MV Viewer 2022-23 Issue 3

The Viewer

Volume 70

Issue 3

November 18, 2022

Website: mvviewer.org

Instagram: @mvviewer

The different styles of parenting

News 02

Midterm election results

Permissive

Authoritative

Uninvolved

Authoritarian

Features 04

Band Director Bill Sucha

Good Questions 09

Arts & Entertainment 10

Sports 11

Should I join the military?

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’

Football

s

02 News

Same-day licensing

by Alex Bi staff reporter

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is infamous among teenagers and adults for its lengthy wait times and tedious procedure when licensing. The average wait time at a Minnesota DMV location is almost 45 minutes, and it can take up to four months for a license to arrive in the mail.

Currently, because of the holiday season resulting in many shipping delays, applying for and receiving a license can be even more difficult. The United States Postal Service (USPS), which handles the licenses, is facing staffing shortages and an increasing number of packages due to the pandemic. In 2021, USPS transported 7.6 billion packages, compared to 7.3 billion in 2020.

Because of this, on Oct. 1, the USPS changed its delivery standards for letter mail from two or three days to five days to attempt to reduce the load on employees.

“I think actually it’s a great thing, especially for student drivers or new drivers.”

Kasim Shahzad, dean of students

Despite this, mail can still take weeks to arrive, assuming it is not destroyed in transit. However, this could all change with a same-day license printing program introduced by the Department of Public Safety.

The new program allows for a Class D license, permit or regular ID card to be issued and printed the same day after the application. The program was introduced on Oct. 3 at the Dakota County License Center in Lakeville and Clay County DMV in Moorhead and will run until June 2023. There are no additional fees, and the actual printing process only takes 40 to 45 seconds.

However, the cards will have a different look and feel to them, with differences including no laser perforated walleye (the small holes on each license), being less flexible and the date of birth only appearing on the card once.

Many believe that this new program could benefit drivers at Mounds View. “I think actually it’s a great thing, especially for student drivers or new drivers. It means that you can be out on the road relatively sooner, you know, instead of waiting around… it makes the whole process more efficient,” said Kasim Shahzad, dean of students. This policy could save students months of waiting for their license.

The new program does not come without constraints, however, with cost and logistics being the main limitations of this program. Most of the added cost goes to the new infrastructure for the printer, which could

pose a problem for smaller licensing centers in strip malls. Fraud may also be a drawback. “They don’t have more time to look at the documents, so the person physically leaves with the document, and it’s not them or it’s the wrong one, they’re not going to be able to get it back,” said Will Rzeszutek, school resource officer.

This same-day license printing program is already benefiting people. A small chunk of mail destined for the already overloaded USPS has been removed entirely, and drivers are walking out with smiles and a new license in hand. ”Overall, I think that it’s a good program,” said junior Wyatt Mackenthun. “This will definitely benefit us at Mounds View and here in the state.”

gin than the real midterm election, with 467 out of the 990 students voting for Walz and 193 voting for Jensen.

The midterm elections are frequently overlooked when compared to the presidential elections. But some argue that midterms are equally important as they can affect the direction of the country just as much as the presidential elections. “There are a lot more people controlling the life around you than just the president,” said senior Shawn Byron. Midterm elections decide one-third of the Senate, many house representatives, state legislators and many state governors.

With Walz’s re-election, students express interest in his campaign policies and how he expects to achieve them. For example, in recent years the importance of climate change and the environment has been a cornerstone of his campaign. Over his next term, Walz plans to heavily focus on renewable energy with hopes of deriving all of Minnesota’s electricity from sustainable sources in the future. Focusing on ideas like this is important to students like junior Charlie McKinnon, who finds renewable energy a promising outlook as opposed to coal mining.

Another issue that students want to see changed is public safety. Byron wants to see “more police on the streets.” “I’ve seen a lot of reckless driving, espe-

cially when you have several school districts around here, a lot of new drivers,” said Byron. Another reason that many people support increasing the police force is because of crime. The number of reported violent crimes in Minnesota increased between 2020 and 2021 by nearly 22% according to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, making public safety one of the most competitive topics during the debates. With this in mind, Walz proposed $300 million to fund local law enforcement groups and improve public safety in order to combat the recent uptake in crime.

An estimated 2.5 million people voted in the midterm elections. Many students, including senior Ben Pratt, believe that it is important to vote because “you can choose the future that you want.”

Everyone has their own convictions, and they are bound to conflict in one way or another. The midterm elections were just one of many different culminations of beliefs occurring across the nation. However, this small election decides the policies and laws of local schools, communities and people. For Mounds View’s students, the outcome of the election will impact their education for years to come.

Election results

by Graydon Bandt staff reporter

DFL candidate Governor Tim Walz has won a second term as governor by defeating GOP candidate Scott Jensen by 7.7% of votes in this year’s midterm election. Walz ran a campaign backed by promises to invest in education, provide clean energy, make healthcare more accessible and invest in small businesses.

Before Walz ran for governor in 2018, he was a teacher and a coach. He taught at multiple schools, some abroad, before he settled in Minnesota where he taught and coached for Mankato High School. His teaching career before he went into politics helped Walz choose education and schooling as a top priority. In the past, he has worked with Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan on school issues including making pre-kindergarten care more accessible, pushing a budget that would support summer school funding in Minnesota and signing two bills to help schools recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Mounds View High School, students participated in their own mock election with Walz, Jenson, James McCaskel, Hugh McTavish, Gabrielle Prosser and Steve Patterson on the ballot for Minnesota Governor. The results showed that Walz won by a larger mar-

Friday, November 18, 2022

photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

illustration by Iris Ren

Viewer Staff 2022-2023 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING COPY EDITOR MANAGING DESIGN EDITORS BUSINESS MANAGER NEWS EDITOR FEATURES EDITORS SPREAD EDITORS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR ILLUSTRATOR

Maya Betti Tyler Quattrin Maya Betti, Tyler Quattrin Sarafina Dillon Michael Wang Ariana Eschenbacher, Rachel Zou Maya Gjelhaug, Rachel Zou Morghan Larson Sarafina Dillon Iris Ren

ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ONLINE MANAGING COPY EDITOR ONLINE EDITORS STAFF REPORTERS

Shivam Vashishtha Michael Wang Sarafina Dillon, Ariana Eschenbacher, Morghan Larson Khadra Abdulahi, Khalid Abdullahi, Nolan Anderson, Graydon Bandt, Alex Bi, Luke Daigle, Ava Dempster, David Golridge, Ruthie Hottinger, Megan Jaros, Jonathan Jones, Charlotte Krum, Nikhil Kulangaroth, Isabella Kunc,

Isabel Li, Gloria Liu, CeCe Maves, Alaina Pundsack, Mary Schmidt, Owen Schwalm, Ahmed Sharara, Ava Surface, Gao Zhong Thao, Mika Tuerk, Isaiah Wallerstedt, Faith Yang, Kia Yang

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

editorials 03

Friday, November 18, 2022

Performative activism drowns out Black voices

by Luke Daigle staff reporter

In response to the murder of George Floyd in 2020, celebrities who previously had not used their platform to speak about the Black Lives Matter movement came together to post black squares on their Instagrams.

Some of these rich and famous A-listers include Timotheé Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Katy Perry and Tom Holland. Under the guise of helping a cause, they got to show off their moral superiority and receive praise from the media. But did #BlackOutTuesday actually accom-

“...while 70% of teens under 18 claim to support the BLM movement, only 8% of parents reported that their teenager under the age of 18 had attended a Black Lives Matter protest.” plish anything?

