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Friday, January 17, 2014

loaded Overachievers

More and more students stack their schedules with multiple AP classes by Eva Hoffman and Mikayla Toninato staff reporters

chool, homework, eat, sleep. Many students feel trapped by the typical school routine: late nights full of homework, cramming, and stress. However, a growing number of Mounds View students are taking it one step further, overloading themselves with super-rigorous schedules, full of multiple Advanced Placement (AP) classes and activities. “Sometimes I wonder why I put myself through this,” said Varun Mangalick, 11, who is taking seven AP classes this year, on top of the eight he has already completed. Scott Wiens, dean of post-secondary services, said students like Mangalick reflect a nationwide trend. “There is an overall rise in students who are taking more rigorous courses nationally,” he said. “Early College has placed more students in AP classes,” said Brian Peloquin, a dean, “but also the weighted GPA has made an impact because students who were scared of getting a B+ and ruining their

photo by Ben Kaiser

For overachievers, backpacks are as full as their schedules. GPA are now more willing to take AP classes.” According to the College

Board, almost one-third of high school graduates took AP classes last year, compared to

about 18 percent in 2002. One local sign of this trend is the rising number of

Volume 61, Issue 7

AP scholars. To become an AP scholar, a student must earn a three or higher on three or more AP tests. In 2013, Mounds View had 62 AP scholars, compared to 32 in 2004. National AP scholars must receive a four or higher on five or more AP tests, with an average score of four. That number has risen as well: There were 19 National AP scholars at Mounds View last year, compared to two in 2004. To some, taking so many AP classes and extracurriculars seems excessive, but to others trying to get into the Ivy League, or into other prestigious schools, those AP classes seem imperative. “My life is a lot of time management,” said Ellie Northrop, 12, an AP scholar. “When I get home from my sports each evening, I immediately start my homework and prioritize what needs to get done first.” With eight extracurricular activities and four AP classes, Northrop needs help to keep herself focused. “Friends have helped my stress levels stay low. We encourage each other to stay productive,” she said.

Overloaded continues on p. 5

Cybersquad at full force

“

Newly formed anti-bullying group has incorporated new ways of combating hate on the internet by Josh Yuan staff reporter Older kids taking over a jungle gym at recess is the stereotypical image of bullies. But in the past decade, a new form of bullying has crept into our daily lives as social websites like Facebook and Twitter erupted on the internet: cyberbullying. In the past few years, Associate Principal Doug Bullinger and School Resource Officer, deputy Will Rzeszutek, have received multiple reports of cyberbullying—using technology to harm or intimidate. They finally decided that a strong student response must be made.

“The deans and I to stay anonymous in the have kind of just got a hopes of having a larger little bit tired of always impact. being on the reactive So far, Cybersquad The student voice has developed fake tweets, side of it instead of being on the proactive similar to real ones posted can be very side of it,” said online, to be read over the powerful.” Bullinger. morning announcements. In October, They have also met with the student-run some juniors and seniors “Cybersquad” was born. -Anonymous about setting an example Cybersquad is a for underclassmen. “think tank” organization “We feel like people of 11 students who meet and propose think it is okay to write things down but ideas of ways to stop the hateful not to say them out loud, so we wanted messages and vulgar images students people to hear their tweets out loud and post on the internet. The members try discover how awful they sound,” said

one member. Though the group was started by administrators, the hope is that students will be able to reach students. “I can get up there and preach about what you should and shouldn’t do, but students are going to hear much better than they’re going to hear from the administration,” said Bullinger. Cybersquad members say they are headed in the right direction. “If we get all the students to behave online, then we could create a better general environment for everyone,” said one member. “The student voice can be very powerful.”

2editorials TOP

Easily kept New Years Resolutions

10 8

Procrastinate more

Give up reading for enjoyment

Spend more on personal indulgences

Exercise...your thumbs playing PS4

Cut back on fruits and vegetables Gain weight

Befriend Graham Goodwiler

Devote disproportionately long hours to Youtube Sleep less

Make more virtual friends

2013-2014 Viewer Editors Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor

Phoebe Ke

Sasha Safonov Manager of Design Kyoka Millard Business Manager Nina Bertelsen News Monica Kemp Editorials Tristan Aschittino Alistair Tang Features Ryan Yoch Nicole Wahlin Spread Neha Sethi Tommy Sletten Variety Namrata Gadela Reviews Kyoka Millard James Birr Sports Maddy Rosenow Molly Hancuh Gallery Rebecca Nara Photographers/Artists Ben Kaiser Anders Nygaard Michaela Morse Adviser Martha Rush

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James Birr, Kobi Endrizzi,

Joe Janey, Nathaniel Nikoi

Staff Aaron Adams, Ross Armstrong,

Michael Ban, Emma Blume, Daniel DeWitt, Sarah Dhols-Graf, Thomas Doty, Brittany Durbahn, Andy Glischinski, Eva Hoffman, Sophia Jaszewski, Ryan Kaczynski, Persis Ke, Jonathan Kim, Benjamin Kingsriter, Vicky Lee, Matthew Lubratt, Logan Maccani, Tess Martin, Brooke Olson, Jacob Reisdorfer, Katrina Renacia, Kellen Rholl, Emily Ruan, Joshua Rydberg, Sean Sabeti-Oseid, Nicholas Standridge, Tatiana Steward, Carlie Sullivan, Mikayla Toninato, Max Van de Werken, Clara Wang, Josh Yuan

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

January 17, 2014

Editors Agree

STAFF EDITORIAL 1

Editors Disagree

Food Stamps: What are our priorities? House Republicans proposed a bill in September that set the groundwork for $39 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next ten years. Large portions of the bill were passed into law. The negative implications of the cutbacks are slowly revealing themselves. The cut funds should be promptly restored. More than 40 percent of Americans (approximately 47.6 million people, according to the US Department of Agriculture) receive SNAP benefits, and 49 percent of recipient households are households with children, the majority of which are dependent on single parents. Recipient households have incomes averaging $731 per month. With a meager $45 per week in SNAP benefits for single member households to supplement the cost of groceries, shaving money off of the program at a rate of $11 per month (Source: the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) can mean that a person living on food stamps will have to cut back. Now, perhaps, he will not be able to afford the three boxes of cereal he bought last month with that $11. Instead, he will go without breakfast. Families that are dependent on food stamps need every penny they can get. Many are born into poverty, so for the sake of equal opportunity, all children should have access to sustenance. Food is a necessity, it should not be caught up in a political game and taken out of the hands of the people who need it. A common argument made by economic conservatives is that people receiving food stamps will abuse the program. First of all, there is always fraud. No system is perfect. Just as the rich can evade taxes with overseas havens, the poor can lie on forms, misrepresenting their personal assets. Applications are checked for accuracy, however, so fraud can only squeak by in a very low volume. There are numerous safeguards on Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (EBTs), the modern medium for transferring SNAP benefits into a liquid form. The benefits can only be used to buy food. They are not valid for liquor, or tobacco, and they cannot be exchanged for cash. Still, conservatives will argue, people should not get handouts. We live in a

country where everyone has a chance to take a slice of the wealth and that is why the poor do not deserve to have food supplied by the government. If they didn’t excel in the classroom as a child and get a high-paying job (despite the fact that there is no limitless supply of such jobs), if their parents couldn’t afford to send them to college, then it is their responsibility to make do with what they have. $76.4 billion went to feeding disadvantaged people in 2013. Some would say this is outrageous. America’s poor aren’t the only recipients of taxpayer money, however.

