ple that are in these videos,” said Reetz.
Recently, Mounds View has experienced numerous school fights across campus, with several of them being recorded and shared online. In order to reduce the number of fights and stop further disruptions to the school day, Principal Rob Reetz is working to implement a new policy that will impose punishments on students who record, post or share videos of fights.
Although the exact wording has not been approved yet, the general idea of the new policy is that any student who films a fight and posts it may get detention, with increasing punishments such as being suspended and denied access to school-hosted events if they do it again.
With this new policy, Reetz hopes to stop fights before they start by counteracting student’s fight-orflight response. Reetz notes that a lot goes through a student’s brain when confronted with conflict. “You’re only thinking about one of two things. I either gotta get out of here, or I gotta fight, and our senses in situations in which cameras are out, students are choosing fight,” he said.
Through this policy, he aims to create a more empathetic community at Mounds View. “We have to start putting ourselves in the shoes of the people that are most victimized by not just the fighting, but the viral nature of it, and the fact that this is entertainment for other people and, in some cases, traumatic for the peo-
Videos can lead to repeated fights and worry families about the safety of their children at school. Although less than 1 percent of Mounds View students have fought this year, with constantly resurfacing videos, it makes the number seem much higher, prompting parents to worry over their child’s safety while at school, says Reetz.
One thing that students seem to agree on is the need for increased communication between students at school, whether with a counselor or in designated space for talking. “[I think that] providing an environment where people can talk and be able to work out their differences [would help decrease fights] because I personally feel like fights, underneath all of it, underneath all the yelling, screaming, throwing hands and stuff, I feel like it’s all just one big misunderstanding,” said Espinoza.
The effects of this policy on Mounds View students and staff will be seen in the coming months, with the goal of decreasing the number of fights overall. “We just want kids to focus on things that are kind and positive,” said Reetz.
Students have mixed responses to this new policy. Some students agree with it, not understanding why people film fights, and believe it’s necessary due to the increase in fights from last year. “There is a line that you simply don’t cross, and plus, most people don’t really have permission to film or record so, at the same time, I do understand the policy because it’s illegal,” said sophomore Zariyah Howell.
But other students believe that the policy creates more tension by adding more rules to already woundup students. “I think it’s way too harsh on the people,” said sophomore Ciara Espinoza. “Obviously if there’s a fight like there’s gonna be a lot of people who want to record it, and [the fight is] gonna happen regardless.”
Billionaire Elon Musk’s offer to buy the social media company Twitter was accepted in early April. Musk initially refused the deal, pulling out of negotiations in June. He said this was because there were issues with the number of bots — users whose accounts are controlled by AI — identified.
Twitter then sued Musk, stating through a tweet that he “refuses to honor his obligations to Twitter and its stockholders because the deal he signed no longer serves his personal interests.”
However, the lawsuit never materialized, as Musk agreed to pay $44 billion for Twitter in early October.
Musk expressed he had great hopes for his new company, promising to provide “free speech” to all of its users. As a part of this, Musk expressed interest in changing Twitter’s definition of hate speech, which drew backlash from many users. “I think Musk’s policy changes are unjust and misguided,” said junior Eva Manrodt. According to Twitter guidelines, hate speech includes violent threats, calling for harm on a group of people, racism, sexism and hateful imagery, but could be changed to offer fewer protections under Musk’s ownership.
Another change made by Musk is the introduction of Twitter Blue, a program that allows users to buy a “verification,” or a blue check next to their username that informs people that an account is authentic.
Some worried that this program would lead to a rise in accounts imitating people. It looked the same as a regular verification, so it was almost impossible to see any difference unless the exact handle was known beforehand. Junior Apollo Ashby doesn’t agree with
the new policies, finding them confusing. “People can now buy verifications, and I don’t know if they’re real or not,” said Ashby.
In an attempt to combat this, Musk banned impersonation in early November. If a user was going to buy a checkmark using Twitter Blue, they could not impersonate an account unless they had the word “parody” in the title.
Despite this, Twitter Blue was indefinitely suspended because of impersonators having detrimental real-world consequences. Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly faced a 4.5% drop in the price of an individual stock in their company because an impersonator tweeted: “We are excited to announce insulin is free now.” The fake account had the same profile picture and a similar handle to that of the real company, along with a genuine blue checkmark by their username. The account has since gone private, but the imposter account cost the company millions of dollars before Musk could change the rules.
In late November, Musk introduced a plan of having different colors of checkmarks to determine the nature of a given account. A golden check for businesses and companies, a blue check for individuals who pay $8 per month for one and a gray check mark for government officials. Musk intends this program to be the end of impersonation and parody accounts.
In late October, Musk’s first massive action as the owner was firing the CEO of Twitter and other company executives, along with around 3,700 employees of Twitter. He then proceeded to ask dozens of former employees to return to their posts, because some had been fired by mistake, according to multiple sources who chose anonymity. “I feel like Elon is being irresponsible because he is taking away all those employee’s jobs. He needs to think before he acts,” said junior
Fardis Malik.
Musk allegedly said to the remaining employees that Twitter is on the verge of bankruptcy. Essentially, Twitter violated its agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in which Twitter was to share all of its data with them, and the FTC could profit off of it. This, compounded with other obligations from deals made with information mining companies, Has caused Twitter to fall into billions of dollars of debt.
