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VOLUME 64 ISSUE 7 | APRIL 1, 2017

THE MOUNDER

Mounds View is Closing

MOUNDS VIEW AND IRONDALE TO MERGE

illustration by Samuel Kwong

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

New ice rink 02/ Physicarr education 03/ End of popcorn chicken 10

News

SAturday, april 1, 2017

Parking not permitted by Lauren Lafaye staff reporter In addition to new plans regarding the school swimming pool, administration also has a new rule for students who drive to school. The school has decided to ban students from driving to school. Starting next year, Mounds View will be closed for renovations and expansion. These expansions will move into the parking lot and leave just enough room for teachers and a few visitors to park. Students can still drive to school for the rest of the 2016-2017 school year, but after Mounds View opens for the 2019-2020 school year, all student cars will be towed if they are parked anywhere near the school. In a recent poll, most students did not agree with this change. “I don’t understand why we can’t drive to school. I don’t like riding the bus and my parents can’t drive me to school either, so my only choice is to drive myself, but I guess that won’t be an option anymore,” said Gosia Vanderson, 11. Similarly, some students expressed their worries about the new change. Chip Espi, 10, who lives outside the school district, explained his situation. “I don’t have my drivers license yet, but I was planning to drive to school when I get it

2016-2017

Viewer Editors Editor-in-Chief

Kailey Newcome

Managing Editor - Copy

Amber Zhao

next year. Since I live in Woodbury, there’s no way for me to get to school unless my parents drive me. I beg the administration to take the students think again about this change.” This recent change will definitely alter Mounds View, but it will allow people to incorporate walking into their everyday lives year round. For the active bunch and most parents of students, the ban is a change they have been waiting for. Mrs. Thermose, mother of Jason Thermose, 11, is extremely excited for the ban to be sealed in. “My son doesn’t partake in any physical activity and I have been desperately trying to get him into some type of sport. With this recent change, I feel much better. We live five miles from the school, so walking to school in the morning is more than doable for him. This is the perfect opportunity for him to get back into shape.” Her opinion is a popular one among parents. As Mounds View prepares for the various changes being implemented next school year, the administration understands that students and parents might be frustrated. The principal and school board will be open to answer questions, and a town hall meeting will be held late April to answer any questions or concerns that parents and students may have.

Cold as ice

illustration by Sunny Lim

Managing Editor - Online

Daniel Yong

Business Manager

Rigney Cunningham Front Cover

Amber Zhao News

Sunny Lim Features

Kallie Slotvig

Editorials

Benjamin Davis Jake Rosenow

center fold

Daniel Yong

what’s trending

Samuel Kwong

arts & entertainment

Rigney Cunningham

Good question

Marley Jones Sports

Jackie Gaworski back cover

Kailey Newcome Photographers/Artists

Samuel Kwong Marley Jones Adviser

David Ostrom Staff Toni Baraga, Gabe Cherniske, Cassandra Downs, Sanjana Dutt, Shannon Haffely, Jeffrey Hu, Haley Keeney, Lauren Lafaye, Zoe Lindberg, Riley McCorkell, Christina Mehrkens, Aman Rao, Ethan Stromquist, Sarah Tang, Michelle Wang, Felix Zhang, Diana Zhu

The Viewer is published by the student editors at: Mounds View High School 1900 Lake Valentine Rd Arden Hills, Minnesota Sauk Centre Publishing

Mounds View’s swimming pool will be made into an ice rink. fair use by wikimedia.org

by Gabe Cherniske staff reporter

It’s fast times at Mounds View, but not for swimmers. A controversial new change proposed by the Mounds View Public School’s administration suggests that the school swimming pool will permanently be transformed into a skating rink. The pool will be frozen over and used for the hockey team in the future. As such, any swimming activities at Mounds View will instead take place at Irondale. Students have opposing views on this new change. “I think it’s a positive change. We’ll have less drowning incidents on the school ground,” said Hugo Celery, 11. The librarian, Melinda Reader, also expressed her excitement for the new rink. “I think that it will be great to offer more winter sports here at the Mounds View complex. We should build an entire sports complex here!” Other students were not fond of the change. “I really don’t like this change,” said Mark Willis, 10, a competitive swimmer. “I don’t have a way to travel to Irondale almost every week for practice. I’ll have to resort to Ubers and taxis to take me to meets and practices every single day.” Kanye East, 9, expressed a similar concern. “Without a pool, I will not be able to play competitive aqua yoga anymore, and I can’t practice for underwater sewing club! I am banned from

illustration by Sam Kwong

Irondale, so I will have to resort to playing this sport at the YMCA with a bunch of old ladies! I beg the district to reverse the plans on this change.” In contrast to the opposition from the swimmers, the hockey players are full of excitement. “Dude, I can’t believe that we’re finally getting the rink we deserve,” said Bige Go, 12. “Administration has been promising this to us forever, and after years of waiting, they’ve finally followed through!” In a recent interview discussing plans for the 2017-2018 school year, Mrs. Riteup, a new administrator, mentioned that the school had foolproof plans for the skating rink. “In a state such as Minnesota, it is important that ice-centric sports receive the spotlight. I think this because it’s always so cold here that the lakes are always frozen over! What’s the point of doing water sports when the water is all ice?” The new skating rink, affectionately dubbed “The Slip” by administration, will be completed during the extensive expansion taking place during the next few years and will be ready for the 2019-2020 school year. Practices and competitions for school sports that require a pool for the 2017 spring season, such as waterboarding, swimming, polo and diving, will take place at Irondale starting on April 15. Students are encouraged to carpool if they have no other way of getting there.

