MV Viewer 2018-2019 Issue 3

VOLUME 66 ISSUE 3 | November 16, 2018

THE VIEWER Through the ages:

the shifting genres of music

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

CARAVANS 02/ AUTOIMMUNE 04/ MOUNDSVIEWMEMES 10

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News

Friday, November 16, 2018

A switch up in Washington

by Emily Feng staff reporter

The 2018 midterm election has been one of the country’s most anticipated elections. According to the Secretary of State’s office, Ramsey County casted three times more early ballots this election compared to 2014, leading the early voting percentage in Minnesota to increase by 129 percent. “Voting is extremely important—we have the right to demonstrate our needs for our society and ourselves, and we should use that right to our advantage,” said Ming Shen, 12.

Before midterms, Congress was predominantly Republican. The U.S. Senate was made up of 51 Republicans, 47 Democrats and 2 Independents who caucus with the Democrats, while the House of Representatives had 235 Republicans, 193 Democrats and 7 vacant spots.

After the election, the U.S. now faces a divided government. Republicans control the Senate with at least 51 spots, and Democrats control the House with at least 227 spots, while the presidency is occupied by a Republican. While Democrats won control of the House, Republicans still control Senate, which limits President Trump but still allows him to maintain some of his old power. “It’s going to be more balanced,” said Bryan Park, 12.

Despite the differences in the seats, Washington Post reported that the Democratic states are becoming more blue and the Republican states have become more

red. The growing deep divide has upset many people as they do not like the trajectory of the country. “I am still angry that Trump’s candidates got any votes but the outcome gives me hope,” said English teacher Gretchen Nesset.

While some saw this election as part of a growing divide for the country and a loss for the GOP, others think that this was actually a good election for Republicans. Typically, the president’s party loses seats during midterms, but Republicans actually kept their majority in the Senate. “Past trends had seen the House going Democrat after a Republican majority, and even if the Senate was tied, the vice president was there to

break the tie in Republican favor,” said Evan Leebens, 10.

Since the House, which used to be Republican, is now Democratic, it is expected that the second half of Trump’s term will be more difficult than his first half.

Many predict that he will not be able to make as many changes because the Democrats will take full advantage of the checks and balances of the Constitution. “I think it’s good because he tends to be more reckless than previous politicians,” said Park.

The number of women in Congress is also at an all-time high. After this election, there will be over 120 women in Congress, which is a huge jump from the previous record of 107 women that are currently in Congress. Many predict that this will make it more difficult for Trump to pass controversial laws on topics such as abortion. “I think that this is a great step forward for the women in our country,” said Owen Hiskey, 12.

In the first two years of Trump’s presidency, there was a clear divide between the Democrats and Republicans.

Now that both parties control Congress, some politicians have promised bipartisanship to ensure that the gridlock in Congress doesn’t affect the efficiency of the federal government.

infographic by Michael Gennaro

The caravan’s unlawful approach

by Rebecca Li staff reporter

Pushing through heat, exhaustion and the Mexican police force, more than 7,200 Central American migrants are making the treacherous 2,000-mile trek to the U.S. border in hopes of seeking asylum.

Formed in Honduras four weeks ago, the caravan has gained additional members from Guatemala and El Salvador on its journey through Central America after news spread about the group. The majority of the migrants are still deep in southern Mexico, over 1,000 miles away from the U.S. border; however, the first wave of migrants has arrived in the border city of Tijuana. Many migrants told reporters that they were enticed by the opportunity to leave behind a life of extreme poverty and gang violence to secure a better future for their families.

However, President Trump, who has repeatedly emphasized tightening immigration laws, is not planning to welcome the migrants with open arms. “Full efforts are being made to stop the onslaught of illegal aliens from crossing our Souther (sic) Border,” tweeted Trump on Oct. 21.

Members of the Federal Government have shown renewed interest in changing immigration laws because of the approaching caravan. Back in June, Democrats and Republicans in Congress were unable to compromise on immigration reform bills that called for extensive changes to the current legal immigration system, such as ending family-based reunification

Editor Opinions on the midterms

migration and increasing border security. “Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws!” Trump tweeted. The Democratic party has yet to clarify its position on the caravan.

Trump and many Republicans blame Central American countries for the caravan’s continued advance, leading Trump to stress the issue of the aid given to these countries. “Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U.S. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them,” Trump tweeted on Oct. 22. He also claimed that the police and military in Mexico have been incompetent in stopping the migrants.

While the caravan passed into Mexico, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto announced on Oct. 26 that he was willing to offer temporary identification documents, jobs and education for migrants in Southern Mexico in an initiative named “Estas en Tu Casa” (“Make Yourself at Home”) in a bid to aid members of the caravan. According to authorities in Mexico, 3,200 migrants have already applied for refugee status. However, several thousands of migrants turned down the offer, choosing instead to continue north to the U.S. In a speech given at the White House on Nov. 1, Trump declared that the members of the caravan were “not legitimate asylum-seekers” because they

“LOL. 70 million on Beto” -Ben Steil debates editor

“I liked the results of last election better” -Elliot Lee

sports editor

rejected asylum in Mexico and that “asylum is not a program for people living in poverty.”

Trump has proposed to prevent certain Central American migrants from entering the U.S., citing national security reasons. Furthermore, the Trump Administration hopes to tighten the requirements and benefits for migrants seeking asylum, specifically undocumented aliens. In an interview with Axios on Oct. 30, Trump announced plans for an executive order that would waive birthright citizenship for illegal immigrants: a move that would target chain migration and babies born in the U.S. to noncitizen immigrant parents. However, many believe that this proposal was a partisan ploy designed to secure the support of conservative Republicans for the recent midterm elections.

“Constitutionally, you can’t take away, with an executive order, the birthright citizenship found in the 14th amendment,” said Scott Oberg, social studies teacher.

“The president is doing what a president typically does during midterm election time: rallying his voters to go and vote for other Republican candidates.”

Currently, Trump is attempting to prevent the oncoming caravan from reaching U.S. soil. On Oct. 29, officials from the Pentagon and the Customs and Border Protection reported that 800 troops have already been deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump has also announced that he plans to increase the total troop count to upwards of 15,000 to stop the caravan from unlawfully entering the U.S.

“I am impressed overall voter turn out is increasing, but I am dissapointed young voter turn out remains low” -Sanjana Dutt

features editor

“I think that the government will be less efficient with the split Congress” -Sarah Tang spread editor

News

Friday, November 16, 2018

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Grant seeks to improve mental health

by Jarod Koeppl staff reporter

The Minnesota Department of Human Services announced on Oct. 18 that it will provide $33 million—$11 million per year for three years—to 57 mental health providers across the state through their School-Linked Mental Health program. These grants accommodate mental health services in more than half of Minnesota school districts, including Mounds View.

After four Mounds View High School students took their own lives within the past two years, the high school began to make efforts toward improving student mental health conditions. The school placed mental health awareness posters on the hallway floors and has been meeting with members of the senior class in an attempt to promote mental health awareness and get feedback from students about the atmosphere at MVHS and its effects on mental health.

According to Principal Stephanie Bruggers, the senior meetings were held to share information from a Teamworks report from a survey conducted on MVHS and get student feedback. “We thought that the senior group would be the most valuable group of students to get: what’s your feedback; what’s your opinion; what are things that are going well or areas that we need to do better.

