skip out on a retreat than any other high school class.

To get us to stay, retreats have to make us feel like they are doing something worthwhile.

If this retreat is to continue, things need to change. Word has gotten out to the junior class that the retreat was disappointing, so next year’s retreat will likely have even fewer students in attendance.

The only way to win the students back is to make the retreat into something that students will actually value by cutting the fluff and getting straight to the point. There needs to be less games, more small group discussions, and a whole lot more opportunities to reflect.

In short, if you want us to reflect on our childhood, you can’t treat us like we’re still in it.

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Correction: A photo credit on p. 8 (Issue 10) should have been properly attributed to the Minnesota Zoo, not the Como Zoo.

editorials 3 Disturbing disenfranchisement Student May 1, 2015

by Furqan Syed staff reporter 239 years ago, our founding fathers fought for natural rights: the abilities to protest, to speak freely, and perhaps most importantly, to have a say in how the government is run.

However, the state of Minnesota is still clinging to the use of disfranchisement: the revocation of the right to vote. Currently, judges can discriminatorily use disfranchisement against many ex-criminals who may have only committed minor crimes.

Voting is a right, and an easy way to help ex-criminals transition back into law-abiding and productive members of society.

However, there are currently 47,000 Minnesotans who are under post-release supervision, but can’t vote until they’re “off paper.” This process can take years to complete. 18 other states have already taken the leap to grant voting rights, and Minnesota should proudly join this emerging trend.

Some try to make the point that allowing criminals to vote could somehow incentivize

crime as people will be less afraid of committing crime.

What this argument ignores is that the Chair of Public Safety and Crime Prevention, Tony Cornish, is the author of the proposed bill to grant voting rights to ex-criminals. Cornish is also a former policeman, and thus has a lot of expertise on how to prevent crime.

According to the “Restore the Vote” website, studies have shown that criminals who are released in states that restore voting rights to ex-criminals are less likely to be arrested again than criminals released in states that don’t restore voting rights.

Some conservatives claim that granting voting rights is too drastic of a change.

However, the movement for ex-criminal voting rights isn’t something foreign to Minnesota. The “Restore the Vote” movement in Minnesota has existed for close to 13 years, and has support from groups coming from various religious, political, and social groups.

Laws are already being made to help ex-criminals. For example, a law that went in effect on Jan. 1 makes it easier for Minnesotans convicted of

low-level felonies to hide parts of their records in background checks by having their records sealed two to five years after a completed sentence.

This issue isn’t small.

The percentage of voting age Minnesotans who can’t vote due to criminal convictions has increased over 400 percent since 1974. Ex-criminals shouldn’t be alienated; they need to be fully welcomed back to stop repeat offenders.

While one might make the point that ex-criminals aren’t as educated as the rest of the population, there is no current education requirement for voting, and having one would be contradictory to the idea of everyone having a say in the government. Trying to stereotype the behavior or

personality of all criminals is just empty ad hominem rhetoric that detracts from the real issue. The real focus should be on the fact that basic rights have been stripped unjustifiably from people that are living and working in our state.

Many ex-criminals are law-abiding, working members of our state. They pay taxes, have jobs, and have families.

It’s only reasonable that they have some voice in their community. It’s clear that Minnesotans need and want bigger reform for ex-criminal rights. American freedom is at stake here, and it’s up to us to make the choice of whether or not we value that freedom.

VIEWS

“Felons shouldn’t vote because they are more likely to vote for the wrong person to run our country.”

-Lahiri Naikwad 10

Should felons be able to vote?

No 28 percent Yes 72 percent

1464 votes

source: msnbc.com

“[Felons] shouldn’t vote because for those that didn’t commit any crimes, we should get our privileges, while the felons should be punished without the privileges of voting.”

-Emma Hoyhtya, 9 photos by Josh Yuan

Don’t let fake story distract from real issue

by Kyoka Millard managing editor-design In Dec. 2014, Rolling Stone writer Sabrina Erdely found herself in the national spotlight for a controversial article she had written.

Erdely’s article told the story of a student named “Jackie” who had allegedly been gang-raped as part of a fraternity initiation at the University of Virginia and the ineffective action taken by the university to help her. The outcry stemming from the publication caused the university to temporarily suspend all fraternities, and several marches were orchestrated on campus including one organized by UVA faculty.

It was a bleak account of an issue that’s heard about all too often, but rarely ever resolved. With Erdely’s story, it seemed as if finally, the subject of sexual assault on campus would get the attention it deserved, and that now, more college administrations would begin taking preventive steps on the matter instead of casting it aside.

However, just as soon as Erdely’s story had earned the nation’s respect, it lost it. Soon after its publication, the article became scrutinized for the many holes it contained. It became clear that Erdely’s account was false, and that there was no evidence to

Editor opinions What your Viewer editors think of various issues.

this should not be taken as a sign that all accounts of sexual assault on campus are too. According to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, one in four college women will be the victim of sexual assault during her university years. There is a rape incident every 21 hours on a college campus. Yet, in the United States, only 2 percent of rapists will ever serve a day in prison.

In an age where victims are silenced and criminalized while perpetrators walk free, it’s easy to see how Erdely’s fabricated article could be used as an anthem for diminishing the truth about assault on campus.

