INSIDE THIS ISSUE Travel During the Pandemic 04/ Piracy 05/ The Britney Documentary 11
THE VIEWER
THE PANDEMIC’S EFFECT ON STUDENT LIFE AND MENTAL HEALTH VOLUME 68 ISSUE 7 | APRIL 1, 2021
2 NEWS
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021
AP testing during COVID-19
by Shivam Vashishtha staff reporter
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect learning in school. As a result, the College Board is providing more assessment options for its AP examinations in 2021 to offer students and schools more flexibility in taking and administering the exams, respectively. Between early May and mid-June, each exam will be administered three times. The first administration will be the traditional in-person version. The second and third administrations will either be traditional in-person tests or at-home virtual ones, depending on the particular exam, and individual schools were given the option to choose which administrations they would like to go with. The College Board wanted to offer an array of testing options to accommodate all students and teachers across the country, so flexibility in this year’s testing was vital. Trevor Packer, vice president of the College Board, hopes that technical troubles will be minimized during testing this year. “We absolutely have been able to learn from last spring’s experience,” Packer said in an interview with the Washington Post. Mounds View is allowing students and their families to choose their exam dates and formats. Student perspectives surrounding this year’s testing are diverse, with individuals opting for the in-person or virtual at-home options for varying reasons. “I am a
bit nervous,” said Matteo Meyer, 10. “Still, I feel like we’re preparing pretty well for the test because the teachers tell us the format of the tests.I am preferring the online version because it’s way easier and also because of COVID-19.”
“Distance learning has made the situation a bit worse for me personally.” -Riley Stern, 11 On the other hand, some students are opting for the in-person testing option. “I am taking the tests in person because recently I took the PSAT, and I observed that the safety measures were being taken,” said Riley Stern, 11. “So, I think with the AP Exams too, there shouldn’t be a problem. I have also heard that at-home exams are going to be tougher than the ones in person. In my opinion, distance learning has made the situation a bit worse for me personally.” Although there the College Board has released no official statement saying that the at-home exams will be harder, students have speculated that the at-home exams will be harder than the in-person exams to pre-
Push to go back to school by Olivia Sperbeck staff reporter
Gov. Tim Walz announced on Wednesday, Feb. 17, that middle and high schools can return to fulltime in-person learning. There is enough evidence to show that in-person learning is safe because of the decrease in COVID-19 cases. The increase in teacher vaccinations has also made in-person school possible. Additionally, Walz has recognized the growing concerns over the effectiveness of distance learning, and now he is encouraging students and teachers to attend school full-time. “It’s time to get our students back in school, and we can do that now safely,” Walz said in a televised speech.
“There are definitely some instances where in-person learning is just better.” -Nadia Anderson, 10 For Mounds View students, in-person learning began on Monday, March 29. This gave students and teachers who traveled both spring break and the week after to recognize manifesting COVID-19 symptoms and quarantine, therefore reducing the spread of the virus. Walz outlined some safety protocols that students and teachers are required to follow for in-person
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vent cheating in an unsupervised environment. The changes in the College Board’s guidelines have caused the staff at Mounds View to rework their approach to the administration logistics. “For the three administrations of the AP tests there are different dates,” said Associate Principal Benjamin Chiri. “So, it’s going to be like a puzzle, but it’s exciting as well, because I like puzzles.” Since the rigor of each AP class is different, the administration surveyed the teachers, who then surveyed the students to figure out which administration of the test the majority is going to attend. “Each AP subject has one or two teachers who teach the class, and then you multiply those by the students in the class sections,” Chiri said. “So, we’re talking about hundreds of students here. Based on the survey results, most teachers and students are favoring Administration 1.” The College Board has emphasized that at-home testing is due to the persistence of the pandemic in many students’ lives and is a temporary measure. AP testing will go back to taking place in person as soon as schools resume in-person learning, although Packer stated that students will continue to have the option of taking the test digitally, according to EdSurge. This year, students have many options regarding when to take each exam and have varying reasons on which model they choose to take the exam in, accomplishing the College Board’s goal to provide flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic.
learning. Students need to stay at least three feet apart, and ideally, six feet apart if possible. Schools should also track where students eat at lunch in order to trace the spread of COVID-19. Moreover, Walz recommended that teachers wear both masks and face shields, and he encouraged families and students to get tested for the virus every two weeks if they select in-person or hybrid learning. The decrease in COVID-19 cases aided the process of returning to school. “The positivity rate of diagnostic testing has dropped below the caution threshold of 5% to 3.7%, and the number of Minnesota hospital intensive care beds filled with COVID-19 patients has dropped from a peak of 399 on Dec. 1 to 54,” according to the Star Tribune. Due to the drop in cases, full-time in-person learning is possible once again. As of Saturday, March 6, nearly 55% of teachers have been vaccinated and the percentage continues to rise, according to CBS Minnesota. Prioritizing teacher vaccinations is one of the reasons students and teachers have the option of in-person learning. “This news is positive,” Walz said. “We’re beating this thing, getting the vaccines out.” Concerns over distance learning heightening an already prominent achievement gap are a big part of the decision to return to in-person instruction. Students, teachers and parents have noted that distance learning is not as effective as in-person learning. Nadia Anderson, 10, is currently a hybrid learner. Anderson thinks that in-person learning is more effective, and her brother and parents share that opinion as well. “There are definitely some instances where in-person learning is just better, for example, band class and chemistry labs,” Anderson said. However, Anderson has some concerns about go-
Janae Lee Natalie Nemes Janae Lee Ellis Maloney, Yatharth Sharma Molly Shwiff, Savannah Guiang Elisa Guo, Johnny Yue Darah Ostrom, Madeline Edgar Zige Wang Madeline Jepko Sienna Wood Sienna Wood Josie Mackenthun
ing back to school full-time. “I don’t think in-person learning is 100 percent safe. During hybrid, social distancing is rarely maintained and hallways often seem crowded,” she said. Other people share Anderson’s concerns as well. Nikita Chandra, 10, is worried about COVID-19 and
“I just felt it was better safe than sorry when it comes to my health.” -Nikita Chandra, 11 is going to be a full-time distance learner. For her, distance learning works. She likes being able to plan her own schedule and the flexibility it provides. “I chose distance learning because I just felt it was better safe than sorry when it comes to my health,” Chandra said. Although some full-time distance learners like Chandra are worried about COVID-19, many students are choosing to go back to school in person. Even with the transition, Learning Plus Days on Fridays will continue. Students who choose that mode of learning will attend in-person school four days a week.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021
The show must go on!
by Olivia Sperbeck staff reporter Mounds View Theatre is still putting on a Shakespeare play despite the complications of COVID-19. Despite this year’s obstacles, the cast and crew are still moving forward with the production, just at a later date compared to its usual January showings and with all of the necessary precautions. The production of “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare with an ‘80s theme is scheduled for late April or early May, but COVID-19 regulations will dictate the size of the live audience.
