The Viewer Studying Abro
Graduation ceremonies leave Mariucci
St. Thomas is chosen as the new graduation ceremony venue
| Brady Peacock and John Liu STAFF REPORTERS
The University of Minnesota (UMN) announced on Oct. 28, 2025 that they will no longer hold graduation ceremonies, effective spring 2026. This abrupt decision left Mounds View and at least 23 other schools stranded, wondering where they will have their graduations. After talks with other hosting sites, administration at Mounds View arranged a venue at the University of St. Thomas for the Class of 2026’s graduation ceremony.
The UMN released a statement to KARE 11 the following day after notifying schools of their decision. The university said it was a financial decision: “Hosting more than 20 outside events with thousands of attendees over a two-week period represents a significant strain on the University’s limited resources that is no longer sustainable,” said a spokesperson at the UMN.
Last year, a shooting occurred on the grounds of 3M Arena at Mariucci after a high school graduation ceremony. Some students believed that the tragedy was a prominent reason behind UMN’s decision. “I was a little bit surprised, but at the same time, I did remember the shooting that was happening nearby last year. It kind of made sense to me that’s why some
parents might feel a bit not safe having it at the same place that it was last year,” said senior Rohan Nash. The university chose not to comment about the shooting.
Many schools, including Mounds View, have had to make quick adjustments following the announcement. “They surprised a lot of schools. It was very unexpected, and they did so at a time where all these other high schools already had their dates and venues booked,” said Principal Rob Reetz.
Hosting more than 20 outside events with thousands of attendees over a two-week period represents a significant strain on the University’s resources that is no longer sustainable UMN Spokesperson
Administrators worked to secure a suitable alternative venue that could accommodate the large number of graduates
and families. The University of St. Thomas’s Lee and Penny Anderson Arena was chosen because of its access to parking and its location on a college campus. Administration at Mounds View have been working diligently to guarantee the safety of all attendees. “St. Thomas then assures us that they will have necessary campus police and St. Paul police on hand to help with both traffic and safety,” Reetz said. Following this, a statement sent to students in the seniors and their parents announced that the graduation ceremony will be held at the University of St. Thomas.
While some parents and seniors expressed disappoint-
ment in leaving behind the long standing tradition of graduating in the 3M Arena at Mariucci, others see the move as an op-
“My hope is that the acoustics are better, and that this arena, being that it’s brand new, is just much more of a beautiful, formal setting.”
Rob Reetz, principal
portunity for a fresh start in a new space that still celebrates the accomplishments of seniors.
“I think I’m a little bit more
World history shifts course
| Rue Royer STAFF REPORTER
ast year, two separate one-semester World History classes existed, both of them covering different material. One of the courses focused on countries around the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, while the other focused on countries around the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This year, those two courses merged into a singular world history class. This social studies course mainly taken by juniors has material that varies from learning
“To teach it in two sections like that, really students couldn’t get the connections between what was happening in Europe, the Americas and China, and they really are connected.”
Kristin Heinz, social studies teacher
about things like ancient civilizations, religions, how humans have evolved from hunting and gathering to agriculture and connections between different continents.
Though the two world history classes had coexisted for a long time, the main turning point for merging them into one class was the new social studies standards adopted in March of 2024 and their scheduled implementation for the 20262027 school year. “To teach it in like two sections like that, really students couldn’t get the connections between what was happening in Europe and the Americas and China, and they really are connected. So we wanted to have one combined course, so that students could understand how the history of the whole world kinda worked together,” said social studies teacher Kristin Heinz.
Combining them was something they had discussed and tried to bring alignment to over the years. The separate courses did make for some overlapping topics across the two of them, such as religions like Christianity, Islam and Ju-
daism, because they had strong cultural roots in history. Genocides like the Holocaust are another example of a topic covered over both classes.
“We wanted to have one combined course, so that stuents could understand how the history of the world kinda worked together.”
Kristin Heinz, social studies teacher
There were a few struggles merging the classes, such as deciding what to include and creating new tests and new lesson plans. The history being taught is now significantly more continuous than choppy or disconnected. “I think it’s great to be able to point out the connections that exist between the different parts of the world, and how one event in one country affects another country and leads to different, you know, things happening,” Heinz said. “Or, even like technology, how technol-
ogy spread from one part of the world to the other. We’re just so interconnected, we just couldn’t progress without each other.”
Navigating teaching the combined World History course for the first time as well produces some struggles. “Generally it’s going pretty wopsy,” said social studies teacher Aaron Redman. “Y’know, we’re still getting a sense of just kind of our pacing and how we’re approaching some of the content. We have a general framework of how we’re doing things, but obviously, once you kind of get into those day-to-day moments and the minutiae of that, that you kind of want of get a find of your ebbs and flows to what’s working and certainly how the students are responding to things as well.”
Overall, Heinz and Redman think the new combined World History course is going well so far, and they enjoy seeing the same students all year and the atmosphere juniors bring when engaging in class.
excited because we’re going to be the first year that it’s going to be not at the [3M Arena], and so it’s going to be different this year,” said Nash.
The UMN’s decision marks the end of a decades-long tradition for many high schools in the Twin Cities area. Although the change was abrupt, schools like Mounds View acted quickly to ensure that the Class of 2026 will still have a memorable and meaningful graduation ceremony. “My hope is that the acoustics are better, and that this arena, being that it’s brand new, is just that much more of a beautiful, formal setting,” said Reetz.
Topics to be covered
Beginnings of Religions
• Christianitity
• Islam
• Judaism
• Buddhism
• Daoism
Ancient Civiliations
• Aztec Empire
• Mongol Empire
• Abbasid Dynasty Connections Between Worlds
• Silk Road
• Triangle Trade
• Columbian Exchange
A photo of the 3M Arena at Mariucci, which until this year was the venue for many high school graduation ceremonies including Mounds View High School’s.
SNAP reveals the biggest problem in US politics
Food assistance cracks under polarized politics
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as SNAP, is the nation’s largest federal food assistance program that offers help to people in low-income households. 83% of last year’s SNAP benefits were spent towards households with children, elderly or a person with a disability according to CNN. The assistance is offered through an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, which looks and works similar to a debit card. Only certain retailers such as grocery stores, convenience stores and farmers markets accept money on an EBT card, ensuring that the support is used for the base needs of the assisted. Between Oct. 1, 2023 and Sept. 30, 2024, Federal SNAP spending reached nearly $100 billion. In comparison, the United States federal government spent $6.8 trillion that same year.
the government allocates to them in their annual budget. However, the U.S. Congress failed to pass a national budget by Oct. 1, 2025 for the following fiscal year. Without a budget to follow, many federal programs are left without new funding, causing a government shutdown. SNAP works by paying out money to EBT cards monthly, and that worked throughout the month of October with the funding the program had ready to go. Yet, because of the government shutdown, SNAP did not have the funds to pay assistance for the month of November entirely. A memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture halted a contingency plan with back-up financing that would last about 65% of November, stating that those funds could only be used for natural disasters, leaving all those who rely on SNAP without its assistance.