Saturday, april 1, 2017

features

The Carr is still chugging by Jeffrey Hu and Felix Zhang staff reporters

*This article has been approved by Thomas Carr

Thomas Carr, beloved Honors Physical Science teacher, is returning to Mounds View next year to teach physical education. Retired in 2015, Carr taught physical science and was a long standing member of the faculty. During his time at Mounds View, many students remarked on his extremely energetic, sometimes even a little overly so, teaching style, and, given his history of teaching Physical Science, he is a perfect fit for this job. Carr states that he wishes to explore the interconnections between physical science and physical education. As both the courses pertain to the physical aspect of education, there is an obvious connection between them which Carr is uniquely able to teach. “Well, if you look at the word ‘physical education’ you see the term physics,” said Carr. “Being that I had taught Introduction to Physics, I thought it would be interesting to bring more of the physics of athletic activities into the physical education curriculum.” With a long history of extensive sports activities and a figure that would make Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson jealous, Carr certainly fits the picture of a physical education teacher. Some of his physical activities include, but aren’t limited to, bicycling and weight training. “Well, most of my sports is bicycling during the summer,” said Carr. “I’m [also] a part of a health club so I do a little bit of weight training during the winter. Come spring, I’ll be ready to get on the bike and take off.” Furthermore, Carr has some simple advice for students aspiring to become a fitness icon like him. “If you want a good, toned body like this, you not only have to watch what you eat, but you have to be exercising regularly,” said Carr. Without a doubt, Carr, with his young, refreshed persona and incredible physical prowess, would be an excellent role model for students in Mounds View. The position is also perfect for somebody like Carr. Carr explains that he loves moving around and doesn’t enjoy sitting down too much. “When I start sitting, I start getting tired and lethargic; I like to be up and moving.”

Even his activities during his time off reflect his energetic and active spirit. In addition to substitute teaching, Carr has used his surplus of dollars from retirement to sightsee across the U.S. “We’ve traveled to Death Valley in January and [at semester break] visited Palm Springs,” said Carr. Last spring break, my wife and I traveled to Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu in Peru. One thing that Carr is looking forward to is interacting with the students and trying out a new approach to physical education. “These are all a bunch of smart kids, so I know that they will adapt well to more of a physics approach to physical education,” said Carr. “It’s really to see physics principles in the body. For example, when kids do planks, we can talk about compression pressure in the abdomen area.” He also states that he looks forward to continue working with Science Olympiad which complements his gym class perfectly with its protein loads and strenuous physical demands, including carrying goggle boxes and running between events. Finally, in regards to the number of physical education classes, Carr says he doesn’t wish to teach that much as he is retired and isn’t looking for a particularly difficult job. “We’ll probably start out with just a few, because as you know I am retired, so I don’t want to work that hard,” said Carr. With a teacher perfectly suited to the job, physical education next year will surely be a unique and intellectual experience. Get out of the way Mr. Fleming, this Carr has no brakes.

Underwater Sewing Club by Jeffrey Hu and Felix Zhang staff reporters

Imagine traveling to the tranquil islands of Fiji and diving into the refreshing, tropical seas. Imagine looking at all the different threads of life, as small orange crabs scuttle around in the soft sand of the sea and small fishes weave between the rocks. Now, imagine needling yourself through those corals and—sewing? Well, that’s exactly the premise behind the Competitive Underwater Sewing Club. Originating from traditional Fijian basket weaving, underwater sewing has been a competitive sport since 1984, where founder Anec Nahj decided to incorporate modern weaving into Fijian tradition. In this sport, competitors sew bright, humongous threads around corals to create a breathtakingly beautiful tapestry. While a bit bizarre at first glance, the club itself is full of oceanic adventures and opportunities to travel to fun places. Just last year, they traveled to Mongolia and Bolivia to participate in the International Oceanic Sewing Olympiad. “Underwater Competitive Sewing Club has been an opportunity

for me to channel my creativity as well as just have fun,” said Tiffany Li, 12. “Join for a great time!” Of course, many students may be worried about the time commitment that such a club requires. Luckily, Underwater Sewing Club only meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with some supplementary diving sessions every other Sunday at the Chippewa pool. Describing the time commitment, Alex Li, 11, said, “When I joined, I was just worried about going under with all of my activities. In actuality, I’ve been able to tread water and stay afloat.” In order to compete, sewers need to attend at least three mandatory diving lessons. Beyond that, they must be SCUBA certified. So for anyone interested in sewing, swimming or scuba diving, the Competitive Underwater Sewing Club could be a great fit. With over one hundred members, it’s a place where anyone can find a home (or a cove). Those interested in joining call 1-985-655-2500 or contact the Turoll Agency.

