MV Viewer 2025-2026 - Issue 9

The Viewer Volume 73

Issue 9

May 26, 2026

Website: mvviewer.org

News 02

Features 03

Arts and Entertainment 06

Middle school model causes outcry

Mounds View’s 2026 retiring teachers

Quantity over quality

Instagram: @mvviewer

Good Question 07

How are golf courses maintained?

2 Middle school model causes outcry NEWS

THE VIEWER • MOUNDS VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

| Grayson Then STAFF REPORTER ommunity members gathered at the Apr. 21 school board meeting for open comment, with 140 people reportedly in attendance. They came to voice their disappointment in leadership, particularly surrounding the reductions in instructional time for music classes. Twenty-three students, parents and alumni each gave speeches to the school board, stressing the importance of the district’s music programs. However, the end of the meeting resulted with the school board acknowledging the feedback but refusing to make any changes to the controversial proposal.

Highview Middle School announced their plan through an email last February to switch their non-core class schedules to an every-other-day rotation to make way for daily advisory and flex time, starting next school year. Edgewood and Chippewa Middle Schools will follow in similar models by the 2027-28 school year. Advisory time will act as technologyfree advisory and a form of homeroom for students, while flex time operates similarly to Mounds View’s ReFLECT where students can sign up for a teacher’s session. The plan also includes “club days” on Fridays where various clubs are offered.

However, this change has caused friction in the community over the reduction of noncore subject class time, particularly surrounding the district’s highly successful music programs. In an email from Oct. 17, 2024, superintendent Chris Lennox stated: “I will reiterate again, our district has had no conversations about any reductions to our music program nor are there any conversations about reductions in the future.”

Administrators feel that the intent of the new model has been misunderstood by members of the community, explaining how the new system is much more complex than just unstructured free time. “I talked to a parent the other day who said, ‘You’re just giving them an extra free period every day. That sounds like a really bad idea for middle schoolers.’ And I said: ‘You are right, that sounds like a horrible idea for middle schoolers,’” said Highview principal Lindsey Samec. “And so I was able to explain the structure a little bit more and nine times out of 10, even if somebody disagrees with the change, they go, ‘Oh, at least I have some more information to know or understand it better.’”

Community members have expressed their grievances with the district’s perceived lack of communication surrounding this change. “We feel that like that last piece of the decision

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making kind of happened in a vacuum, and it caught everybody off guard,” said community member Andy Combites.

“Would the curriculum committee change the math curriculum without talking to math teachers?”

Kiran Vats-Fournier, a Chippewa sixth grader who also went through the district’s existing A/B schedule for her grade, believes the expansion of the schedule to other grades and flex time to every day has more negatives than positives. “I hate having the A/B schedule. It’s just really annoying to keep track of,” said Vats-Fournier.

“And also, Charger Time is just useless. Nobody uses it for anything good.”

“I hate having the A/B schedule. It’s just really annoying to keep track of.” .”

Kiran Vats-Fournier,

Chippewa Middle Schooler

The district and several administrators have frequently expressed that the school board has a minimal role in specific policy implementation at the school level, focusing instead on broad goals of student readiness and exploratory courses.

According to Chippewa principal Molly Hollihan, there had been communication between the middle school principals regarding the change, but also with the high school administrations. “We meet regularly as a middle school team. We meet as a secondary team. And we have definitely had conversations about this,” said Hollihan.

However, both the principals of Mounds View and Irondale High Schools claimed they had no input in any decisions made by the middle schools.

“I was not a stakeholder that provided input, nor was I part of the design team, and I’m not part of the choice makers,” said Mounds View principal Rob Reetz. “The choice makers then are the [middle school] principals and superintendent. We’re not. High school principals are not part of that.”

While she acknowledged the reduction in total instruction time, Hollihan expressed her belief that the high school programs can adapt and continue to be successful even with new challenges. “Even though the formal instruction is every other day, I think the world of our music staff at the high school, [and] I absolutely think that we will still generate fantastic music students and have a fantastic music program,” said Hollihan.

However, some feel this pushes the burden of the middle schools’ problems onto the high schools, with music education being difficult enough already.

“To say that it’s now my responsibility to pick up the pieces when I’m already teaching five ensembles…there’s 250 kids.

So like, I have to catch them up to a full year of instruction, because how am I supposed to do that when I already feel like I don’t have enough time to do everything I need to do?” said Mounds View orchestra director Lucas Shogren. “It’s actually more disrespectful to our program to even say something like that.”

Shogren also stressed the importance of a strong pipeline for music education, with every level being important for high school success. “We need administrators who know what we do and the importance [of] we do through fourth grade, through high school,” he said.