As a federal program, SNAP depends on the money
The crisis this delay had quickly caused was imperative. Because of the U.S. Congress’s failure to pass a budget during what is now considered the lon-
gest government shutdown in U.S. history, millions of Americans and households no longer had the resources for their basic nutritional needs. 12% of the U.S. population is enrolled in SNAP benefits currently. That is about 42 million Americans. Without SNAP benefits to spend on grocery stores and farmer’s markets, the food industry was also left with insecurity. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates SNAP requires a total of $8.2 billion in benefits for the full month of November. That means grocery stores, farmers and the industry overall was missing $8.2 billion in revenues.
Although the government shutdown officially ended when a national budget passed legislation on Nov. 12, 2025, this issue should never have come up in the first place. Twelve days of struggle for 12% of the U.S. population for basic human needs and nutrition that never needed to happen. Twelve days of unease, insecurity and scraping up money for the right to eat for 42 million Americans all caused by the disagreement of the highest levels of government.
If it was not spelled out clearly enough in the echo chambers built on social media, families torn apart and politically motivated violence, then surely it is now. Political polarization has become far too extreme in the U.S. and is considered normal or even acceptable. Extremism in politics and the disagreements following that is the direct cause of almost two weeks of 42 million Americans, including children, elderly and people with disabilities, stripped of their human right to not starve.
The U.S. cannot risk having a situation like this again. If the government cannot ensure its citizens will not go hungry,
Social media is not worth its harms
| Henry Hamilton STAFF REPORTER
As of 2025, more than 90% of teens aged 1317 use social media, with over a third of them saying that they use social media almost constantly. Social media is undeniably a daily ritual for many. I believe that social media should not be nearly as big of a part of teenagers’ lives as it is, and that it has more cons than pros.
I received my first phone on my thirteenth birthday. Since then, I have been able to decide for myself what I use my phone for, including social media. For a while, I did not get many social media apps on my phone. The main reason most of us get a phone is to have a communication tool, simply a way to text and call friends and family.
As time passed, I became more familiar with what apps I could get on my phone. The more I heard, the more I wondered why people would want to download social media. It seems like news comes out every few days about the harm of social media. So far, I still have not gotten almost any social media apps, but even so, it is not like I have completely avoided it. YouTube is very often a go-to form of entertainment whenever I am bored at home or school.
On the surface, everyone should want social media. It is a seemingly endless amount of content that is catered to one’s personal interests and hobbies.
However, there are many reasons why people should avoid it. Social media was made to be as addictive as possible. "Social media platforms drive surges of dopamine to the brain to keep
consumers coming back over and over again. The shares, likes and comments on these platforms trigger the brain’s reward center, resulting in a high similar to the one people feel when gambling or using drugs," said Nancy DeAngelis, a certified registered nurse practitioner and Director of Behavioral Health at Jefferson Health - Abington.
It boils down to the fact that social media companies have an ultimate money-making goal. To do so, they keep people on their platforms as much and as long as possible in order to get more views on their hosted advertisements. Strategies purposely used to keep people online for as much time as possible include endless scrolling content, having a personalized feed, content interaction and receiving notifications.
In addition, social media can cause serious mental health problems. Because people can choose what and when they
post, their audience only sees what a creator wants them to see, often only at their best. It can be easy to compare oneself to them and feel disappointed or discouraged, when in reality, it is not fair to compare in the first place.
Pew Research Center reports that nearly half of teens say they have experienced cyberbullying online, and social media is the primary platform. With the barrier of their screen in front of them, many people are willing to say much more hurtful and damaging things online than they would in person. Both unhealthy comparison and cyberbullying are on the rise on social media. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2024, 48% of teens said that social media has an overall negative effect on people their age, a rise from 32% in 2022.
Many people would argue that social media’s ability to connect to people, learn new things and stay in touch
then that gets pushed onto communities, some of which are already impoverished as a whole. I truly wish I had a solution or that there would be someone with all the answers, but the reality is that this problem is not simple. It is systemic. No one person can solve it. I find it incredibly ridiculous and dystopian that believing everyone deserves access to a hot meal is considered political, controversial and up for debate. It should be obvious.
with friends and family make it worth it. While those things can definitely be true, most are easily accomplished without social media, avoiding the negative effects that come with it. Even the things that social media is good for do not demand the time that most people spend on it every day.
Social media has its place, but it should not be used to the extent it is in many people's lives today. When deciding if one should use social media or not, they should take into account not only its benefits but its drawbacks as addictive and undermining mental health.
Sam Aasen, Anas Abdulkader, Hanad Ali, Norse Anderson, Lilia Barrera, Aidan Beisang, Davin Bowlby, Leo Chen, Charlie Collins, Logan Corey, Aubrey Cummins, Logan Delahay, Shriyan Deshmukh, Jameson Durk, Erin Goareguer, Henry Hamilton, Anna Hayek, Keaton Howard, Brody Johnston, Curtis Lee, John Liu, Brady Peacock, Aliyah Rogers, Rue Royer, Kent Supena, Max Swanson, Vedant Vashishtha, Ava Wagner, Benjamin Wheat
Theater performs “Front”
ounds View High School’s stage has held many distinctive plays over the years. The cast, crew, costume department and tech department of Mounds View theater came together to put on a play early this November. One of its most serious works, “Front” follows ordinary people in war-torn London.
The play, set in World War II during the Blitz, follows a woman named Judith (senior Maris Ward), who works at a factory making bomb detonators. Her husband, Frank (senior Luke Baker-Trinity), goes missing in the war, and her kids, Angie (junior Aliyah Rogers) and Tom (sophomore Skylar Dutcher), are forced to grow up too fast.
The Blitz, a period of time during World War II where Germany and Italy launched a bombing campaign against the United Kingdom, lasted from September 1940 to May 1941.
“Front” debuted in April 1996 at Wesleyan University School of Theater in Illinois, and the Mounds View theater department staged the play from Nov. 6 to Nov. 9.
“Front” was selected to be this year’s fall play due to its subject matter and large cast.
“Most plays, compared to musicals, only have about six to twelve people, and with 32 named characters, “Front” came
to the top of the list quick,” said director Daniel Perucco.
The theater department also wanted to try something more challenging this year. “I haven’t really done tragedies before, and it was incredible seeing how much depth there was,” said senior Gigi Reilly.
