Issue 2

www.mvviewer.org | Wednesday, October 15, 2014 | Volume 62, Issue 2

Bug Off! Bed bugs found in Laurentian cabin

by Maddy Rosenow managing editor

photo by Hana Gulli

Mounds View has cracked down on students leaving for reasons other than PSEO or parent permission.

Crackdown on sneaking out Officials keep tighter watch on students leaving lunch, school

by Alex Jiang staff reporter During Mounds View’s fourth hour, three groups of students take turns getting herded into the cafeteria—to stay. Although Mounds View has long been a closed campus with closed lunches, security has been tightened this year to prevent students from sneaking out.

Principal Jeffrey Ridlehoover noted the observed increase in students leaving campus during their lunch periods and the complications arising from it.

“We’re responsible for the kids, and when we don’t know when they leave, that becomes problematic,” he said. “We need to know where they are.”

Although there were no official changes in practice, the sheer number of students exiting the closed lunch had become large enough to warrant closer attention.

Every exit of the lunch room now features staff supervision to prevent students from leaving. Some hallway monitors have also begun patrolling the school’s exits during the day. Jon Wang, 12, has been forced to stay in the lunch room before, but thought it was fair.

“Though [the closed lunch] is inconvenient,” said Wang, “it is the school’s responsibility to keep students safe, so it makes sense.”

The school’s intentions are not lost on students, but despite these explanations, there has also been negative response to the lack of open lunches. The practicality of closed lunches occasionally comes into question.

“If I could leave, I could have extra time to do homework and be productive. Instead, I have to stay in the lunch room and do nothing,” said Jack Wyttenbach,

IN THIS ISSUE

12. He views closed lunches as wasteful of students’ limited study time.

Additionally, Wyttenbach and Wang have experienced times when they wished to drive somewhere for different food options, but were denied by the faculty. The administration has shot down this argument.

“Students are more than allowed to bring food from home,” said Ridlehoover. “They’ve always been allowed to leave with parental permission, but they shouldn’t be allowed to leave for fast food restaurants.”

Supervisory Para Judy Karner, who watches one exit of the cafeteria, agreed with this sentiment.

“It’s more organized if students just follow the rules and stay in the lunchroom,” she said. “That’s how it should be.”

This issue is not as prevalent with the underclassmen, who are mostly too young to drive.

“I really don’t care much [about the practice] because I spend most of the time eating and talking,” said Alex Li, 9.

That doesn’t mean the controversy is nonexistent among younger students, though.

“Students should be free to go where they want during their lunch hour, especially if they like to use lunch to catch up on homework in the library or Paddock,” said Sajel Dutt, 10.

Despite negative opinion from some students, the administration is unwavering in its stance on the issue, maintaining that closed lunches allow the school to keep track of students in an organized way. At least for now, the practice seems here to stay.

They watch you while you sleep, waiting for the perfect moment to attack.

Just one night with them and your life will be an itchy nightmare for the next week.

What are these horrific creatures? Tiny parasites known as bed bugs.

Just as their name entails, bed bugs are small insects that live on their hosts’ mattresses. The parasites, much like mosquitoes or fleas, primarily feed on the blood of humans.

There was a recent outbreak of these pests at Laurentian Environmental Center (LEC) on Turtle Lake Elementary School’s annual LEC trip in September. LEC is property of Mounds View Schools, and a destination for various student trips from schools across the district, including the Mounds View Orchestra every Halloween.

A group of fifth-grade girls were the main students affected on Turtle Lake’s trip. The girls were staying in LEC’s cabins, and 18 came home with itchy red bites covering their bodies.

LEC closed the following week, and exterminators conducted heat treatments and cabin modifications throughout the entire facility to eliminate the nuisance.

The facility has adopted new inspection procedures for its cabins to keep them bug-free in the future.

Turtle Lake stayed in contact with all affected students and continues to support their recovery.

As Mounds View Orchestra prepares to head up to LEC on a trip of its own this Halloween, there are no concerns about the bed bug situation. LEC has guaranteed that no cabin will be home to the bugs, and is working to make that a long-term promise.

Orchestra students are excited for their trip and the bug-free environment.

“I’m not concerned at all [about the bugs], since LEC took care of it,” said Henry Henson, 11. “I’m so pumped to go.”

Bed Bugs

by the numbers

100 7 4

IN EDITORIALS 2

IN VARIETY 8

IN GALLERY 12

TRANSGENDERS IN SPORTS

MEA AT MOA

NELLERBEE’S CUPCAKES

feet is the distance a bedbug can crawl during the night. Usually, they choose to stay within eight meters of their meals. times a bedbug’s weight is the amount it can ingest in blood. bedbugs can fit into a square inch of a mattress.

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FALL MOVIE PREVIEW

2 editorials TOP

10

ways to sneak out during lunch

All drains lead to the ocean

2014-2015 Viewer Editors Editor-in-Chief

James Birr Managing Editor - Copy

Maddy Rosenow Managing Editor - Design

Kyoka Millard Managing Editor - Online

Alistair Tang Business Manager Nina Bertelsen News Emily Ruan Editorials Clara Wang Josh Yuan Features Monica Kemp Katrina Renacia Spread

Rebecca Nara Namrata Gadela

Variety Reviews Sports Gallery

Aaron Adams Emma Blume

Nolan Carlson-Stevermer Persis Ke

Online Editorials Staff Writer

Sarah Dhols-Graf Sean Sabeti

Ryan Yoch Photographers/Artists Eva Hoffman Lily Sacay Hana Gulli Michaela Morse Adviser

Martha Rush Staff Abigail Carter, Mark Cerkvenik, Claire Chen, Sarah Conrad, Matthew Cooper, Kaylyn Fors, Taylor Graw, Jackson Hoemann, Mary Clare Hottinger, Holly Jacobs, Alex Jiang, Katherine Karjalahti, Samuel Kwong, Margaret Larson, Joanna Liu, Marshall Mastenbrook, Rachel Monks, Kofo Mustapha, Maya Rao, Kevin Sabeti, Olivia Schultz, Priyanka Shah, Furqan Syed, Aaron Voiovich, Kaelah Wood, Amber Zhao

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

Transgender Athletes: A matter of fairness?

Proposed State League policy sparks controversy

1.

Students will self-report gender on school registration.

According to school officials, no

transgender athletes at Mounds View have asked for consideration in terms of switching teams based on the gender they identify with.

Here are the proposed guidelines from The Minnesota State High School League, which would apply to Mounds View.

All transgendered athletes should play on self-identified team without question From the day Jae Bates could take the steps to dress himself, he felt different. He would would wear his brother’s hand-me-downs and play with his toys instead of the Barbies their mother bought him. It wasn’t until the summer of

his sophomore year that Bates decided to say it: He was transgendered, or someone whose self-identity doesn’t conform to conventional notions of gender.

Jae, a student athlete who threw on the Hopkins girls track team, has become a symbol of transgender equality with the Minnesota High School League decision to draft its first official rules on transgenders in High School sports.

The main reason for composing the draft is to ensure equal treatment for all. Though all Minnesota High School athletes are entitled to a Fair Hearing by the High School League determining their eligibility for sports, creating a common guideline for those who identify as transgender helps streamline the process.

The proposal sparked outcry ranging from biological to transphobic, but in reality the issue of transgenderism in sports is irrelevant. Just like everyone, transgenders are entitled to live out the life they wish to live, regardless of supposed difficulties posed by their biological setup.

