VOLUME 66 ISSUE 1 | September 28, 2018
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Dialect Disputes
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THE VIEWER
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NEW SCHOOL POLICIES 03/ JULIA FIXSEN 04/ BURGER BAR 10
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News
Friday, September 28, 2018
New year, new start time
by Leon Wang features editor
On Nov. 15, 2016, the Mounds View School Board held a meeting in which they considered modifying the district’s start times. Nearly two years later, these start times have been put into effect, with Mounds View High School’s new schedule running 1 hour and 10 minutes later than previous years. By introducing the new start time, the district hopes to improve the students’ well-being by catering towards their tendency to sleep in. As students progress into their first month of the school year, Mounds View students have felt the full effects of the new start time with varying opinions. For some students, having first hour begin at 8:35 a.m. has helped with scheduling outside of school. “Because I’m involved in so many extracurriculars, I had a lot of time conflicts last year
after school,” said Eric Feng, 10. “This year, though, a lot of my extracurriculars meet before school.” Indeed, many classes and activities, such as jazz band and hybrid classes, that offer sessions before school have become much more manageable, with most students arriving at 7:30 a.m. instead of 6:30 a.m. in past years. Many students also share Feng’s opinion, as waking up an hour later for school has helped their productivity and focus. “I like [the start times] because I get to sleep in, and I can do more things in the morning,” said Roscoe McLaughlin, 11. “Not to mention I’m actually awake.” In contrast, there are students who see flaws in the new start time. “I feel like I’m losing so much of the day when school gets out over an hour later than it did last year,” said Bjorn Eggen, 11. “I’m getting up at the same time and still go to bed around the same
time.” While initially the prospect of getting up an hour later is certainly one that many students covet, it leaves less time for homework and free time after school. “I like starting later at 8:35, but I also don’t like when school ends at 3:15, and then I have a sport right after school,” said Jamison Van Laningham, 11. “I don’t get home until 6:30, and I don’t have much time to spend with family because of homework.” Ultimately, Mounds View students have mixed opinions on the new start time. While the consensus is that having the extra hour in the morning benefits most students, many others are dissatisfied by the inconvenience of scheduling events after school.
The Supreme Court of the United States will drastically change in the upcoming months. Following the retirement of Anthony Kennedy, President Donald Trump is allowed to nominate a replacement. On July 9, 2018, Trump formally nominated Brett Kavanaugh, a United States Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which is often considered the second most powerful court in the United States. Kavanagh has served on the Court for 12 years, which has lead some citizens to believe he is an adequate replacement. “Kavanaugh is incredibly qualified and should be confirmed easily,” said Zach Allie, 11. “The only thing keeping him from being confirmed is radical Democratic opposition.” Kavanaugh is thought of as one of the most conservative judges on the District of Columbia Circuit, making him an appealing choice for Trump. Kennedy was seen as the swing-vote between Republicans and Democrats on the Supreme Court of the United States. With his retirement and Kavanaugh’s nomination, the Supreme Court could have a Republican majority on the United State’s most powerful court. Even before Kavanaugh’s nomination, Democrats and those on the left side of the political spectrum were concerned that Trump would nominate a Supreme Court Justice in his first term. Trump’s first nomination, Neil
Editor Opinions on Kavanaugh
Gorsuch, was met with criticism for his conservative views. Now with the looming possibility of a Republicandominated Supreme Court, liberals are worried that the country will turn increasingly conservative. Most notably, they are worried over the safety of Roe v. Wade (1973) because Trump claimed he would leave the right of abortion up to the states. “I think that it is important that a woman has the right to choose if she wants to have an abortion,” said Samantha Stucky, 12. “Kavanaugh endangers women’s rights in that sense.” However, during Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings, Kavanaugh made it clear he was not interested in overturning Roe v. Wade. “Roe v. Wade is an important precedent of the Supreme Court,” said Kavanaugh. “It’s been reaffirmed many times.” Other concerns among Democrats include immigration, health care and the environment. During early September, Kavanaugh went through his confirmation hearings where he was asked questions on many controversial topics. A vote was set to take place before Oct. 1 when the Supreme Court resumes its session. However, on Sept. 13, a sexual assault allegation concerning Kavanaugh was brought forward by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). Feinstein requested a FBI investigation into the recently surfaced allegation that Kavanaugh forced himself on Christine Blasey Ford at a high school party nearly 35 years ago. Despite the allegations, the FBI will not be allowed to investigate this matter without Trump’s per-
“I think he is an excellent choice by president Trump” -Elliot Lee sports editor
Ronald Reagan was president
photo courtesy of Wikipedia (right) The Berlin Wall was standing
photo courtesy of Pexels (above)
Kavanaugh at risk
by Michael Gennaro news editor
35 years ago...