Rehearsal for the play starts early, with about seven weeks from the start of rehearsal to show time. The director assigns the roles based on how well actors fit the role as well as their chemistry with the other actors. After that, they begin to learn their lines. “I think theater is much more of a time commitment than people realize,” said
junior Satya Gahie. “For at least two months, we’re after school every day until 5 p.m., rehearsing in the auditorium. Once it hits [the week before the performance], we go until 6:30 [p.m.].”
After assigning roles, directors start blocking, a process where they choose where the actors should stand during a specific scene. Then, the actors string together scene by scene until they work their way through act one completely, and they do the same with act two. Following that, technical rehearsal begins with added lights, sounds, set changes and costumes. After this, the depart-
ment performs for an audience.
A lot of work goes into making the play feel as realistic as possible. Sets and costumes are made to match the time period. Special care was put into visuals to make the setting look as authentic as possible. “We got the exact size bricks on buildings of the time,” said senior Anika Walton.
A dialect coach was hired to help the actors with their performances and accents. “We also encourage our actors to watch movies from the time to make the performance feel even more realistic,” said Perucco.
A performance night starts much before the curtain open-
A morning with the Daily HERD
he Daily HERD is a news segment that is shown every fourth period at Mounds View High School. It helps communication within the school and brings pride into the community by showing achievements that occur in the school.
Principal Rob Reetz came up with the idea of the Daily HERD from his time spent at Edgewood Middle School. “We had a daily news segment that helped communicate things going on in the school with kids and also staff,” Reetz said. With the vast number of activities at Mounds View, it made sense to students and staff to have an effective way to talk about what was happening in the community. Reetz wants the Daily HERD to promote and create more awareness of all of the things happening at Mounds View.
At the beginning of the school year, Reetz sent out an email looking for anyone interested in being a part of the Daily HERD. The cast is made up of a handful of students who want to be involved with the Mounds
View culture.
The Daily HERD is filmed in Reetz’s office before school starts and then edited by Reetz. Most news that is presented is sent to Reetz by the captains, coaches, advisors or other members of the group that wants to be mentioned, along with a prewritten script.
“If you get a take wrong, you want to redo the take until you get it right. But after a little bit, you get comfortable in front of the camera and it’s less stressful.”
Oliver Boswell, senior
The production of the Daily HERD requires several moving parts to create a segment. “You can look at the script and you can look at the camera, but
you can’t look at both. [The] thing is that there’s [something] called [artificial intelligence], and Rob Reetz is a master of it,” said senior Oliver Boswell. “He uses a tool to actually adjust your eyes so they’re focusing on the camera.”
On the topic of AI, many students have noticed examples of AI-generated images used in the production. While there are many controversial arguments surrounding its use, Boswell explains that it works practically for their purpose. “You can kind of tell if it is or not [AI],” he said. “But I think it’s meant to add, kind of, a level of engagement that you otherwise wouldn’t get with just someone talking at you with just a face.”
“It’s kind of beautiful to see all these parts that have been so separate come together on the night.”
Daniel Perucco, director
ing, with actors arriving about two hours before the show begins. Before the show, actors warm up, get into costumes and makeup and prepare themselves for their performance. At the same time, the tech department works to do a soundcheck, and the prop department makes sure the props are in place. During the performance, student stage managers run the show, making sure actors are in the correct place, props are ready to go on stage and that everything runs smoothly overall. “It’s kind of beautiful to see all these parts that have been so separate come together on the night,” said Perucco.
Next, the Mounds View Theater department will produce two plays very different from the serious subject matter of “Front.” They will put on a performance of “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” a Shakespeare comedy, and then in the spring, “Mama Mia,” a romantic comedy musical. No matter the type of play, the theater department puts tremendous effort into their work.
While some may find it stressful to talk in front of the entire school, Boswell does not worry about it too much. “If
you get a take wrong, you want to redo the take until you get it right. But after a little bit, you get comfortable in front of the camera and it’s less stressful,” Boswell said. “And you want to have good hair. That’s the other thing, that’s important.”
By giving a shoutout to different groups, the Daily HERD
helps staff and students learn more about the plentiful activities offered at Mounds View and recognizes the achievements of the community. “I’m happy to promote what clubs are feeling and doing,” Reetz said.
(Left to right) Junior Kent Supena, junior Satya Gahie, senior Molly Casey, freshman Scarlet Hastreiter, junior Deanna Amadick and sophomore Sophia Martineau backstage during their Nov. 9 performance.
PHOTO | Satya Gahie
| Anna Hayek STAFF REPORTER
| Benjamin Wheat STAFF REPORTER
Seniors Chloe Tilstra (left) and Oliver Boswell (middle) produce the Daily HERD in the office of Principal Rob Reetz (right).
PHOTO | Oliver Boswell
New librarian brings passion for literacy
| Hanad Ali STAFF REPORTER
The Mounds View High School Library Media Center (LMC) symbolizes the vibrant core of the academic community, providing a space where students can expand their perspectives both in terms of knowledge and creativity. This new school year welcomes a new addition to the LMC staff, librarian Rigel Wasilak. Wasilak’s individual perspective focuses heavily on creating an inclusive studentcentered environment that promotes a love for reading among students.
Wasilak’s passion for the profession stems from the unique opportunity high school librarians have to guide students during a pivotal time in their lives. The new librarian remains
committed to helping students navigate their options and discover their interests. “I really like teaching you guys things,” Wasilak said. “I like being able to provide you with information you’re after, and this is kind of the year where you’re trying to decide what you want to do with your life. And I like helping you guys find those paths.”
Desiring both a meaningful connection with attendees of Mounds View and the development of literacy, Wasilak encourages students to read and even shares some of his own personal recommendations. “If you guys see a lot of teachers reading, or hear your teachers talking about books that they read for fun, you students are more likely to pick up a book and read it for fun,” he said.
PHOTO | Gabrielle Skiba
Wasilak tries to ensure a positive attitude while engaging with students directly. “I really try hard to make small connections with all students that come in and find out a little bit about what you’re interested in,” he said. “[We] make sure we have books that you guys like.”
So far, Wasilak’s professional aspirations include collaboration and integrating the library seamlessly into not just a place to talk with friends but also a haven for exploring books and getting the opportunity to read more.
Acknowledging his lack of experience at Mound View, Wasilak is still figuring out the best approach, but remains open to advice from both staff and students. “Since it’s my first year up here, I’m still trying to figure that out, like the best way to be a librarian effectively,” Wasilak said, emphasizing that he is open to collaboration with teachers.
“I really try hard to make small connections with all students that come in and find out a little bit about what you’re interested in.”
Rigel
Wasilak, librarian
Adapting the library to modern challenges means effectively upgrading technology and digital resources. Wasilak has a vision for enhancing the digital experience. “I would love to see you students able to get some more electronic databases, or to utilize the ones we have a little bit more effectively, just some stuff like that,” he said. Wasilak is excited about the potential for growth. “It’s been really fun to, you know, kind of fill in the space here a little bit. We’re starting to decorate the area some more and put more eye-catching books for students to read that they would also like.”
