Mounds View Viewer - Issue 7

In This Issue FRIday February 12 2016

Editorials

Variety

Sports

Trump Censorship

Valentine’s date ideas

Sydney brodt

Viewer

Volume 63 Issue 7

Silverbelle

Will it revive the winter semi-formal?

by Jordan Counihan business manager In recent years, Student Council has experimented with a variety of different themes for the Winter Week dance.

Students have previously experienced Morp, Mustang Night Out, Sadies and Beach themes. This year, Student Council is trying something new: Silverbelle.

Silverbelle, which takes place Feb. 27, is the replacement for Mounds View’s familiar Sadies. Simply put, Silverbelle is a cross between Sadies and Homecoming. It preserves the “girls ask guys” tradition, but the dance is semi-formal, so preparations include flowers and dinner. Senior girls will wear long dresses, while underclassmen will wear short, Homecomingstyle dresses.

Despite the dance’s overarching themes, Student Council is encouraging students to step out of the format and just have fun.

“We’re just trying to switch it up,” said Senior Class Officer Jessica Malong. “If girls want to ask girls or guys wanna ask guys, then no one’s against it.”

The dance is not date-exclusive either. “It’s entirely up to the individual. You can go with a date, alone or in a group.” said Sophomore Class Officer Gillian Lerdahl.

Many students are excited for Silverbelle, looking forward to the new style.

“I think it’s better than Sadies,” said Lucy Wagner, 12. “Instead of wearing T-shirts, you get to dress up and feel beautiful.”

Others, however expressed confusion about the dance.

Winter Week Schedule (tentative) Monday, Feb. 22: Dating Game Tuesday, Feb. 23: Dodgeball Wednesday, Feb. 24: Talent Show Thursday, Feb. 25: Powderbuff Friday, Feb. 26: Pepfest

“Silverbelle is basically Sadies, and Sadies failed,” said Michelle Wang, 11. “I don’t understand why we have Silverbelle when Sadies already exists.”

Maya Bidegaray, 11, agreed. “[Silverbelle] is the same thing [as Sadies], but you just wear a dress instead of a T-shirt,” she said.

Silverbelle continues the trend of having different dances every year.

“We always look for different ways to make dances exciting for students and that oftentimes results in mixing up the themes,” said Student Council Co-President Henry Alexander, 12.

Alexander and the rest of Student Council hope that the change of pace will spice up the dance and make the new Sadies a rousing success.

illustration by Eva Hoffman

School cracks down on hats, tardies

by Sunny Lim and Jake Rosenow staff reporters In the last 10 minutes of the first semester, Principal Jeffery Ridlehoover announced over the PA system the need for less distractions in the classroom.

Tardies and hats had become an issue for teachers, so administration decided to pursue stricter enforcement of current policies.

“We had become too lenient regarding the enforcement of our own rules and regulations,” said Ridlehoover.

Although the official protocol for tardies hasn’t changed, administration has raised efforts to enforce it.

“We have now stepped up those efforts, so that families know when their students are tardy on a more regular basis,” said Ridlehoover. “The deans will get involved at times with that process. We’re phoning home on a more regular basis to inform parents.”

Teachers were concerned about recurring tardiness. “[Tardies] are a distraction and a disturbance to the pacing [of the class],” explained science teacher Michael Cartwright. “Interference in pacing detracts from the learning opportunity of students who are on time.”

However, some students do not think tardies are detrimental to student performance.

“They’re not a big deal because you never end up interfering with your learning or other people’s learning,” said Holden Tranquillo, 12. “It takes at least five to ten minutes to get the class started.”

In addition to stepping up efforts to enforce the current tardy protocol, the school is also enforcing the “no hat” policy. Students who are repeatedly caught violating the policy will have to meet with their dean.

Some students are upset about the crackdown.

“I don’t understand how hats get in the way of learning. They are an article of clothing, just like shoes or socks,” said Tyler Fredlund, 12. “I am not aware of any students who haven’t recognized me or have been distracted in class because I had a baseball cap on.”

Other students feel that stricter enforcement may help with respect in school.

“Hats have definitely become more common around Mounds View,” said Daniel Murray, 10. “I wouldn’t call them distracting, I just see it as disrespectful towards the teachers and administration.”

While students may not agree with all the policies, the administration believes stricter regulation of current policies will benefit student learning. “We are working to be more diligent on our end to enforce our protocols so that [students] can find success,” said Ridlehoover.

2

editorials

Friday, February 12, 2016

top 10

Reasons To Vote Trump

10 9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

2015-2016

Viewer Editors Editor-in-Chief

Emily Ruan

Managing Editor - Copy

Persis Ke

Managing Editor - Design

Eva Hoffman

ONLINE EDITOR-In-Chief

Alex Jiang

Business Manager

Jordan Counihan News

Daniel Yong Editorials

Kevin Sabeti-Oseid Furqan Syed Features

Emily Moses Katrina Renacia Spread

Samuel Kwong Katie Karjalahti Variety

Aaron Voiovich Reviews

Matthew Cooper Sports

Jordan Counihan Persis Ke Gallery

Amber Zhao Photographer

Eva Hoffman, Julia Sacay

photo illustration by Eva Hoffman

Free speech should Trump censorship Even controversial ideas must be protected Over the course of the 2016 campaign season, presidential candidate Donald Trump has made numerous headlines with his controversial speeches and ideas. Ranging from banning Muslims from entering the country to labeling Mexicans as rapists, Trump’s outspoken statements have earned accusations of hate speech from marginalized groups from around the world.

A seemingly convenient solution would be to censor people like Trump.

This idea, proposed by Minnesotans to the United Kingdom, is far from right.

Censorship doesn’t educate the ignorant, and it doesn’t eradicate the tensions that arise from groups of people who agree with the hateful speech.