A major opposition point is the belief that male-tofemale transgendered individuals are at a direct competitive advantage. Common arguments include the more muscular build of men versus the lighter build of women. However, muscle tissues of both sexes have identical growth rates. As the British Journal of Sports Medicine pointed out in 2005, there is no direct correlation between muscle strength and an sports proficiency.

Many call into question transgender’s ‘motives,’ though such a statement is simply transphobic. Arguments over the ‘fairness’ of transgenders in High School sports only encourages the constant battle these people face with their gender identity. A majority of trans individuals struggle with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety and may find solace in sports.

Unlike the general transgender population, Jae Bates has felt accepted and cared for by both the notoriously liberal and diverse population at Hopkins High School. At the less diverse Mounds View, the results might be more mixed. This student should be treated just like any other student athlete.

D AN

tunnel with 10 Dig cafeteria spoon Base jump from roof 9 “get out of jail free” 8 Draw card in Monopoly.

Learn to teleport7 6 Bribe the police 5 4 SayHide“Look,in it’strash Joe Janey!” then run. 3 powder to 2 Floo Diagon Alley Don’t come to school at all1

October 15, 2014

2.

Student must then provide documentation from a doctor verifying a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and appropriate clinical treatment.

Case-by-case analysis necessary for fairness

In 2014, same-sex couples can get married in Minnesota and the S word is uncensored on late night television. The Minnesota State High School League’s proposal to allow transgender players to compete on the team of his/her identified gender is not exactly a shock.

Now the case isn’t equality, but fairness in allowing people who have gone through puberty as biological males to compete against people who haven’t.

Human sexuality is a spectrum, at odds with the highly stratified world of athletic competition. On the state level or national level, any edge is significant. Although the British Medical Journal states there is no connection between muscularity and athletic ability, in sports such as shotput there has consistently been at least a 0.5m difference between male and female records.

People who go through male puberty have a different bone and muscle structure than their XX counterparts. As the Smithsonian Institute states, people who have gone through puberty as a male have more robust bone and joint surfaces and more bone development at muscle attachment sites.

There are females who are stronger than males, and vice versa. We’re not talking Seimone Augustus vs Lil Bow Wow. Pitting a female with a male of equal athletic background and training, the differences are marked. Just look at professional athletics; body types for each sport tend to be conducive for it. High jumpers have long legs, swimmers have broad shoulders. To say that somebody, male or female, who is 5’ and 90 lbs is going to try to compete in shot-put with the average Olympian shot-putter is ridiculous. Thus, males who are going to compete in the sport at a high level are going to be ones who are already strong in that sport.

The Huffington Post counters that “If being a transgender woman translates into a substantial competitive advantage, you would expect to see them consistently dominating at the top levels of their sports. In fact...

Professional female transgender athletes are exceedingly rare.”

This is due to many other factors - like the percentage of transgendered people in general. Transgendered individuals ,according to Transgender Law and Policy Institute, only constitute about 2 to 5 percent of the overall population.

Barely 1 in 12,000 natal males undergo the sex reassignment surgery required to compete under the new MSHSL policy.

The proposed policy would allow for a case-by-case analysis, guaranteeing egalitarianism. Every person should be treated as a human being. But don’t let political correctness prevent objective analysis.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Old school is better than the new cool Taking the bus to school is more beneficial to you and the environment Way of Transportation

by Josh Yuan editorials editor for Mounds View Seniors For most of us, school buses bring Take the up a lot of memories. Walking up the bus Bus, 12% steps for the first time. Perhaps meeting your best friend. But maybe you only remember the trauma from standing at the bus stop in the morning during the winter.

Now, for a lot of high school students, the school bus has become just that -- a memory. Being able to drive a car by Drive/ 50 students the age of 16 is a great privilege and a Carpool, surveyed symbol of growing up. Students drive 88% because they want to enjoy their brief To help preserve the environment, moments of freedom; they want to feel a radical action or significant amount cool and mature; and they also enjoy the convenience of arriving and leaving school of spending isn’t needed. It starts with everyone doing what’s right for this Earth, when they please. and one way doing that is to drive less.

However, students are missing the Beyond the environmental aspect, bigger picture. Compared to driving to there is always a huge economic aspect school, taking the bus is not only more as well. Driving to school can add up to beneficial to themselves, but also to the be pretty costly for students. Some might environment. have to pay for their own car and the Being eco-friendly has become a insurance and gas that follow. On top of 21st century American goal. One way all that is the school’s $120 per semester to achieve this goal is to increase use of parking pass. Adding it all up, it’s a fortune public transportation, like buses and light to drive to school and almost laughable rail. However, the idea of a green world why people choose to drive as oppose to hasn’t been taken seriously. Excessive riding the school bus for free. amounts of gasoline are still being used, Driving to school also proves to be a and producing extra carbon dioxide. large safety concern. Teenagers are proven

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editorials

October 15, 2014

to speed more, according to the Center for Health and Healthcare in Schools, as 90 percent of surveyed teens have sped or have witnessed speeding by other teens.

Speeding and aggressive driving often lead to more frequent accidents.

With the Minnesota weather, winter driving is difficult, especially for teenage drivers. During the winter, cars without allwheel drive may not be able to handle the slippery hills and slopes, making the drive to school a grueling experience.

School buses, however, are safer than most students’ cars. They are all authorized by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, and are driven by professionally certified drivers. As a result, far fewer accidents occur, and students don’t have to worry about sliding their way to school.

Riding the bus is undoubtedly the more practical, cheaper, and environmentally friendly option to get to school. You may drive instead of taking the school bus in order feel more grown up and independent, but in reality it’s not the transportation you prefer that makes you more mature, it’s the life decisions you make.

Campaign Ads: Off the mark

Student VIEWS

“Driving gives you more flexability to come to school earlier. You also don’t need to rush to catch the bus.”

- Erik Sundberg, 12

“You can be more social with people who live around you.

You can also be more awake in the morning.”

- Amanda Apolloni, 9 photos by Josh Yuan

by Sean Sabeti-Oseid online editorials editor As the date edges closer to midterm elections, campaign advertising becomes a regular part of television, with negative and humorous commercials gaining the most attention.

Candidates spend extortionately large sums of money to air either self-praising kudos or pot-shots and diatribes pitted against their opponents. The sole purpose of campaign advertisements is to play on the emotions of constituents, and it’s not to provide accurate information.

It may seem very amusing, but the effect that these ads have on the unsophisticated voter make an impact on election day. After all, at the national level, the candidate with more money wins nine out of every ten elections, and advertising plays an enormous role in generating that figure.

Like previous elections, the current midterm election has generated questions and articles about campaign advertising and they always seem to ask, ‘Does it go too far?’

With U.S. Senate candidates, like Mike McFadden, one ad includes an anecdote of how McFadden personally removed his son’s stitches, making a broader appeal to fiscal conservatives on how he will cut spending, and more specifically, Obamacare.

Editor opinions What your Viewer editors think of various issues.

While the McFadden campaign made it clear that it was not supporting the refusal of medical care, it showed a lack of directness which is present in in campaign advertising.

Another commercial that went too far was from Rescue the Senate PAC, which advertised a spoof of incumbent Senator Al Franken, referring to him as a liar for his support of the Affordable Care Act. Franken’s ads directly use clips from TV news, causing agencies to object to the usage of their content for political purposes.

