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Friday, December 20, 2013
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Volume 61, Issue 6
To the Philippines, with love Typhoon by the numbers
by Josh Yuan staff reporter When the category five typhoon, Hayiyan, also known as Yolanda, hit Southeast Asia on Nov. 8 with brute force, Mounds View students were worried for friends and relatives who could have been affected. The devastation was overwhelming. “The place has no order. There is mass starvation and lawlessness. The rebel factions in the Philippines raid the city for their supplies. It’s pretty much a war zone over there. There is fighting going on,” said Kfir Batiller, a former Mounds View student who currently studies at Adventist University of the Philippines. “It’s pretty much every person for themselves.” Typhoon Yolanda not only affected people in the Philippines, but also had an impact on several Mounds View students with Filipino background like Angel Daley, 11. “It’s really sad to hear about what happened to the Philippines,” said Daley. “I feel like part of me is destroyed.” Though relief efforts seemed almost nonexistent compared to previous disasters like the earthquakes in Haiti and Japan, it’s still present even within the Mounds View
370 27 miles wide
photo by Anders Nygaard
David Malong, 9, and his sister Jessica, 10, pose with a map of their home country. community. Two weeks after the typhoon, 11 Mounds View students, including Filipina sophomores Jessica Malong and Joanna Torres, organized a bake sale at the Union Gospel Mission in Shoreview to raise money for the Nehemiah foundation to aid Philippines relief. “We wanted to help with the typhoon relief, so Jessica Malong decided to organize it, so we all baked something to pitch in,” said Torres. Expecting only minimum results, the bake sale ended up a huge success. They raised
a total of $680 in just the one day of fundraising. So far millions of dollars have poured into the Phillipines for aid from all over the world, including the US government’s donation of $37 million. “I was really amazed at how not just the US, but many different countries immediately stepped up to help with the relief, and it also feels nice that we took part in helping with the relief even though it was just a small amount,” said Torres. Typhoon Yolanda showed disastrous results in Southeast
Asia, further worsening the living conditions of countries already struggling politically and economically. But because of the little things-like a group of ordinary high school students raising a significant amount of money for places in need-people are reminded of the potential for these countries to thrive one day. “I feel terrible about the devastation because it caused such destruction and took so many lives, but I know it’s gonna get better,” said Malong. “There’s still hope.”
Confusing Construction
Highway 96 and Highway 10 reopen, but many students don’t know by Eva Hoffman staff reporter While the snow is making driving conditions more difficult, many Mounds View students are thankful that the intersection of Highway 96 and Highway 10 has reopened. “I had to go a whole different way to school and it added 15 extra minutes,” said Jenna Donohoe, 12. The road closed for construction seven months ago, causing longer commutes for students and staff. It reopened with very little publicity, so many were caught unaware.
A poll of 100 students and staff taken recently revealed that about one in four believe that the frontage road has not yet reopened. “I don’t think its open,” said Danny Gedig, 10. “Actually I don’t know when it’s going to open again.” Students who are aware are relieved to have reduced car rides, and for some this means more sleep. The closed roads had resulted in students having to change their morning schedule. “I was frustrated by the 96 closing,” said Chris Collins, 12. “I had to get up earlier to go to school.”
Staff members agreed. “I’m much happier now that its open because every time I wanted to go to White Bear I had to go down towards Bethel and it took me an extra 15 to 20 minutes to get anywhere,” said Jan Swanson, paraprofessional. “There was always a bottleneck near Target but now it’s a straight shot through.” For those who thought it was still closed, they are in for a good surprise, and the rest of Mounds View students and staff are happy to be having shorter rides, faster driving times, and more sleep.
inches of rain
17 13
feet high storm surge
million people affected
2.5
million people in need of assistance source: NBC World News
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January 17, 2013
22
Editors Agree
STAFF EDITORIAL 1
Editors Disagree
Food Stamps: What are our priorities? House Republicans proposed a bill in September that set the groundwork for $39 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next ten years. Large portions of the bill were passed into law. The negative implications of the cutbacks are slowly revealing themselves. The cut funds should be promptly restored. More than 40 percent of Americans (approximately 47.6 million people, according to the US Department of Agriculture) receive SNAP benefits, and 49 percent of recipient households are households with children, the majority of which are dependent on single parents. Recipient households have incomes averaging $731 per month. With a meager $45 per week in SNAP benefits for single member households to supplement the cost of groceries, shaving money off of the program at a rate of $11 per month (Source: the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) can mean that a person living on food stamps will have to cut back. Now, perhaps, he will not be able to afford the three boxes of cereal he bought last month with that $11. Instead, he will go without breakfast. Families that are dependent on food stamps need every penny they can get. Many are born into poverty, so for the sake of equal opportunity, all children should have access to sustenance. Food is a necessity, it should not be caught up in a political game and taken out of the hands of the people who need it. A common argument made by economic conservatives is that people receiving food stamps will abuse the program. First of all, there is always fraud. No system is perfect. Just as the rich can evade taxes with overseas havens, the poor can lie on forms, misrepresenting their personal assets. Applications are checked for accuracy, however, so fraud can only squeak by in a very low volume. There are numerous safeguards on Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (EBTs), the modern medium for transferring SNAP benefits into a liquid form. The benefits can only be used to buy food. They are not valid for liquor, or tobacco, and they cannot be exchanged for cash. Still, conservatives will argue, people should not get handouts. We live in a
country where everyone has a chance to take a slice of the wealth and that is why the poor do not deserve to have food supplied by the government. If they didn’t excel in the classroom as a child and get a high-paying job (despite the fact that there is no limitless supply of such jobs), if their parents couldn’t afford to send them to college, then it is their responsibility to make do with what they have. $76.4 billion went to feeding disadvantaged people in 2013. Some would say this is outrageous. America’s poor aren’t the only recipients of taxpayer money, however.