Musk’s acquisition of Twitter has sparked widespread controversy. From Musk firing thousands of employ cal policy changes, Twitter users are sure to see more ing in the near
“I feel like it’s all just one big misunderstanding”
Ciara Espinoza, ‘25
Prior to the 2022-23 school year, school-provided lunch and breakfast were free to all students at Mounds View High School. This was due to a COVID-era funding policy that worked to ensure that all children were provided with nutritious and filling meals in the wake of a seemingly never-ending recession. As post-COVID inflation began to rise, and supply-chain interruptions increased the price of providing school lunches, many argued that the policy was no longer sustainable.
busy parent forgot to pack their child a lunch or did not have time to go grocery shopping the night before. Other times it is because a child forgot to bring lunch money or their parents forgot to check their account balance. Nevertheless, a hungry child is a distracted child. According to No Kid Hungry, a nonprofit organization dedicated to easing child hunger, hungry students are more likely to do worse on standardized tests, be suspended from school and repeat a grade. This is attributed to the fact that hunger diminishes academic performance, concentration and motivation in children. Providing free school meals to all stu- dents would ensure that all students have a chance to succeed in the academic sphere.
“sandwich” cannot realistically satisfy the hunger of a high school student — not to mention federal nutrition guidelines — and only further singles out children whose parents cannot afford to pay off their lunch debt. Yet, things seem to be looking up for free-lunch activists around the U.S. The No Shame at School Act seeks to outlaw shaming students with outstanding lunch debt. The proposed bill would address the concerns of Senator Tina Smith, banning any practice that labels a student as a lunch debtor and also prohibiting schools from selling the debt to debt collection agencies who might harass families for payment.
Consequently, free lunch for all students was cut this school year.
Now, students who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch must pay $2.95 for lunch and $1.65 for breakfast. While this is a seemingly meager amount to ask for a school lunch and is typically affordable for most families, the cost of school lunches and break fasts can start to add up. For example, a family with two kids who purchase breakfast and lunch at school every day can expect to pay around $1,656 in a 180-day school year. Even for a family with a higher household income, the cost of school lunch can take a financial toll.
To guarantee that low-income students are provided with the same nutritious meals as their more well-off peers, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost and free meals that meet federal nutrition re- quirements to dis - advantaged children. These dis - counts, how - ever, often have strict require - ments that prevent many dis- advantaged students from benefiting. To qualify for reducedprice lunches, or a lunch that cannot cost more than 40 cents, a child’s family income must be below 185% of the poverty line according to the NSLP. This means that a child’s household income must be less than $51,337 for a family of four according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services. Qualifying for free lunch is even more difficult — a child’s household income must be below 130% of the poverty line, or less than $36,075 for a family of four. These strict requirements ignore the fact that families who are above 185% of the poverty line can still deal with immense financial hardship, especially in the wake of impending inflation.
Furthermore, applying for free or reduced lunch is often a lengthy and complicated process. Filling out an application at Mounds View involves verifying the income of each household member, including students, and any other income that a family might receive, such as welfare or child support. Parents often lack the time to fill out free and reduced lunch applications, and immigrant parents might not speak English or may have trouble navigating the application system.
Cutting “free lunch for all” programs also ignores the fact that children can end up without a lunch regardless of family income. Sometimes it is because a
Importantly, free lunch for all students would help to ease more than just economic dispari- ties between students. Often, the stigma that is associated with free and reduced lunch is enough to discourage many qualifying stu- dents from partaking in the pro- gram. In fact, according to the Ford Foundation, one in three eligible New York City public school students chooses to skip lunch to avoid the shame that comes with identifying as a low- income kid. Providing free lunches to all students would “level
Minnesota is also looking to ban providing “sandwiches of shame” to students with lunch debt. The Minnesota Department of Education announced on Nov. 18 that school districts must provide all students with the same meals regardless of lunch debt status. This mandate guarantees that all students have access to nutritious, filling meals, and it prevents students with lunch debt from feeling isolated from their peers.
While these policies seek to eradicate the stigma of lunch debt, they are often difficult to enforce. A survey conducted by Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, an organization that advocated for anti-lunch shaming legislation, found that out of 330 Minnesota school districts, 124 had violated the new statute. This proves that anti-lunch shaming legislation cannot be the only response to lunch-debt discrimination.
the playing field,” removing the embarrassment that comes with being labeled as a free or reduced lunch recipient.
Often, schools opt to segregate free and reduced lunch recipients from the rest of the student body. Some schools have a separate line for discounted lunch, and in other cases, a separate location to receive discounted lunches. According to Senator Tina Smith, some school districts may also put stickers and pins on students who have lunch debt so that parents realize that they need to
The best way to fight hunger in American schools is to adopt a program that guarantees free school lunch for all students, regardless of family in - come. Sweden, for ex- ample, provid - ed free lunch to all primary school stu - dents from 1959 to 1969, and found that pupils had significantly higher lifetime outcomes. According to a VoxEU report, students who par- ticipated in the program had lifetime incomes that were 3% greater than students who did not participate. This effect was even more pronounced in students who came from lower-income families.
First-world countries are not the only countries that have seen benefits from free lunch programs. India provides 120 million children with their free lunch program according to TheWorld, a public radio network, with many of these kids receiving their only meal of the day at school. Furthermore, according to TheWorld, India feeds four times as many children than the U.S. through their free lunch program, spending seven times less as well. This proves that providing free lunch to all students can be achieved without splurging.
pay their lunch bill. Moreover, students with lunch debt may even receive a different lunch altogether. Kokomo High School in Indiana, for example, began serving bread and cheese “sandwiches of shame” to students with more than $25 in lunch debt. A bread and cheese
While providing free lunches to all students is undoubtedly a costly investment, and would cost the United States Department of Agriculture approximately $11 billion more according to WBUR, a public radio network operated by Boston University, it is surely a worthwhile investment, because one simply cannot put a price tag on ending child hunger.
“...a family with two kids who
Ensures all students have access to a nutritious and fillinglunch
aroundEradicatesthestigma lunchfreeandreduced recipients
Works to end hunger by eliminating free and reduced lunch requirements
“...hungry students are more likely to do worse on standardized tests, be suspended from school and repeat a grade.”