“I don’t have success without success at the middle school nor does middle school have success without success at the elementary school.”

The district and the middle school principals cited various sources of misinformation and miscommunication diluting the actual messages and goals of the change. They noted that community members tried to attend an Apr. 1 meeting, intended for Highview families only, to voice their concerns. The meeting was eventually cancelled by Principal Samec, citing a “growing misinformation campaign” attempting to smear and disrupt the change.

Some rumors have circled in the community, saying that teachers have been instructed to stand down and abstain from talking negatively about the change. Edgewood principal Richmond Tweh explained that there were some instances of meeting with teachers to clear up confusion. “One thing that I would say is that there’s been a lot of miscommunication. So there’s definitely been followup with teachers of, you know, ‘that’s not exactly what’s happening,’” said Tweh.

While all administrators we talked to denied any claims that teachers were being asked to stay quiet on the issue, Sucha claimed this is not the case.

“Not [in] my experience, but I’ve been told by people who have been kind of instructed to stand down. Yeah, so some of my colleagues have been told specifically to stand down and don’t talk about it,” said Sucha.

One other music teacher declined to comment, stating

“This is the first time I’m feeling that this is really scary for the music programs,” Bill Sucha, Band Director

PHOTO | Grayson Then

Community member Andy Combites (center) discussing next steps with others at the district center after the school board open comment session on Apr. 21. that they did not feel they had the freedom to speak openly without facing potential consequences. While he did accept an interview, Sucha felt fearful of what could lie ahead for the program. “In my 30 years, with all the little nicks and cuts that have happened in the past, this is the first time I’m feeling that this is really scary for the music programs,” said Sucha.

Dr. John Benham, a music educator with over 40 years of experience in advocating for school music programs and former Mounds View school board member, questioned the validity of the polls conducted by Education Elements, believing there were issues with collecting and interpreting the information.

“I’ve seen the survey they did, which I think is highly suspect statistically,” he said. “I haven’t seen all the data, but I think the questions that were asked were biased questions and didn’t really come across clearly to people filling out the survey.”

Benham also explained how, based on his own experiences, decisions similar to Mounds View’s, such as switching to every-other-day, have had devastating effects on other programs around the country.

“Typically, what I have discovered is when they make those kinds of decisions, [the district] typically will lose about 50% of their [music] enrollment at the high school level,” he said.

Hollihan explained how the district equity promise, stating that the school a student attends will not be a predictor of their success, was a crucial component when making this decision. She acknowledged the difference in schedules between Highview and other middle schools for next year, but believes this will work out positively in the long run. “I know that Highview went first, and so that is creating a little bit of a discrepancy…[Chippewa] seventh and eighth graders will still have a full year of music where [Highview] students will have it every other day,” she said. “But again, depending on how they

choose to use their flex time, I think all of our work needs to be grounded in equity.”

Some, however, find the difference in schedules as a contradiction of the values used to justify the move. “Yeah, it’s absolutely a mistake as far as their equity promise is concerned…they should have waited to implement it [for] all three at once,” said Shogren. “That group of eighth graders [from Highview] will be coming into ninth grade [with] a completely different background than Chippewa and Edgewood.”

On May 13, Principal Samec stated in an email to Highview families that she would be leaving the middle school at the end of this year, due to unconfirmed reasons, and will act as a principal coach in the White Bear Lake Area school district.

And most recently on May 18, the district sent an email to families stating that they were moving forward with the plan for daily advisory, but they will re-introduce the option for seventh and eighth grade students to re-register for daily music classes next year. The district will continue to explore options for flexible learning, but all three middle schools will be on the same model with daily music instruction available.

This story is still ongoing, and new information may develop before this article’s publishing. Scan the QR code for more information surrounding this issue, including the polls and reports from Education Elements, the analysis by Dr. Benham and details about Education Elements’ acquisition by engage2learn.

Jadyn Heath-Hlavacek contributed to this article

FEATURES

TUESDAY, MAY 26 , 2026 • WWW.MVVIEWER.ORG

Mounds View’s 2026 retiring teachers

3

A look back at the careers of beloved teachers Rebecca Hauth-Schmid, along with Jim and Jodie Bias as they begin retirement

Rebecca Hauth-Schmid | Lale Akkin

STAFF REPORTER

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fter getting her bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and her master’s degree in literature from the University of New Hampshire, English teacher Rebecca HauthSchmid started her teaching career in 1990. For her first five years, she switched between teaching at three different schools. Ever since 1995, 31 years ago, Hauth-Schmid has been teaching at Mounds View High School.