The corporate world received over $700 billion in stimulus packages in 2008. Much of the money was used to save banks from the effects of irresponsible loans. General Motors and other huge auto companies were saved by billions in government bailouts in the name of Keynesian economics. The bailouts kept jobs alive, but food keeps people alive. We must recognize priorities.
Viewer Mission Statement 1. To publish news, information and opinion articles for and about student, faculty and administration activities, interests and policies. 2. To maintain high ethical standards with regard to fairness, personal and legal rights, responsibilities and accuracy. 3. To provide a forum for free and responsible expression of student opinion and present well-balanced, locally researched coverage of issues of broader student interest. 4. To strive for a high level of competency in the technical aspect of writing, including grammar, spelling, clarity, and precision. 5. To welcome diversity and increase the scope and depth of our coverage in order to heighten mutual understanding and awareness throughout our entire school community. Articles and letters to the editor appearing on the editorials pages represent solely the opinions of the writers and do not represent in any way the viewpoint of Viewer, our advertisers, Mounds View High School or its staff. The editors of the Viewer welcome and encourage the publication of all viewpoints.
editorials
December 20, 2013
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Schools need to combat the declining concentration levels in students by Alistair Tang editorials editor
You walk into a classroom, ready to begin a new hour of learning. As the bell rings, you take your seat, and wait for the teacher to begin the lesson. When the teacher turns on the SmartBoard and tells the class to take our their notebooks, you think to yourself: “This will be the day I pay attention to the whole lesson, take complete notes, and ask meaningful questions.” Five minutes later, you find yourself half asleep, completely disoriented, and you’ve forgotten where you are and what you’re supposed to be doing. Mission failed. If this sounds like you, you’re one of the many students in Mounds View suffering from an inability to focus. In a poll of 100 students, 81 percent reported they had problems focusing, whether it’s due to fatigue, boring classes, or medical conditions. This alarmingly high percentage is easily explainable, due to the way classrooms are operated as well as the large workload that comes with attending high school. The problem, however, doesn’t arise from the content being taught, but rather the way the content is presented. If classes were taught in a more engaging manner, this problem would quickly fade away.
One of the keys to focus is interest. “Concentration can a lot of the times be dependent on the topic, if students are engaged it is easier to focus,” said Jeff Ridlehoover, principal. If you’re legitimately interested in the topic and want to learn more about it, focusing shouldn’t be a problem. However, most classrooms are known to induce yawns rather than stimulate thinking. This isn’t entirely the teacher’s fault, however. In order to graduate, you’re required to take courses on a wide variety of subjects, and chances are only one or two of those subjects interest you. There are only so many ways to make trigonometry or literature seem remotely interesting. Still, a far too common practice is to lecture a class for nearly an hour, while the only hands on interaction students get is taking notes. Simply being told what to learn and not being able to explore on their own not only results in an utter lack of interest, it also limits students’ creativity. Even if classrooms are presented in a much more appealing and interesting manner, a lot of work is still done outside of school. Daily homework, projects, presentations and more plague the free hours of many students. More often than not, these assignments also cut into our sleep hours. Losing sleep to schoolwork
can quickly turn into a dangerous cycle where students become too tired to pay attention in school, resulting in more time spent on homework, and thus causing even more sleep to be lost. “I look out and I’m met with many blank stares. They’re good students, they are just tired,” said Gretchen Nesset, English teacher. While repetition may be necessary to learn in subjects like math, a lot of meaningless busy work can be avoided in homework assignments. Trivial assignments without much educational value can be completely removed. While there is no definite example that represents every class, it is easy to recall several assignments that you felt had no connection to the class or material being taught. Concentration is something that every student lacks on more than one occasion. Improving focus is essential to improving the education of students. Once students are taught in a way that makes them interested in the topic, there is near limitless potential in what they can accomplish academics-wise. Changing the way classrooms are taught will be a long and arduous process, requiring a high level of involvement in politics. However, once things are changed, the benefits will most definitely outweigh the costs.
All’s fair in love, war, and sports by Aaron Adams staff writer
George Orwell once said, “Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence. In other words, it is war minus the shooting.” Reading his words, our first instinct is to denounce them as pointless hyperbole. When one looks at the quantity of damage inherent to sports, especially the all-too-common fouls, one has to wonder if Orwell was right. Playing a sport has many benefits, from reducing obesity to making one more likely to succeed later in life. One commonly touted benefit is the building of character by training players in sportsmanship. It seems obvious that playing organized, competitive sports would by definition impart sportsmanship to those who play them. The reality, however, is very different, as strategically breaking rules can be the key to clinching a victory in these competitively charged arenas. This widespread strategic and often
Editor opinions What your Viewer editors think of various issues.