illustrations by Kallie Slotvig

editorials

SATURDAY, aPRIL 1, 2017

An innocent source of enjoyment linked to aggression in young men by Riley McCorkell staff reporter Experts have begun to accuse violent video games of inspiring school shootings and enacting smaller violent outlashes in children who play them. This argument is simply unreasonable. Many violent video games with first person shooters like Halo and Call of Duty are so out of this world that it is absurd to correlate real violence with unrealistic video games like these. There is very little relation to the real world in these games. For example, players can walk on walls, fly and perform many other stunts which are impossible in real life. Honestly, when has anyone become genuinely worried that some kid trying to run on walls or shoot imaginary beams at his friends has a problem with violence? Well, he has a

problem, nonetheless, but being violent isn’t it. Furthermore, the Journal of Adolescent Health concluded that video games actually help alleviate stress and anger, stating, “[Children] use games to experience fantasies of power and fame, to explore and master what they perceive as exciting and realistic environments (but distinct from real life), to work through angry feelings or relieve stress, and as social tools.” Obviously, video games aren’t always about killing. Young gamers can learn leadership skills, develop a strong work ethic and use the game to destress after a long day. For example, if Johnny had a rough day at middle school because his crush hugged some other boy in the hallway (we’ve all been there, Johnny), he could turn to his

36% of students believe violent video games turn children into savages

“Just because I enjoy playing violent video games in my free time, doesn’t mean that I’m any more aggressive than my friends who choose to do other things, I mean, at least I’m not like fighting anyone...” -Drew Masons, 10

Xbox to help relieve his pent up emotions. By “hitting the sickest Noscope 360,” or progressing through difficult situations, Johnny could become more self-confident and forget about his crush. On a more serious note, research has also shown that video games help to build key elements of character such as teamwork and problem solving. Although some may argue that these characteristics could be obtained elsewhere, some children lack the confidence of participating in other activities such as sports and would feel much more comfortable on their couch alongside a bag of potato chips. Critics argue that children become more violent after playing video games because they begin to imitate violent characters in video games, which can supposedly lead to

psychological damage. But when was the last time kids imitating characters in Halo were any more dangerous than other kids who were beating up their buddies after what they saw on TV the night before? Imitation of characters in violent video games isn’t always as violent as it sounds, and the games are so unrealistic that the children’s imitations of the characters end up looking more like dances than any sort of violent fight moves. Even if violent video games cause aggression, we also have to think about the specific aspects of the game. For example, is it really the acts of violence in the game which make kids violent, or could it be the annihilation kids receive from the older men who spend their time in their parents’ basements playing against 12 year olds? The

young gamers struggle to reach the top of the leaderboards could very well be the reason behind said “aggression” from the game, as failure is proven to lead to aggression. Either way, violent video games are linked to aggression just as much as any other competitive activity. The argument that violent video games are the specific reason behind mass shootings, bullying and outlashes of violence is a joke, and a hilarious one at that. All research fails to include many basic factors of life including mainstream television shows, the media, any competitive sport or activity and even realworld issues. This experiment wouldn’t even pass in a high school science class, let alone be used as a solid argument.

64% of students believe violent video games don’t lead to a field of war in middle school recesses

“Playing video games saved my life. I would never be able to have the confidence to rap if it wasn’t for them. Call of Duty saved my life, man.” -Sancho Lopez, 11 100 students polled illustration by Jake Rosenow information compiled by Ethan Stromquist

editorials 5

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Academics or athletics?

District approves funding for a massive new sports complex Dome will dazzle Sports should be secondary

by Benjamin Davis editorials editor

The district is finally distributing its money correctly, and the results will be amazing. Recently, the school board passed a budget change starting in 2017-18. For the next five years, $1 million a year will be cut from the school’s projected $1,831,684 annual budget for “curriculum materials and related experiences that support student learning.” The money will go directly toward building a massive new domecovered sports complex to protect against harsh weather. This dome will house Mustang Stadium, which will be able to be converted into a baseball field, and will also offer new tennis courts where parts of the parking lot once were. The budget cuts will also cover the cost of converting the swimming pool into an ice rink. Many may argue that losing five years’ worth of new textbook materials for students

is not worth the new addition. However, the dome’s incredible benefits make the small sacrifice worth every penny (and textbook). First, the new dome will allow Mounds View to host numerous section games which will increase revenue dramatically. At first, these funds will be used to pay for the dome; after the complex is paid off, half of the new revenue will be sent directly to the “curriculum materials and related experiences that support student learning.” This means that after five years of using slightly out-ofdate textbooks, the school district will have the proper finances to ensure that students are getting the best and most accurate textbooks money can buy. This addition will be a great investment in the future Mounds View students’ education. The dome will also attract top tier athletic talent, as most schools with good facilities do. Parents of elite athletes will move into the district, knowing their

children will have the best chance to succeed with state-of-the-art facilities. Having elite players in multiple sports will drive up fan attendance and ultimately increase revenue for facility upgrades. This, in turn, will increase revenue for student learning, creating a cycle that can only benefit students. The dome will also free up space on the school’s property, as the old tennis courts and soccer field would become vacant, allowing for the building expansions set to begin next year. Creating a new sports complex and consolidating all oncampus outdoor sports will result in many opportunities for higher income, increased school recognition and better teams. All of these long term effects far outweigh the one short term negative effect of cutting textbook funding. Besides, when was the last time Mounds View bought new textbooks anyway?