Teaching gives HauthSchmid a way to express her

Jodie Bias | Erin Goareguer

STAFF REPORTER

J

odie Bias always loved going to school, and this love of learning eventually led her to becoming a teacher.. In high school, Bias realized her passion for teaching. “I couldn’t think of a job that I liked better,” said Bias. Originally on the fence between teaching Spanish or math, the choice became clear while pursuing her postsecondary education. “When I was in Spanish in college, I started learning grammar that I didn’t understand in English,” said Bias. “I’m like, yeah, this might not be for me.”

She has studied at the Uni-

Jim Bias | Lale Akkin and Gabi Skiba STAFF REPORTER

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tarting his position in 2019, art teacher Jim Bias has taught 2D art, 3D art and intro to art classes for the last seven years.

Despite his love for the role, he and his wife have made their decision of retiring following the closing of this school year.

Bias discovered his passion for art early on and went to pursue an undergraduate degree in fine arts at the University of Madison Wisconsin. He eventually got his art education training and degree at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

love for literature while interacting with creative, young minds. “I loved literature, and I loved kids. Particularly teenagers, like I never had an interest in elementary or middle school, but I like teenagers because I think your minds are just kind of opening up to all the possibilities of the world,” HauthSchmid said.

While she loves connecting with students, Hauth-Schmid is financially and emotionally ready to retire. She will move to Portugal for a few years to enjoy her retirement. “And I also really just want to live and explore while I still have the health and the energy to do so,”

said Hauth-Schmid. “Just experiencing new sights and smells and tastes and just, you know, living the five senses somewhere else. I’m just so looking forward to something new and something adventurous.”

In Portugal, her husband will work remotely, while her kids are both in Europe for graduate school. “And so our whole family is kind of going on this European adventure,” Hauth-Schmid said.

During her time teaching, Hauth-Schmid has found herself understanding new perspectives through the people she surrounded herself with. “What I’ve learned is that everybody

starts life in their own place, and the best thing that I can do is help them find the skills to do the best that they can do in life.”

The student body at Mounds View may have changed greatly since she started teaching, but Hauth-Schmid still sees a spark in every student. “The students’ creativity and their energy and the enthusiasm that they bring to classes is still there, and that’s what I thrive on.”

Hauth-Schmid’s favorite part of teaching is the connections she makes with students, some of which are kept years after they graduate. She plans on doing ACT, AP and college

essay tutoring on the side to stay connected with students, even if it is virtually. She also will continue keeping in touch with students and alumni.

versity of Minnesota and West Virginia. After getting her degree, she began teaching math at two different schools in Minneapolis and West Virginia before settling at Mounds View High School. Since 1995, Bias has taught a variety of math curriculums and courses. Intermediate algebra, college algebra, Advanced Algebra, Pre-Calculus and Geometry have all been taught by Bias at some point in her time at Mounds View.

After teaching for so many years, she has created many close connections with her colleagues and students. Throughout the years, her students have been the best part of her experience teaching. “I think they’re funny, and they’re full

of energy,” said Bias. “For the most part, I think young people want to make the world a better place. They usually have good values.”

As much as she loves teaching, she has made the decision to retire. “It just feels like the right year for me,” said Bias. “It feels like my time has come.” Following this school year, she plans to create more time for herself to get out of her routine. ‘‘I’m looking forward to not doing the same thing every day,” said Bias. “Waking up to an alarm, going home, getting up again the next day. I just want to have freedom.’’

This summer, Jodie and her husband Jim Bias have planned a road trip to see their daughter

living in Oregon. “We don’t have any real destination until the final couple of days,” Bias said. They plan on visiting the Black Hills and the Grand Teton National Park, as well as other landmarks on the way to Oregon.

Bias’s years of experience have given her perspective as well as advice for newer teachers. “Have fun.

Work hard enough. Make sure you’re prepared on a daily basis,” Bias said. She stresses the importance of maintaining a work-life balance in order to avoid burnout and becoming overwhelmed. “Just enjoy every day,” said Bias. Since she was young, Bias has said there wasn’t a better job for her, and

that hasn’t changed. While Mounds View will miss a wonderful teacher, Jodie Bias’s contributions to and impacts on the Mustang community will not be forgotten.

Finally, Bias got his Master of Fine Arts degree in painting at the University of West Virginia.

Bias has a great deal of experience not only in the arts, but also in teaching. Before teaching at Mounds View, Bias taught at Edgewood Middle School as well as some college courses. He says that retiring from the job title after so many years will feel weird. “I’m both nervous and excited,” Bias said.

“I’m feeling like, in a way, I’m not going to have, like, my identity anymore of being an art teacher, [and] that’s going to be kind of weird.”

Over the years, Bias has

connected with many students.