cartoon by Michaela Morse
flagrant fouling is at odds with sports’ intended goal of building fairer and better people. The act of strategic cheating is common even in high school leagues. A South Carolina high school soccer game last year had a foul so flagrant the offender was charged with assault. Around the same time, a video showing multiple incredibly harsh fouls by a Washington high school basketball team went viral, garnering thousands of negative comments toward the players. For the most part, fouls of this nature are rare at Mounds View. “I would never want any of my athletes to be not just illegal but
“Opinions are overrated, I only deal with facts.” - Tommy Sletten spread editor
unethical in their approach to sports,” said Ross Fleming, Physical Education teacher and track coach. “I do not believe in gamesmanship, I believe in sportsmanship.” Still, cheating in sports is a good strategy more often than people think. In basketball, while fouling usually gives the opponent the opportunity to score free-throws, it also often gives you possession of the ball afterward. A foul that stops a score would force your opponent to take two or three shots instead of just one—each of which they could fail to make. In soccer, there’s an interesting inversion of the ‘cheat to win’ idea: the “dive” or false foul. By faking an injury, a player encounters certain risks, but the rewards can be huge if the referee is fooled and awards a free kick. Late in the game when losing a player won’t make much difference, it can be worth it to earn a red card and sacrifice yourself — often doing significant damage to a competitor in the process — to maintain a lead. In football, the possible rewards are harder to see, but they’re there. A particularly nasty example involves
“The stop sign outside of the school is incredibly unnecessary. It only causes more traffic before and after school.” - James Birr online editor
Student VIEWS
“It can be hard to concentrate when the class is really boring and you have distractions like your phone right next to you.” -Erin Shen, 9
“I think that most students find it hard to be intrinsically motivated for their classes, making it hard to concentrate to the best of their ability.” Mitchell Oleson, 11 photos by Ben Kaiser
concussions -- repeated concussions can bench a player for the rest of the game, the season, or even his life, while the player doing the damage is only temporarily penalized. It’s clear that this problem needs fixing; the question is how to do so. The best solution is to increase the potency of punishments. In basketball for example, a system similar to soccer’s card system could be implemented, kicking players off the team — without replacements — if they foul too often. Another possibility would be to increase punishments in the endgame, when fouls become more common in order to secure a victory. There are many flaws with the system by which fouls are punished and awarded in most sports today, which is in direct conflict with sports’ stated goal of inciting sportsmanship and building characters. Given how long most of these sports have existed, it’s absurd to believe that they will never change and drop these issues. However, the solution — be it an increase in punishment or something else entirely — remains to be seen.
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“Save the polar bears, bring them to Minnesota!” - Max Wang former editor
4features
December 20, 2013
Nathan Torunsky’s parrot, Griffin, enjoys snuggling, play wrestling, and helping Torunsky with his English essays.
Torunsky, right, poses with Griffin for his Eagle Scout Picture. photos courtesy of Nathan Torunsky
Nathan Torunsky,
Bird Man
by Emily Ruan staff reporter
Junior Nathan Torunsky’s parents joke that they knew it the day he was born. His friends say it was obvious the first time the topic came up. According to Torunsky himself, he has had a special fascination for birds since he was three, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase “birdbrain.” “My parents got those DK books, a brand of bird books that have all the birds in them for identification purposes,” said Torunsky. “I got so interested in them that I told my parents I wanted to learn how to read, and that’s how I learned. I would match up the pictures of birds to their descriptions.” These and other early instances made it clear that even as a toddler, Torunsky’s affinity for birds was more than just a fleeting interest. Today, Torunsky is one year into owning his very first bird, a Greater Vasa parrot named Griffin. “My parents made me go through a lot to get him, and I wanted them to do that. These birds are really a lot of effort to work with, and they live a long time,” said Torunsky. “You should know what you’re getting yourself into—they are not a whimsical buy.” Griffin is more than a pet for Torunsky, who treats birdkeeping like a hobby, sport, and job all rolled into one. He spends at least one hour each day engaging in one-on-one time with Griffin, and Griffin is let out of the cage “as often as possible.” With all the time they spend together, the two have developed an incredibly close bond. Griffin can often be seen snuggled in Torunsky’s
lap or perched on his desk, “helping” Torunsky do his homework. One of their favorite activities to do together is play wrestle. “I’ll take my hand, and he’ll put his foot on it. Then I’ll flip him over on his back, and kind of roll him around. He’ll fight back…it’s hard to explain, but it’s really, really cute. Trust me,” said Torunsky. Torunsky is very modest about his birding achievements, which include becoming a certified “NestWatch Monitor” with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and being invited to work with University of Minnesota professor Dave Stephens this coming summer to conduct cognitive research on Blue Jays. Although one small mention of the subject is enough to set him off on one of his so-called “rambles,” Torunsky’s classmates are used to his quirks by now. “It’s actually really cool,” said Leyla Soykan, 12. “He’s really nice about it. If you don’t want him to talk about it, he won’t.” Most Mounds View students are equally as enthusiastic, and Torunsky has never experienced any kind of ostracism or ridicule for his interest. Torunsky explained simply, “I think people think it’s cool sometimes when you have a passion like that. It doesn’t matter what it is, but for me, it’s always been birds.” Whether he is learning to read, conducting research, or just walking around the zoo, Torunksy’s love of birds is enduring. “We went to zoos a lot when I was little, and I would always go only to the birds. My parents would say, ‘Can’t we go see something else?’ And I would be like, ‘Nope. We’re staying right here.’”