That’s why we thought it was important that every senior had the opportunity to do that,” said Bruggers. “In large part [students] agreed with what the reportout said. They agreed that overall our student body puts a lot of pressure on themselves.”

While Mounds View is taking steps

in the right direction, there is still plenty of room to improve. A recent investigation conducted by KARE 11 news revealed that Mounds View Public Schools has a total of 11,190 enrolled students and 21 hired mental health professionals, resulting in a student to mental health professional ratio of 520:1. This is more than twice the national recommended maximum ratio of 250:1 and the worst out of the 20 schools surveyed around the metro area.

While such a ratio may seem troubling for the district, the ratio is even higher for just Mounds View High School, where there is currently one mental health specialist on-site and approximately 1,800 students. In order to meet the maximum national recommended ratio, the school would need to hire seven additional mental health professionals.

While the deans offer counseling, they are not licensed mental health workers.

When asked about the distribution of grant money, Bruggers said, “We have a therapist that works in our building three days a week, and that is a partnership with Northeast Youth and Family Services. That’s how she is funded.”

According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Mounds View will be working with Northeast Youth and Family Services, a subcontractor of Guadalupe Alternative Programs based out of St. Paul. The School-Linked Mental Health program will provide Guadalupe Alternative Programs with $2 million over the course of three years to provide mental health services to Mounds View, among other school districts. The money will likely continue to fund the therapist at MVHS through Northeast Youth and Family Services.

Mounds View High School puts positive messages on the floor around the school for students to read.

photos by Alec Nelson

Minnesota combats climate change On Oct. 29, retired New York City mayor and billionaire philanthropist Michael Bloomberg met with Minneapolis and St. Paul mayors to discuss climate change.

MPR news reported that each city was awarded $2.5 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies to help combat global warming. So far, St. Paul mayor Melvin Carter plans to upgrade city buildings, while Jacob Frey pledges to create an entirely renewable Minneapolis by 2030. Both mayors proposed to increase solar energy use and Minnesotans’ access to environment-friendly transportation.

This meeting occurred in light of the latest International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in a report titled “Global Warming of 1.5 Degrees.” This report revealed numerous consequences from the temperature climb, such as the irreversible extinction of many species, devastating floods paired with equally severe droughts, rising sea levels and the inability to maintain modern agriculture.

In an HBO interview, President Trump denied the severity of the issue, arguing that these new studies don’t alarm him because Earth’s temperatures rise and fall over time. “Is there climate change? Yeah. Will it go back like this?

I mean will it change back? Probably,” he answered. Despite the IPCC’s claims

that humans have contributed to global warming, Trump does not feel it is necessary to take action.

On the other hand, recently re-elected Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith both support the U.S. rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement— which Trump pulled out of on June 1, 2017—and promise to fight for policies that protect our environment. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also endorses both of the Twin Cities’ sustainable goals.

“It’s not going to be pretty,” said Michael Cao, 12, regarding climate change. “It’s not going to be pretty if we keep waiting.” Cao is a member of the Mounds View environmental club, Synergy. Eco-conscious students in Synergy carve out time every Wednesday to handle Mounds View’s recycling. “I’m not too involved in politics, but I think a lot of it should start from the business side,” Cao continued.

According to Forbes, hundreds of companies have made clean air and sustainable energy commitments as customers reward them for it. As long as consumers and investors stay on the green trend, businesses will follow suit.

It is still up for debate if Minnesota is adequately prepared to face climate change. Bloomberg’s grant will help kickstart the Twin Cities’ objectives, but this is only one of the first steps to transforming environmental policy.

illustration by Audrey Wu

Annual Federal Climate Change Funding

Federal Spending (billions of dollars)

by Audrey Welter staff reporter

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Year

graphic by Alec Nelson data from United States Government Accountability Office

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features

Friday, November 16, 2018

Struggling with an invisible illness Teachers

by Clara Conlin staff reporter

Autoimmune conditions affect about 23.5-50 million Americans according to the National Institutes of Health and the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, 75 percent of whom are women. An autoimmune disease is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks itself, and usually these diseases are chronic and incurable. Working in a school all day can be exhausting, especially when one has to be conscious about spending energy. Teachers at Mounds View struggling with autoimmune conditions have to take special precautions and pay attention to their daily activities both at school and at home.

Library Media Specialist Becky Stouten has worked at Mounds View for 16 years and was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis when she was 45, but she started to feel symptoms in high school. Psoriatic arthritis reddens the skin and causes joint pain and stiffness, and ankylosing spondylitis reduces the flexibility of the spine by fusing the vertebrae together, resulting in pain in the shoulders, hands, feet, eyes, hips and spine. This condition is un-

common in women, making it hard to get a diagnosis; Stouten visited many doctors before meeting one who could treat her condition most effectively.

Some of the biggest challenges she faces are when others don’t believe that she has a disease and also when the Remicade infusions, which help decrease inflammation, wear off. “Some people think it’s just a bad back or headache, and you don’t tell them because they don’t believe you,” she says. “Just try to keep pursuing the problem. If you’re not feeling well with the symptoms, just keep moving forward.” Though autoimmune diseases can be very difficult to manage on top of a full-time job and family commitments, Stouten has learned to remain strong in the face of adversity. “The best way to describe it is using ‘Spoon Theory.’ It takes a lot of energy for a body to fight an autoimmune disease, and you only have so much energy, so it’s harder on the days that you run out of ‘spoons,’” said Stouten.

Stouten says that despite her struggles, she has gained resilience, the will to work when she can and appreciation for her better days.

Therese McKenzie is the American Sign Language teacher at Mounds View. Before she found out she had rheumatoid arthritis, she was experiencing stiffness

and having difficulty walking. “The old adage ‘I feel it in my bones’ is totally true for me. I know when the weather’s going to change,” said McKenzie. Rheumatoid arthritis has affected her work as a sign language teacher, which requires frequent hand movement and active involvement with students.

Despite the illness, McKenzie has grown from these challenges and offers advice for others facing an autoimmune disease diagnosis. “Learn what foods may hinder or help you with your type of autoimmune condition. Find out if heat or ice may help better for your type. Sometimes it makes [the pain] feel better, but might not be the best [treatment] to be using. Ask your doctor or pharmacy if they know any programs that will help defray the cost of medication,” said McKenzie. “Get plenty of sleep whenever possible. Get stress out of your life. It’s okay to be down, sad or mad that you have the condition. Just don’t wallow in it. Be willing to ask for help when you need it. It’s okay to need help.”

Through spirit and motivation, McKenzie and Stouten have been able to manage productive lives despite their serious illnesses.

Representation of how type 1 diabetes works in the body. illustration by Audrey Wu

Students

by Kimberly Shen staff reporter

For most students, daily activities such as walking around the school and getting dressed in the morning are simple, straightforward tasks. However, this is not the case for everyone. For students affected by autoimmune diseases, many daily tasks can be challenging and painful. Despite the obstacles, these students persist through each day.

Kayla Snow, 12, was willing to share her story about living with an autoimmune disease. Snow was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and uveitis at the age of two-and-a-half. JRA is caused by

Therese McKenzie, American Sign Language teacher

photo courtesy of Becky Stouten

photo courtesy of Therese McKenzie

inflammation in the joints, while uveitis is caused by an immune reaction against the uvea, the layer of the eye behind the retina.

Snow says that she experiences joint pain and vision loss, which makes activities such as walking and writing difficult. To ease her symptoms, she uses ice or hot packs for her joints and takes various medications.