Instead of using the blunt tool of censorship to limit freedom of speech, Trump’s ideas should be combated with logical arguments and clear rhetoric.

Trump’s attacks on marginalized groups such as Mexican immigrants, Muslims, and women (and all their intersections) are disrespectful and far from acceptable for someone running for president. Still, silencing hate speech like Trump’s would be unjust

and hypocritical. Under the First Amendment to the Constitution, we are all granted the right to speak our minds.

A policy where controversial ideas are censored is too susceptible to abuse.

Instead, dissenting opinions should be addressed and logically debated.

A clear example of censorship gone wrong can be seen in France.

When Anne-Sophie Leclère called Justice Minister Christiane Taubira, a black woman, a monkey on Facebook, she received a 9-month prison term and 50,000 euro fine. While her statement was extremely racist and inappropriate, the response punished her without educating her or her supporters about the inappropriateness of her Facebook post.

Under a system of censorship, ignorant people who participate in hate speech would care more about avoiding punishment than understanding their mistakes. Intolerant ideas would never be addressed or proven wrong, leading to a population of people with internalized hatred towards certain groups.

When ideas are censored without discussion of their flaws, their advocates become sensationalized as

martyrs. This can be seen with the popularity of Trump’s mantra that he is simply tired of having to be “politically correct.” Censoring Trump would only lend credence to the false idea that the problem lies not with his racist comments, but with the intolerant, overlysensitive society that he claims exists.

Of course, censorship may be necessary in certain circumstances. For example, speech that calls for violence can’t be tolerated. It breeds extremism that can lead to physical harm for marginalized individuals and minority groups. However, there is a difference between calls for violence against a group of people and the use of slurs or stereotypes to slander an ethnicity or religion.

As many political groups fight for oppressed groups like people of color, women, or LGBTQ+, conservative counter-trends that spout hate speech will inevitably appear. It’s important for us to realize that the best way to progress toward a more tolerant, accepting society is to challenge hate speech with logical argument, not silencing the speaker.

Cartoonist

Clare Carroll Adviser

Martha Rush Staff Jeman Park, Rigney Cunningham, Ben Davis, David Eldridge, Jackie Gaworski, Marley Jones, Sunny Lim, Jack McCoy, Kailey Newcome, Jake Rosenow, Kallie Slotvig, Kenan Smith, Johnny Vermeersch, Ben Yoch

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

Viewer Mission Statement

1. To publish news, information and opinion articles for and about student, faculty and administration activities, interests and policies.

2. To maintain high ethical standards with regard to fairness, personal and legal rights, responsibilities and accuracy.

3. To provide a forum for free and responsible expression of student opinion and present well-balanced, locally researched coverage of issues of broader student interest.

4. To strive for a high level of competency in the technical aspect of writing, including grammar, spelling, clarity, and precision.

5. To welcome diversity and increase the scope and depth of our coverage in order to heighten mutual understanding and awareness throughout our entire school community.

Articles and letters to the editor appearing on the editorials pages represent solely the opinions of the writers and do not represent in any way the viewpoint of Viewer, our advertisers, Mounds View High School or its staff.

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

editorials

Friday, February 12, 2016

ARTIFICIAL I NTELLIGENCE WILL IT SAVE US OR DESTROY US?

3

AI is friend, not foe

by Furqan Syed editorials editor

Movies like The Terminator have led society to develop an irrational fear of artificial intelligence. However, when we use Siri on iPhones, play non-human opponents in video games, and receive automated tech support, we are taking advantage of the benefits that AI offers to mankind. The stigma surrounding AI must be challenged and further AI development promoted.

One of the biggest arguments against AI is that it will lead to massive unemployment. This belief that new technology will lead to an economic collapse isn’t new—but it’s false. During the Industrial Revolution, independent textile workers claimed that the use of factories would be economically devastating.

A group of workers called the Luddites even gained popularity by using violent means to stop the incorporation of factory machinery. Yet, despite the claims that factories would be economically harmful, the Industrial Revolution actually led to better transportation, faster communication and an overall increase in citizens’ wellbeing. Textile workers who were replaced by machines either found jobs working at in factories or in different industries.

Instead of leading to massive unemployment, technology has actually created more jobs than it has destroyed. A study from Deloitte that investigated the connection between technology and jobs proved that technological breakthroughs since 1871 have actually led to an increase in the overall number of jobs. Not only does technology benefit skilled workers, but the resultant wage increases and

decreased dependence on human labor have led to more workers seeking jobs in important industries like education and medical care.

While many fear the economic consequences of AI, some go so far as to predict the future of technology gone wrong. It’s easy to go on a witchhunt against killer robots and power-hungry computers, but these accusations have little basis in fact. According to Business Insider, the most advanced AI technology has the intelligence of a preschooler and lacks in reasoning and comprehension. For AI to ever pose a reasonable threat, humans would first have to create an a computerized brain with the same intellectual capabilities of an adult, which by itself is an improbable feat. Condemning AI based on an unrealistic hypothesis is ridiculous.

AI is a valuable resource for our everyday lives. Whether in the form of Google showing us the most relevant search results or Amazon recommending items of interest, AI has certainly made our lives easier. In addition to convenience, however, AI is quickly becoming a crucial tool for saving lives. Computer simulations are faster and cheaper than labs for testing vaccines. Car manufacturers are creating self-driving cars that are less prone to crashing. AI machines are creating safer job conditions. With its far-reaching potential, AI is making everyday tasks safer and easier.

Let us not make the same mistake the Luddites did by letting fear of progress cloud our future. AI is a tool that can vastly improve our world, and it’s only through tapping into this technology that we can begin to reap its benefits.