Performative activism is when people claim to care about social issues, but only post aesthetic infographics on Instagram to appear like an activist. It is a common phenomenon among young people who carefully curate their images on social media, because they want their peers to know how much of a good person they are.

Typically, these people have a certain amount of privilege that does not force them to get involved with issues that do not directly affect them.

Teenagers tend to worry about appearances and

how their classmates perceive them. If they appear indifferent about people’s lives and rights, it seems heartless. Furthermore, young people are eager to enter the political sphere. This makes performative activism methods especially appealing to teenagers.

Performative activism allows teens to appear as though they care about different social issues, while remaining comfortable from behind a screen. It discourages teens from really getting involved in political activism, and it breeds a culture of dishonesty and hypocrisy.

Yet, perhaps performative activism can do good.

According to the Pew Research Center, before Blackout Tuesday, 45% of Americans said that they supported the Black Lives Matter movement, and after, the number rose to 52%.

Evidently, it raised awareness and support for the cause, but it did not end up increasing the number of protest participants by any substantial percentage. According to Yale Daily News, while 70% of teens under 18 claim to support the BLM movement, only 8% of parents reported that their teenager under the age of 18 had attended a Black Lives Matter protest. This small percentage has not fluctuated since 2019, unaffected by Blackout Tuesday. This is because those who are truly driven to fight for a cause do not participate only when a cause becomes a trend.

The Blackout Tuesday movement was initially intended to exemplify Black voices in the wake of several incidents of police brutality of Black Americans. However, after this idea was proposed, and as white celebrities began to overtake the trend, this only redefined the Black Lives Matter movement through a white lens. What could have been a historic day where Black

voices were finally heard through social media turned into a day of performative activism. This pretentious and useless activism effectively drowned out the voices of Black social media users.

While there are other ways to show solidarity and support, the difference between those who say they back Black voices versus those who actually show up for them is staggering.

that the gender pay gap is not a legitimate issue according to CNBC. Most of these people believe it is made up to promote a political agenda. Though the percentage difference of the pay gap has gotten smaller since the 1960s, it is not completely gone in 2022.

The persisting gap could be due to the fact that women are a minority in higher-paying career fields.

In STEAM careers, women represent only 34% of the workforce, with women of color making up less than

10% according to the National Girls Collaborative Project. Furthermore, women are 14% less likely than men to receive a promotion in the STEAM career field according to an MIT study.

Gender pay gap: not a myth

by Mika Tuerk staff reporter

Most people are aware that women make less than men, with women making only 84% of what men make per median salary according to Pew Research Center; however, there have been few efforts by lawmakers to alleviate this gap, and necessary efforts must be taken to ensure that women receive the same pay as men.

The gender pay gap is the difference between the median salaries of men and women. Fortunately, the gap has shrunk since the 1963 Equal Pay Act (EPA), yet a difference in pay remains in 2022 being more apparent in certain jobs.

The gender pay gap was prevalent from the moment women entered the workforce in the late 1930s due to most men’s involvement in World War II. With the war’s completion, women’s participation in the workforce only continued to grow. By 1970, about 50% of unmarried women without children and 40% of married women with children worked, according to the Brookings Institution. However, because women were still seen as helpless and better suited for the private sphere, they often faced workplace discrimination and a lower salary. Furthermore, women did not receive as many career opportunities as men did, mainly due to the fact that they were excluded from the education required for many jobs. In addition, employers would often be reluctant to offer jobs to women, worrying that they would have to leave the workforce once they had kids.

Many think the gender pay gap does not exist in the U.S. In fact, 30% of women and 46% of men think

photo courtesy of Instagram

“...30% of women and 46% of men think that the gender pay gap is not a legitimate issue according to CNBC.”

“Bringing home the bacon”

illustration by Lale Baylar

The Viewer Mission Statement

There is not one concrete reason why men are more likely to get higher positions and promotions, but an unconscious bias is surely a significant factor. Even though women’s role in society has improved since the 1930s, employers unconsciously perceive women as less competitive and dominant than men, making them less likely to hire female candidates. Additionally, employers continue to discriminate against women who have or are planning on having children according to a Cornell study. Employer prejudice towards women only furthers the economic disparities that women face.

The gender pay gap is still a prevalent issue in 2022, but things seem to be looking up for women across the workforce. Lawmakers are beginning to ensure medical leave for workers, a higher minimum wage and are encouraging clear pay practices. As women continue to gain a more prominent role in the workforce, lawmakers must continue to guarantee that women are not only paid fairly, but given access to all of the same workplace opportunities as men.

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 The Viewer, our advertisers, Mounds View High School or its staff.

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

04 features

Friday, November 18, 2022

From studying to saving lives

by Megan Jaros staff reporter A typical Mounds View student takes classes that will lead them to attend college and get their two or four-year degree. But a student who desires a more specific selection of classes to aid in their educational pursuit might decide an extra step must be taken, especially if they are considering going to the medical field.

One way that several students have specialized their education is by taking the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training program at Spring Lake Park High School. Through this program, a student can become a certified Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) by passing a test after just the first trimester and get hands-on experience as they work to become a certified EMT. The EMT program works alongside Mounds View to provide necessities such as transportation to students for free. The bus to Spring Lake Park leaves Mounds View at 12:50 and brings students back when class is over. Busing is not required and students can provide their own transportation.

The classes at Spring Lake Park count for elective credits at Mounds View. Students usually first learn about the option in their biology class, but some students wish they had known about it sooner. “I just wish it was promoted a little bit more because I would have done it my junior year as well if I knew that it was available,” said senior Kati Belina. Students also have the opportunity to participate in an internship after they complete their first year EMT course. Belina says she would have been interested in this opportunity if she knew more before her junior year.

The teachers have strict rules and expect responsible behavior in comparison to a regular high school environment. Teachers push students to make “an effort because he [the instructor] can tell if you’re not trying, and he will be honest with you and [say] you can do better,” said junior Kayla Horsh. The teach-

ers help students and give direction when needed and even set aside a designated time outside of school to help them with difficult topics.

have a passion for helping others is just so amazing,”

“They hold you to such a high standard, and they hold you extremely accountable for your actions.”

Kati Belina, ‘23

photos courtesy of Tate Nelson

Students put in many hours of work outside of class by studying and doing homework. “They hold you to such a high standard, and they hold you extremely accountable for your actions,” said Belina.

“It’s simply because you signed up for that class. You signed up for an elective, something you chose to do.”

In general, students can spend from three to 10 hours on homework per week.

For the EMT program, after-school labs and activities occur often. “You need to be motivated, and you need to be ready to work hard,” said junior Isaac Ramel. Because of the course’s rigorous and timeconsuming nature, students need good organizational skills to keep up with coursework. “It’s forced me to have my priorities straight,” said Belina.

However, despite the long hours and difficult curriculum, the passion the course creates is an important part of why students continue to participate in the program. “Just being with the people and people who

said Ramel.

If a student wants to advance in the medical field later in their education, having prior knowledge from the EMT course can benefit them. Even if a student does not want to pursue a career in the medical field, having an EMR or an EMT certification helps students on their resume. Despite its difficulty, the opportunities provided by the EMT class can aid students in pursuing all types of careers.

Youth in Music Hall of Fame: Bill Sucha

by Faith Yang staff reporter Bill Sucha, Mounds View’s band director, has had a passion for music for 51 years. Whether that be drums, color guard or marching band, he certainly has dedicated his life to the art. As a licensed teacher for 27 years and a marching band director for 10, the two years Sucha has spent as Mounds View’s band director are only a small sliver of his resume. Because of his dedication, recently, Sucha was inducted into the

“[Music should be] fun, humorous, light and it should be something people are enjoying,” Bill Sucha, band director

Youth in Music Hall of Fame, a movement dedicated to honoring persons who had a “profound and positive impact on the marching arts.”