Although Snow faces many challenges every day, she has learned to be strong and resilient. ¨It’s very hard on a day-to-day basis,” said Snow, “but I’ve learned to just power through and keep a positive attitude.”

Another student, who wishes to remain anonymous, was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which is caused by an immune reaction against the

Figure of how an autoimmune disease works in the body. illustration by Audrey Wu

Becky Stouten, Library Media Specialist

lining of the digestive tract. The student experiences nausea and burning stomach pain and had previously suffered from a perforated stomach.

Currently, the student uses Remicade, an antibody drug that binds to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a key chemical messenger in the autoimmune reaction.

Despite having to miss school for treatment and doctor appointments, the student said that the disease is “not that bad unless you let it go to the extreme.”

Living with a chronic, life-changing disease has also taught the student to be more flexible. “You [learn to] accept things the way they are because you can’t do anything to change them.”

Kayla Snow, 12, enjoying the pumpkin patch. photo courtesy of Kayla Snow

features

Friday, NOVEMBER 16, 2018

Nothing sweeter than baking club

by Hayden Eckert and Leon Wang staff reporter and features editor

If the ovens are on and a delicious smell wafts from the foods room into the hallway, it’s likely that the Mounds View baking club is in session. Full of exciting ideas to make and bake, Amelia Podolny, 12, is the leader of the club and hosted the club’s introductory meeting in the forum on Friday, Nov. 9. There are around 35 members, and more are still welcome.

Podolny’s journey to baking began with the loss of a close friend. “After Ryan Lind passed away last year, I didn’t really know what to do because I was floored, and I couldn’t get myself to be

productive,” said Podolny. “Then I was on Instagram, and I saw five cake videos in a row, and I said, ‘You know what?

I’m going to make a cake now!’ So then I made a cake, and I invited all my friends over, and we ate it together.”

For Podolny, baking holds a sense of connectedness that motivates her.

“Baking brings people together, and it’s a nice way to pass the time and do something fun,” said Podolny. “But I found that bringing people together over for a treat or something that you don’t normally do is just really special, and it helps people connect like nothing else that I know of.”

Although the baking club itself has just started, Podolny is quite expe-

rienced in making many desserts. “I make cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and I also make macarons and more complicated things like that,” said Podolny.

However, her favorite pastry she’s made was a lemon blueberry cake. Photos of Podolny’s exemplary baking creations can be found on her Instagram, @whenindoubt_bakeitout.

Podolny plans to have the club make a wide variety of foods. “It will vary from week to week, and it’s not only going to be baked things. If we meet in the morning, we might do crepes or pancakes,” said Podolny. “It will start with slightly simpler foods, and then if people want to make more complicated things, we can.” While the club is primarily fo-

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cused on making desserts, Podolny says the group can be seen more as a culinary club in general, and it ultimately comes down to what the members would like to bake.

Podolny anticipates that the club will be able to last the entire year. Although Podolny is a senior, she sees a bright future for the club after she graduates. “I’d like to try to get some people to hopefully keep it going,” said Podolny.

“I had some underclassmen at the info meeting, so that was exciting.”

The baking club will take place on Fridays before or after school in Ms. Coopet’s classroom in room 134, the foods room.

From left to right: Peanut butter cup brownies, vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream and chocolate ganache (Podolny’s first cake), and a cinnamon swirl bread loaf. photos courtesy of Amelia Podolny

The MV student experience

by Natalie Nemes staff reporter

When Abby Wick, 9, first came to Mounds View, she didn’t have the comfort of a familiar student body that grew up together from as early as elementary school. Coming from a smaller school, the sheer amount of unfamiliar faces in the new high school environment would take some getting used to.

Because most Mounds View students come from Chippewa or Highview, some don’t realize that many of their peers attended smaller middle schools such as Calvin Christian, St. Odilia, St. John the Baptist and Twin Cities German Immersion School. These out-of-district students can have a drastically different high school experience compared to other Mounds View students — one abundant with challenges and new experiences.

Abby Wick, 9, had about 200 students in her entire middle school. Only three other students from that school, Twin Cities German Immersion School, attend Mounds View with her. “So, as you can tell, I know everyone here,” she said sarcastically.

Many out-of-district students have to adapt to their new surroundings in many ways. Abby Wick couldn’t get lunch for the first five days of school because she didn’t have her lunch PIN. On the first day of school, she couldn’t use Google Classroom or any other resources linked to students’ emails because she didn’t have a school email.

Students from outside of the Mounds View district can struggle in other ways,

too. Many become separated from their long-time friends and find themselves in a completely different environment

11, attends Mounds View as the sole student in her grade from Twin Cities German Immersion School.

Chloe Wick, 11 (left), and her sister Abby Wick, 9 (right), are both students from Twin Cities German Immersion School. photo courtesy of Chloe Wick

where they know only a handful of peers.

While students from Chippewa or Highview begin freshman year with many of their friends from their middle school, students who come from out-of-district schools might attend Mounds View with fewer than 10 students from their middle school. Abby Wick’s sister, Chloe Wick,

Additionally, the sheer number of students at Mounds View may overwhelm new students. However, a large student body has advantages: More people means more potential friends. Furthermore, students have found it easier to meet new people with the wide range of extracurriculars available at Mounds

View. Chloe Wick points out that, without a variety of sports and clubs, students would have no way to find people interested in the same things. “There’s a lot more people and a lot more opportunities [here],” she said. Mounds View’s extracurriculars have become a way for every student to branch out and form friendships.

Regardless of a student’s middle school background, many students share similarities in their Mounds View experience. Many students agree that they experienced more freedom when they entered high school. At Mounds View, students choose their own classes from a variety of subjects versus having class schedules set by the faculty. Students also agree that they have more independence in high school. “I could actually go out and do things, and I met new friends,” said Alyssa Killian, 11, who went to St. John the Baptist.

While students from Mounds View may have different origins, the fundamental high school experience remains the same. For many students, once freshman year begins, time spent on school and homework starts to take up free time and sleep. “I had to stay up later ‘cause of homework,” said Abby Wick. Regardless of the middle school a student attended, high school proves to be a challenge for all students, but most are able to adapt to their new surroundings and pursue a fulfilling experience for their four years.

The sounds of Mounds View High

Pop rocks

by Jonathan Santiago staff reporter

From Michael Jackson’s ‘80s tunes to Ariana Grande’s top hits today, pop music remains the only genre able to cover such a wide diversity of styles. Short for “popular music,” this genre quickly grew in popularity in the United States during the ‘40s with the commercialization of its first mainstream artist, Frank Sinatra. However, it wasn’t until the ‘50s with Elvis Presley and the rock bands of the following decade that it gained widespread recognition. Since pop was an umbrella term for rock music, it borrowed elements from that genre along with new styles of music over the last few decades. “A lot of genres can fit into [pop]. It’s not just one type of music you’re listening to,” said Alyssa Killian, 11.

Bringing all these genre infusions together is the universal use of melodic hooks, repetition of chorus, dance rhythms and short duration. These components are what give pop music its definition. It is made to serve many functions and be liked by all kinds of listeners. “Pop is just different. You can dance to it, you can sing along with it, and it’s really great for parties,” said Josiah Wiest, 11. Such versatility hooks many listeners, offering many aspects that attract them to the song. “The drums, the beat and the bass is what makes me want to keep on hearing it,” said Monzerath Pineda, 10.