The corporate world received over $700 billion in stimulus packages in 2008. Much of the money was used to save banks from the effects of irresponsible loans. General Motors and other huge auto companies were saved by billions in government bailouts in the name of Keynesian economics. The bailouts kept jobs alive, but food keeps people alive. We must recognize priorities.

Viewer Mission Statement 1. To publish news, information and opinion articles for and about student, faculty and administration activities, interests and policies. 2. To maintain high ethical standards with regard to fairness, personal and legal rights, responsibilities and accuracy. 3. To provide a forum for free and responsible expression of student opinion and present well-balanced, locally researched coverage of issues of broader student interest. 4. To strive for a high level of competency in the technical aspect of writing, including grammar, spelling, clarity, and precision. 5. To welcome diversity and increase the scope and depth of our coverage in order to heighten mutual understanding and awareness throughout our entire school community. Articles and letters to the editor appearing on the editorials pages represent solely the opinions of the writers and do not represent in any way the viewpoint of Viewer, our advertisers, Mounds View High School or its staff. The editors of the Viewer welcome and encourage the publication of all viewpoints.

January 17, 2014

A concealed menace

editorials Student VIEWS

Modern racism is subtle, but just as harmful by Ross Armstrong staff writer

In everyday conversation, you may often hear what seems like an innocent joke regarding someone’s ethnicity, but what is intended as harmless can make a bigger impact than you might imagine. Although many of us would prefer to think that discrimination no longer exists, it’s still a prominent issue in our community. The small comments and actions we make may seem harmless and in good humor, but in reality they can be insensitive and make other ethnicities feel excluded. The solution may seem simple, but not only do we need to stop excluding others, we need to embrace our differences. Some of the things we do are unintentional or may seem innocent. Simply following social standards can create rifts between what would normally be a large, collective group of students. Chance Carnahan, 12, said, “Many students tend to spend time with their respective races because there are preconceptions of what is acceptable within our school.” Another thing that can seem harmless is teasing a friend about traits that are

common for a certain culture, commenting that clothes or hairstyles make someone look like a certain race, and joking about where they came from; these are common things that hurt others in more ways than you can imagine. A simple comment about appearance may leave someone dreading school the next day. Stereotyping a student can stop them from reaching their own individual potential. We may not have hate crimes at this school or often hear people taunting others solely for the color of their skin; but it isn’t always that black and white. Ignorance is a big part of modern discrimination, and offhand comments can cause just as much damage as hate speech. Although they may not be intentionally negative, these comments can spark feelings of isolation in students around you. A joke here and there about a certain stereotype may seem funny, and many kids may think it’s okay if it’s meant as a joke; but as cliche as it sounds, words do hurt. As complicated as ignorance and racism can be; it seems that the road towards equality is as simple as understanding and honoring the differences we have, and recognizing what we all want from the world. Marvin Sims, dean of

“Racism still exists, but clubs like Diversity Council are spreading awareness to help decrease it.” -Jenny Wang, 12 photo courtesy of Kami Choi

Diversity Council hosts various fundraisers and events to raise awareness about other cultures at Mounds View. equity services, said, “It’s very important to open up that dialogue between others and to understand each others own personal struggles and recognize our common goals.” Instead of imagining everyone as colorless, we can imagine everyone as their own shade, and respect that.

“Most of the time racial jokes aren’t meant to harm others, but they can make people feel excluded and different from others.” -Tyler Fairchild, 10 photos by Alistair Tang

Preserve our nation’s libraries by Aaron Adams staff writer

There are few locations more representative of intelligence than the library. Its very concept—a collection of knowledge, some of it centuries old, that anyone can access—is based around the idea of educating the masses. But what happens if the masses don’t want to be educated? For that is what seems to be happening now. The long-term educational potential of the library seems to have been largely swapped out for the shortterm entertainment options it now can provide. Libraries are largely switching away from a physical collection, which may lead our society in a direction we’re unprepared to go. The evidence that libraries are beginning to abandon their physical materials can’t be refuted. One need look no further than the Colorado library that opened this September that is completely paperless. Even at Mounds View, the library was the first to receive the recent Windows 7 update, showing how the push for more technology is strongest

Editor opinions What your Viewer editors think of various issues.

cartoon by Rebecca Nara

there. Observant patrons will notice also notice fewer books on the shelves. “Last year I weeded more books off the shelf,” said Becky Stouten, librarian, “There’s less non fiction, but fiction is still heavily used.” The books that are taken off aren’t likely to be replaced either, as the budget for new orders has been drastically cut. Some of the money that once went into new orders is now going toward the purchasing of ebooks. Despite the ease at which these ebooks can be accessed through the LMC Destiny Catalog, their use has been

“My New Year’s resolution this year is to follow my New Year’s resolution last year.” - Ryan Yoch features editor

incredibly low. As physical materials disappear from library shelves, all kinds of problems sprout up. The most obvious of these problems is, “What happens to the books?” If the logical conclusion of this tech-based advance is a paperless library, where do we put all the papers? Here at Mounds View books pulled from shelves can be sent to other schools or even given away, but if a large-scale trend was to take effect, the output would be more than those channels could take. What would we do with the overflow? Do we just discard them? What a senseless waste of knowledge that would be. Perhaps the biggest problem with the trend toward tech is that it could lead to the removal of librarians themselves, along with the unique knowledge they can teach us. If you’ve ever asked a reference librarian for help, you know that librarians have the kind of expertise to locate the proverbial needle in the haystack, cutting through the layers of useless information a search engine digs up to get at the heart of the matter.

“Everybody needs to sleep more.”