The United States was in the Cold War
mission. The FBI has completed six background checks on Kavanaugh throughout his years on the court, and Trump believes another one is not necessary to ensure his nominee does not pose a national security threat to the country. During his previous six background checks, no sexual misconduct was found. This decision, however, did not come without controversy. It was discovered that Feinstein knew about the allegations in mid-July of 2018, which has lead others to wonder why this allegation was declared only days before the vote. Also, some believe that the time between the incident and the allegation raises concerns over credibility and accuracy. “It’s like the Super Bowl; you can’t go back to it and say there was a mistake in the call. It’s the same situation,” said Michael Cao, 12. While Republicans wish to proceed with the vote, Ford will be given an opportunity to testify before Congress to prove her story. Editor’s Note: The details of this story are constantly changing. Information regarding the sexual-assault allegation may change by the time it is published.
photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons (above) In 1983, a gallon of gas cost $1.16
photo courtesy of Pixabay (above) In 1982, Michael Jackson released his most famous album, Thriller
photo courtesy of Flickr (left) In 1982, the movie, E.T., was released
photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons (above)
“Seems rather convenient that she waited 35 years” -Ben Steil debates editor
“Kavanaugh should face the consequences his actions entail” -Diana Zhu
editor-in-chief
“No opinion. Couldn’t care less” -Rachel Ganske
arts and entertainment editor
News
Friday, september 28, 2018
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iPhone Xs debuts by Ben Steil debates editor
fair use from Wikimedia Commons
100 Mounds View students were polled and most prefer the iPhone Xs. information compiled by Alec Nelson
Student Opinions
For Apple fans, the launch of their new products will come as a great addition to their arsenal of technology. Like clockwork, each September brings a highly anticipated showcase of the tech giant’s newest innovations. The most anticipated release of new technology each year is the latest iPhone: This year marks the arrival of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, and with them come a myriad of features. The addition of the A12 bionic chip allows the new phones to load apps and augmented reality more efficiently. A better camera and crisper speakers come with both the XS and the XS Max, as well as the ability to pack two SIM cards into one phone, which may benefit international travelers. The new phones come with improved battery life: 30 extra minutes and 90 for the XS and Max, respectively. Even though Apple debuted their best, most technologically advanced iPhones yet, the phones come with a hefty price tag. The XS Max will be the tech company’s most expensive phone ever, launching at a substantial $1,499. The large price tag may be because of the somewhat lackluster pre-order sales and online discussion. Compared to the iPhone X last year, the XS has sold nearly two million devices less in
the same amount of time, down from 12 to 10 million. The real winner of Apple’s announcement might be the iPhone XR, a cheaper model that isn’t yet available for pre-order. Although inferior to the XS, with less RAM, poorer resolution and a worse camera, the XR still might come out on top because of its reasonable price point. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst for KeyBanc Capital Markets, the XR will easily outsell both the XS and the XS Max because of its starting price point of just $749. The iPhone XR has a longer battery life than the XS, due to its LED display, rather than the higher quality OLED in the XS. Both the XS and XR models are highly anticipated and should give consumers some thought about which phone to purchase next.
“The iPhone Xs is not worth
“I don’t think the Xs is worth it because
“If you already have the iPhone X then
it because it is way too
it’s not a big enough upgrade and there are
it isn’t worth it, but if you don’t have
expensive for a phone.”
cheaper non-Apple alternatives.”
the X it’s a cool upgrade.”
Erik Swenson, 12
Henri Derosier, 12
Prisha Rawal , 11
Updates in Mounds View policies
by Jenna Stellmack centerfold editor
The new school year has arrived, and with it comes changes to Mounds View policies. Tardiness is now heavily punished; students with a free hour have to carry a pass and the school is extra strict about keeping students on campus during the day. The administration has tightened its policies on student activity during the school day. One of the more significant changes is that students with free hours or PSEO now have to carry passes that will be checked when students enter the school and at random times in the library, also known as the ILC. Many students with free hours spend their time in the ILC studying or socializing. However, they have
also been known to spend hours there when they should be in class instead. “If a student didn’t want to go to class, and they would go up to the ILC with a bunch of other kids that were in an open hour, we wouldn’t know that. And that would allow them to skip their class, and that was becoming a problem,” said Bruggers. The new passes for students with open hours are a way to make sure that students are where they’re supposed to be. While there have not been significant issues involving tardies and truancies over the past few years, the school is working to reduce tardiness. “If a student has multiple tardies, the teacher is working with the [student’s] dean, and there could be a consequence such as detention,” said Bruggers. Although students with free hours in the middle of
A Mounds View student uses their PSEO pass to provide validity for administration.
the day are not allowed to leave Mounds View, if their free hour is hour one or six, students are permitted to come to school late or leave early. For this reason, administration worked to move most students’ free hours to either the first or last hour of the day. “When students would have an open hour, let’s say they had an open third period, then it was becoming problematic for us — where would they go, who would be responsible for them, was attendance taken?” said Bruggers. Overall, Mounds View is always working to keep students safe. “Everything boils down to trying to keep a safe and secure building,” said Bruggers.