Winning this award meant a lot to Sucha, as he

My high school and college band directors and other colleagues have worked with [me]. It has definitely inspired me and helped me get where I’m at,” said Sucha.

Sucha has always valued the connections he has with those closest to him. In fact, his love of music partially began with the influences of his family members, particularly his older brother and sisters who are also involved in music. “I like the fact that music affects the way people feel happy, sad, reflective [or] serious. It’s just really powerful,” added Sucha. If anything, music meant something to him because it meant something to others.

He tries to replicate this passion in the hearts of the students he teaches. He does this firstly by setting

“[They are the] people who have helped me

It was techniques like this that eventually helped gain him recognition in the Youth and Music Hall of Fame. “I just want[ed] all groups to be good, to do their best, so students feel accomplished, successful and inspired,” Sucha said in reference to what he did working up to the nomination.

On a state level, Sucha taught at Irondale High School for 25 years, during which he taught three concert bands, two jazz bands, pep band, pit orchestra and directed the nationally recognized Irondale Marching Band, Winter Color Guard and Winter Drumline.

In 2023, nationally, he will perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade made up of directors from all over the United States. Overall, Sucha is constantly striving to help Mounds View’s students to be successful in their band careers.

get there… I didn’t get here on my own…

My high school and college band directors and other colleagues have worked with [me]. It has definitely inspired me and helped me get where I’m at.”

image couresty of Irondale band website

had a lot of love and support from others. Not only did his family members, despite living states away, come to congratulate him, but he also received support from friends and colleagues. “[They are the] people who have helped me get there… I didn’t get here on my own…

Bill Sucha, band director

more scattered rehearsals earlier on so that individuals have the time to find a piece that resonates with them. “Finding music that they connect with to begin with is something that is exciting or beautiful,” said Sucha.

By acknowledging everyone’s individual tastes and giving time to truly fall in love with a piece before a performance, Sucha ensures that music isn’t something to stress about for his students. “[Music should be] fun, humorous, light and it should be something people are enjoying,” he said.

image couresty of Mounds View news

Friday, November 18, 2022

Bilingual students

by Alaina Pundsack staff reporter

Many Mounds View students’ introduction to a foreign language occurs in middle school with a required semester of Spanish in seventh and eighth grade.

However, some students at Mounds View are exposed to different languages significantly earlier, whether that be through their family or immersion programs.

For some, being bilingual shapes many aspects of their daily lives, from the conversations they participate in to the thoughts they have.

Junior Abi Sygulla grew up in a Mexican-American household where she was exposed to both English and Spanish, with Spanish being her first language. From age five until fifth grade, she attended a Spanish immersion school. Now, Sygulla speaks English the majority of the time and Spanish only with family and friends.

“I learned how to read and write in Spanish first, and I taught myself how to read in English,” she said. She began teaching herself English around age six or seven.

Sygulla at that point already knew how to speak both languages and would try to translate words from Spanish into English. In addition to her self-teaching, her experience in immersion school provided her the opportunity to develop proficiency in both languages.

For sophomore Karin Hoyt, living in China while in kindergarten introduced her to the Chinese language.

“It was like a good kick start for me, to be around [Chinese-speaking] people, even though I didn’t know a lot because I just started learning,” said Hoyt. While her family only speaks English at home, she speaks English and Chinese fluently after attending a Chinese immer-

sion school until eighth grade.

Growing up in a non-English-speaking country can have many benefits for students. Senior Joo Kim lived in Korea for most of her life until her freshman year and believes that being bilingual can prove to be advantageous. “I believe one advantage of being bilingual is that you can utilize a more variety of information and resources as you are capable of comprehending documents across two different languages,” said Kim. Bilingualism has proven to help improve a student’s mental capacities as well. According to the Dana Foundation, because bilingual students have to listen more carefully in order to understand which language they are hearing, they are better at processing information in the environment, and as a result, learning may be easier for them. As a reflection of this in real life, Sygulla has recognized these academic benefits in her life. “It helps me understand other languages that have a Latin base,” she said. Sygulla has a few friends who speak French and Portuguese and is able to understand the basics of these languages with Latin roots.

However, as most Americans speak English, this may result in bilingual students feeling not being able to fit in. “Sometimes kids from multilingual households might feel shame or embarrassment when their family speaks another language in public. For example, at school. They might fear the judgment and or social isolation that comes with being teased by their Englishspeaking counterparts,” said senior Sarah Bassas, a fluent Arabic speaker. Because students want to fit in with their English-speaking classmates, they may feel discouraged from speaking a second language.

Exchange students

by Isabel Li staff reporter

As senior Giulia Bekteshi stepped foot in Mounds View High School for the first time, she could not help but gasp at the sight of the enormous commons space and the rows of beige lockers stretching endlessly down the hallway. “Wow, this looks just like a movie,” said Bekteshi.

Of course, Bekteshi, as a foreign exchange student from Italy, is not the only one to feel shocked upon seeing Mounds View for the first time. Currently, five foreign exchange students—from Germany, Spain and Italy—attend Mounds View. Of the three interviewed, several unanimous differences stand out between Mounds View and their native high schools, with size being just one of them.

In general, the academic classes at Mounds View provide less stress for these exchange students than their native schools. Senior Diego Peyssonnel Morcillo, from Spain, says that he has an easier time learning because of the laidback environment. “The way of learning is easier and it’s more chill, and in Spain it’s more conservative,” said Morcillo. He also explained that his school in Spain only focuses on memorizing

photo couresty of Melina Bender

textbook readings and taking exams, and the teachers move through the material much faster. Because of this, he has to spend more time studying on his own.

Melina Bender, a senior from Germany, has a similar experience. Bender also notes that the classes at Mounds View offer more interactive activities and group projects than her German school. These learning methods allow her to talk to her classmates more in class. “I enjoy going to school, and in Germany I didn’t really enjoy it. [I] didn’t want to go to school, I guess, because I feel like in Germany it’s more pressured and stricter,” said Bender. She also likes the fact that Mounds View gives students more flexibility with choosing classes, especially because some of the subjects here, like sociology, appeal to her more.

Outside of the academic realm, these students have observed that Mounds View has a stronger school spirit and culture. Popular activities at Mounds View, like clubs, sports, football games and dances, do not exist in these students’ schools in their native countries. “It’s just going to school, learning the whole day and going back home,” said Bender. Because of the lack of nonacademic activities, both Bender and Bekteshi agree that the overall atmosphere of their schools feels more isolated.

Nevertheless, these students have already taken advantage of the opportunities to immerse themselves in Mounds View’s culture. All three students took part in various sports teams this fall, including volleyball, cross country and mountain biking. Some, like Bekteshi, also joined a few clubs. “I feel it’s a great way to make students informed about new things with clubs.

Like I know that there’s the climate change club, and that’s a really good one because we don’t have these kinds of things,” said Bekteshi. She also says that joining clubs and sports has helped her make friends and feel less alone.

Aside from clubs, the clothing style at Mounds View also surprised these exchange students. While students wear flannel pajamas and sweats on a daily basis here, such a practice is unheard of in Bender’s school. “Not a lot of people wear sweatpants in German schools, almost nobody. And also they wear Crocs, and I think nobody in my German school wears Crocs, so it’s different,” said Bender. Bekteshi agrees and adds that people dress more formally at her school by wearing jeans or cardigans every day.