- Namrata Gadela variety editor

Librarians know so much that we do not, and to simply cast that knowledge aside is pure folly. By removing librarians from libraries or even downsizing their role we also effectively invalidate the hard work most of them take to get to where they are. You don’t need a degree in library studies to check out a DVD for someone or explain to them how to use a computer. Whether we like it or not, libraries are moving to technology to increase their appeal in a technological world. That doesn’t have to mean, however, that libraries must move away from their original purpose—the archival and lending out of reading material. In order for that to happen, though, we as a society need to show that we care just as much about the books as we do about the tech. If we can do that, we’ll have libraries do double duty as both places where you can use new technology for free and places that retain their massive stores of knowledge for generations to come.

“PDA couples need to keep it to a minimum. You do not need to touch each other all the time. Please refrain.” - Maddy Rosenow sports editor

“Go Broncos!”

- Phoebe Ke editor-in-chief

4features

January 17, 2014

The many sides of Sola Olateju by Ryan Yoch v Features Editor

Sola Olateju, 12, gets the ball and hits the ground running. With a quick cut left he avoids the tackle and the trap of social conventions. He holds the ball tight as he spins right, breaking through the defense and the idea of academic balance. He looks up and sees his path to the end zone and to the future is wide open; ready for the taking. He takes a deep breath and starts his long sprint towards success.

Tie and coat: Does he have your vote? At this year’s Youth in Government (YIG) conference, Olateju served as the Lieutenant Governor. In addition to being one of the highest positions possible for “yiggies,” the Lieutenant Governor is responsible for making numerous speeches throughout the weekend and appointing a cabinet, much like a real governor. Despite his impressive leadership role, Olateju has always considered himself as nothing more than a representative of the delegation. Back in his Junior year, Olateju first used the slogan “Sola Olateju, Man of the people,” yet he still believes the phrase to be true today. “I had to find something that says a lot about me in a couple words, and I decided that I was there for the people, not to gloat or to be selfish,” said Olateju. “As

an officer, my job isn’t just to be a leader, it is to act as a voice for the average delegate.” Olateju has always loved politics, but he cherishes the friendships that he has made at YIG more than any vote or piece of legislature. “I have always been interested in debate and politics, but for me, YIG is more than that. It’s about the people I get to meet, and work with,” said Olateju. “They are from all different backgrounds with so many different viewpoints to offer you. They are genuinely kind people, who root for you and are there to make lasting friendships. I know I will always be able to count on them at any point in my life.”

As someone who says “a couple hours” is too much down time, Olateju is living the dream. A sleep-deprived one, but a dream nonetheless. Olateju has never been one to shy away from a challenge, and his diverse course-load reflects that. Currently enrolled in two AP classes, two PSEO classes, DECA, and Concert Choir, Olateju flourishes in his well-rounded schedule by taking his day one task at a time. “I think sometimes I might spread myself a little thin, but I just try to stay focused on what I’m doing,” said Olateju. “Whether I’m at basketball, YIG, or school, I have to have my mind in it. I can’t be thinking about something else if I want to succeed.” Success is on the forefront of Olateju’s mind as he eagerly awaits his college acceptance letters. After years of hard work, Olateju applied to Boston

College, Columbia, and Stanford, to name a few. He plans on majoring in economics and political science, hoping they will one day help him to become a politician. “I can definitely see myself being a part-time congressman at some time in my life. Another amazing job in the end would be a Supreme Court Justice,” said Olateju. “I know it would take a lot of work to get there, but that would be an incredible thing to accomplish.” Olateju strongly believes that the choices of today have a large impact on the success of tomorrow, and his commitment to dressing classy reflects that. “It’s a dress for success mentality. I have always said that I never know who I’m going to meet that day,” said Olateju. “For all I know the CEO of Apple could walk in looking for new intern. And when he does I want to be the best version of myself that I can be.”

photo by Katzie Truso

“An opportunity is like a moment, once it leaves, it is gone forever and we cannot get it back.” -Sola Olateju, State of the State Address 2014

Sneakers and cleats: He’s the one to beat

Sweater-vest: Dress to impress

With the amount that Olateju already has on his extracurricular plate, adding three sports to the mix may seem crazy. But a little bit of crazy never stopped Olateju, who is currently in the midst of his

varsity basketball season. Allconference for football and a captain for track, photo courtesy of Sola Olateju

Olateju pushes the balance of sports and school in all three seasons. “When you first enter high school they talk a lot about balance. They say that you can’t do three sports and all these activities without getting overwhelmed,” said Sola. “But I thought, ‘Why can’t I? If I can balance everything during one sport, why can’t I do it for three?’ Slowing down has never really made sense to me.” Olateju is not afraid of being in charge. The way he conducts himself both on and off the field makes it obvious that Olateju lives for leadership. “There are lots of moments when you need to step up and tell the guys to do another set of sprints or another set of lifting,” said Olateju. “It’s in those moments that I know I need to be a leader.” He’s a team player, but he’s fiercely independent. He says that team honors far outweigh individual success, but yet his motivation comes from within. “I don’t need to show people I’m working hard. I’m the only one whose opinion matters, the only one I need to impress,” said Olateju. “At the end of the day I have to answer to myself and I have to be happy with what I’ve done.”

Chipotle serves food fast, but checks slow

by Persis Ke and Emily Ruan Staff reporters

School clubs and teams frequently plan fundraisers at Chipotle Mexican Grill in Arden Hills. Though the restaurant is a student favorite for both its food and its proximity to school, clubs who fundraised at Chipotle this past fall and winter have had some difficulty obtaining reimbursement. According to Ruth Jiang, 11, the restaurant switched management three times, and lost all fundraising records in the process. As a result, both the Volunteer Service Club and Student Council have not received the money they raised from Chipotle.

When contacted by phone, a manager at Chipotle said the checks were sent last Friday along with a confirmation email, yet neither club has received them. The checks may still be in the mail, but students are concerned. “We’ve tried to contact them multiple times,” said Jiang, who headed Volunteer Service Club’s Chipotle fundraiser in October. “Communication is really bad. They keep saying, ‘We’ll get back to you,’ but they never do.” Jiang has tried calling Chipotle and going to the restaurant in person. However, the only information she has received is that the Volunteer Service Club made $100 and the restaurant would get back to her

as soon as possible. This incident is compounded by a previous error made by Chipotle regarding fundraiser schedules, mistakenly scheduling both the fundraisers of the Volunteer Service Club and Student Council on the same day. Student Council was able to reschedule at a later date, but these problems are leading some to question the reliability of Chipotle fundraising. Student Council adviser Shannon Belland said she had received an e-mail instructing the group to redo their forms, which she did on Friday. “I know we are frustrated that we didn’t receive the check in a timely fashion, but I do believe it should be coming now.”

features

January 17, 2014

Shih poses with one of his swords.