photo by Jenna Stellmack
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features
Friday, september 28, 2018
Soaring to new heights
by Rachel Ganske arts and entertainment editor
Julia Fixsen, 12, knows that the will to work hard is the answer to becoming great at anything. Pole vaulting is Fixsen’s obsession. The sport originated in the 1850s when the first running pole jump entered the sporting scene. Since then, it has become a competitive sport at the high school, college and international level. Fixsen’s unique ability stemmed from her love for competition and her history in gymnastic competitions. In high school, one of Fixen’s long-time gymnastics friends introduced her to pole vaulting. This marked the beginning of her switch from flying between bars to flying over them. Many of the skills Fixsen used in gymnastics transferred over, including intense core strength and flying through the air. In spite of Fixen’s strong background in the sport, she still had to start with the fundamentals. “The first time I jumped with a pole it was somewhat nerve wracking, but over time, I was able to understand the basics and get the hang of it,” said Fixsen. Pole vaulting challenges not only an athlete’s physical ability but also mental strength. Issues can arise from pacing, step (foot placement during jump take-off) and standards (where the bar is placed). “Every meet you go to, you end up failing at least three times. Those losses can be very discouraging at times, especially if you aren’t in the right mindset,” said Fixsen. This makes it difficult to have the confidence critical for competing at a high level. However, Fixsen has an unwavering attitude toward the sport. “There was no question if I was going to work hard at it or not. I was going to master this event,” said Fixsen. While Fixsen had an impressive finish to last year’s summer season, with a seventh place finish at the world championships in Finland, she has different goals for this upcoming sea-
son. She wants to enjoy her last year of high school competition and give all that she can to each of her events to help the team. Right now, Fixsen’s personal record is 4.2 meters (13’ 11.25’’). This season, she is working to reach her ultimate goal of increasing her personal best by almost one foot to jump 4.55 meters (14’ 11”), which would break the national all-time high school record. When the Mounds View team is involved, Fixsen’s humble nature shines. “We have the most amazing team in the state. And that’s not based on the many accomplishments we’ve had in the past, rather it’s the character of the girls on the team,” said Fixsen. The motivation of her teammates is just one of the reasons why Fixsen is so willing to work hard. Her favorite ways to train with her high school and club teams include gymnastics training, weight lifting and anything that enhances speed. “I try to live a healthy lifestyle by taking care of my body with lots of things, from what I eat to the things I think about, trying to keep a positive mindset,” said Fixsen. While Fixsen has yet to complete the high school season, she has her eyes set on the future. In Fixsen’s opinion, it is not too early to start training for the 2024 Olympics, especially since it has been a dream of hers since she was eight years old. Regardless of where her future in pole vaulting leads her, Fixsen has gained invaluable experience from the sport. “To put it very simply, pole vault has taught me that not everything has to go your way to be happy. You can learn from your mistakes and can find joy in every single moment,” said Fixsen.
Fixsen pole vaulting at the Hamline Elite Meet.
Fixsen representing her two teams: Mounds View and the USA team. photos courtesy of Julia Fixsen
Mock Trial members seek order by Sarah Tang managing design editor
“All rise for the honorable Judge Smith,” said the adolescent bailiff. Scanning the expanse of the room, one would see a row of lawyers and witnesses on both sides of the court. An acting judge or lawyer and two scoring judges are also present in the courtroom. A Mock Trial competition is about to begin. Mock Trial is a competition in which students split up into lawyers and witnesses in a mock court case. Two schools switch between the positions of defense and prosecution. The opposing school questions the other school’s witnesses and attempts to break their facade. The examinations culminate with the teams’ closing statements. “Every year, there’s a case that’s out in October, and then we prepare for competition in January against other schools,” said Michelle Tan, 12. The cases can range from car crashes to malpractice. Additionally, the competition is run like real court proceedings. Lawyers give opening statements, question witnesses and a judge provides rulings. Witnesses from two schools improvise on the spot and try not to express any weakness in their resolve. “I like to compare mock trial to theater, speech, debate and other similar activities because it’s almost a combination of all of them in a respect,” said Christopher Jin, 12.
Meetings occur every other week and involve anything from Mafia to demonstrations. Before the case is released, the team focuses on terminology and proceedings within a courtroom. After the yearly case is revealed, they split up into lawyers and witnesses and start building an arsenal of questions and witness personalities. Every year centers around one court case, and thus every school is able to focus their strategies better. “Last year, [the case] was a car accident. [A] semi-truck hit a little car and we’re trying to prove that the driver didn’t do it on purpose, that it was an acci-
dent,” said Tan. The team would spend meetings creating questions, like clarifying questions such as, “You drive big construction trucks that carry heavy gravel and sand, correct?” Students can also hone skills like public speaking and acting. “I really struggled as a public speaker in freshman year. In English, there were a couple times I was midway through the speech, and I was like, ‘Shoot, I forgot everything I was going to say.’ [Mock Trial] certainly helped me a lot,” said Jin. Mock Trial not only gives students experience in the courtroom, but also gives them knowledge and skills that may come in handy in the future.