December 20, 2013
Where Are
features
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They
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Mara Herbert: Designing in California by Jacob Reisdorfer and Nicole Wahlin staff reporter and features editor From the snowy iceland of Minnesota, to the hot summer sun of California, Mara Herbert has traveled about 1,900 miles to her new school. Unlike most kids who go to college undecided about their career goals, she is attending a selective school for a specific major. Herbert is chasing her dream to become a fashion designer at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles. And this goal is very much in reach for her. After being in college for only a few months, Herbert has landed an internship with RVN, an up-and-coming women’s clothing line that is making its mark on the fashion industry. “I think I got the internship because the founder, Ted Kim, came to our school and spoke,” said Herbert. “He was very inspiring, and I will always remember this quote from him, ‘From your mistakes the best miracles can happen.’ I emailed him after and thanked him for being inspiring, and he told me they were hiring, so I took the job.” This is just the start of her journey to becoming a designer of her own line. “It’s a tough industry and it takes a lot of hard work and creativity to create your own clothing line,” says Herbert. But she is determined and ready for the long road to ahead to start her own line. The internship will help
Herbert tremendously by giving her an inside look at what it really takes. Besides all the hard work, Herbert volunteers with the school’s student council. They find things around the city that need cleaning up and volunteer there. “We went to Venice Beach and cleaned it up. It was a day of friends, fun, and California sun,” said Herbert. She also writes for the school paper, which is sold throughout Los Angeles for $4. “I wrote an article on Brazilian carnivals and their origins, which was super interesting. Writing is an excellent way to get involved and known in the city,” said Herbert. Even with all the school, Herbert still has time for some glam in Los Angeles. She attends concerts and meets many local celebrities. “I snuck into the Hunger Games premiere, since it was right across the street from where I live. I also attended the American Music Awards, which was so exciting,” said Herbert. Project Runway is also filming at FIDM, so Herbert had the chance to meet contestant Nick Verreos, and Tim Gunn, who is a mentor on the show. “This whole experience has been amazing and so much fun,” said Herbert. Herbert has come a long way since just graduating high school last spring, and it has been a fun ride. This journey is just the start for Herbert and her hopeful soon-to-be fashion line. photo courtesy of Mara Herbert
Herbert with a contestant of Project Runway, Nick Verreos.
Billy Turner: NFL bound by Nicole Wahlin features editor Unlike most college freshman, Billy Turner entered college at North Dakota State University as a big man on campus. Now in his senior year, he’s preparing to go to the NFL as an offensive tackle. Turner has not just done well in football—he has excelled. Starting 41 out of 42 games in his career, Turner helped lead the team to their eighth consecutive 1,000-yard rusher. Football runs in the family too. His dad, Maurice Turner, played in the NFL for five years, including for the Vikings. His brother, Bryan Kehl is currently playing in the NFL also. His other brother, Maurice Turner Jr., played football for Northern Iowa. “After college I plan on continuing to play football at the professional level for as long as I can, following the footsteps of my father and brother,” said Turner. Many life lessons have come out of playing at the college level. “It’s been fun. I have learned a lot of life lessons, believe it or not, from just playing a
simple game. It’s fun to go out and play against the teams and coaches you grew up watching on TV,” said Turner. Playing under Football Head Coach Jim Galvin at Mounds View taught Turner some life lessons too. “I learned dedication, hard work, and teamwork all from Galvin,” he said. Mounds View motivatedTurner to become the best he could, on and off the field, and helped him develop a passion for the game. “My favorite part about playing football would have to be hitting people. Its basically like being in an all-out fight except you don’t get arrested or in trouble afterwards,” said Turner. Turner has come far from the little freshman who played in high school. The memories he has made and the lessons he learned from high school have helped him excel in college, and have helped him push to the next level. photo courtesy of Billy Turner
Turner, number 77, celebrates with a teammate.
is it just a
What is the ACT?