A fictional reality

by Jeman Park staff writer

photo fair use from complex.com

“The machines have taken over.” A classic movie plot, but could it actually be possible? According to notable scientists and entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, and Bill Gates, artificial intelligence, or AI for short, could potentially spell the end of human existence.

To understand the danger of AI, it’s important to understand what it truly encompasses. Currently all AI can be categorized as Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI). These machines have been programmed to focus on solely one task, and can be controlled and restrained by humans. Many of us encounter ANI, whether in the form of the iPhone’s “intelligent assistant” Siri, GPS navigation, or Google’s search bar.

However, ANI can also be used for espionage. In 2009, the U.S. government sent an ANI system virus to Iran in order to disrupt the Iranian nuclear system. Another example of espionage occurred on July 25, 2015, when the Pentagon’s email system was hacked by Russian nationals, despite the sophisticated security system in place.

With further development, ANI is predicted to eventually manifest into Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Artificial Superintelligence (ASI). Systems that fall in these tiers of intelligence would be able to completely mimic humans in terms of learning, reasoning, planning and communicating. In theory, it would be impossible to distinguish between the mental abilities of a human and an AI system in these tiers.

This raises a question: if ANI systems already have the ability to penetrate and disrupt some of the world’s most complex cybersecurity networks, what potential does artificial superintelligence have for outmaneuvering humans?

Mankind might soon witness ASI systems that could completely outthink humans, preventing any human from controlling them. If an ANI chess system, the lowest artificial intelligence tier, can can outplay the world’s greatest chess players, an ASI system would possess the capacity to completely dominate mankind’s mental ability across all fields.

AI’s lack of morality poses an even greater concern. ASI systems’ self-interest will likely take precedence over concern for human wellbeing, thus making it possible for them to wipe out the human race. With ASI having the ability to think an infinite number of moves ahead of humans, there will be no way to “turn it off” or restrain its actions. Humanity may be forced to face an unbeatable foe.

Although AI is currently a useful tool in our lives, it has the potential to become the largest threat mankind has ever seen. If artificial intelligence develops without restraint, the fictional plots of many sci-fi movies trumping the theme “the machines have taken over” may certainly become a reality.

4

features

friday, february 12, 2016

Out with the cash, in with the card The perks and risks of having a credit card

by Jack McCoy staff reporter Credit cards are much more common among students at Mounds View than you might think. 32 out of 75 students polled have a credit card. Many say that they got it for emergency reasons—when they ran out of personal money to spend—while others received cards from their parents for financial planning reasons.

“My parents thought that it would be a good idea for me to get a credit card when I turn 18, so I could start building my credit,” said Joanna Torres, 12. “I don’t really need one, but I thought it would be great to have one in case I really need money.”

While Torres got a credit card to start building her credit, Kayla Collins, 12, was given a credit card by her parents for convenience’s sake. “My parents gave it to me mainly for gas,” said Collins. “But overall, I use it every day.”

Unlike Collins, Torres rarely uses her credit card.

“I try to avoid using it,” she said. “It’s usually my last resort as a way to pay for things because the whole point is so that I can build my credit and I’m paranoid that I’m going to forget to pay my bill when it’s due.”

While Collins’ and Torres’ parents trust them with credit cards, many adults believe that giving credit cards to high schoolers is a bad idea.

“Most high schoolers don’t know the impact that using [credit cards] incorrectly will have and they aren’t aware of the dangers,” said social studies teacher Jon Nuss. “People are more willing to spend with credit cards because they don’t feel like they’re actually losing anything.”

This phenomenon is well-documented; in fact, one study by the company Dun & Bradstreet found that people spend on average 12 to 18 percent more when using credit cards versus cash.

“I feel like using cash is more tangible and you can actually see how much you’re spending versus using a card when all you do is swipe,” said Torres. “It’s also not technically money that you actually have so it doesn’t bother you to spend as much.”

Still, with proper instruction and monitoring, credit cards can be a way to teach high school students financial responsibility.

“If the parents are keeping close track of their kid’s credit card use and doing a good job of teaching the kids how to use them safely and carefully, then it should be fine,” said Nuss.

When it comes to the ideal age to get a credit card, Nuss believes parents should wait until their kids start college.

“Once kids are in college, I think they’re finally mature enough to be able to responsibly use a credit card and not spend too much,” he said.

Although there are risks to giving high schoolers credit cards, the cards have their perks. “[A credit card is] way more simple and practical to use than cash, and it comes in handy when I’m out with friends and want to buy food,” said Gaedy Bindoula, 12.

cartoon by Eva Hoffman

Anime Club expresses love for foreign film

by Johnny Vermeersch staff reporter A crowd of ten people enter the room, grabbing pouches of Kool-Aid from the table as they find their way to desks of their choosing. Anime Club is about to watch Cowboy Bebop, a popular anime from the ’90s about a bounty hunter in space.

The term “anime” refers to Japanese animation, typically with a stylized, colorful art style. Some recent examples include Sword Art Online and Attack On Titan.

The idea to start the anime club came to Brooke Villasenor, 11, when she watched an anime called Yowamushi Pedal.

“The main character is totally crushed when he finds out that his new school doesn’t have an anime club,” said Villasenor. “He goes off on a monologue about how great having an anime club would be, and I found myself nodding along and agreeing with him.”

She contacted Activities Director Bob Madison to turn her idea into reality.

“Brooke came into my office one day to fill out a sheet for student-led clubs,” said Madison. “I don’t know that much about anime myself, but if there are students interested in that form of art then I believe they should be allowed to have a club.”

The club meets every other Monday in room 54 to watch a film of their choice. As the founder and leader of the club, Villasenor selects the shows, taking into account suggestions from other members. Special education teacher Amanda Zagaros approves the shows before the club watches them.