Dome Details

by Christina Mehrkens staff reporter

The decision to use funds for textbooks to build a new Mustang Stadium may sound nice but has horrendous repercussions. In exchange for this new multi-purpose stadium, the supply of new textbooks will come to an abrupt halt, and access to new information will become the school’s second priority. Education is more important than sports and deserves to keep its funding. Planned to begin in the 2017-2018 school year, over half of the funds formerly designated for textbooks, field trips, and other educational purposes will be redirected to the construction costs of a new sports complex. This will cause a standstill in new textbooks and will lead to the teaching of inaccurate information from outdated textbooks and untrustworthy online sources. The inaccurate information may not

harm grades, but it will be devastating for standardized test scores. On top of this, teaching students outdated information as fact is ethically wrong for an institution dedicated to education. These issues are inexcusable and showcase why funding cannot be redirected to the stadium. An added stressor to this plan is that students will no longer be able to use the parking lot, as the only place to store vehicles and equipment during the construction is the lot reserved for student and visitor parking. This will cause chaos among students trying to get to school in the morning, especially those who live outside of the district. “We want this new stadium a lot but there are too many negative outcomes of it, like taking away others’ education and other student necessities,” says varsity tennis player, Marian Hill, 11. Hill makes a crucial point. the school’s way of

putting sports above the education of students is a common occurrence and this is just another example. The worst part about this plan is that the current Mounds View students will be the ones to suffer for a facility that does not benefit them at all, only future students. Many are upset about the plan and demand a change from the school board before it’s too late. This assault on education is being enacted for now, but with enough student and parent protests, we could stop it. Funds for textbooks should never be cut, especially when they are cut in favor of something as trivial as sports.

-Originally planned $1,831,684 for “curriculum materials and related experiences that support student learning” -Cutting $1,000,000 from “curriculum materials and related experiences that support student learning,” each year for five years to pay for one dome that encoumpases Mustang Stadium and part of the parking lot -Tennis and Baseball will move to this new complex.

-Money cut from budget will result in no new textbooks for 5 years -After five years of budget cuts, the school will go back to its original textbook budget, with 50% of funds from ticket and concession sales going to that budget

Mounds View to close for r by Sarah Tang staff reporter Citing his embarrassment at being in charge of such a unimpressive school, Principal Benny D. Jidlehoover recently announced plans to renovate the school. “Mounds View is desperately behind other top high schools in terms of outward appearance,” said Jidlehoover. “The principals of Wayzata and Edina keep making fun of me, so we have to improve the school!” The renovations have yet to be finalized, but as of now, a few details are available. Mounds View will be closed for expansion after the current school year. New athletic facilities include two new baseball fields, two new soccer fields, a new skating rink and a domecovered sports complex. Hallways will have taller ceilings and the cafeteria will double in size. However, the school refuses to expand the parking lot and add a skywalk for students running across the street from the parking lot, despite many requests. Students will have to continue to wait for cars or run across as fast as possible, hoping they don’t get hit. “Honestly, I should probably join track. I’ve gotten so much sprinting practice from driving to school every day,” said Matthew Pinna, 11. Another renovation involves the school’s Information & Learning Center (ILC). “There’s been a lot of improvement over the past few years regarding the ILC,” said Jidlehoover. “Since we’ve changed things every year, why not renovate it again?” Continuing in its trend to stray further away from being a “traditional” library, the ILC will be expanded to include table tennis tables, pool tables, TVs and even a fully fitted kitchen equipped with ovens, stoves and a microwave. “Honestly, we don’t even know what students are doing in here anymore,” said librarian Melissa Reader. “But as long as their hats and hoods are off, and they aren’t bringing in spaghetti from the cafeteria, it’s okay.” To avoid potential misunderstandings regarding the center’s name and its purpose, the ILC will simply be renamed as the “Student Center.” One of the more serious changes involves the

Where Will The Money Go?