Mounds View’s Medical Addition
| Kent Supena STAFF REPORTER
This year, Mounds View High School introduces a new club, MedSearch, adding to the wide variety of clubs that the school has to offer. The club kicked off their first meeting this September, giving students an opportunity to learn about the premise of the group. MedSearch is a student-led club focusing primarily on allowing youth to discover the healthcare field and see if it is right for them for a potential career. The club has also been approved to be part of the Minnesota MedSearch chapter.
MedSearch’s recent establishment at Mounds View allows room for flexibility and expansion in terms of club activities, events and participation. On the days they meet, the group does various health-related activities including discussing hospital volunteering opportunities, as well as information on its research competition. “Normally, we would start by going over our next volunteering sessions: when it is, what to expect, how to sign up and what they should do to make sure they’re properly signed up to go,” said junior Tingting Wang.
Those interested in the field might enjoy MedSearch’s club to get a general feel of the atmosphere without jumping head first into the workload.
“It’s all about exploration. In high school, that’s the time that you should be trying to learn as much as you can about all the different types of fields you’re interested in,” said senior Josiah Chan. “It’s scary, like when you go to college, you have to decide on a major, and that’s going to determine a lot of experiences you get in the future. MedSearch can help you see what works for you and what’s the best way.”
Considering the freshness of the group, modifications and advancements still are yet to come, potentially attracting more students as time passes. The casual nature of this club makes it especially appealing for those lacking the time for extensive medical practice.
The club itself is not competitive nor hard to keep up with. All it takes is student engagement. “We provide a lot of fun opportunities and learning experiences, both inside and outside of school, such as volunteering opportunities and our research competition. It doesn’t
have to be anything committed to medicine,” Wang said.
With MedSearch being one of few student-led clubs that specialize in the medical field, the club provides an opportunity that not many clubs get the chance to do, which are volunteering sessions for hospitals. Recently, the club got an exciting opportunity to volunteer at Regions hospital located in St. Paul. During their visit, the club members created cards for nurses week, toured the hospital’s surgery center and attended a surgical workshop where a couple of surgical nurses explained sterile techniques, surgical procedures and the education required to get involved in the field.
Engaging in a club that can expose students to the healthcare field gives participants the chance to explore what careers their future might hold. The group aims to make connections with others of similar interest by creating a productive and social working environment. Members of the club can step into the shoes of medical professions, ultimately preparing them for success.
Throughout Wasilak’s work, he regularly interacts with students and staff, offering computer and printing aid, directions and answering general questions about books or other concerns regarding the LMC, giving a warm welcome to the space. Committed to encouraging a passion for reading amongst students, Wasilak makes it his goal to introduce useful resources into the library and improve the overall experience for everyone at Mounds View High School.
PHOTO Gabrielle Skiba
PHOTO VIA Tingting Wang
photo of MedSearch members at Regions Hospital learning about procedures
tools in an operating room.
Studying
New country, new experiences
| Erin Goareguer STAFF REPORTER
Studying abroad can be a major decision in a student’s academic career, with many factors to consider. The experiences that they can have while away from home can have a significant impact on themselves and their families back home.
When senior Ida Stute, a foreign exchange student from Germany, arrived in Minnesota, she first noticed the welcoming feel of the people and environment. “One thing I found interesting is that here, everybody
In addition to experiencing a friendly exchange family, students can look toward many benefits from studying abroad. It can help students become more independent and more open minded. It also encourages students to discover a new culture and language, meet new people, study in a different way in a different school system and help for the future.
The benefits do not stop there. Studying in a different country helps people gain independence by learning how to manage money better, doing some chores that they might not be doing back home, and experiencing living away from their home and family.
is nice. For example, my [host] family was very nice from the beginning, and it helped me feel comfortable.”
Students can learn about a new culture by visiting their new country, going to exciting places and attending different
Barriers to entry
| Shriyan Deshmukh STAFF REPORTER
The American Dream inspires millions of students worldwide to pursue success through better education. Many people from different countries come to the United States as a means to provide themselves and their families with better opportunities and a brighter future. From Mounds View students to those attending public colleges and prestigious Ivy League universities all across the country, these schools attract some of the most successful and gifted students across the globe. However, the dream has become increasingly unreachable for many due to stricter visa policies, administrative hurdles, rising tuition costs and lengthy processes that create many obstacles for international students and their families.
The crackdown on student visas has been an ongoing conflict involving President Trump and foreign governments along with top U.S. universities such as Harvard, Stanford and Yale. According to BBC News, over 6,000 student visas were
revoked as a part of the administration’s crackdown on immigration targeting certain
local events. International students living in the United States have plenty of opportunities to explore such a large and diverse nation. “With my host family, I went to California and Chicago and also to their cabin,” Stute said.
French teacher Ingrid Narum studied in a French university and lived with a host family for a year. “When I was in France, I had the opportunity to travel in Europe,” Narum said. “I now take my students on trips to Europe and Quebec because I know that it changed my life, and I want to give that opportunity to my students.”
Being an exchange student also means learning in a different way because school systems are very different in every country. Stute explained several differences between schools in Germany and here at Mounds View. “At home, we cannot do online classes, and we have 11 [required] classes that we have to do,” Stute said. On top of differences in class types from
country to country, most countries also have free high school and college for every student, and scholarships are available for housing and food.
Stute found it interesting to learn more about a country that does things differently than what she is used to, saying that the most surprising thing was the differences in the school system and that tests are frequently based on multiple choice questions.
If the country speaks another language, students can learn it in a natural way and not only through language classes. Whether it is for communicating and connecting with more people or to be able to communicate while traveling, speaking another language is beneficial. Narum said that when she went to study in France, she
already knew she wanted to be a French teacher. “It was more about learning the language better and having the opportunity to see the world,” she said.
Senior Esmeralda Texeira, a foreign exchange student from Uruguay, feels that students can learn to be more open minded, patient and grateful. “I learned how to be grateful for the things I have,” Texeira said.
Whether it is learning a different language, gaining a new understanding, or simply exploring a new place, studying abroad leaves lifelong impacts and connections for many students around the world.
countries with a travel ban. The policy, justified by national security concerns with certain countries, contributed to a de-
Important Stat
Over 6,000 student visas were revoked as a part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration, according to BBC News.
cline of international students at U.S. schools and universities. According to NPR News, the state of Massachusetts has experienced 10,000 fewer international students this year compared to years past. Many universities are losing revenue and diversity in programs as a result of these changes, which has led to massive uncertainty navigating the application process for international applicants.