From left to right, Frannie Crego, 12, Evan Leebens, 12, and Addy Cota, 12, pictured at rehersal. photo courtesy of Evan Leebens
Emily Shields, 12, is one of the crew captains for the play. The crew is the behind-the-scenes people in the play that builds the sets, changes the stage props in between scenes and works the spotlights. Being a crew member during COVID-19 is more difficult than during a regular year because of social distancing guidelines, according to Shields. It is harder to build a set when members have to stay six feet away from one another, especially in a small space. “We have to be mindful of how many people are in smaller spaces at one time and maintaining a distance from one another, which can be difficult when cutting wood or doing other projects,” Shields said. Shields has planned the show differently because of the pandemic as well, following safety guide-
lines to prevent the spread of the virus. The crew department held Zoom meetings to discuss designs or ideas. And being a crew captain, Shields has more responsibility than the other crew members. “As captains, we make a set design based on what we [Shields and her co-captain, Nathan Gason] think fits with the script and would also go well with the theme and how the actors can interact with our set pieces,” Shields said. . This is an important job because the set is the backdrop of the show, and it gives the show more personality. One of the show’s directors, Addy Cota, 12, says acting has changed a lot during COVID-19. Social distancing and other precautions have made the acting part of the show more difficult. “We [...] have to find different ways for characters to interact with each other since they can’t touch each other,” Cota said. The Mounds View Theatre department also had to cut down the number of cast members for safety reasons. As a director, Cota has to block the play, which means she helps mark where the characters are supposed to be during certain scenes. “[The directors] are there to guide the cast and work with them on how they say their lines and how they move the stage,” Cota said. She has to block differently to adhere to social distancing guidelines, making
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At the moment, theatre is weird because we can’t act with the bottom half of our faces.”
FEATURES 3
in theater during COVID-19 is the difficulty of always wearing masks. Nevertheless, that has not stopped him from playing one of the show’s protagonists. “At the moment, theatre is weird because we can’t act with the bottom half of our faces,” Hailer said. “However, fun is still had at rehearsals.” “Twelfth Night” is not only about love, however. One aspect of the play that Cota likes is the comical side characters. “The play has a lot to do with other characters though; I like the humor of the show,” Cota said. “The whole play and the characters are really funny.” In addition to the play having humor and conflict, this “Twelfth Night” production is going to have a unique ‘80s theme. It remains unknown exactly what Mounds View Theatre will do with this theme, but it was a popular idea. “I love the ‘80s theme so much,” Hailer said. “I think that the style of the ’80s is so awesome and the neon lights and fun colors of tracksuits could be very fun to play around with.” The crew department is also a fan of the ‘80s theme. “I like it because we get to go all-out with patterns and neon and have a lot of fun making this show without limitations,” Shields said. While COVID-19 has affected the Shakespeare production, the department is still looking forward to putting on the play. Guidelines are in place to make sure rehearsals are safe. The crew, cast and directors are all contributing to the show in their own way, despite the obstacles the pandemic presents.
- Max Hailer, 11
sure that the actors do not touch. The plot of the play centers around Viola, who disguises herself as a man and falls in love with Duke Orsino. He, however, falls in love with Countess Olivia, who in turn falls in love with Viola, thinking she is a man. Max Hailer, 11, the actor playing Orsino, is another theatre member affected by the obstacles that the pandemic has created. One effect of participating
photo courtesy of MV Theatre
Teachers consider vaccinations a victory by Shivam Vashishtha staff reporter With new upcoming plans for Mounds View students to arrive back to school full-time, it is more important than ever to keep teachers safe while teaching in person. On Tuesday, March 2, President Joe Biden directed all states to prioritize educators for the COVID-19 vaccine. He stated that he wants every teacher, school staffer and child care worker in the United States to get at least one shot in March. Many Mounds View teachers have benefited from this plan and are starting their vaccination process. The state has set aside a number of vaccine doses for each district and school. “Our district was given an allocation of vaccines by the state of Minnesota,” said Associate Principal Benjamin Chiri. “Our school then identified staff members like childcare workers and teachers who were working with students who could not wear face masks during distance learning. And then, as we got more allocations, we then started distributing it to more and more teachers.” Physics teacher Michael Cartwright received both of his vaccination shots and feels more confident about returning to in-person learning four days a week. “According to a lot of reports, not only does the vaccine protect you from the virus, but it also prevents you from
spreading it to others,” Cartwright said. “I am still going to continue masking whenever required because it is still a recommendation from the CDC. I personally feel less vulnerable, so I am probably willing to go without a mask for short periods of time, but I don’t want anyone else to feel uncomfortable.” Spanish teacher Laura Rivers also received both doses of the vaccine. “Mentally, I am really relieved to
“Now, since I have the vaccine, I feel a lot safer [for] when the school returns to in-person on March 29.” -Michael Cartwright, physics teacher have gotten the vaccine because it will protect me and stop me from transmitting the virus,” Rivers said. Like Cartwright, Rivers still plans to always wear her mask while teaching. “I absolutely feel the need to have my mask on,” she said. “Just because you’re vaccinated doesn’t mean that you can’t be infected with COVD-19. Even if I don’t get COVID-19, I don’t want
to risk spreading it to other people. So, I wear a mask for other people.” In the next round of vaccinations, people aged 16 and older were able to get the vaccine starting on Tuesday, March 30. This means that Mounds View students who qualify can be vaccinated. “I think any students who are concerned about COVID-19, or families concerned about bringing home COVID-19, if the vaccination of students would reduce their anxiety, that [the vaccine] would be extremely valuable,” Cartwright said. Rivers also believes students should get vaccinated if they can, and if they want to. “I feel that anyone who wants to get the vaccine should get it as soon as possible, that includes students,” she said. “I know that personal choice plays a big role here. But, whoever wants to get it, and whenever feasible, should get it.” With rapid vaccination plans and students coming back to school in person, Mounds View is the closest it has been to normal since the start of the pandemic, and many teachers prefer in-person learning because they believe it is more effective for students. Although Rivers believes that the school has done a great job in making education still available during the pandemic, she believes that the “‘personal connection’ can come in a way better manner through in-person learning.”