school’s heating and cooling system. “We will be removing our current system and installing a brand new, state of the art system that will fix our current building temperature issue,” said Assistant Principal Nick Poncy. This renovation is one of the reasons why this project will take two years. There will also be a significant technology improvement. Students will be given ID cards that they will use to access school resources. Everything from buying lunch and checking out materials from the new Student Center to opening lockers and logging into computers will require students to scan their IDs. For the most part, students are eagerly anticipating the changes. “I’m really excited about these renovations, especially the microwave,” said Irene Kolp, 11. “Now I’ll be able to heat up my packed lunch and stink up the whole [Student Center]!” While these renovations will improve the school, they will come at a cost — Mounds View will be closed until the 2019-2020 school year. Due to the expansion, students are to attend Irondale High School while the building is improved. Each student will share a locker with an Irondale student. In addition to taking classes, students are encouraged to participate in Irondale clubs and activities. In an effort to promote interschool friendliness, the school has adopted a new mascot — the Ironview Cavalry — combining both Mustangs and Knights. Of course, there’s a monetary price as well. “The final cost will add up to around $10 million dollars,” said Superintendent Kenny Dunner. “It’s definitely costly, but I, as well as the school board, think it’s well worth it.” While a majority of the cost will be paid for by the district’s current budget, the school expects to fundraise the last few million dollars. A set fundraising plan hasn’t been established, but current ideas include Cub Foods bagging as well as a bake sale. However, some faculty members are unhappy with the recent change, as all faculty will be sharing a classroom with a current Irondale teacher unless space opens up. “I’ve been teaching at this school for 23 years, and now I have to share a classroom at Irondale? And co-teach for two years? That’s just ridiculous,” said chemistry teacher Lenny Kumpart.

Irondale geometry teacher Greg Elman said, “Personally, I think this change is detrimental to the students’ learning. Two teaching styles trying to teach at the same time? Not going to work.” Some are excited for the change and see the cooperative effort as beneficial. “Thank goodness! Finally, less work!” said janitor Sally Whitman. “I can’t wait to make new friends,” said art teacher Lorry Kadinsky. “Think of all the new people we’re going to meet!” Students are also divided regarding the change. Some view the joint-schooling as an opportunity to make new friends. “My boyfriend goes to Irondale, so I’m really happy about this,” said Julie Smith, 9. “I’ll be able to see him every day!” “I think this is perfect. I know a few Irondale kids, so it’ll be pretty cool being able to have them as classmates,” said John Lepuri, 11. However, other students find the change unappealing. “I can’t believe people are actually okay with this,” said Henry Lee, 10. “How am I going to learn with such huge class sizes?” Kaitlyn Connors, 11, agreed. “I went to Highview, so I actually came to Mounds View to get away from those kids. Now I have to deal with them again? At least I only have one year left.” Despite complaints from teachers and students, the school will go on with its current plan. Safety concerns over the old building, increased student population, and the overall size of Mounds View in comparison to other high schools are among the many reasons for the expansion. For example, Wayzata High School just recently expanded their school to add a brand new cafeteria, covered in glass from floor to ceiling. The Mounds View school board decided that in order to compete with other schools not only in academia but also in appearance, the refurbishments were a necessary adjustment to the environment. “Mounds View is a fairly old school. It does seem large, but compared to other schools in the metro area, it pales in comparison. Therefore students will have to tough it out at Irondale while the school undergoes renovations,” said school board member Janet Lundweiser. Further action will take place if the current plan fails.

$2 mil $10 million $6 mil

New “Student Center”: Renovations include table tennis tables, pool tables, and a fully equipped kitchen.

$1.5 mil $0.5 mil “Miscellaneous” expenses.

Athletic complexes and upgrades such as soccer fields, baseball fields and a skating rink, but definitely not swimming pools.

Infrastructure Renovations: The cafeteria, hallways and heating system will all be upgraded in addition to improved technology integration.

renovations Joint Schooling

How would it work? Each Mounds View student will be paired with an Irondale student with whom they will share a locker.

Mounds View teachers will work with Irondale teachers to co-teach classes that have both Mounds View and Irondale students.

Mounds View and Irondale students will compete and participate together in extracurricular activities.

what’s trending

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Girl Scout cookie defense proves futile by Cassandra Downs staff reporter The moment Girl Scout cookies come out each year, everyone goes rabid. However, with the rising prices and noticeable decreases in size and quality of the cookies, people have started taking matters into their own hands. As a result, many former buyers have succumbed to stealing cookies from numerous Girl Scouts. In order to counteract the various dangers associated with being a Girl Scout during the cookie season, many troops are now requiring their members to master the art of self defense in the new course, Defending Your Cookies 11111112 (DYC1111112). The key concepts include making pepper spray, how to make hard cookies to throw at assailants and finding the perfect bushes to hide in. Unfortunately, despite the intensive regimen to protect their cookies, many Girl Scouts still find themselves being attacked by cookie thieves. The hooligans’ usual attack patterns revolve around cornering the girls, blocking off any potential hiding bushes, while armored goons shield the others from the pepper spray and throwing cookies. With attacks coming at all sides, many troops are unprepared to face the onslaught of cookie pillagers. As a result, no more cookies will be sold for the rest of the year.

illustration by Samuel Kwong

Bubble wrap comes to an end Fidget spinners cause hypnosis by Zoe Lindberg staff reporter