A modern swordsmith

Student’s hobby revives an ancient craft by Emily Ruan staff reporter On a hot summer day, a quiet, dark-haired young man sits in his basement, hunched over a large wooden table. A blazing fire in the fireplace keeps the room even hotter than the air outside. A beam of sunlight falls across the table, revealing a scratched and worn workbench covered in a variety of blacksmithing tools. Balanced precariously on its edge is a three-foot long steel sword. Most young boys come closest to their dreams of Pirates of the Caribbean-style swordfights during elementary school Halloweens. While sophomore Hudson Shih’s interest in swords also began early, he has achieved something more than childhood fancy. “My brother and I used to stick fight in our yard,” Shih said. “He got bored and quit, so I carried on for

him. In seventh grade, I made my first sword.” Today, swordmaking is often regarded as a dying art. Shih, however, eagerly practices this serious DIY craft in his own home. “I’m pretty lucky,” said Shih. “My grandpa used to make tractors, so he gives me scrap metal that he would normally sell. Otherwise, it’s kind of hard to find pieces of steel just laying around.” Shih taught himself to make his first sword, and has refined his technique since then. He begins each sword by cutting one end of the metal into a triangular tip, and then uses an electric grinder to evenly sharpen the sides into a double-edged blade. “It’s really important to make sure the sword is balanced. For example, if it’s top-heavy, it doesn’t swing well,” said Shih. Next come the long processes of quenching and tempering the metal. Shih explained, “I stick the sword in

Overloaded students Overloaded continued from p. 1

Students have to get used to the stress, and for some it takes a year or two to find the right pace. Lisa Hong, 11, is taking four AP classes this year and participating in numerous extracurriculars. “I think last year I was way more stressed… simply because I was only sleeping from 2 to 5 a.m. on average,” said Hong. “This year, I’ve tried to get into a habit where I finish everything up sooner and get more sleep.” Many students find tools to calm themselves and manage the stress. “Music, for me, is a stress reliever, so when I get sick of doing homework, I take a break to practice an instrument,” said Northrop. Students have varied reasons for wanting this difficult course load. For some, the weighted grade is a huge incentive. Alex Guzina, 11, said, “I do enjoy learning, but the way our school system is structured, we focus less on learning, material retention, and application, and more on scores and grades.” Hong said she does not focus on the weighted GPA. “No, definitely not,” she said. “I always forget that AP classes are weighted credit. Most colleges I’m interested in look at the unweighted GPA anyway to avoid grade inflation.” Mangalick said the opportunities are what

Shih sharpens his sword in his basement. the fire for about 10 minutes, and then I dunk it in cold water. It changes the chemical composition of the steel so that it’s stronger and harder.” However, a harder blade is also more brittle. The next step, tempering— the slow reheating of the hardened steel at low temperatures—helps to ensure the blade is both tough and flexible. After the blade itself is finished, Shih welds on additional pieces of metal to make the sword’s guard and grip. This entire process takes him

motivates him. “I think about all the stories we hear about where kids with sticks and stone tablets are learning how to read while sitting on dirt floors,” he said. “If they can do that with nearly nothing, I should make the privileged life I have worth it by using my time to the fullest.” For students who are just focused on college admission, taking so many AP classes can have its downsides. When Wiens visited Boston College, he said, a parent asked whether it would be best for her student to take AP classes and get B’s and C’s or take regular classes and get A’s. The Boston College representative said the school wants to see AP classes —but with A grades. So, for some college-driven learners, AP classes are not a must. “I don’t think all students should take all AP classes. Each student needs to do what’s best for them and up to their abilities,” said Wiens. “Some students can handle four or five AP classes, but others should limit themselves to two,” Wiens said. According to the Washington Post, some schools place limits on the number of APs a student can take. The Cumberland County school district in North Carolina prohibits ninth graders from taking AP courses, then limits sophomores to one, juniors to three and seniors to four. Mounds View is moving in the opposite direction,

photos provided by Hudson Shih

one to two years to complete, since he mainly works during the summer and on weekends. “Making a sword yourself is a totally different experience,” Shih said. “It takes a lot of work, but in the end it’s really cool. Now, if I have something like a clothes tag, instead of having to find a pair of scissors, I can just pick up a sword and cut it.”

encouraging all students to try AP classes and imposing no specific limits. In the past few years, the school has also allowed students to take more total courses at a time, rather than limiting them to six. Teachers say the motive for choosing an overloaded schedule is critical. “I had a student last year in honors who had 12 classes in her schedule,” said English teacher Gretchen Nesset. “If a student truly wants to do it that’s one thing, but if they are doing it because they think they need to, I don’t think that’s necessary,” she said. “I think students are overloading themselves with AP classes but also extracurricular activities,” said APUSH teacher Justin Benolkin. “There is an outside pressure to take more AP classes. Pick an AP route you like.” “My concern for students overloading themselves is by taking on too much, it takes away what they are capable of in any one class,” said Mark Johnson, AP Biology teacher. Hong said despite the demands on her time, she is doing what she wants. “Obviously, it’s overwhelming at times when I think about all the stuff I have to do and all the events I have coming up,” she said. Her secret, she said, is to only think about one to two weeks at a time. “That way it isn’t so overwhelming.”

MV 2k13

Reliving the biggest moments of 2013 by Clara Wang staff reporter Mounds View began the 2013-14 school year with yet another new principal, Jeff Ridlehoover. Ridlehoover taught chemistry and coached girls’ softball at Champlin Park High School before rising to an assistant principal principal at an Anoka Ramsey District Middle School. He then took on the same role at Wayzata High School, for which he received the award for the Assistant Principal of the Year for the Hennepin Division. Ridlehoover also won the 2012 NASSP Dr. Ted Sizer High School Dissertation Award for his research, The

High School Principalship: An Investigation Into the Essential Leadership Characteristics as Determined by High School Principals and the Teachers Whom They Serve. Mounds View’s new principal finds students and staff to be a hardworking and resourceful. “The uniqueness in this building really pertains to the students. The students in this building are incredibly respectful, very hardworking, and just genuinely good people,” said Ridlehoover. In the eyes of Ridlehoover, 2013 created a strong and lasting first impression of a hardworking Mounds View.

by Ryan Kaczynski staff reporter In 2013, the Mounds View baseball team won the class 3A state baseball title. The Mustangs defeated Rocori 8-0 for the state baseball title and finished with a 20-6 record. The team was led by three division one commits; Max Knutson, who signed with Nebraska, Ethan Decaster, who walked-on at Creighton, and Sam Hentges, 12, who has signed with Arkansas. A lot of sophomores and juniors also stepped up during the state title run.