“Brooke came to my English class and asked if I would be interested in helping out,” said Zagaros, a long-time fan who was also a member of her college anime club.

“She’s in it for the anime, too,” said Villasenor.

The club watches all types of anime, from action to romance to comedy. One of the most popular shows

that the club has watched so far is Nichijou, a comedy that focuses on the daily lives of high schoolers in a suburban Japanese town.

“I love the art style and I love the plotline,” said Jakoba Mordekay, 11. “It’s adorable.”

While Mordekay’s favorite is a lighthearted show, others prefer darker and more serious anime. For Halloween, the club watched a show called Tokyo Ghoul, which starts off as a typical romance but deviates quickly when the female lead is revealed to be a ghoul who eats humans. “[It’s] such a good anime,” said Jared Voss, 11.

“I’ve watched the whole thing now.”

While most of the members in the club are longtime anime fans, new viewers will also enjoy the shows they watch. A popular show called Ouran High School Host Club is currently in the process of being approved.

“Even regular people can enjoy that because it’s funny,” said Villasenor.

features

friday, February 12, 2016

MEET THE PRINCIPAL

5

“What does he do all day?”

More than meetings: what the job entails Though much of Ridlehoover’s job consists of attending meeting after meeting, he enjoys his time in the classroom—whether he is teaching future principals at Hamline University or observing classes at Mounds View.

“My favorite part of the the day is definitely working with the students and staff,” he said. “I think it’s important for all of us, as educators, to be in classrooms. As a principal, if you forget what it’s like being in the classroom—to be a teacher, to even be a student— you lose touch [with] the things that are really important.”

In between appointments, lectures, and discussions, Ridlehoover is always engaged in the school community.

“When you’re a teacher or coach, you can establish awesome relationships with students, but it’s harder as a principal because you’re away from the day-to-day interaction,” said Ridlehoover. “You have to seek it out; if you don’t do that, it can get lonely.”

As he makes his rounds throughout the day, casual conversations give him a good idea of how students and staff are doing.

“I try not to sit [in my office] for long,” he said. “Sometimes the job itself forces you to do that, but good principals try not to if they can help it. If you put teachers in a good position to work with kids, then the teachers are happy, too.”

In the end, Ridlehoover has one priority: the students.

“I think that one of the things you hear is the whole idea that when you’re a principal, you’re looked at like ‘the boss,’ but I share the same goal as everyone else,” said Ridlehoover.

“Everyone at this school has a role with a common end: educating kids and giving them the greatest experience we possibly can.”

rite part of o v a f My y is definitel y a d e th rking with the wo ents and staff. stud s

Everyone at thi le school has a ro nd: e with a common nd a educating kids a and giving them . e great experienc

Past and future plans for MV

by Daniel Yong news editor When Dr. Jeffery Ridlehoover first arrived as Mounds View principal in 2013, he immediately focused on ways to improve the school. Working with teachers and administration, he has added technology, addressed student concerns, and has plans to further improve the school environment.

“I wanted to learn about Mounds View and assess the areas of strength as well as the areas that improvement could occur,” said Ridlehoover.

One of Ridlehoover’s first moves was the integration of technology into the classroom through Chromebooks and iPads. This was geared toward making learning more interactive and efficient for students.

“Mounds View learners are digital natives,” said Ridlehoover. “By offering students different learning ‘portals,’ they are able to find and process information better and faster.”

The integration has had many positive effects throughout the school.

“Having technology, when done correctly, allows for self-directed learning,” said social studies teacher Justin Benolkin. “[Students] find new knowledge that wouldn’t be able to be acquired through the traditional model.”

In addition, Ridlehoover has recently pioneered the new Information and Learning Center, the Wellness Speaker Series, and the Mustang Messenger Newsletter.

One of the most noticeable introductions, the Information and Learning Center, was created in

response to students wanting a more collaborative atmosphere. “[Students] indicated a desire to have a more collegiate environment that better suits their needs,” said Ridlehoover.

Not one to sit back, Ridlehoover has plans to further improve the school. “Our areas of focus include student connectedness, student achievement, and our own professional learning,” he said.

His most recent challenge is implementing R.E.F.L.E.C.T. (ReFocus, ReLearn, ReExamine, ReConnect, ReTeach), a support hour that will allow students to meet with teachers during the school day, work on homework or simply relax.

“Students, families and staff have continuously asked for more time to collaborate [with students],” said Ridlehoover. “Everyone agreed that [more time] would be great, but finding time has been extremely difficult. By infusing time into the school day, students and teachers can now visit during the school day.”

R.E.F.L.E.C.T. is another way Ridlehoover is striving to keep the learning process interesting and refreshed. “[A] goal for our teaching and learning process is to continue to evolve over time so that creativity and innovation drive almost all of our daily work,” he said.

Though Ridlehoover plays a large part in improving Mounds View, improvements aren’t a result of his efforts alone.

“I am simply one of many who help to contribute to the culture and academic performance of our school,” he said.

The job may be different every

am

t I of co e lp on he e an o r wh ultu nce a c the rform pe

by Alex Jiang online editor-in-chief The name “Principal Jeffery Ridlehoover” is sure to ring a bell for every Mounds View student. They’ve heard him speak at class meetings and have probably seen him observe in their own classrooms—but what Mounds View’s principal does behind-the-scenes remains a mystery to most.

Ridlehoover has a hectic schedule. Last Wednesday, he spoke at dean meetings, discussed student grades, had two teacher meetings, ran a Professional Learning Community meeting, evaluated instructor performances, and held a building instructional meeting. This laundry list of meetings, however, masks the simple values that Ridlehoover brings to the school.

“The job may be different every day—lots of meetings and interactions with kids, parents and teachers—but when you get down to it, all I do is work to improve the school and make people happy,” said Ridlehoover.