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4 EDITORIALS
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021
College searching requires initiative
by Namitha Narayan staff writer College diversifies a student’s outlook on the world in every way possible. Students are given the opportunity to explore who they are both academi-
illustration by Sienna Wood
cally and socially on a campus filled with young adults from various backgrounds. This option to pursue higher education is one that comes with an immense amount of responsibility for students who are eager for a bright future. As it is arguably one of the most important decisions one can make in one’s life, Mounds View has excelled in providing resources for students to use during this time. But ultimately, especially during a pandemic, students need to take more
initiative and seek out these resources on their own. The pandemic has made it significantly more difficult for students to tour campuses, meet with college advisors and counselors and take standardized tests that were previously required for all college applications. Subsequently, this situation has required students to take on much more personal responsibility to find these resources wherever they are available. With an environment like this, it is not likely that college resources will fall into any student’s lap without students actively looking for them or caring enough to seek them out where they are available. Although there is a stronger emphasis on personal responsibility due to COVID-19, schools should provide an adequate amount of assistance in this process, which can be harder to do in current circumstances. Mounds View, however, has done an excellent job in guiding students remotely. For example, on Mounds View’s student-run Instagram page, there is a series called “C & C with Mrs. B” where student services clerk Anne van Bruggen provides both students and parents with information regarding college as well as pathways to various careers. This information is more accessible than ever. Not only has it been brought to a common social media platform that many students use, but the content is presented in an entertaining way through the incorporation of trivia questions in each episode. Mounds View has also been offering virtual college visits through Naviance. This makes touring campuses as simple as signing up and learning about
colleges that pique students’ interests. The daily newsletters that both students and parents receive also have information about upcoming virtual college rep visits. Deans are definitely a valuable resource that students can use during this time as well. But yet again, it takes initiative on the side of the student to set up a time with their dean to discuss any questions or concerns. The staff at Mounds View understands that under normal circum-
the extra spending is well worth the additional levels of safety that pricier airlines can offer, and travelers should purchase their tickets with this in mind. While out-of-the-country travel is currently open, the United States government has warned airlines that foreign governments can place barriers and restrictions on travel with little time for preparation. Be-
Therefore, travelers should stay within the country to avoid cross-border outbreaks and for their own safety. When traveling, it is not only important to understand the regulations of the places one visits, but also the politics. Locations and tourist attractions may be more or less regulated based on the opinions of the community. For some places, many things are shut down; for others, nearly everything is open. Vacationers should take the extra time to examine the conditions and restrictions in place at their destination. Additionally, while ensuring one’s safety is important, protecting the health of others by traveling smartly, wearing a CDC-approved mask when out in public and monitoring potential COVID-19 symptoms is paramount. As the pandemic situation fluctuates on a day-to-day basis, staying updated about changing standards, outbreak locations and risk levels is the best way to make well-informed decisions about the ethics of travel. While vacationing can help stimulate the tourism industry, airlines and other hard-hit sectors of the economy, there is also a very real danger and potential for harm associated with leaving one’s social bubble. However, as the world has now had a year’s
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In order for students to fully take advantage of these resources they must have a sense of personal responsibiity in seeking them out. ”
stances students would hear about college opportunities more frequently, and they have worked to fill the void that the pandemic created. However, in order for students to fully take advantage of these resources, they must have a sense of personal responsibility in seeking them out. Students applying to colleges should actively check their school emails and reach out to student services in order to get the most out of the resources already provided by the district.
Pandemics, planes and precautions by Marie Diffley features editor
While traveling allows families to take a break from work, school and the troubles of everyday life, is traveling worth the potential risk of exposure to COVID-19? Some may argue that any form of travel is reckless at the moment, but taking certain security measures can make vacation safe despite the risks. When traveling, there is a significant amount of germs and bacteria related to the constant and uncontrollable flow of people moving between an assortment of different places. While each airline has a set of standard rules in place — each individual must wear a mask, and flight attendants must clean properly between flights — specific companies create safer and cleaner guidelines on their own. Delta, for instance, has implicated the Care Standard, which grants its travelers safer flying conditions
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Making more expensive but safer choices and continuing to uphold standards of social distancing, mask wearing and other basic methods of protection from COVID-19 can make travel feasible again.”
cause of this, while on a trip, there is the possibility of trouble getting back into the United States, either because of border closures or because of testing and quarantining mandates. For these reasons, traveling inside the country is easier and far less complicated for travelers.
image courtesy of pixabay.com
than other airlines. They complete deeper cleaning throughout the plane and create space around passengers by leaving middle seats empty while flying. Other airlines do not have these precautions. In a usual trip situation, passengers typically choose airlines by which is nicest, which is cheapest or which has the most direct flight, but the potential prevalence of COVID-19 on planes means that travelers should carefully examine their options and choose the safest option instead. While making such choices may cost more,
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While ensuring one’s safety is important, protecting the health of others by traveling smartly, wearing a CDCapproved mask when out in public and monitoring potential COVID-19 symptoms is paramount.
Country-wide travel is open, and few regulations are in place regarding quarantine before and after flying.
image courtesy of pixabay.com
worth of research and experience with the pandemic, there are ways to take the proper set of precautions. Making more expensive but safer choices and continuing to uphold standards of social distancing, mask wearing and other basic methods of protection from COVID-19 can make travel feasible again. As vaccination rates pick up and the global situation improves, the likelihood that vacations will return to normal increases, but maintaining current safety habits is the only way to ensure that beach trips and visits to grandparents are possible. In the meantime, it is important to understand the risks of traveling, but not fear them.