While Erdely’s story, as the Columbia School of Journalism put it, is a journalistic failure, it is not a photo fair use from Rolling Stone Magazine failure regarding the truth of sexual violence among college students. It should not be used as a way to support that the alleged assault ever happened. support that most victims’ claims are false, but as a The Columbia Journalism Review called it “The cautionary tale for accurate reporting.

Worst Journalism of 2014,” as Erdely and her editors Sexual violence, especially on campus, is an had failed to meet basic fact-checking criteria and issue; though this one story may have been false, there did not interview other witnesses until after the fact.

Rolling Stone was forced to retract the story, and UVA are a thousand more stories that are true. Erdely’s poor journalism should not be used as an excuse for reinstated their fraternities, while the Charlottesville anyone---whether that be a college administrator, a Police Department suspended its investigation. student, or a bystander---to not take action on ending a Though Erdely’s specific story may be false, real problem for young women all across the country.

“Why shouldn’t felons vote?”

-Clara Wang editorials editor

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-Nolan Carlson-Stevermer sports editor

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-Nina Bertelsen business manager

“I know I’m not the only one who has a playlist specifically designed to make me sad about leaving for college.”

-Ryan Yoch staff writer

4 features

May 1, 2015

photo courtesy of Patricia Garcia

photo courtesy of Table Tennis Minnesota

Su-ited up for success

by Alex Jiang staff reporter

On the court, on the stage, and in the classroom, this girl is always one step ahead. While some consider freshman year as the year to adjust, Emily Su, 9, is already more than comfortable testing her limits and pursuing her passions.

Su has made significant accomplishments in her 9th grade year of high school. Achievements across the board in activities like Table Tennis, Speech Team, and Science Olympiad -- along with very challenging classes -- have set her standards high for her Mounds View career.

Su has been with Table Tennis the longest out of any of her main activities, but still only started about two years ago. She is currently ranked third in the state for women, and she traveled with the MV Ball Squad to take first in both the co-ed and girls state tournaments this year. She owns a ball feeder to help train and keep her skills sharp for each match. “[Table Tennis has] been a very competitive experience,” said Su. “It’s exercised my mentality to a degree which I am not used to, and I’m looking forward to progressing in the future.” Su has been declared the captain of the tentative Girls Table Tennis Team next year.

An achievement that was less expected of Su was

Teacher of the Issue

Matt Washenberger Physics

her first-year success with the Speech Team. She has received an assortment of fourth through first places across the meets, as well as qualifying for the state tournament.

“It’s a lot different from the other activities I am currently in, and I’ve learned so much,” said Su. “The team spirit is so strong and it feels like such a close community.”

Her intense involvement with Table Tennis and Speech Team has not hindered her academic side, however. Earlier in the year, Su participated in Science Olympiad, winning gold medals in both the Code Busters and Forensics events at her first meet. She is also enrolled in two AP classes and the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP), a rigorous schedule for any freshman.

“I try to balance everything out in an orderly fashion,” said Su, “but sometimes I procrastinate and need last minute stress [to] carry me through. It’s a lot of work, and it’s tough, but I know I can do it.”

High school as a whole has a had a profound effect on Su and how she views herself. “I feel like I’ve become a lot more open and social,” said Su. “I’ve also come to meet a variety of students and teachers, all of whom have helped me realize that I should go after what I want and be open to everyone.”

While Su is still unsure of what she wants to pursue in the future, she knows that she has three strong years of high school ahead of her to figure it out. She’s hit the ground running her freshman year and hopes to continue that stride throughout the rest of her time at Mounds View.

“I can’t wait to meet new people and learn more about [myself],” said Su. “The year’s been lots of fun so far, and all the upperclassmen [have been] so nice.

I really hope that the next few years will be as great as this one.”

All About Emily Q:Favorite movie?

A: The Prestige Q: Most memorable achievement?

A: Learning to ripstik Q: Favorite teacher?

A: Mrs. Sheppard Q: What makes you cool?

A: My sarcasm

Q: How long have you been teaching?

A: I have been teaching since… forever it seems. I started teaching in 1992 and have been at Mounds View since 1998.

Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?

A: I would like to begin with Alaska, then Australia...

Q: When did you begin to love physics?

A: I have always been interested in the way things work. My dad inspired me as a kid when he would bring home old cars, and we would bring them back to life. My physics class in high school gave me a deeper appreciation for those mechanical things.

Q: What would the theme of your physics fair project be?

A: I have always wanted to do a project which would be a diorama of a year in my physics class. Every unit of the year would be represented by a component in the project in the order that it is covered in the class. It would start with a ball rolling down a ramp (1-D kinematics) the the catapult would shoot a ball (2-D Motion) etc.

Q: What inspired you to become a teacher?

While in college I was also working as a youth director for a church in Saint Paul.

I found that I really enjoyed working with teen-aged people in that job, which influenced me to explore becoming a teacher.

Q: If you couldn’t be a physics teacher, what would you be?

A: Mechanical engineer… or maybe heavy equipment operator. Big machines have always fascinated me Q: What is your favorite TV show?

A: The Big Bang Theory

Q: If you could take a class from anyone who would it be?

A: Stephen Hawking.

Q: What is the one school rule you wish we could change?