illustration by Audrey Wu
features
Friday. september 28, 2018
Coding: not just for guys by Jenna Stellmack centerfold editor
It seems that every day, there are advances in computer technology. Unfortunately, the industry is mostly dominated by men — women earn only 28 percent of computer science degrees, according the Observer. A new Mounds View club, the Girls App Club, aims to change that. The club was started by Grace Su, 12, as a place for girls with a passion for coding to learn together. “I personally didn’t have a lot of opportunities to explore technology,” said Su. “Starting this club is a way to provide opportunities for people to find out what technology is about.” Although Mounds View already boasts an impressive array of STEMrelated clubs and groups such as Science Olympiad and the robotics team, the Girls App Club is the first one geared entirely towards girls. Su hopes that the club could help girls with a passion for technology find others who share that interest. “Technology will have an increasing influence on our society in the future, so being represented in technology is kind of the same thing as being represented in shaping our society,” said Su. Among growing concerns about human employees being replaced by
machines, a career in technology could provide added job security in the future. “Even some white collar jobs, like being a secretary or something, might be gone due to automation. But if you’re working in technology, you don’t have to worry about that,” said Su. This isn’t the first time Su has worked to increase girls’ interest in coding. In August, Su and her sister created and ran a two-week-long camp to teach girls in grades four to eight how to code. The Girls App Club is already attracting interest from people outside of Mounds View. Su recently applied for a grant from a national organization called AI4ALL, which aims to increase interest and innovation in the field of artificial intelligence. Her application was accepted, and Su was granted $1,000 for her club. The club’s first meeting was on Monday, Sept. 24, and featured a guest speaker, the Executive Director of Code Savvy and Regional Ambassador for the MN Chapter of the Technovation Challenge, Jean Weiss. Girls App Club will meet after school every Monday.
photo y Jenna Stellmack Guest speaker Jean Weiss speaks at the first meeting of the Girls App Club.
A different kind of gymnastics by Michael Gennaro news editor
The gymnasts tip-toe onto the floor, feet pointed, with a pristine smile and poised posture. They carry their ribbons, aware that all eyes are on them. They are excited to compete but at the same time hope nothing goes wrong. Rhythmic gymnastics is not as widely known as its counterpart, artistic gymnastics, in the U.S. However, Meryl Wang, 11, actively participates in rhythmic gymnastics and has competed for the past nine years. First introduced to the Olympics in 1984, the sport includes five different apparatuses, all done on the floor. An apparatus is the necessary equipment for the event, which includes the following: rope, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon. The International Gymnastics Federation selects four of the five to be included in competition
each year. Wang enjoys all the events; however, she likes ball the most. “Ball is my favorite because I feel that I can express myself the best with it,” said Wang. Wang was first introduced to rhythmic gymnastics when she was a dancer. “I was originally in dance. Then one day, they brought the rhythmic gymnastics coach in to teach us gymnastics, so then [my friends and I] just got interested in it, and some of my other friends were in it, too,” said Wang. She loved the sport and the competitive aspect which led her to continue for years to come. At the beginning of the season, competitions are sparse. However, they become more frequent towards the end of the season as gymnasts master their routines and gain experience in competition. Some of Wang’s favorite moments from her rhythmic gymnastics career come from her competitions. One time, some of her friends surprised her with stuffed animals after she finished. Her most vivid memory was
Meryl Wang participates in a rhythmic gymnastics competition.
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when she qualified for the National Championships for the first time. “I remember being one of the top eight gymnasts chosen to represent the Midwest region in the National Championship,” said Wang. In addition to that event, Wang has experienced other tremendous success in competing. Last year, she received second place in the ribbon event and fourth overall at the national competition. After high school, Wang must decide whether or not she will pursue rhythmic gymnastics in college. “It depends on where I go to college and if they have a gym for it,” said Wang. The future holds many opportunities for rhythmic gymnastics star, Meryl Wang.
photos courtesy of Meryl Wang
Minnesota lin by Mikey Gennaro news editor “It’s milk.” “No, it’s milk with an e.” “Where is there an e?” Feuds centered around linguistics are as common as arguments over rival football teams. Within the United States itself, there are over four different terms for “water fountain,” which can be attributed to the vast dialects of America. There are over 20 different dialects within the U.S., ranging from Gulf Southern to Boston Urban, according to Business Insider. Typically, each accent varies by changing a single character or drawing out a syllable. For instance, in Eastern New England, it’s common to drop ‘R’s’ and substitute an ‘H.’ Hence, “Park the car in Harvard Yard” sounds like, “Pahk the cah in Hahvahd Yahd.” The Southern accent is arguably the most well known in America. This dialect draws out vowels, which creates a more relaxed tone. The Minnesotan accent is one that everyone at Mounds View is familiar with. This dialect is officially known as North-Central American English and is heard from Michigan all the way to Montana. This accent arose from the state’s first immigrants, the Scandinavians and Germans. At first, the immigrants spoke their native language; however, over time, parts of their old language were blended with the English language, and the effects still linger today.