“...one in three eligible New York City public school students chooses to skip lunch to avoid the shame that comes with identifying as a low-income kid.”
Scofield: About 38 [years].
Cordell: I’ve been driving [a] school bus for about 50 years.
Senske : I have been a driver for this company [for] 12 years.
Scofield: The favorite thing is driving. I like driving. Cordell: The kids.
Senske: I get to meet new people every day.
Scofield: I get up at 4:30 [AM]... And I get to the bus garage [at] about six. I punch in at about six and then I have to wait around until the afternoon. It’s considered a split shift… It’s a pretty easy job in that respect.
Cordell : I come in and the first thing is, of course, is punch in and pre-trip my bus to make sure everything is working and everything is safe… My first route is Mounds View High School and I pick up, I believe, 35 kids on this route and bring them to school.”
Senske: I get up at the crack of dawn and I go to the bus company and I start the bus, make sure it’s okay, and then start picking up kids. And then, after I drop off all the kids for school, then I do charters, which are field trips for schools for kids.
Scofield : Driving in this kind of weather. You have to be on time, you have to be very thoughtful as to not being late or early. If you are early to a stop, you’ll miss a student. If you’re late you’ll miss a student.
Cordell: The biggest difficulty of being a bus driver is the stress you face from people that don’t respect the buses.
Senske: Day to day, it varies. It’s either the traffic, the weather [or] the students.
A new Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) store opened its doors recently. Located in between the lower commons and the front doors, the Snack Shack, open 30 minutes before and after school, has a large variety of food and drink to satisfy student’s snacking needs.
The idea for this new snacking establishment originated when DECA students were informed that their old merchandise store was being moved to allow for more space for products. However, with this change in location, the space that was once occupied by their merchandise now stood empty. With this new space, several students got together and introduced the Snack Shack. “We thought it was a good idea and another opportunity for our class to learn about how real business worked,” said senior Garima Khatiwada. Now, with this new addition, students involved in DECA have a wider variety of learning enrichment opportunities that give them real-world experience.
While currently the store is small, there are plans for expansion. “We’re planning on getting new items, new drinks and new snacks, too,” said sophomore Thanishka Shetty. They are also open to recommendations for new snacks or drinks to sell.
From management opportunities to cashier experience, there are many reasons for students to get in-
variety of competitions and events across the nation, and funding is largely drawn from places like the new Snack Shack.
For many students at Mounds View, these new snacking options are certainly welcomed. As the DECA students continue to build experience, attend competitions and develop their store management skills, the Snack Shack will stand as an option for every student to contribute to the cause while fulfilling their snacking needs.
volved. “You learn something new every time. Even though I’ve been managing this year I still have ques tions. It’s really fun and it feels good to run your own business, the ins and outs of it,” said Lobley. The real hands-on experiences that the store provides gives participants an advantage in their future work envi ronment, such as customer service skills and different marketing strategies.
While many students might appreciate the snacks the new store provides, there are other benefits to buy ing food and beverages from the Snack Shack. “We sell different snacks that we think students at Mounds View would like to raise money for competitions and other DECA events,” said senior Jizelle Lobley. Through DECA, students are allowed to participate in a wide
Senior Caleb Gayner, who goes by the name “Gaiynr” on music streaming platforms, has been making music for three years.
Over these three years, Gayner has released two singles named “Two Down” and “Stranger.” Currently, he is in the process of producing an extended play, which is a shorter album containing around two to five songs. Although shorter in length than a normal album, it is no easy task to create. “It’s hard to finish a track when you can’t get it exactly right. When you try to make a track capture a certain emotion or energy, it’s a lot of work to get it to that point, so when it doesn’t come together perfectly the first time, it’s pretty discouraging,” said Gayner.
Music is an art form in which artists are constantly drawing inspiration from one another. For Gayner, an artist who largely works in underground rap, he finds he has a multitude of worthy examples to base his own music off of. “I have to say my biggest inspiration has got to be Quadeca. I think that it was primarily when I began to realize that it was within my grasp and I could do it myself,” said Gayner. Quadeca is an American rapper who found his fame after uploading video game gameplays on Youtube and then transitioning to music content. Like many, Gayner finds that observing others, such as Quadeca, gives him more hope for his own endeavors.
Like any artist, musical artists view their art as a creative outlet to express themselves. “My passion for music began when I saw it as an emotional expression and extension of one’s internal mind on their perception of outside experiences,” said Gayner. When he creates his music, Gayner wants not only to make his audience feel something, but to also push them to look at things from a different perspective.
‘23
Despite these challenges, Gayner still pushes through them by accepting the inevitable. “For every good song, you will have made dozens of awful songs. But they’re important to finish. Because every song you finish gives you the practice of ideating, writing, producing, music theory, recording, performing, mixing and mastering,” said Gayner. “And finishing that process dozens of times, even when the song sucks at the end, makes the next one that much better. It’s a process.”
Moving forward in his career and education, Gayner wants to continue making music. “I want to release more music and, at a certain point, do live shows, maybe even small tours. I really just want to keep creating. I want to work with more people and get my name out there,” he said. Along with making music, he wants to get a higher education by pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering.
Although Gayner plans to branch out to other fields of interest in his future, he still regards his music as one of his greatest passions. “Music to me is like taking an energy, emotion and idea, packaging it up into a bottle and letting everyone experience that energy, emotion and idea and processing it for themselves,” said Gayner.
Through his work, Gayner has found passion, vitality, energy, and even a lifestyle. As he continues
“My passion for music began when I saw it as an emotional expression and extension of one’s internal mind on their perception of outside experiences.”
Caleb Gayner,
“We thought it was a good idea and another opportunity for our class to learn about how real business worked.”