While pop music may be widely ap-

preciated, it still comes with criticism. More subgenres within the pop realm such as “indie pop, “dream pop” and even “artpop” are becoming mainstream, yet pop music as a whole is criticized for its simplicity and lack of effort. “Two things that people say about pop that are negative are that the songs are repetitive because they have the same kind of structure of verse-chorus and another verse and then bridge. Another one is that the lyrics aren’t really deep, but I think it depends on who you listen to,” said Elias. While the subject matter of pop songs may not be an issue for some, other fans don’t see enough variety.

“A lot of it is like love stories and break-ups,” said Killian.

On the other hand, fans are noticing a transition within the genre. “In the 2000s, everything was pop. The headliners—Beyoncé, Lady Gaga [and] Rihanna were really famous for pop music. Now we can see that a lot of artists switching to rap,” said Wiest. While pop music has gotten praise and criticism over time, there is no doubt that it will stay true to its name for decades to come.

Music through

by Clark Kadwell and Nancy Koshy staff reporters Students walk from class to their next destination with their headphones on, listening to a string of notes that form a catchy melody. During lunch, students discuss new releases by their favorite artists, share song recommendations, watch music videos or hum along to a familiar tune. Music permeates everyday life and provides people with a way to relax or express their emotions.

Music has been widespread and an integral part of a culture for thousands of years. Numerous historians note that many early civilizations incorporated some form of music into their lives.

The Mayans sang during religious rituals to communicate with gods and ancestors. Later, they added basic musical instruments like drums and flutes. During this time, people shared music orally and rarely wrote it down. Only later in the 14th century B.C. did people write down music with the first known recorded tune “Hurrian Hymn No. 6.”

Music’s early history reveals that it comes as naturally to humans as writing literature, which originated during a similar time period. “I think of music as a force that brings people together.

You ever hear a song and inherently want to sing along? There’s something deep in our biology about that feeling, and I think music was the natural response,” said Stephen Jytyla, 12.

Over the past few centuries, music has become a booming industry in which all types of people can express themselves. Today, genres range from classics like rock to niches like Folk-

tronica (Folk and Electr ingly never-ending list versity, an aspect of mu students. “I like how th music because sticking of boring,” said Sara Co these genres, like jazz, ethnic groups made thei ers only came into prom few decades, like hip-ho maintained a steady pop Music also allows a ions and protest injusti Holiday’s “Strange Fruit racism during the 1930s this song spread, it helpe for the civil rights movem exists today; newer rele bino’s “This is America” pression in the current these core messages in m Other pieces, like Jo share thoughts that man song, Lennon asks his lis without religion, possess aside these things to cre still reference this song t ciety or use it to promo release. It’s a means to e you didn’t even know h It’s a means to try to different,” said orchestra Something as simple as impactful messages or another.

Besides expanding

Around the w

by Sandy Zhang staff reporter

With 37 different country flags hanging around the lower commons, Mounds View is very much aware of its diverse student body.

Such diversity also exists in students’ taste in music, with many students showing interests in songs of foreign origin. However, one does not have to be from a certain region to be drawn to its musical style. Most students’ interests stem from their passion for foreign cultures.

The Celtic genre involves a large group of music that originated with the Celts of Western Europe. With its unique melodies, Celtic music attracts a number of Mounds View students, including Avery Champion, 12. “I really like the soothing sound. One song can be really soothing and soft, and next it’s just like a jig and really upbeat,” said Champion.

Champion’s interest in Celtic music sprouted at a young age. “It was probably when I was five, or six or seven; I happened to be looking through the music aisle at Target, and there’s this CD of this group called Celtic Women, and I was like, ‘Oh those people look really pretty!’

So then I begged my parents to buy it for me, and I just listened to it on my way home, and I just thought that this was amazing,” said Champion.

The senior also wishes for the students around him to experience the joy and positive effects of Celtic music. “I think I would just show them a few music videos, like, ‘OK if you want something soothing you can listen to this song; if you are feeling down you can listen to this song,’”

said Champion.

A few thousand rica is home to a variet ing Arabic. “I have bee couple of years now, an eled to Morocco for six ed listening to more Ar practice language,” said was a part of a scholars National Security Langu (NSLI-Y), which gave travel abroad and explor culture, including its uni

Spanish, which eign language at Mounds sons that many students tune usually gets to me, “It just gives you the fe up and dance.” Ahsan ad Latin music grew from “In my eighth grade Sp put my class into various Spanish music, and I rem ics to a song called ‘Bici to explore a different gen said Ahsan.

Although Latin widespread popularity in ences between Latin m stream music are still music just sounds colo you typically hear due stream music usually si repetitive things like a br etc. Spanish music was

h the years

ronic music). The seemof genres provides diusic that appeals to some here are many options of to the same old is kind occhiarella, 10. Some of originated when specific ir mark on America. Othminence within the past op in the 1980s, which has pularity since then. artists to voice their opinices. For instance, Billie t” described lynching and in Southern America. As ed spur on early sentiment ment. This sentiment still eases like Childish Gam” discuss racism and opsociety. Even over time, music still remain. ohn Lennon’s “Imagine,” ny relate to today. In this steners to imagine a world sions and greed and to set eate peace. Many people to describe their ideal soote change. “[Music is] a express things that maybe how to express in words. communicate something a teacher Lucas Shogren. s a song can help spread share feelings with one

try also has transformed due to technology. In the 1980s, people began to think of music as an “artistic package,” which included music videos and overall aesthetics. This trend is best exemplified

by Michael Jackson’s era of music videos featuring smooth dance moves. More recently, with the advent of services such as Pandora, Spotify and YouTube Music, consumers have been streaming music more than actually buying it. “I use Spotify because you get it all there anyways, so I never need to purchase the songs,” said Alex Catrine, 10.

Additionally, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), 75 percent of U.S. music industry revenue comes from streaming. This dramatic change benefits many consumers. “I like using [Spotify Premium] because my taste in music changes so often, and I like exploring new genres of music,” said Summer Armstrong, 11. Services like these allow artists to reach broader audiences and therefore obtain more recognition faster. However, this also means their popularity can be usurped fairly quickly by other artists.

Regardless of which genre they follow, listeners have numerous reasons for liking music.

Some, such as Cocchiarella, find that music is “calming and takes your mind off of things,” while others may listen to party. Whatever the reason may be, music is deeply entrenched in many cultures and continues to impact a vast number of people.

in size, the music indus-

world

d miles from Europe, Afty of languages, includen studying Arabic for a nd in the summer I travx weeks, so I have startrabic music as a way to Amy Binder, 10. Binder ship program called the uage Initiative for Youth her the opportunity to re different aspects of a ique music. h is the most studied fors View, is one of the reaenjoy Latin music. “The ,” said Saher Ahsan, 10. eeling of wanting to get dmits that her interest in classroom experiences. panish class, my teacher s activities that involved member learning the lyricleta,’ and I just wanted nre of music from there,”

n music has maintained n our society, the differmusic and typical maindistinguishable. “Latin orful, and it’s not what to the fact that mainings or has lyrics about reakup or a love interest, the first different thing

A new age for hip hop

by Brock Nelson staff reporter

I heard, and all of it just sounded positive and happy,” said Ahsan.

Korean popular music, commonly known as “K-pop,” is as well-liked among Mounds View students as any other genre of music. With the boyband Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) returning to No.1 on the Billboard Artist 100 this September, the passion for Korean music has only grown. Some students find themselves drawn to K-pop due to cultural similarities. “[I like] the common Korean culture. They are all Asian—like me,” said Isaac Pan, 11. On the other hand, Eunice Tong, 9, said that she is most fond of the melodies.