by Ryan Kaczynski staff reporter Can one number really tell you how intelligent a person is? Experts have debated this for over 100 years, analyzing IQ scores, SATs and other measurements to see whether they really predict academic or life success. For Mounds View students, the critical number is the ACT score. That one number, in a range of 1-36, can impact what colleges you are accepted to and what kinds of scholarships and aid you might get. While some believe an ACT is a good representation of a student’s overall academic abilities, others disagree. “Some of my friends that I know I do better than in school received better scores on the ACT,” said Samuel Mastenbrook, 12. “That doesn’t seem right.” The ACT is a test taken by college-bound students, usually in either their junior or senior year of high school. It contains four categories: English, mathematics, reading, science, and an optional writing section. The score provides colleges with an indicator for college readiness, and claims that it shows a student’s capability to complete college-level work. However, some believe that the ACT reflects a student’s test taking abilities, not their knowledge. According to the Princeton Review,“Your test scores reflect how good you are at taking the SAT or ACT (as well as how much time you spent preparing).” There has been a lot of debate on whether or not
the ACT actually predicts college readiness. The ACT provides a general indicator for college admissions officers. If students did not take the ACT, colleges would turn to a student’s grades and activities to decide if they are ready for college. However, high schools weigh grades differently, and activities can be added to boost the application, so the ACT provides a standard test that is scored in the exact same way across the whole country. Studies also show that teaching by only focusing on material found on the test can be a good thing for students because it focuses on essential skills and content. The US Department of Education stated that “If teachers cover subject matter required by the standards and teach it well, then students will master the material on which they will be tested--and probably much more.” However, other studies found that teaching towards the test causes “drill and kill methods,” where kids learn the material for the test but do not retain the information. Some people also believe that spending lots of time teaching to the test is wasting class time that could be better spent learning other material outside of the test. Many colleges use a student’s ACT score as a deciding factor on whether or not to admit the student to the university. It’s not the only thing that they factor in, but a good score significantly boosts a student’s chances of getting admitted. A lot of students believe that the score is an accurate depiction of their talents. “I was happy with my score on the ACT. I thought it was pretty accurate given my abilities,” said Matt
Stevens, 12. Others say the score isn’t a fair r a student’s abilities. “I took the ACT, like my score represented me well. I the material, but I’m a bad test taker, Heath, 12. Also, some kids study not to lear but to get the best score possible, so f the time to prepare and learn the mat get the short end of the stick. They pu learning material in general, not just “I feel like some kids who receiv good test takers and just study for the really learn the material,” said Cortne Some students hire a tutor or pur prep book to help them prepare. Both your score, but do they both promise the material? Students are allowed to take the times and send their best scores to co students aren’t happy with their first feel like it represented them well, the opportunity to improve it. While there are many arguments the ACT, it doesn’t look like the test anytime soon. There are many positiv scoring system; however, there may b as well. Some people feel that a less intel received a higher score than them, wh fair. Fair or not, ACT scores still loom students’ future plans.
by Clara Wang staff reporter The ACT is a globally recognized college admissions test that tests proficiency in the everyday classroom subjects of reading, writing, and math. The ACT measures knowledge acquired in school. It is a two hour long test scored out of 36 points. Raw scores are calculated based on the number of questions answered correctly. The ACT does not deduct points from the raw scores for incorrect answers. The raw scores are converted to scale scores. Scale scores are the scores you receive on each section. Your total score is the average of the scale scores of the four sections. Students cannot take the exam more than 12 times in total. For those who chose to take the test multiple times, some schools embrace the practice of “superscoring,” which is the selection of taking the highest of each of the test taker’s four subscores.
How does
by Matt Lubra staff reporter
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“I have test-taking anxiety. I do much better on freeresponses compared to multiple choice. Since the ACT is strictly multiple choices. I feel like my ACT score does not portray what I know,” said Alisha Hwee, 12.
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infographic by Kyoka Millard, Design Editor
shown leadership or community involvement or overcome obstacles, among other achievements. Nik Hegstrand, 11, said, “I am mostly worried about my GPA, but I also want to get a good ACT score.” Most schools give merit scholarships based on academic performance in high school. Some are one time, while others are a certain dollar amount over four years. Many give preference to students who score highly on standardized tests, such as the ACT, giving students scholarship money for their academic efforts. The ACT is a big part of getting accepted into the college or university you want to attend, but isn’t everything when it comes to college admissions.
many requirements to get into . One of them is taking the So much pressure rides on a on a Saturday morning. Lots ess over these tests, but is it ? to Alfred University in New major areas they look at during process are GPA, strength of lass rank and your ACT and SAT m, ACT and SAT scores are the . versity of Minnesota, the osite ACT score in the College Class of 2017 is 27.1. The student’s class schedule, GPA are primary factors during process at the U, along with st scores. Beyond these, the or well-rounded students lled in various ways, Joey Eggers, 11, reacts to his score on a standardized test.
“I feel good that I might have represented myself better than I put in at school itself, however I would like to think that I could do that well regardless of current effort and grades,” said Ryder Wahl, 12.
photos by Ben Kaiser and Anders Nygaard
8 variety
December 20, 2013 photo courtesy of flickr.com
Holiday Happenings illustration by Michaela Morse
photo by Sophie Jaszewski
One of the displays at Ibew Light show.
A Santa float at Holidazzle parade.
Holidazzle’s last parade by Sophie Jaszewksi staff reporter Running since 1992, the Holidazzle has dominated the Minneapolis holiday experience. This year, it’s approaching its final hoorah, as the Minneapolis Downtown Council has decided to replace it. One could say braving the plummeting temperatures, to see the Holidazzle, is what solidifies the bond between true Minnesotans. They line the streets in spite of ice, snow, and teeth-chattering wind. However, the energy does not seem to decrease as the windshield does. A steady stream of characters march down Nicollet Mall, their smiles contagious, and their wishes the only warmth in the atmosphere. Decorative floats lit with colorful
photo courtesy of flickr.com
bulbs carry choirs belting their hearts out. Their lively songs can be heard throughout the streets, enough for Scrooge to thrive in the Christmas spirit. The floats’ lights, in sync with the Christmas music, impress both young and old. Lights galore reflect off of buildings and windows. Every color imaginable flickers through the city streets. The grand finale is Santa himself chuckling over the speaker. The waves, chants and cheers are enough to momentarily forget the cold, as there isn’t a frown in sight from 12th Street to 4th. The parade that unites all in the spirit of Christmas will be a missed tradition, for nothing can encompass the experience the Holidazzle parade has to offer.