The Mounds View Science Olympiad team gathers for a picture.

New principal Jeff Ridlehoover works at his desk.

by Ryan Kaczynski staff reporter The Mounds View Science Olympiad team has been strong for years, but 2013 was a highlight with a seventh place finish in nationals. “The team traveled to Ohio with the goal of placing in the top ten places. It was both a guardedly optimistic goal, but also one that we felt was achievable,” said science teacher Thomas Carr, one of the team’s coaches. The team worked with dedication and devotion. “When preparing for competition we all feel a sense of urgency... we all really cared about Science Olympiad and felt it was important to do well. However, it’s not like we didn’t enjoy it. We all love our events in one way or another; that’s what makes us so successful,” said team member Jonathan Wang, 11.

Another key to the state championship was the unity of the team. “We came together as a team. The players and coaches were all on the same page with a common goal and we came together as a team to achieve our goal,” said last year’s head baseball coach Jon Nuss. The team had a strong bond on and off the field and worked well together. “The guys were really fun to work with. They were funny guys who are always having a good time. But when it came time for baseball they worked hard,” said Nuss.

by Matt Lubratt staff reporter

Last summer, seniors Robins Mdoka and Chance Carnahan organized a Mound View Nerf game. Teams of fo paid the administrators $20 dollars to participate; if they shot someone on another team they would tweet a picture of the elimination, but if they go shot they would be eliminate The $20 admissions fee went toward the winner’s jackpot consisting of a couple hundre dollars, depending on how many teams registered. Mdoka said, “The summ Nerf game was difficult to organize due to the large amount of players participati There were disputes over some eliminations due to administrators not being

The baseball team celebrates after winning the State Championship.

Highway 96 and Highway 10 intersection.

They not only had a great experience at the competition, but also achieved great success by placing in the top ten. The team was awarded seventh place, which surprised many of the team members, but they were excited to say the least. “As they announced the 10th place, ninth, and eighth place teams, there may have been some growing doubts among some team members. When we were announced as the seventh place winners, the team was ecstatic. The team was surprised by the seventh place finish, but it was confirmation that the team had the capability to complete at that level,” said Carr. Through endless passion and commitment, the Mounds View Science Olympiad experienced one of their most stunning and fervent victories yet.

by Kellen Rholl staff reporter Highway 96 opening was music to every student’s ears. This past year presented many transportation problems for students caused by the nine-month project to solve the traffic issues at the Highway 96 and Highway 10 intersection. While closed, the constuction caused students to take many different ways to school. For most students, the detours

Patrick Murray, 1 for the final show MV Nerf compet

Student Council prepares for a school dance.

caused major havoc and made the trek to and from Mounds View stressful and lengthy. “I remember one of the first days when it closed, it took me an extra 20 minutes to get home,” said Elliott Jang, 12. This project, which was completed in November 2013, left us with a Highway 10 bridge that passes over Highway 96, new traffic signals, and a less time-consuming and hectic commute to school.

by Clara Wang staff reporter There seems to be an ever-evolving schedule when it comes to school dances at Mounds View. Some of the major changes this school year include getting rid of the Cave Crave and switching Sadie Hawkins and MORP. “Last year we had the Cave Crave that was one of most popular dances with one of the greatest attendances out of any of them,” said student council representative Chance Carnahan, 12. The Cave Crave is not allowed this year due to problems with DJs and sanitation issues. “So this

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present.” The winner of the summer Nerf game was Patrick Murray. He said, “I never thought I was going to make it as far as I did. It was a feeling of relief when I won, because I could finally stop watching my back.” Murray was on a team with Jonas Neururer, Marnie Zilka, and Nik Hegstrand. Even after those three were eliminated they still helped Murray win. Though the summer game is over, a new Nerf game will be happening soon. The administrators have not set a date on when it will start, but they are allowing teams to sign up. Mdoka, who will also be an administrator for this upcoming competition, said, “I expect the next game to be even bigger with more players, higher stakes and more excitement.”

by Clara Wang staff reporter This past year, Summer Brills,12, competed in the 2013 Girls Tennis state tournament, after having won first in Girls’ Singles at state the year before. Brills dominated this year, placing second in the tournament after rivaling Caitlyn Merzbacher from Edina in the Class 2A finals. “I had a great match. Obviously I wish I had gotten first to uphold my title from last year, but it was a great match… I fought until the end,” said Brills. Brills’ perseverance made it an intense battle as she fought with a strong 6-1, 2-6, 5-7 at the Baseline Tennis Center at the University of Minnesota. “I came

back. I was down 1-4 and I came back and I was up 5-4 in the third set. So that that’s something I’ll remember,” said Brills. She strives to work harder every time she plays, whether it be in a state tournament or simple hitting practice. “I worked on my serve a lot, and making my serve more strong, and more part of my game. Also my volleys and coming into the net,” said Brills regarding honing her tennis skills this year. For her, 2013 was a year of tennis triumph as she continues to improve at her sport. She looks forward to grow as a player and will be leaving Mounds View to attend Drake University next fall on a full tennis scholarship.

by Kellen Rholl staff reporter Mounds View claimed another state title this fall when Kiley Kuether, 12, brought the Mustangs a state championship in diving. “Winning was completely surreal,” said Kuether. “It was such a huge goal and dream of mine that I wasn’t even sure it was reality, until I saw myself up on the big screen receiving my medal. That’s when I realized I did it, I actually am the new state champ.”

Summer Brills, 12, celebrates winning a tennis match. Brills finished 2nd in state.

11, prepares wdown of the tition.

New math teacher Kaitie O’Bryan.

New science teacher Jacob Hairrell.

Kiley Kuether, 12, is congratulated by coach John Madura after winning state.