Garima Khatiwada, ‘23
Fast fashion has not been around forever. In fact, the fast-fashion industry concept truly had its start in the 1990s as clothing retailers began to develop a cheaper and more efcient method of production. The fast fashion manufacturing method is often characterized by rapidly and inexpensively producing mass amounts of clothing,
utilize targeting advertising on social media platforms to promote their styles. These targeted ads can use cookies, location information and other forms of data to analyze a person’s activity and interests. “They’re kind of able to see what you like and then, based on what you like, they throw those things in your feed, so it’s more targeted towards you,” said junior Andres Vargas. “It’s normally not going to be about something you don’t really care about.” With social media companies giving advertisers access to users’ “likes” and “hearts,” advertisers are given an insight into the psychological profles of their potential clientele.
couple of pairs of pants and some accessories. By rejecting rapid trend
while also quickly replacing older, outdated clothing. This afordable yet trendy clothing is especially appealing to young people. “[Young people like fast fashion] because it’s cheap, like they could have a job at Target and still be able to aford fast fashion and have a lot of nice clothes,” said junior Zali Akiba. According to a poll that was recently conducted at Mounds View, 52.3% of the students surveyed agreed that most of their clothes were from fast fashion brands. Because fast fashion brands, such as Urban Outftters and GAP, can provide people with the same trendy look for a lower price, it easily draws in younger consumers. For example, at Kotn, a self-proclaimed sustainable retailer, a simple white tee costs $38. At GAP, however, a basic white tee costs only $17.
Fast fashion has made a big impact in recent years mainly due to social media. For example, fast fashion retailers often sponsor social media infuencers to promote their clothing. When infuencers are seen wearing fast fashion clothing, people are
This type of advertising seems highly efective compared to “impersonalized” advertising. In fact, according to a study from the University of Cambridge, ads that were matched to the psychological profle of users received 40% more clicks and up to 50% more purchases than “impersonal” ads. Through psychological targeting, fast fashion brands can recruit more and more buyers. “You just see something on an ad and you just click on it and you like it,” said junior Maya Surve. Psychological targeting is surely a powerful force, and it can be difcult for buyers to resist its almost hypnotic capabilities.
However, social media is not always a negative force when it comes to the promotion of fashion trends. With a rising Gen-Z-led environmentalist movement taking hold of various social media platforms, one trend has par-
more likely to buy fast fashion. According to Business Wire, a news distribution network, they found that 61% of people are likely to trust recommendations from infuencers on social media. This contributes to the growing demand for fast-fashion clothing.
TikTok users have especially uplifted the fast-fashion industry. Through short videos where users show SHEIN clothing hauls with the latest micro-trends, or trends that tend to become outdated by the end of the season, viewers can feel compelled to participate in the same rapid trends. Not only can this put a strain on one’s wallet, but these microtrends, when purchased through fast-fashion retailers, only accelerate the degradation of the planet. According to the World Economic Forum, an international non-governmental and lobbying organization, fast fashion makes up 10% of total global carbon emissions. It also pollutes rivers and streams, and 85% of all textiles end up getting thrown away each year.
Along with infuencers, fast fashion brands also
information compiled by Isabel Li 65 students polled
ticularly captured people’s interest: capsule wardrobes. A capsule wardrobe consists of minimal clothing basics
cycles, capsule wardrobe advocates prove that social media can be used as a tool to promote sustainability and more environmental consciousness.
‘24
that can be rearranged to maximize the number of outfts. A typical capsule wardrobe contains a few tees, a
Social media is, undeniably, the driving force of the fast-fashion industry, accelerating fast fashion consumption through infuencers and targeting advertising. However, one has to acknowledge that social media also supports sustainability as well by providing a platform for environmentalists around the world to educate other users about how they can be environmentally conscious.
us?
“...they could have a job at Target and still be able to aford fast fashion and have a lot of nice clothes.”
Zali Akiba, ‘24
“They’re kind of able to see what you like, and then based on what you like, they throw those things in your feed, so it’s more targeted towards you.”
Andres Vargas,
At around 1 p.m. EST, on Jan. 6, 2021, Donald Trump wrapped up his speech to his supporters, who believed that the election was stolen. “We’re going to the Capitol,” he said. “We’re going to try and give them [Republican lawmakers] the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country.” The Capitol was raided shortly after. It seems as though social media played a large role in this insurrection. According to the Washington Post, an internal report that day showed Facebook user reports of “false news” hitting nearly 40,000 per hour, with most reports coming from the president’s own account. Furthermore, Facebook groups, such as Stop the Steal, fueled the chaos that culminated in the invasion of the Capitol on Jan. 6. Facebook was arguably complicit in the insurrection by providing a platform to electiondenying organizations as well as rampant misinformation. The spread of misinformation through social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter was especially prevalent during the pandemic. Chaos and panic spurred a fear towards Asian Americans, leading to a rise in Asian hate crimes. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, anti-Asian inci-
dents increased by 77% from 2019 to 2020. “If you spread misinformation, and if it spreads to certain people, they may think they need to take action,” said junior Aarush Singh. Because social media is one of the main ways people get their news, it heavily infuences how people form political beliefs, which is why the spreading of misinformation can be so dangerous as in the case of the Jan. 6 incident. According to Science, an outlet for scientifc news and research, a group of 15 university researchers found that social media companies like Facebook have had an infuential role in political discourse and intensifying political polarization. Many, including junior Panmile Yang, agree that social media plays a large role in political polarization, especially among younger audiences. “A lot of the younger generation don’t just go and watch the news, they go on social media,” she said. This is confrmed by data from the 2022 Reuters Institute Digital News Report, which found that younger audiences consume news diferently than older audiences do. Younger people tend to be more casual news consumers, relying more on social media and less loyal to specifc news sources. Teens are spending more and more time on their phones, with the average screen time of Mounds View students being 4.5 hours according to a poll conducted by Viewer staf. This ex-
to ideas contrary to their own opinions. Moreover, according to the Washington Post, Facebook’s algorithm works by tailoring posts to each user while also favoring certain content, which, since 2018, has been posts that encourage interaction. These posts are usually posts by friends and family, but they can also contain divisive content and sometimes even feature blatant misinformation. For some extremist
plains why young people consume news more on social media than from other mediums. When discussing polarization on social media, echo chambers should be brought up. Echo chambers, also known as information cocoons, happen when partisans hear only one, skewed side of a story and develop animosity toward anyone who believes the other side. This phenomena occurs frequently on social media and can lead to radicalization, according to a report published by New York University.