A new gadget is sweeping the nation. Targeted towards fidgety people, the fidget spinner is designed to replace the irritating habits of biting nails and drumming fingers. With the introduction of unpoppable bubble wrap, students have found what little solace they can with fidget spinners. As a result, these small toys have become popular in schools and office buildings all over the country. However, new research has surfaced informing users of the various potential benefits of fidget spinners. In a study conducted by MIT, scientists discovered that the toy can cause symptoms of hypnosis. Researchers recently discovered that 89 percent of the study’s participants were fully or partially hypnotized after looking at a fidget spinner. Larry Wang, 10, was one of the studies participants. As a part of the study, Wang first completed a survey about his fears, then stared at a moving spinner for three minutes while a scientist talked to him. “Before I did the study, I was terrified of spooky things, but now I embrace my inner demons,” said Wang. Fortunately, other students who took part in the experiment were able to be cured of some of their most debilitating fears. Ah Chu, 11, was able to overcome her fear of public speaking after staring at a moving spinner. “While I was staring at the spinner, the scientist and I just made small talk,” said Chu. “Somehow we got on the topic of doing speeches in English class and now they don’t scare me anymore.” More research is needed to confirm the potential of these hypnotic fidget spinners. For the time being, to further study the effects of the popular toy, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will be confiscating all spinners within any city with a population count over 17.

by Shannon Haffely staff reporter

Almost everyone has experienced the insurmountable joy that is popping bubble wrap, whether it be stress relief or simply for the sheer enjoyment. Tragically, a recent innovation may soon rob us all of this inscrutable joy. Sealed Air Corp, the original creators of our beloved bubble wrap, have created a new bubble wrap that is unpoppable. This “enhancing” development has been deemed iBubble Wrap by the creators. New implementations have included an altered shape: the root of the blasphemy preventing that ever so satisfying pop. Expectedly, since the rise of iBubble Wrap, tensions have been high among consumers, especially in high school students. “I relied on bubble wrap to relieve my anxiety before a test,” said Poppy Nolmar, 12. “Now I stress out and bomb every class.” With this new invention, students’ grades all across America are suffering. And it’s not just their grades, but also their mental health. Since students have lost one of the most effective stress relievers, there have been massive spikes in anxiety disorders. “It’s concerning, the high levels of anxiety we’ve been detecting ever since the replacement of one of our most popular stress relievers,” said Bob LeWrap, a psychiatrist from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). “It will lead to devastating consequences for the future of America; the creators of the iBubble Wrap fail to realize the sheer number of jimmies that will inevitably be rustled.” To further prove his point, LeWrap conducted a study on the catharsis ability of bubble wrap. Brody Lachinski, 11, took part in this study because he “knew a guy.” His response to the study confirmed LeWrap’s claim. “I could concentrate more when I could pop a small quantity of bubble wrap,” he said. “But when I had the unpoppable kind, I definitely felt stressed and not at all calm.” Most of the MV student population relies on bubble wrap to calm their nerves before taking an exam. With the advancement in unpoppable bubble wrap, students remain anxious the whole testing period, consistently resulting in poor scores. If this trend continues, the US will be the most anxiety ridden country in the world. Not to mention that the nationwide test scores and overall IQ will plummet, causing the US to literally be the dumbest country. “Popping bubbles is my life; without it, I’m nothing more than a potato,” said Lachinski in tears.

fair use by Tatsuya Ishida

Arts & Entertainment 9

sATURDAY, aPRIL 1, 2017

International House of Jones by Rigney Cunningham arts & entertainment editor Serving a wide range of cuisine with side dishes of apathy, indignation and guilt, International House of Jones offers up a unique take on the typical restaurant experience. A mix of Italian, classic American and whatever else Chef Mom, winner of the coveted Golden Spatula award, can put together. The menu is a hodgepodge of dishes. Breakfast includes waffles, scrambled eggs or homemade pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Sandwiches made from a panini press (yours for just $29.95 if you order before midnight) with various meats and cheeses are the Saturday lunch special. Dinner kicks off with an appetizer which is usually homemade hummus made with chickpeas and garlic served with pita bread crafted by Cub Foods artisans. Entrees include boxed-sourced pasta and the

Sunday night special: steak with potatoes and green beans, delivered by a large, green man muttering, “ho ho ho.” Service is admittedly unpredictable. Head Waiter Dad is the go-to grill guy, so don’t expect your food in a timely fashion. Of course, this gives you more time to absorb the unique ambiance of the restaurant: spacious, modern and a splash of hominess. The loyal clientele dines for almost every meal, making getting a reservation difficult. Bribing the staff will not get you a better table. International House of Jones is open on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The dress code is casual, shoes optional. Free parking (in the driveway). This new hotspot is great for a casual weekday meal but not an ideal date location.

illustrations by Sam Kwong

Justice by Sanjana Dutt staff reporter

Happy shoppers browse Justice’s top-notch clothing selection. photo by Rigney Cunningham

Blockbuster

by Haley Keeney staff reporter

The debate between books and Kindles has been around for quite some time, but recently, it has been passed on to DVDs and streaming services. The verdict has had relatively the same response and many prefer the physical copies over the online video platforms. The rental service Blockbuster uses blue signs and awnings and large yellow letters, making it hard to miss. With over 8,000 stores, renting a movie has never been easier. While walking through the store, customers have the chance to look through endless aisles of movies, television shows and video games. The stores carry newer movies and TV shows, although the clas-