Despite how exciting it is to experience a new culture, living abroad does not come without its challenges. Making friends is already difficult, but it becomes

features 05

Despite this potential drawback, adopting another language can help students connect deeper with their culture. “Culture and language are intrinsically connected, and when you learn a new language, you also become familiar with its culture. You’re able to connect with more groups of people, as well as travel more confidently,” says Bassas. Gaining a deeper connection with one’s culture can give one a greater sense of belonging and identity.

Bilingual students at Mounds View recognize the positives and negatives of speaking two languages while also deepening the cultural bond that they have.

Speaking two languages can allow students to view the world from two different perspectives while providing certain advantages for students in the future.

graphic courtesy of Public Doman Vectors

even more daunting in a foreign country. “It’s kind of like getting out of your comfort zone, and doing it in another language is even more difficult because then you don’t really know how people here are or how they act towards new people, so it’s kind of scary in a way,” said Bekteshi. Being in the United States also forces her to adjust to a new diet and cultural norms and to live without her close friends and family. However,

photo courtesy of Giulia Bekteshi

even with these hardships, Bekteshi has had a very positive experience thus far and definitely wants to come back in the future to visit her host mom.

Living abroad will certainly give these exchange students a heap of unforgettable memories, whether they traveled here to improve their English skills or to experience the culture of a new place. With the school year just three months in, these students will have plenty of opportunities to encounter even more of the differences and similarities of American high school life.

“Free-range” parenting

by Isabella Kunc staff reporter In 2008, Lenore Skenazy let her nine-year-old son ride the New York subway alone. She left him with some essentials — a fare card, a subway map and 20 bucks — and waved goodbye as her son took the subway from Manhattan to Queens. After publishing a story about this incident on her blog, Skenazy was bombarded by the media and labeled the “world’s worst mom.” People asked: Why would she let her child do something like this? Couldn’t he get kidnapped?

Skenazy points out that cases of child abduction happen quite rarely, and out of millions of children, only a very small percent get kidnapped by strangers.

She has also explained that she trusted that her son would find his way home or ask someone for help. She, as well as many other parents, claim that overprotectiveness strips children of their independence and prevents children from developing problem-solving skills.

Skenazy went on to found the Free-Range Kids movement, which endorses a style of parenting that involves giving children more independence to make their own choices. It means letting children do things alone and in their own way, possibly with minimal guidance.

Free-range parenting has many benefits for children, such as increased social skills as kids must deal with conflicts alone, and more creativity because they get to develop their own personalities away from parental constraints according to Healthline, a medically reviewed wellness website. Since children have less pressure to follow strict, parent-enforced rules, and parents spend less time anxiously observing their children, this parenting style can also lead to less stress for both parties.

This parenting style can teach children things that they do not learn in the classroom. “So much can be learned by playing and learning from interacting with other

people, especially for young kids,” said Mark Johnson, science teacher. “We learn by experimenting as a young child, [since] the brain’s developing still.”

Although it has some benefits, free-range parenting can also have drawbacks. Many worry that free-range parents too often ignore safety concerns. In a world where car crashes and kidnappings are featured on the news every day, some parents find it hard to let their children out of the house at all, scrutinizing free-range parents for letting their children walk around without supervision.

Because of the lack of structure that comes with

“We learn by experimenting as a young child, [since] the brain’s developing still.”

Mark Johnson, science teacher free-range parenting, children can develop a low self-esteem and struggle academically according to Verywell Familya medically reviewed psychology website. Furthermore, this permissive parenting style can lead to issues like disrespect and not enough discipline. “[It can prevent kids from] getting to develop healthy routines and habits that can set you up for success as an adult,” said senior Isaac Siechen.

Cases like the Skenazy child’s unsupervised subway ride, where some people overreact over what others would call basic childhood activities, have risen in the last decade. Neighbors have called the police over children playing in their yards unsupervised. Child Protection Services get alerted when people see a child walking in the neighborhood alone. Courts threaten to take children away over minor cases of unsupervision. People certainly seem to believe that the world has become unsafe for children.

Erica Drake, a free-range mother of four, told a story about some friends who saw her children alone at the park a mile away from their home and got worried. She allows her children to bike to the park alone and trusts them to be cautious and has never had any issues until her friends brought it up to her. “They sent me a text, like, ‘do you know

your kids are at the park without you?’” said Drake.

Drake’s friends are not the only ones who seem overly concerned with child safety. According to YouGovAmerica, an London-based international research data and analytics group, parents allow their children less freedom now than what their parents allowed them when growing up due to the way crime is portrayed in the media today. Only the most extreme cases of child endangerment get recorded in the news every day, making parents believe that crime has greatly risen since their childhood. Instead, according to Pew Research Center, violent crime rates have decreased almost 50% in the past 30 years. This shows that excessive worrying over child safety is somewhat unfounded, but this does not mean that children should be left completely unattended.

As with any parenting method, free-range parenting has its pros and cons. “There’s kind of a happy medium to be found between being too controlling and so hands off that you’re inattentive in your child’s life,” said Johnson. The goal of any parent should include developing a parenting method that works best for them and their child.

What m good p

A review of the differe choose to rais

“Helicopter” parents

by David Golridge staff reporter Authoritarian parents, coined as helicopter parents, are known for giving too many chores, not allowing children to have an opinion in the household and placing a large emphasis on grades. Authoritarian parents would argue that their “pushy” parenting methods are the key to raising successful kids, but there are many overlooked consequences of this parenting style that most of these parents do not realize.

These parents, like most parents, want to give their children a great life.

To achieve this, authoritarian parents will plan out every aspect of their child’s life, filling their schedule with a multitude of activities ranging from soccer practice to violin lessons.

Having control over a child’s life puts these parents at ease. They never have to worry about where their child is or what they are doing because it was all planned out at a family meeting two weeks ago. “In their mind, they maybe can control the situation. And that’s their way of trying to control it,” said Ev Bjork, math teacher. “I do think their heart is in the right place, they want their kids to do well, but I think sometimes it’s control.”

However, some students acknowledge that having structure can be helpful for themselves and others. Junior Sorella Tan understands that her parents have her best interest in mind which sometimes means pushing her to achieve her full potential. “I think, like, [my parents] just [want] to help guide me for decisions that I make in life because they want me

to be successful, and then also they also have their own ideas and opinions. They’re trying to kind of, like, influence you to follow what they believe too,” said Tan. When a parent makes decisions for their child, it can take some of the decisionmaking pressure off their child.

This structure might b e beneficial for the child in the present, but it can also cause problems for the child in the future when they move out of the house and struggle to become fully independent.

“I think that makes the child very dependent on the parent, and the parent feel[s] like everything is within their control. If they can just talk enough or provide a safety net enough, everything’s gonna be fine,” said Nancy Johnson, science teacher. “But eventually your kid’s

going to go off without you, and you can’t prevent them from making mistakes.”

Experts claim that there can be other drawbacks to using this parenting style. According to Jeff Nallin, clinical psychologist a n d founder of Paradigm Treatment Centre, this parenting style can cause behavioral issues and can also lead to mental health disorders in children. For e x - ample, the child might begin to rebel against their parents as they feel constrained by the rules and lack of freedom that comes with this parenting style.

They can also develop an inferiority complex and insecurity issues. This is due to the harsh criticism they receive from their parents and lacking opportunities for self-expression in authoritarian households.

“I think that makes the child very dependent on the parent, and the parent feel[s] like everything is within their control.

Nancy Johnson, science teacher These parents do try to give their children the best future, but they sometimes lack a balance of affection for their child and control of their child.