“I think every day, if I come to school and I’m not in a very good mood, I usually get in a better mood after I start seeing kids again, because I just enjoy talking with kids and laughing and joking around and hearing stories. So I’ll miss the students a lot,” Bias said.

Bias plans on working on his own art after retirement. “I do have plans of trying to get back into my own art, because it’s been really difficult to do that when I get tired out during the day and I’m kind of sick of talking about art all day long,” said Bias.

He has an art studio in his house that was built before he decided to become a teacher and was pursuing painting as a job. Bias plans on spending his newfound free time there.

“I want to start getting back in there and…kind of start my art career,” Bias said. “And I’ve also got just a lot of other hobbies and things that I do. I do wood carving and all kinds of things like that. So I’m hoping to do that kind of stuff.”

Bias has contributed to the school community both through art and his time building bonds with students. While his time at Mounds View may be coming

to an end, his impact will not go unrecognized.

PHOTO VIA LORI DIEKOFF

PHOTO VIA LORI DIEKOFF

PHOTO VIA LORI DIEKOFF

4 SPREAD

THE VIEWER • MOUNDS VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Gen Z

Where students

How Gen Z compares to millennials, Gen X, and boomers culturally, economically and politically.

Gen Z’s terms in politics | Kent Supena SPREAD & FEATURES EDITOR Political unrest has persisted continuously in the past generations, and in present times, Gen Z in America faces the harsh reality of growing up in a time filled with uncertainty and hysteria, such as rising civil instability, ever-growing school shootings and differences among generational values.

This has become heightened by the access to social media and readily available news coverage.

It may not be surprising, then, that the atmosphere around politics is shifting. “In the past 10 years, it’s gotten very divided and people are unwilling to understand different sides, especially with the Republican versus the Democrat issue. It’s become very divided

“It’s become very divided and there’s a lot of echo chambers where people get stuck into one line of thinking,””

Zoe Buzan, junior

and there’s a lot of echo chambers where people get stuck into one line of thinking,” said junior Zoe Buzan.

The baby boomer generation had to navigate through an unstable time of war, with the political landscape being shaped by the Vietnam War and its draft, including growing up with practicing duck and cover drills. Another thing that defined the politics of baby boomers was the Civil Rights Movement. For Gen X, the political unrest of the Cold War persistently spread fear among the younger demographic who grew up learning how to handle nuclear threats. Reaching the millennial era, economic in-

equalities and foreign conflicts had become disruptions that would ultimately begin the shift in how future generations engage with politics.

According to the Pew Research Center, there has been a stark drop off in trust in the federal government across generations. In 1958, 73% of Americans reported having trust in the federal government to do the “right thing almost or all of the time.” This number fell during the Vietnam War, rose again during the 1980s, hit a decadeslong peak during 2001 and has steadily been below 30% since 2007. “The federal government just keeps making mistakes, like back to back. It hasn’t shown any signs of regulating and all the regulations that were supposed to stop aren’t working,” said junior Georgia Archibald.

From Harvard’s School of Public Health, federal gun laws have gotten weaker and the U.S. has more deaths per capita than any other high income country.

Other countries like Australia who had experiences with gun violence have seen a decrease through the implementation of bans on automatic and semiautomatic weapons.

“But on both sides people have taken more extreme beliefs due to the desensitization of political issues and events spreading on social media.” .”

Soren Chowdhury-Dinsmoor, junior

When surveying students about their opinions on political perspectives at a glance, few have given very strong statements on political media being portrayed. “The younger gen-

eration has taken a shift to the left. A wave of young people have rejected traditional values like in cases of religion, familial jobs/values and individual rights. But on both sides people have taken more extreme beliefs due to the desensitization of political issues and events spreading on social media, causing people to debate and argue online, pushing them to be even more extreme,” said junior Soren Chowdhury-Dinsmoor.

The Public Religion Research Institute shows that information and media has changed as well. Unlike past generations who relied on print and television news, information now spreads faster than ever across online platforms.

According to the PRC, around 74% of individuals from 16 to 40 years old rely on traditional news sources, but since social media has advanced, online media platforms have outpaced printed news sources. Since then, the platforms where individuals receive information has heavily pivoted, indicating that the portrayal of media gradually changed.

Independent ideologies and active engagement with social reform has made Gen Z stand out. While political values differ among every generation, there are still ways that communities unite over certain issues. There continues to be concern over political issues with healthcare availability and the cost of living. According to the Congressional Budget Office, 70% of Americans find that the cost of living is their biggest economic concern. All of these values have differentiated every generation and continue to elevate change throughout the decades.