However, strong opinions regarding K-pop exist in the student body, as it is common for students to either love or hate it. Despite some great oppositions, the K-pop fans hold strong to their interests. “I just tell them to listen to it. Most of them like it, some of them are just like, ‘No.’ So it’s mostly either yes or no, but they eventually get addicted anyway,” said Nikhita Chandra, 9.

No matter the opinion, the effort K-pop groups put into their music production is appreciated at Mounds View. “They are all Asian, and they dance. More talent, more hard work,” said Pan. With the wide diversity of music interests shown throughout the school, Mounds View students’ passions for foreign music are not limited to the genres introduced above. Today, with the widespread use of media and internet, students have easier access to music from around the world than ever before.

P-Diddy, Eminem, Biggie Smalls, Vanilla Ice and Tupac were all some of the most popular names in hip hop in the ’90s and early 2000s. Nowadays, names like Young Thug, Kodak Black, Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar and Lil Baby have risen to the top of the rap game. While some fans still enjoy the older generation, the music charts don’t lie, and neither do the polls. Out of 166 students polled, 49 said hip hop is their favorite musical genre, owning almost 30 percent of the total votes and pulling 16 votes ahead of second place, pop music.

Lil Baby is now considered the number one emerging artist by Billboard.com.

Furthermore, Young Thug’s album On the Rvn came in at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 charts. “I like the new generation of hip hop,” said Jane Baird, 11. “While I do have many artists I listen to, my favorite is by far Cardi B.” Baird is not alone in her love of Cardi B’s music. Cardi B already has three number one songs on the Billboard Top 100, which is quite a difficult feat. However, some individuals still prefer “Old Head” rap,

which consists of older music from rappers like Eminem, Tupac and Run D.M.C. “I still enjoy some of the older rappers like Eminem,” said Ben Kettelhut, 11. “He has a very distinct style and flow which hasn’t been matched since.” Then there are people who prefer hip hop that isn’t quite Old Head or modern, most of which was recorded in the 2000s, including popular songs like “Stronger” by Kanye West (2007), “Imma Be” by Black Eyed Peas (2009) and “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz (2009).

At the end of the day, however popular one era may be, hip hop is enjoyed by many people all around the school. “I like any kind of rap,” said Carter Dooner, 11. “It doesn’t really matter what era it’s from as long as it’s good.” So while people may have their preferences, it is evident that as long as rappers continue to come out with more music, hip hop will remain king.

illustrations by Jenna Stellmack

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editorials

Friday, november 16, 2018

Crop out the Crocs

by Janae Lee staff reporter

serve as a home for vermin to reproduce and spread disease, and they can cause health concerns such as birth defects, respiratory illnesses and cancers.

centage is incinerated, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, a greenhouse gas linked to global warming.

There is just no way to discard this waste in an eco-friendly and efficient manner,

Since the introduction of Crocs in 2002, these colorful shoes have become a huge hit and fashion trend for Mounds View students. Crocs pride themselves for providing “soft, comfortable, lightweight, non-marking and odor-resistant qualities that Crocs wearers know and love.” Where do all these beloved qualities possessed by Crocs shoes come from?

Crocs claim their shoes are made from a “revolutionary” type of foam resin called Croslite that is flexible and soft; however, according to Recyclebank, a company encouraging and rewarding citizens for recycling since 2004, this material is also a non-biodegradable substance, meaning the environment is not able to naturally break down this material, and it is not recyclable.

So, what happens when students dispose of their worn out Crocs? BioTech Environmental, a company that researches and promotes biodegradable material, informs that Crocs end up in landfills, where they will exist for hunphoto by Olivia Binder dreds, even thousands of years, adding to Amy Binder, 10, poses with her biodegradable shoes. the growing pile of waste already there.

This waste, now including your pair of If non-biodegradable waste doesn’t and because this waste exists for such a thrown out Crocs, generates toxic pollut- naturally break down, then what is a long time, it continues to damage to the ants that cause air, water and land pol- good way to get rid of it? To put it sim- environment. There is no way to comlution, creating a breeding ground for ply, there isn’t. In an attempt to destroy pletely get rid of your hazardous Crocs. bacteria to reproduce and grow. Landfills non-biodegradable waste, a small perInstead of buying a pair of Crocs

and struggling later to find a good way to dispose of them, one could reuse or donate them to a thrift store or community outreach program. Sophomore Amy Binder, with her growing concern of the impact that Crocs have on the environment, has received many comments on her earth-friendly Croc alternatives.. “I wanted to find an alternative that would still have the same function as Crocs.

They’d be waterproof, and I’d be able to wear them when you would normally wear Crocs, like hiking and swimming.

I did some searching online, and I found a pair of biodegradable shoes that are made so that when you’re done wearing them or when they wear out, you can just tear them up and put them in the ground, and they’ll break down,” said Binder.

Students like Binder continue to take an initiative to spread awareness about the harm Crocs bring and encourage students to expand their horizons to more eco-friendly shoe options. For the many students at Mounds View who already own a pair of Crocs, learning to dispose of them in the healthiest way possible really has an impact. With just this small change in shoe fashion at Mounds View, a big change can be made to the wellbeing of our entire planet.

Standardized Tests

An incomplete student representation

by Michelle Sung staff reporter Standardized testing has been an integral part of all students’ lives since entering school. Starting as early as kindergarten, school administrations implemented these tests as a method to compare students on a level playing field but has also started taking a psychological toll on students.

Rather than viewing poor performance on standardized tests as room to grow in certain areas, students can see a below average score as a sign that there is something “wrong” with the test takers. As college application deadlines approach, students stress more than ever on attaining a “perfect” score. Many applicants worry their scores aren’t good enough, discouraging them to apply to certain schools.

Many students may believe that there is a “gateway score” into a school, but most universities are aware that there is more to an applicant than their standardized test scores. Already, various schools, such as the University of Chicago, have made some standardized tests optional. Other schools recently made the SAT and ACT writing section score optional as well, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Stanford.

Students have expressed their concern that the spotlight on these scores don’t necessarily show the student’s abil-

ities outside of test taking. “I think [a test score is] very generalized and doesn’t test a student’s full range of knowledge, especially their ability to interact with others and apply their intelligence to real life problems,” said Sarah Miller, 12.

Furthermore, several studies conducted under the old scoring system out of 2400 have shown a direct correlation

“Even if standardized tests don’t necessarily represent an individual’s intelligence, many colleges struggle to find a better option.” between family income and average test scores. Nationally, families with an income over $200,000 have students with an average SAT score of 1714, whereas families with an income under $20,000 have an average SAT score of 1326.

Family responsibilities, combined with lesser access to test preparation resources are the most probable drivers of this score disparity.

Even if standardized tests don’t necessarily represent an individual’s intelligence, many colleges struggle to find a better option. “We can’t say an A or a 4.0 GPA at one high school in Minnesota is the same as one in Florida or Missouri.

Without some form of testing, it’s really hard in terms of college admissions,” said Martha Rush, social studies teacher.