In the closely contested U.S. House race between Representative Rick Nolan and Stewart Mills III, ads scathing Mills and his inherited wealth are used to portray him as disconnected and arrogant, with very

“Dogs are nicer to people, and in some cases better looking.”

- Sean Sabeti-Oseid online editorials editor

little empirical proof of such traits. One ad focuses on footage of Mills arranging his long hair, while an actor playing Mills is on a yacht cooking lobsters.

Commercials like these target the sentiments of the average voter while lacking any real substance, as they are rarely critical of specific issues or stances.

If false advertising is illegal in the United States, why is it alright for voters to be mislead by candidates in their advertisements? Such advertisements may not have a serious impact in the long-run of an election, but they do leave impressions of candidates’ traits on voters’ minds in the short-term. In the end, these advertisements end up leaving nothing but a bad taste in voter’s mouths as they reluctantly head to the polls this November.

“There’s pumpkin spice in everything but I hate pumpkin spice.”

- Clara Wang - Aaron Adams editorials editor variety editor

“Inspection is the ruin of perfection.”

“Ben Yoch tho.”

- Ryan Yoch staff reporter

4 features

October 15, 2014

Weaving her past into the classroom Fynewever brings expertise as a professional speaker, writer, and contractor

by Persis Ke sports editor Writer. Speaker. Contractor. Nasreen Fynewever has taken on all these roles, but she considers herself first and foremost an educator.

Fynewever, a new Language Arts teacher this year, has seen the benefits of education since she was young. As one of the first 19 children adopted from Bangladesh, Fynewever always appreciated the impacts of education.

“If I had been raised where I was born, education wouldn’t have been a privilege I could have partaken in,” she said.

However, as an adopted child, she often felt like she didn’t fit in, in both her home and school life.

During her “tumultuous teenage years,” she often found herself connecting to her teachers more than others. “[I] struggled to find my voice, struggled to find belonging. Maybe [I] didn’t look or think or have the same experiences as people around me,” she said.

“And that’s really shaped the teacher I’ve become because… I’m more in tune to that in my classroom than I would be if I had always been part of a majority or part of a normalcy.”

Not only did her experiences influence her as a teacher, but they also helped her decide on teaching as a career.

Fynewever has been an educator for ten years, teaching mostly at the high school and college levels in religious studies, social studies, English, and education.

At one of the high schools she taught at, her call to education was reaffirmed after a student committed suicide.

“The reality of life and death for students and being able to let them show they have something to live for, I led the school through that,” she said. “... since that point, I knew that I would always be an educator because I believe young people’s lives are worth saving, and investing in, and learning about.”

While Fynewever took a four-year hiatus from the classroom, she made sure she was always involved in education, writing the curriculum for a faith-based community and sitting on a curriculum

photo by Lily Sacay

Fynewever, a new teacher, brings her expertise and personal experiences to her classroom. advisory board. But as a purpose-driven person, she felt she needed to do more in her life.

“I thought of where I wanted to be in ten years, and rather than just dream about it, I said, ‘What steps can I put in place to get there,’” she said. “And long-term, I always wanted to be a teacher, writer, and speaker.”

To fulfill these goals, Fynewever began blogging and helping writers and speakers who had messages she agreed with. As she began putting more of her efforts into supporting others, she received more opportunities herself.

“I got into production management, and into manuscript review, and just had more time to write

on my own, both memoir and self-help books and education books,” she said.

Fynewever then decided to monetize the work she was already doing, “ I started a consulting business, so now… for various [writers and speakers] clients, I will write for them, I will speak for them, I will sit down with them and help them plan out things,” she said.

Although she had formed her own firm, Fynewever did not stray from her “first love” of education. Through the 2013-2014 school year, she was on Mounds View Public Schools Curriculum Advisory Committee. The meetings reminded her of her love for the classroom, and Fynewever decided to apply for positions in the district. After applying and going through interviews, she was offered a position at Mounds View. “...the courses they offered me, one of them is Creative Writing,” she said. “Creative Writing allows me to still be a writer myself… but then it also lets me be with students who are...my first passion.”

After being away from the classroom, Fynewever has discovered the benefits of this absence. She believes her time away has opened her eyes to different viewpoints, and the importance of communication.

“Spending time in other fields of work...you find out that communication makes or breaks companies and organizations, and so it affects how I try to communicate with my students and what I want them to learn,” she said.

Since returning to the classroom, Fynewever has had to re-evaluate her time. As a mother, contractor, writer, and board member in addition to a teacher, her schedule is rarely empty. Earlier this year, she withdrew from a program with Columbia University to ensure her “[excellence] in the classroom.”

Fynewever has been enjoying her time at Mounds View and appreciates the environment: the “two-piece puzzle” of academics and student connection.

In the coming year, Fynewever plans to learn more about the school culture. Long-term, she has hopes for more leadership in the district.

Mounds View alum serves on school board

by Rebecca Nara spread editor The school board may go unnoticed in the midst of the daily grind, but their decisions have a profound impact on the way the district runs. A recent addition to the seven member board is Jonathan Weinhagen, replacing the retiring Lisa Sjobeck.

Weinhagen previously worked at a family company in St. Paul till friends and family members encouraged him to pursue a career with more community outreach, leading him to become the current vice president of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce.

Weinhagen was already familiar with the community, as he had grown up in the area and graduated from MVHS in 2001. He has also served as a trustee of the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation.

As a student, Weinhagen was very involved in extracurriculars, including student government. After graduation, he managed the girls basketball team.

The team won sections in ‘08 and ‘09, both years that Weinhagen was managing. “I’m the only member of my

family to have a championship trophy,” said Weinhagen.

Weinhagen was sworn in on Aug 19 and has quickly adjusted to the role of school board member. Although the board meetings are open to the public, not many people get a chance to see the extent of the decision making process.

“We come together and we’re able to have some really diverse dialogue,” said Weinhagen. “This is a group that’s really thoughtful...but ultimately as a body we make a decision and move forward as one voice.”

One such topic that Weinhagen has had a chance to weigh in on is the equity promise, which is the district’s aim that “all students are prepared for post-secondary success regardless of race, class or disability.”

“We’ve watched MV’s equity promise really closely,” said Weinhagen. “It’s amazing the scope that it’s incorporated into the community, the schools, and the role that we play.”

Weinhagen looks forward to taking part in some of the more intense discussions and to bring something unique to the district as a school board

member.

“It’s a group of people that are really passionate about the community, the schools, the role that we play, and everybody has a little bit of a different perspective. So we come together and we’re able to have some really diverse dialogue,” he said.

Mounds View alumnus, Jonathan Weinhagen, joins the school board in enacting the equity promise. photo by Hana Gulli

features 5

October 15, 2014

Making a difference both here and abroad

by Furqan Syed staff reporter Nika Gachechiladze, 12, traveled thousands of miles from Georgia to America for an adventure.

Gachechiladze is an exchange student who seeks to bring change in his home country. He also keeps a pretty packed schedule by balancing soccer, Student Council, Volunteer Club and Diversity Council, and of course, that one thing students can never get rid of homework.

Although the first days of school were a struggle for Gachechiladze, he gradually found himself adapting to the differences in American education. “[The] first days of school it seemed like labyrinth. MV is a huge school with absolutely different methods of education,” he said. “Good thing is that I don’t get lost anymore.”