On a typical day, Ridlehoover arrives around 7 a.m. and leaves around 4:30 p.m.

Though he works 60-65 hours per week in the building, advancements in technology have turned the job into an around-the-clock role.

“When I first started [as administrator], I had an old, clunky phone, but no texting or email,” said Ridlehoover. “Now, I’m getting contacted all the time about pressing issues that I have to address. It’s become almost a 24/7 job.”

In addition to dealing with day-to-day issues, Ridlehoover is continually searching for new ways to improve the school. Two weeks ago, he and Associate Principal Michael Schwartz presented the new Information and Learning Center at the state learning conference.

Since then, he has given many tours to those eager to learn about our school’s new hub.

day.

sim he ply ma ny nt d rib of aca ute ou de to r sc mi ho c o l.

photo by Eva Hoffman

Mounds View students and teachers share th

Students’ tattoos remind them of beliefs, ex

by Katie Karjalahti spread editor Formerly seen as a symbol of gangs and bikers, tattoos have evolved into a new way for people to express themselves. Will Seward, 12, is one student engaging in this art.

For his 18th birthday, Seward got a tattoo of an angel with a tribal pattern. “I got it because I’ve always loved tattoos,” Seward said. “[Tattoos are] a great way to show a lot about [a] person.”

To Seward, his tattoo is more than just an interesting design. It symbolizes the value of religion to him. “It was really important to me to get something that signifies my faith and how I feel about my beliefs,” he said.

Some teens’ parents may frown

upon tattoos, but Seward’s were very supportive.

“It was actually a birthday gift from my parents,” he said. They felt that it was a good way to always remember what Seward’s faith means to him.

However, Seward felt that his peers originally looked down upon his decision.

“People seemed rather against it,” he said. “[People would remind] me of the commitment, and how I’ll have to hide it at job interviews.”

Despite the critical comments, Seward is still pleased with his decision.

“With my beliefs behind me, I can do anything,” he said. “It’s really important to be able to show that.”

by Kallie Slotvig staff reporter Some see them as graffiti, while others view them as works of art. One poll by the market research firm, Harris Interactive, found that 21 percent of adults have at least one tattoo; seniors Gina Walter and Joe Hegle are among this minority.

Walter and Hegle didn’t have ink injected into their skin to look fashionable. Instead; they chose the designs for their tattoos because of the deep meanings each instilled.

Walter’s tattoo is of a bird in flight with the words “We are the reckless” lettered underneath.

“It means a lot of things, most of them pretty personal regarding growth and recovery,” said Walter. “The words, lyrics from [a song], are more about enjoying my youth and being free to do ‘reckless’ things like get tattoos at 18.”

Hegle’s tattoo is of a cross with roses. He got the outline of his tattoo on his forearm when he was 16 years old, and it was completed in October. Like Walter’s, Hegle’s

tattoo holds great signific “The cross represen roses represent my famil While some people tattoo, Hegle makes sure “I have ideas for fut a year per tattoo to make getting,” he said.

However, regretting consequence one may fa inflict some degree of pa “It was painful. Goi expect, so it hurt more th “My tattoo is on my inne it hurt more than one on, Although getting a t deep-rooted meanings m like Hegle and Walter.

Under the skin An evolution of tattoos

by Ben Davis staff reporter Although the modern tattoo machine has made incredibly intricate designs possible, tattoos have been around in a rudimentary form for thousands of years. The process of getting a tattoo is far more than just depositing ink into skin; it is an art.

The oldest known person to get a tattoo is known only as the “iceman,” dated some 5,200 years old. He was discovered around the Italy-Austria border in 1991, with tiny crosses and dots tattooed across his lower back, right knee and ankle.

According to some researchers, these served to ease joint pain.

Artists created tattoos manually until the Second Industrial Revolution, when Thomas Edison invented the electric pen.

Later, Samuel O’Reilly, a tattoo artist from New York, would add an ink reservoir to Edison’s pen, developing it into the predecessor of the modern tattoo machine.

Today’s tattoo machines are a faster, cleaner version of O’Reilly’s machine, able to puncture through the skin at a rate of 50-3000 times per minute. The needle of the machine goes through the top layer of skin and deposits the ink in the dermis, the second, deeper layer. This is what makes it permanent, since the skin cells on the outermost layer fall off, while the ones on the second layer don’t.

With this technology in hand, tattoo artists can create a wide variety of designs.

According to Billy Mizejewski, co-owner of Anchor’s End Tattoo in Hudson, WI, artists keep a running portfolio of all their tattoos. Customers can look through these portfolios to choose the design they want and get a better feel for the artist’s style.

“When you look at someone’s portfolio, look for what style they’re good at, not how many skulls they have done. If you want a realistic hummingbird, don’t look for hummingbirds, look for realism,” Mizejewski said.

Price is also another important factor to consider. Almost all artists charge by the hour, generally between $100 and $150.

However, be warned that price and quality don’t always correlate, since one artist may be able to do a better job in less time than another.

Luckily, if one gets stuck with a less skilled artist, tattoo removal is now easier than ever. The modern procedure is done by a shining a laser through the outer layer of skin to break up the ink. From there on, the immune system eliminates the particles that remain.

Most artists, however, take their profession very seriously, striving to make every tattoo as perfect as possible.