How Mounds View Students Pronounce Certain Words Bæg Bag
Caramel
ca
ra
200 people polled
information compiled by Elliot Lee
me
ba gel
milk
l
envelope
bet sher data
Carmel
nguistic wars Minnesota’s accent is one of the more conservative ones in the nation, remaining relatively unchanged over time, especially in rural Minnesota. The Minnesota-specific accent and diction may also be related to the state’s proximity to Canada. For instance, the pronunciation melk rather than milk stems from Canada. The use of long vowels resulted in more of an “E” sound, rather than an “I.” The emphasis on a long vowel has also made Minnesotans say bag with a long “A,” unlike the rest of the country. Besides pronunciation, a word’s meaning can also change when someone enters Minnesota. For example, the word salad can take on many different meanings, including marshmallow fluff, canned fruit and even Jello. However, the Minnesotan accent is not as common in urban areas. Farmers have the strongest Minnesota accents, according to citylab.com, and as the number of farmers decrease, so does the accent. Although Minnesotans still stretch their “O’s,” the accent is not as strong as it used to be. As one travels to other parts of the United States, it becomes apparent that certain pronunciations and names are special to Minnesota. It’s a state where the phrase “it’s cold” can mean anything from 60 to -20 degrees, people say “pop” instead of “soda” and a beloved childhood game is called Duck Duck Grey Duck instead of Duck Duck Goose.
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editorials
friday, September 28, 2018
Nike takes a knee by Ben Steil debates editor
As if the football safety debates and Serena Williams’s temper tantrum weren’t enough controversy for the sports world, a familiar face has recently appeared in a big way in mainstream culture. Nike decided to star Colin Kaepernick as one of the faces of their latest ad campaign. Because of its divisiveness and mixing of politics and personal life, Nike’s decision was ill advised and an overall mistake. Kaepernick began the now widespread trend of kneeling during the playing of the national anthem at NFL games, sparking a massive national debate about his actions. This would eventually lead to his firing, creating outrage from those who thought his firing was part of a larger collusion between the owners of different teams. Now, he’s back and plastered over billboards and discussed on every channel, from CNN to late night comedy. Nike seems to be adhering to the mentality that any publicity is good publicity in marketing their latest products. However, this strategy does not come without drawbacks. Immediately after the ad dropped, people
began burning and ripping their Nike shoes, socks and other apparel as well as posting angry videos on Twitter. Those who disagreed with Kaepernick’s decision to kneel took issue with this campaign, some even arguing that Nike had lost customers for life. Causing further divide simply for more publicity and profit is the wrong move on Nike’s part and isn’t worth the toll it takes on the general population. Not only is the Kaepernick ad divisive, it also shows that Nike is forgetting its place; a sports apparel company shouldn’t be taking a stance on a widely debated topic in popular culture. By starring Colin Kaepernick, Nike is broadcasting its political stance to its potential customers. There doesn’t need to be a constant infusion of politics into consumerism, especially when thinking about what kind of shoes or t-shirt to purchase. Nike is out of line in sending out a political message when it has no need to do so. Because of these reasons, Nike’s new ad campaign headlining Colin Kaepernick is a huge mistake and has only widened the divide appearing in American society. Whichever side one falls on, the debate about Kaepernick’s
protest shouldn’t be weighing on the minds of Nike’s potential customers. Although it may have increased the babble surrounding the company, Nike’s decision to feature Kaepernick was not worth the price.
illustration by Jenna Stellmack
Location relations(hips) by Sanjana Dutt features editor
Buzz... What’s that? That’s the sound of your girlfriend or boyfriend texting you from 1,300 miles away. Many couples have to go through the difficult times of maintaining a relationship, sometimes from two different sides of the world. For some, there is no question of whether they are going to pursue a long-distance relationship. But for others, this demanding decision can take a lot of planning and thinking. Regardless of what the couple decides, long-distance relationships are tough, especially if one person is already dealing with the stress of moving into a new city, leaving family behind or adjusting to a new lifestyle. Many teenagers fall in love quickly and oftentimes will overlook distance and family circumstances in hopes of staying together. Long-distance relationships are harder to maintain than any other relationship. Questions a couple had never previously considered may arise from both sides. How can I trust them? When is the next time we will be able to see each other? Will the other person start to lose feelings? With pressure to answer these questions, both partners may become increasingly uncertain over time. The uncertainty creates stress among both individuals, leaving them wondering if they chose to do the right thing. For most couples, the culmination of these downsides in addition to staying committed to school, jobs and social lives prove to add too much stress to the relationship, leading to an end of most long-distance relationships. Additionally, many people see col-
lege as an opportunity to meet new people, explore different aspects of college life and go out of your comfort zone. When students are in long-distance relationships, they could end up spending their weekends in their dorm room video calling or visiting their significant other rather than forming connections with their peers and the community around them. This is another reason why longdistance relationships could hold students back — they’re missing the full college experience. Ultimately, if the individuals care about each other enough and actively try to stay in contact, then a longdistance relationship could thrive. These relationships should be taken on a caseto-case basis: They take a lot of trust and patience from both ends, and they are not for everyone. One of the most important things to keep in mind when going through a long-distance relationship is regular communication, openness and discipline, ensuring that both individuals are on the same level of commitment. If the couple has been together for a significant amount of time and are planning on continuing their relationship throughout college,a long-distance relationship is worth the time and effort.