A: No cell phones in school. I like mine too and I don’t even have a smartphone. But if students can be a level 79 on Clash of Clans and send 7500+ texts in a month, they should be able to get a B on a Physics Test and turn assignments in on time.

Q:Who are you inspired by?

A: Chris Burandt, the guy from Slednecks.

I love to ride snowmobiles in the winter and that guy just makes it look like way more fun than the riding I do.

Q: What do you do for fun?

A: I guess I would have to say I like power-sports (sorry environment). I have a snowmobile, jet ski, boat, ATV. Something for all seasons.

Q: Was there ever a time when you didn’t like physics?

A: Yes, quite often in college when my data during a lab wouldn’t work out. Or the time that I finally finished my project for my digital electronics class, I went to present it to my professor and realized as I powered it up that someone had removed four essential integrated circuit chips that took a month to get.

That dropped my grade from an A to a B. Q: You are stranded on an island, which one of your colleagues do you take with you and why?

A: Mr. Barhan. He could make a boat out of a sea shell and he can make anything taste gourmet. information compiled by Emily Moses

May 1, 2015

features 5

HOMV creators May Li and Livia Masci, 12, created a facebook page to tell the life stories of Mounds View’s students.

‘So, what’s your story?’

by Persis Ke sports editor Over a two-week span in early April, Humans of Mounds View (HOMV) grew from just over 50 likes to over 300.

May Li, 12, who founded the site with fellow senior Livia Masci, was humbled by the explosive growth.

“Although our goal is not to reach a specific amount of Facebook likes, it is always nice to know that we are doing something that other people appreciate,” Li said.

Li was inspired to create HOMV after following the popular site, Humans of New York (HONY).

Since she didn’t want to run the project by herself, she invited Masci, a fellow photography aficionado, to join her.

“She knew I liked photography so she was just like, ‘Oh, I have this thing in mind…’” said Masci.

“She was just looking for somebody...who had the same passion and would like to [help with] the project.”

“

Although HOMV has been in motion since January, the site was not created until April.

“It took some time to get it started because...we wanted some photos to be up there when the website was published,” Li said. “And also we needed to get the cover photo and the profile pictures, as well as get permission from Madison to do it.”

While the process took longer than expected, the extra time has allowed for a smoother transition into the social networking world.

As of April 27, 11 pictures have already been posted, and more are added to the site most school days.

Li and Masci are responsible for most of the posts on the Facebook page. The two work together to collect stories and take pictures.

“She’s been doing the pictures, and I’ve been doing the interviewing,” Li said. “When we go out and do it, there should always be two people, since it’s easier that way for one person to ask and record and the other one to take pictures.”

Both girls are fairly comfortable with the inter-

‘’I got robbed in Mexico. I got robbed – my phone and my wallet. I got punched in the face. I was looking for a taxi downtown. I was alone because I lost the rest of my group.’’

“

-Jesse Elder, 12

A lot more than just cooking Another class, Foods of the World, has its core in providing an insight into foods from other cultures. “[It] is really geared towards understanding a culture, the foods that they eat… and not putting a food down just because you don’t think it tastes good, but trying something new,” said Julie Coopet, Family and Consumer Science teacher.

On the other hand, Foods for Life focuses on practical skills and nutritional values to practice in everyday life. “[In the class,] you take a practical life skill and we kind of fold it over into Foods class,” said Coopet. “It’s about how food relates to our mental wellbeing.”

Teaching at Mounds View for over a decade, Coopet has always appreciated Foods and emphasizes its importance.

viewing and photographing process, but they admit the project has its difficulties.

“I think that it’s difficult to come up with good questions,” Li said. “I think it’s really difficult or awkward to get people to expand on what they first say.”

Masci agrees with Li. “People feel more uncomfortable,” added Masci. “We know what we’re doing, [but] they’re just like, ‘What’s going on?’”

Li and Masci believes that HOMV is a lot more than just taking pictures and asking questions.

“The whole thing is, you get to know people that you would never talk to before and you see how everyone has a potential – like a story to tell you – and it’s really fun,” said Masci.

Li agrees with Masci. “It’s taught me that you can match photography with someone or something and bring a story to life,” said Li. She added, “...it’s people and a quote, and I think that’s why it’s so special – because you have a picture and a story. It’s not complete without one of them.”

Q: “What makes you happy?”

A: “Seeing everyone I know and fist bumping people in the hallway. I spread the joy of fist bumping.”

-Mario Castelli, 12

by Kevin Sabeti-Osied staff reporter Whether preparing salads or baking muffins, students enrolled in any of the three Foods courses are always making delicious, mouth-watering food.

While each class provides students with an understanding of nutrition and preparation, the three courses have different main focuses. In the most basic class, Foods, students learn fundamental essentials to cooking and the basic processes in preparing food. The first few days of each unit revolve around learning about a food’s background information. Then comes the fun part—labs.

“They’re fun,” said Tyler Fredlund, 11. “Kind of upbeat, everyone’s working together, trying to make the best recipe. [It’s] kind of a competition to see who can make the better product.”

photos courtesy of HOMV

“It’s something that we don’t appreciate... How are you going to take care of yourself after high school?” asked Coopet. “You will not eat everything frozen out of the microwave with a plastic spork,” she added.