MOUNDS VIEW THEN VS NOW 5
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021
Then vs. Now: Piracy
2012: Does piracy exist at school? by David Gonzalez staff reporter Mounds View High School is not lacking in piratical activity. Many students use websites like BitTorrent and Limewire to download music, games, and movies. Students also “jailbreak” their iPods, which allows them to remove limitations set by Apple in order to download content for free. Most students pirate for the simple reason that they cannot afford to purchase expensive programs and large amounts of music. One interviewee said that he torrented, or downloaded using BitTorrent protocol, an electronic music studio program that otherwise would have cose over $800. Students pirate to satisfy their voracious appetite for media.“I pirate because if I didn’t, I would be spending hundreds of dollars a month on music,” said one junior. Others pirate to try out material they aren’t particularly interested in purchasing. One senior said, “I only pirate games I wouldn’t buy anyways.” These students use piracy as a way of sampling a wide array of media choices, without the prohibitive costs that would usually go along with doing so. Mounds View students who pirate don’t worry much about the consequences. They believe there is little chance of being caught, especially if proper precautions are taken.“I know how to mask my computer pretty well,” said one junior. There have been high-profile cases of pirates being busted. Most recently, Kim Dotcom, the mastermind behind file-sharing site MegaUpload, was arrested in New Zealand. Convicted pirates have been subjected to fines and even jail time. United States
copyright law states that those found guilty of copyright infringement can face up to $250,000 in fines,and up to 5 years of jail time. Repeat offenders can be subjected to even harsher punishment. However, each individual person accounts for a tiny percentage of all the piracy that is occurring.“Piracy is too widespread
illustration by Sienna Wood
to track down to each person,” said one senior. As a result, the government only bothers taking down file-sharing websites themselves and the select few that download copious amounts from them. Piracy is clearly illegal, but it is still very common at Mounds View and in the world at large. Although there are those who don’t see anything wrong with it, some students who pirate do feel guilty or conflicted about their actions.“I [only] do it sporadically because I feel I’m ripping off the artists,” said one junior.
Students who do pirate despite their qualms usually offer themselves some justification for their actions. Some argue that rich music artists and glamorous movie stars don’t really need the money that they lose through piracy, and others point to the fact that “everyone is doing it anyway,” said another junior. Many students are unclear on what constitutes piracy in the first place. “I doubt most people know when they’re pirating something,” said Tyler Wiegert, 12. Another problem facing students is confusion about which websites are legal and which aren’t, and on what piracy laws actually say. “Isn’t just uploading that’s illegal, not downloading?” said Jon Wang, 9. Some students who pirate don’t seem to have many moral qualms about the matter. They justify their actions by asserting that the issue is blown out of proportion. “Piracy is the scapegoat of the industry of why something sold bad,” said one senior. “Musicians these days make a small amount of their money off record sales. I’d rather let my music be pirated to get my name out there and make more money off shows.” Not all students have such positive views on Internet piracy. “I don’t pirate because [the material] is the property of whoever made it,” said John Spear, 10. Students who don’t pirate tend to agree that privacy of materials on the Internet is tantamount to stealing. Legal avenues exist to get the same material, and to piracy’s detractors, downloading that content without paying is only a matter of greed and selfishness. “If you have issues paying through the nose to get new music, just listen to less music,” said Hanning Huang, 12. The media companies losing millions a year because of piracy would probably agree with them.
2021: Piracy in a world of new tech by Alissa Zhao online editor-in-chief Working minimum wage jobs and having to save up money for college, some Mounds View students have a hard time willingly spending their money on various forms of entertainment. With technology developing, it gets easier over time to find ways to listen to music or watch movies and TV shows without the fees that come with it. According to DataProt, 57 million Americans in 2016 found ways to listen to music without having to pay any fees. As Apple Music and Spotify charge an average of $9.99 a month to listen to unlimited, adfree music, many students refuse to pay the seemingly small fee. “I do not think it is worth it to pay $10 a month for a Spotify premium subscription,” said Marilyn Johnston, 12. “That’s why I share a Spotify family account with some friends, and I save a lot of money doing so.” Not only do many Americans not want to pay for music, but some would also prefer to watch their favorite TV shows and movies without paying a dime. One of the easiest methods for students to stream shows for free has been to sign up for a Netflix account and subsequently receive a free 30-day trial. This method can be used by one individual multiple times as long as they are willing to go through the trouble of creating new email addresses. “Why would I pay for Netflix if they are letting me use it for free?” said Borui Zhang, 12. “He who buys what he does not need steals from himself.” Other students choose less safe ways of watching television, such as using pirated television websites that contain all of the new and popular movies that people are begging to watch. Although some of these piracy websites are dangerous due to risks such as computer viruses, these consequences seem rather unconcerning for a typical movie-craving teenager.
However, using pirated websites is risky due to the repercussions one may face if caught committing piracy. Piracy, the unauthorized use of copyrighted content, is an illegal activity and can lead to major penalties, such as fines up to $150,000. However, there are many fine lines between piracy and legal downloads. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, a common example of piracy that many people might not notice is taking the audio from YouTube videos and using converters to use the audio for personal
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Why would I pay for Netflix if they are letting me use it for free?” -Borui Zhang, 12
rea-
sons. However, the RIAA says that it is legal to stream music from websites that are allowed by the owners of the copyrighted music, regardless if these sites charge a fee. Alongside the ramifications for a user caught using pirated media, there are many inadvertent consequences of piracy. According to DataProt, “70,000 jobs a year are lost in the United States due to music piracy, [and] annual global revenue losses from digital piracy are between $40 and $97.1 billion in the movie industry.” As cases of piracy increase, so do the rates of unemployment and revenue losses in various media industries. With the deceptive nature of these “free” websites, many students struggle to know the difference
between what may be considered illegal. “It is hard to tell if videos and audios I see online are copyrighted or not,” said Logan Graff, 12. “Most times, I do not know if I am using illegally downloaded music or movies.” Students have different thoughts on the ethicality of intentionally pirating off the internet. Olivia Chen, 12, acknowledges that it is a nuanced situation; some people pirate simply because they cannot afford to support the creator or artist. “I feel it’s def not great, but I feel that a lot of high schoolers do it, and I can’t critique them for it,” Chen said. “I feel like if you can afford to buy and support the artists or whoever created it, most definitely do so. But I know that many people cannot or perhaps don’t have it in their budget to pay out monthly subscriptions or whatever to buy shows, music or books.” However, Chen also provides some advice as to what someone on a budget could do to obtain music or media legally, without pirating. “I would recommend going to a library to see if they have what you’re looking for first,” she said. Lily Bronson, 12, strongly feels that piracy is not ethical. “It’s not fair to watch or read something that a creator devoted their own effort and money into without paying for it,” Bronson said. “I know a lot of people do though, and it’s their choice. But I wouldn’t do it myself.” Eric Frink, 12, has an opinion similar to Bronson’s. “I don’t think [pirating is] ethical, but it’s hard for the creators of the music/movie or the government to stop piracy,” Frink said. Although how students pirate and what students pirate have both changed, piracy continues to be a controversial issue, just as it was in 2012. Students have differing opinions on the ethicality of pirating, but several acknowledge the nuance involved in condemning or commending it.