“Dry cleaner” parents

by Kia Yang staff reporter We all know the type: parents who leave the parenting to someone or something else. They often leave it to teachers, reducing the role of teachers to nothing but a glorified babysitter. Other times, they leave it to sports and after-school activities. Sometimes they leave it to the iPad, hoping CoComelon will make up for their uninvolved tendencies. But are these “dry cleaner” parents really bad parents?

Also known as uninvolved parents, dry cleaner parents are parents who rely on others to raise their children. Just as one takes laundry to the dry cleaners to have it professionally cleaned, these parents leave parenting to the “experts,” such as teachers. “I don’t think it’s necessarily bad that parents expect us to teach their kids right,” said Justin Benolkin, social studies teacher.

Benolkin acknowledges that some of the responsibility of developing children rests on teachers, and teachers should also be responsible for

makes a parent?

ent ways in which parents se their children.

reaching out to parents if there are any issues.

However, issues arise because these parents do not typically provide their children with the time and attention experts recommend. No special emotional connection develops between the parent and child in this parenting style, and the lack of structure can leave children feeling overwhelmed. “You’ve got the parents acting like, ‘I’m your friend,’ and, you know, ‘I’ll let you do whatever you want.’ But that’s not

“A child will develop better in a predictable, structured environment. And that means the parents have to actually work on that.”

Julie Coopet, child psychology teacher what a child needs,” said Julie Coopet, child psychology teacher. “A child will develop better in a predictable, structured environment. And that means the parents have to actually work on that.”

These parents also tend to overuse electronic devices such as iPads as a distraction for their children to either calm them down from a tantrum or to keep the kids from bothering them. According to a study done at Barnard University, children who do not use iPads are more social and interact more with others, but those who use it become hyperfocused on the iPad, ignoring others around them. “If there’s, like, a balance, if they watch a show, 20 minutes of the show, while the parent is making dinner, then that’s the babysitter, but they can’t watch eight hours of a show,” said Coopet. “And they’re not learning how to interact with people.

They’re not talking with people. They’re not feeling hugs from their parents.”

Uninvolved parenting can have other harmful effects on children.

According to a 2017 study, researchers found that children of uninvolved parents can become more impulsive and unable to fully express their emotions. They can also struggle with school and have a higher chance of mood disorders or depression. “I think it would definitely put some distance between the parent

and the child. They would probably, from the child’s perspective, have a lack of trust,” said Mallory Nelson-Rehder, art teacher. This can cause a child to feel isolated from their parents as well as their peers, leading to relationship-building difficulties later in life.

These parents may put their needs before their childs because they believe that they are not capable of being a parent. Uninvolved parents usually have mental health issues of their own and may suffer from alcoholism or substance abuse. Furthermore, uninvolved parents often had uninvolved parents themselves, and so they adopt the neglectful parenting methods of their own parents according to Verywell Mind, a medically reviewed psychology website.

While some may still consider these parents selfish, one must also understand that these parents often lack many of the resources of more “successful” parents.

It may take time, but uninvolved parents can still salvage the relationship between themselves and their children.

According to Verywell Mind, uninvolved parents who wish to change should try family therapy as a way to mend their broken relationships with their children.

These parents could also make an effort to have conversations with their kids and spend time with them, such as going to the mall or even inviting them to the grocery store to run some errands. Even though uninvolved parenting is the most scrutinized parenting style, all parenting styles have room for growth, and all parents should continue to strengthen their relationships with their children.

images courtesy of Unsplash

The model parent

by Isaiah Wallerstedt staff reporter

Imagine being a parent of a high school boy. He just asked if he could hang out with his friends tonight, but he’s broken curfew by about half an hour every other night that he has been out. However, he says he will be much more wary of the curfew this time around.

What should a parent do in this situation? A more permissive parent would likely let him go, trusting that their child knows what they are doing and that they will make it home safely at the end of the night. On the other hand, a more authoritarian parent would likely not let him go, especially since he has already broken curfew several times.

Unlike these parents, authoritative parents are known for giving their children freedom while also setting firm boundaries. These parents will also explain every boundary that they set, avoiding “because I said so” excuses. Junior Elias Hagfors notes that explaining the “why” behind one’s rules as a parent is very important.

“For example, say I want my child to eat a veggie. I’d tell them, ‘eat your veggies’, and naturally they’d say, ‘I don’t want to,’” said Hagfors. “Then I’d say, ‘Here’s why I want you to eat your veggies: They’re good for you, and I want you to build good habits. The more you do it, the easier it’ll be.’” Providing reasoning as a parent can make discipline more effective and provides children with the intuition for building their own self-discipline.

Authoritative parents are often responsive, nur-

turing and supportive, but they also set firm limits for their children. They make an effort to discipline kids by outlining rules and having frequent discussions.

They encourage their children to form their own opinions, but they do not necessarily agree with them according to the American Psychological Association.

These parents often use positive reinforcement

“Kids raised with this parenting style are more likely to be self-reliant, socially acceptable, happy, content and independent.” and reasoning but avoid resorting to threats or harsh punishment. It combines warmth, sensitivity and the setting of limits in order to achieve a balance of children following a parents’ boundaries while also protecting children’s self-esteem according to Pamela Li, founder of online publication Parenting For Brain.

There are not many cons to this style of parenting, save for the fact that it is difficult to balance warmth with discipline, and it is easy to slip into being either too authoritarian or too permissive. There are, however, many upsides. Kids raised with this parenting style are more likely to be self-reliant, socially acceptable, happy, content and independent. They are also more

likely to come forward about things like depression and anxiety and less likely to do drugs according to Li. The four parenting styles have been studied for many years, and child development specialists now agree that authoritative parenting tends to be the most effective.

In general, children raised with an authoritative parent have better childhood experiences and are generally more self-assured, especially as they move forward in life. Furthermore, according to Healthline, this style helps reduce parental stress by helping children devel op better coping skills, higher academi c performance and overall better behavior. A parent who activel y tries to pursue this style of parenting will likely feel a greater “return on their investment” than with any other style.

08 Debates

Friday, November 18, 2022

Are standardized tests even worth it?

Waste of paper

by Ruthie Hottinger staff reporter

On a crisp Monday morning, Ray gets seated in their math class. The bell rings and everyone around them seems to slump into their seats. Tired and drained, Ray hears Mrs. Rose start speaking. “We have a test today!” The class lets out a collective sigh and faces turn tense. Now, if an individual classroom test can cause this much unrest, imagine what a state-mandated standardized test could do, especially for people who do not always have the resources to prepare properly.

Undeniably, socioeconomic gaps play a huge role in test score results. While some affluent students may have the privilege and support to spend time, money and resources on preparation, others less fortunate do not. “They [more affluent students] have been taught to do multiple choice... They’ve been taught how to cross things out, they’ve been taught how to look for the key terms and stuff. I think that a lot of kids haven’t been taught things like that,” said Jenna Claflin, social studies teacher.

One of the larger, more common issues that arises during test exam season is test anxiety. American Test Anxieties Association, an association dedicated to providing accurate information about the severity of test anxiety through their research, estimated that about 16 to 20% of students have high test anxiety, and another 18% are affected by moderately high test anxiety. While test anxiety is not a learning disorder, it can affect anyone. A student might have prepared exceptionally well for a test, but when taking the test itself, all past knowledge is lost in a fit of anxiousness. With long standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT, students tend to stay more focused in the first few hours but rush through to get it over with when it gets to be too much.

Along with personal struggles, ADHD should be addressed. 5.7 million kids between the ages of six to 17 have ADHD according to a study done in 2016 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some with ADHD may experience behaviors such as impulsivity and distractibility that hinder them in the test-taking process. “My ADHD makes it hard for me to focus and then teachers get mad at me,” said junior Samayah Nguyen. As well, current solutions, such as extended test time, fail to properly accommodate the problem. According to a study done by Multidisciplinary journal, giving students with hyperactive disorders breaks or longer testing times does not improve performance.