New grading policy categories.

by Matt Lubratt staff reporter year, we’re having MORP in the February time area. We kind of switched times with Sadies this year so it’s not too much different, just a time period.” Another tentative change is the idea of a dance in which the seniors get to pick the music. “We’re going to have like, this is our idea, it’s not set in stone yet, but we’re going to have a ‘Last Chance Dance’ where we’re going to let the seniors pretty much pick the set list for the entire dance,” said Carnahan. The event would be similar to other school dances but with seniors responsible for the music selection.

by Matt Lubratt staff reporter At Mounds View last year, teachers left and retired, but new teachers have taken their place. Doug Bullinger, associate principal, said, “Teachers have left us due to retirement and other reasons. We also have about 15 new teachers across all of our departments.” The new teachers are loving

She is the first Mounds View student to receive the individual state girls diving title. Kuether’s perseverance and dedication were remarkable. “I had been working hard since I got fourth at state last year,” Kuether said. Kuether is looking to continue her swimming career in college. She received numerous offers from colleges after her victory around the country. Kuether has committed to dive Division 1 at Florida

the Mounds View environment. “It is intense, the expectation is clearly higher from other schools I’ve worked at, and I love it,” said Jacob Hairrell, a new science teacher at Mounds View. Kaitie O’Bryan, a new math teacher at Mounds View felt similarly. “Working at Mounds View so far has been exciting, different everyday, but also very busy.”

This year Mounds View decided to institute a school-wide grading policy, which means 80 percent of the grade is under the performance category, and the other 20 percent is under the practice category. Performance includes tests, projects and the final exam. Practice includes daily homework, small quizzes and small projects. Doug Bullinger, associate principal, said, “Before the 80 percent performance and 20 percent practice grading scale, we had no structure. We had

classes doing 70 percent and 30 percent and other classes just based their grade on points. Students were having different experiences in all six of their classes.” Students have different views on this new grading policy. Jonas Neururer, 11, is in favor of the new grading policy. He said, “I like the new grading scale, because it puts less emphasis on homework so I can focus on the tests and final.” Josh Macho, 11, doesn’t like the new grading policy. He said, “I don’t like it because if I do bad on one test it has a big impact on my grade.”

photos courtesy of Kiley Kuether, Summer Brills, Chance Carnahan, Mounds View Baseball, and Mounds View Science Olympiad

8 variety

January 17, 2014

¿Qué quieres comer?

Old School Classics by James Birr online managing editor On the corner of Grand Ave and West 38th there’s a little shack with seating for a max of twenty people, there’s no indoor waiting area for people to be seated. Littered on the walls are photos of old Cuba, from photos of Castro to an old woman smoking a cigar outside her home. Touted as the first Cuban restaurant of the Twin Cities, Victor’s 1959 Cafe sports a tight interior but a large, diverse Caribbean-style menu. From Mango Pancakes to Cuban Croquetas to Pina Colada Cake, Victor’s has it all. Walking into the small cafe, you feel like you’ve

entered an authentic Cuban restaurant. You’re greeted by a tiny bar where people eat their morning breakfast. Although there is a permanent waiting line, it’s worth it once you sit down in the comfy booths. Restaurant patrons are encouraged to take their own pens or sharpies to write and draw on the walls —from affirmations of love to bizarre, trippy portraits, it’s clear this place is a staple to Minneapolis. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day long, I got both the Cuban Hash and Pan Con Lechon (pulled pork sandwich). The Hash, which is a mix of eggs, potatoes, and a

sweet creole sauce, is savory and spicy at the same time. The Pan Con Lechon, on the other hand, is a tangy, sweet pork sandwich that is easily the best pork sandwich I’ve ever had. Mixing in some homemade rice and beans makes it all the better. As a whole, Victor’s is a fantastic little shack in the middle of Minneapolis. Judging by appearance might make it seem like just another dive, but it’s a quality, authentic, cheap Cuban food with a homey atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of the Caribbean. photo by James Birr

The bright colors match the vibrant food at Victor’s 1959 Cafe.

photo by Sophie Jaszewksi

Braised potatos and beef medallions dish served at Cafe Ena.

Modern Fusion by Sophie Jaszewksi staff reporter The modest-sized Latin Fusion restaurant on the corner of 46th and Grand does not fail to exceed dining expectations. The warm atmosphere of Cafe Ena will impress all. The traditional decor of metal plaques and unique flowers dress the walls. Blue, green and red patterned walls liven the cozy room. The traditional Latin dishes are artfully crafted with special attention on playing with colors and garnishes, almost too intricate to devour. Pistachio-crusted grouper, braised potatoes and beef medallions are highlights of the gourmet menu. However, one can’t resist from digging in to discover

that the real art is in the flavors. The fresh ingredients’ natural flavors are highlighted, instead of being drowned in spices. Most dishes have Cuban, Puerto Rican, or Mexican influences. Though not a Latin traditional appetizer, warm bread with garlic butter greets every table, a sort of comfort food with a twist. The modern-style kitchen is open and can be viewed from most of the tables or booths. People scattered at the chairs facing the kitchen, seemingly regulars of the cozy Latin cafe, prove the overall quality of the dining experience. The food has reasonable prices as most appetizers are under $10 and main entrees are $20-$30. Cafe Ena is located at 4601 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419.

photo fair use of istockphoto.com, www.nbbs.nl , www.myrecipes.com

reviews

January 17, 2014

The Best of 2013 Of all the films that came out in 2013, we chose these three as the best films of the year.

Despicable Me by Katrina Renacia staff reporter Not only are the little yellow goggled-eyes creatures cute and cuddly, they’re also funny and simply irresistible. Despicable Me 2 is indeed the funniest and cutest film of 2013. The film starts with the Anti-Villain League (AVL) recruiting former super-villain, Gru, to use his expertise after a laboratory was stolen. Gru teams up with Lucy Wilde and together they suspect a Mexican restaurant owner, Eduardo, of being a villain named “El Macho.” Evidence gets mixed up and the AVL arrests the wrong suspect and closes the investigation. Meanwhile, El Macho keeps on plotting evil plans and captures Lucy. I fell in love with the movie after the first few minutes of watching it. Its slapstick-humor and cuteness overload got my attention hooked onto the screen. It also centers on family which keeps the interest of adults while the cute characters make the film relatable for children. Steve Carell’s (Gru) thick accent perfectly fits the nerd and ex-villain image, contrasting the

Best Comedy

minion’s high pitched voices and adorable attitude. Overall, this gives the film a unique, irresistible charm. A few scenes that would be really engaging to kids are the minions giving a 21fart-gun salute in honor of Dr. Nefario. They will also surely love all the minion-centered scenes such as chasing after a car and singing “I swear” at the end of the film. The minions were also given more attention which made this sequel a lot more funny. Although I Ioved the film, it lacked villain acts such as stealing the moon, seen in the first film. Overall, the film is visually appealing. Its animation was quite surreal which mirrored the whole

Best Animated Movie

education...as enemies? Monsters University, Pixar’s prequel to their 2001 hit, Monsters, Inc., is a fun-filled family comedy which follows Mike Wazowski as he finally accomplishes his dream photo courtesy of DeviantArt of attending by Thomas Doty Monsters University. Ever since Mike was a young monster, his dream was staff reporter to become one of the top scarers in Mike and Sully are back and Monstropolis. To achieve this goal, this time they’re going through he wanted to attend the premiere the struggles of post-secondary institution for scaring.