Countering the belief that Foods is just an easy class, Coopet stresses its true, real-life importance.

“It would insult me if [students] said they wanted an easy class. If they said [they] wanted a fun class, yeah, it’s fun, but you’re going to learn something that you’re going to use and actually apply to your life and I don’t think we realize it,” said Coopet. “I think we have to appreciate every class at Mounds photos by Hana Gulli View for what it offers. Learning how Top: Tyler Fredlund, 11, slices a potato. to take care of yourself and understand the importance of nutrition is extremely Bottom: Coopet and the Foods class. important.”

“Rolling In The Deep,” Adele - Song of the Year “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites”, Skrillex Best Dance Recording Wasting Light, Foo Fighters - Best Rock Album Hunger Games (March 23) Pitch Perfect (September 28) The Avengers (May 4) Mounds View Principal: Julie Wikelius

“We Are Young”, Fun - Song of the Year “Somebody That I Used to Know”, Gotye Record of the Year Babel, Mumford & Sons - Album of the Year Orange is the New Black (July 11)

by Katie Karjalahti staff reporter The Class of 2015 walked into high school gangly and naive, worried about where they would fit in on the social ladder of Mounds View. Four years later, many high schoolers reflect back on how they have changed and been shaped by their classes, activities and friends.

For some, the transition into high school and the incoming focus on the future was relatively easy.

Catie Ray, 12, was one of these students.

“At the beginning of high school, [the motivation] was more of wanting to get good grades and know that I have a future I need to think about,” she said.

Other students were more unsure of their years ahead.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do for the rest of my life. I didn’t know what colleges I wanted.

I didn’t know anything, but then, I just really didn’t know how high school or college worked,” said Ouyang Xu, 12.

Xu’s drive changed afte realized that she needed to s decisions about her future. T to do better throughout high “Sophomore year was l to do stuff,’” said Xu, “but really need to do stuff.”

Unlike Xu, Ray was or the social aspect of high sch known as someone who lef Mounds View.

“I want to be known as student, and I want the teac hardworking student, but al not shy, student,” she said.

Although Ray and Xu p other students struggled to a 12, the transition from midd acted as an obstruction in th had trouble getting to class the homework, but, wanting provoked him to do better i

Mounds View Principal: Jeff Ericson 80/20 grading system

“Royals,” Lorde - Song of the Year Random Access Memories, Daft Punk - Album of the Year The Heist, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Best Rap Album

w Kelly Clarkson c American Idol

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Apple launches iTunes and sells 10 million songs within 4 months

Beyonce released her first solo album

Maze Runner (September 18)

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Principal: Jeff Ridlehoover

Boston Red Sox wins World Series for the first time in 86 years Friends airs series finale

“Stay With Me”, Sam Smith - Song of the Year “Rather B”, Clean Bandit - Best Dance Recording “The Monster”, Eminem (feat. Rihanna) - Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

Massachusetts becomes the first state to legalize gay marriage

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YouTube created

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er freshmen year when she start working hard to make This realization pushed her h school. like, ‘Oh my gosh, I need then junior year was like, I

riginally more focused on hool, and wanted to be ft a positive influence at

s a good friend and a good chers to remember me as a lso as a well rounded, but

planned their paths early, adjust. For Jordan Besser, dle school to high school he way of his grades. He on time and turning in g to get his grades up, it in school.

Over time, Besser says, his incentive changed from doing well in high school to leaving a legacy. “I want to leave that I was kind,” said Besser, “that I was respectful to people-- that I will keep relationships with people.”

Similarly, Ray believes that people will remember her as a good student, but she doesn’t consider this her legacy.

“My biggest achievement in high school was going up the ranks in theater: becoming stage manager and then crew captain,” Ray said. “It taught me a lot about responsibility and leadership and how to manage people.”

At the end of four years, Xu said she looks, again, towards the future rather than the past.

“I don’t really believe in regrets… If it works out, well, then yay, but if it doesn’t work out well, you learned something, and then hopefully, I won’t make that same mistake when it is more important in the future,” she said.

Bill Clinton impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice

1999 U.S. women’s soccer team wins the FIFA Women’s World Cup champions MySpace introduced to the Internet

0 0 0

2 ssey Mars Ody d is launche

wins first contest

2002

the The Euro becomes official currency of ean welve of the Europ Union’s Members

2001

9/11

s online ing Royal Wedd

oe Wikipedia g

Shrek released

Y2K passes without widespread computer failures that had been predicted

Bush’s victory over Gore is delayed a month over disputed votes in Florida

“Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy repealed Occupy Wall St. protests

2011

Instagram launched

Burj Khalifa becomes world’s tallest building 2002- Kindergarten

2015-Senior Year

Gallon of Gas

$1.23

$2.38

Movie Ticket

$5.80

$8.17

Gallon of Whole Milk

$2.68

$3.82

Tuition at U of MN

2006

rina

Facebook opened to the public

Twitter created

$5,720

2010

World Health Organization declares H1N1 a global pandemic First 3D printer commercially available

$12,060

2007

Skinny jeans enter mainstream fashion

Final episode of Lost airs

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book released

Netflix offers streaming

Writer’s Guild of America strike ends

2008

First iPhone released

Obama elected over McCain

2009

Michael Phelps wins a record 8 Olympic gold medals

8 variety

May 1, 2015

e t i B om

r P t c e f er

P e Th

Macaroni Grill

by Aaron Adams variety editor One of the best budget Italian restaurants in the Twin Cities, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, is a great Prom dinner restaurant. With their commitment to Italian heritage, great food, large portions, courteous staff, and inexpensive options, Macaroni Grill is the ultimate package.