But these echo chambers may not develop by accident. A study published by Tel
viewers, Facebook’s algorithm can turn their feeds into echo chambers of extreme or divisive content.
These polarizing pipelines do not only occur on Facebook. Zeynep Tufekci, a sociologist and associ-
Aviv University, found that a content-ranking algorithm on Facebook possibly limits a user’s exposure
information compiled by Isabel Li 77 students polled
ate professor at the University of North Carolina, describes her own experience with YouTube “rabbit holes.” Tufekci noted that when she clicked on videos of Trump rallies, YouTube started to recommend videos with white supremacist rants, Holocaust denials and even more disturbing far-right content. After making a new account and seeking out videos of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, Tufekci received recommendations involving secret government agencies and allegations that the United States government was behind the attacks of Sept. 11. She concluded that YouTube algorithms can lead viewers down a rabbit holes of both far-right and far-left extremism, accelerating the polarization between liberals and conservatives.
As social media continues to accelerate the political polarization throughout the U.S. through misinformation and isolating algorithms, Gen Z will have to be cautious of the ever-changing landscape of media.
“A lot of the younger generation don’t just go and watch the news, they go on social media.”
Panmile Yang, ‘24
“...YouTube algorithms can lead viewers down a rabbit holes of both far-right and far-left extremism, accelerating the polarization between liberals and conservatives.”
High school is a time of increased competition as teens and their classmates approach college. With the competitiveness of the college admission process, expectations for students wishing to diversify themselves are at an all-time high. So with this in mind, many take on extra activities ranging from multiple varsity sports to dozens of interest clubs in an effort to diversify their college resume. However, when it comes to volunteerism, this means the original meaning is diluted.
Volunteering, in its essence, is meant to give back to the community and ask for nothing in return. Inherently charitable and not often easy, it certainly is not supposed to be exploited. Yet, in modern times, youth can be heard saying things like “Ugh, I need 10 more hours to letter” or “I only have 60 hours. Harvard looks for 100.”
It goes without saying that there is a value to having a quality volunteer experience. Volunteering can provide specialized, firsthand experiences with a student’s local community and allows for growth and development outside of a typical classroom environment.
However, many high school students, when faced with the daunting expectations set by their peers, are pushed towards quantity over quality. Small, non-committal volunteer events are favored as opposed to extended dedicationrequired events, further diluting what it means to be a volunteer.
Additionally, with expectations of hours on the rise, other students, prompted by their classmates, succumb to the pressure of excess activities and volunteer opportunities.
In the U.S., many people consistently seek ways to give back to their community. A key way in which they do this is through volunteerism. In fact, nearly a third of American adults volunteer at least once a year according to a survey taken by the U.S. Census Bureau. These people all value and understand one key concept: Volunteerism is inherently selfless and mutually beneficial.
Suddenly, their life is centered around an almost unattainable standard as they spend hours before and after school weekly reining in those sweet, sweet hours. Other hobbies, interests and the chance of a social life fade.
Even with that more issues arise. Setting a standard of dozens of volunteer hours, whilst maintaining a perfect GPA and a healthy dose of leadership roles, pushes disadvantaged students even further behind. Avid volunteerism requires time, resources and transportation – all things lower-income students lack in comparison to their classmates. The time other students might spend packing bags for Feed My Starving Children, a student experiencing poverty might be spending working long shifts to put food on the table.
Evidently, it seems with the high-stakes nature of the college acceptance game, the meaning of volunteerism has become another check on a list rather than a meaningful experience. Volunteer work is important and often a helpful tool; however, many teenagers focus too much on applications for college thereby losing the true meaning of volunteerism.
For many high school students, it is no different. They are able to pick from any number of activities to enrich their social and educational experiences while in high school, yet many still choose to allocate time towards bettering their community.
With the brave goal of bettering their community in mind, students can oftentimes be seen in niche clubs involving their personal interests, ranging from environmental activism to healthcare. However, in light of college admissions and the growing competitive nature of high school academia, some have questioned the reasoning for such avid participation.
One reason for students to volunteer is simple: it establishes connections. Many sports teams and clubs often use volunteering as a way to increase team chemistry and morale, while working together to positively contribute to their local community. This take on volunteering doesn’t necessarily mean that the members of the activity don’t care about their community, but rather have found a way to enjoy themselves while doing a selfless act.
Plus, if a student’s reasoning for volunteering are to be scrutinized, it must be considered that any volunteer, regardless of age, employment, sex or race, reaps some sort of benefit from volunteering. In 2020, the Journal of Happiness Studies published research that identified an increasingly positive correlation between overall wellbeing and the amount of volunteering done. Within this study, researchers concluded that when a person volunteers, their contribution to their community creates a “feel good” effect, thereby making the person happier overall. However, despite these findings, no one discredits the work of these volunteers and accuses them of “chasing a dopamine hit,” so why is it that the work of student volunteers is allowed to be diminished?
While volunteering does help students gain new life skills and experiences, it also does consequently allow students to make connections with community members they wouldn’t normally interact with. This drive to push outside of one’s comfort zone should be admired and encouraged as opposed to questioned. Ultimately, these students are still helping others in the world, even if it means they can put it on a college application.