As colleges start steering away from centering their admissions process around numbers and towards a more holistic approach, standardized tests have begun to lose their value. While they create a field where students can be compared to each other, they are not necessarily the most accurate method of mea-

suring “intelligence.” The fact remains that standardized testing is a integral component of the public school system, and it doesn’t seem to be fading out anytime soon.

graphic by Michelle Wang data from The College Board

DEBATES

Friday, November 16, 2018

What to do about the caravan?

Build bridges, not walls

by Eliot Kim staff reporter

Many of the Hondurans and other Central Americans comprising the migrant caravan—currently resting in Mexico City—come from poverty-ridden and crime-driven cities. They are fleeing from overwhelming poverty, gang-related violence and famine. Unfortunately, their respective national governments lack the resources and leadership to solve these crises. Regarding gang violence, top Central American leaders stated that they are “fighting a war [we] cannot win,” according to a report in the Atlantic.

According to the United Nations, El Salvador and Honduras have the highest and second-highest murder rate in the world, respectively: Residents of the two countries are forced to pay $650 million in extortion fees to organized crime every year. Beyond the violence, the United Nations World Food Programme reports that nearly 3 million people require humanitarian assistance due to food shortages, as extreme droughts exacerbated by climate change have decimated crops.

Central America faces particularly severe impacts from climate change because it is an isthmus (a narrow strip of land surrounded by ocean), making the region vulnerable to severe weather and wildly inconsistent rains—fatal conditions for agriculture.

Faced with this helpless situation, many Central Americans have no choice but to risk the journey to the freedom that America represents. In the coming weeks and months, our country must plan a way to integrate these destitute migrants into our nation.

However, in contrast to the measured and focused efforts needed to solve this issue, President Donald

Trump has used the migrant caravan to further his antiimmigration agenda, labeling the caravan “an invasion.” In line with his hardline stance, he sent 5,000 active-duty military troops to the southern border to counter the 3,500 migrants. To his credit, similar aggressive tactics and rhetoric contributed to a sharp decline in attempted border crossings during early 2017, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security report. But the same report found that migrant apprehensions began to rise steadily again after April 2017.

Temporary and agenda-driven measures by the current government cannot hold back the relentless flow of asylum seekers. Despite any measure by the U.S. government to forcibly block them, the most vulnerable migrants, especially families and children fleeing vio-

It’s not worth the risk

by Janae Lee staff reporter

“Honduras, Mexico and many other countries that the U.S. is very generous to, send many of their people to our country through our WEAK IMMIGRATION POLICIES. Caravans are heading here. Must pass tough laws and build the WALL. Democrats allow open borders, drugs and crime!” tweeted President Donald Trump on April 2, 2018.

President Trump blatantly continues to advocate his opposition to the migrant caravans heading towards the U.S. border seeking asylum. Surprisingly, even with strong push back against Trump from the media, a large number of U.S. citizens agree with his stance on the issue. A survey taken in February of 2017 by the Pew Research Center revealed that only 56 percent of Americans believed that the United States should accept refugees, and in the course of a year, these numbers have decreased. A corresponding survey taken earlier this year shows that support for refugees has dropped to 51 percent, as citizens start to realize the dangers of providing asylum for caravan migrants. “This caravan deal presents an opportunity for incredible criminal activity,” said Chris Farrell, Director of Investigations for the conservative organization Judicial Watch.

Trump has expressed concerns that the migrant caravans will be a detriment to the national security of the U.S., and data from the Customs and Borders

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lence and hunger, will still attempt to cross the border.

To support their own policies, Trump and other immigration hardliners claim that undocumented immigrants cause crime and take jobs from Americans. Yet, studies prove time and time again that illegal immigrants do not increase crime and that they are actually a crucial part of the economy. A 2015 study by the libertarian Cato Institute found that undocumented immigrants, who comprise the vast majority of the caravan, were convicted of crimes at a lower rate than nativeborn Americans. Undocumented immigrants committed murder at a rate 25 percent lower than native-born Americans. They also make up more than half of hired farm workers—without their critical labor, food prices would soar, as many American citizens are unwilling to undertake the physically grueling work of farm labor.

Instead of using unnecessary resources to block immigrants at our doorstep, in the long term and for the benefit of all we must ensure a peaceful, secure livelihood for Central Americans in their home nations.

First, the U.S. must collaborate multilaterally with Central American nations and devise strategies to combat the gangs. Providing monetary relief to fund stronger law enforcement, improve educational availability and bolster the job market can reduce the presence and appeal of gangs. Then, looking at the broader picture, we must take serious measures to slow and reverse climate change to maintain the conditions necessary for successful agriculture and economic security. Without a cohesive, progressive plan, Central Americans will continue to trek thousands of miles for the promise of America, their countries will continue to suffer and America’s image as the beacon of prosperity and freedom will fade. illustration by Audrey Wu

Protection (CBP) only supports his unease. A report of illegal activity across the border throughout this year shows that the CBP seized 1,019 gang members, 3,028 “special interest aliens,” defined by Homeland Security as “a person seeking entry to the United States who originates from ‘specially designated countries that have shown a tendency to promote, produce or protect terrorist organizations or their members’” and over 17,000 criminals attempting to cross the border. In total, over 390,00 migrants were arrested at the border in 2018.

Notably, many migrants have also confessed that they are trying to reenter the U.S. even after being deported, to which the U.S. Department of Homeland security announced, “Citizens of countries outside Central America, including countries in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and elsewhere are currently traveling through Mexico toward the U.S. Stopping the caravan is not just about national security or preventing crime, it is also about national sovereignty and the rule of law. Those who seek to come to America must do so the right and legal way.”

Other refugees have also resorted to illegal methods in an attempt to gain asylum in the U.S. Seven children were rescued by Guatemalan officials from child smugglers this October. The smugglers were using children in hopes to portray themselves as a family and gain easier passage across the border. While the smugglers are now in custody, there are others besides these

Diana Zhu Michelle Wang Sarah Tang Michelle Wang Leon Wang Diana Zhu Sarah Tang Alec Nelson, Michael Gennaro Sanjana Dutt, Leon Wang Ben Steil

9

smugglers waiting for similar opportunities amongst the crowd of migrant caravans.

Alongside child smugglers, two individuals of the migrant caravans have been arrested in Mexico: one for drug trafficking and the other for the murder of three individuals. Officials from several countries confirm criminal and gang members traveling among the migrant caravans. A member in the MS-13 gang—a violent group connected to countless charges of murders, prostitution, drug trafficking, assaults, kidnapping and sexual assault—recently made headlines for being sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of a 15-yearold girl. Their motto, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, declares “kill, rape, control.”

If these migrant caravans are blindly accepted into the country, the U.S. would be providing asylum for refugees and criminals alike.

The debate over whether we should provide asylum for migrant caravans is ongoing. Citizens argue that it’s our civic duty to provide safety to refugees in need, but at what cost? Migrant caravans seek the U.S. border in search of safety and comfort, but in return, the safety and comfort of those in our home country are compromised. Alongside the migrants seeking asylum, there are smugglers, drug traffickers, gang members and murderers, all waiting to start a new life in the United States. We must continue to keep our borders strong in order to prevent these criminals from entering our country.