The visa application process has been increasingly more challenging, especially in countries on the travel ban list such as Libya and Haiti, where appointments
are harder to secure. “It was kind of hard, and it was long, also and expensive, because I needed to pay for the visa fees and other costs,” said senior Esmerelda Texteria, a foreign exchange student from Uruguay. Due to the higher demand and difficulty of visa appointments, they have contributed to declining international enrollment in American schools. According to the U.S. Department Of State, the average wait time for an F1 student visa appointment is around two months in Mumbai, India and around eight months in Abuja, Nigeria. The increased demand
students to abandon plans for studying. Meanwhile, countries like the United Kingdom and Australia have been easing their student visa restrictions in an attempt to gain more applicants, increasing the competition with the U.S. for top international students.
Tuition costs are another major barrier for many families as the visa process can be lengthy and unpredictable, especially in countries where appointments are limited or delayed. These hurdles create long wait times for families along with the risk of losing admission while waiting for approval.
led to lower international en-
schools like Mounds View, leading some
Despite high costs and long wait times, international demand in the U.S. education system is high, largely due to unique opportunities especially in the education system, improved quality of life and the high number of job opportunities. But as visas become scarcer and financial barriers increase, the dream to immigrate to America slips further away from many students.
rollment in high
AbroAd
Adjusting to new surroundings
| Max Swanson STAFF REPORTER
n recent years, Mounds View High School has accepted multiple exchange students into the school with the promise of different opportunities such as education, experiences, cultures and people. From struggles like missing home to benefits like making new friends, understanding what it is like for the exchange student opens a window into new perspectives at Mounds View.
Someone’s background can say a lot about why they decided to make such a drastic change between places. “I wanted to experience life in America. The American Dream … kind of like a Disney movie,” said senior Esmeralda Texeira, a foreign exchange student from Uruguay. Students’ families can also influence them to come to the United States. “My dad also did a study abroad program and he really liked it,” Texeira said.
There is a hope for new experiences and skills that usually consist of bettering their English and gaining an understand-
ing of people from new areas. “I can learn to improve my English, get to know your culture and get to know new people,” said senior Ida Stute, a foreign exchange student from Germany. Being around other students allows foreign exchange students to grow and develop their skills and mindset.
“I can learn to improve my English, get to know your culture and get to know new people”
Ida Stute, senior
Another thing the U.S. can provide to international students is new, fun experiences. “The state fair [was fun] because it was huge compared to the fair we have in my country, and I went with my host sister and it made me really connect with her,” Texeira said.
Along with the benefits, students can also encounter difficulties. Being far away from family and friends can put a strain on one’s relationships and can have a major impact on their mental health. On top of this, being away from a culture someones’ so used to can cause a loss in their sense of self and how they view themselves in a new place.
day, I’ll call them on the weekend,” Texeira said. Being in consistent contact with family members from home seems to be very important for foreign exchange students. “I text a few times a week with them, and sometimes we talk over the phone,” Stute said. According to Texeira, Uruguayan schools do not look like American high schools. “The
were not as varied as at Mounds View.
Mounds View is advertised as a welcoming place to all people, and many students agree that they feel at home and welcomed. With these students coming from a completely different place, it is important to know if they feel welcomed by the community. “It’s gotten easier. I used to be really quiet, but I’ve made some friends. I like it here,” Texeira said.
Supportive teachers within this change can also be very helpful. “My teachers are really nice, and I have, overall, had great experiences,” Stute said. Mounds View being able to provide a welcoming environment can be so helpful to foreign exchange students.
With a focus on family, a lot of exchange students focus very heavily on making time for their families back in their home countries. “I talk to them every day, and if I’m busy that
Steps before departure
|
Sam
Aasen
STAFF REPORTER
tudying abroad is an ambition for countless high school students, offering many benefits such as culture immersion, language learning, and academic growth in ways unachievable to those who stay in their home country. However, it is not a simple process, and it requires careful preparation in order to successfully study abroad, especially as a high school student. Firstly, students need a passport that remains valid for at least six
Packing list
Before applying
• Valid passport
•Academic Transcripts
•Exchange sponsor
Before Takeoff
• Certificate of elegibility
•In person interview
•Exchange fee
•Find host Family
•Finalize paperwork
months past the expected return date. This is to make sure students can come back to their home country with no issues. If a student does not have a valid passport or the correct documentation, they could be possibly stranded in their country or even deported to a different country.
Once the passport is in order, other checks like vaccination records are also needed before deciding on an exchange partner. Hopeful international students need a health check and provide documentation for vaccinations. While they depend on the country they are visiting and the country they came from, common recommended vaccines include Hepatitis A, typhoid fever, yellow fever, rabies and cholera.
The next step to becoming an exchange student is partnering with a State Departmentapproved exchange sponsor who will then choose the school and provide resources. Alternatively, one can apply directly to an exchange program certified school (SEVP). The application process includes personal essays, copies of academic transcripts and interviews to assess student readiness.
size of the school here — it is huge,” Texiera said. “Back home, it wasn’t small, but not as big.” Texeira also said that in her high school back home, the choice of different classes
Studying abroad can be a great opportunity for many students, even alongside the possible struggles that come with it. This variety in students provides an opportunity to learn for both the exchange students and every other Mounds View student.
Once accepted by a sponsor, students must pay a mandatory fee and get a certificate of eligibility. On top of that, the student must secure a visa to the country they will study in. Dif-
ferent countries have different regulations on migration. For example, to move to the U.S., students must visit a U.S. embassy in their country and be interviewed. Interviews can entail the student taking the interview alone, speaking English and having the necessary documentation and plans in place once the student arrives in the U.S. Finally, the exchange sponsor must find a host family, finalize the paperwork, and set up the student for departure. Those interested in studying abroad often do not have to pay the public school’s tuition fees due to reciprocal agreements between countries. However, students must still budget substantially for the program fees, health insurance, airfare and daily living expenses. Hosts must also pass back-
ground checks and ensure they can provide a safe home for an exchange student. There are many benefits to consider when choosing a country, and students should make decisions academically. Students can broaden their understanding of cultures, learn languages fluently and authentically and take advantage of different curricula. Becoming an exchange student has hurdles, but it can bring academic growth that is not possible by staying in just one country.
Illustrations | Joey McVean
Should junk be taken down from space?
No, it would waste resources
| Norse Anderson STAFF REPORTER
When someone opens up a GPS system, it can guide them wherever they need to go. It seems like magic, but most have no idea how it actually works. The satellites governments and companies launch into space receive beams from people’s devices, and those satellites then measure the time that signal took to travel. With a few other satellites and a bit of math through triangulation, one’s device can determine their exact position with only a slight margin of error. GPS is not the only thing these satellites are useful for. Satellites are also essential for the operation of the internet, one of the fastest means of communication across the world. But one can neither launch a satellite nor retrieve it free of cost.