“Tattoos are kind of sacred,” said Mizejewski. “It’s something you’re putting on your body forever. It should be whatever you need it to be, fun or serious or playful or whatever.”

heir tattoo stories

xperiences

cance to him. nts my religious background and the ly and friends,” Hegle said. have later regretted getting their e to think things through first. ture tattoos, but I’ve decided to wait e sure it’s something I won’t regret

g a bad tattoo isn’t the only ace. No matter the design, all tattoos ain. ing into it, I didn’t know what to han I was anticipating,” said Walter. er wrist, which is a delicate area, so , say, the bicep would have.” tattoo is far from comfortable, their make them worth the pain for people

photo by Eva Hoffman

Teachers’ tattoos tell stories

by Kallie Slotvig staff reporter While tattoos are frequently seen as a sign of youth and rebellion, Nasreen Fynewever and Steve Morrissette are two English teachers that break this stereotype. Both have tattoos that represent life-changing chapters of their lives.

Fynewever has the Bengali word “Asa,” or “hope,” tattooed on her left ankle and right wrist. She also has the words “still I rise” from Maya Angelou’s poem written above her left ankle.

“I placed a tattoo on my wrist to [make] it visible to me while I wrote, played, lived,” Fynewever said. This way hope can follow her, and inspire her to make an impact in everything she does.

Fynewever’s tattoos are not only inspirational, but representative of her life as well.

“They tell part of my story,” she said. “I get to speak of adoption and birth country travel, of why I teach, and who I am becoming with my tattoos. They serve of reminders of

where I have come from and what values I choose to live out.”

Similarly, Morrissette said, “Tattoos are another way of telling a story for me. They remind me of past experiences I’ve had.”

One tattoo Morrissette has is of a Fleur De Lis, the symbol of a musical group called the Drum and Bugle Corps he was involved in for ten years.

Another important chapter of Morrissette’s life was the birth of his daughter. To commemorate the event, he got her name tattooed on as well.

“My daughter’s name is a reminder that I’m always going to be a dad, and she will always be my daughter,” he said.

Each person has memories and stories that they carry within their heart. For Morrissette and Fynewever, tattoos are an external representation of the most important things in their lives.

“I allowed my ankle to be inked with what my heart has always had etched upon it,” said Fynewever.

8

variety

friday, feburary 12, 2016

Something special

for a special someone Puppy love A puppy

ts tour

Studen Art.

stitute

olis In inneap

the M

from the

HarMar

Pet Shop

.

of

by Kailey Newcome staff reporter Love is in the air, and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, couples are searching for cute and unique ways to spend the day with their significant other. What better way to get that warm, fuzzy feeling than by holding a warm, fuzzy puppy?

At HarMar Mall Pet Shop in Roseville, there’s a variety of puppies to choose from, including Bulldogs, Chihuahuas and Shih-Tzus. There’s a small holding fee ranging anywhere from one to ten dollars. However, the puppies will be sure to repay couples with their cuddles and kisses.

The pet shop also has kittens, guinea pigs, chinchillas and many other types of animals. While these pets aren’t typically requested, couples may be able to hold them as well.

Beyond the pet shop, HarMar offers several other destinations to make for the perfect date. There’s a variety of restaurants such as Old Chicago and the more upscale Chianti Grill, as well as cute dessert shops like Freestyle Yogurt. The Barnes & Noble in the mall also boasts a coffee shop, so if there’s a need to escape the cold, couples can grab a cup of joe and a good book to enjoy themselves.

Many people are looking for hugs and kisses this Valentine’s Day. The HarMar Mall Pet Shop offers a sure-fire way to get just that: holding cute, fluffy puppies looking to give all their love and affection. HarMar Mall offers several traditional destinations for dinner and sweet treats, and, paired with this unique and fun stop, will make your Valentine’s Day as special as your date.

The finer things

by Rigney Cunningham staff reporter

Have you been struck by Cupid’s arrow? The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) on 3rd Ave S is hosting an event called the Institute of Hearts from Feb. 12-14. You and your date can tour the museum and place a paper heart in front of your favorite masterpiece. With over 89,000 masterpieces and counting, something in Mia’s collection is sure to appeal to you.

Mia gathers and preserves works of art from different time periods and places. There are several departments, each providing a unique experience. Take a leisurely stroll hand in hand with your date through the African region and see hand-made masks and sculptures in pristine condition. A large television in the middle of the exhibit allows you to select an area on a map of Africa and learn more about it. With numerous conversation pieces and activities found around the museum, Mia is the perfect indoor outing for couples on Valentine’s day.

Visitors touring Mia can either take a group tour or wander the museum by themselves (with or without the help of an audio guide). This gives you and your date more alone time and a chance to create your own museum experience.

The Minneapolis Institute of Art is an excellent way to experience the newest art as well as the history of cultures over the last 20,000 years.

With free admission and the special Institute of Hearts event, the Twin Cities’ premier art museum provides couples with an ideal Valentine’s Day experience.

photos by Kailey Newcome and Eva Hoffman illustration by Eva Hoffman

Students admire a rt at the Institute Minneap of Art. olis

reviews

Friday, february 12, 2016

9

Unconventional Movie Romances Most romance movies are extremely formulaic. Boy meets girl, it’s love at first sight, they have a huge argument, get back together, and live happily ever after. It’s been done time and time and time again. However, several films make a point to break away from this structure. They take the modern movie romance and turn it on its head, exploring new ways to depict love.

These unconventional love stories might not all have a happy ending, but they’re all worth your time.

Her : Love in the modern age

by Matthew Cooper reviews editor The greatest movies ever made are the ones that dare to try something new.

They innovate and bring something fresh to an industry that frequently repeats itself.

Some films do this through breakthroughs in technology, while others explore new forms of storytelling. Her is one such film; it approaches the subject of love in a different yet relatable way that is equal parts touching, intelligent, funny and heartbreaking. And, yes, it’s one of the greatest movies ever made.

Set in a futuristic Los Angeles, Her follows the life of Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a compassionate, somewhat awkward man in the middle of a divorce. Theodore writes love letters for people too busy or too lazy to write their own, an outlet for him to express his sensitivity. Things begin to change in his life when he purchases a new, artificially intelligent operating system named Samantha (Scarlett Johansson). The two immediately bond and their relationship quickly blossoms into a full-fledged romance.