Sarah Tang, Jenna Stellmack Alec Weber Rachel Ganske Elliot Lee Sarah Tang, Vicky Li Audrey Wu David Ostrom Sauk Centre Publishing

STAFF REPORTERS Nadeem Aqel, Andrew Boucher, Bradyn Buganski, Clara Conlin, Joshua Dai, Hayden Ecker, Emily Feng, Benjamin Gardner, Logan Grimm, Adam Higley, Michael Hu, Madeline Jepko, Clark Kadwell, Eliot Kim, Jarod Koeppl, Nancy Koshy, Angela Larson, Samuel Larson, Janae Lee, Rebecca Li, Victoria Li, Paul Liang, Medha Nayak, Brock Nelson, Natalie Nemes, Kimberly Shen, Molly Shwiff, Dayne Stone, Michelle Sung, Audrey Welter, Jacob Wolkerstorfer, Sandy Zhang, Alissa Zhao

Mounds View High School ‌• 1900 Lake Valentine Rd. Arden Hills, MN 55112 • www.mvviewer.org‌ • @mvviewer • editor@mvviewer.org

10

Arts & Entertainment

friday, November 16, 2018

Lanez: from featured to forefront

by Alec Weber editorials editor Tory Lanez, the 26-year-old music enigma out of Toronto, has fueled his career by featuring on other artist’s tracks. However, his album, “MEMORIES DON’T DIE,” released on March 2, 2018, launched Lanez’s individual career into stardom. Lanez looked to continue the success from his last album with his newest project, “LoVE Me NOw,” which debuted on Oct. 26 at No. 1 on Billboard’s top rap album chart.

“LoVE Me NOw” has gained traction and hype over the last few months, with the Canadian rapper dropping several singles featuring other big rap names, such as Bryson Tiller, Meek Mill and Gunna. Lanez added other superstars to the feature list, including Chris Brown, 2 Chainz and Trey Songz, with each artist successfully adding to the album’s uniqueness and versatility.

Several tracks from the album gained immediate attention after the initial release. According to Apple music, the songs that were most streamed included “Why DON’T You LOVE me?”

“DrIP DrIp Drip,” “TAlk tO Me,” “FeRRis WhEEL” and “MiAMi.” Lanez features other rappers in four of these five fan favorites, which goes to show that Lanez’s followers often prefer when he has an artist by his side. Lanez utilizes three unique voices, created by varying pitches, to make listeners feel as though they are listening to three different singers. In “LoVE Me NOw,” Lanez decided to feature elaborate layering of different voices and beats on top of his own swinging voice in each track, keeping each song feeling like a new experience with every listen and giving the album variety and extended longevity.

Listeners can expect rapid highhats, vibing 808s and hard hitting kicks throughout the album, which gives each

MV’s new meme team

by Angie Larson staff reporter While some people may find a video of Remy from the movie “Ratatouille” enjoying combinations of food strange, many Mounds View students find that it perfectly emulates their favorite experiences at school. Videos like these, when melded with different Mounds View-related topics such as Re-F.L.E.C.T. and popcorn chicken, leave students laughing and wanting more. @MoundsViewMemes has taken Mounds View Instagram users by storm. @MoundsViewMemes is an Instagram account that people are raving over, not just because of the hilariously relatable content but also because of the creator’s mysterious anonymity.

An Instagram account that may have initially started as a joke now has more than 1,100 followers and keeps growing. Posts cover a broad range of topics that all Mounds View students can connect to. “I love it! It’s relatable and generally helps me get through my day knowing other people feel the same

way,” said Ameera Arshad, 11. The rush of excitement over this new account has drawn students from all grades— and even alumni—to follow. Gaining hundreds of followers daily while only following two other accounts, Irondale High School’s meme page (@IrondaleMemes) and MV Mental Health Awareness (@mmhap2018), @MoundsViewMemes has the Instagram followerto-following ratio of any influencer’s dream. “I think it is so iconic, and it’s the best thing that has happened to Mounds View. Even though our school is cliquey and diverse, I think it brings us together,” said Makenzie Eiynck, 12. So what makes the memes so relatable and funny? The meme page has covered a broad range of the school’s clubs, sports and programs, making its content relevant and relatable.

With stereotypes and controversies flooding the school, @MoundsViewMemes has put those topics into perspective through memes. “They are usually for fun and jokes; they don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings or anything,” said @MoundsViewMemes, emphasizing that they are not trying to attack any

Stuffed for the season

by Logan Grimm staff reporter Fall is here, and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s about time to chow down. Turkey Day has built a cultlike following based on food. While your table may be packed with a plethora of unique fares, one of the most traditional dishes that can be found on pretty much every table is stuffing.

Thanksgiving stuffing dates as far back as 1836 but differs across the country. While the base ingredient commonly used in the South is cornbread, the North has a more classic take. These regional differences take advantage of the unique ingredients found across the country. Really, stuffing is a very diverse creation, varying wherever you go.

At past Thanksgiving gatherings, I have encountered numerous plates of this popular serving. I discovered that although this side dish may seem simple, it can either be a hit or miss. Some at-

tempts have the proper balance of flavors without being too soggy, some you feed to the dog when no one is looking and some taste somewhere in between. After taste testing so many different trials over the years, I figured I had enough experience to unleash my inner Guy Fieri and create a dish suitable to contribute to the holidays.

To start off, I had to find a good recipe to follow. Searching the internet, I came across many, but one kept popping up claiming to be “the simplest.”

I found an easy stuffing recipe to follow on BonAppetit.com under the name “Simple Is Best.” As it turns out, watching pro chefs on Food Network doesn’t make a recipe easier to follow.

Initially, the recipe says to dry out the bread by cutting and baking it in the oven for around 40 minutes. Once the bread is dry, onions and celery need to be browned in a pan. Once completed, add the browned vegetables to the bread

song body and bounce. The excellently layered drums combined with Lanez’s melodic voice and a solid sample production create a spectacular project with success written all over it.

One song that stands out is “DucK my Ex” featuring Chris Brown and 2 Chainz. This track has a quick tempo, bright punchy lead, unique high-hat and 808 patterns, each of which contributes to the catchiness of the song. Almost every track from the album is stylistically bright, revealing the vibe that Lanez sought out while selecting the songs that made the final cut for the album.

What sets “DucK my Ex” apart from the rest is the brilliant culmination of Chris Brown’s and Tory Lanez’s varying falsettos over the lead to keep the listener solely focused on the song’s energy.

Overall, “LoVE Me NOw” is one of the best albums released yet this year. It is completely deserving of all accolades and successes which it has earned thus

far, including debuting at No. 1 for Billboard’s top rap albums, No. 2 for R&B/ Hip-Hop and No. 4 on the Billboard 200. With “LoVE Me NOw,” Lanez has established himself as an artist capable of creating hit after hit. Lanez still has a large future ahead of himself, and if he continues to produce music at this level of quality, it is hard to see anything blocking him from being remembered as one of the best and most versatile artists of this decade.

photo courtesy of flickr.com (right)

group of people or the school, but rather they are conveying the shared thoughts of many students at Mounds View.

Jake Berg, 10, has been one of the biggest advocates of @MoundsView-

photo courtesy of @moundsviewmemes

along with the eggs, broth and seasoning. This is set to cool and eventually placed into the oven and cooked. The key to baking stuffing is to cover the baking dish with tinfoil for half of the baking time and remove the foil for the remainder. Otherwise, the top will get crusty and the inside would be runny.

The foil allows for even cooking to produce the ideal Thanksgiving side.

Overall, this recipe scores big time on flavor and simplicity, with herbs and spices such as rosemary and thyme bringing together the comfort in this widely-loved food. The dish is visually appealing, and the texture is surprisingly not soupy with just the right amount of moisture. The recipe I followed is simple and can be made with ingredients you find around the house. So don’t settle for mediocre box stuffing this year; make something that Mr. Nuss would be proud to bring to his classic Thanksgiving feast.