The cost to launch a satellite varies widely, but according to ResearchGate, a small low Earth orbit satellite costs about $10 million, while a large satellite in a higher orbit can cost up to about $300 million. While this significant cost exists, satellites tend to make a lot of money by renting use of their transponders to other companies as a service where they are used for products like high speed internet or selling weather data to governments and private companies. A satellite needs to return about 15-20% of manufacturing and launching
costs for it to be worth the risk to investors. However, things do not always go to plan, and even the best satellites do not last forever.
Depending on the orbit, when a satellite stops functioning, it either falls to Earth or stays in orbit. This may bring to mind images of satellites raining from the sky, but it is actually a very manageable phenomenon. Satellites that stay in space are required to be moved to a safe, designated “graveyard orbit,” located 186 miles above geostationary orbit, where the farthest functional satellites are according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Most falling satellites burn up during reentry, and some companies even have their satellites do guided reentries in order to have them fall in the ocean. With those precautions, the Aerospace Corporation estimates the odds of being hit by a falling satellite to be one in a trillion. Even if one wanted to clean up the space junk as a precaution, the cost of such an endeavor would be prohibitively expensive.
In 2020, the European Space Agency (ESA) paid Swiss startup ClearSpace $103 million to take down just one piece of space debris from low Earth orbit. NASA knows of 25,000 pieces of large debris (larger than 10 cm in diameter) currently orbiting earth.
While the ESA’s operation deals with a much larger item, most of the cost surrounds getting the cleaning apparatus into orbit, meaning that even smaller items could accrue an astounding cost. Most of the debris is not going anywhere, meaning that waiting for cheaper, more effective technology to be developed is an extremely viable option so finances can be spent where otherwise needed in the meantime.
points
• NASA knows of 25,000 pieces of large space debris currently orbiting earth.
• European Space industry paid ClearSpace $103 million just to take one piece of space debris down from orbit.
Running operations to clean up the objects in Earth’s orbit would be a waste of both monetary and human resources as an unnecessary precaution. Cleaning up all of the junk in Earth’s gravitational sphere of influence just because it may pose a problem in the future is a vast overreaction to the current state of affairs.
Yes, space junk is dangerous
Hundreds of millions of humanmade debris fragments float around in Earth’s gravitational space. While most are under a centimeter in length, some can be hundreds of meters long and as big as chunks of past rockets.
Along with these pieces, there are many old and retired satellites that sit in orbit. While natural debris pose a threat of collisions in space, they typically pose less risk of either crashing into or severely damaging anything with their smaller size compared to larger human-made debris that have the potential for catastrophic damage. Human-made debris in space is ultimately a large issue that needs to be addressed.
Space debris has many characteristics that make it notoriously dangerous, such as its speed. On average, a given piece of space debris moves at 22,000 mph; this means that even a tiny chip of paint from a spacecraft could have the potential to inflict huge damage on satellites or a spacecraft, especially when launching something out of Earth’s orbit. According to NASA, space collisions with orbital debris can cause damage to spacecraft in its bestcase scenario and create catastrophic failures at its worst.
This problem is demonstrated by the Kessler Syndrome. If the low Earth orbit becomes too dense with space debris, a significant number of
collisions will occur, making it extremely difficult to have projects leave Earth or enter orbit safely. In 1996, a French military reconnaissance satellite called Cerise got struck by a small piece of debris. This incident only slightly damaged and offset the satellite, but it had the potential to be much worse, especially if it offset the satellite out of orbit. This would leave the money and resources spent on the satellite to waste or could cause it to crash and injure someone.
Bringing junk down from space could benefit far more than keeping it in orbit. When debris starts getting pulled down to Earth through the atmosphere, most items will burn up. However, a very real chance exists that a piece of space junk could fall without burning up and harm someone, especially with the piece’s deadly heat and speed.
In late December of 2024, an 1,100 lb metal ring of space junk from a rocket fell from the atmosphere in Kenya in an uncontrolled manner. Luckily, no one was hurt by the accident, but this still raises serious concern for the safety of people. By bringing things down from space in a controlled way, humanity can minimize risk of destruction and injury while also clearing up a congested atmosphere to reduce the chance of space collisions in the future.
Scientists have discussed many theories for
how humanity can safely bring debris to earth. One idea uses a robotic spacecraft equipped with a large four-armed claw to grab retired satellites and other large debris. ClearSpace-1, with the help of the European Space Agency, will carry this mission out as one of the first controlled removals of space debris. The large claw-type mechanism will grab a retired satellite and remove it from orbit. This will mark proof of ability to remove space junk from orbit and start further technological development to do so. The risk of leaving space junk orbiting Earth is not worth the shortterm resources saved. Safety and minimized dangers of orbital debris is only ensured by the controlled removal of space junk and other debris. Along with this, the lack of congestion will secure the safety for the future of space travel for a long time to come.
Charlie Collins | STAFF REPORTER
PHOTO | James Webb Space Telescope
Illustration | OpenClipart
Illustration | OpenClipart
What are the new ACT changes?
| Curtis Lee STAFF REPORTER
he ACT standardized test is a grueling challenge that most students inevitably have to go through. Colleges often use ACT scores to comprehend a student’s academic readiness since the test was designed to cover the main academic courses students would take. The ACT organization was concerned with the adverse effects that long periods sitting in silence would have on the student’s test taking experience. This prompted various format changes for the test in order to create a “ calmer, more focused experience that helps you stay sharp from start to finish,” according to the official ACT website.
To make test-taking more comfortable, the ACT standardized test heavily changed this year, with its first edition being implemented in the April 2025 online tests, then also being introduced to the paper versions in September 2025.
Holistically, every section of the ACT has reduced the number of questions per section and increased the time per question. More specifically, in the math section, the number of multiple choice responses were reduced from five to four, and the number of questions decreased from 60 to 45. The English section also saw a decrease in questions, going from 75 to
50. Passages for the reading and English sections were shortened and the entirety of the science section became optional.
Each change is essential for the ACT standardized testing and has a purpose. The science section was made optional to reflect other college entrance exams. “ACT was looking to make updates to their test and to be more competitive against the SAT, another college entrance exam,” says test coordinator Deanna Henry.
Despite the science section being optional and not affecting composite scores, it might still be something to consider if students want to pursue a scientific field in the future or to add to their resume for colleges.
“I would encourage anyone to play to their strengths, but, yes, I would not discourage it. But if it’s an area that you know is not as strong for you, then perhaps I’d say maybe you don’t want to take it,” said science teacher Mark Dieter.
Although the removal of the science section can benefit the moods of test takers, it comes with adverse scoring implications. “One drawback would be that because there are less questions, each question is worth more. So there’s a little more pressure on getting questions right since there’s less questions you’re being tested on,” said math teacher Jessica Durand.