Besides seeking new experiences, Gachechiladze’s main goal was to find ways to improve his country. “For me the greatest motivation was to make a change in Georgia with learning American experience. For years, I was working and volunteering for several NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) who were advocating for youth engagement in social life of Georgia, so I knew that something was wrong in my country and decided to gain new experience in order to make a change,” he said.

Gachechiladze found a lot of differences when coming to America. “[The] major difference [from]

photo by Hana Gulli

Nika Gachechiladze, 12, works in the Student Council room. what I’ve seen so far is that here everything is much more organized. We don’t have infrastructure like this in Georgia. Here people with disabilities can freely move anywhere, but not in my country,” he said.

One of the primary NGOs that Gachechiladze has worked for is Youth2Georgia. Youth2Georgia is an organization that works to educate young people about rights, responsibilities, and decision-making for the benefit of the community.

“I enjoy volunteering and helping people,” he said. “In Georgia, Youth2Georgia takes most of my free time, but also I am training for peer to peer education.”

Gachechiladze is the first exchange student

in Mounds View history to partake in Student Council. However, leadership is nothing new for Gachechiladze. In the past, he has worked as an advocacy project manager for Youth2Georgia and enjoys being part of a community effort. “I like the team working aspect the most,” said Gachechiladze.

Differences in social norms soon became obvious to Gachechiladze. “There is a big difference between how we work in Georgia and in USA. We build strong teams which is based on relationships. Here, it’s built on members’ professionalism,” he said.

He also noted the differences in how people are selected for positions. “Here members are chosen by based on their skills, but in Georgia we select members by their potential of developing skills.”

Gachechiladze is eager to get the most out of his time here.“I try to get involved in as many activities as possible,” he said. But the accumulation of homework, clubs, and school life can really pile up.

“There are days when I wake up around three to four in the morning for homework.”

Along with leadership positions, Gachechiladze is also involved in sports and is currently on the JV team for soccer. “I like soccer very much. Playing and watching it is basically the greatest fun for me,” said Gachechiladze.

Through his experiences of being an exchange student, Gachechiladze believes he has seen a lot of change. On his reflection of this change, Gachechiladze said, “not better, not worse, just different.”

MV junior turns scrap metals into art

by Amber Zhao staff reporter

photo by Hana Gulli

It’s a classic scene. A group of bubbly girls shopping together for jewelry. Suddenly, two of them stop and reach for the same pair of earrings. Uhoh. Who gets to buy them?

It’s almost unthinkable that the two would both get the pair. After all, they don’t want to turn their earring choices into a competition of who wears it better. Should neither of the girls buy them? Impossible. They’re too cute.

For Erin Renshaw, 11, it’s a conflict avoided.

With a collection of over 100 pairs of earrings, half handmade and the other half bought, Renshaw’s jewelry portrays her mood while she was making it and allows her to wear the same pair when she’s feeling the same mood at another time. With so many different

choices for each of her moods, Renshaw doesn’t have a hard time showing her individuality.

But she doesn’t just limit her self expression to jewelry.

Renshaw is a girl with a spin on artistic talent. While she may not be the next Picasso, her creative talent isn’t something to be overlooked. Choosing scrap metal and shoes over canvas and brush, Renshaw’s works can be worn and used in everyday life. Her scrap metal looks includes a belt made out of paper clips and pop tabs and various pairs of earrings.

As a fan of the popular John Green book, The Fault in Our Stars, Renshaw was inspired to paint her grey canvas boat shoes with a theme from The Fault in Our Stars. While she admits that the idea wasn’t original, she was determined to make her shoes better than the model she saw.

“I thought, ‘I can do that but better,’” she said. She normally doesn’t let current fads influence her work. “I [painted the shoes] mostly because I love the book. It’s not my fault that everybody else loves that story.”

Renshaw has been making custom accessories to fit her personality for five years now. “My family is very creative.

My mom used to be a painter, and my brother is also really good at painting...

I think that’s what probably got me really interested in the first place,” she said.

In the future, Renshaw plans to focus on engineering, but she plans to keep her talent.

“As a side hobby, I was considering opening up my own little store if I have enough money.”

photo courtesy of Erin Renshaw

Erin Renshaw’s self painted shoes.

Never too old for a treat

by Abigail Carter staff reporter

As Halloween grows closer, children are picking out costumes and preparing to go trick-or-treating. However, kids don’t stay kids forever. When they start to outgrow their toys and costumes, a decision has to be made: When should kids stop trick-or-treating?

A large portion of the Mounds View community continues to go out in costume in order to receive candy from houses on their street, and they don’t plan to stop anytime soon. The most common reason is fairly obvious.

“I still go for the candy,” said Jeman Park, 11.

Sweets aren’t the only driving force for highschoolers who still go trick-ortreating, however. Many students find Halloween a great reason to get together

with friends. “I still go, but I usually go with friends,” said Andrew Fanzo, 11.

“We go to a few houses then go back and trade candy.”

Still, some students stopped years ago and disapprove of those around them that still go.

“Trick-or-treating is for kids,” said Chloe Eolhc, 10. “Nobody should go after you turn 12.”

Faced with this challenge, students produced alternatives to trick-or-treating, but still kept to the Halloween spirit.

“Maybe you could throw a party, except with pinatas. That way, you still get candy,” said Sam Glasford, 10.

Other than throwing their own Halloween parties, there are many other fun activities for students to engage in.

“You could watch Halloween movies, or go to the Halloween dance,” said Madie Petry, 10.

Are high schoolers too old to go trick or treating?

YES

22 38 NO 60 students were polled

information compiled by Abigail Carter

Polit Peer Pressu

Big Issues Gay Rights The LGBT community has fought many legal battles in statehouses and courtrooms over the past 20 years.

They have pursued same-sex marriage, adoption, antidiscrimination protections/laws, and other civil liberties.

Opponents have tried to retain a traditional marriage and family structure and oppose these measures.

Gun Control

One side, concerned with safety, promotes implementing tighter background checks and other measures to prevent future school shootings. The other side opposes laws restricting gun ownership because they believe it violates their Second Amendment right to bear arms.

School, especially public school, is meant t think, not what to think. Does the politica Mounds View encourage or stifle student p

Abortion The debate is between pro-choice and pro-life. Pro-choice favors giving women the choice to keep or abort her baby, while pro-life supporters argue that each fetus has a life/soul, and that the government has a responsibility to preserve all human life.

Outnumbered vo

Military Involvement Today’s debate on war revolves around the US-led coalition against the Islamic State militant group located in Syria and Iraq, and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine. The divisive concern is how involved the U.S should be in other countries’ affairs.

Information compiled by Maggie Larson

5.33 % % 5.33

HS

War

V

Gun Control

%

16 %

M

sial topi ver ca o r t t n 5.33

Abortion

Mo st co

Key Gay Rights

S

68 %

Are yo u

20 % No

80% Yes

V

S? 75 people polled

ur views ar yo M

68 % Yes

32% No

table expr es for m si o c

g n

it ify w h a po t lit en d i i

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Health

H

graphics by Rebecca Nara

by Ryan Yoch staff writer he was sitting quietly in the second row of her English class when a discussion about gay rights began. Her face reddened, and she shifted her weight from side to side, unsure of what to do.