photo courtesy of Sanjana Dutt
DEBATES
Friday, September 28, 2018
9
Same game deserves same pay by Leon Wang features editor
“The NBA (National Basketball Association), and not the NFL (National Football League), is the league of America’s future,” said Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball legend and Hall of Famer. While the NBA’s future is certainly bright, what about the league of the opposite gender? The WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association), the professional basketball league for women, surely cannot compete with the NBA in terms of ticket sales and popularity, but this does not condone the fact that the highest paid WNBA player has a salary less than that of NBA referees. Ultimately, WNBA players should be paid more money than they are paid right now. In 2017, the basketball league generated $51.5 million in total revenue, and the sports network ESPN has
more than doubled what it pays to broadcast WNBA games in the 2017 season. The average player salary in the WNBA league is estimated to be around $75,000, as opposed to a whopping $6.4 million for the average NBA player. If this salary is applied to all players, it is estimated that the WNBA pays its players under a quarter of its revenue — a mere 22.8 percent, according to Forbes. On the other hand, the NBA pays its players 50% of its estimated $7.4 billion revenue. Some of the best players in the WNBA are paid a shockingly low amount for what they have accomplished in the league. Sylvia Fowles, for example, is a premiere WNBA player on the Minnesota Lynx team and was the most valuable player in both the 2015 WNBA Finals and the 2017 season. This year, she averaged a double-double: 18 points per game and 12 rebounds per game, placing her at the top of the women’s
league. And yet, she is paid less than $200,000 for her accomplishments. Meanwhile, Anderson Varejão, a former player on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA, averaged just 1 point per game and was paid over $1.5 million in 2016. Again, even though Varejão played in the NBA, which makes more revenue than the WNBA, he was paid far more for being a bench player with nearly no impact in comparison to Fowles, who is undoubtedly a top player in her league. While many blame this massive wage gap on gender inequality and oversight on female talent in sports, which is certainly a factor, it is also clear that the WNBA is capable of paying their players much more as they generate more and more revenue every season. As the WNBA continues to gain popularity, it should properly pay its athletes for their hard work and recognition they deserve.
illustration by Audrey Wu
Economics 1, Feminism 0 by Alec Weber editorials editor
As the prominence of women’s sports steadily grows, female athletes are fueled by a new thirst for increased pay, one that is similar to their male counterparts. However, just because the women have enjoyed greater viewership and interest than they once did does not mean that their cries for larger contracts and bonuses are truly anything more than pleas for relevancy. The first argument originally presented by the United States Women’s Soccer National Team was that their status as world champions after conquering the 2015 Women’s World Cup qualified them for a pay equal to that of the United States Men’s National Soccer Team. The men’s team had fallen to Belgium in the Round of 16, a solid finish for the men who didn’t expect to go far in international competition. It is logical on a surface level basis that going far in the world’s largest soccer competition should bring rewards that correlate with the team’s finish. For instance, the 2014
Viewer Staff 2018-2019
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Men’s World Cup winner, Germany, earned about $35 million in bonuses for winning the tournament. Meanwhile, the U.S. women’s team earned about $2 million for winning the 2015 World Cup. Both teams conquered the world, but the women’s team made only 6 percent of the men’s team. Meanwhile, the U.S. men’s team received over $2.5 million in bonuses for simply making the World Cup as a team. The reason behind this discrepancy is the fact that men’s soccer earns more revenue than women’s soccer. In the 2014 World Cup, over 3.2 billion viewers tuned in for at least one minute of a single match, over four times that of the 2015 Women’s World Cup, which reached around 700 million viewers. This concept applies to all sports and does not discriminate between men and women. For example, women’s volleyball grosses much more profit than men’s volleyball, and logically, the women are paid more than men. More recently, the headlines have debated the NBA versus the WNBA. The WNBA is a league which has gained little public attention and struggles
Diana Zhu Michelle Wang Sarah Tang Michelle Wang Leon Wang Diana Zhu Sarah Tang Michael Gennaro, Alec Nelson Sanjana Dutt, Leon Wang Ben Steil
CENTERFOLD EDITORS EDITORIALS EDITOR ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHERS ARTIST ADVISOR PUBLISHER
to earn profit. For this reason, the WNBA is forced to give teams more money and players less money. If WNBA athletes earned the same proportion as NBA stars, the WNBA would go under because its viewership and brand value currently generate less revenue. The average WNBA athlete makes $70,000 per year. Meanwhile, a NBA player makes at least $838,000, the absolute minimum contract value. Although on the surface it may seem like sexism is rampant in professional basketball, there is a much simpler explanation: public interest. Although viewership is up a whopping 39 percent from last year, the WNBA still generates nearly ten times fewer viewers than the NBA. In the end, the pay gap between genders in professional sports is actually not a gender issue at all but rather an economic problem which takes into account only the marketability of the athletes. If WNBA athletes want to make comparable salaries to their male counterparts, they should quit complaining and work to become more entertaining to the basketball audience.