Student life in quarantine Community events by Namitha Narayan staff reporter School events, such as dances, fundraisers, science fairs and sports games, are highlights of the school year and give students something to look forward to. These events are memorable for both the students who plan them and the students who attend them and are crucial parts of the high school experience. Not only can school events reinforce the social aspect of school amidst the stress of academics, but they also serve as a way for students to showcase their hard work. This spring, however, the usual events held at Mounds View will most certainly be approached differently due to the pandemic. National Honor Society plays a significant role in organizing school events, as it hosts many studentled fundraisers throughout the course of the year. Some upcoming events run by NHS include Music for
“We would promote the virtual spirit days via Instagram and repost the students’ participation on the account.” -Rachel Kluz, 11 Mounds View and the Mounds View Mental Health Out of the Darkness Walk. “Both of the programs Music for Mounds View is donating to are for COVID-19 relief and it ties music to a greater cause,” said NHS president Sanjana Pattanaik, 12. “The upcoming Mental Health Walk provides an opportunity for students to actively contribute in spreading awareness.” However, NHS must put a number of regulations in place in order for events to occur in person. Music for Mounds View will still be held in-person but at a limited capacity, and the Mental Health walk will
be held virtually. “Whenever we thought of different events, we thought of accessibility and how we could shift things to be online and what others were doing,” Pattanaik said.
“Whenever we thought of different events, we thought of accessibility and how we could shift things to be online and what others were doing.” -Sanjana Pattanaik, 12 NHS has gotten creative with how they plan on raising money given that they need to hold these events within certain safety regulations and guidelines. “This year we were going to do a bake sale [to hold Music for Mounds View], but because of COVID we couldn’t ask people to bring in homemade items so we had to get creative and do a Bruegger’s Bagels sale
“Even though the students start off with the same four components and the same basic footprint, every project is unique because they bring in their own design elements, creativity and problem solving.”
instead,” said co-director of the Music for Mounds View Committee Mena Feleke, 12. Student Council is responsible for raising school spirit with events such as pep fests and dances such as prom and homecoming. Members have also ran into many obstacles this spring and have relied on social media more than ever. “We would promote the virtual spirit days via Instagram and repost the students’ participation on the account,” said Student Council member Rachel Kluz, 11. Social media has played an integral part in communicating with the student body and connecting voices within the Mounds View community on behalf of Student Council. The annual Mounds View Physics Fair, which normally occurs in May, is set to take place in June despite challenges that current circumstances present. “We are moving it from the main high school gym to the new Mustang Activities Center because it’s four times as large, so we can spread groups out and maintain distance,” said physics teacher Michael Cartwright. Students will present Rube Goldberg machines that display the cumulative knowledge of physics they have gained during the year. “Even though the students start off with the same four components and the same basic footprint, every project is unique because they bring in their own design elements, creativity and problem solving,” Cartwright said. Students and teachers are finding ways to overcome the challenges this year has presented in order to hold on to what they look forward to during the school year. Many have been successful in finding online alternatives or are proceeding with school events with changes to meet the appropriate regulations set in place.
-Michael Cartwright, physics teacher
Student productivity by Hanzu Vu-Tran online editor The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of student life, including productivity. Whether students are distance or hybrid learning, they have noticed changes in their abilities to keep up with their school work. With block schedules and longer class periods, some students have found that their productivity has improved. “I have more time to do my work,” said Kieran Connolly, 11. “If a meeting
“I have more time to do my work. If a meeting doesn’t go the full class hour, I just do homework.” -Kieran Connolly, 11 doesn’t go the full class hour, I just do homework.” Learning Plus Days are a new addition to the school year, and students who utilize those days have noticed they have a positive impact on their productivity. They allow students to stay on top of their school work and catch up on their classes. “It allows for time to meet with teachers and do homework,” Connolly said. However, other students might find the changes less
productive. “In comparison to previous years, yes, I’ve definitely had less productivity these two years,” said Lucy Zhao, 11. To combat this issue, students have found unique ways to enhance their ability to work diligently. Students have been downloading multiple apps on their phones to help them stay focused while working. Apps like Flora, Study Bunny, Forest and Bakery allow students to set timers during which they cannot access other apps on their phone in order to focus on the task at hand. “I use Hatch to lock away my phone while I’m working on my homework,” Zhao said. Additionally, there are Chrome extensions that students can download on their computers to manage their time or avoid distractions. For example, Clockify is a time management tool that allows students to track their time on certain assignments or activities. Stay Focused allows students to block certain websites that they feel might keep them from keeping up with their work for a certain period of time. A planner also proves useful for keeping track of assignments. Using a planner can be as simple as marking assignments on calendar apps like Notion or websites like My Study Life or writing down plans on a physical planner. They can be simple store-bought planners or more personal and individualized, like bullet journals. “I keep a really detailed planner and that helps me,” Connolly said. Finally, students have been implementing different study routines. One method is the Pomodoro study technique, in which students study in 25 minute increments and take a five minute break in between
most increments. The method also calls for students to take 15 to 20 minute breaks in between every four 25 minute sessions. Zhao prefers this method because it encourages students to work for a certain period of time in order to receive a reward. “Motivate yourself by saying that after you do this homework, you can be on your phone for five minutes,” Zhao said. This school year has provided many unprecedented challenges, but it seems that Mounds View students have found ways to adapt their study habits to ensure that this school year goes on smoothly. From using Learning Plus Days, using different time-management technology, keeping planners and trying out new study techniques, there are a variety of ways students can keep up their productivity.