The first thing to notice is the atmosphere.

The wood-based architecture and hanging lights manage to create an ambiance that is both intimate and somewhat rustic.

Adding to the ambiance is the Italian theme. Many restaurants serve Italian food, but few embrace the culture like Macaroni Grill.

For example, they play Italian language lessons alongside background music in the restrooms.

The most important part of any restaurant is the food, and Macaroni Grill excels in both value and taste. The portions are huge, making it perfect to share a dish with a date.

Not only are the portions perfect for a date, but the food is delicious and satisfying.

The depth of the menu is staggering; from pizza to pasta, and fish to “fatbreads,” (defined as “The anti-flatbread, for crust lovers.”) you’re bound to find something you like.

To top it all off, the staff are welcoming and the price isn’t outlandish. I messed up my order, and my waiter was willing to work with me. After purchasing four dishes the price wasn’t much more than $50.

In conclusion, Macaroni Grill is a phenomenal place to eat, and with its inexpensive, delicious fare, and great ambiance,

Pizza Luce

by Taylor Graw staff reporter

With four convenient locations around the Twin Cities, Pizza Luce is the self proclaimed “Best Pizza Place in Minnesota.”

This year’s Prom is being held in Minneapolis, making Pizza Luce a convenient and affordable dinner destination.

There are two options in the city: one in Downtown Minneapolis and one in Uptown Minneapolis. There’s also one in the quirky Seward area near the University of Minnesota campus, and another one on St. Paul’s Selby Ave. Although best known for their pizza, Pizza Luce offers a wide variety of Italian food such as a “Beef Italiano Sandwich,” an Italian beef sandwich with spicy giardiniera vegetables, and “Lasagna Abruzzi,” lasagna with italian sausage and homemade tomato

photo by Taylor Graw

One of the many delicious pizzas served at Pizza Luce.

sauce.

From pepperoni to baked potato, Pizza Luce has a wide variety of pizzas to offer. You can even build

photo by Eva Hoffman

The classic exterior of the Macaroni Grill, as seen from the Rosedale Mall.

it’s sure to be a popular pick this Prom season.

your own pizza and customize the crust, sauce, meat, and cheese.

Pizzas range from $10 for their smallest size to $20 for larger sizes that serve up to five. They also have an impressive dessert and appetizer selection that includes a variety of options like bruschetta, an Italian bread topped with cheese, and fresh tomato and key lime custard.

With small, intimate restaurants and a nice patio space, Pizza Luce is great for Prom parties, especially the Downtown Minneapolis location, which has a rentable party room.

The cuisine and atmosphere are excellent, and the cost of eating there is lower than you’d expect. For fresh ingredients and handmade sauces and crusts, it is well worth the money.

Pizza Luce upgrades the classic party dinner option by offering a variety of specialty pizzas and upscale cafe vibe, but is still budget friendly.

Buca-di-Beppo

by Aaron Voiovich staff reporter

With Prom just around the corner, many students are planning their dates and making reservations at fancy restaurants all around the twin cities. Buca di Beppo is one such restaurant, offering an Italian theme and cuisine.

The authentic, beautiful decorations and compact atmosphere are lovely, but the most important part of a restaurant is the food. Buca di Beppo offers authentic Italian dishes such as pasta, Italian salads, and pizza.

All of the dishes at Buca di Beppo portions are “family sized” – big enough to share with several friends. There are two sizes of dishes: the “Buca

Small” designed to serve two and the “Buca Large” for four or more. These large portions make the perfect meal to share with a Prom date.

The staff at Buca di Beppo are extremely kind and outgoing, providing an enjoyable and entertaining experience with fantastic service. On top of that, the clientele are some of the friendliest I’ve met on assignment and certainly left an impression. While I was waiting in the takeout area another customer offered me his gift card worth 9 dollars and 33 cents. It was this generosity coupled with the great service that made my experience so memorable.

With beautiful decorations, an extensive cuisine, and excellent service, Buca di Beppo is the perfect restaurant to plan a Prom dinner.

photo by Aaron Voiovich

Buca di Beppo features a nostaligic style which only adds to the charm

May 1, 2015

reviews 9

photos fair use from mtv.com, wallstcheatsheet.com, zap2it. com, and abcnews.go.com

Superheroes on the small screen Trapped in its brother’s shadow

by Matthew Cooper staff reporter The Marvel Cinematic Universe has given birth to some of the most entertaining and successful comic book movies since its inception in 2008. With a constantly expanding collection of characters and sub-franchises, it was only a matter of time before the big screen wasn’t enough.

Unfortunately, Marvel Studios’ first attempt at a television show, Agents of SHIELD, never quite managed to capture the brilliant fun of its feature length, big budget counterparts.