Sparkly, glittery and everything in between, Justice, a tween clothing store, now has the trendiest new fashions for high school girls. Justice offers a wide range of clothing from new beachy looks to your senior prom dress. Other clothing options include active wear, school uniforms, outerwear and rompers. Justice also has a variety of supplies and accessories like school journaling books and creative arts and crafts. If you are looking for a new activity to do when friends come over, don’t fret; Justice has the best new beanie boos, pet shops and col-

lectibles that will keep you entertained for hours. As spring and summer approach, many girls are in need for a new swim suit. Justice has an assortment of bikinis, tankinis, one piece suits and cover ups. Even better, they’re all two-for-one deals because each set is reversible! Be sure to check out the online store at “www.shopjustice.com” to view all the new arrivals that are exclusive online. Justice is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at 123456 MN-36, Worthless, MN 54321. Call 651.156.5611 for any questions on the latest trends.

sics are still available. On occasion, the DVD rentals are damaged and unable to play the movie. This is good news because customers get to leave to comfort of their couches and go back to Blockbuster! Customers can rent a variety of different movies and TV shows for $2.99 on their first day, and $0.99 for each additional day the DVD is checked out. To enrich the movie viewing experience, Blockbuster also offers a wide assortment of overpriced candy like Skittles and Twizzlers. Browsing through the candy aisle is sure to keep you entertained while waiting in the 15 minute line to rent the movie. Blockbuster is open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12 Blockbuster offers a wide range of cinema at a great price. p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays.

photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

good question

saturday, April 1, 2017

The death of popcorn chicken by Diana Zhu staff reporter

After years of honoring the renowned “popcorn chicken day” tradition, Mounds View’s cafeteria staff has decided to discontinue the dish. Last week, the cafeteria staff received a lengthy letter of complaint from sophomore Billy Simpson. Simpson listed finding foreign objects in the chicken as the primary issue of concern. “I found a hair in one of the pieces, and my friend Will almost choked on a bone,” said Simpson. In truth, this letter came at a perfect time for the school’s administration. The administration had been considering eliminating popcorn chicken day since early February due to the steep increase in school spending after purchasing the newly designed lunchroom signs. “The design board acknowledges that we have a small budget and that by spending more on the signs, we are taking away from other purchases that the school can make,” said Greg Stewart, president of Mounds View Sign Designs. “The intricate designs on the signs’ lettering is what really cost us. But we just had to get the white lettering on that ‘Grab’n Go’ sign.”

The letter, coupled with the sign upgrades, has forced the school to replace “popcorn chicken day” with less expensive options like “veggie burger day” and “fish stix day.” Norberto Biggs, 9, sees this replacement as a welcoming change.“Now we can alternate between pizza and salad every Tuesday, which means we get more variety!” Other students are doubtful that price is the true reason for this discontinuation. “I’m pretty sure it’s because the word has finally gotten out that there’s addictive substances in the chicken,” said Napoleon Ishmael, 12. “Everyone here is crazy for the chicken.” Regardless of cause, many students are upset by this decision. However, there is still a chance to bring back popcorn chicken. Once Mounds View’s $10,000 debt is paid off, the cafeteria staff has high hopes to resume the tradition. Stewart agreed. “I can promise we will do anything we can, to a certain extent, to get back our chicken.”

illustration by Sam Kwong

Why does no one read The Viewer :’( by Michelle Wang staff reporter

illustration by Marley Jones

It has come to the attention of the editors of The Viewer that students do not read their school newspaper. Although the writers and editors slave away to provide students with the latest news and fascinating articles, students have found more important activities to do. Due to students’ busy schedules, they often only have time to glance over one newspaper. A recent poll has found that a majority of Mounds View students prefer to read the Irondale Eye instead of The Viewer. “The Viewer is just too accessible. It literally gets delivered to your classroom. It’s just too easy,” complained Zoe Lindberg, 11. The editors have responded to this lack of interest with disbelief. “I think it’s dumb not to read your school’s newspaper,” said arts and entertainment editor Rigney Cunningham, 12. Coming to terms with students’ disinterest has been difficult for the editors. “One girl came up to our faces and told us that she doesn’t read The Viewer. I went home and cried,” recalled Cunningham. Despite this setback, The Viewer has decided to actively combat students’ waning interest. Serving popcorn to those who come into

The Viewer room to read the paper, there has been a dramatic increase of followers. “It’s a lot of work. We go through at least 10 bags of popcorn every day,” said Sarah Tang, 10. What’s trending editor Samuel Kwong, 12, has an even loftier vision to get students to read the publication. In order to make the newspaper more appealing, he announced, “We’re going to replace the popcorn with ramen noodles.” Although students seem anything but excited to read The Viewer, the editors continue to provide accurate, up-to-date news. News editor Sunny Lim, 11, exclaimed, “It is my passion!” Cunningham agrees, “It makes me feels intelligent to write for the Viewer. I am an editor for The Viewer, so therefore I am smart,” she said. For the next school year, Cunningham even plans to continue editing for The Viewer. “I’m going to flunk out and repeat my senior year so I can keep on writing for The Viewer and keep people thinking I’m smart. My image is more important than my wellbeing.” The Viewer staff puts enormous effort into its newspaper and has resorted to bribing students with food. We’re begging you. Please read it!