Ibew show shines bright by Nina Bertelsen business manager Holiday Lights in the Park is lighting up Phalen Park from 5:3010:30 pm for its fifth year in a row. This drive-through, holiday light spectacular includes more than 50 unique displays ranging from a seahorse, to Noah’s Ark, to Santa and gingerbread houses. Each is unique and brightly lit with neon lights of red, blue, green and orange. After you pay an $8 per car entry fee for Sun.- Thurs. nights, and $10 on Fri. and Sat., an arch of glowing snowflakes welcomes you to the leisurely drive through the park. Slowly driving the winding park, as Santa throws blinking presents from his sleigh, safe inside their warm cars, visitors can also purchase a Holiday Lights CD. It features Minnesota’s
musical A-listers with 15 new arrangements for the holiday season. All of the proceeds from sponsors, visitors, and CD purchases go directly to select charities in the local community. While the drive is beautifully lit, and all the displays are lovely, the drive through is short, no more than 15 minutes, and may not be worth the cost to get in. Cars that pull in behind can rush your viewing, and some of the displays can be found in the front yard of an extravagant neighbor for free. But by no means is the Holiday Lights a bad way to spend a part of your evening. As you prepare to exit, a smiling Frosty waves goodbye and white fairy lights proclaim “... And to all a good night.” This quick stop is a simple way to brighten your holiday season!
Nice Ice: At Winter Skate in St.Paul
photo courtesy of wellsfargowinterskate.com
The opening ceremony for Winterskate.
by Max Van de Werken staff reporter Surrounded by a fun lively atmosphere with tall buildings and a cheering crowd, Winter Skate is the place to be to enjoy not only the skating, but the environment, as well. Located in Rice Park, the towering buildings of downtown St. Paul are a perfect backdrop to a night of skating. The twinkling lights glimmer at night, making an inviting atmosphere. Winter Skate provides a
warming house where you can get ready or socialize with other people. The best thing about it — it’s free. Visitors can bring skates, and if they don’t own skates, it costs a mere $2 to rent a pair. There are shows and performances on many nights throughout the festival including dancers, bands, and even fireworks. An upcoming event, Downton on Ice, presents the season premiere of Downton Abbey on a large jumbotron.
The rink opened on Nov. 30 and stays open until late February, depending on weather conditions. Winter Skate is a great way to spend the holidays with family, and friends. It is the place to go if you’re looking for a happy, festive downtown environment that offers fun for everyone.
9
reviews
December 20, 2013
a Very merry movie collection A vacation to remember
by Thomas Doty staff reporter Christmas is a time filled with sharing, caring, and family. And for Clark Griswold, a little too much family. Christmas Vacation, National Lampoon’s third installment of the Vacation series, is a gut-busting, hysterical, romp through the holidays. The film follows Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) as he sets out to create a good old-fashioned “Griswold Family Christmas.” Of course, what makes the holidays special is spending time with family and loved ones. Clark is surrounded by his wife Ellen, daughter Audrey, and son Rusty. Clark is also accompanied by his parents, aunt and uncle, and in-laws. The 10 family members all stay together for a few days, and later, Clark’s know-nothing cousin Eddie shows up unannounced in
photo courtesy of Viewers’ Commentary
his RV. The arrival of Eddie makes Clark think twice about whether or not a big family Christmas was the right idea. From the beginning, nothing seems to go right for
Reliving childhood by Katrina Renacia staff reporter Three decades since its debut, the triple-dog dare continues to be a part of family holiday traditions. Throughout the years, A Christmas Story has become mustwatch family film for Christmas because of its quirky humor. In the movie, nine-year-old Ralphie’s life is consumed with one wish for Christmas: to get a Red Ryder BB gun. After being turned down by his parents, he comes up with other clever ways to convince them. Part of the reason why most people love this film is because of the authenticity of childhood memories. From wanting something so bad for Christmas to trying to convince his parents to buy him something, Ralphie’s life basically summed up many other kids’ lives. The actors did a really good job,
especially Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie. Emotions were clear in their facial expressions. The screenplay was also well laid out and easy to follow. Although the film left great impression, I still had qualms about it. I found the voice of the narrator really annoying. It was an adult voice and it didn’t fit Ralphie’s character at all. Also, I didn’t enjoy hearing all the foul language photo courtesy of TBS coming out of “the old man’s” mouth everytime he was mad. Overall, the film gives you the thrill of feeling like a child all over again, wishing for a big red box under the Christmas tree. Despite the inappropriate language in some parts and the narrator’s annoying voice, the movie will surely leave a smile on your face and a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart.
Clark. The film gets a majority of its comedy from his struggles. Chase does an outstanding job showcasing his acting talent. His actions fed from his conflicts are really up to par, like how he reacts when he falls off his ladder while hanging lights, or when his Uncle Lewis burns down his tree. Another large cause for laughs are Clark and Eddie’s one-liners. They provide many witty comments in arguably the most quotable movie of all time. “You surprised to see us, Clark?” “Oh Eddie, if I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn’t be more surprised than I am now.” Little quotes like these are really what polish up the movie and make it a masterpiece. This film has earned the title of a Christmas classic, and with good reasoning. The hilarious dialogue and slapstick humor makes this movie deserving of endless praise.