Set after the events of Iron Man 3, the series follows Agent Coulson as he leads five other SHIELD agents to deal with any major global threat that comes along. Ranging from alien artifacts to nefarious criminal organizations, the subject of the episodes is constantly fluctuating.

Those involving more fantastical elements tend to be weaker and cheesier, while the more serious ones, akin to old fashion spy thrillers, can be rather good.

However, the second season fully embraces its comic book origins. The show has begun to feel like Marvel is using it

to test if audiences will accept supernatural storylines with a warm embrace or a hateful slap to the face. This unfortunately holds the show back from ever feeling like its own entity. Instead, Agents of SHIELD usually comes across as being forever tied to its billion dollar equivalent and never allowed to become a standalone title.

The entire premise for the show also seems like a giant copout. Agent Coulson’s death in The Avengers acts as the uniting force behind that team’s assembly.

Immediately bringing the fanfavorite character back from the dead undermines the significance of it. Clark Gregg is as fun to watch as always, but Agents of SHIELD also wastes too much time building up to the reason for his resurrection. By the time it is finally revealed, it is extremely anticlimactic.

Agents of SHIELD isn’t a bad show, but at its best it is only good, and at its worst it is just bland. Perhaps a different premise could have made for a more successful first outing into the realm of television, but all this suggests is that Marvel Studios might want to stick with movies.

Justice is blind

by Jackson Hoemann staff reporter When one thinks movies or TV shows based off a Marvel comics franchise, the usual thought is a blockbuster action film with a combination of comedic elements and dazzling special effects. But Marvel Studios is taking its next project in a different direction, offering a dark and gritty series based off a property known in part for its violent vigilantism.

Daredevil tells the story of Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a lawyer who, blinded by nuclear waste as a child He uses his other senses, now extremely heightened, to fight the gangs and criminals that roam the streets of an area of New York known as Hell’s Kitchen. The series was created by Drew Goddard and stars Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, and Vincent D’Onofrio.

Goddard and the other writers do an astounding job of creating the atmosphere of the series, one where a corrupt police system working with a villainous business empire fails to keep the peace in a New York ravaged by crime and poverty. Those that populate it do their best to spark change. Combine that with great

cinematography, including a fight scene at the end of the second episode that is done in only one take, and the show feels more like a 13 hour-long movie than just a TV show.

The cast does an excellent job working off the great writing.

Cox, Woll, and Henson play the three main characters on their own, and together they have great chemistry. D’Onofrio stands out among the supporting cast as the Kingpin, the main villain of the series, and plays him as a ruthless businessman who runs everything like a corporation.

For some viewers, there can be a downside. Daredevil is more violent and gory than most of the movies and TV shows created

by Marvel. This fits the show’s atmosphere and direction, but can be somewhat off-putting to viewers more used to the studio’s previous projects.

Daredevil is a show that provides a completely different experience for the viewer, and although some may not tolerate the violence, the show creates a great atmosphere for the darker side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

10 sports Sharpening her skills May 1, 2015

Junior Lucy Wagner’s extraordinary hobby

by Jordan Counihan staff reporter When you think of sports, the first thing that comes to mind typically isn’t knife throwing. But to Lucy Wagner, knife throwing is a sport, an art, and a passion.

“It gives you a really cool sense of control when you hit the target. It’s one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever experienced.”

Wagner, who also practices kick boxing and taekwondo, says she sees knife throwing as an extension of those activities.

“A lot of martial arts is about breathing; controlling your breathing helps you be more accurate when you’re throwing.”

The activity started small but grew into something more for Wagner “I started out throwing kitchen knives from the thrift store. Once you master that you can pretty much throw anything. I’ve thrown forks, and when I actually get weighted knives to throw, it’s so much easier.”

Wagner has been throwing knives in her free time for two years. Her fascination started as an interest in self defence that quickly sprang into something more after the debut of the movie Divergent.

“When I first saw Divergent, I really connected with it. My whole theme for myself is that I want to be different, and I don’t mean to be cheesy, but the whole idea of ‘Divergent’ is that you’re different than everyone else.”

“

Her muse is the main character, Tris.

“Tris is just such a strong As a girl there is girl in the movie, she is so strong and confident. I want the stigma that for myself and those girls are wimpy.” that around me. ” She sees Tris as a strong role model for girls -Lucy Wagner, 11 everywhere.

“As a girl there is the stigma that girls are wimpy, it’s really empowering to be able to beat someone up if you need to. That a girl can stand up for herself and the whole feeling of being capable.”

She learned most of her knife throwing skills from Youtube videos. “Anyone who is interested in knife throwing should look up videos on youtube to learn how,” said Wagner. “There aren’t really any formal workshops in the area.”

Her advice is simple: just go for it, “It’s not as hard as you’d think.” said Wagner, “I just bought some knives online, set up some boards in my backyard, and started throwing.

photos by Jordan Counihan

Lucy shows off her knives (top) , demonstrates throwing (left) , and poses with her weighted knifes (right).

Girls lacrosse puts their heads together on helmets

by Sarah Conrad staff reporter Helmets are an important part of contact sports in order to prevent head injuries. In men’s lacrosse, a contact sport, each player is required to wear a helmet; however, in women’s lacrosse, a non-contact sport, helmets are not required.