A premise like that sounds almost laughable on paper, but Her is one of the smartest films about love ever conceived.

Writer and director Spike Jonze’s screenplay is masterfully written, full of quirky situations and razor-sharp dialogue.

Her is incredibly thought-provoking, raising questions about what constitutes love and real emotions, and predicting how our relationship with technology might look in the near future.

Even when the film shows off its science fiction elements, they never overpower the main themes. At the end of the day, Her is a mature depiction of love, relationships and heartbreak. No matter how weird things get, the film is always profoundly emotional and realistic.

Her owes much of its success to its two lead actors. While Joaquin Phoenix gives an Oscar-caliber, extremely likeable performance, it’s Scarlett Johansson who steals the show. Johansson is utterly terrific, using nothing but her voice to create a three-dimensional character that has as much of a screen presence as anyone else in the film. Amy Adams also gives a very restrained turn as a close friend of Theodore’s, while Rooney Mara shines in her brief role as his ex-wife.

In addition to the screenplay and the performances, Her also has some excellent technical achievements on display. Hoyte Van Hoytema’s cinematography is up close and personal, consistently keeping people at the center of attention while still highlighting the film’s terrific set design. Her is full of shades of orange and red juxtaposing a still, grey backdrop of towering skyscrapers. The result is a beautiful-looking film that simultaneously emphasizes the struggle between human interaction and technological development.

Her is not a typical love story. It’s spectacularly audacious in its blend of romance and science fiction, and sits miles above the competition in both of its respective genres. What could have been a disastrous attempt at originality is instead a masterfully made, genuinely touching film about modern relationships and human emotions. Her dares to deconstruct everything we know about what constitutes love, and cinema is better because of it.

Blue i s the W armes

t Colo r

Don Jon

The Verdict Unparalleled in creativity and unique commentary, Her is one of the greatest love stories ever told.

Her

100

Other unconventional love stories French film Blue is the Warmest Color is an incredibly genuine coming-of-age story/lesbian romance. With drawn-out scenes and phenomenal performances by Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux, this is a riveting, sincere and completely realistic love story.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Don Jon was a bold choice for a directorial debut, but the young actor nailed it. Don Jon tackles the unrealistic expectations that men and women bring into relationships that can ultimately never be met.

Wall-E is both a depressing vision of an Earth with literal skyscrapers of garbage and an uplifting romance between two robots. This love story is probably the most traditional of the films on this list, but it manages to set itself apart by using essentially no dialogue to convey the adorable relationship between Wall-E and Eve.

E Wall-

photo fair use from bbc.com, cinema.com, huffingtonpost.com, joycehliting.com, salon.com and theguardian.com

Blue Valenti ne

While most love stories are about two people falling in love, Blue Valentine is about the opposite. This look at a deteriorating marriage is equally romantic and depressing as it cuts between flashbacks and present day.

10

Sports

Friday, Febuary 12, 2016

Viewettes start season strong

by David Eldridge staff reporter

Twice a year at pep fests, students are greeted with thunderous music, abundant Mounds View pride, and fantastic performances by some of Mounds View’s most talented students—including the Viewettes, Mounds View’s competitive dance team.

They specialize in jazz and kick and participate in competitions against teams from all around Minnesota.

The Viewettes are having a sensational year, placing in the top two in varsity jazz at every competition this year. At the Winterfest Invitational, they placed second in both varsity jazz and varsity kick. The team is en route to State after placing first in both kick and jazz at Conference and winning jazz at Sections.

Their success is no coincidence. Six days of practice consisting of workouts, stretches, and routines might seem like a lot of work to some, but to the Viewettes it is a normal week.

“To warm up, we mark and clean dances. Marking is when we practice the whole routine but not full out and cleaning is doing the dance step by step at a slow pace. After that, we do the same dances full out and videotape them.

This helps us learn in that we see what we are doing right and where we are making mistakes,” said Grace Carlson, 11.

“You need to have good stamina, flexibility, and past experience with dance.” said McKenna Anderson, 9.

Being a part of this dance team requires more than just physical skill.

“You must be a hard worker and most importantly have a good attitude,” said Blessie Tandon, 11.

Taylor Mitchell, a senior who has been on Viewettes for three years, attributes the improvement from previous years to their new coach.

“Our new coach pushes us and helps us excel, but also knows how to keep the practices exciting,” said Mitchell.

Being on the Viewettes isn’t just dancing. The girls have to learn how to balance their rigorous dance schedule with school and other extracurricular activities.

“I’ve learned how to time manage better because of the commitment I have with the viewettes, which has also helped me do better in school,” Mitchell said.

With persistence, dedication, and new coaching, the Viewettes have had a spectacular year and are looking forward to continue their success in the future.

Selena Brills, 10, competes on the varsity kick line.

The varsity jazz team competes at Forest Lake.

The Viewettes pose with their trophies at Forest Lake.

The varsity kick team competes at Forest Lake.

photos by Julia Sacay

sports

Friday, Febuary 12, 2016

The Mounds View boys basketball team plays against Benilde-St. Margaret’s. MV won 83-58.

11

photos by Eva Hoffman

Boys basketball shoots for Sections spot

by Ben Yoch staff reporter With a record of 19-3 and with two games left before Sections, Mounds View boys varsity basketball is playing at an elite level and hoping to finish strong.

“The big thing [to improve] is fine tuning everything, to set ourselves up [for Sections], and to keep being fundamentally sound,” said Head Coach David Leiser. “We need to win the key games against the other big teams in our conference.”