Grinch steals the show by Jonathan Kim staff reporter The Holiday season is not complete without the classic The Grinch. It’s hard to believe that the holiday classic was released 13 years ago. Based off of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Grinch is the second highest grossing holiday film of all time, bested only by Home Alone. The film is a very entertaining family film perfect for the holidays. The quirky film takes place in a land called Whoville where the citizens celebrate Christmas with much joy and happiness, except for the green Grinch. Played by the strange but hilarious Jim Carrey, the Grinch hates Christmas with all his tiny heart and concocts an evil plan to ruin Christmas for all the people.
The film was a bit dark in some scenes, particularly the opening scene. Many critics did not enjoy the eerie aspects of the film; I thought it made the film more sophisticated. Although the film greatly deviated from the original plot, the added storylines made the film much more enjoyable overall. The direction of the film is a little different than what photo courtesy of ABC Seuss intended for his audience but an it is an entertaining film nonetheless. Jim Carrey could not have been a more perfect fit for the role of the Grinch — Carrey provided a more comical and unique twist to the grouchy Grinch. The widely popular film is a holiday classic and will continue to run on TV every holiday season.
An elfish charm by Logan Maccani staff reporter Take a wanna-be elf who is way oversized, make him super-misplaced, and hilarity will surely follow. That was exactly what happened in the 2003 classic Christmas movie favorite, Elf, starring Will Ferrell. Ferrell’s character, Buddy the elf, is accidentally taken from his orphanage back to the North Pole by Santa. He is raised by elves but eventually learns that he is not an elf. He decides to travel back to New York City to find his true identity — and his real father. Many funny incidents happen along the way as he is completely unaware of humans, and his immature behavior as an adult gets him in plenty of trouble. Although his childish acts annoy everyone at first, Buddy brings Christmas cheer and spirit to the city.
photo courtesy of Blogspot
Ferrell has been known to have great acting and comic substance in all his movies and he does not disappoint. The acting throughout this film is very convincing as he really took over the role of being an elf amongst regular people. He made the movie as good as it was because of the reputation he has. He displayed this great acting when he meets his father for the first time and tries to convince him that he is an elf, and also his son. This isn’t the only display of great acting during the film, but definitely one of the most memorable. Overall, great actors and hilarious plot of a human who thinks he’s an elf from the North Pole made this movie a Christmas holiday favorite. The PG-rated movie is highly recommended for any family bonding time and ensures laughs at any time of the year.
10sports
December 20, 2013
Meet the elite
Mounds View athletes on teams that go beyond the ordinary
Championships in the middle or end of March, said Damberg. Competitions begin in November, around ThanksgivFor two and half hours, four days ing break. a week, Juliana Damberg, 10, practices To improve their abilities and at the Afton Alps. Skiing for Team prepare for competitions, Team Afton Afton, as part of the United States skiers have practices every Monday Ski and Snowboard Association’s through Thursday. While practices (USSA) Under-16 program, differ, they often involve lapping often requires tremendous comwith the coaches at the bottom mitment. giving instructions on improveJoining Team Afton is ment. Team Afton skiers also not difficult — it’s just a watch video, time their runs, simple sign up. and do drills or directed “It’s just like a regufree skiing with their lar club team. You can coaches. go to practice whenevDamberg, who also er you want, race was skis for the Mounds much as you want, View Alpine Ski team, practice as much as says club skiing requires you want. You don’t have more commitment. to qualify,” said Damberg. “It’s a lot more often. However, those who are There are more practices, and serious must invest time and Julianna they’re longer. We have races effort. every weekend. High school is The USSA season starts Damberg, 10 only once a week. There’s a lot with camps in October more travel, it’s not all local. and November and ends with Junior It’s just a lot more time commitment,” by Persis Ke staff reporter
she said. may end in June, training does not. Both Emily Nash, 10, also skis for Damberg and Nash crosstrain by playTeam Afton and Mounds View. She ing soccer during the offseason, and last agrees club skiing takes more time year Damberg also added lacrosse. They commitment than high school skiing do dryland with both Mounds View because it requires missing 20 to 30 and Team Afton which consists days each year. of running, weightlifting, box Races are the main reason jumping, and other workouts, Damberg and Nash miss school. said Damberg. In the summer, “Sometimes big [races] last for Damberg also goes out west to a whole week,” said Damberg. ski in Oregon. She added that while the races Although skithemselves typically take ing with Team Afton two days, camps or projects involves dedication, leading up to races often take Damberg’s passion a few days as well, causing for skiing remains. more missed school days. “I love the sport... With almost ten races per it’s just something USSA season, school abdifferent that not sences add up quickly. many people do so To make up for absences it’s unique. I love the and long practices, both Dampeople...and how you get berg and Nash do homework on to meet people from so car rides. many different places,” Emily Nash, 10 Damberg said, “Every said Damberg. “I love the time I’m going to miss school, traveling and experiences, I talk to my teachers and get and the responsibility, indethe homework before. I try to take tests pendence and freedom that goes along right when I get back. I do homewith it: missing school, traveling alone, work on the way there, in the car etc.” or plane. I just try to get it done.” photos by Ben Kasier and Anders Nygaard While conflicts with school
Brodt: skating for the red, white, and blue by Tess Martin staff reporter Every year in July, the top girls hockey players in the United States gather at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to attend the annual player development camp run by the USA hockey team. Girls aged 14 to 18 are eligible to attend this camp, which is divided into separate weeks by age group. Sydney Brodt, 10, was one of the 102 girls from around the country that was selected to attended the camp for all girls born in 1998, or the U15’s. The tryout process was long and intense. First, Brodt had to successfully make a team for her district. After making the team, Brodt, along with her teammates, attended a tournament and competed against several other district teams from all over Minnesota. After watching many different girls compete in the district tournaments, coaches then selected 102 girls to attend a week-long camp in St. Cloud for the top players in Minnesota. After coaches observed the top Minnesota players, they selected 13 of those girls to come back to St. Cloud along with all the top players in the rest of the country for the USA player development camp. “I was really shocked and excited for the opportunity to play against so many talented girls,” Brodt said, upon finding out she was
one of the select few that got invited to the camp. At the development camp, the girls were separated into a handful of teams and competed amongst each other in daily games in front of numerous college coaches. “I wasn’t very intimidated by the coaches being there; we all just played our game and had fun,” said Brodt. Their days usually consisted of a morning practice followed by an afternoon workout and then games at night. With all that hockey squeezed into the short amount of time, the girls become a tight-knit unit. “It was very competitive but I bonded with the girls and got to know them really well,” Brodt said. Beyond her team, Brodt can bond over this game she loves so much with her family. The whole family plays, and hockey has given them something to enjoy together. “My dad played hockey and he taught me and all of my siblings how to play. It’s a great bonding experience for all of us and we all push one another to be the best we can be.” Although hockey is a huge part of Brodt’s life, and takes up large amounts of her time, it is all worth it to her. Hockey is her love, making her success all the more worth it. “I couldn’t imagine my life without hockey,” said Brodt. “I wouldn’t be who I am without it.”