Gen Z’s cult

| Kent Supena SPREAD & FEATURES EDITOR Throughout every generation, pop culture within society has changed in major ways. It is shaped by the dominant media of the time and the people who defined it. Each generation reflects a different relationship with entertainment, technology and identity, illustrating how culture continues to evolve over time.

Media has influenced popular culture for all generations; for baby boomers specifically, the rise of television was significantly influential. Icons such as the Beatles, Marilyn Monroe and the Brady Bunch helped define the era through television, film and music, which helped reach wide audiences simultaneously. Boomers marked a significant shift in popular culture with the rise of counterculture in the 1960s. The Vietnam War was dubbed the first “living room war” for the visibility the public had into its combat and its protest.

Gen X was defined by its large monoculture due to conformity in America at this time.

One significant shift in this time period was the rise of indie culture. Artists like Kurt Cobain and Elliott Smith made names for themselves without the use of large record labels and commercialized control.

Millennials were marked by the rise of the internet. When most millennials were growing up, the internet began to grow

in popularity, bringing people across the world together. This generation is also marked by the rebellion against the loud and colorful patterns of the ‘90s, with millennial grey.

Today, Generation Z culture is constantly being redefined. While it has heavily changed over the past years, the most significant change has been due to the global pandemic. “I think the pandemic definitely affected us when we were so isolated and it made us socially aware and socially available,” said sophomore Emma Winters. While every generation was impacted, the shift of academic and social settings may have had the most lasting impression on Gen Z. Lots of trends arose during that era, as well as introduced newer influences like Charli D’Amelio and MrBeast.

From a survey of 94 students at Mounds View, nearly 40% of students get their news from TikTok, Instagram and Youtube. While older generations heavily relied on print newspapers for news consumption, modern audiences may access their information across multiple online platforms. Approximately 20% of students mainly get their news from Instagram, with TikTok following at 16.4%. “I get my news off TikTok but you can find a lot of things on TikTok and it’s very easy to stay up to date, because

SPREAD

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2026 • WWW.MVVIEWER.ORG

s get their news

Source: Google Forms 94 Mounds View students surveyed

tural outlook you can search one thing and find hundreds of videos on one topic,” said senior Alyssa Gutumbo. According to the World Press Institute, approximately 51% of Gen Z teens aged 14 to 18 receive their news off of social media feeds, rather than television or tabloids.

“I get my news off TikTok but you can find a lot of things on TikTok and it’s very easy to stay up to date, because you can search one thing and find hundreds of videos on one topic.””

you have a different religion or a different sexuality than someone [else], people are open and willing to understand that and they care about it, which is really positive. Especially considering that there’s been a lot of stigma in the past.”

Culture has differed within each generation, fostering change and highlighting diverse identities. With older generations moving on and watching newer generations grow, the values and ideas that earlier generations had will continue to have influence over current society.

5

Gen Z’s fuel in the economy

| Anna Hayek SPREAD & NEWS EDITOR The Gen Z economy is characterized by rising home prices, stagnant wages and large amounts of spending. Throughout history, economic struggle and prosperity have marked time periods and led to many significant and culturally defining events.

One of the significant struggles for people in the economy currently is the issue of buying a house. According to the World Economic Forum, the differences between “then” and “now” are staggering. In 1990, the average home cost 3.2 times the average salary; today it costs five times the average salary. It costs even more for individuals 20 to 34 years old.

Another struggle for people in Gen Z is unemployment and underemployment. According to the WEF, Gen Z in the United States experience unemployment at a much higher rate than other generations and face underemployment after graduation. While the average number of unemployed individuals remains high for young workers, 35% decreases in entry-level jobs have exacerbated the issue in the past three years.

Similarly, wages have not risen at the same rate as home costs. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis, the average home in the U.S. costs around four to five times the average median household income. In certain times of economic stress, this number has risen consistently and significantly. During both the housing bubble of 2007 and COVID-19, the average home cost seven times the median household income.

In America, Gen Z has experienced more debt than other generations. While this could

be attributed to them having less time to grow their wealth, some argue that Gen Z is being set up for a worse economy than other generations. According to Newsweek, Gen Z has more debt adjusted for inflation than other generations. Many factors have contributed to Gen Z facing high debt, such as the economic repercussions of the global pandemic, inflation and a housing crisis.

Debt for large groups of people has been shown to be bad for the economy for many.

“So, effectively, what [more debt] means is that these people can participate less in the economy, they don’t have the chance to jump ahead as much as others,” said Aaron Oseland, social studies teacher.

Like Gen Z, other generations were also marked by financial events that impacted their economy. For millennials and Gen X, this was the housing bubble and the subsequent recession. The 2008 Great Recession caused a significant loss of wealth for Gen X specifically.