“They are able to pick from any number of activities to enrich their social and educational experiences while in high school, yet many still choose to allocate time towards bettering their community.”
“... other students, prompted by their classmates, succumb to the pressure of excess activities and volunteer opportunities.”
In the search for more financial freedom, many students seek credit cards and debit cards to have more control over their own finances. These cards offer many benefits to students, but there are also some drawbacks that they need to consider.
credit cards instead of cash.
Moreover, credit card owners can expect to pay fees, even if they pay all of their bills on time. Some common fees are late fees, annual fees, over-limit fees and card replacement fees. Late fees occur when a card owner is charged extra because they failed to pay the monthly minimum balance by the end of the grace period, while annual fees are the yearly payment a credit card owner must pay just for owning a card. Over-limit fees happen when card owners go over any limit set by the bank and replacement fees occur if a credit card owner switches to a new card.
those who want a credit card are required to get either an adult’s credit card authorization to share the adult account at the age of 16 or wait until the age of 18 and
who want a credit card are required to get either an adult’s credit card authorization to share the adult account at
Credit cards offer many benefits, including fraud protection, programs for cashback and credit-building capabilities. Credit is important to build as it can affect one’s ability to secure future loans with lower monthly payments. Building credit can be done by paying bills on time and avoiding debt. Credit cards also offer many benefits such as cashback programs, which provide the owner with minimal return on purchases. Credit cards often come with rewards programs as well, which can provide owners with special deals on gas and plane tickets.
However, there can also be many drawbacks to owning a credit card. One downside of credit cards is that owners of cards can spend what they cannot pay back, leading to missed payments and late fees. Furthermore, because of the ease of using a credit card, credit card owners can expect to spend more than those who solely use cash. In fact, a study conducted by Dun and Bradstreet, a global data and analytics provider, found that people spend 12% to 18% more when using
To avoid paying excessive fees, credit card owners should make sure to pay back what they spend every month. “If you have a credit card, use a budget, know your spending habits and then manage them. Make sure you have a savings account for an emergency fund,” said Teresa Anderson, personal finance teacher.
However, fees are not the only issue teen credit card owners may run into. Credit cards are now harder to get than they were many years ago, especially for teens. After the passing of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009,
prove they have an income.
Debit cards are often easier for teens to acquire than credit cards. “I got my debit card when I was 15, just a month before I started my first job at 16,” said senior Michael Berscheid. Debit cards have the advantage of money being taken directly from the owner’s account, giving owners a strict spending limit — owners cannot spend more than what is in their accounts
Contrary to credit cards, however, debit cards typically do not have rewards programs, and debit cards do not allow users to build their credit score.
Both types of cards enable the owner to make purchases without having to carry cash. According to FTC consumer advice, both cards provide fraud protection, where cardholders cannot be held accountable for unauthorized purchases if they report it to their bank before someone uses it and within two days of the loss. Whether students should get a credit card or a debit card depends completely on preference and personal responsibility. If individuals have the responsibility to make wise decisions and pay off their card every month, it could be smart to find a credit card that suits them. If they do not think they are ready for that level of responsibility, then they can try a debit card to start building better spending habits.
Making money as a teen can be difficult, especially for students who participate in numerous activities or have to take care of younger siblings. While age restrictions make it difficult for younger teens to get a job, side hustles typically do not have any sort of age restriction. There are many side hustles that teens can partake in, such as investing in stocks or selling clothes online.
For those who are unaware, stocks entitle shareholders to ownership of a fraction of a corporation and can change in value over time depending on the current demand for that particular stock.
While most students have a decent knowledge of the stock market, few students invest in stocks. Sophomore Isaac Tsai, however, explains that investing in stocks is not as difficult as it sounds. “Right now, I consider it more of a hobby, but I could definitely take it more seriously,” he said. Tsai started learning about stocks two years ago using an online brokerage account through a company called TD Ameritrade, allowing him to invest in different stocks and keep track of which ones he has.
As a teen, you can only make investments under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Parents may help their children build credit and ensure good credit behavior by having a cosigned brokerage account. Having a cosigned account can also help teens to avoid some of the risks that come with stock trading, because parents can monitor their child’s stock-trading habits.
Because market conditions are often unpredictable, finding reliable stocks is a difficult process that requires quite a bit of research. Furthermore, it is important to have a diversified assortment of investments. If a stock trader puts all of their money in one stock, there is a greater risk of losing everything if the stock fails.
Tsai offers some of his advice on minimizing potential risks. “Having an auto-managed account. So you could do it yourself or you could get a brokerage account,” said Tsai. “You invest in all stocks yourself, or you could just start investing in an index fund, which is pretty easy [and] you can do with low risk.” An index fund is funded by shareholders and combines a diversified assortment of different stocks, with the most popular being the Standard & Poor 500.
Other than stock trading, some students earn money by selling items online on platforms like Etsy, eBay and Depop. Depop is an especially popular option for selling clothing because of its protections for both buyers and sellers and its user-friendly website. Junior Leena Aqel owns a shop of her own on Depop, selling clothes to other users. She finds it easy to keep track of her orders on Depop. “I just write them down or remember them because it doesn’t get super busy,” said Aqel.
on sale. For example, a listing of high-rise flare jeans from American Eagle would include the keywords “American Eagle,” “high-rise” and “flare jeans.”
Both stock trading and selling clothes on Depop are great ways to begin earning an income as a teen. For teens who are not interested in stocks or clothing, there are numerous other ways to earn money without getting a more traditional job, and one only needs to do some research to find an opportunity that suits them.