Regarding college admissions, changes made to the ACT standardized test should not affect student’s previous scores, since tests are evaluated to be the same. According to the official ACT website, colleges can still use methods like superscoring, which is to consider only highest section scores over all test dates, when looking at these
tests. Colleges that use ACT scores when evaluating applicants have likely already adjusted to these changes. “With the enhancements taking place at specific times, the colleges would have been able to adjust to the way they look at scoring for the newly enhanced tests,” said Henry.
Tests and college entrance exams like the ACT find many ways to change over time to evaluate and adapt to student strengths and weaknesses. Since so many students take these tests, it is important that students understand how these new changes affect them and their applications and overall test taking experience.
How do words get added to the dictionary?
| Brody Johnston STAFF REPORTER
T Lexicographers search for new words in newspapers, social media, books and various other places in order to add to the dictionary. Lexicographers select new words by looking at different words’ meanings, origins and if they satisfy their criteria: popularity, understanding, longevity and usefulness. If a word meets these qualities, then lexicographers consider adding them into the dictionary.
When a word gains traction or widespread use among people, and everyone agrees on its meaning, then it is considered by lexicographers and they decide whether they will add it into the dictionary. If a word was to get added to the dictionary, it first has to have a meaning that is widely accepted by a community and is helpful with describing something or shortening a phrase. Lexicographers will look for a word in many places to see if it is not just a temporary word, they will also consider the consistency and context of use.
Another factor in adding a word to the dictionary is its staying power, which is its ability to stay relevant over a long period of time. If a word is popular but lexicographers do not think it has staying power, it would not
be added to the dictionary because the word would not have much meaning in a couple of years, or even stop trending in a couple of days or weeks. Words must have some sort of staying power to be added because dictionaries are considered a way to look back on language and should have words that will endure and evolve the language. Some examples of words that have been added are “chef’s kiss” and “delulu.”
Lexicographers also consider a potential word’s usefulness for a general audience. A word is more likely to be added if it helps people describe or communicate something more clearly and easily. When smartphones became more common, the word “selfie” rose in popularity to describe a self-taken photo of someone or of a group. In the end, dictionaries have a long process of adding words that can take months or even years. Dictionaries are vital for society to function because they hold the languages people speak and how they communicate with others. Dictionaries hold a language’s history and show in real time how language evolves and flourishes with every passing generation.
Royally great shawarmas in the area
| Logan Delahay STAFF REPORTER
Verdict:
4.5/5
andwich King, located on Mounds View Boulevard, gained some recognition over the last few weeks with a review of 4.3 out of five on Yelp. After looking at a brief overview of what’s sold, my friends and I decided to head down to the restaurant and put the shawarmas to the test. I did not know what to expect, but the photos online left a great initial impression.
Arriving at around 8 p.m. the place was filled with movement and chatter. As I walked in, I noticed a lengthy line and very few open tables. After a 10-minute wait, I began browsing the menu as I approached the counter to order. The prices ranged from $7 to $10. These were surprisingly cheap considering the amount of food given. The generous serving sizes compared to the minimal pricing made this place especially appealing.
While ordering, the customer service was nothing but smiles and politeness, although they were incredibly short staffed and busy. Firstly, I ordered the mac and chinese chicken shawarma and a buffalo chicken burrito with fries as well as a drink on the side. The total added up to $27, which again seemed pretty worth it after receiving the large amount of food.
Admiring the interior while awaiting my food, it was hard not to notice the card themed interior with red, black and white decor. Art of kings, queens and red diamonds seen on playing cards covered the walls of the establishment. Old western themed newspapers covered the tables as the tablecloth, adding to the visual aesthetic of the interior. While the decorations were much appreciated, the tables were not maintained and overall cleanliness could be improved.
It took only 10 minutes for the food to arrive, served in plastic takeout boxes filled to the brim. The unbelievably heavy tray held two shawarmas, about as large as a Chipotle burrito, wrapped in tinfoil which looked incredibly appetizing. However, the messiness made me question how exactly I would go about eating it. The sauce smothering the sandwich made it somewhat difficult to unwrap, and picking it up only caused the ingredients to spill out. I decided to eat it with a fork. After taking my first bite, I realized the hassle was worth it. The crispy exterior and tender flavorful meat along with the mac and cheese seemed like a unique combination, yet it did not disappoint in the slightest. Aside from the mess, the food impressed my friends and me. Being completely new to this type of food, I still really enjoyed it and the unique twists the shop puts on their entrees like the mac and cheese
shawarma. Pleased with every entree I ordered, I would definitely recommend this place to someone wanting to expand their palate.
Feeling satisfied as I left the restaurant, I would consider Sandwich King to be a place worth visiting. The general atmosphere of the restaurant’s interior creatively pulled together the dining experience, but the food won me over completely. While the food was quite overwhelmingly messy, the previous factors sealed their case for me. In conclusion, I would rate Sandwich King a 4.5/5.
The Golden Nuts Dubai chocolate craze
| Lilia Barrera STAFF REPORTER
Verdict: 4.5/5
here is nothing quite like a warm treat on a cold day. The decrease in temperature seems to increase sweet cravings, and The Golden Nuts in Columbia Heights offers both delicious treats and foreign gifts as the holiday season approaches. Hearing about the dessert spot online, the restaurant appears to be boasting with popularity.
Opening April 2024, the new location gained tremendous attraction from those eager to try their luxury treat, Dubai chocolate. Located on Central Avenue, the establishment sells a variety of nuts, dried fruits, assorted candies and, of course, Dubai chocolate. Alongside the trending treats, traditional Middle Eastern and Eastern European staples also make an appearance, including both baklava and Turkish delights.
Owned by Palestinian entrepreneur Mahmoud Rammouni, the restaurant encompasses traditional flavors with apparent modern spins like the Labubu shaped chocolate. The popularity surrounding these trend-following dishes seemed to act as
a gateway for visitors to expand their palates and try authentic dishes from the Middle East. I was pleasantly surprised by the vast variety of sweets.
Upon entering the store, a thick scent of chocolates and pastries greeted me, setting a nice tone before ordering. I noticed seating towards the back of the building for eating and socializing. The staff’s friendliness stood out to me, sounding like they were genuinely excited to be there rather than speaking in a forced customer service voice. Though the shop was busy at this time, they remained present and calm within every interaction amongst themselves and customers. As I left, they gave me a kind goodbye, making the experience much more welcoming.
As for the food, the chocolate kunafa immediately caught my attention. I took my first bite, the crispy, crunchy texture of the kunafa perfectly balanced the creamy chocolate. Afterwards, I bought a grape-shaped ice cream bar. Not only was the design adorable, the crunch sensation from the hard shell was incredibly satisfying. Bits of frozen grapes were hidden within the treat, bringing a refreshing essence to the dessert.