The desk and materials that Kieran Connolly, 11, uses to stay motivated and organized. photo courtesy of Kieran Connolly
The Music for Mounds View Committee holds a bagel sale in lieu of its usual bake sale due to health and safety precautions. photo courtesy of Sanjana Pattanaik
Mental health by Marie Diffley staff reporter
Every student and teacher has experienced firsthand the difficulties of communicating and connecting online. When it comes to mental health, Zoom has prevented students from accessing the resources they need. Since teenagers are susceptible to negative effects concerning lack of human interaction, it is especially important for them to stay mentally healthy. While some deans have reached out to students to discuss mental health via email or while in hallways, many students have had difficulties opening up using online methods. “I think the school hasn’t had the opportunity to support us,” said Avery Dox, 9, a hybrid learner. “We haven’t been in school, and students don’t show their faces or talk on Zoom. I don’t think either side has had the chance to communicate.” Online school has made it increasingly difficult for students to get to know teachers and for teachers to know students. Even for hybrid students like Noor Balshe, 9, connecting with the school faculty is difficult. “I don’t really even know my dean,” Balshe said. Despite trouble connecting with school staff, participating in school sports, clubs and activities can help students boost their mental health and stay connected with peers. “Being in a sport gives me something to look forward to at the end of the day,” said Katie Bofinger, 9. Activities allow students to meet new people and participate in a typical high school experience. Generally, maintaining friendships by finding ways to safely socialize outside of school is a great way to cope with the strange situation. “I hang out with friends to get social time,” said Gracie Koehler, 9. Bofinger uses similar methods to keep a positive attitude.“[I] listen to motivating and uplifting music and call friends and FaceTime,” she said. When looking for support regarding mental health,
Students pose for Jersey Day during spirit week. photo courtesy of Audrey Quackenbush
therapist Rebecca Kwiatkowski recommends students to “[be] aware of their mental health and emotions and feel comfortable reaching out to a teacher or parent for help.” It is crucial for students to feel comfortable talking with teachers or parents about a personal plan and solution for growth especially as Kwiatkowski feels that “many students may have experienced lowered motivation this past year” from the lack of social interaction and support from online school. Kwiatkowski recommends reaching out if a student needs help during this time. “If you are struggling and not like yourself, talk to a teacher or parent and they will help you contact a therapist,” she said. Students must take initiative for their mental health and are responsible for contacting others for help. “For many, therapists may seem kind of scary, but we are
“[Be] aware of [your] mental health and emotions and feel comfortable reaching out to a teacher or parent for help.” -Rebecca Kwiatkowski, therapist not the big bears we’re made out to be,” Kwiatkowski said. It is not up to friends or family to identify when a person needs to talk with someone. Growth can only come through personally understanding a situation. The changes our school community has faced this past year have resulted in shifts in mental health and habits. By reaching out to a therapist, family member, dean or teacher and making an effort to connect with peers, students can better cope with the changing situation and find positive ways to boost mental health.
The Class of 2020 cheers at their last pepfest. photo courtesy of Elisa Guo
Audience members enjoy music at the 2019 Music for Mounds View event. photos courtesy of Elisa Guo
8 SPORTS
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021
Mounds View athletes mask up by Savannah Guiang features editor During the pandemic, sports at Mounds View look slightly different. One change for athletes is the requirement to wear masks while participating in their sports. Although the requirement is supposed to protect the health of athletes and their families and slow the spread of COVID-19, some athletes have concerns about how ineffective, uncomfortable or unsafe it might be to wear a mask while exercising. Sangai Dukuly, 12, sprints for Mounds View’s track team and has attended practices throughout the pandemic. “Typically, we take [our masks] off while we’re doing our runs because it’s hard to breathe when you’re running with your masks on,” she said. Because masks are not strictly enforced, Dukuly has doubts when it comes to how useful masks are at practice. “I honestly don’t think [wearing a mask] is that effective,” Dukuly said. “If one person were to get [COVID-19], I feel like a lot of people would get sick.” At first, students were skeptical about participating in sports during
the pandemic, especially high-contact sports where staying six feet away from everyone is nearly impossible. “Wrestling is a contact sport, and we are always in contact with one another,” said Nuh Misirli, 12. He points out that this worried a lot of people, but so far, the wrestling team has been taking the necessary precautions to keep its athletes safe. “When we lift in the weight room, we are required to wear a mask no matter what, and when we run on the track for conditioning, we are required to wear a mask,” Misirli said. “When we practice, we are not required to wear masks when we wrestle in our designated circle; however, if we are transitioning from circle to circle, then we are required to wear masks.” While masks can be bothersome during any physical activity, some athletes do not believe that their performance has changed while wearing masks. Dukuly does not believe it has interfered with her performance as a sprinter. “I wouldn’t say [wearing a mask has impacted my performance],” Dukuly said. Like Dukuly, Misirli recognizes the
difficulty of wearing a mask but has not seen a change in his performance as a wrestler. “Running and working out with a mask is indeed very difficult,” Misirli said. “However, I don’t think it has interfered with my performance
also get wet very easily from sweat and trying to drink water. Also, some masks can impact your vision.” Similarly, Brita Hagfors, 12, experiences discomfort sometimes when dancing and wearing a mask. “I have found that my mask interferes with my breathing,” Hagfors said. “At the beginning of the season, I’d feel sick after competing our dance from breathing so hard!” In the end, though, she has overcome this and even seen the positive side of the initial struggle. “Now I’m pretty used to it, though, and have built up a lot more endurance,” Hagfors said. With masks as a requirement, sports have had to function a little dif-Ava Bullert, 11 ferently this year. Bullert acknowledges that she and her teammates do the best they can to keep their masks on, but because I believe I have gotten used to sometimes, in order to breathe during working out and running with masks intense games or practices, they need to from the football season.” come off momentarily. “I really don’t On the other hand, for sports such as know if it’s the mask doing its job or hockey, masks can be quite problematic, if it’s just our team being careful not to hindering many players’ performances. be reckless during these times,” Bullert “The masks definitely make it harder to said. “Either way, I am grateful we can breathe, and it’s easy to get light head- continue to play the game we love.” ed and feel sick because of them,” said hockey player Ava Bullert, 11. “[Masks]
“Either way, I am grateful we can continue to play the game we love.”