Standardized testing may also fail to highlight and praise students who show progression in different ways such as interpersonal communication, critical thinking skills and the arts. “I have had students who have not done well on multiple choice tests but have explained it well to me and should have aced it,” said Claflin.

A professor of Psychology at Cornell University, Robert J. Steinberg, expressed that standardized tests do not give attention to “successful intelligence,” which he defines as a person’s ability to set and accomplish meaningful goals in one’s life. He says that standardized tests do not cover ethical wisdom, creativity and practicality.

As well, in order to cater to improving test scores, teachers may begin to only teach for test content and adhere strictly to curriculum. Students could be able to memorize an answer quickly, but fail at understanding the greater complexities of a problem. “A group of Harvard graduates were asked why it is colder in the winter and warmer in the summer. Most of them got the question wrong. They were good test-takers but didn’t understand fundamental principles that required a deeper comprehension,” said the American Institute for Learning and Human Development.

There should be recognition that schools and the state can be doing other things with their resources. Resources such as time, money and energy. In fact, according to a new report released by Brown Center on Education Policy, a nonprofit public policy organization, standardized tests cost states around $1.7 billion a year overall.

This money could be used for building more real life applications, hiring more mental health support, creating more updated curriculum, helping art programs, raising teachers’ pay and having more support in general.

Even if humans in the future stick with standardized testing, there should be better individualized preparation for every student. It is important to recognize standardized tests are not easy for everyone and not every style of learning is appropriately accommodated.

illustration by Iris Ren

Testing is misunderstood

by Ahmed Sharara staff reporter Every student has experienced the two months of seemingly endless standardized testing. From the NWEA to ACT, students in April and May work hard to score the highest they can. However, many school districts and universities have become test-optional since the pandemic. This means students may opt out of participating in standardized tests and no longer need to submit them for some college admissions. However, this recent decline in mandatory testing is not as positive as many have come to believe. Standardized tests have numerous benefits for the districts that utilize them, such as their ability to provide helpful information to schools, administer fair college acceptances and aid underrepresented students.

By eliminating standardized tests, schools would not have an accurate method to assess their curriculum. In order for schools to improve their curriculum’s effectiveness, they must compare it to a standard and acknowledge any shortcomings. This process of identification and improvisation is only made easier with standardized tests. The Mounds View High School website explains, “Assessment results are tracked for every student and viewed by teachers who use the results to tailor their instructional approaches and to help create challenging but attainable goals for the students.”

In terms of post-secondary education, standardized testing grants colleges and universities the ability to differentiate their applicants and make fair decisions for admissions. The Harvard University website released data showing that it received 62,000 applications in the fall 2022 application cycle, 90% of those admitted were among the top 10% of their class. With so many students with similar academic performances, determining the factors for admission becomes difficult. If colleges look solely at extracurriculars and essays, they might run into the problem of unfair advantages. Some students simply have more time and opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities that would benefit their college resume. For others, the only way to show their academic intelligence is through their scoring.

However, some have argued that standardized testing such as the ACT and SAT discriminates against lower-income students and other marginalized groups causing them to be at a disadvantage for college application. This is simply not true. Without the aid of standardized testing, schools around the country would not be able to even begin acknowledging the setbacks facing minority students.

With the growing disparities in education throughout the country, the necessity for standardized testing and its benefits for minority students has only increased. Laura Slover, chief executive at the District of Columbia’s Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, stated in an interview with the Washington Post, “Quality, statewide education assessments are the guarantor of high standards. Without assessments, the standards are not always applied, and the disadvantaged are often the ones left behind.” If standardized testing was ignored at schools, how else would districts around the country acknowledge and work to fix these disparities?

Although some might argue that standardized testing should be done away with, they do not acknowledge the myriad of negative implications such a decision will have on student learning. Without the ability to accurately assess and enhance a school’s curriculum, the already growing educational disparities between students will only continue to widen and cause more harm for years to come.

Good Question 09

Friday, November 18, 2022

Should you join the military?

by Khalid Abdullahi staff reporter

The military is a great career choice for students who are passionate about helping their country and its people. The military offers opportunities for everyone, and there are many perks to joining, such as monetary benefits, an environment committed to self-improvement and a sense of bettering the world.

“You choose your job with paid training, you receive $22,000 a year for college and you also get an additional $407 a month for being a full-time student.”

Nate Porter, National Guard member Most agree that people in the military are selfless and courageous, protecting the U.S. no matter what, sometimes at the cost of their own life.

“The people in it are pretty brave,” said junior Andres Vargas. “They sign up for it because they care enough, not for anything else, but because you put your life on the line. That’s pretty brave.”

Besides the honor one would receive from joining the military, there are many other benefits. Nate Porter, a former Marine and now a National Guard member, explains that the military, especially the National Guard, has great benefits that correlate to your needs whether you are a college student, high school graduate or in need of a job. “The National Guard is a part-time job, one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer,” said Porter. “You choose

your job with paid training, you receive $22,000 a year for college and you also get an additional $407 a month for being a full-time student.”

Porter acknowledges that the benefits seem “too good to be true.” There are many struggles that go along with joining the military, including separation from loved ones because of relocation or a permanent change of station. Military life can be hard on families because of long separations and frequent moves. The danger of physical injury can put a strain on recruits and their families as well. However, the military also offers opportunities for those who want to avoid combat.

Junior Reese Bjorklund has thought about joining the Navy to follow in the footsteps of her stepfather. “My step-dad was a gunner mate in the Navy,” she said. “I just thought it was cool, what he did, and he has had a lot of stories.” However,

Senior Emerson Cummings has always had a passion for helping others. “I like to help people. Last year, all I knew was I wanted to help people, and I didn’t know how to do that so I wanted to join the military,” said Cummings. She had different branches of the military she could choose from, such as the Air Force — which specializes in aerial warfare — and the Navy

“I like to help people. Last year, all I knew was I wanted to help people, and I didn’t know how to do that so I wanted to join the military.”

Emerson Cummings, ‘23 — which is designated for naval and amphibious warfare. The Navy is often confused with the Coast Guard because they both include forces in the water, but unlike the Navy, the Coast Guard mainly focuses on the U.S. coastline as well as ocean rescue. She could have joined the Army, the dominant land power of the U.S. military. Finally, she could have also joined the Marine Corps, the leading force when conflict arises.

The military is not for everyone, but if students have a calling to serve their country, the military is a great choice. However, the military can also be a big commitment, and it is important for students to do research before they decide if the military is right for them.

she notes that if she was to join the military, she would be a field or trauma surgeon because she would not have to participate in combat.

Why do girls get better grades?

by Ava Dempster staff reporter For many years, men received the best education. After women were allowed to enter the academic sphere, women have steadily performed better in school than their male classmates. In fact, girls tend to receive higher grades than boys by a margin of 6.3% according to Nature Communications, an online multidisciplinary journal. What could be the reason behind this?

A woman’s brain fully develops around two years earlier than a man’s brain according to Dr. Sandra Aamodt, neuroscientist at Yale University. This tends to give girls an advantage over boys in early education.

“Males typically mature at a later stage than females do,” said Dean Jeff Nowak. “When you look at classroom behaviors, study skills and just some rudimentary things that make students successful in school, I would say females in ninth grade tend to come in with a better overall preparedness.”