Should she share her thoughts or silence them? Defend her position or let the other side go unchallenged?

She disagreed with what both her peers and her teacher were saying, but she didn’t want to say anything, didn’t want to feel like an outsider. In the end, Isabel “Izzy” Miller, 12, gathered up her courage and spoke her mind.

“I try to be unafraid. I try to raise my hand and show kids that there are other views,” said Izzy. “I think having somebody say something is important, even if almost nobody else in the class is paying attention.”

Not everyone at Mounds View, however, is as bold as Izzy. Approximately 20 percent of students say they don’t feel comfortable expressing their political views at school.

Others, staff included, feel that the majority is so strong with some debates, gay marriage for example, that there is no room for disagreement.

On the majority of issues, Mounds View students seem to feel comfortable saying what they think. When students were asked what the most divisive issue at Mounds View is, gun control, health care, and foreign

Poll information compiled by Matthew Cooper and Sarah Conrad

policy each o Other is students as to about much, to war,” said going to war abortion cou Accordi seems to fall personal. As the most talk believe it is m today.

Howeve staff, it is har is fierce in it who believe they are a mi when they ha “Even p as conservati school one d ‘You’re Cath said, ‘So you moment for Some st “I’ve he

Votin

by Maya Rao staff reporter I Voted! stickers g people stream out of th Anticipation builds as slowly inching toward is your turn to approac the names on the ballo make a choice that wil Mid-term election November 4, and stud are getting ready. Wh large, some students w to make the trip to the Elections can be e voter. For many of the

tical

ure

to teach students how to al atmosphere of political expression? cartoon by Michaela Morse

oices struggle to be heard

only received 5.3 percent of votes. ssues, abortion for example, are thought of by oo personal to discuss. “Abortion isn’t talked , it’s a little deeper than talking about going d Jonah Westerman, 10. “We’re not the ones r, and we’re not the ones getting bombed, but uld happen to one of our friends.” ing to most students and staff, gay rights l in the sweet spot at personal, but not too s a result, many believe that gay rights is ked about issue, and 68 percent of students most controversial issue at Mounds View

er, after talking with numerous students and rd to tell whether the debate over gay rights tself or just fiercely lopsided. Many of those in the traditional definition of marriage feel inority at Mounds View, and can recall times ave been singled out for their views. people that I don’t know have labeled me ive,” said Ellen Brough, 12. “I was leaving day, and this kid comes up to me and says, holic, right?’ and I was like, ‘Yeah.’ Then he u hate the gays?’ That was a pretty intense me.” taff members have had similar experiences. eld minority positions on issues, and I have

been scorned for holding positions that are counter to certain prevailing views at MVHS,” said math teacher Robert Hazen. “As a political conservative, I’ve been mocked by some liberal faculty in the building.”

Hazen is not the only one who has had conflicts with Mounds View staff over political issues. Students seem to feel that the majority of Mounds View teachers are liberal, and that some teachers often do not do a good enough job concealing their political beliefs.

“I have had friends who have told me that they have been wildly uncomfortable in class because they know the teacher is saying something they disagree with on a very basic level, but they don’t feel like they can say anything,” said Izzy. “They just sit there in this agony of ‘I’m too shy to say anything, but I really disagree.’”

Whether or not teachers should be able to express their beliefs is a difficult question. Some believe that as employees of a public school, and role models for students, staff should do their best to remain unbiased.

However, others believe that teachers are people too, and as such should be able to express their individual opinions as freely as anybody else.

“I think it’s really important to be objective as much as possible in my position,” said English teacher Beth Baxley. “I know that, as a teacher, what I say matters, more so than some of my friends with different jobs.

What I say could alienate people, and I don’t want to

alienate anyone.”

“On the other hand,” she added, “You are never going to find a completely unbiased education system or a completely unbiased teacher because you are never going to find a completely unbiased person. It’s just not possible. It wouldn’t be human.”

Despite the prevailing belief that Mounds View is more liberal than conservative, it is interesting to note that, according to the 2012 presidential election, the Mounds View school district is actually quite politically diverse. Parts of Arden Hills voted strongly for Obama, but Romney won decisively in most of North Oaks, and the majority of the district fell somewhere in between.

With the wide range of political views present in the district, there might be more political diversity at Mounds View than students and staff think. Perhaps the majority view on an issue like gay rights might seem a little less large if we simply learn where to look.

“The other thing is, they don’t really like to talk about it with you. With me, I mean,” said Izzy. “Because I have a different view, I become ‘hard to talk to.’”

“I don’t think I’m hard to talk to, am I?”

ng gives some seniors a say

gleam on shirts as he voting booth. you stand in line, ds the front. Finally, it ch the booth. You see ot, pause to think, then ll impact your future. ns are coming up on dents at Mounds View hile the group isn’t too will be 18 and eligible voting booths this fall. exciting for a new em, this is the first time

their actions are directly contributing to the future of their country and can be seen as part of their transition into adulthood.

“I believe that many people aren’t connected in any other way to the government and politics; this is their only opportunity to have their voice heard,” said Sam Baschky, 12.

Even though each person only has one vote, that vote could make a difference.

Baillie Lee-Eichenwald, 12 said, “I have obligations in my family to fight for what’s right.”

This idea is enough to evoke pride and patriotism in the hearts of young voters.

The issue, however, of uninformed

voting arises with young voters. Are they voting simply because they can? And, are they well-enough informed about political issues to make good decisions?

“It depends on how they feel, like, if they feel ready to vote or if they even care about the decision that they’re making,” said Lee-Eichenwald.

Deciding whether to vote and how to vote can be extremely confusing for young people.

Some students are heavily invested and express their political sides by working on campaigns, but others are just not interested.

Baschky stands somewhere in the middle.

“So far, I’ve only had beliefs of those

around me tossed at me. Once I’ve decided my own stances on major issues, then I might join a political party or work on a politician’s campaign,” she said.

I Voted

8 variety

October 15, 2014

Spend MEA at the MOA...

Hit the ice at Ski and Snowboard Expo

by Livia Masci and Taylor Graw staff reporters

strapped into skis and snowboards. The show can be seen from all four levels of the mall that surround the Rotunda.

The expo also has hands-on or interactive activities, like a special learn-to-ski-and-snowboard slope for kids – equipment will be provided for participants. Those who already know how to ski or snowboard can test their skills in the ELITEAM interactive Fitness Course, and Gibbon Slackline Demo.

Not everyone may be interested in these sports, but the expo will provide entertainment for all who attend.

From exhibitors to a trampoline show, there is certainly

find themselves without plans over MEA, the Minnesota Ski and Snowboard expo is definitely worth a stop.

Winter is just around the corner, and to kick off the ski and snowboard season, the Mall of America is hosting the Minnesota Ski & Snowboard Expo over MEA weekend – from Friday, Oct 17 through Sunday, Oct 19.

Designed for those enthusiastic fair use from Mall of America about downhill skiing or snowboarding, the expo offers a wide variety of The official Ski and Snowboard Expo logo activities and attractions, as well as preseason savings and giveaways. something for everyone.

With so much to offer, the expo The expo runs during normal mall has become one of Minnesota’s hours, and includes free parking most anticipated winter sport expos. and admission. If students According to a Mounds View Ski team member, Anna Hansen, 10, “You can get great deals and meet cool people from different ski lodges. It’s just an outstanding event from what I’ve heard,” she said.