Sarah Tang, Jenna Stellmack Alec Weber Rachel Ganske Elliot Lee Sarah Tang, Vicky Li Audrey Wu David Ostrom Sauk Centre Publishing
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Arts & Entertainment
Friday, September 28, 2018
Two takes on the Twin Cities food scene
Quang will have you quaking by Sanjana Dutt features editor Located in the heart of Minneapolis, Quang restaurant is known as a bustling stop for some of the best Vietnamese food around town. Due to Quang’s ideal location and plethora of options on the menu, it is often teeming with customers with all different tastes and diets. Quang is a medium-sized restaurant and is always packed with people of all ages. The restaurant is featured near 27th and Nicollet Ave. South, in the heart of Eat Street, making it accessible to people coming from all around the Twin Cities. There is little space between the tables, those looking for privacy might be disappointed. While the close proximity to neighboring tables does get tight, it contributes to the family-style atmosphere. The service was excellent as the waiters were friendly and repeatedly asked if everything was going well. Though the waiters could at times be hard to communicate with due to their lack of fluency in English, they were kind and informative. Someone coming to Quang for the first time will have no trouble familiarizing themselves with the menu, as the waiters take the time to
help you understand all the options and accommodations the chefs can make. The menu is notably organized, with appetizers, main courses, drinks, desserts and miscellaneous items separated by category. Unique to the Quang menu is a wide variety of sauces such as peanut, fish, beef and vegetable mix available to their customers to customize their dish to best fit their preferred taste. The menu also contains weekend specials, available Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which are the chef’s specialty dishes. Our food came out within 15 minutes with a deliciously fresh smell steaming from it. The first dish that arrived from the kitchen was the spring rolls, brought with lime juice, garlic, sugar and chili sauce mixed with hoisin sauce and peanuts. The spring rolls were freshly wrapped inside with crunchy veggies and seasonal spice, making it the perfect light dish before eating a main course. After eating our spring rolls, our main dishes arrived. I ordered pad thai, which is not solely a Vietnamese dish and tasted similar to Thai and Chinese food. Quang also offers a variety of other dishes such as salads, sandwiches, bubble teas and exotic desserts. Although Quang may initially look like a fast food restaurant in the inside due to its wooden chairs, wooden tables,
and brown walls, the quality of the food is a pleasant surprise, and I would highly recommend it. If you would like to visit Quang, it is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday from 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., and Monday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
The Verdict
4/5
photos courtesy of Sanjana Dutt
Not just another burger place by Alec Nelson news editor The new Burger Bar in downtown White Bear Lake that opened earlier this year has been bustling with customers not only for their delicious burgers but also their tasty sandwiches. At Burger Bar, there’s a variety of burgers and sandwiches cooked to order, ranging from $9 to $13. They also offer fries that are crisped to perfection and make the perfect addition to any order. For sandwiches, Burger Bar provides six types of roast beef and three types of chicken sandwiches. As for burgers, the customer is able to choose between eight different combinations of burgers including the Durango (a spicy burger), the Mix Up (roast beef with burger) and Bee B Q (Bacon, Jalapeno and Honey Jam). With all of these options, your imagination is the only limit to what you can order. Burger Bar also has accommodations for different diets including a vegan burger and a vegetarian section which offers a veggie burger or a salad. They are also willing to do their best to accommodate any other food allergies. The atmosphere inside has a modern industrial feel, complete with wooden tables and lights that hang down from the metal mesh ceiling. Burger Bar is similar to many other semi-fast food restaurants: Customers enter and have the option of physically walking up to a counter or ordering on a tablet. This creates a leisurely
atmosphere where consumers can choose to talk with servers or enjoy their meal in solitude. The service is fantastic, and the food is served just as quickly as fast food chains.The employees there are very friendly and make sure to listen to any questions or concerns a customer might have. Once I received my food, the first bite of my cheeseburger, cooked to order, was superb. It was juicy, tender and had everything a customer would want in a burger. Burger Bar offers a special sauce called “Cow Sauce” that comes with any burger. The sauce tingles your taste buds with flavors of spice and Thousand Island dressing. While the atmosphere resembles that of casual fast food, the quality of the food far exceeds expectations. If interested, Burger Bar, located on 4th Street in White Bear Lake, is open from Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and Friday to Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
The Verdict
The inside of the restaurant is pictured below.