Only eye protection and a mouth guard are required for women’s lacrosse players, as body checking and hits are illegal in women’s lacrosse.

This lack of protection has been very controversial. An increased amount of head injuries due to accidental or illegal hits in women’s lacrosse is leading to disputes. The US Lacrosse Vice-President of Games Operations, Ann Kitt Carpenetti, recently commented on the issue. “Prevention of head injuries in both men’s and women’s lacrosse continues to be a priority of US Lacrosse,” said Carpenetti.

She then went on to explain what the US Lacrosse Committee will be doing to combat his debate.

The committee will be conducting more research and studies to evaluate the cause and effect of these head injuries to both male and female lacrosse players.

But according to Carpenetti, coming to conclusions about the dangers of girls lacrosse is difficult because head injuries are often different from the men’s sport.

At Mounds View this subject of helmets versus no helmets is debated as well. “I would want helmets to be required if the rules for contact were changed,” said girls lacrosse captain Lauren Redmond, 12.

Currently, the rules for girls lacrosse make it illegal to check or hit another player. This means that the contact between players is minimal. “Helmets could help reduce injury but only on rare occasions

Should lacrosse players wear helmets?

15

out of the 18 girls lacrosse players at Mounds View do not want helmets

Given that the rules stay the same

and checking is still not allowed.

when someone gets hit by a stick or mistakenly checked,” said Redmond.

“While the rules stay how they are, it falls on the players to follow them, and if anyone gets a head injury it’s normally because someone broke the rules” said Katie Jeddeloh, 12. Both Jeddeloh and Redmond agree that not having a helmet comes as an issue if people are not careful in following the rules.

The subject of helmets in women’s lacrosse is still debated. Many high schools and lacrosse programs have initiated the policy of girls wearing helmets, but there has not been a clear consensus on whether it should be a new rule or not.

photo by Maddy Rosenow

Katie Jeddeloh 12, and Maddy Minarich 12, pose with their sticks crossed to show differing opinions on helmets in lacrosse.

sports 11

May 1, 2015

Out of our league

cartoon by Michaela Morse

Smaller schools struggle to find success at State

by Maddy Rosenow managing editor Think back to the third week of November. While Mustangs were still getting over the bitter loss to Totino-Grace, Eden Prairie was busy winning its sixth State Championship in the past 10 years.

Now think even further back…to October. It was the boys and girls soccer state tournaments. Anoka was hoisting its first place plaque for the boys, after defeating Wayzata. As for the girls, the Wildcats of Eagan celebrated their victory while Eden Prairie watched.

Beyond powerhouse athletic programs, what do schools like Anoka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie all have in common? A lot of students. Almost two times the number Mounds View has, to be exact.

In the world of high school sports, state tournaments are the pinnacle of a team’s season. But often it’s the same big schools who win their way to State by beating schools with half their enrollment.

In a recent article, the Star Tribune referred to these large schools, with total enrollment at 2,500 students or more, as “megaschools.” The article stated that megaschools are on the rise. It’s predicted that by fall of 2017, 10 of the largest metro schools will have enrollments around 3,000, or 4,000 in Wayzata’s case.

Now imagine what a school of 4,000 can do on the athletic field.

“More students usually means more studentathletes to choose from,” said Activities Director Bob Madison. “This typically results in higher competition for fewer positions.”

With tough competition for limited spots, only the

highest caliber players get to start. Teams with skilled players, unsurprisingly, see greater success.

When looking at football, it’s easy to see the success of larger schools.

Out of the last 10 state tournaments, Eden Prairie has won six, and Wayzata has won three. Coincidentally, Wayzata is the largest team in 6A, and Eden Prairie had been the largest. Both have student enrollment around or over 3,000; this doubles the size of the smallest five schools in 6A, including Mounds View.

Although these megaschools don’t always prevent smaller schools from success, they do make it difficult.

“It’s always a challenge, and it’s always difficult to play the big schools,” said Alex Vijums, 12. “But we have strong talent and skills, as well as specific formations that give us an edge on those big schools.”

Mounds View students have an additional edge because many come from affluent families.

“Ultimately, we have families who have a socioeconomic status that allows our student-athletes to receive privileges like off-season training,” said Madison.

Still, the success of these larger schools isn’t limited to football. In soccer, a majority of the teams at State are megaschools.

“I feel like a lot of times the teams at State are the bigger schools,” said girls soccer captain Marnie Zilka, 12. “They have more students, which gives them a bigger pool of athletes to pick from.”

Aside from talented athletes, large school populations are directly linked to funds coming into the school.

Last fall, Wayzata High School began a $70 million expansion, which will add two new basketball

2014-2015 enrollment:

Mounds View offers

1,722

24

students

fall & winter sports

4

of those teams

courts and renovations to locker rooms.

Not only will this improve Wayzata’s athletic facilities, but it will also make room for 900 additional students, who in turn could be 900 potential athletes.

With more students and funds, schools like Wayzata are able to provide above average facilities.

Along with these expensive and pristine facilities often comes more success.

As the problem of large school domination continues, the MSHSL has been forced to make changes in order to keep competition fair.

In 2011, MSHSL voted to create a “super section” for the 2012 season playoffs. This section included eight of the largest teams in football preventing multiple megaschool teams from advancing to State.