Exhibitors from local ski and snowboard areas attend the expo to answer questions and display new equipment and apparel.

“You can get awesome tips, and it’s a super fun and a great way to learn new and upcoming stuff about skiing and snowboarding,” said Hansen.

The organizers give away lift tickets, season passes, instructional programs, trips, and ski and snowboard gear every hour in the Rotunda.

Beyond the cool gear and giveaways, members of the world fair use from Mall of America famous Skyriders, Olympic Trampoline champions, perform their aerial and The official Blackout: Glow Crazy logo acrobatic routines every two fair use from Mall of America hours starting at noon. The Skyriders perform all sorts Mall of America map. The dot at the intersection beside East Broadof acrobatic routines on way is the Rotunda, where the Ski and Snowboard expo is located, trampolines, while

Black Out at Glow Crazy

and Nickelodeon Universe, the site of the blackout, is in the center.

by Clare Carroll and Katie Karjalahti staff reporters Over MEA weekend, the Mall of America is hosting their annual Blackout: Glow Crazy, and it promises to be a blast. The event will take place on Oct 17, 18, 24, 25, and 31 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Nickelodeon Universe.

During the event all the rides at Nickelodeon

Universe are kept open, but the lights are shut off.

Black lights and fog machines are used to create a spooky atmosphere. There’s a live DJ, black light T-shirt designing, costume contests, and much more.

Nickelodeon Universe is the home of many rides including ‘SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge,’ ‘The Log Chute,’ and ‘Pepsi Orange Streak.’

They also have newer rides like the popular ‘Barnacle Blast Zip Line.’ In the light, the rides can be fun, in the

dark, they become thrilling and scary.

Not only will Blackout be a blast for kids, but taking rides in the dark almost guarantees a good time for high school students.

“I think [Nickelodeon Universe is] a very colorful place that many little kids would appeal to,” said Calvin Wang, 10. “It would also attract older audiences as well.”

...or take a load off with League of Legends!

by Daniel Yong staff reporter

An over-$2 million prize pool with the top team taking $1 million. Sixteen teams from three different continents all converging on one city: Seoul.

On Oct 19, the League of Legends Season 4 World Championship finals will not be held in the United States; it will be held in Seoul, South Korea at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Stadium.

To make it this far, each of the 16 teams had to compete in their region’s qualifier. Only the top three teams from each region (North America, Europe, Korea, and China) can compete, as well as two international teams and two teams from Southeast Asia.

From there, the teams were divided into four groups of four, with the top two teams from each group moving on to the bracket stage.

For many fans, a trip to Seoul is worth it to see the top teams battle for first place; for students, a trip like that is difficult.

“Although I enjoy the game, it just isn’t worth it for me to skip school to watch the finals,” said Tyler Hong, 10.

Thankfully, there’s another option besides jumping on a plane for 13 hours. Although the event is in Korea, the games will be live-streamed on October 19 from 2 AM to 7 AM CDT on the Riot Games twitch.tv channel. In the afternoon, the games will be rebroadcasted from 12 PM to 6 PM for those that want to watch during daylight hours.

League of Legends is growing as a recreational activity within Mounds View.

“Many of my friends and I play League, so watching the finals would be a great way to end the season,” said Dan Min, 11. A viewing party will be held on Oct 20 from 2 PM to 5 PM in Room 166

fair use from Segmentnext.com

A League of Legends World Championship promotional picture. (orchestra room in the music wing) for those interested in watching the World Championship together.

October 15, 2014

reviews 9

Films of the Fall

A Walk Among the Tombstones

Annabelle

by Kaylyn Fors staff reporter

The latest in a series of horror prequels, Annabelle, is about a young couple who was attacked by two members of a satanic cult, attempting to offer the couple’s soon-to-beborn child as a sacrifice to Satan. When they’re killed by the police during the attack, one of the cult members, Annabelle, latches onto one of the family’s dolls, bringing chaos into their life as demons try to take the baby’s soul.

Something I loved about The Conjuring, Annabelle’s predecessor, was its cinematography.

The opening scene introduces Annabelle in the flashback to the 1960s. The film style switched from classic ’70s to something

reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock; in fact, many shots were similar to Psycho. I assumed I’d see the same Hitchcock influence in Annabelle. To my dismay, the shots were very current and didn’t scare me. In The Conjuring, every shot had meaning and made me nervous.

What made me edgy in Annabelle was the music and the foreshadowing.

In fact, every scare and plot moment was forewarned.

Despite my disappointment in cinematography, the story was good. Leonetti did a great job of helping the audience connect to the main character, Mia, and directing the many

by Aaron Voiovich staff reporter

photo courtesy of thewrap

jump scares. For fans of The Conjuring and Annabelle, more spinoffs and sequels are on their way. The direct sequel to The Conjuring, The Enfield Poltergeist, is coming out in 2015, as well as two more spin-offs featuring cases of demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren in the near future.

7/10

This is Where I Leave You

by Jackson Hoemann staff reporter A comedy-drama about dysfunctional siblings coming together for seven days in their childhood home after the death of their father, each dealing with their own personal problems may sound simple and formulaic, but This is Where I Leave You entertains for most of its entire runtime. Directed

by Shawn Levy, and screenplay by Jonathan Tropper (adapted from his own novel), the movie provides a humorous and dramatic story with a promising cast.

Judd Altman (Jason Bateman) has lost his job and his wife when he hears from his mother (Jane Fonda) and sister (Tina Fey) that their father had passed and his dying wish was to have the family reunite at their home for a week. Joined by brothers Paul (Corey Stoll) and Phillip (Adam Driver), and a slew of spouses, children,

and exes, the film takes the ill-fated siblings through emotional journeys while trying to fix the problems in

as brother and sister Judd and Wendy, who counsel and help each other through their problems. Stoll and Driver aren’t terrible, but compared to the dynamic the other two have they aren’t as great.

But the movie still has its faults. Parts are slow and contain less sibling interaction than others, leading to less humorous sequences. photo courtesy of abookishaffair Some jokes seem forced, unnecessary and don’t contribute much to the film. The film is at its best their lives. when the family is together, Levy and Tropper and frankly, there just isn’t take what could have enough. been a dramatic story But, nevertheless, This or a ridiculous comedy is Where I Leave You is and provide a healthy a good movie. It may not combination of the two, be “the best movie of the using a mixture of crude entire year,” but it provides humor, subtle wit, and a heartfelt story with good sarcasm to lighten the humor and great acting. It mood. could have not worked if it But This is Where I was marketed as a singular Leave You is at its best drama or comedy, but this when the four siblings are combination provides a fun, all together. Fey, Stoll, entertaining story one could Bateman and Driver enjoy watching. seem like actual siblings.

Bateman and Fey stand out

7.5/10

Based on the bestselling novel A Walk Among the Tombstones by Lawrence Block, Liam Neeson stars in a thrilling crime story (directed

by Scott Frank). Neeson plays an ex-police officer, recovering from alcoholism and dealing with drug bosses and sadistic murderers.

In the movie, drug traffickers’ wives are systematically targeted by two sadistic serial killers and are held for ransom. The wives eventually are killed. Not being able to turn to police, the drug traffickers turn to the unlicensed private investigator Matthew Scudder (Liam Neeson) to find the men responsible for their families’ murders.