While boomers’ median household income declined 26% between 2007 and 2010, Gen X’s median household income decreased 38%. The Great Recession had many impacts on the economy for years to come such as higher unemployment, lost wages and a significant banking collapse. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, millennials differ greatly from previous generations, carrying higher debt and delaying marriage and home purchases.

Furthermore, Gen Z has different financial habits than other generations–namely having higher spending. According to a Nielsen IQ report, Gen Z is predicted to be the wealthiest, largest and highest spending generation in history. This

is mainly due to Gen Z’s sheer size. According to World Data Lab research, the population of Gen Z will likely reach two billion, which explains the high spending habits as well as the predicted contributions to the global economy. “I think Gen Z is going to be a great boon to the global economy, because you have all these people with more skills, with more education, more opportunities for entertainment, and also more connection to each other and the rest of the world. I think it’s going to be positive, but of course,

“I think Gen Z is going to

be a great boon to the global economy, because you have all these people with more skills, with more education, more opportunities for entertainment, and also more connection to each other and the rest of the world. I think it’s going to be positive, but of course, there’s many caveats,”

Aaron Oseland , social studies teacher

there’s many caveats,” said Oseland.

Overall, there are many differences in how different generations spend their money. Even though experts predict Gen Z to have the highest spending among the generations, many individuals still struggle to make landmark purchases like buying a home. There are many factors that contribute to the trends shown in each generation, which makes its analysis even more crucial to understanding how to move forward.

Where students receive influence

Alyssa Gutumbo, senior

From past generations, there were values that earlier and current generations deemed important. For Generation X, the core values that they cared about included being self-reliant and practicing a work-life balance. Millennial often valued diversity and inclusivity which similarly aligns with Gen Z, besides the advancements with social media. “I would say, the thing that we really try to stress is inclusion and understanding different viewpoints, and I feel like that’s a really strong point for most of Gen Z,” said junior Zoe Buzan. “[If]

Source: Google Forms

94 Mounds View students surveyed

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE VIEWER • MOUNDS VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Cultivating craze with 7 Brew Verdict: 3.5/5

| Matthew Betti STAFF REPORTER adnais Heights finally got its own 7 Brew and the insane lines have been a regular sight along County Road E. The specialty coffee shop is drive-thru only, and the line has been wrapping around the lot since day one. The surrounding traffic has been a bit chaotic as the neighborhood adjusts. For the best experience, one should either show up at the opening or block off some time, because a 30-45 minute wait on a busy afternoon

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is completely normal. That said, the staff handle the rush well.

Their upbeat, quick and genuinely happy attitude goes a long way with customers who have been sitting in line for half an hour.

The menu is massive.

There are all kinds of flavored energy drinks, teas, lattes, smoothies and specialty drinks in what feels like endless combinations. It can be a little overwhelming at first, but having time to browse while waiting in line actually helps. Drinks generally cost roughly $6 for a small, $7 for a medium and $8 for a large. For my visit, I went with two drinks that had been on my radar, the blue raspberry energy drink and the cookie butter breve.

Starting with the blue raspberry energy drink, it is exactly

what it sounds like, no more, no less. The flavor is straightforward blue raspberry, the kind anyone would recognize immediately. It is not trying to be anything fancy or complex, and that is fine. What it does deliver is a solid caffeine kick. I felt it pretty quickly after finishing it, which is really the whole point of an energy drink. 7 Brew does not appeal specifically to the coffee-shop experience or offer something unique. In terms of quick, easy, and convenient beverages, however, it more than meets the need. It is best to think of it as a little step up from a gas station energy drink, just with a long drive-thru followed by a friendly face.

The cookie butter breve, on the other hand, was the real highlight of the visit. A breve is made with half-and-half instead

of regular milk, so it is naturally richer and creamier than the average latte and the cookie butter flavor plays into that really well. It is sweet, noticeably sweet, but what saves it from being one-dimensional is that the coffee still comes through underneath. There is a slight bitter edge to it that balances out the sweetness, asserting its status as coffee and not just a dessert. It is indulgent without being overwhelming, and it is the kind of drink that explains why people would wait 40 minutes in a drive-thru line.

Overall, 7 Brew Vadnais Heights is a welcome addition to the area. It is not a place to go to sit down and decompress.

7 Brew is purely drive-thru, intended to be in-and-out. Once the opening chaos dies down and the lines normalize, it will

PHOTO | Matthew Betti

be a convenient and solid spot for a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon treat. Just maybe avoid it on Sunday afternoons for now.