After tasting the traditional kunafa, however, I found that the cheese content unpleasantly clashed with the dish’s sweetness. Lastly, I bought the Dubai chocolate-covered strawberry cup. The tart-sweet mixture alone sealed the deal that I would be returning. As I browsed through the store’s packaged snacks, I came across items of home decor ranging from plates to dainty golden figurines. Aligning with the rest of the store’s theme, the furniture included traditional Arabic designs. The store offered other miscellaneous items like extremely pungent foreign perfume oils and framed art.
While these items do fall on the pricier end, the store offers a 10% student discount on any purchases with a student ID, making this spot a perfect place for students to buy decor items or get a treat after school. Initially drawn to the outspoken decor in front of the establishment as well as the Dubai chocolate craze flooding my social media feed, the surprising traditional pieces made the experience much more exciting. The Golden Nuts successfully delivered the sweet and unique experience I hoped for just in time for fall. I ultimately rate the restaurant a 4.5/5.
PHOTO Logan Delahay
Tennis sisters: Sisterhood on the court
| Logan Corey & Jameson Durk STAFF REPORTERS
Two separate players, each successful in their field, share a passion for the sport of tennis. Together, senior Rory Wahlstrand and sophomore Reese Wahlstrand have greatly influenced the Mounds View girls tennis team. Between them, they have achieved numerous top rankings, from fifth place finishes to an impressive first place doubles state title last year, playing together. But aside from the titles and scores, their story stands out for a different reason: they’re sisters.
“It
really got me into playing more matches and tournaments,”
Reese Wahlstrand, sophomore
Rory Wahlstrand and Reese Wahlstrand have both become highlight players for Mounds View’s girls tennis and a key factor in the team’s success in recent seasons. During that time, they have developed not only their individual athleticism, but they have become teammates who constantly push each other towards success and improvement.
Tennis was always on the periphery of the sisters throughout their childhood, as their
parents were tennis coaches themselves. “They never really coached us,” recalled Rory Wahlstrand. Rather, their parents’ interest and dedication to the game gave the two inspiration to pursue the sport of their own volition.
They initiated their careers by joining and competing in their middle school leagues, and the passion cultivated there had flourished into a major hobby by the time they reached high school, where the sport ramped up in intensity. “It really got me into playing more matches and tournaments,” Reese Wahlstrand said, reflecting on her freshman year.
That newfound motivation eventually culminated in one of their proudest achievements to date: a state doubles title. “It was just a really fun way to end the season,” Reese Wahlstrand added.
One of the things that sets the two apart from other players is how their sibling bond translates to the court. “It’s nice to have a practice partner,” said Reese Wahlstrand. “Overall, it’s fun.” Their training sessions have been a source of mutual motivation and growth over the years, not only assisting their athletic careers, but also expanding upon their relationship as sisters, a factor that contributed to their electric chemistry that won them the state doubles championship.
Competing at a high level is hardly simple, yet both sisters seem to have embraced and overcome its various challenges. Reese Wahlstrand found its difficulty as an opportunity to grow as a player, “It’s fun to have people push you,” she said.
“It’s nice to have a practice partner,”
Reese Wahlstrand, sophomore
Rory Wahlstrand finds enjoyment in the social aspect of tennis and the connections it brings. Although the practice is time consuming, they manage to balance both their athletic and social lives. “They’re mixed, because you make a lot of friends at tennis,” she said. Even with demanding schedules and their trials, neither of them have any complaints. They both view hard work as something that makes the entire experience worthwhile.
As they look towards their futures, both Rory and Reese Wahlstrand plan to continue their respective tennis careers into college, applying the lessons, memories and bond as sisters they have built with them. Together, they have built a legacy, one that stems not just from skill, but perseverance and familial support, a legacy that will continue long after they leave Mounds View.
Mountain biking team climbs a path to success
| Aliyah Rogers STAFF REPORTER
hen thinking about high school sports teams, mountain biking may not be one that immediately comes to mind. That said, the Mounds View Public School district has a rapidly growing mountain biking community, with more than 90 bikers and 36 coaches. The team centers around personal growth, such as leadership, confidence and individual goals.
“The
most gratifying part of being a coach is watching the transformation kids have when they get on the team.”
ers. Mounds View’s team was once a part of the Roseville Composite Team until splitting into its own group in 2019. The season starts mid-July and runs through mid-October.
The team welcomes riders from sixth to 12th grade, with experience level varying from beginner to skilled rac-
This year, over 60 riders from Mounds View qualified to race at state, showcasing immense dedication and sportsmanship. However, when it comes to the athletes’ performances, no one is more proud than their coaches. Brent Bar-
tel, one of four head coaches, emphasizes the development, not just accomplishments, as the greatest reward “The most gratifying part of being a coach is watching the transformation kids have when they get on the team,” he said.
The team consists of students who currently attend or plan to attend Mounds View High School, Irondale High School, and Totino-Grace High School. While this could cre-
ate an opportunity for division, the team’s character shines through. “When we’re actually at practice, you can’t tell what school people are from,” said junior Laken Bartel. “Our tents are all set up next to each other and they use the spaces like it’s just one big team … It’s hard to tell a difference between who’s on what team.”
Through the late practices, team building exercises and scrapes, a deeply connected community formed. “When [others] do well, you feel excited for them, even though it doesn’t necessarily affect you,” Laken Bartel said. “From the cheering aspects during the races to the talking during the practices, you just get super connected. It genuinely does feel like a family a little bit. I remember a bunch of races where I was more excited about how other people did than I was for my own results.” It is this strong sense of community that brings Laken Bartel and so many others back each year.
PHOTO VIA Reese Wahlstrand
Senior Rory Wahlstrand and sophomore Reese Wahlstrand holding up their state tournament doubles bracket after winning in the final
Brent Bartel, mountain biking coach
PHOTO VIA Brent Bartel
Sudoku Crossword PUZZLES
Across
2. In which city in India is the average wait time for an F-1 visa about two months?
3. What syndrome describes the buildup of space debris in Earth’s orbit that makes leaving the atmosphere extremely difficult?
4. Who is the owner of the “Golden Nuts”? (Last name)
7. Previous Mounds View graduations were held at 3M Arena at _________, located at the University of Minnesota.
Down
1. The _________ sisters reached back-to-back state doubles tennis championship finals.
4. At which hospital did the new MedSearch club recently volunteer?
5. Which nutrition support program was previously halted due to the government shutdown?
6. What is the last name of the new librarian in the LMC?
8. In 2020, the European Space Agency hired the Swiss startup _________ to remove a piece of space debris from low Earth orbit.
9. Who implemented the Daily HERD updates? (Last name)
10. What was the name of the play Mounds View performed this November?