Furthermore, new evidence has found that gray matter develops sooner in females according to Jay Giedd, psychiatrist at the University of California San Diego. Used in the central nervous system, gray matter makes it possible for individuals to control movement, memory and emotions according to the National Library of Medicine. As girls mature earlier, this grants them the ability to take on more challenging material, giving girls an academic edge over boys.

“Males typically mature at a later stage than females do.”

Jeff Nowak, dean Some Mounds View staff suggest that a rigid curriculum is to blame for the disparities between boys and girls, pointing out that there may be a need for more student choice in the classroom. “At some point in the future, you have to get to a place where you have to set a standard of what we’re going to teach,” said Nowak.

“You can pick your own book.” Having freedom of choice, such as allowing students to choose which book

photo courtesy of U.S. Army

they read, could allow boys to open up to the idea of learning new material.

Carolynne Ladd, social studies teacher, also recommends including more boy-friendly books in the curriculum. “I think if you had five books that are, like, things that they enjoy as much as girls, and I think things like Harry Potter would bring boys back into reading,” said Ladd.

“I think if you had five books that are, like, things that they enjoy as much as girls, and I think things like Harry Potter would bring boys back into reading.”

Carolynne Ladd, social studies teacher Some suggest that social pressures may play a role in these differences, as boys feel pressure to act masculine. Dr. Bonny Hartley, research fellow at the University of Greenwich, found in her research that “masculinity norms” may hinder the academic performance of boys. “If you’re working hard, you’re seen as a nerd,” said senior Rachel Hilas. Challenging social norms is not easy, and working hard to succeed in school can feel emasculating to some boys. Instead, boys often turn to slacking off and violence, such as getting into fights, to gain validation from other boys. “I would say the classroom behavior issues usually tend to be more male specific and especially in high school,” said Nowak. “A lot of them are trying to entertain each other or be the class clown.”

A difficult home life can impair the academic performance of both genders. However, because of societal expectations of masculinity, boys may take on more of the stress that comes with familial struggles.

Furthermore, the rise in single-parent homes, especially single-mother homes according to the U.S. Census Bureau, could potentially place more stress on boys.

Melanie Wasserman, an economist at UCLA, found that the absence of a father could have especially disastrous

effects for boys. This could be because boys raised in single-parent households may feel obligated to take on the stereotypical role of the “man of the house” and protect their family, causing them to focus less on their studies. A 2015 study found that boys growing up in single-mother families have a high risk of underperformance. The study found that attention from parents is especially vital for boys, and without it, boys may start to misbehave, leading to lower academic performance.

This only further demonstrates that a difficult home life can provide more challenges for boys.

Many factors influence the widening academic gender gap, including brain development, personal interest and peer pressure. Even though the academic gap between boys and girls is multilayered, convoluted and does not have only one solution, perhaps the most realistic and achievable first step towards reducing the gap is to create a more boy-friendly academic environment.

photo courtesy of Unsplash

10 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, november 18, 2022

Hop over to Steele and Hops

by Jonathan Jones staff reporter Located on 2800 39th Ave NE, in Saint Anthony Village is a fairly new restaurant called Steele and Hops. Steele and Hops has a more modern approach to the typical bar and American-style restaurant. It is open every day starting at 11 a.m to 10 p.m with a happy hour every Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.

When first entering the establishment, the atmosphere gives off a very modern vibe with white bricks and dark wood being the main elements of interior design. Everything else, from the tables to the floor, has a muted hue, with brown and gray being the dominant colors.

The menu includes many typical American menu items like burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, ribs and fish.

Some standouts include the beer battered cheese curds, the Mongolian beef bowl, the short ribs and the Southern Belle burger.

The price is average for an everyday restaurant.

Appetizers range from $11-16 with up to $3 off during happy hour. Most main dishes are around $16 on average with the exception of entrees such as the Bacon Blue Crusted Ribeye and Honey & Pumpkin Crusted Salmon which are $33.95 and $23.95. The service was quick and attentive, taking about 30 minutes to get our food ordered and served.

I decided to get the Southern Belle burger as the main course and the beer battered cheese curds as an appetizer. The cheese curds came out coated in a thin batter with a hot cheese inside that practically melted in my mouth. They came with a smoked blueberry ketchup which was a nice contrast to the savoriness of the cheese curds. The sauce itself was very thin and almost watery which made it easy to coat the cheese curds.

The mix between the two left an amazing taste of fine cheese and fruit.

The burger came after about 20 minutes and was decorated with three slices of bacon, cheddar cheese, onion strings and their classic bourbon BBQ sauce.

One thing that should be noted is that it came out with a generous amount of onion strings on top but had a very minimal amount of BBQ on the burger. As I took a bite, I found that it had a nice, beefy flavor that paired well with the texture of the bun. While overall it was certainly satisfying, the flavor lacked any distinct taste due to the lack of BBQ sauce, not to mention the bland flavor of the onions and bacon.

The overall experience was very enjoyable with fast seating and service time, but the main dish left things to be desired. For the price, it was a decently

photos by Jonathan Jones

priced meal that I would recommend. Anyone looking for a new and fairly unique experience should try Steele and Hops due to the fact it is quite affordable and has a variety of dishes to try out.

Final Verdict: 4/5

‘The Rings of Power’ review

by Nolan Anderson staff reporter J.A. Beyona, director of the highly anticipated “Rings of Power,” brought the first season to a close this past month. Many people have begun expressing their contrasting views on how closely the story resembles J. R. R. Tolkien’s original works, “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings.”

“Rings of Power” was originally announced in January 2020, promising five seasons. Prime Video said the budget for the show was at least $500 million.

While this had many Tolkien fans excited to have more of his world come to life, it also made many fans nervous, as they did not want to ruin Peter Jackson’s previous works “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit.”

Characters and casting are always a huge concern when creating a new series, especially when the characters were previously seen in Jackson’s movies and Tolkien’s books. The portrayal of the characters is often the reason viewers will continue or not continue watching a series. In my opinion, “Rings of Power” not only chose actors that did an amazing job portraying characters previously seen in the movies, but it also created a more diverse cast while keeping it in the spirit of Middle-earth.

Galadriel, previously played by Cate Blanchett, is now being brought to life through Morfydd Clark, who plays a much younger Galadriel seeking vengeance for her brother. Many people did not like the way Galadriel was portrayed in “Rings of Power,” as she is much less angelic than her portrayal in “Lord of the Rings.” However, Galadriel is described as a very strong warrior and “the mightiest and fairest of all elves that remained on Middle-earth.”

Arondir on the other hand, who is played by Ismael Cruz Cordova, is a new character created for “Rings of Power.” Arondir is an elven warrior located in the Southlands. The casting choice for Arondir stuck out.

In Tolkien’s original works the elves are described as angelic and pale-skinned, which became the standard as the original trilogies came out. However, skin color is not something people can change. For me, where the issue arose, is that Arondir, and several other elves, including Elrond and Celebrimbor, are depicted having short hair instead of long hair. The elves in “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” had long hair and were very androgynous. All of that added to their elegance

and otherworldliness that is almost lost in “Rings of Power.”

Once Elrond goes to visit Durin, we get to see the first look at the thriving city of Moria. The only times the Mines of Moria were seen previously in “Lord of the Rings” was when the fellowship had to escape through the abandoned mines. In “Rings of Power,” Moria is a beautiful underground city with waterfalls and lush greenery.

acters, due to all of the possibilities of who he could be. The most plausible characters he could be are Saruman, Sauron or Gandalf. However, due to the fact the Hobbits help him along, Gandalf seems to be the most probable. Saruman and Sauron could not care less about Hobbits, as they are “insignificant” on Middle Earth whereas Gandalf has an admiration for Hobbits that not many see.