Not only has MSHSL taken action, but individual school districts are being forced to make changes based on student enrollment.

Recently, Shakopee voted for an expansion of the existing school versus creating two high schools.

Athletics may have played a large role in that vote as school board member Mary Romansky told the Star Tribune in a recent article that the community worried “Shakopee would ‘never win a game all year’” if the school was split.

Although the Mounds View district may not have to consider adding another high school in the near future, our athletics still must endure the competition of the larger schools.

“It’s hard, and often frustrating, being the smallest among all these big schools,” said Zilka. “The advantages they have over us, in everything, are completely unfair.”

High school enrollments in the metro, fall 2014

made it to State

1,722

2,457

2,673

football

2,865

girls hockey

2,984

boys basketball

3,013

boys and girls swim and dive

iew sV nd ou M ke La ior rk Pr Pa in pl am Ch

boys and girls soccer

e in Bla ie air Pr en a Ed nk to ne in M ta za ay W

boys and girls cross country

3,228

Schools with over 2500 students enrolled reached state tournament finals in:

data from startribune.com information compiled by Persis Ke

12 gallery

May 1, 2015 illustration by Michaela Morse photos by Lily Sacay

Life after Mounds View

It’s almost time for seniors to go their own ways, and there are numerous paths they may follow. Most Mounds View students attend a four-year college after they graduate—according to the Mounds View website, almost 92 percent of Mounds View students attend some form of college. Whether it’s a four-year college, the military, or another form of education, there are plenty of options.

by Jackson Hoemann staff reporter Kayla Sentz, 12, plans to follow a traditional path in her posthigh school education. Next year, she will attending St. Catherine’s University, an all-girls school in St. Paul. “[I’m going to school for] four years at St. Kate’s, and then two years at a culinary school,” said Sentz. She plans to major in food and nutrition, with a minor in theatre.

“St. Kate’s was my first choice for college,” said Sentz. “It’s great because it is a small school.”

“I was also thinking of attending [Minnesota State University] Mankato, but I had a family member who had already attended St. Kate’s, so I decided to attend school there,” said Sentz.

Her family has influenced her decision, as well her choices for a future career by completely supporting her through her choice.

Although she is happy that she made it into her top school, she does recognize its faults. “The cost can be higher for a university like this,” said Sentz.

Sentz has big post-college plans. “I want to open my own restaurant or café,” she said. “I’m preparing by taking classes this year that will give me a small boost into my major.” These classes include Foods and Foods of The World, giving students skills in food preparation and nutrition.

Sentz’s plans show the passion she has for her interests, and her ability to create a career out of them. While college isn’t the only option for post-secondary education, Sentz knows it was the right choice for her.

by Katie Karjalahti staff reporter Over the summer, most seniors are preparing for their freshman year in college, but Josie Bergmann, 12, is following a nontraditional path. She plans to follow her passion and love for horses by attending Clinton Anderson Academy, a horse training program in Stephenville, Texas.

“By choosing a less traditional route, I’ll gain the skills I need in a more concentrated manner without wasting two years of my life on generals and then another two on not exactly what I want to learn,” said Bergmann.

Before Bergmann made the decision to attend Clinton Anderson Academy, she was planning on attending college for elementary education. But over time, she realized her love for horses was more than just a hobby. When a coworker of Bergmann’s told her about the

Kayla Sentz

by Katie Karjalahti staff reporter While most of his peers stress over buying textbooks and finding the perfect roommate, Josh Larson, 12, is getting ready to risk his life to help others.

“I wanted to be in the military since I was a little kid, but the Marines stood out to me because it seems like the most challenging of the branches,” said Larson. In January, Larson became one step closer to following his dream when he enlisted in the Marine Corp.

He values the benefits of going into active duty. Some benefits include increased physical strength, sharpened cognitive abilities and the opportunity to take courses in the Marines to receive college credit. “There’s a lot of

benefits like the GI Bill to help you pay for college, and you can get free healthcare for life through the VA, and you can get help with mortgages through the VA,” said Larson.

However, there are also plenty of risks involved in the Marines.

“Some people risk lives, but the benefit definitely outweighs the risk,” said Larson. His parents were nervous about the peril he would be in, but they have been through it before. Larson’s older brother also enlisted in the Marine Corp after high school.

After Larson is finished in the Marines, he plans on using his GI Bill to attend college. Larson is looking forward to his adventures in the Marines, and feels it as an honor to follow his passion and serve his country at the same time.

program, she knew it was the right decision.

On average, the yearly tuition of an undergraduate college is approximately $14,000, adding up to $56,000 over four years. By attending Clinton Anderson Academy, Bergmann can save half of that.

“The program will cost in total around $25,000 including the cost of all materials needed,” said Bergmann. “I will have to buy two horses to use while in the program and pay for their feed and such.”

Since she will avoid steep tuition fees, Bergmann will also have a financial base to start from. “I hopefully will be a trainer of both horses and people, with my own stable and lesson program,” said Bergmann.

“There are so many other educational options besides your traditional college route,” Bergmann said. “If you never take a risk and follow what you really want to do, you end up in a job you never really wanted.”

Josie Bergmann

Josh Larson