The team would also like to show the perseverance they displayed during the Bethel Holiday Tournament on Dec. 29. During the championship game against Bloomington Jefferson, the Mustangs

were down 27-18 at halftime, but thanks to a strong 18 points scored by Nick McMillan, 11, the Mustangs took the title.

McMillan hasn’t been the only star this season.

Captain Nate Albers, 12, has been a key to the Mustangs’ success all year.

Over the first 22 games this season, Albers averaged 25.1 points per game and scored 503 points overall, ranking 7th and 10th in state.

In addition, senior Zeke Thompson has scored 280 points this season, ranking fourth in the Suburban East Conference (SEC). Together, these two players have scored half of the team’s points this season.

Along with the Mustangs’ dominating offense is a solid defense.

The team has only allowed 1237 points, fourth best in the SEC. This combined with 1510 points scored has put the Mustangs only one conference loss behind the SEC leader, Cretin-Derham Hall.

Albers believes the team’s chemistry is responsible for much of its success.

“We all like each other off the court, which shows on the court,” he said.

With two games left in the season, the boys have set themselves up nicely to hopefully win the SEC and claim a high Sections seed.

From green and white to red, white and blue Brodt wins U-18 tournament with Team USA

by Katrina Renacia features editor Though Sydney Brodt, 12, has put on a hockey jerseys hundreds of times, there was something different about this time. Instead of her normal green and white Mounds View sweater, the jersey in her hand was red, white and blue with a USA logo.

“The feeling is kind of indescribable,” said Brodt.

“When I put it on for the first time, I had to take a moment to take it all in and realize that I was playing for my country.”

Brodt began skating at age two and playing hockey at age four. “My dad, who is also a hockey player, inspired and taught me how to play hockey,” she said.

Over 14 years, Brodt has participated in Mounds View youth hockey teams, Ice Cats (a AAA summer league team) and Mounds View girls hockey.

Since freshman year, Brodt has been trying out for the U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Team. Last year, she finally made it.

“I got a call in November saying that I got in,” said Brodt. “I was so excited. After four years of trying out, I finally got an opportunity to represent my country. It was a huge honor.”

The team was to compete in the U-18 World Junior Tournament held in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada from Jan. 8-16. Two weeks before the tournament, Brodt, along with the other members of Team USA, attended a week-long series of daily

rigorous practices and conditioning training in Buffalo, New York.

“The hardest part was when we had to take a physical fitness test on our very first day,” she said.

The physical fitness test included bench presses, pushups, pull-ups and lifting.

Not only was practice tougher than the high school level, but the tournament was also much more competitive. “The play is a lot faster and everyone is super skilled. You really have to play a lot more as a team and hit the puck quicker,” she said.

After beating the Czech Republic, Russia and Canada in the preliminary rounds, the team played a semi-final match against Sweden, winning 4-0.

Through the first four games, Brodt scored a total of three goals and one assist.

“I get super excited every me or someone else from the team scores a goal,” she said. “We [celebrated] hard after every goal.”

The win over Sweden set up a finals match versus Canada. Unlike their first game against Canada in the preliminary round where they won 4-1, the final game against Canada was a tough one, according to Brodt.

“They played very physical and were fast skaters so it made the pace of the game very fast and more intense overall,” she said.

The teams were tied at 2-2 for the most of the game, but Team USA ultimately prevailed. “We were all so nervous until Natalie Snodgrass, my summer teammate, scored the winning goal in overtime,” said

Brodt. “Our whole team struggled to jump over the boards as fast as we could to celebrate on the ice and throw our gloves in the air.”

Despite the challenges and all the hard work that Brodt had to put in for training, she believes that this tournament was an unforgettable experience for her and for her teammates.

“I didn’t really realize what we had accomplished until they played our national anthem after they handed out the gold medals,” she said. “Then it all seemed real and the feeling was indescribable.”

photo courtesy of Sydney Brodt Sydney Brodt prepares to tip the puck during a preliminary round game against Canada.

12 gallery

Friday, February 12, 2016

Lunar New Year Lunar New Year is celebrated in many countries across Asia. Celebrations include eating traditional foods, giving money and wearing red for good fortune.

Many countries also participate in dragon dances to bring good luck.This year, Lunar New Year began on Feb. 8, and ends on Feb. 22.

“

South Korea Lunar New Year, or Seollal in Korea, is a day to gather with family members and reflect on the past year.

Many Koreans will hang bokjories, or bamboo strainers, outside of their doors to filter out bad luck in the new year. During the celebration, people eat traditional foods and talk about the upcoming year with relatives. For Koreans living in America, the holiday may be one of the few opportunities in a year to visit their relatives overseas. Families also look to honor their ancestors through reflection on the past year.

Vietnam In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is called Tet, and the celebration can last up to seven days. Foods such as banh chung, or steamed rice cake, and Vietnamese sausage are often eaten with family members. One popular tradition during the Lunar New Year is giving children red envelopes full of “lucky money” from their parents and elders. The money is thought to bring good fortune in the upcoming year.

“My favorite thing about celebrating the new year is eating tteokguk, which is rice cake soup.”

-Jiyun Kim, 11

“

We gamble, have food and talk with family during the celebration of the new year.”

-Richard Nguyen, 11

China Lunar New Year, also called chun jie, is a traditional Chinese holiday. This year marks the beginning of the Year of the Monkey in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac calendar. Families often eat fish during the celebration to represent new wealth in the upcoming year. Children often receive hong bao, red envelopes filled with money for good luck. Workers in China can take up to seven days off work to celebrate, and many school children get a month off from school. In America, this is a time for people of Chinese descent to explore their culture. information written and compiled by Marley Jones illustration by Eva Hoffman

“

There are things like performances of traditional dances and singing. It’s overall a really exciting and fun atmosphere for everyone to get together.”

-Shelley Wang, 10