Quantity over quality Verdict:

ICEMAN 6/10 HABIBTI 5/10 MAID OF HONOUR 3/10

| Joey McVean STAFF REPORTER n an unexpected turn of events, not only did fivetime Grammy winner Aubrey Drake Graham release his ninth studio album, “ICEMAN,” but two more albums simultaneously Friday, May 15. Albums “MAID OF HONOUR” and “HABITI” were released, with 43 total songs across the three. Approaching this release by OVO Sound and Republic Records, Drake’s career has been shrouded in fame, memes and controversy.

In one instance, Drake left a giant slab of ice in Toronto with the release date for ICEMAN buried inside. This caught social media attention instantly as creators and ordinary people chipped away the ice with pickaxes, sledgehammers and even flamethrowers in anticipation for the upcoming album. His first album, “Thank Me Later,” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on its debut week of

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release. Throughout his career, albums like “Scorpion,” “Certified Lover Boy” and “Views” all gained international recognition and drew in an estimated $400 million, according to Social Life Magazine. As the third most streamed person in history with 132 billion total streams according to Spotify, a lot was expected of Drake in his new album.

On release day, I was actually unable to listen to the album first thing due to the overload of people waiting to hear the new release. Both Spotify and Apple Music crashed as millions of fans tried to listen to the albums all at once. As for my thoughts on ICEMAN, it definitely had an R&B vibe with songs like “Firm Friends” and “Make Them Cry” as well as more fast-paced songs like “National Treasures” which I liked a lot for the hype, upbeat flow. The first song on the album, “Make Them Cry” stands out to me a lot lyrically. Bars like “I really make the roughest days in life look very relaxin’,” and “I’m still healin’ my own traumas, I’ve barely adapted” tap into Drake’s emotional and soft side, showcasing that there’s more to his life and mental health journey than the

surface level things he normally raps about. Similar to “Make Them Cry,” “Make Them Pay” has a pleasant lyrical scheme and refined production, which was a consistent trend across the album.

That being said, I have some issues with the album as well. For one, it hardly rivals Drake’s previous works like “Scorpion” or “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.”

The sort of original Drake flair and uniqueness that he once brought to the studio seems to have been lost in “ICEMAN” as well as the other two new albums. While the release certainly isn’t bad or unlistenable, it feels slightly sterile and monochromatic compared to his previous works. After making it halfway through “Little Birdie,” I skipped to the next song. It has that digital sound that is common in AI-generated music. Towards the end of the album the quality definitely declined with a complete loss of soul in the song “Don’t Worry.”

All in all, “ICEMAN” isn’t terrible; however, I would for sure label it as hit or miss on a song- to-song basis. Its hits are still average to above average when compared with other albums. As for the other two al-

bums released on the same day, “MAID OF HONOUR” and “HABIBTI,” the quality only declines. Like “Little Birdie,” “Rusty Intro” off of “HABIBTI” was skipped halfway through.

However, the song “Slap The City” has a very enjoyable flow and production. The song “High Fives” right after is just another example of the monochrome mainstream slop feel as mentioned previously. To me,

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“MAID OF HONOUR” takes an even deeper dive into the pit of mediocrity. The first four songs in a row are just straight dumpster fire followed by the already released “Which One,” which got good media attention. However, I still am not a big fan. My final review: “ICEMAN” 6/10, “HABIBTI” 5/10, “MAID OF HONOUR” 3/10.

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TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026 • WWW.MVVIEWER.ORG

How are golf courses maintained?

| Sean Oh STAFF REPORTER olf is a very well known and popular sport, with courses in over 80% of all total recognized countries and territories according to Forbes. Recently, golf has experienced vast growth, with playerbase growth consistently around 5% for the past six years, according to the National Golf Foundation.

However, new and inexperienced golfers often lack the knowledge of common etiquettes and practices of golf.

The greatest piece of contention in the golf community usually regards new players’ general disrespect of course conditions, which can worsen players’ experience. Unknowingly, new players may overlook the effort put into meticulously maintaining golf courses.

Greenskeepers, the official title of people who maintain a course, begin their work early in the morning before any golfers are allowed to play. According to National Club Golfer, several greenskeepers embark from 6:45 am to carefully mow every hole and move every flag position on every green.

As they mow, every greenskeeper must also rake and smooth each bunker, which can be a lengthy process as some courses may have over 90. They

also give the greens the correct nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, vital for grass health.

There are many specific techniques that greenskeepers use in order to maintain proper playing conditions. One common technique is aeration of greens. According to the Golf Academy, aeration is when holes of almost half an inch are removed from the ground and then replaced with sand for better grass health. This process helps to remove organic matter, decompress soil, improve drainage and promote root growth. A lower concentration of organic matter can prevent issues related to water and oxygen unavailability for the grass, limiting growth.

Another aspect of a greenskeepers’ job regards dealing with weeds and turf diseases.