Sports 11

saturday, april 1, 2017

Athlete of the issue

Mariah Holtz Being late Q: How do your prepare for you sport? A: I prepare for my sport-which is being late to everything, all the time, always--by making sure to never manage my time wisely and to continually underestimate the amount of time it will take to finish tasks and drive to where I’m supposed to go. Q: How long have you been in this sport? A: I’ve been in this sport pretty much my entire life, but I started becoming a real pro at being late during my Junior year, when I got my license and started driving myself to school. This allowed me to lose track of time more efficiently and made me even better at underestimating travel time. I can honestly say that I was probably late to my first hour, AP Euro with Mrs. Colbert, at least 3 days a week, solely due to my inability to estimate time. Q: What’s your favorite part about training? A: All the extra time I have while I’m waiting to leave until I know that I can’t possibly get to wherever I’m going on time. Q: What are your goals? A: My goals are pretty straight forward: always be late, to everything, forever. Right now, I’m usually around 15 minutes late, but I’m working to increase that to more like 30 minutes, and maybe someday, with a lot of resilience and dedication, I might be able to be hours late to everything I do. Q: Who do you look up to? A: Myself

Ironing team is hot by Ethan Stromquist staff reporter Since its introduction to Mounds View in 2009, ironing has been a low-key extracurricular sport for many students. Recently, ironing has sprung up across the United States as a widely accepted and enjoyed activity. Mounds View is a great example of this growing trend. The premise of ironing is simple. The common household technique of straightening clothes has a competitive aspect added to it. During a game, players score points for their team ironing successfully ironing and hanging up articles of clothing. Randy Pocketsand, 12, a star player on the Mounds View ironing team learned his skills early on. “I’m very thankful my parents taught me to iron at a young age it has been the single most contributing factor to my success in the sport,” said Pocketsand, 12. Steve Climber, head coach of the Ironing Team, finds his passion for the sport in his players. “Back in my hometown in Iowa, ironing was always considered a taboo idea, but I loved it anyway. That’s why I came up North where people embrace it as a lifestyle, and I love that,” said Climber.

Teams can also be penalized if the clothes aren’t ironed well. Using a special device, judges are able to determine the WSI (wrinkles per square inch) in each article of clothing. Just last season, the varsity ironing team won a tournament with a local record breaker of 0.57 WSI on a pair of suspenders. Every ironing match consists of four quarters. Halfway through each quarter, there is the “Minute of Aggression,” where players from both teams receive one minute to disrupt the other team’s ironing process. This may include using their own ironing board to physically prevent opponents from successfully ironing their clothes. According to Jimmy Hottemetal, “When the Minute of Aggression hits, you know it’s gonna get intense. Last game I played, we managed to sweep three players’ legs with a single board. It was crazy.” said Hottemetal, 11. People may think that “ironing is dead,” but with the sport’s growing popularity they should think about straightening their viewpoint. Almost anyone can make an excellent player in this rising sport sweeping its way across the nation.

Walking is the new running by Toni Baraga staff reporter Throughout Mounds View’s history, the school has held a reputation of top notch, successful sports teams. In recent years, the sports administration has been unsatisfied with the array of sports Mounds View offers to students. Coming spring of 2018, competitive speed walking will be offered as a spring sport for both boys and girls. Claire Annette was the first to propose the idea to the school. Annette has trained in this highly intense and competitive sport since she was only three years old. “I remember I used to practice for two, sometimes three hours illustrations by Jackie Gaworski a day when I first started. The training sessions were extremely rigorous and required almost all of my freetime. Now I’m the number one speed walker in the state at my age,” said Annette, 11. Annette brought the idea to the school’s attention when she and some friends expressed interest in starting a

team. After gathering enough students to form one, Annette proposed the idea to Assistant Sports Director Harry Rump. “At first I was a little skeptical about the sport,” said Rump, “but after conducting some research, I thought it could be a great addition to the school.” Rump gave the official approval in the fall of this school year, and Annette has wasted no time organizing field space and captain’s practices for the team. As for students looking to join the sport, Annette expresses a warning. “Many students think speed walking is just a lazy version of running and a less intensive sport. Well that is completely wrong. Our training sessions will be long and hard and we will not stop until we win a national title.”

12 Games

saturday, april 1, 2017

top 10

is h t In ! e u iss

Embarrassing

Moments

Falling down the stairs

Falling up the stairs

Touching poop in the bathroom stall

Getting food on your white shirt Confidently yelling out the wrong answer

Down

Across

1. Who is the new Phy. Ed. teacher? 2. The best place to go find movies. 4. What is closing? 6. What stress reliever is not for use anymore?

3. Where you will be next year. 5. What is the pool turning into? 7. What food is being taken away? 8. What is an underwater activity? 9. What don’t you read (but should)? 10.Who just wants a hug? 11. A measurement in the sport of ironing.

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.

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Realizing all of these articles are fake