Identity Thief by Nina Bertelsen business manager As many as nine million Americans had their identity stolen in 2013 and in Identity Thief, directed by Seth Gordon, Sandy Patterson becomes an unfortunate victim. Patterson, played by Jason Bateman, is a thrifty middle age associate with a young family. He is about finally leave his unfulfilling job to start a new firm with co-workers when his livelihood is suddenly put at jeopardy after he falls victim to identity theft and discovers thousands of dollars of debt in his name. In order to save his job, Sandy must prove that he is not an irresponsible felon, and sets out on a hilarious adventure to find the thief.

photo courtesy of Wikipedia

superhero image that kids love so much. The story plot was also simple enough to be easily followed by kids.

Monsters University During his first semester at Monsters U, Mike encounters James Sullivan, a star scarer who is a natural. Mike and Sully’s bickering eventually gets them both suspended from the prestigious scaring program. Now they’ll have to work together, alongside a group of misfit monsters, to prove that they are worthy enough and earn their way back into the program. The film’s visuals are stunning and unbelievably crisp. The monsters and campus are full of vivid colors, and the animators did a great job showing off their artistic talent. Of course, Pixar is famous for their genius storylines, and this film is no exception. They did a great job explaining what had happened before Mike and Sully were best friends and

business partners. The scenes of the film are delivered very well, making it clear what exactly happens to Mike and his relationship with Sully. The only downside of the movie is that the antics are almost too predictable. The shenanigans that the monsters partake in are really no different from any other film that portrays college life. Despite parts being a little cliche, this film is an animated masterpiece. Pixar is known for their amazing work and they do not disappoint this time. Everything is well done, from the script to the visuals, it is all a work of art. Monsters University will surely go down in history as yet another Pixar classic.

Best Action/Adventure Identity Thief is a rip-roaring, knee-slapping comedy that showcases Melissa McCarthy as the colorful, rambunctious, and surprisingly devious thief. The viewer would not expect such a seemingly harmless woman, with orange lipstick and a frilly home to ruthlessly steal from others. Bateman and McCarthy play off each other well, and the tension between the characters lends to hilarious antics. The film’s downfall is when it deviates from the comedy. The film attempts a heart-warming and fairytale ending, but the attempt to tug at the viewer’s heartstrings falls short. Bateman is almost believable to pull off the shock and despair after discovering McCarthy’s past, but the shift from funny to serious happens too quickly and leaves the viewer confused and unsatisfied.

photo courtesy of AMC

10sports

Who’s the

January 17, 2014

toughest

on the ice?

by Tess Martin staff reporter Girls and boys hockey both have the same principles. Six people on the ice at one time: one goalie, two defensemen, and three forwards. In both games, the teams fight over the puck and try to score in the opposing team’s net. Still, there are more differences than just the girls’ ponytails hanging down the backs of the jersey. If you were to ask any hockey player what the biggest difference is between boys and girls hockey they would say “checking.” In hockey, boys are allowed to check and girls are not. There are limitations on the ways that boys are allowed to check, but if a girl is called for checking she must stay in the penalty box for two minutes. Although checking is strictly illegal for girls, some players believe it should be allowed. Even some boys support the idea of girls checking, as it is part of the game. “I think checking is a part of the game and we should do it in both. With girls not being allowed to check there’s more opportunities for them to get penalties, which doesn’t seem fair,” said Max Gulli, 9. Others see the benefits of not allowing girls to check. Girls hockey player Bailey Thompson, 10, doesn’t mind the checking rule. “I think that people underestimate how much girls actually use their bodies, we have our own equivalent to checking in how aggressive we have to be. I wouldn’t mind checking, but I don’t think it

photos by Anders Nygaard

Bella Sutton, 12, and Jacob Reisdorfer, 11, represent boys and girls hockey. would improve the quality of the game.” The reasons behind the checking decision may arise from other separate differences found among boys and

girls. Boys tend to have a bigger build, allowing checking to be less harmful. Along with this bigger build, may come faster speed. “Boys hockey moves at a faster

pace than girls hockey,” said girls hockey captain Megan Nickel, 12. Boys may move faster, but this may lead to a different style of play between the two. When watching a girls game it’s easy to see the “slower” speed helps put together developed plays, whereas with boys that may be less common. “Boys play more choppy than girls do, since they’re always going for the puck. Girls have more flow than the boys,” added Nickel. The style of the teams’ coaches may influence the flow in their games. The girls hockey head coaches, Aaron Moberg and Christina Hanson have been working together for the past five years. They believe the key to success comes from respect. “I learned a long time ago that mutual respect is key with girls. The old adage: ‘They don’t care what you know until they know you care’ is very true,” said Hanson. Just like the girls’ coaches, the boys’ coaches want nothing but success for their teams. However, they have different methods of becoming successful. The boys hockey coach is very motivational during practices, and especially before games to try and push his players to play every game with everything they have in them. “Before every game coach gives us talks to help motivate us to push our limits,” said Drew Gran, 11. Even though boys and girls hockey can be looked at as almost different sports because of the technicalities, the players share the same love of the game.

Curious case of cricket by Persis Ke staff reporter Dibbly Dobblies, Dilscoops, and Googlies. While the words may sound like they belong in a nonsensical children’s book, they are all cricket terms. Cricket — which has games so long the official rules include instructions on breaks for meals and tea — is completely foreign to most American,s who have grown up in a culture of instant gratification. However, some Mounds View students have taken up the sport because it is intrinsic to their own cultures. Cricket has been played in England since at least the 1500s, and British soldiers brought the game to Britain’s many colonies. In India and Pakistan, cricket has been passed down through the generations since it was introduced by the British in the 1700s. The sport was even once popular in the US until it was eclipsed by baseball in the late 1800s. However,

immigrants from former British colonies — including India, Pakistan, and the Caribbean — are slowly reviving cricket in America by forming leagues and by playing pickup games. Many students whose parents immigrated from India and Pakistan have learned the sport because of its importance to their heritage. The reason Samiha Khan, 10, plays cricket is as simple as, “I’m Indian.” Jyotirmya Kumar, 9, adds, “Even in the US, cricket should be known because it’s part of our culture.” Kumar learned cricket at the School of Indian Language and Culture, or SILC for short. Every Saturday, he plays cricket with the students during a half hour break between classes. Since SILC rents out Como Park High School, students play in the school’s gym, enabling Kumar to play year-round. Unlike Kumar, most Mounds View students only play in the summer with friends and family. Their games are noncompetitive. “You just play to play, not play to win,” said Furqan Syed, 10. He plays during the summer at his

Sunday School. Syed, like many others, does not have formal training in cricket. He mainly learned by watching others play. Varun Mangalick, 11, learned cricket by playing with friends. “We have a big group of Indian friends, and we played cricket when we got together. No one taught me, I just learned by playing,” he said. When he can, Mangalick plays fun, relaxed games in his yard with his brother and neighbors. Cricket is a great way for friends to enjoy time together while connecting to their heritage. Different people can come together and make new memories, “At the end of the game, we just laugh about what people did,” said Syed.