11
sports
December 20, 2013
An open frame
Bowling team falls short of expectations at state
by Brooke Olson staff reporter
As Mounds View students and parents pushed through the crowds at Flaherty’s Arden Bowl, they tried to catch a glimpse of the varsity bowling team at what would be its final match. The team had been battling its sister high school and close competitor, Irondale, for the number one spot in their section all season long. The Mustangs had finally achieved their goal and won the section. They were headed to state, eager but focused, and they had the home alley advantage. Mounds View’s record after the fourth match in the state tournament was 1-3. For the Mustangs to advance, they needed to win their final match against Cambridge Isanti, and Mound Westonka needed to beat Lakeville South. The state tournament format consisted of four pools of six teams, and each team in its own pool played each other. That meant each team would play five matches consisting of two games. Then the top four teams advanced. The team lost its first game against Isanti 191-247. With their season on the line, Mounds View bowled a staggering
269 to Isanti’s 146. Unfortunately, the Mustangs’ season came to a close as Lakeville South beat Mound Westonka resulting in three wins over Mounds View’s two. Nonetheless, the state experience was thrilling for the Mustangs. They enjoyed the atmosphere and company of the other bowlers and the support from the large amounts of fans. “They had the guard walk down the lanes with guns and the flag to start off the tournament which was pretty neat,” said Austin Heath, 12. “For a sport that doesn’t get much credit, there were hundreds of people there supporting.” Heath said that state was an experience that brought the Mustangs closer together as a team. They all experienced the same feelings of nervousness and excitement throughout the day. Captain Bill Quick, 12, was especially impressed with 8th grader Austin Ross who seemed to deal with the pressure of state quite well as a middle schooler. Even though the team experienced a rush of emotions, they didn’t let their nerves get the best of them. “The first couple throws of state had some nerves for me, but once we got through the first game, it was fun,” said Alyssa Lillehau-
gen, 12. Mounds View had the second highest pin count in their pool, but they did not advance due to their record during the tournament. Quick wasn’t as fond of the new tournament format, like many others. “We averaged 188 during the state tournament, yet a team with a 170 average advanced to the next round. I’ve talked to many bowlers and coaches from around the area and for the most part everyone thinks it is a flawed system,” said Quick. The Mustangs’ performance did not reflect their fallout. Although the team did not advance to the second round, they still did well in the tournament overall. Heath bowled 12 strikes, five spares, and three opens. Quick bowled 21 strikes and also had five spares and three opens. Both Quick and Heath said their performances might have been one of their personal bests. “I think we did really well overall; we came really close,” said Quick. “If we would’ve picked up a couple more strikes along the way I think we would’ve advanced.” The season as a whole was a quite successful one for the Mustangs. They
earned a section championship and went out with a bang, earning their highest score all season in their final match. They appreciated the support from the fans towards the end of the season, and previous members had fun getting to know the other 15 seniors who joined this year. “The overall season was just fun. We had a bunch of new people join; that made it fun and exciting. As we got closer to the end of the season we had a bunch of fans turn out which is unheard of for bowling,” said Heath. “I was very proud to be a part of a team that battled till the end.” Since the majority of the team is seniors, there are only a handful of bowlers left--not nearly enough for a team. Quick and other team members encourage underclassmen to join the team. “I’m worried about there being a team next year, we really need underclassmen to join...We’re more than happy to have people join if they haven’t ever bowled before,” said Quick. “Primarily it’s about having fun, winning just makes it exciting.”
Records for Bowling Team: Games 57-23 Matches 13-3 Total Pins 12790 High Game 236 High Series 916
photo by Anders Nygaard
Bill Quick, 12, was named to the All Conference team.
photo by Anders Nygaard
Alyssa Lillehaugen, 12, was the only girl on varsity this year.
12gallery
December 20, 2013
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