A great way to start is by researching stocks, and there are informative sources you can use online. Some of those sources include Investopedia: Investing 101 Tutorial, which is a website that gives you steps on how to begin investing. Twitter is also a good source to look at for information — there are many stock market experts on Twitter, such as @LizAnnSonders, who share their stock-trading knowledge with beginners.
Aqel started her Depop during the pandemic because it was an easy and profitable way to get rid of clothes that she no longer wore. “It was an easier way to get rid of stuff during COVID because you couldn’t leave your house,” said Aqel. To be successful on Depop, it is important to put effort into photos by considering the lighting, background and position of the item. When listing items, sellers should make sure to use keywords and hashtags that best represent the clothing
“If you have a credit card, use a budget, know your spending habits and then manage them.”
Teresa Anderson, personal finance teacher
“...those
the age of 16.”
“Parents may help their children build credit and ensure good credit behavior by having a cosigned brokerage account.”photo courtesy of Unsplash photo courtesy of Unsplash
Asia Mall is a new shopping center located in Eden Prairie that opened its doors in November. The mall currently features a grocery market and various restaurants with plans for additional vendors such as a hair salon, an insurance company, a travel agency and a used car dealership as well. Prior to its opening, Minnesota has lacked a development of this scale that centers on and celebrates Asian culture, which is why this mall has great significance to the community.
When I arrived at the opening on a Wednesday afternoon, it surprised me how busy the mall seemed. Near the entrance was the grocery section and three restaurants. On the upper level, there were 10 more restaurants, a few not yet opened and many places for other vendors that have not yet been added. The mall has beautiful decorations such as detailed murals, a display of glass butterflies and a pavilion.
With so many options to choose from, I found it hard to pick where to begin. After seeing a sign full of
their various fun and appetizing drinks, I decided to start at UniUni Tea, a Chinese bubble tea shop. Instead of workers taking orders, there were two kiosks with long lines of people at each of them. When my turn at the kiosk came, I decided to order one of their classic drinks, the brown sugar milk tea with tapioca.
While eagerly awaiting my drink, I spotted a robot delivering food across the building. This surprised me as I had never seen something like it before. The robot was moving around the area and drawing people towards the restaurants. I thought of the robot as a convenient alternative to a worker having to make the deliveries and an interesting addition to the mall.
About 10 minutes after ordering, I heard my number called and hurried to grab my tea. When I took my first sip, I was disappointed.. It tasted different from other milk teas I’ve tried before. The boba was sweet and had the perfect texture, but the milk tea had a strong bitter flavor that made it too overpowering to be able to finish. For $7, I expected the drink to be better, as I usually enjoy milk tea. Regardless of my experience, I would still recommend visiting this shop to try their food and beverages for yourself.
With the hopes of having better luck elsewhere, I went off to try a different restaurant. I made my way down to the lower level and over to a Vietnamese restaurant called Pho Mai. Despite how busy the restaurant appeared to be, I was seated right away. After just a quick glance at the menu, I knew I wanted to order the cream cheese wontons and wonton soup.
It impressed me that my food had already been delivered within only a few minutes. The cream cheese wontons arrived first. Upon the first bite, I found they were golden and crispy. I could tell they were freshly made.
My wonton soup came next. It was flavorful and had the perfect amount of wontons. The food tasted delicious and everyone around me seemed to be enjoying their food as well.Though on the pricier side, the service at Pho Mai was great and the food was high
quality. Lastly, I went to look around the grocery section of the mall. Though it doesn’t look like much when you first enter, it’s a lot larger than it seems. The diverse snack section stood out to me with items like dried squid, coffee-flavored candy, milkshake lollipops and much more. I made sure to pick up a few different candies and food items to try.
Overall, it was a great experience exploring Asia Mall. The large variety of restaurants and unique features made visiting even more enjoyable. With something for everyone, this is a great place for those looking for a fun time.
Anticipated by many fans, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” directed by Ryan Cooleger, was released on Nov. 11. After the tragic death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman in 2020, many felt wary of how Cooleger expects to approach this film without its star. The plot follows Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and M’Baku (Winston Duke) as the newly-formed team takes on threats left in the wake of the passing of their king, T’Challa.
Without a doubt, the actors of this movie consistently contribute to its stellar plot. Even without the support of their co-star, the main leads of this movie pulled an amazing performance, working together to bring this vibrant story to life with their witty comments and endless vitality.
Notably, with the absence of a powerful male lead, the women of Wakanda take up the mantle. This depiction of strong, black females invites the thought that Wakandian women rely not on men, but themselves. With these newfound purposes and responsibilities, they embrace the lead as they join the battle to defend their home.
The conflicts in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” are mainly centered around King T’Challa’s death and the resulting power struggle between M’Baku and Shuri, who both have strong claims to the throne. In the film, they deal with this conflict by working together to determine who the rightful leader is, while also trying to protect Wakanda from a looming outside threat. The antagonists of the movie – The Taloanil – possess formidable powers and are led by king Namor. They first appear as a mysterious race of aquatic humanoids living in the depths of the ocean in a city similar to Wakanda that is also powered with vibranium. Their main goal is to hide their secret existence to live in peace. They provide a new level of depth to the story as
their presence creates a unique challenge for Wakanda. The film’s themes also cover loss and change, showing how Wakanda and its people must cope with
a compelling way, I have grievances with some particular scenes. In the beginning of the movie, where the death of T’Challa is being covered, the supporting characters are depicted trying to save T’Challa. This is confusing because the illness came out of nowhere, and T’Challa never showed signs of being ill. With the way the film builds him up as a strong leader and hero, it feels wrong to have him to die so suddenly. Although the death of T’Challa is poignant and heartbreaking, it serves as a powerful reminder that life is unpredictable and that change is inevitable.