The Cheeseburger.
French fries from Burger Bar on the left.
The Turkey Burger.
5/5 photos by Alec Nelson
sports
Friday, September 28, 2018
Vikings destined for uncertainty by Alec Nelson news editor The Minnesota Vikings kicked off their 2018-2019 season with momentum from a promising pre-season that included wins over teams like the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. This past spring, the Vikings gained one of their most valuable assets. New quarterback Kirk Cousins signed a three-year contract this March worth around $84 million, making him one of the highest paid players in the NFL (National Football League). Cousins previously played on the Washington Redskins, where he threw 4,000 passing yards for three straight seasons. This set a new team record and made him only the eleventh player in NFL history to do so. After three games this season, he
has thrown for 965 passing yards. If he continues this trend,he will become the first Viking to throw over 5,000 passing yards in one season. Besides adding Cousins to the roster this season, the Vikings also acquired new players that will help flesh out the team. The most prominent additions include Dan Bailey and Aldrick Robinson. After last week’s flashback to the 2016 Wildcard Division Playoff Game against the Seahawks, the Minnesota Vikings quickly decided to release their new kicker, Daniel Carlson, and sign one of the more accurate kickers, Dan Bailey, in an attempt to enhance potential in their kicking field. As Bailey was a free agent, Vikings fans viewed this as one of the biggest steals in the NFL this season. Aldrick Robinson, a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, was
also signed last week to help strengthen the receiving end of the field. Three weeks into the season, the Vikings’ record is 1-1-1, meaning they have one win, one loss and one tie. The first game of the season ended with a win over the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 24-16. Kirk Cousins threw for 244 yards, and Adam Thielen had six receptions and a total of 102 receiving yards. In the second game, the Packers seemed to be the dominant team with a 20-7 lead going into the fourth quarter, but that changed quickly. After an astonishing comeback of 22 points from the new quarterback and a missed field goal from the Packers’ kicker sending it to overtime, the new kicker Daniel Carlson missed a 35-yard attempt to win the game. The game resulted in a tie, 2929. Carlson had also missed two field
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goals in the game, and he was released soon after. The third game of the season didn’t get any better after the Packers versus Vikings let down the week before. Going into the game, the Vikings had a predicted point spread of 16 points over the winless Buffalo Bills. That was soon to change when the Vikings suffered an embarrassing defeat against the Buffalo Bills with a final score of 27-6. The Vikings had a promising start, but with their epic loss against the Bills, the road to the Super Bowl is uncertain.
Mustangs charge into a new season by Michelle Wang managing copy editor Mounds View Varsity Football is gearing up for their next home game: Homecoming. On Friday, Oct. 5, Mounds View will play East Ridge at 7 p.m. Coach Aaron Moberg is excited about the potential of the team, referencing the diligence of the players. “We had a few injuries during the game [against Totino-Grace], and guys were ready to step up when their number was called.
So, that was fun to see a variety of guys step up throughout the game, leading to our success,” said Moberg. “Most of everyone is at least feeling some type of injury at this point of the season,” said captain Trevor Redmond, 12. “Everyone’s sore; everyone’s banged up; a bunch of the starters are getting hurt; so we’ll have to overcome that.” In addition to their daily practices and off-season training, the boys also watch film of their upcoming opponents to prepare for their games.
Mounds View offensive line sets up to defend the pocket and lead the charge at center Raymond Sahulka, 12.
Ahmed Mohamed, 12, (center) points out the strong side to disrupt Totino Grace’s offense.
“East Ridge has one of the best quarterbacks in the state,” said Moberg. “They are a very good team. We’re gonna have to play our best game of the year.” Leading up to the big night, students decorate hallways and dress according to the day’s themes — ranging from the annual mangeant to razzle dazzle football — to support the homecoming game and strengthen Mounds View school spirit in general. “I like there’s a lot of buildup to the homecoming game. It’s a special night
where, as a formal alumni myself, we have a lot of Mustang pride,” said Moberg. “So it’s hopefully gonna be a beautiful fall night, and we’ll have a huge crowd out to support us.”
Brian Tebbutt, 11, makes a move on a Totino Grace linebacker to get a first down for the Mustangs.
Cole Stenstrom, 11, passes the ball just in time to ward off a defensive lineman from Totino Grace. photos by Sarah Tang
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Friday, september 28, 2018
top 10
Ways to spend Homecoming
10 Go to the dance Figure out how football works 9 Binge Netfix 8Deck out in green 7 Dress up in your 6 fancyEatafBenclothes and Jerry’s 5 Go up North 4 Hit up Punch Pizza 3 Spend money on 2 Yeezys instead Cheer on MV 1 against East Ridge Viewer Mission Statement
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