The film was outstanding, with all actors at their best. The story was unpredictable and shocking at every turn. It seemed

as though some details had to be cut for the sake of run time, but that didn’t affect the overall enjoyment of the film.

The film was extremely dark, and in some instances nearly too dark for comfort, but that seemed rather intentional as it added an eerie, real world feeling to the entire picture.

Overall, it is a gripping, dark thriller well worth the ticket price.

photo courtesy of collider

9/10

The Mazerunner

begins to change. Thankfully, though there’s one girl amidst a group of boys, there’s no cheesy love triangle. In fact, none of the Director Wes Ball has boys seem to show interest in her transformed The Maze Runner and instead focus on saving their from a novel into a great own lives, as it should be. movie. It starts out with a heart For those who had not read pounding scene as the main the book already, there were character, Thomas, wakes up small confusions in a screeching dark and questions elevator shaft. He left unanswered. finds himself in a But the wellcommunity of boys and developed maze without his memory. created a thrilling Some of the boys have and intense setting been trapped there for that kept the three years. audience leaning An ever changing out of their maze surrounds them, and people photo courtesy of article.wn seats. It was an elaborate actionknown as “runners” packed movie explore the maze filled with likable characters, during the day to try to find a that will leave viewers caring for way out. At night, the doors the fate of these characters and close to protect them from eager for the sequel. “grievers,” giant creatures that no one has ever seen and lived to tell about.

None of them know why they’re there, but when the first girl ever arrives, everything

by Claire Chen staff reporter

9/10

10 sports

October 15, 2014

Throwing the flag on football safety

by Marshall Mastenbrook staff reporter

Have you ever been injured from football?

No

Yes

Timeline of Brain Injuries in Professional Football Feb. 2011

Dan Duerson, 50, commits suicide, mental injuries found

Junior Seau, 45, shot himself in the chest and left the note “examine my brain,” CTE found

Ray Eastesling, 62, donates his brain to research, degenerative disease found April 2012

Lawsuit settles $765 million for 18,00 NFL athletes with brain injuries

Study on 34 Paul Oliver, age 29, players reveals most recent of all 33 had traumatic brain studies, mental brain issues issues found Dec. 2012

Have you ever had to be pulled from a game due to an injury?

15 of the 20 players Aug. 2013

May 2012

20

players have known someone who has been concussed

No

movement,” said Galvin.

“The game is the way it is. Football is a rough physical sport, you can’t play real football without getting roughed up.

Everyone knows what they are signing up for, such as signing up for any other sports or driving a car there are risks,” said Galvin.

Some schools in the area, including football powerhouse Eden Prairie, are seeing declining numbers in their football rosters. Mounds View, however, still has roughly the same participation as it has in the past five years.

Yes

photo by Eva Hoffman

out of the 20

With concussions in the national spotlight and over 13,000 concussions in high school football last year, player safety is a large concern at Mounds View.

James Galvin has been head coach for the Mounds View football team for 16 years, and in his time here, he’s seen plenty of concussions.

“Since I’ve been coaching there are about five concussions a year and a few sprains and strains,” he said.

While sprains and strains generally have a quick recovery time, concussions do not. A concussion happens when the brain bounces inside the skull, causing internal bruising. Because the brain is so fragile, the recovery takes time, and rules The football team fights for extra yards. are enforced to ensure the athlete is fully recovered. prevent concussions. According to Mayo, “We take concussions very seriously. “[Helmets] can’t prevent a player’s brain Players with a suspected concussion have from moving and stopping quickly within to go 24 hours without any symptoms the skull, which can lead to concussions.” before returning to play,” said Galvin.

Senior football player Adam Karel For the athletes who still show agrees with the research. symptoms, there is a five-day policy in “Helmets help with the little bumps place in order to allow athletes’ brains and bruises but don’t do much for the to fully heal. In those five days, players actual serious injuries,” he said. must pass concussion baseline tests, that Because equipment doesn’t always evaluate their cognitive abilities. Once prevent concussions, coaches and athletes the test is passed, the player is allowed to are taking extra steps. Coaches train their return to practices and games. players on how to hit properly, in order to Although we’d like to think helmets avoid causing or receiving concussions. can prevent concussions and everything “We try to train our players to use to follow, recent research done by the their heads when tackling as little as Mayo Clinic has proven that helmets don’t possible. We also work on reduced head

20 players give us their take on concussions in football

have needed a trainer for an injury.

1 out of the 20

players have received a concussion before

Sept. 2013

Trapshooting starts to hit the mark at MV

by Kaelah Wood staff reporter Mounds View’s “trap” team has become a recent addition to the list of sports Mounds View students are now partaking in. Although the sport is at the height of its popularity in Minnesota, the lack of advertisements about its creation leave Mounds View with a lower enrollment number than teams around the state, with a total of 17 members.

The spring season last year was the kickoff for the Mounds View Trap Team. With enrollment of 19 last year, the team is down two members but photo by Eva Hoffman Coach Tom Landwehr explains, “The team is a little smaller this year, but it’s Shooter aims down range at trap shooting practice. usually smaller in the fall than spring.” big or [strong] so anybody can be on it.”

The whole game is out of 25

Trap shooting is very different The competitions are different points and based solely on individual from most sports at Mounds View. than most sports; they aren’t face to performance. Participants get 25 clay “Boys and girls can be on it. Everyone face and are always “played” on their targets to shoot at from five different competes, and we don’t just ‘play’ our home field. A coach enters the scores spots about 40 yards down range. These best shooters,” said Landwehr. into a computer, and the winners can be spots force the participant to shoot from “It teaches a lot of good hand-eye determined right away. different angles. coordination, and you don’t have to be

Although shooting guns and carrying them around everywhere may sound dangerous, Coach Landwehr argues that there aren’t many dangers at all.

“First off, everyone has to have their firearm safety certificate so they all know how to be safe [before they shoot.]. We are very strict about safety on the range, and we make it clear that guns aren’t allowed on school property.

So I’d have to say the biggest danger on the range is getting rained on,” he said.

Between experienced shooters and first time newcomers, MV Trap promises a good experience and a great time. There are kids who haven’t shot a day in their lives and others who have been shooting for years.

“The students who haven’t [been shooting for years] love it just as much,” said newcomer Jocelyn Landwehr, 9.

Trap shooting is a sport anyone can join at any age and skill level, and all are welcome to come try it out.

October 15, 2014

Boys soccer returns to form

sports 11

Team rebounds after mediocre 2013 season

Athlete of the Issue

Joe Janey George Mata, 10, looks to make a pass during a game against Cretin-Derham Hall.

by Mark Cerkvenik staff reporter The varsity boys soccer team is having major success this season. After 16 games, they rank seventh in the state, second in Section 5AA, and third in the Suburban East Conference.

The team has improved greatly since their mediocre last season. In 2013, the team accumulated a 6-6-4 record and did not make it past the first round of Sections, losing to Park Center by a goal.

With a ten-game win streak earlier in the season, the team has far surpassed last year’s results. Expectations are high as the team heads to Sections, and Coach Chris Scanlon thinks the team has what it takes to go far in the tournament.

“Our team definitely has the effort and skill to win [State] this year,” said Scanlon.

Many of the players are also hoping to do well at State, including Jake Dingman, 12, one of the team’s four captains.

“I think we have the ability to make it far in State,” said Dingman.