January 17, 2014

Saemrow’s Success Shakes Odds by Brooke Olson staff reporter In the world of sports, people often talk about odds. Statistically, the odds of a freshman making a high school varsity team aren’t very good. Erin Saemrow is beating those odds on this year’s Mounds View girls basketball team. Saemrow has started her first year of high school basketball playing regularly in varsity games, and it’s clear her personal determination and teamwork are beyond her years. Usually the first girl to enter the game off the bench, Saemrow plays the position of either guard or wing. The freshman scores an average of 10.4 points per game and has scored a total of 83 points so far this season. The young freshman’s basketball

skills compliment her ideal physical traits. “Erin on the court is very strong with and without the ball. Her height is another advantage, but she is also a strong ball handler when she is needed,” said Jacky Volkert, 11. Teammates compare the longarmed webbed-hand freshman to Spiderman. “Her hands are incredible— touching every single ball and blocking people like no other,” said Volkert. Saemrow’s features make her the ideal defender on the court. Points and success don’t come without nerves. Like many athletes, Saemrow experiences nervous butterflies before every game. “Before I play I still get nervous and even intimidated, but while I’m playing the nerves go away and it feels normal,” said Saemrow.

Saemrow says her transition to the high school team has gone well thanks to her teammates. “At first I was super nervous and didn’t know what to expect,” she said.. “But the older girls and captains were very thoughtful and welcoming and have made me feel a part of the team.” The upperclassmen welcomed her with open arms. “We all love having freshmen on the team, they provide great entertainment and great memories,” said Volkert. Not only has she had the support from her teammates, but also from the head coach, Dave Montgomery, who has been coaching Saemrow since she was in third grade. The close bond between the player and coach has helped with her success on the court. “Dave has always stressed working on fundamentals. He has taught me

sports

photo by Maddy Rosenow

lessons that are useful on and off the court,” said Saemrow. No matter the outcome of the game, Saemrow is always grateful for the opportunity to play. “At times I wish I could have done better, but that’s part of the game. I focus on learning from my mistakes and improving for the next game.” Saemrow credits her siblings for generating a passion for playing the game. “My sister and brother played when they were younger, and my other sister has been playing since second grade,” said Saemrow. “We played a lot together throughout our childhood.” Throughout her first season, Saemrow has taken every opportunity as a learning experience. She said, “I’ve learned the importance of teamwork, and how to work together with others and be successful as a team.”

Athlete of the Issue Q: What are your team goals for the year? A: My team goal is that we finish the season above .700 and win conference.

Olivia Fixsen Senior Basketball

Q: When did you start playing basketball? A: I started in fifth grade Q: What’s your favorite part about basketball? A: My favorite part about basketball is breaking ankles and blocking shots. Q: What are your personal goals for the year? A: My personal goal for this year is to give 110% every game and take charge.

Q: What does the team look like this year? A: This year our team lacks in height but we are very quick. Hopefully our athleticism will make up for our height loss. Q: What game(s) are you most looking forward to? A: I’m looking forward to our game against Roseville. Q: What are your plans for college next year? Do they involve basketball? A: College is currently undecided and I will be doing track and field. Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be? A: The ability to fly.

information compiled by Molly Hancuh

12gallery

January 17, 2014

Bust a move by Emma Blume staff reporter

For students, dances are an enjoyable way to rid yourself of the stresses of high school and have fun. “I don’t know how to dance. But it’s fun to hang out with friends, and dances are perfect for that,” said Daniel Crist, 11. However, school dances can be a little awkward at times. “My freshman year homecoming, my date and I, instead of slow dancing, we waltzed. These guys had to come up and teach us how,” said Cortney Kosiak, 12. Among the crowds of fist pumpers, there are some signature dance moves that stand out from the rest. “I enjoy Devon McDonald’s signature dance moves to ‘Firework’ by Katy Perry. They’ve been a big hit since 8th grade,” said Greg Amusu, 11. “Let’s just say he ‘owns the night like the Fourth of July.’” Students dance their stresses away like no one is watching. “Instead of slow dancing we all got up in a circle, our arms kinda linked, swaying back and forth, we got a lot of funny looks,” said Michael Masters, 10. Although high school is a lot of hard work, it can also be a lot of fun.

Devin McDonald, 11, performs his specialty “Firework” dance.

photos by Rebecca Nara

Sammie Hallgren, 12, and Erika Karjalahti, 11, practice their dance routine for Macbeth.

Techno venue switch by Vicky Lee and Josh Rydberg staff reporters January isn’t only known as the month of finals, there are usually dances around the same period. The Techno Dance and the Gala are both annual winter events that started two years ago. The Gala and the Techno Dance are hosted by the Diversity Council and will be held at Incarnation Lutheran Church. Both events are occurring together to bring in more people to enjoy themselves while gathering more earnings for the fundraiser. The Gala is a fundraising event which includes dinner, speeches, performances and auctions. “We hope to raise money for the children’s village of Honduras,” said Jenny Wang, 12, Diversity Council’s co-president. This event is known for its formal and elegant atmosphere which attracts adults who help fundraise. The Techno Dance is supposed to be a time of relaxation, and a time to meet new people. This dance is not just for Mounds View students, it is for anybody that would like to go. “The techno dance isn’t held at school because we need a formal place for our Gala,” said Wang. Even though the Techno Dance will be held in a formal place this year, it doesn’t mean that it will be any less fun than previous years. With the opportunity to eat, relax, and dance, the stress-free environment gives everyone a good opportunity to cut loose. The event will be held on Jan. 23 with the Gala starting at 5 p.m. and the Techno Dance at 7 p.m.