Turf diseases are most often categorized by discolored circular patches of grass, often being yellow or tan. To control these diseases, greenkeepers must promptly identify and remove infected areas. This helps prevent further spread and minimises the risk of extensive damage.

Additionally, selective herbicides can combat persistent weeds that may contribute to disease development. Under-

| Sydharth Sharma STAFF REPORTER or many high school athletes, competing at the college level is a major goal. However, what often appears online as a simple commitment post is usually the result of years of preparation, communication and difficult decisions. Behind every commitment announcement is a long process that often begins years before becoming a senior.

At Mounds View High School, student-athletes across various sports experience recruiting in unique ways, but many describe it as both exciting and stressful. From building highlight reels to communicating with coaches, the path to college athletics can look different for every athlete. Still, many students share similar challenges throughout the process.

According to Athletic Director Jim Galvin, one of the biggest changes in recruiting has been the shift away from high school competition and toward year-round club sports.

Athletes now spend much more time competing in Amateur Athletic Union programs, club leagues and national tournaments, where college coaches can evaluate them more often.

“Recruiting has changed really

from high school-based to clubs, AAU programs and national tournaments,” Galvin said.

Galvin said students interested in playing college sports should begin the recruiting process as early as possible.

He recommends athletes fill out college recruiting questionnaires, build highlight reels and establish a positive online presence to help coaches find them.

“The earlier you get on people’s radars, the better,” Galvin said.

Junior Andy Vizecky, who has committed to the University of Washington for rowing, said the recruiting process required much more personal effort than expected. As a top Division I recruit, Vizecky said athletes can best prepare by prioritizing their effort, mindset and skill development. “Control the things you can control. Become the best teammate, become the hardest worker and hone your skills,” Vizecky said.

Senior Rory Wahlstrand, who has committed to Gustavus Adolphus College to play tennis, said her recruiting process began during sophomore year. At first, hearing from coaches felt intimidating, especially through frequent emails and messages.

“It kind of made me nervous for a while,” Wahlstrand said. “But once I realized I needed to fo-

G

standing each grass type’s specific maintenance requirements and characteristics is crucial for effective weed control and optimal playing surfaces.

Though greenskeepers have many roles dedicated to the upkeep of courses, there are still some maintenance tasks that are vested to the players during their rounds.

The most common practice for golfers is to replace divot marks and fill them with a sandseed mixture. According to the United States Golf Association, carts are usually stocked with a distribution device including a funnel that is filled with a mixture of sand and grass seed. This tool is intended for golfers to use if they make deep gashes in

the grass after their shots, which can help prevent unintended breeds of grass growing instead of the desired ones.

Another expectation regards fixing pitch marks, which are small, circular dents in greens left when a ball lands from a high altitude. These indentations are expected to be evened out, either with a small tool, a tee or simply a shoe.

These responsibilities are vested in the players because the greenskeepers do not maintain the courses during play. This policy generally acts as a service to those greenskeepers who work hard to prepare the course that they play on.

Overall, the work that greenskeepers put in for golf

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PHOTO | OTSEGO RESORT

It is important for golfers to respect the course and do their part to keep it looking good during their time on the greens.

courses is extensive and certainly has a big effect on the playability of the course. It is important for golfers to appreciate the greenskeepers’ dedication and do their part for the fun of everyone.

What is the college recruitment process?

F

cus, it got easier over time.”

Wahlstrand said one of the most difficult parts of the process was balancing school, athletics and communication with multiple coaches. Staying organized became essential. “It was a lot of to-do lists; checking things off made me feel more productive,” Wahlstrand said.

Social media and personal reputation have also become major parts of recruiting. Galvin said college coaches often look beyond athletic performance when evaluating athletes, including how they present themselves online and in school.

“They want kids they can trust who are going to work hard and do the right things,” Galvin said, emphasizing that coaches want athletes who will positively represent their programs.

For athletes themselves, the decision often goes beyond simply finding the strongest athletics program. Wahlstrand said that while tennis was an important factor, she spent significant time thinking about what her college experience would look like outside of her sport. “As much as I love it, it’s not going to be my life forever,” Wahlstrand said, noting that finding the right overall environment was essential to her final decision.

PHOTO | Vedant Vashishtha

For many student-athletes, the recruiting process involves much more than choosing where to play their sport. Support from coaches, counselors and family often plays a major role in helping students navigate the academic, athletic and personal decisions that come from the process. At Mounds View, that support is an important part of helping athletes succeed at the next level. “We want to see our athletes go on and play in college,” Galvin said.

PHOTO | Vedant Vashishtha

“We want to see our athletes go on and play in college,”

Jim Galvin , Activities Director

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