“Rings of Power” alludes to the creation of Mordor throughout the series, which only becomes more confirmed as time goes on. The Southlands are shown on the map near a volcano that is in the relative position of where Mordor would be. In episode six, events lead to the volcano’s eruption that connects the pieces leading to the existence of Mordor.

There are so many things “Rings of Power” does correctly while entertaining the audience. It has been a long wait since its announcement in 2020 but is completely worth it. The characters are enduring and because of the giant budget, costumes, CGI and scenery are amazing. It is hard to reach the perfection the original trilogies were, but “Rings of Power” brings what the fans are looking for in a Tolkien series.

photo courtesy of Amazon

The city was incredible to see and really brought the dwarves to life which was so enjoyable.

Once Durin takes Elrond to his home, the viewers get their first look at Sophia Nomvete playing Disa, Durin’s wife. Not only does Sophia play the character wonderfully, but she also fits in with the other dwarves.

This was an exciting moment, due to it being the first time Tolkien fans have been able to see female dwarves on screen.

It is not a proper Tolkien viewer experience without our halfling friends. The hobbits in “Rings of Power” are nomadic, not yet finding the Shire to settle down in.

Nori, played by Markella Kavenagh, is a young hobbit who parallels Bilbo from “The Hobbit.” She is adventurous and is displeased with her life after encountering The Stranger, who has her questioning her small world.

The Stranger is one of the most intriguing char-

photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Final Verdict: 4/5

Sports 11

Friday, November 18, 2022

Athlete of the Issue

Cross country Q: How and when did your passion start?

A: I joined Mounds View cross country in seventh grade and fell in love with running immediately.

Q: What is your favorite thing about cross country?

A: My favorite thing about cross country is the team.

Cross country is often viewed as an individual sport, but there is a huge team aspect to it. Every girl on the team is important and contributes to the success of the team. In addition, cross country has an amazing community where everyone roots for one other and pushes each other to be their best.

There is no "I" in team.

by Maya Betti editor-in-chief On Nov. 4, Mounds View’s football team traveled to Shakopee with hopes of victory and a ticket to state. Yet, after several unexpected plays and an ill-timed injury, the team took their final loss and ended their season with a 3-7 record. However, many players on the team argue there were more victories this season than those shown in the final standings.

“One herd trying to achieve one goal,” said senior Ryan Counihan in reference to the team’s chemistry, which, according to him and others on the team, was something they relied on heavily throughout the season.

For many this year, the bonds within the team, as well as within the community, are where they found their true strength and passion. “Last year, we played just for ourselves, but this year, we knew to play for more,” said senior team captain Anthony Willier. This knowledge is based heavily on the team’s slogan, “Bleed Green,” which is in reference to when a player becomes a Mustang, they represent a family, a brotherhood and football all at once, explained Willier.

Their loyalty and commitment was certainly displayed at their win against Champlin Park. “I think it was the biggest benchmark that we did win and a step towards progression for Mounds View,” said Willier. While they initially went into the game with expectations against them, they were able to push to victory, making their 17-7 win the first time in 6A history that the seventh seed beat the second seed.

“When we ended up upsetting a team like Champlin Park… winning after being expected to lose -- it’s a good feeling,” said senior Phi Nguyen, who noted that it felt like people did not believe in the team go-

Q: What do you do to prepare for a race?

A: We do a lot of hard workouts to prepare for meets and get us in shape. Right before the meets we focus on recovery with stuff like ice bathing, compression boots, and rolling to make sure we feel fresh and ready to race.

Q: Do you plan to go further with your sport?

A: I am planning on continuing to run cross country and track and field in college. I am committed to the University of Minnesota to run next year.

“I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

Anthony Willier, ‘23

about the team’s performance without ever being able to own up to their criticisms themselves. “You say whatever you want from the stands, like ‘Owen Wark could have a better throw’ or ‘this lineman could have blocked better,’ but at the time you really don’t know what’s happening,” said

photo courtesy of Phi Nguyen

Willier.

“If anything, it just makes us play better because we want to prove them wrong,” said senior Sam Henrichs. Henrichs noted this attitude was especially prevalent right before the Homecoming game, which the team then proceeded to win.

However, at heart, the Mustangs do not just play football because they expect positive attention. They play because, for some, it is where they can become their best selves. “I played football for the memories and the friends and family that I’ve made over the last four years and it has truly made me a better man and a better student every year,” said Willier. Many members of the team try to exemplify this attitude, as evidenced by the team’s involvement with clubs like Best Buddies and interaction with organizations like Student Council.

So, with this self-proclaimed benchmark season wrapped up, the current players have set high expectations for those on the team next year as community remains the foundation of their values.

Girls tennis makes a racket

Q: What is the most dif- by Gao Zhong Thao ficult part of this sport? staff reporter A: Cross country has a huge mental aspect to it that a lot of people don’t see. When you are pushing your body to the limits it can be really hard to find the motivation to keep going faster, so you have to be really mentally strong.

ing into the game. “[They said] y’all are going to lose, y’all are going to lose, y’all are going to lose, but then we didn’t.”

Negative comments are not something that is new to the team. In fact, they coined the term “Man in the Area” to define the spectators who make hasty judgments

Despite their differences, athletes on the Mounds View girls tennis team all share one thing in common: their love for tennis. After a section championship and a third place finish at state, they reflect on the season.

For many on the team, this was a season of many successes against competitive opponents. “The biggest success this season was beating Minnetonka in both our matches,” said junior Elizabeth Simons.

Minnetonka was a team they had worked diligently to beat, as they originally had lost to them in the consolation bracket.

Simons and others on the team state that playing tennis with the team is like playing with family. “We all love each other and it’s a lot of fun and we joke around, but we push and challenge each other,” said Simons. She acknowledges the importance of team chemistry in a sport so competitive.

bonding activities. “We did carbo loads, we did tie dye [and] we also practice,” said junior Maddie Shen, who has been with the girls tennis program since seventh grade. Bonding activities help the girl learn to depend on each other, which is needed when the season gets difficult.

“Keep persistent and never give up.”

Sonali Bhaskar ‘24

Shen explains that being close with her team is especially important as tennis requires a lot of hard work. “You need a tough mentality to play. There’s going to be a lot of people that are going to put you down. However, like if we play well together as a team, you’ll always succeed,” said Shen.

With the wins they earned this season, the team looks forward to working together next year to replicate this year’s stand-out season.

“I always know that there’s a better way to keep on getting better.”

Sonali Bhaskar, ‘24 photo courtesy of internet.com

In order to spend time together and get to know each other, they also do many

photo courtesy of Annabelle Huang

12 Puzzles

Friday, november 18, 2022

Maze:

Sudoku:

puzzle courtesy of Opensky

First five students to finish both puzzles and DM @mvviewer on Instagram with a picture of completion win free coffee from Mustang Mocha.

Scan QR code to accsess The Viewer’s website:

puzzle courtesy of Printable Paradise

Student Submission “Outlook”

by Gajan Dileepan guest writer

Exhausted of the cycle, I long to start anew My schoolwork’s long abandoned, motivation’s overdue I’m locked in a thought prison, scared of what to chew Yet I make myself of plastic, and mold to others views I sit through school, day dreaming without a clue I roll out of my bed, afraid of what’s due I wake up.

I sit up in my bed, excited for what’s in store I walk through school, grateful to learn more I choose to do as I please, not for the social norm The thoughts that plague my appetite, I choose to ignore I finish one task at a time, shrinking the heap from ceiling to floor I close my eyes, and choose how I want to live my day before I wake up.

illustration by Iris Ren