Memes, commenting on almost all the posts. “I hope that he/she can keep the interest of the account high and keep it going for a few more years,” said Berg.

The success of the account will depend on the quality of the memes; high quality content will allow the account to continue to grow its current following.

The student(s) behind the account do not want public recognition to affect their social life. “I like my social standing as it is, and I feel as though if I say who I am, I’m going to get random people coming up to me and wanting to talk to me, and I don’t want that,” said @MoundsViewMemes. The mysterious aspect of @ MoundsViewMemes allows students to enjoy the memes without judgment.

Although the identity of @MoundsViewMemes won’t be revealed, the person behind the screen has the opportunity to strengthen the bonds between students over typecasts and day-to-day issues. @MoundsViewMemes reveals one thing for sure: Amidst the struggles and frustrations of any student’s life, there are others with similar experiences, and light can be made from those tough issues.

photos courtesy of Logan Grimm

Before and after pictures of baking the stuffing.

sports

Friday, november 16, 2018

Rolling into a new era

by Paul Liang staff reporter

When one thinks of high school sports, the first things to come to mind are often baseball, basketball, soccer or football. While it may be seen as a side hobby that doesn’t require much skill or athleticism, bowling requires both physical prowess and mental strength as players walk up to the alley to take their shot at a meet.

In bowling, there are no individual performances at high school meets; every team requires a total of five players. Each player bowls two frames—or turns—and at the end, the scoresare all tallied up. Bowling is a heavily teambased sport, and every player needs to bowl well in order for the team to succeed There are many different techniques for a bowler. The most basic is the “suitcase to telephone” technique, in which players walk up as if they are holding the ball like a suitcase. Then they swing the

photo courtesy of Paul Liang The bowling team poses at the bowling alley with their matching gear.

11

much more consistent, and players can adjust if necessary to the remaining pin formation.

The Mounds View team is currently ranked second in the conference, their main competition being Centennial.

Charlie Floeder, 12, the varsity captain for Mounds View, is currently ranked as the second best bowler in the conference.

“I think we have a good chance of winning our section this year,” said Floeder.

They entered the conference finals Nov. 7 and hope to go to the state tournament.

Unlike many other sports with huge crowds and loud cheering, during bowling meets, the bowling alley is usually quiet. The audience is normally smaller, and background noises are kept to a minimum. Although not completely silent, the quiet atmosphere allows players to concentrate on the game and avoid being distracted by noises and talking. “Concentration is key to being a successful bowler,” said Floeder.

ball up as if they are answering a telephone. This is one of the most popular rudimentary techniques for bowling as it is straightforward and works well.

A typical bowler may think that strikes are the best score to aim for.

However, strikes are very inconsistent.

A player may have the perfect walk up and the exact same pendulum throw and still might not bowl a strike. “Aiming for spares is the safest way to win a match,” said varsity player Cameron Song, 12. Spares—in which all the pins are knocked down in two frames—are

our team because they see how close our team is, and they admire the bonds we make through cycling,” said Gustafson.

The camaraderie is an integral aspect of the sport to the coaches, spectators and cyclists themselves, and their bonds are definitely important when the cyclists are out on the course. “No one joins for the racing and competitive aspect. However, most people end up really loving the challenge and motivation,” said Phil Apel, 9.

Gustafson competed in roughly 17 races this season. His best result was at the Rochester Gamehaven Race, where he finished in 11th place.

As the season concludes, Gustafson plans to continue cycling for many years to come. In collaboration with Loppet Cycle Works, several members of the Mounds View cycling team plan on riding to Duluth in a one-day, 150-mile ride. The team will be joined by several other members of other local high school teams and coaches. “I think this is going

to be a great way to wrap up the season.

I have made so many friends through cycling, and I can’t wait to spend Saturday with them,” said Gustafson. While riding 150 miles is no easy feat, Gustafson is very confident that he will be able to endure the harsh winds and hills of Minnesota’s landscape. “At the end of the day, no matter if I win the race or finish last, my love for the sport grows every day, and I am proud to have helped promote cycling to my school and community,” said Gustafson.

While the season comes to an end, the cyclists will continue to train throughout winter, spring and also summer, when bikers ride trails at a threeday camp. “My favorite memory with the team definitely has to be team camp in Cuyuna Lakes, MN,” said Apel. The team members have high hopes for their future training. “My favorite time of year comes in the winter, when I can really enjoy cycling freely without a rigid schedule and routine. I believe that races

are not won during the season but during the offseason,” said Gustafson. Only time will tell if the Mounds View cycling team can improve their performances, but one thing is certain: The cyclists believe the future is bright.

high-paced game speed they compete at. However, the most important skill needed for hockey is mental strength. “Definitely the hardest thing is the mental aspect of things, like always having to keep going if you’re having a bad game, or if you just don’t want to be there and just keep pushing through,” said Jackson.

There are a lot of exhilarating moments from being on the hockey team, and Jackson has formed bonds with teammates that will last a lifetime. “I love the thrill of scoring and being in a game and having a fam-

ily,” said Jackson. Jackson often refers to her teammates and coaches as her “second family” who never stop supporting and rooting for her.

Jackson, who wears jersey No. 3, has been involved in Mounds View Girls Hockey for many years and has been on the varsity team since eighth grade. After seven seniors graduated, the girls hockey team kicked off with a younger roster this season. “We’re going to be a young team, but I think we’ll be competitive,” said Jackson.

Jackson has set ambitious goals for the future: to play Division I for a college on the East coast. Despite the competitiveness of Division I colleges—only 40 college in the U.S. play women’s hockey at this level—Jackson stresses the importance of resilience. “Something I will take with me forever is to always keep working hard and never give up no matter the circumstances,” said Jackson.

Spinning sports norms with cycling

by Jake Wolkerstofer staff reporter

The Mounds View Cycling Team has often been overshadowed by other fall sports like football and volleyball, but cyclist Chihiro Gustafson, 12, believes that his team has the potential for a prominent future. In early October, Gustafson competed in a one-on-one race against a member of the White Bear Lake cycling team during halftime at the Mounds View–White Bear Lake football game. “It was a great opportunity, and I’m just happy that I was able to promote high school cycling to such a large audience,” said Gustafson.

The co-ed team may be one of the lesser-known teams at school, but Gustafson and his teammates are determined to make a name for not only their team but also their sport. The number of cyclists joining the Mounds View cycling team has grown, with numbers nearly doubling in the past three years. “I think a lot of people are interested in joining

Rising hockey star

by Molly Schwiff staff reporter Mounds View High School has many talented and highly competitive athletes. One of them is Audrey Jackson, a sophomore with a love for hockey, both on and off the ice.

Jackson started hockey in first grade, after her older brother Luke Jackson—who also played hockey—inspired her. “I just wanted to be like him,” said Jackson.

Jackson is dedicated to the game of hockey, from practicing almost every day to putting in hard work and persisting through setbacks. The support of her friends, coaches and teammates are what Audrey Jackson, 10, makes a crucial pass to lead the have helped her become the player she Mustangs to an important victory over Roseville. is today. photo courtesy of Audrey Jackson Hockey has many difficult and challenging aspects: Physically, players need to be conditioned for the intense,

Chihiro Gustafson, 12, races through trails during his recent NICA race. photo courtesy of Chihiro Gustafson

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