Basketball misses their shot at state by Isabelle Schrab online editor Although the Mounds View boys basketball season got off to an impressive start, the players lost a heartbreaking playoff game to Park Center on Tuesday, March 23, with a final score of 57-66, bringing a close to their season. The team’s season was promising, as they started off the season with a sixgame winning streak. Additionally, they avoided any cancelled games due to COVID-19 and enjoyed a regular season 15-3 winning record. Playing each game to the best of their abilities with a positive mindset during this pandemic was especially important to the seniors who never knew if their season would be put on pause the next day due to COVID-19. Accord-
ing to captain Evan Kim, 12, the team worked quite a lot on developing its skills. “The team is a bunch of shooters
“We feel that we know not only our strengths, but also our weaknesses, which makes us an even more formidable team.” -Brady Leiser, 12
who work hard on defense, and the team is overall happy,” Kim said. Although the team played in a tough section and faced some of the most talented teams in the state, the boys maintained an optimistic outlook on the season. They took the losses they had this season seriously and tried to learn from them. “We are confident in ourselves making it far into sections and into state, but for now we are focusing on the next game in front of us,” said Brady Leiser, 12, before the team was eliminated. “We were all very excited to get off to such a great start to the season, but the losses that we have encountered have been just as, if not more valuable than, the wins.” With the team’s ability to learn from its mistakes, the players hoped to have a better chance at making it to state. Another strength of the basketball
team this year was that the boys were aware of both their assets and liabilities on the court, allowing them to play at a higher level. “We feel that we know not only our strengths but also our weaknesses, which makes us an even more formidable team,” Leiser said. The boys basketball team may not have advanced to state this year, but the players still had a successful and productive season, finishing with one of the best records they have had in years. “Although this year looked way different than previous years, we were able to put together a really talented team. I am so thankful for my time on Mounds View basketball, state tournament or not,” Kim said.
Evan Kim, 12, looks for a pass on the court.
The team celebrates after a win.
The team cheers for Dylan Wheeler, 11, as he walks onto the floor. photos courtesy of Michelle Kim
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021
Truong takes the stage
ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE 9
by Alissa Zhao online editor-in-chief
Many kids begin the sports they love at a young age. This is especially true of dancer Alyssa Truong, 9, who has been dancing since she was just 3 years old. She spent 10 years dancing at Larkin Dance Studio before joining the Mounds View dance team in eighth grade. After already competing at state twice during her two years as a Mustang, Truong hopes to keep the streak alive and go to state for both jazz and high kick next year.
She plans to continue dancing throughout high school but is not sure about dancing in college. “I don’t think I will continue to dance through college, but I will always love the friends and memories I have made,” Truong said. During her years as a dancer, Truong has been motivated by the opportunity to dance with her sister and her other friends on the team. She says her favorite memory is going to state with varsity jazz in her first year. As a dancer, maintaining flexibility is essential and an important part of the sport. When she is not practicing with the dance team, Truong makes sure to stretch to help improve her flexibility in the off-season. With her many years of experience, Truong advises new dancers “to try their best and work hard.”
photos courtesy of Alyssa Truong
image courtesy of pixabay
10 PHOTOGRAPHY
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021
Saint Patrick’s Day by Josie Mackenthun photographer
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 11
A phone call experiment
by Madeline Edgar editorials editor In the past year of on-and-off lockdowns and widespread social isolation, once unsung aspects of everyday life have become a source of melancholic reflection for many. Something particularly lacking from our COVID-altered society is the chance connection of strangers — someone you share a plane row with on a delayed flight, the kind elders in grocery store checkout lines and an incalculable array of other minuscule interactions that once made up life. Even a year after the initial stay-at-home orders blanketed much of the United States, a truly normal existence feels out of reach, and many of those small but sorely missed moments are still prevented by a newfound culture of distance. This missing phenomenon is what innovating acting troupe 600 Highwaymen seeks to recreate with “A Thousand Ways (Part One): A Phone Call.” For $25, attendees are sent a mysterious phone number and a time at which to call. Once the phone call begins, a robotic voice instructs ticket holders to “be in a quiet
room and alone.” After a series of technical difficulties, I was finally connected with my partner. Our AI host led us through two tracks of the performance, one being an interactive narration of a story and the other a series of innocuous personal questions. Starting with describing our rooms, I slowly learned more and more about my unnamed partner — her childhood, her origins, that she scaled a fence before and has saved a life … and she learned about me, too. Fragments of a whole person spilled out in between a tale of a brokendown car in the desert. As the host’s exposition described it, “This is a way to see one another. Words are all we have. It was easy to come and will be easy to go.” The phone call performance perfectly encapsulated the feeling of fleeting friendship that is missing during a pandemic where separation is paramount, reinvigorating that forgotten experience of being alone but not quite. I know very little about my partner, in actuality — not what she does, where she lives or even her name — but for an hour we were working together on fixing an overheated car, building a campfire and learning about each other in the little ways that are
often lost in the cracks while dealing with the larger issues that arise in crises like the pandemic. Moments of true humanity amongst the simultaneous chaos and boredom of pandemic life are invaluable, and experimental programs like this one offer a unique approach to finding them. While some increased clarification about what exactly to expect would have been nice, the experience was an overall enlightening one, and the technical issues I encountered were quickly fixed. Tech support was incredibly kind and the host was efficient at guiding us through the performance. For those missing moments of spontaneous human interaction over the last year, “A Thousand Ways” may be the perfect way to revisit that aspect of life while supporting independent theatre groups during a difficult time for performers. Tickets to Part One and Part Two are available on the Walker Art Center’s website.