“We have the talent, and the effort has been great from all the players.”

After their disappointing 2013 season, the coaching staff changed their formation to help the team cover more of the field.

Regular Season Records and Rankings, 2011-2014 2011 9-4-3, unranked in State 2012 13-2-0, 7th in State 2013 6-6-4, unranked in State 2014 11-4-1, 7th in State Source: www.minnesota-scores.net information compiled by Persis Ke

“The hope was that we would be able to have a little more depth while still keeping our width,” said Scanlon.

The new formation has been working in their favor.

photo by Hana Gulli

“The team has improved a lot since last year,” said Scanlon. “We’ve really been working on keeping possession of the ball.”

Scanlon believes their increased possession has helped the team greatly, allowing the players to keep the lead when they’re ahead, while forcing the other team to work hard to get the ball back.

Beyond skill and style of play, the team’s athleticism has also been a deciding factor in this year’s winning season.

“I think we’re in better shape this year which helps us to win the closer games,” said Scanlon.

Most importantly, the team’s mindset this year has helped them stay focused on constant improvement.

“The overall mood has changed this year,” said Dingman. “Everyone seems to be working hard and giving 100 percent every day.”

Scanlon attributes this new attitude to the seniors. “[The seniors] lead by hard work and teamwork. They create a very comfortable environment for the younger kids,” he said.

Girls tennis wins conference, looks ahead

by Samuel Kwong staff reporter After a first-round loss at State last year, the varsity girls tennis team came back strong this season, winning back the title of Conference champions.

The team defeated all eight of the other teams in the Suburban East Conference to earn the title.

In the deciding game of the conference, Mounds View was pitted against an undefeated Woodbury team.

For Ali Kopiecki, 10, it was stressful watching two of the doubles teams come back from behind to pull off wins.

“There were a few matches [that lasted] to the third set. It was a rough start, but we managed to pull it off,” said Kopiecki.

Regaining the conference title was exciting for the players after enduring a disappointing loss against Forest Lake last season.

“Winning conference was my best memory this year because we didn’t win last year,” said Sarah Conlin-Brandenburg, 12, one of the three captains.

photo by Eva Hoffman

Ali Kopieski, 10, returns a volley during her Sections match.

While they have claimed the conference title, the season isn’t over, and the team hopes to lengthen their sevenyear run at the State tournament.

The team is fairly young – with eight sophomores and two middle schoolers – but promising, and there are high hopes for a good run at the State tournament.

“We have a strong singles line,” said Conlin-Brandenburg. “At the top we have Ali [Kopiecki]; she is a super strong player and doesn’t lose often.”

Coach Michael Cartwright added, “We have a strong sophomore class this year, there [are] a lot of good tennis players that work hard in and out of season.”

With the season drawing to a close, some players are beginning to look towards next season. There is a high possibility of another young team next year, and Kopiecki worries the transition will prove challenging.

“It’ll be hard to fill the void of the captains because they were so responsible” she said. “There’s a lot of responsibility...and we have to improve a lot between seasons.”

However, the current captains have faith in their fellow players and don’t believe the team’s youthfulness will be an issue.

“I think a lot of girls on the team will step up and take a leadership role,” said Conlin-Brandenburg.

Senior Football

Q: What’s your favorite part of playing football?

A: I just really love the team atmosphere, getting all the guys together. It’s awesome.

Q: What’s been the best part of the season so far?

A: I think we’ve all exceeded expectations, so that’s been pretty fun.

Q: What are your goals for the season?

A: Going to State.

Q: Do you have any game day rituals? What are they?

A: Yes, I do have a game day ritual. So I leave school...and I go jump into my bed...I take a 45-minute nap, and then I get up, and I eat chicken, and then I shower, and then I brush my teeth, and then I leave.

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

A: Probably to listen, ‘cause when you listen, you get good advice. If you don’t listen, you’ll never get good advice.

Q: What advice would give others?

A: There’s a lot of wisdom flowing around these walls at MVHS. So you got to be a sponge, and you need to soak up that wisdom. So if we were all sponges, the world would be a better place.

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

A: If I could have a superpower, I would probably be invisible. I think it would be so sick, ‘cause then you can just sweep around, no one really knows where you are, and then [you] just pop up. information compiled by Persis Ke

12 gallery

October 15, 2014

Crafting Cupcakes

by Olivia Schultz and Mary Clare Hottinger staff reporters

Noelle Laske, a junior at Mounds View, has an unusual after-school job: she runs her own cupcake business called Nellerbee’s Cupcakes. Between juggling cross country, track, and a busy school schedule, Noelle Laske has a lot on her plate besides cupcakes.

Laske’s love of confections began when she was just 9 years old.

“I thought it looked fun and I liked to decorate cupcakes, so I started baking.” She started her business in the fall of her freshman year at only age 14. The first cupcake she made from an original recipe was a chocolatebased cupcake with peanut butter frosting, and since then she has branched out and started experimenting with more flavors like raspberry almond, s’more, Oreo, and one of her personal favorites—apple cinnamon.

“My favorite flavor is either my apple cinnamon

cupcake or my almond raspberry one, because I really like the flavor of it,” said Laske. “My almond raspberry cupcake is very light, and I like the mixture of the fruity with the soft almond.”

And Nellerbee’s isn’t just about the sweets— she’s already earned upwards of about $500 from her business through catering for grad parties and other events, including church functions.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle for her is time management.

“Sometimes when I have to do grad parties I have to bake like 200 cupcakes,” said Laske. “I bake in my mom’s kitchen, so I can only bake a dozen or so at a time, so that’s definitely a challenge.”

In order to get her business going, Laske brought neighbors samples of her cupcakes, handed out business cards, and encouraged

people to tell others about her work.

“My mom helps me a lot, and she helped me order my business cards.

I started telling my neighbors and other people I know like at my church about my cupcakes, and they started buying them and spreading the word,” said Laske.

Her baking skills haven’t gone unnoticed

by Mounds View students, either. “[The cupcakes] were phenomenal, and were gone very quickly,” said Cate Enrooth, 9. Enrooth’s sister Elin served Noelle’s Cupcakes at her grad party. Grace Ebert, 11, gave Laske’s cupcakes nothing but praise. “They were amazing, and super cute! I had the Oreo ones.

They have an Oreo in the middle, so it was a great idea and surprising!” said Ebert.

Despite Laske’s hectic life, she still makes time to bake delicious cupcakes. Next time you have a hankering for some sweets, you know who to call.

Are you craving cupcakes now?

Here is an original recipe provided by Noelle Laske herself, so that everyone can make their own delicious cupcakes!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting For the cupcakes: 1 1/2 sticks butter, at room temperature 2/3 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1 cup buttermilk, shaken, at room temperature 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature 2 tablespoons brewed coffee 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup cocoa powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt For the frosting: 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 cup creamy peanut butter 5 tablespoons butter, at room temperature 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/3 cup heavy cream For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl cream the butter and both sugars on high speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. On low speed, add the buttermilk mixture and the flour mixture. Mix only until blended. Fold the batter with a rubber spatula to be sure it’s completely blended. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

For the frosting: Place the confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl. Mix on medium-low speed with an electric mixer until creamy, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as you work. Add the cream and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth. Top with chopped peanuts for decoration!

photos provided by Noelle Laske

information compiled by Emma Tsai