I find it to be an inspiring and uplifting movie that is both culturally relevant and entertaining. It was a great experience to watch a movie that features an all-black cast in an African setting. It is understandable why this movie is a huge success in captivating audiences with its gripping story, compelling characters and impressive special effects. I thoroughly enjoyed this film; it is one I would recommend to anyone.
the death of their beloved leader and adjust to changes that come with that. It does this well, as it conveys the emotion of loss and the subsequent journey of growth and transformation.
While the theme does touch on loss and grief in
When most people think of skiing, they think of the treacherous downhill terrain of Alpine skiing. However, crosscountry skiing, despite it taking place on more gentle terrain, can be just as difficult. The Mounds View Nordic team had a good season last year placing at sections to end the season. The team is looking forward to what they can accomplish this season.
A: I joined Nordic my freshman year not knowing how to ski and looking for something fun to do over the winter with my friends. But then it quickly evolved into something that I really enjoy!
The Nordic skiing season started on Nov. 14 and runs until Feb. 17, but it proves important to keep in shape for the entire year. “We have summer Nordic. So basically we’ll roller ski, which is basically roller skating,” said senior Lucy Ehlers. The team also goes on runs and does weight training during the offseason, which helps the team members maintain good health and gives them the ability to transition into their regular season with ease.
The team holds practices every day except Sundays, which may cause issues for people with limited time. “If people do a lot of other activities, this is a commitment. And you are expected to show up,” said junior Amelia Lee. The time commitment for Nordic can vary among team members. If a member wants to grow in the sport, they may spend many hours outside of practices working out, balance training or doing mental training. Although some members do spend a lot of time outside of practices doing these things, they are not required to.
In the two days spent at this camp, the team is allowed to practice their skiing skills and participate in fun activities as they get to know each other. “It’s really nice to have a team that you can come to who’s always gonna support you,” said Ehlers.
Like all sports, a good portion of the performance of Nordic members relies on their mental state and attitude during a race. Uncontrollable factors such as weather, or even stressors outside of the race, can cause someone to have negative self-talk. “Within the season, we try to work on that mental strength and toughness. Because skiing can be tough if it’s, you know, zero degrees outside and windy,” said Nordic coach Ian O’Neill.
cold weather can easily cause frostbite and members of the Nordic team have to minimize their chances of getting it. While they do wear spandex suits while skiing, they do not provide much warmth, especially while skiing. Consequently, team members can still feel all of the cold wind when they race and can risk frostbite. “Yeah, frostbite. It’s not fun. It’s scary,” said Ehlers.
Amelia Lee, ‘24A: The most difficult part of the sport is the cold. Waking up to go ski or race in below zero temperatures can be very mentally draining. Since we have to race in spandex race suits, the cold seeps into your bones and it is very difficult to stay warm and motivated.
Nordic team members have the opportunity to travel to Biwabik, Minnesota every year to participate in Holiday Camp.
Nordic members need to make sure that they remain positive to perform well. “Your mindset is really just like, trying to do the best that you personally can. And if that means winning every race, that’s it for you. If it’s just trying to beat your personal record, that’s also [good],” said Lee.
Along with the mental challenges, the
For many, Nordic skiing is difficult. Nordic members need to maintain good physical and mental health to perform well. Despite its difficulty, and possibly because of it, Nordic remains an enjoyable activity for members of the Nordic team.
As the winter season comes to a start, the Mounds View Alpine skiing team hopes to remain strong and make improvements, despite the graduation of many strong athletes last year.
A: We start preparing for our race by waxing our skis as a team. It is a very long process but we blast music and make it fun! Right before the race, we preview the course and talk strategy about what techniques to use in certain parts through the hills, flats, and downhills.
When looking for motivation, the team often sets goals to work towards throughout the season. Coach Erick Saari notes that one major goal the team hopes to accomplish this season is to keep their conference placement. “Mounds View Alpine always ends up [in] about the middle of the conference standings and does so consistently. I’m hoping for similar placement as with previous seasons,” he said. Keeping their placement, while rather difficult, is very important to the team.
However, making something like this happen requires a lot of time and effort. “We would need to make some major improvements to our lower end of the varsity roster to win sections. We have a few really good skiers and need to improve depth,” said Drew Mulligan, a senior captain.
In addition, improving their competi-
tiveness will be a big key to their success this year, explains senior Charlie Anderson. “If everyone showed up to practice ready to get better and wanting to get better, I believe we would improve a lot. A serious but positive and willing mental attitude would take us a long way,” said Anderson.
to about the season?’” Saari said. Questions like these not only allow Saari to get to know his team, but they also allow the team to get to know each other.
While it is important that the team has confidence in one another, athletes must also have confidence in their own abilities. Many athletes on the team, including Anderson, train in the offseason to prepare for the winter season. “I put in a good offseason, and I am ready to make a leap from where I was last year. I am hoping individually, and as a team, we can be more competitive and place well in conference and section standings,” he said. Training outside of the regular season ensures that the players maintain muscle memory, grow confidence in their abilities and stay in shape.
With the team working on setting goals and making improvements, they look forward to strong results by the end of the season.
Although many see skiing as an individual sport, the team puts togetherness at its center and strives to make sure new athletes feel comfortable and connected. Coach Saari makes an effort to increase team bonding by asking questions. “During early season dryland training, while exercising and stretching, I’ll ask questions of the team like ‘What was your favorite experience over the summer?’ ‘What is your favorite movie or book?’ and ‘What are you most looking forward
“I am ready to make a leap from where I was last year.”
Charlie Anderson, ‘23
Q: How and when did your passion start?
Q: What is the most difficult part of the sport?
Q: What do you do to prepare for a raceNordic skiing photos courtesy of Charlie Anderson
“Your mindset is really just like, trying to do the best that you personally can.”
First five students to finish both puzzles and DM @mvviewer on Instagram with a picture of completion win free coffee from Mustang Mocha.