are a good addition because they show that the media portrayed her as a scheming temptress. Today, we can clearly recognize her as a victim of bullying from the
the press led to Spears’ eventual mental health crisis, documented and shown in vivid detail. Paparazzi photos and videos account for most of the media used in this section of the documentary. For a documentary that criticizes the press’s treatment of Spears, it was eager to include this raw footage for its own gain. I think it was exploitative to show Spears in her most vulnerable moments, even if it is so we empathize with her. Knowing she was going through a divorce and struggling to get custody of her children was enough for us to understand what she was going through. Today, Spears’ Instagram has almost 29 million followers.Babs Gray and Tess Barker, fans of Spears, created a podcast called “Britney’s Gram” dedicated to dissecting her posts. However, in one episode, a voicemail was sent to Gray and Barker by an anonymous individual. This individual claimed to be a paralegal who worked at the law firm that handled Spears’ conservatorship. Receiving information from this voicemail led Gray and Barker to believe Spears is being held against her will under the conservatorship. So, they created the “FreeBritney” hashtag. This hashtag is where fans and sympathizers try to tell her story without the tabloid sensationalism. While some fans interviewed in the film seem more like conspiracy theorists, the majority simply want to stand up for a woman who has been silenced. I think not including their side would have been a mistake because they are the ones who promoted awareness about the conservatorship. Most fan interviews take place at a protest where it truly feels like they are in their natural element. Some are inside the courthouse listening to the hearing, while others wait outside. In this setting, it is obvious they care about getting justice for the idol who continues to inspire them. This documentary portrays Spears better than the tabloids ever did; it is even biased in her favor. Interviews and fan opinions all provide evidence that the conservatorship should end, but Jamie Spears and his legal team are never interviewed nor quoted in a favorable light. The New York Times did try to reach out to them, but were declined. This glaring bias did not take away from the film. It is about Spears’ own story, finally being told without a lens of sexism and mockery. I highly recommend it because it is obvious a lot of work and thought was put into it. Many different types of people are interviewed, from friends who supported her to the media that demonized her. Additionally, photographs and videos used to supplement the interviews all added to the story. All in all, I highly recommend the documentary because the New York Times does what news stations and tabloids failed to do: They told Spears’ story from her own point of view.
Britney in a new light by Josie Mackenthun online editor
The New York Times’ new documentary “Framing Britney Spears” first came out on Friday, Feb. 5, and has since gone viral. Detailing the popstar’s rise to stardom and her controversial conservatorship, the documentary shows a more sympathetic layer to Britney Spears’ character, making a riveting case for the singer’s freedom. A conservatorship is often for the elderly or individuals who are unable to care for themselves or their finances so another adult is put in charge of those things. A limited conservatorship might only deal with finances or big decisions; it is up to the court to decide what the conservatee needs. The court of California has deemed it necessary for Britney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, to control her personal life and for him and an attorney to manage her finances. This decision came after multiple breakdowns which caused concern about her safety. Because of these breakdowns, the court also feared she could easily be taken advantage of and needed protecting. Her supporters think this was the wrong decision. Jamie Spears was seldom around when she was young and had to enter rehab for alcoholism, making him an odd choice. They also believe he is using her for the money because in court documents he and his lawyers refer to her conservatorship as a “hybrid business model.” The documentary is biased toward ending the conservatorship but never interviews Spears herself. Instead, old interviews with Spears, paparazzi footage and recent interviews from close associates are used to try to tell her side of the story. Interviews are done against a background of green leaves with the occasional flowers, which makes it easy to focus on the story. Like any child star, Spears’ story begins at a young age. Felicia Culotta, the artist’s former assistant, was there from the beginning of Spears’ career. The Times interviewed Culotta inside her home, which resembles a shrine to Spears with framed posters on the wall and boxes of photographs. I like this choice of location because it allows the audience to see how close the two once were. Culotta, along with talent scout Nancy Carson, describe a driven and outgoing young girl. However, no current friends or family members were interviewed, making this section appear one-sided in its portrayal of Spears as an ambitious young woman victimized by misogyny and the media. Childhood is also where Spears started having to deal with sexist interviews, as grainy, old television clips demonstrate. Later, tabloid headings like “Can we ever forgive Justin Timberlake for all that sissy music? Hey … at least he got into Britney’s pants,’’ clearly demonstrate that she was the punchline of everyone’s jokes. These interviews and headlines
photo courtesy of © Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com
media and empathize with her. While the documentary heavily criticizes the media, the media are also allowed to explain their side. Brittain Stone, former photography director of Us Weekly, said he had a budget of $7-8 million for images a year. At the height of her fame, a single photo of Spears could sell for a million dollars. This prompted paparazzi like Daniel Ramos to follow celebrities in order to get the literal million-dollar shot. Ramos was dedicated to following Spears and many of the photos and videos in the segment are from him. Both give a perspective I had never considered, but really enjoyed hearing. Stone seems to realize that he, and the magazine he worked for, created this toxic environment. However, he is quick to point out that this only happened because consumers wanted embarrassing candid pictures, which I agree with. On the other hand, Ramos was unapologetic and actually thought Spears wanted the attention, despite her many pleas for paparazzi to leave her alone. Hearing from the media made it clear how they only saw her as profit and had no empathy for her. The New York Times asserts hounding from
The Verdict: 10/10
The Verdict: 10/10
12 ARTIST OF THE ISSUE
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021
Apples and Alliteration information compiled by Madeline Edgar poem courtesy of Ali Abu-Atieh
Ali Abu-Atieh Abu-Atieh, 11, explores a less common creative outlet with a positive outlook and wit. Ali Abu-Atieh, 11, spent his pandemic year diving into an often overlooked and yet flourishing form of art: poetry. While many may isolate their poetic reading and writing to English class, the time and opportunity to discover new creative outlets allotted by onand-off lockdowns has led Abu-Atieh to explore poetry in a new way. “I have always loved the word choice and freedom that poetry grants,” Abu-Atieh said. This is clear in his work, where witty wordplay and clever rhymes paint fable-like moral retellings. Abu-Atieh emphasizes his appreciation for the simple things, the everyday joys that have gained value as they have become less certain. This intention shines in the simplistic fronts of his poems, which part to reveal deeper meaning. “My primary message is usually appreciation for things,” he said. “I want people to appreciate things that are usually passed by on normal days.” Still, Abu-Atieh maintains a lighthearted approach. “I write poetry on anything that I like,” he said. “Anything I appreciate as well, like olives, for example. If I see something that looks nice in nature, I write about it to express how I feel about it.” Abu-Atieh’s optimistic outlook allows his creativity to flourish in a unique way, bringing light in a time where brightness can be hard to find.
Apples Apples; Much like humanity Are decided By nature’s captivating insanity Shades and leaves, guided.
With deciding futures in their green Where the plant is grown Where the plant is bun Will determine the strength of its hormones Deciding its life, before it’s begun
One grows to ripe and red One grows with black and rot, Unfair say many; that one is bread The other dough; waiting to be mead a lot
But just remember One bad apple spoils the bunch And come September We’ll see who spoils who; just a hunch
illustrations by Madeline Edgar